The Happy Birthday Video

Last night, one of the other teams (Kids Across America) put on a program for the rest of us. One of the things they have been doing is singing a birthday song for those that had a birthday while they were here. Yesterday was Forrest's and Pastor Rodney's daughter's birthday, so take a look at the video. Be ready to hold your side while laughing. Forrest's response ... "I was so embarrassed."

Trip closeout (by George Murdock)

I am writing this on Tuesday afternoon, winding down from many activities in our 10 days in the Dominican Republic. Our record as a team was 2-3, but that does not matter. The ball games were not the real reason we are here. Baseball opened the door for us to begin a work of outreach, and do God’s work for Him. When we came to the DR, I referenced Matthew 28:19-20 … “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations …” We have done that by helping over 400 young men in the ball field profess their lives to Jesus. We have gone out and made disciples of the Dominican Republic.
But this was not the full extent of God’s work. I sincerely believe that the children of the Dominican Republic, with God’s work, gave everyone on the trip a new life, almost born again into a life to be enjoyed. During our 10 days in the DR, we did play baseball, visited great baseball facilities, bad facilities, met Rico Carty, gave out equipment and this was what excites him, but it was our visit to the sugarcane village, orphanages as well as helping with a humanitarian food drop is what had the most impact on us. The kids in the villages and orphanages are happy boys and girls who have nothing but showing up with a soccer ball was Christmas for them. Your son’s were deeply touched by this. Then we went to an orphanage with jump ropes, coloring books and allowing the kids braid your hair was another day in Heaven. Again, your son’s were deeply moved by what they saw.
This trip only lasted 10 days, but the impact and memories will last a lifetime. Upon our return on Wednesday, we will plan a trip wrap-up to allow everyone the opportunity to share their personal testimony with everyone. When we were on the plane, I asked everyone what they expected from this trip. On the way home, I will ask them to provide me with what they got out of the trip and how it impacted heir life and I will share it with you at the wrap-up.
It has been a pleasure to lead this fine group of young men and coaches on this trip. It has presented Rhonda and me with memories of a lifetime and what great boys you have who believe and trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In HIS mitt
Coach Murdock

Trip update (by Forrest)

This trip has completely changed my perspective on life. I have always been told to take what I’ve got and cherish it forever, because there are a lot of people throughout the world who don’t have half of the stuff we do. Coming down here, I had a picture in my head of people that have these really nice houses and resorts everywhere, but when I reached D.R., the picture was completely thrown out of my head. Driving down the roads, all you see is broken down houses, along with half built ones. Personally, I don’t know if I could live down here. No offense to the Dominicans, they are amazing people. But there just don’t have anything like we have. The people though, they always have a smile on their faces like they have everything in the world.
I met a kid today at an orphanage. His name was Israel; he was 13 years old, but had the maturity of an adult. You would never be able to tell that he was 13 just by looking at him. He was a very small child and sat in a wheelchair. But his heart and mind was just amazing. Like I said, he was a very smart person and very generous; always thinking about others before himself. Today he prayed for our families and our health when we should have been praying for him. He was born from prostitution and has lived out his life expectancy. He said that he wants to be an evangelist when he grows up. He wants to learn many different languages; not to share his story, but to share the many stories of the Lord across the world. He is the most amazing child I’ve ever met and I hope he will live up to his dreams.
This trip was been fun and refreshing, but I would have to say that today was made this trip a once in a lifetime experience. If I could it again, I would come back in a heartbeat.

Trip update (by Bryson)

The Dominica Republic is one of the best places I’ve ever been to. The beach was amazing and so was the pool. The SCORE complex was ice compared to most of the other houses or buildings we saw. Although all those things were nice, the people were the most amazing thing down here. They live in absolute poverty, in squalid conditions. Despite that fact, they were still happy and joyful all the time. The children at the orphanage and the children at the village really appreciated us coming down here to visit them. One of the most touching things was how many kids gave their lives to Jesus. They didn’t give in to peer pressure, even when their friends weren’t doing it. The kids were very accepting to us and especially to Christ. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting so many kids to answer the altar call. However, I was pleasantly surprised. And I know that however unexpected it was for me, it wasn’t unexpected for God.
Monday, we were lucky and got to sleep in until 8:00. Following breakfast, we got on the bus and headed to a 10:15 game. We thought we were going to play on a pro field, but it was being used. We were a bit shorthanded for the game as Andrew C. and Fleming stayed back sick and I wasn’t feel well when we got there. We won anyway behind Jon Harasin’s complete game. After the game we went back for lunch. Josh came back from the feeling sick as well. After lunch we went to a small village warehouse to unload a truck with food. After an hour and a half of heavy lifting, we returned to SCORE. From the long day a few kids didn’t feel well. On top of Flem, Josh, Andrew C, and I; Jack and Paul felt sick as well. Because of that we just relaxed and ate dinner and relaxed the rest of the night.
Today at the warehouse, our help truly meant a lot to the Dominicans. Just helping them unload a truck made them unbelievably grateful. The appreciation they show should teach us how to appreciate even the smallest things people do for us.

More excitement than we want ...

Yesterday, I asked that you pray for health and safety for the team as we finished out the trip. I'm sure you prayed, but God had another plan for us. Four of the boys (Josh, Fleming, Bryson and Andrew Clingan) were severely dehydrated and required two litres of IV fluids. Fortunately, God provided a doctor here at SCORE that was able to look at the boys and treat them. Now that the IV is done, they are feel (and looking) much, much better. The doctor recommended (and the coaches have agreed) that we won't do anything tomorrow (except rest and drink, drink, drink). While checking them out, he also found that Josh and Fleming also have ear infections and are now on antibiotics to clear that up.

On to the lighter highlights for the day ... we played our 5th (and last) game this morning and won with Jon pitching a complete game. After lunch back at SCORE, the healthy part of the team headed out on a mission to help out SCORE. A shipment of 200,000 meals had just arrived and SCORE was given about an hours notice that it had cleared the port and would be showing up at their storage facility. The team helped unload 5 palates of food.

After dinner, they team is relaxing in front of the TV watching baseball. Oh, and drinking, drinking, drinking water. Please pray that our light schedule the rest of the trip will be effective in keeping us healthy. Praise God that the SCORE physician was here on site; last week he and his wife were in Costa Rica.

Sunday ... a day a rest (sort of)

Today was a day of rest. We started with a light breakfast and headed of to Santo Domingo for church. It was a small congregation of about 150 people. As the lucky visitors, we were given seats in the first few rows. I'm sure for each of us, it was an interesting experience as the congregation sang in Spanish and we tried to sing along (sometimes in Spanish and sometimes in English). It was pretty cool listening to fellow believers worship in a different language. Jeff introduced the coaches of the team and described how we use baseball to gain an opportunity to build relationships and share the gospel. Next, George gave a brief message followed by a longer, energy packed message by the local pastor. At the end of the service, it was back to SCORE for lunch.

After lunch, we had the afternoon off and the boys decided to head off to the beach (and so the adults got to go too). As you can see in the pictures below, they had fun and even caught up on some sleep.

Tomorrow, we have another game and will visit a different orphanage in the area. Continue to pray for our health and safety as we finish out the trip.

Saturday update (by Jon)

Today we went to San Pedro and taught kids from the age of 8-16. When we split into 3 groups, I got the outfield group. I also met a kid who is 16 and who is getting looked at by pro scouts! The next clinic was packed at a very nice field. My station was pitching and those kids throw hard! Then I gave my testimony in front of all those people. It meant a lot to me when all those kids gave their life to Christ.