Dear Predator Family,

This message is one of deep regret that I have to share with you and find very difficult to deliver to you. I have been notified by one of our Predator Players, Jacques Hightower that he and his family have recently suffered with the lost of his little brother. I was first alerted and I immediately contacted the guardians of Jacques to confirm whether the news was true. Unfortunately it was and we now have to once again have to console a member of our predator family. From what I have learned, the young man was a 3 year old who had a prior medical history and had been enduring a physical problem up to the time of his departure. The boys on the Predator senior spring quad, along with me and the coaches have already spent time with Jacque before practice on Tuesday, when he stopped by for a brief moment, and shared a prayer of confidence for him and his family. I do not have any other information at this time however; I ask that if any of you would like to assist in any way to help Jacques or his family pleases contact coaches Benjamin and Kelly Hibbert of the senior division, Jacques guardians, for more information and details.

For the pass two weeks the Poinciana Senior Division have shared this prayer at the end of practice. We have joined hands and stood in the middle of the field and this was our prayer.

Heavenly Father we are only human and we are just men. Lord teach us to be, all we could be and all that we are. Show us that stairway, that we have to climb, Oh Lord for our sake, teach us to take, One Day at A Time. Sweet Jesus , that’s all we ask of you. Just give us the strength, to do everyday what we must do. Yesterday is gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be ours. Oh Lord for our sake, teach us to take, One Day at a Time, Amen.

 Yesterday we did the same thing with Jacques. I believe that God was preparing us for this news and here we are. So I simply would like to remind each of you that a loss of a love one is not something that makes us happy. Neither is it something that we welcome. However, I know from experience, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.  Guest who will be standing there with his hands extended out for any one of us to take hold of and complete the greatest walk that any of us will ever take? Yes, it will be Jesus, as long as we express through love and live by faith and trust in him now. We must not be a shame of him in any way, shape, form, or fashion. We must work endlessly to be the best God fearing obedient person that we could be and believe that God lives within us and that we are automatically destined to enter into his house. Believe that God is the creator of the heavens and earth. Believe that he gave his only begotten son Jesus (John 3:16), who died for us all so that we may have eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. We have no reason to believe that Jacques little brother is not there and neither do I or you need search for a reason to prove otherwise. There is a place for each and every one of us and we will take our place when we are called, no matter how young or how old we are. I pray from my soul this morning that all of us bond together in faith and be the pillow of strength that this family can depend on to help them understand this tragedy and to help them survive it in Jesus name, AMEN. I thank God for being the keeper of this child. I pray that this family changes as a result of it and learn to acknowledge that God is real and that their child is happy. He is happier than we are living being in the flesh. Please, trust God and believe, that Jacques baby brother is an angel and always has been from since his very first breath of life. He was too young to have been a sinner. Thank you Jesus for your Mercy and Grace wish you have shared upon us Father. In our hearts we know that thou are with us, Amen!!!!!

We are all Gods Children,

Albert L. Bates Jr.

President / Poinciana Predators  

Hello Predator Families and Friends,

I regret to inform you that Orren Smith, the loving father of two lovely daughters, Elisa and Rebecca and husband to a lovely wife, Melissa, has been called home by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Many of us in the Predator Family never got the chance to meet or to talk with Orren. However, the ones that did have nothing but wonderful comments about the kind of man he was. In speaking to those that knew him best, I was told that he was a devoted husband and loving father. I was also told that any of us would be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated person in regards to his love and care of his children. Some members said that he loved his family dearly and that he was sincerely devoted to their well being. As more people spoke, I learned that there was nothing that Orren Smith would not do for his wife and daughters and also his friends.

Good morning Predator Family,

It is with great sadness to tell you that father of Coach Greg Botchen of the Pee-Wee Division, and the grandfather of Dillon Botchen of the Senior Division has been called home to be with our good Lord Jesus Christ. Coach Greg’s father became seriously ill a few weeks ago and had to be hospitalized. Unfortunately he did not survive to return home. All the time during his stay at the hospital we have been praying continuously for his recovery. Once again a member of our Predator Family has gone on to a greater life than what we know here on earth. Even though we should be celebrating his home going to be with the Lord, we naturally feel the sadness and the grief that the family members are experiencing at this time.

 In prayer, I say to the family that all is not loss, for the Lord knows exactly what he is doing. I pray for your understanding of his work and that you trust in him with all your heart and soul. I pray that each of you know that in the end, you will feel in your heart that everything will be alright. I know that the loss of a love one is not an easy thing to accept, for many of us have already experience that side of life. I pray that the family members understand that the memories of Mr. Botchen will live forever, and that each of you will soon realize and understand that you must carry on just as God has planned for you. When you feel lonely; call on Jesus, when you feel heartbroken; call on Jesus, when you feel despair; call on Jesus, when you feel that you just simply can't go on; call on Jesus, what ever you need; just call on Jesus and my friends he will be there to bring you through it all just as he promised. I pray that every one of us, take the time at the beginning of each day of life that you experience, thank the Lord for allowing you that day. Pray that he walks with you with every step of the way. Learn to love one another and stand up for Jesus no matter what, because he is the answer. Tomorrow is  not promised to any of us, so take the time today to give him the praise, the honor, and the glory for all that you have and for your life. We are all a child of God and he loves each and every one of us (the world) so much, that he gave his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to die for us(the world) so that we may have eternal life. God says that the world through Jesus Christ will be saved and that he that believeth in him will not be condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already because he have not believed in the name of the only begotten son, Jesus Christ. I pray that everyone that reads this prayer believe. I pray that this prayer touches the hearts of every one of the family and give them relief from all pain and sorrow for the loss of their love one, Amen.

I want you to know Coach Greg and Dillon that we love you and that we share your grief. If there is anything that you would like for us to do to help you and your family through this difficult time, please do not hesitate to ask. I know in my heart that the Predator family, which by the way is your family too, will stand beside you and support you unselfishly without hesitation. Again, we love you Greg.

Albert Leon Bates Jr. / President / Poinciana Predators

Hello family and friends of Kendall Berry,

Former Haines City Rattler and MFFCC Player

This message is one of deep sorrow and regret in the acknowledgement of the recent home going of our young friend Kendall Berry, a former Haines City Rattler and MFFCC participate whose life unexpectedly ended on Thursday evening, March 25, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Kendall was a student at Florida International University where he had become a star on campus through participation in the football program which he loved so much. Kendall was well known on the campus and will be remembered by the thousands in attendance at the University as he had become very well known for his accomplishments while in attendance.

 First, I would like to begin by saying to his family and everyone whose life Kendall touched along the way, that this fine young man was truly an angel sent from heaven for us to enjoy during his short stay here amongst us.

Kendall Berry was a shining star that spent his life serving as a role model for so many young people of his era, especially for the young men and women in his neighborhood in Haines City Florida. For so many of us, to know Kendall was an absolute pleasure. To have had the opportunity to spend time teaching, training, talking, and even admiring his athletic abilities was indeed a real pleasure. To experience the courtesy and respect that he always exemplified was always a welcoming experience.

Kendall’s devotion to sports and a strong work ethic, were also accompanied by his classroom academic achievements. His respect for his family and friends was like a ray of pure light and as warm as the morning sun. He wanted so much to succeed in life in a great way so he worked towards that goal with the support of his family and friends. Kendall was the kind of young man that naturally demanded your respect due to his genuine personality that was generous and kind. His Mother and Father, Derrick and Mellissicia (Lebre), are very proud of him as well as seven other brothers and sisters. His parents did a wonderful job in raising him to be respectful and peaceful. His kind demeanor helped make him standout in the crowd no matter where he traveled. To sum it all up, I think that it would be appropriate to say that he was a fine human being and I’m sure that the good Lord will cherish as one of his prize disciples.

 To his family, Derrick, Mellissicia (Lebre), and all of his brothers and sisters; we want you to know that, your son / your brother, Kendall, represented all of you gallantly. He was truly an overwhelmingly kind young man that carried himself like a knight in shining armor. Words can hardly describe the affect that his personality had from the calmness that one got by simply engaging in conversation with him. He was a very intelligent young man with a bright future ahead of him had that opportunity not been so tragically taken away.

 For many years he represented the Haines City Rattlers with pride and character, just like the great Rattlers that played before him. Kendall shares a big part in helping to build the winning tradition of the Haines City Rattlers Youth Football and Cheer League. I believe that if he were here to tell us, that the best part for him was the love and support that he received from his family members as coaches and mentors during his reign. He marveled many players throughout the leagues and brought tears of joy to the coaches and fans that watched him performed. To see him play was almost unbelievable because of the level of play in which he performed.

After completing his youth and high school sports days, Kendall went on become a player in the college ranks attending FIU. In such a short time Kendall had managed to touch the hearts of the thousands on campus just as he did with us locally. The news of his untimely departure from life has been broadcasted all over the 50 states and has truly brought much sorrow to everyone who knew him. Unsurprisingly, Kendall had the same affect on his new friends in the southern end of the state that he had on us here in the central region. He was greatly admired and well respected as a teammate, classmate, and most importantly as a person in general as told by so many people in the Miami area. There was a fantastic memorial held at the FIU campus in honor of Kendall in which I am sure his Mother and Father will never forget. They probably never knew that several thousand people really felt so generously about Kendall until this tragic moment occurred and gave them the opportunity to show and speak of there admiration of him. I thank God that we all got the chance to know him and spend time with him here at home.

Kendall Berry served his time well during his short stay here on earth and will indeed be remembered not only by the Haines City Community in which he lived, but also by all of the competitors who had the opportunity to compete against him not only on the playing field but also in the classroom. He is more than local news, Kendall Berry is national news. Even Kendall himself probably never knew he had admirers from coast to coast. It’s just so good to see that he never lost the goodness about himself with the change of location, and just as it touched us; it did the same to all of his new found friends.

In prayer together as one body we pray.

In giving thanks to our father God and to his son, Jesus Christ, lets all of us pray and believe that all of the young men and women whose lost their lives as the result  tragedies such as this, were all forgiven and allowed to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Let us pray for all of the families that have been affected by these tragedies and pray that they have since placed their trust in the hands of the good Lord to lead them through the times of sorrow and pain. Let us pray that Kendall’s passing was not in vain and that this is the beginning of the end of this type of ungodly behavior of those amongst us with evil in their hearts and minds. Let us pray that they too will also be cleansed, purified and made whole so that they too are acceptable by god the almighty. Let’s pray that no longer will parents have to spend another day fearing or wondering whether it is okay to let their child go off to college to obtain an education. Let us pray that each of us understand that the only thing we need to fear is the consequences we will suffer if we did not give God the glory and the praise that he deserves and commands of us. Let us pray for forgiveness for our sins before it’s too late and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the son of God who was sent here in the form of man; crucified, buried, and resurrected in honor of his father for all of us to one day be forgiven and accepted into the house of the almighty God. Let us pray that Kendall took the time to do this very thing while he was in the flesh. Let us pray that every member of his family will view Kendall’s home going experience as a reminder that now is the time to praise and serve the Lord because tomorrow is not promised. There’s nothing wrong with communicating through love and kindness with everyone you come in contact with, just as we saw that special young man Kendall Berry do. It simply makes for a better day and a better life. Please don’t be so full of pride that it serves as a road block between you and the Lord, in thinking, that you are the one that accomplish all things and not giving credit to whom that it is do. I think Kendall would be very please to see from heaven  that his tragedy has stirred things up for us still in the flesh and making us move closer to accepting Jesus Christ fully and not on a part time basis. AMEN

 Please everyone, that took the time to read this very article, unite and stride to bring a change in this world by teaching our young ones from an early age that God is real and that Jesus is real. Teach them the importance of understanding that nothing and nobody is more worthy to be praised and loved than god. Teach them to love and to respect their mothers and fathers just the same as Kendall did his. Let’s teach our children that God is the way, the light, and the salvation. Fathers and Mothers lets lead them by example as God will have us do, before times like this occur. There will then be no need to worry, suffer, or wonder about the fate of our love ones.

 To the family I pray that you quickly throw your sorrow out the window and while it’s open let God come on into the house. You will see that tomorrow is a brighter day. You might even feel the presence of Kendall, your loved one with him as you accept his guidance. Forget that Kendall is gone from the flesh but have faith that he now has eternal life just as god promised he would, free from pain, illness, hate, and with all he needs in abundance. Let Kendall live within you along with the spirit of God

Parent’s and friends of Kendall; flood your minds with the wonderful memories of this young man with the understanding that all he wanted was to be successful and to be respected.  Believe that God has called Kendall home to do greater things, and rest assured that he is in a better place. Some of us are in shock and heart broken but it is only going to be for a moment; because the beauty of it all is that we have already begun to see that Kendall had a positive impact on so many people far greater than any of us had even imagined.

**Just as you, I feel that pain also, and you can probably detect that Kendall Berry, son of Derrick and Mellissicia Spillman, was a young man that I truly admired for his kindness and the respect that he showed to me every time we spoke to one another. I know in my heart from having been blessed in so many ways throughout my life, that the best way for us to remember Kendall Barry is to believe that Jesus Christ makes no mistakes: Jesus only makes good choices. I faithfully believe that Jesus is always on time, and trust that he was on time to save Kendall in this time of darkness. I would like to thank his family once again from the bottom of my heart and also for everyone else who share my feelings; thank you for having such a beautiful son for all of us to share and to enjoy. Kendall was a blessing for us all. May he rest in peace in the house of the Lord.

In Loving Memory of Kendall Berry, “An Angel that we know”

Albert L. Bates Jr, Editor and Family Friend