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."
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Trip closeout (by George Murdock)
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)
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)
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.
Monday, July 7, 2008
More excitement than we want ...
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, July 6, 2008
Sunday ... a day a rest (sort of)
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)
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Saturday update (by Coach Feehs)
After the bus ride back to SCORE, a quick lunch and a brief rest, we headed back out for our afternoon clinic. This one was held had the pro baseball stadium in San Pedro. Many of the kids that we saw in the morning came back in the afternoon. However, probably an additional 200 to 300 more kids came in the afternoon. It was quite awesome to arrive and see the mass of local players that we would have the opportunity to minister to.
For those might not know, Rico Carty was the hitting champion in 1970 in the MLB. He was there to greet us and took the time to introduce himself and shake the hand of every one of our players.
At the end of the clinic, Jon shared his testimony and Jeff presented the gospel to a sea of faces. Once again, many, many, many kids raised their hand to say that they had prayed with Jeff.
The last picture is of one of the local boys as he ran to first base as part of the drills, You can see from his face, the joy that our efforts are bringing to the Dominican kids through the great game of baseball.
Saturday update (by Fleming)
Saturday update (by Andrew Clingan)
Friday update (by Josh)
In the afternoon, we went to Astros’ stadium down here and played a 7-inning game against on of Rico Carty’s teams. After a flat-footed first inning, our bats caught fire, and with solid pitching of Andrew and Bryson, and a lot of good hitting, we won 8-3. After the game, Paul and I shared our testimonies. It was easier than I thought it would be, and the boys really cared about what we said. Later, many of them were saved. Today was a great day.
Friday update (by Paul)
We won our first game in the Dominican! We beat Rico Carty Team #1 (an All-star team) 8-3. Afterwards, Josh and I shared our testimonies and six kids came to Christ. Awesome.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Happy 4th of July
After lunch, and a few hours of DR heat and sun, we headed to the ball field and had our 5th game. To celebrate the fourth of July, the boys put together a great game and ruined their perfect record of no wins. That is, we won 8-3. At the end of the game, both Paul and Josh gave their testimonies and Jeff Seigel gave the gospel message using a baseball glove as a prop. Three boys excepted Christ as their Saviour (one of them is pictured below). The evening was filled with dinner, the pool, dividing up all the gear to give to the local kids tomorrow and our daily rap-up.
Bob and Matt arrived close to on time and joined us at the game. Tomorrow we are splitting up in the morning to hold two separate clinics for kids between 5 & 12 and then one in the afternoon for kids 12 and up.
Thursday in review (by Jack)
Thursday in review (by Spencer)
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Thursday, Day 4 (from the coach)
When we arrived at the village, the boys played soccer and basketball with the local kids. As you can see by the picture below, the kids in the village loved having the visitors. After playing for a while, we unloaded the food and met in their local church. As you can see, the pews were full. Spencer gave his testimony and then Rodney Clingan presented the gospel using the Evangecube. At some later time, I’ll provide a description on the blog. At the end, two of the village adults accepted the gospel.
After the village, it was back to SCORE for lunch and then into Santo Domingo for site seeing, shopping, and an authentic Dominican Republic dinner. It was fried chicken (awesome), frijoles (rice and beans), avocado salad and fried plantains. Most everyone really enjoyed it. One of the claims to fame for Santo Domingo is that that Christopher Columbus settled there. The picture below is in front of a status of him and the oldest church in the new world. It was established in the 1500’s. We walked around and also saw the house that he and his wife lived in.
We made it back to SCORE around 7:00pm and the boys headed for the pool (as usual). Tomorrow, we visit a local orphanage and play baseball in the afternoon.
Wednesday Update (by Michael, aka el Mooso)
Love you Mom and Dad. Call you in a couple days.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Wednesday's News
We had some free time this morning, so we headed off to the beach that is about a block and a half away and about a 35 minute walk (when you go the wrong way). Oops. The water was beautiful, but the kids got a healthy warning to stay away from the sea urchins. Fortunately, they did and only fun was had by all. I'd expect we'll get back there on Sunday when we have more free time.
This afternoon, we when to a baseball complex that is being built by the Rawlings Foundation. The two pictures below will give you a sense of the conditions. I don't expect the boys will play on a field like this anytime in the near future. The outfield was like walking on carpet. We played a long, 4 hour, 9 inning game and kept our record unblemished with any wins. To add to the days excitement, Bryson got hit in the jaw by a pitch. To say the least, we were all extremely concerned at first, but God's hand of protection was truly on him. He iced it for most of the game and really hasn't had too much pain. This evening, he continues to be doing well and continues to say he's alright.
Here's a shot of Michael as he shares (and Wilkin's translated) his testimony with the other team and some of the other kids that we at a Colorado Rocky's training facility next door. Rodney Clingen (he and his son joined us from Alabama) shared the gospel with the locals and between 5 and 10 stood at the end to declare that they had accepted Christ.
With the places we visited today, it's hard to sell this as a trip to an impoverished country. However, tomorrow we will be visiting one of the local villages and expect to see those that truly need our support (but more on that after tomorrow). Please continue to pray for God's protection of all of us here. Pray that Jack will get back to 100% quickly and that Bryson will continue to not have any problems with his jaw.