A note from our friends at SERV International

"It is rare these days to see a family give up the creature comforts and quality of life that suburban U.S.A. living offers.  For Mike and Jodi it seems like there was no other choice, some would say a life calling.  What an amazing thing it is to see a couple pour out their heart in service for a people that just a few years prior they had never met.  It is incredible to see the ministry progress and the personal influence that Mike and Jodi have achieved in such a short time.  Working with them in the Dominican Republic has been such a joy and we are honored to call them partners in ministry.

-Steve Kasha, founder of SERV International & Joe Garcia, president of SERV International

 

We are so blessed to have partners here in the DR that love Jesus and live intentionally.  We are extremely excited about the programs that we plan to work together on and we will continue to pray that God has his hands all over it.

                                                                                              - Mike and Jodi

Appreciate our so many Blessings

A note from the Garvins:

     We were greatly blessed to spend a large portion of our spring break with the Shaheen's in the Dominican Republic.  What a privilege it was!  We were able to witness first hand the Lord working mightily in their midst.  It is obvious - around every turn - that the Lord is using them in great ways among the Dominican people.  Even though they have really only been there a short period of time, the Shaheen's have totally embraced the Dominican culture....and the Dominicans have totally embraced them as well!

     Of course, the love of Jesus knows no language barriers!  Mike, Jodi, Wyman, and Grace are showering their Savior's love on anyone to whom they come into contact.  They open up their home and their hearts at all hours of the day and night extending food, drink, funds, Bible study, instruction, and a love for baseball.  It is cool how a common bond of a particular sport can open doors that would otherwise be closed!  Dominicans can be seen on every street corner, on every vacant field, on every sidewalk playing baseball.....and then a little more baseball!  

      God has prepared, equipped, and destined Mike and Jodi for such a ministry as this!  We would highly encourage you to pay them a visit....not for their benefit but for yours!  You can then get a glimpse of Almighty God at work!  It will be well worth your time!  You will come home with a greater desire to serve Jesus with a willing / sold-out heart!!  You will also come home appreciating your country, your home, your shoes, your electricity, your drinking water, your indoor plumbing, your trash collection, and your mail service....just to name a few!!

Pizza at our favorite place Niccolo's

Greg, Angela & Colton Garvin

Change of Pace + Change in Place = Change in Perspective

A note from Bob Worthington (Dunwoody, GA) about his trip to the DR in April 2012:

“Recently my 21 year old son and I traveled to the DR, along with another father/son team, to witness and experience the FCA Baseball ministry there.  I expected to see poverty, and we did.  I expected to see baseball being played with a passion and fervor, and we did.  And, I expected to see Mike and Jodi investing themselves daily into the lives of local men, women, and children with the purpose of spreading God’s love and grace in their community, and we did.  But the effect that these observations had on me was quite different than I had envisioned.  In their poverty I saw an ability of the Dominicans to find happiness in “the simple things” which left me humbled and disappointed in my own sense of priorities.  Through their approach to playing baseball, I became reminded of the days when we played the game for the purist of reason…because we loved it.  The games were played as just that, they were simply games.  The kids shared gloves (where gloves were available) with the opposing teams, settled their own close calls, and never seemed to be too concerned with the score or inning.  They just wanted the sun to never go down and end their game!  It was refreshing to watch them come and leave as friends who would need one another tomorrow for another game to take place.  But, most of all, I was amazed by the platform for Christian discipleship which the Shaheens had found in the DR, and by their unbridled passion to serve as missionaries for Christ!  Their daily drive to grow this platform and expand the mission was and is awe-inspiring to me, and I cannot find words which adequately express my feelings in this regard.  Some things must be seen and not just heard to be properly conveyed.  Finally, as a Christian I know intuitively that God is omnipresent.  But for me I felt closer to Him and to my son during my days in the DR than I had ever felt.  Perhaps it was because of a sudden appreciation for all my earthly possessions?  Perhaps it was through my experiencing of a simpler and less intensive daily rigor, allowing more quality time for God and my son?  Or perhaps it was because I was not distracted by man’s creation from truly seeing the natural beauty of God’s creation?  I suspect it was some of each, and more.   I honestly can’t say.  But what was clear, crystal clear, was that God was in the DR and He was diligently at work through FCA Baseball and His faithful servants, the Shaheens!   I would STRONGLY suggest to anyone who is capable of doing so to accept Mike’s and Jodi’s generosity and go visit them.”
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                -Bob Worthington

Thanks be to God!  Jodi and I  are so grateful that God put us here and that we are friends with Bob and his family.  All are welcome to come visit and spend some time in the ministry.