Unexpected Surprises & Opportunities

Preparing for Demolition

Pastor Rafael Manzanares (Santa Ponsa Community Church) said to me before I arrived in Mallorca, Spain in August 2007: "Just come and let your vision be clarified by God.  Just let go of any expectations you may have."  I am by nature a planner, very structured, hate wasting time, detail orientated, type A personality, etc.  I had been pushing Raf for months to give me a detailed "job description."  However, there was wisdom in Raf's response.  I came to Spain, not knowing exactly what I would be doing, besides learning Castilian.  He had mentioned in previous conversations he had four things going on.  He was pastoring a international church, directing a Bible college extension campus, teaching a Spanish speaking service, & had a desire to plant a church in Palma (Mallorca's Capital City).  He would say, "Just come help out."  So, I came in obedience & faith in Jesus.  It didn't take long, for God to start filling up my schedule with plenty of ministry.  Ministry I was called, equipped, & gifted by God to do.  In September 2018, I came to New Zealand for the first time to "Spy out the Land."  I had many conversations with Pastor Ryan Anderson (Calvary Chapel Whangarei), on what exactly I would be doing, if I decided to come.  It sounded like a perfect fit.  I had an idea of what to expect, or so I thought...

In the Middle of Renovations

Monday June 24th (4 days after my arrival), was my first day at Lion's Den MMA Ministries.  We begin and close each class with prayer.  At the end of class, Ryan (Founder & Head Coach) said: "Just to remind you, classes will be cancelled.  We will be closed all next week, for renovations of this building."  This was the first time I heard this would be taking place.  Now, I am no stranger to manual labor/construction...but they had the wrong Flores!  My Dad is a jack of all trades (and master of all), great with math, mechanically inclined, & loves building/creating things with his own two hands.  You can say he is a "natural."  He was a Carpenter (like Jesus), Sheet Metal worker/Welder, & then worked in the film industry.  He is the ultimate handyman.  God has wired, equipped, gifted, & called him in this type of work.  I on the other hand...not so much.  What happens so wonderfully in him, doesn't in me.  However, I came to serve no matter what, and would do the best I could.  I was thankful for the instruction, patience, and trust given to me by Ryan (Engineer by trade) & one of our Deacons Simon (Builder by trade).  On Saturday June 29th, renovations began.  The original plan was 1 week, it ended up taking 3 weeks.

Lion's Den MMA Relaunched

Saturday July 20th, we had a Lion's Den MMA Relaunch Dinner.  There was still some minor things that needed to be done, but for the most part it was finally finished!  Classes started again, and everyone felt this was the start of a exciting new season/chapter.  These renovations also benefited and blessed the church, since Calvary Chapel Whangarei now meets at the same building.

Lion's Den MMA & Calvary Chapel Whangarei

Sunday June 30th, I had lunch with Matthew Shepherd, who is one of the Bible teachers at Calvary Chapel.  I expressed to him my desire to start a Prison Ministry at the church, and to begin the application process ASAP.  Later that evening, he attended a prayer meeting that included multiple churches in Whangarei.  A woman named Gini from Angel Tree Ministries, ended up sharing about prison ministry.  Shepherd gives a me call that evening, and says "Would you like to go to a prison ministry meeting tomorrow night?"  I couldn't help but smile and think, "God that was fast!"  We both decided to join Gini & a few others, for a drive up north to this meeting on Monday July 1st.  Not knowing who else would be in attendance, we end up meeting the Chaplain for the prison I am trying to get into!  Through the month of July, I began the process of reading, filling out, signing, & sending forms to Prison Chaplaincy Service of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCSANZ).  I would have to pass two tests/phases of paperwork and background checks to get approval.

Tae Kwon Do around 1993-1994 with Grandmaster Young S. Kim

Coach Ryan Anderson, surprised me with another role I hadn't planned on.  Being a Personal Trainer by trade, I was coming to be a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Lion's Den MMA.  He asked if I was keen to teach/instruct the Juniors Grappling class (Catch Wrestling & No Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) as an Assistant Coach to him.  Although, he had hinted at the possibility of it on my trip last year, nothing was made official then.  I was excited, but really nervous.  I had coached my clients in LA, in martial arts before, but this would be my first time formally coaching classes at an academy.  It would also be my first time formally coaching juniors in martial arts.

My Gi from Childhood

Monday July 22nd, was my first official day of Coaching the Juniors class (ages 12-17).  On my first day at the Lion's Den, I told the juniors there are five basic reasons why people practice/study martial arts.  The reasons I  gave were sport/competition, self-defense, health and fitness, military, or a desire to hurt people.  I then asked why they were there.  Some raised their hands & said they wanted to get in shape/stay in shape, and an even smaller percentage said for sport/competition.  However, 90% of them raised their hands and said for self-defense.  They wanted to learn how to protect themselves and those they loved.  I shared this with Coach Ryan, and he told me there were some kids being bullied at the moment, or in times past.  This brought back memories, not of being bullied, but as to why I began martial arts in the first place.  I was always intrigued/interested by Movies & TV shows having to do with martial arts.  Sport and competition would come later, but my primary motive was purely self-defense.  By the end of the month of July, Coach Ryan graciously let me also teach/instruct the seniors grappling portion of the class alongside him from time to time (age 18 & up).  He also allowed me to start a extra Seniors Grappling class, for those who wanted extra practice.  It truly has been rewarding.  God truly does use everything we've experienced and gone through, for future ministry to others.

Warren Wiersbe

Warren Wiersbe (On Being A Servant Of God): "During my childhood, I was frustrated because I didn't have the abilities other boys had, especially in athletics & the manual arts.  I was the last one chosen for every team & I passed my junior high school shop courses mainly because the instructors liked my two older brothers, both of whom are good craftsmen.  Believe me, those school years weren't easy; and there were times when I was bitter.  'Why me, God?'  But God didn't prepare me to be an athlete, a woodworker, or a mechanic.  He wanted me to be a preacher and a writer, & He arranged for that when He planned my genetic structure.  He did the same thing for you, & He knew what He was doing.  Your abilities & interests are an important part of the will of God for your life.  Nobody's perfect, & nobody can do everything.  There are gifted musicians who can train choirs & present splendid concerts, but they have problems preparing & following budgets.  I have preacher friends who are masters of the pulpit but are miserable in the counseling room.  Not all preachers are good administrators, & some excellent missionaries are not gifted pulpiteers.  There's something in human nature that makes us want to have what the other person has.  The evangelist wants to be a theologian, the singer wants to preach, & the preacher wants to sing!  We were all born with different interests & abilities, & when we were saved, we were given different gifts.  I believe God matches spiritual gifts with natural abilities so that we can fill the place He has for us & do the job He wants us to do."

By His Grace,
Eric