Hope Spot 52 – Hopalong?

In a couple of weeks the Australian Open tennis will start. 

I went once, and had tickets courtside for the main match, thanks to a kind friend.

However, I’m not a very good tennis fan, and managed to fall asleep mid-rally.

Needless to say, I’ve not been invited again!

Back in the 90s, two of the biggest stars of tennis were Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf …

… but that doesn’t stop me blaming them for me having to wear a MOON Boot for three months!

(I’ll explain in a moment.)

What you might not know is that Agassi and Graf, now married, have established 130 schools in the US for 80,000 students who would otherwise have been disadvantaged.

Agassi was inspired by his own lack of education to work hard to give this gift to others.

Just like you, with all you do through ALWS for children in places like Kenya and Somalia, Agassi knows the power of education to give children opportunities for life.

This is why education is a key component of our ALWS 75^th Anniversary Thanksgiving in 2025, when we will Step out, so a child can step up!

Our aim, with you, is to support 75,000 children
in thanks for 75 years of ALWS service.

At an average of $25 per child, this is a bold step-of-faith challenge …

… just like so much of what you and I do together through ALWS.

Ukraine. Somalia. South Sudan.

You can be part of the 75^th Thankgiving by joining a Walk My Way … attending the celebration at Bonegilla Migrant Centre near Albury … giving a special 75 donation.

Find out more here!

Which brings me back to my Moon Boot,
and Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.

You may remember a couple months back I told you I’d taken up playing Pickleball.

Agassi and Graf are huge fans of the game, and as regular players have helped boost its popularity around the world (fastest growing sport in the US).

Even though Pickleball is designed for more ‘senior’ would-be ‘sportspeople’, like me …

… it takes no account of the big disconnect between what a brain that thinks it’s 25 believes it can do, and what a body that is very much older can actually do.

A lesson I learned when I went for a speccy shot …

… but ended up thinking I’d been shot, as my Achilles ruptured.

I must admit it’s been very humbling to need help, and learning how to ask for help.

Yet, at the same time, it’s a special joy when someone is kind enough to give help.

Like the lady who offered to carry my bag of groceries to the car … the attendant at the cricket who brought me a special chair in a prime spot to watch Travis Head smash India to all parts of the ground … the flight attendant who found me a seat up front of the plane.

Kindness. Thoughtfulness. Compassion.

In a world that seems so troubled, these qualities bring help that restores hope.

Which is exactly what you do
through ALWS.

That’s why, as we leave behind what has been a challenging year for many of us …

… I may have to hopalong, a bit weary and busted-up, and slower than normal, into 2025

… but I also hope, along with you, having witnessed what we can do together through ALWS for those the world has forgotten.

Thank you for being a blessing through 2024, and for ALWayS!