Life Inverted

A ramp that has no name…

yourlifeinverted — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:03:11 +0000

I get on a plane one day in May to go on a missions trip with the elevate guys and girls. We pack up, hit numerous connections and eventually touch down the next day in Manzini, Swaziland Africa. The atmosphere was something I wasn’t use to. 2,000 feet above sea level, just walking was a challenge for me over all these hills.

Mbabane (Ba-ban) was a booming city where we stayed. We were right outside the city in a place called
Emafeni. It was a natural spring turned into a retreat center. We would drive into the city every day to do various things for the church. We were mainly there to work on the Children’s Cup care points. Some of what we did was the most inspiring things I’ve ever witnessed.

We came to Swaziland on a Thursday night and started first off that Friday morning. This was the first time the Swaziland campus had ever done an outreach as a church was that morning. They all put on there serve shirts, and we cooked for the complex we were in. They did what was called a “bri.” That’s basically a barbeque in Si-swati.

Also that first day we went to a park in the middle of Mbabane. It was one of the only parks that most people walk through when they are leaving the park. This was an interesting area because I never knew what was in this park until I got there.

I pull up to the park and started playing with the kids there. It was great. We played soccer and got to have a blast with everyone. Then I asked one of the guys Jordan that is an intern with the church about something I saw in the distance. “Hey what is that thing?” He replied, “Oh yeah, that is a mini ramp.” I was confused. “A mini ramp? I thought people didn’t skate in this city.”

I walk over to the ramp and I look in it. It is a mini ramp in the middle of Swaziland Africa. I heard from Jordan that it was a eye-soar to most people and many just don’t know what you use it for. It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.

The ramp was about 6 feet tall. It seemed to be made of cinder blocks and concrete. The mud in the bottom of the ramp was built up at least a foot thick. I heard it’s about 1 year old and it would seem like that is the last time it was used by how dirty it was.

I walked away from that park realizing something. I was sent to a city that doesn’t skate, to see the most awsome site in the world. A ramp that could be used to start conversations and relationships of the many kids who skate there. It made me realize that no matter where were from, we have a common ground that can be shared anywhere in the world. God has blessed me with this gift, I must share it with the world. This is a ramp that has no name yet.

Life Inverted Going Mainstream!

yourlifeinverted — Sun, 04 May 2008 18:59:46 +0000

That is right. You heard it correctly. Life Inverted is starting May 30th at my house. We will not be doing an outreach that Saturday, but we will be the following Saturday. I just thought I would share a little bit along the lines of what Life Inverted will be like the next few summer months.

Colossians 3:1-3 (as it is on the shirts) is what I have found to be the biggest foundation for the group so far. It basically says to us that if we have been raised with Christ, or in the greek meaning dedicatedly raised for him, we should set our thoughts on things that God wants. This translates into anything God wants us to do for him. I can’t believe that God sees me that important that he would save me and dedicate me to his use.

When it comes to following God, its all how God preceives it to happen. We are as Christians there to be a part of what God has already started in that persons heart. Wether its helping a person learn a trick, or catching their board before it falls to the bottom of the ramp, or just handing them a bottle of water. Our service needs to be heavenly minded–eternally minded. Let’s all have that perspective as we go into this summer expecting God to move. You guys are awsome!!!!

Adam B.

Calendar’s Gap – All in a day’s work

yourlifeinverted — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 04:24:39 +0000

I guess you can call me a star. It was Me and some of Joey’s friends Dave, Poppa G (thanks for the clip dawg), and some other cool guys who made this 180, Fakie 360, and huge 180 possible. Oh, and I would like to thank the academy.

Joey got it goin’!!

yourlifeinverted — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 03:18:54 +0000

So, here is the front page picture of our native skater Joey Bourque. The dude was doing a 8 foot melon clearing this picnic table! I shortly came around and struggled to get over the thing (lol me and my fat self). And for you ladies, Joey is 14, he likes water polo, and his major hobby is underwater basket weeving–next to skating of course. Way to go Joey!!!

Just another Night…

yourlifeinverted — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:47:52 +0000

Just another night at the skate park. Not much going on accept SIGN SLIDING! FUN, FUN, FUN!!!
The guys and I found this sign and put it down the veladrom

Oh yeah, it was funny as you can see. Joey B. and some of the guys got some big air (including some busted tail bones).

There was also a guy from the advocate there taking pictures and such, I had a good chat with him about how the park has been there for at least a decade and that it was about time we needed something else. I had a blast. And I also did a huge 180 today at calendars. It was fun, and I met some new guys. GOOD TIMES!!!

We Got New Ramps!!

yourlifeinverted — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:48:15 +0000

Ok, this is a God send! Life Inverted has been given two quarter pipe ramps. This is an awsome opportunity for the group because we can do this at my house now (well, actually my mom’s house, lol). The ramps are about 8 feet wide and 5′ 5″ tall. I have a feeling it was God from the moment I found out about them.

I got a call from Derk Gracer about the ramps on Thursday of last week. I called Mac Edmonson (a.k.a Rooster) and he gave me the info on how he got them. I was so excited I was about to wet my self! I went over there and took pictures of the ramps. I plan on going Monday of next week and getting the ramps over to my house. I want to have the first group that Friday, Febuary 8th.

I’m so excited! God is moving!

The first blog of the new year!!!!

yourlifeinverted — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:22:00 +0000

Well, this is the first blog of Life Inverted! I know, I know. Where have I been? Well it’s been a busy time in my life right now but God has given me a passion and I want to seek it out. Life Inverted has offically start to take form. It will be small, but I will fully obey God in seeing that the skating community will see the love of Christ.

This blog is short and sweet because I didn’t have enough time to keep writing. Just keep looking here and on the myspace page for info updates.

I love everyone who comes to this page with all my heart, and I can’t wait for God to show up!

Adam Brandon
Founder, Life Inverted Ministries