One of my favorite things to do in the world is to wake up with my kids, eat breakfast, and take them to the bus stop. Of course, the help of my wife makes it much better. She usually makes their lunch while I get them dressed and filled with Cap’n Crunch. When we walk to the bus stop my kids feel like rock stars. The security guards pepper them with love and support and they counter with some love in Spanglish. When we arrive at the stop, I take out my phone and throw on some “Tercer Cielo” and we rock it for about 10 minutes. For some reason the robot dance makes its way into the program. Now, there are a few things that are necessary for the morning to go well for all involved. First, I need to have the coffee and my protein shake ready the night before. Those two things alone would take me 10-15 minutes to complete. Secondly, my wife needs to be present. Let’s face it, something will be left at home (school bag, lunch, one of the kids) if Jodi sleeps in. Every once and a while, I tell Jodi to sleep in and relax, but she ends up getting up and helping just before we leave. Lastly, I must make the security guard some coffee and bring a snack. They love it and I love to see them smile. Gelson, our guard for 6 of the 7 days, is a great man that watches over this family like we are the First Family in DC. We appreciate his care and kind demeanor every day.
After the kids jump onto the bus, Jodi and I have time to prepare our hearts and minds for the day. On Tuesdays, we have a full day of ministry. Usually I have all my homework done the night before and I can read my daily devotions and pray for the day ahead. Around 9:30am, Ezequiel, Javier, Jeurelin, Jennifer and Eduardo roll into the apartment for breakfast. Typically we talk about what happened the night before in baseball or in Boca Chica. Unfortunately, today we talked about my team, Las Aguilas de Cibao, and they lost in the final game of the Dominican Winter League Championship. The next two weeks will most likely be dedicated to the Caribbean World Series here in Santo Domingo. Vamos Dominicanos!
At 10am, we enter the living room and start our Bible study. Bible study begins with prayer and then scripture readings for the day. The topic today was “Not what it seems”. The scripture verses were James 1:2-6, Hebrews 10:19-25, Romans 5:1-5, and Genesis 45:4-7. We spoke a lot about how we have experiences in our lives where we feel awful. Tragedies never feel good. But, we spoke about how they are blessings if we deal with those tragedies with God. I used the example of the pain Jodi and I went through when we could not have children of our own (biologically). Every month was heart breaking. After a few years, Jodi and I gave the process and situation to God and it made all the difference in the world. Our relationship improved. Our relationship with God improved. And we adopted the two most beautiful and amazing kids in the whole world, Wyman and Grace. Blessings!
After about 1 hour of Bible study with my group of 5, we set out for Bible study or my preaching to a team from the area called Andre in Boca Chica. The coach, Miguel Cedeno, is in my Bible study for coaches on Thursday nights and he wanted me to preach to the team once per week on Tuesdays. I was hoping for more of a discussion, but the players just listen and add a few comments here or there. I enjoy it because the players seem to listen and care about what is being said. I also like the fact that I get to practice preaching in Spanish. I am not a talented preacher, but it is important to relay the Good News and teach young men how to apply it to their daily lives.
When we finished the Bible study today, I asked Miguel if he thought there were some young men on his team that would like to join our young men’s study on Thursday mornings. He immediately pointed to a young man named Christian (ironically). Christian jumped at the opportunity. It will be great to see him Thursday (God willing).
Around 11:50am, Me, Ezequiel and Javier headed back to the apartment for lunch. There at the apartment waiting was Luis Hernandez (Coach of Ozoria in Boca Chica). Together we ate lunch and a piece of my Birthday carrot cake that Jodi made the day before. The cake and milk was ice cold and amazing. Carrot cake is our wedding cake and we have it whenever we celebrate something (Jesus’ Birthday, our Birthdays or a Boston Championship). Let’s hope we will be making another cake Monday after the Pats make some noise in Indianapolis.
When we finished licking the icing off our faces at 12:15, we packed all the equipment into the truck and took off for San Jose. (For those who do not know about San Jose, read earlier posts) We picked up Omar in Gautier and drove the rough roads in between Gautier and San Jose. It has not rained in a long time, so the roads have huge holes, but are passable. When we arrived in SJ, there were many kids yelling “Mike” and “Vamos al play”? It warms my heart to see kids running beside the truck excited to play some ball. It was just 3 weeks earlier that the field was unplayable and these kids were just hanging out on the street playing in the dirt. Now, at least 2 days per week (hopefully more) they get to play on the newly cut grass. Today I gave Jimmy (the man that we assigned as the coach) equipment, balls and bats in order that they can play every day, not just the days I show up. Tomorrow I will bring some cleats and pants so that they do not have to ruin their only shoes and pants. Most of the kids just play without shoes. Today was a great day. We had a lot of kids/adults there (probably 35-40) playing games while Luis and Ezequiel cut the infield grass and some of the outfield. At the end, Omar gave a little devotion and instructed the kids on the procedure of using the equipment in the future. We feel it is really important that Dominicans run the show as much as possible. Omar wants to be the pastor of this village some day and Jimmy wants to be the coach. I want both of those things to happen while I help out a little in the background.
After 3 hours in the sun playing ball with kids, we called it a day and left San Jose in order to pick up Wyman and Grace at their bus stop. Their school bus brings them all the way from Juan Dolio to Boca Chica right near our apartment. When I drop Luis and Ezequiel off at their homes, we trade blessings and a “see you tomorrow” (nos vemos manana). I always look them in the eyes and say thank you. There answer is “siempre”. I know that they will always help me and want to serve in the community. They are amazing peeps.
From 3:45 to 6:45 I spend my time playing with Wyman and Gracie. Today Wyman rode his bike around the neighborhood until he was exhausted while Grace took her super soaker (Carole Crighton bought them – great gift) and shot the street sign and trees with water for two hours. I watched both of them in amazement. I am blessed! (We do eat at some time in between all the fun – tonight was leftover taco soup and pasta)
After the kids go to bed, Jodi and I usually spend some time calling moms, family or friends. Catching up on emails takes some time too. We hope by 10pm we are done with our work and we can spend time chatting, watch Modern Family, or spend time in our couples study. Tonight I believe it will be the Bible study that we are doing that goes along with the Courageous movie. I am exhausted, but filled with joy. Thanks be to God.
The kids spot us coming and run over to greet us
This was the field a couple of months ago, fortunately for us it hasn't rained much so it didn't require any heavy duty machete cutting.
The field before everyone gets there
Discussing the days events
Having a sit down to talk about the rules. We all just need to get along.
Jimmy in the blue hat getting things underway
Louis mows the field
If you build it they will come
Louis mowed during the whole game
San Jose - Mike named the field today - Estadio Gracia en San Jose
Apparently there is fall in the DR!!
Praying after Omar's devotion
We were blessed with a portable printer, so this picture was taken then printed and given to our new friend, Guapo (handsome in Spanish). He doesn't speak, but his smile when he got his picture was amazing! Kids in the DR very seldom have any pictures.
Bringing the equipment home
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