A Time to Learn

                    About 3 weeks ago, Pastor Nate from Juan Dolio and I took on the tough task of creating a baseball team from his community.  These young men ages 8-12 years old, have never played organized baseball before, in fact, before September of this year, they have never worn a baseball uniform.  That has all change now.  They not only have some uniforms but also have two days per week (Wednesday/Saturday) where they can learn how to play the game and have some fun. At this point we still have to share baseball gloves, but they do not care as long as they can play their favorite position and take a few swings at the plate. One of the greatest joys I have right now is seeing their eyes pop out of their head when their bus reaches our facility and they come sprinting out towards the field.  These kids are undisciplined and raw in every sense of those words. They clearly do not have a whole of role modeling happening in their barrio.  We start practice and games with prayer and finish with a devotion or Gospel teaching.  My prayer is that baseball every Wednesday and Saturday morning will not only teach them some discipline, but also allow them to see Jesus in all of the coaches that serve them.  Wouldn't it be great to have 20+ kids loving Jesus and playing baseball in a way that pleases Him.

The group gets together before practice for prayer and the plan for the day.

I did this drill "cut drill" with my champs up in Norcross, Georgia (Wesleyan) and do it also with these young guys.  Baseball is an easy game.  You throw the ball and you catch the ball.  The quicker you do it the better you are.  I had two groups match up against each other.  One team one the first 4 tries.  The other team won the next 5.  What a comeback.  They jumped around like they won game 7 of the World Series.

At this point in their development, coach pitch is the best way for them to get a lot of reps and actually hit the ball.  We are still trying to develop a few pitchers and catchers.

Any, the lead Pastor at SCORE International, send us a few guys that his discipleship group.  They have been a huge help with practices especially.  A lot of these guys have played at high levels of the game.  In order to be a leader, you must serve.

Luis Hernandez is a servant leader.  He is the head coach at Ozoria in Boca Chica, but spends his Wednesday mornings teaching our kids from Juan Dolio.  

My helpers are worn out after 3 hours of practice/scrimmaging.  I appreciate everything they do for these kids.  

Pastor Ulysses from the Baptist Church in Andres (Boca Chica) shares the Gospel to the groups from Andres and Boca Chica.