Community Transformation: "If you build it, they will come"

Does this phrase not get overused in the baseball world today.  I mean, it is right up there with "if you build it, they will come."  I am right there with you in my tiredness of hearing those phrases. Every time you see a beautiful field, complex or facility someone eventually uses them.  I bet it has happened several times where multiple people say it at the same time. Annoying!  
I am so sorry for having to do this, BUT, let me just once use them the way they were meant to be used. I promise it is for a good reason.  I would not use them if it weren't really a unique and significant situation.

The Unique Place: The baseball field at the village of San Jose, Dominican Republic
The Setting: The community has not had a church, usable baseball field, or athletics program in decades.  All of the children under 15 have never played a baseball game on their field and for the most part, hardly ever play any type of organized athletics. 
The Opportunity: Every Tuesday and Thursday (and sometimes other days) me, Jodi, Ezequiel, Luis and Javier go to San Jose to clean/cut the grass on the field, pass out uniforms, cleats and gloves, and play baseball for a few hours.

We have had a steady flow of about 50 people from ages 4 years old to 30 years old come play baseball on the field and take part in practices.

We have yet to break up a fight (miracle in a DR village).

We have had several adults from the community come and watch and sometimes instruct the kids.

We have three young men named Jimmy, Jayson and Frances that have become the coaches and help with instruction and encouragement.

We have a coach from Boca Chica, Luis, serving in the name of Jesus Christ.  Luis has even worked with the young ladies in the village on pitching a softball.

We have two 17 year olds from Boca Chica spending 3 hours each day serving in a communioty that they did not even know about 3 months ago.

We have a field that had grass up to my knees that is now playable and a work in progress.  We hope to burn baselines and base areas so that we can play a game in the near future.

Best of all, we have seen a community thrive more and more each day.  Almost everyone wants to be part of the baseball experience (50+ people attend each day we have it).  Almost everyone wants to be a part of the church (first service Sunday had 80 people attend).

Today we showed up to the village to show some people around.  I took my glove out of the truck with a tennis ball and within 2 minutes we had a game going on in the street.  The teacher from the school sent the kids outside to play for recess (30 minutes).  There was an excitement and buzz in the community that would give everyone goosebumps for a week.  I was so overjoyed by what I saw.

Community Transformation!

I hope evryone that reads this blog will get an opportunity to come here to the DR to see this place.  I promise that you will not go home the same.

It took some hard work to cut the grass in San Jose with a small mower.  Luis was the man for the job.

Ezequiel hitting some fungos to the youngsters.  These kids come to play and have fun every day without fighting or making things difficult.

 Luis showing the girls how to pitch a softball.  There are some very talented young ladies in San Jose.  It is fun letting them play with the boys on the baseball field.

Jayson, one of the younger men that wants to help teach the kids how to play.  It has been awesome to see these guys get excited about serving the kids in the community.  He is wearing my glove and it is a "Glove for God".  Each color represents a part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Some of the kids just want to play a little wall ball before they go back to school.  I do not blame them.  Wall ball was a Mike Shaheen favorite as a kid.

I just sit back in awe when I watch these kids play a pick up game.  This land was cow pasture just weeks ago and now is a place where these boys have so much fun.

This is how we get to San Jose.  Thank you to everyone that made it possible to purchase this truck.  When it rains, we use a little bit of 4x4 and we get there.

Bible study with Coach Cedeno's team on Tuesdays at 10:30am.  I love being able to share with these young men.  They are so patient with my spanish.

Dinner at Rosario's house with the coaches in my Bible study.  Elizabeth Eubanks from Baltimore also joined us for a little dumplings in sauce.  I love hanging out with these guys.

Ok, picture of the month time.  I miss out on having one in January, but this can easily take the place of two months.  This was Grace's first visit to San Jose and what does she do?  Of course, she picks up a baby pig.  She is so cute!

I love Tuesdays

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

We are moving again...just down the street

                   Not to alarm any of our friends or family, but we are picking up and moving to a new place here in Boca Chica.  We are actually just switching places with another missionary couple, Doc Dennis and Shirley.  Since September they have been living in an apartment below Eddy Jesus just down the road from the Highlands facility.  We are very excited about our new move into town.  We will be right in front of the kids bus stop (next to the BHD Bank) and right down the street from Boca Chica beach and our community.  The new apartment will hopefully give our children more access to other children and also allow them to ride bikes on the side streets.  We also like the fact that we will avoid driving the horrible dirt road from the facility in the KIA Rondo each day.  I think we took about 5 years off of the car's life span.  The new apartment has 3 bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room.  Plenty of space for the Shaheen's and a guest if need be.  We also have access to the roof of the 3 story apartment complex, which has a beautiful view of Boca Chica and a great breeze.  I hope to have a few Bible studies up there overlooking the scenic town.
                Earlier this week we spent a lot of time in ministry and here are some pictures:

Tony Graffinino trying to explain th importance of baserunning.  He is very knowledgeable and also a pretty funny guy.

 Wes Hodges (Former GaTech) is showing the Boca Chica boys the basics of the hitting stance.





Tony Graffinio shares the Gospel with 60+ ball players. It is so amazing to hear big leaguers talking about surrending to Jesus Christ. 

This is the "play" or field in San Jose. I cannot wait to show you the picture of the field in a few months when we work on it with the community (God willing). It is a field of dreams!

 



I made the older kids bat opposite against the little kids.  It was a lot of fun.  I love seeing the smiles on their faces.



This man is 100 years old and that is his wife (did not ask her age, its not polite).  Luis, my good friend and coach in Boca Chica, shared the Gospel with them and we invited them to church/Bible study with us next week.  It is never too late!

Jodi told me this is her dream house.  I like that thought.  It would save me a few hundred thousand dollars.  The man who lives there built it with his brother for the cost of the used wood.

The ministry's new truck in good use.  My pray is that we log many miles up to San Jose in the Gua Gua.  I love my new posse, Luis, Omar, Craig, Ezeqiel, Jeurilin, Noemi, Joanna and Jodi.

Back and Ready for Action!

Hey, I lost my first tooth in the ocean.  Mommy told me the tooth fairy lives in the ocean...cool.

               Folks, sorry its been a while since our last post.  We spent Thanksgiving and early December in Atlanta and Christmas in Massachusetts.  We had a great time with our friends in Atlanta and Uncle Tony and Auntie Jen.  We would like to give a big shout out and thank you to the Pridgens (Thanksgiving), the Emerichs (early December and allowing us to use their truck) and all the other friends that took time out of their days to meet with us. We are blessed by God to have great family and friends that support us in every way. Wyman and Grace enjoyed their time with all their Nanas and all their cousins.
               Last Thursday, December 29th, we arrived back in the DR excited for our life down here.  Within a few days, we felt at home again and got to see all our friends here in Boca Chica.  On Tuesday, January 2nd, we decided to take a ride up to Gautier (barrio) where our missionary friends Craig and Joanna live.  Craig and Joanna are currently in the Amazon until the 15th and asked if we would check up on their housesitters.  Their housesitters are young Dominicans named Omar (23 year old), Noemi (almost 20 year old) and their almost one year old little girl Smiley.  Omar spent time in Samana (Northern DR) with Craig last year and they hit if off really well.  Before the break, Craig asked them to house sit and possibly stay in order to help them in San Jose (Omar - 1st Pastor of Church?).  We met them before we left, but really did not get to know them well.  Suffice it to say, we know them well now.  When we walked into their house on Tuesday it was clear that they had run out of everything with two weeks left before Craig and Joanna's return.  After spending a few hours with them, we went shopping for food and some clothes.  I cannot imagine a baby without diapers.  We invited them over to our house at the Highlands the next day for swimming, lunch and dinner.  Noemi was not too happy we were leaving so soon.  They were clearly lonely and needing a little bit of love. We promised them we would come back for them the next day. We had a blast on Wednesday and spoke in spanish the whole time (prayer answered about spanish).  Late Wednesday, we invited them to go to the beach with us Friday (today), a movie at our house Saturday night along with an overnight stay, and church in the capital Sunday.  Wow.  That was a mouthful, even for me. 
                       So you say, "Why are you doing so much for this couple?"  Well, first, we like them and enjoy spending time with them. It is also great that we are forced to speak Spanish because they know no English.  But even more than that, I listened to Francis Chan speak at Passion 2012 the other night on my computer and he spoke about how we (as Christians) are called to have banquets with those in need.  He talked about how he always had "banquets" (time spent, dinner, etc...) with friends and family, but never with "the least".  I know Omar and Noemi are not blind, crippled or without family.  I also know that that have each other and a beautiful baby.  But, they were clearly in need of food and clothing, and more importantly, companionship.  They clearly needed some love and friendship and to know that their are people here to help them.  Francis Chan talked about how great it feels when you have a banquet for the needy.  He said that it feels amazing, like you did something that you will remember forever...something that gives you JOY (everlasting).  Chan also quoted Jesus in the Gospel of Luke in saying that the banquet God has for us when we leave this earth is far better than even that that which we do for others.  WOW.  I am so pumped for that moment with Jesus.  The last few days with Omar and Noemi have been awesome.  I cannot imagine what God has in store for us.
                      Since we have returned, I had the chance to set up my first Bible study for 4 coaches from Boca Chica (Thursday nights) and another one with three 17 year olds named Ezekiel, Cristian and Jeurilin (Tuesday and Thursday mornings).  I am so excited about what God has in store for us.  Jodi and I will also be starting our partnership with Craig, Joanna, Omar and Noemi in San Jose (and a ministry called SERV from Canton, Georgia).  If you remember the Medical Mission video from before the break, San Jose is a small village of 200 that have no church, a very small school, and an unemployment rate up at 90 percent.  They are the forgotten people of the Dominican Republic. Craig and Joanna have a dream of building a church there and we have a dream of building sports ministry right beside the church.  Craig will be starting a Bible study when he returns with 13 people that accepted Christ as their Savior during the medical mission.  I will be working hard to clean up their athletic field and put together some sports events twice per week.  We are also working really hard to bring American missions groups there to help this spring and summer.  Please pray for this ministry!
                          Before I finish this entry, I would like to brag about my wife.  She is amazing!  Not only does she work really hard to provide for our kids, and make great videos, shoot great pictures, but she has also done an amazing job speaking spanish this past week.  I am so encouraged by her efforts.  She understands Noemi and has done a great job speaking to her.  I am impressed and in love.

We just finished eating at a pizza place on the beach. From left to right: Me, Cristian, Brachelo, Grace (above), Ezekiel, Wyman, Julio, Mercy, Baby Smiley, Noemi, Omar and Jodi.

Some young boys from the neighborhood along with Ezekiel and Jeurilin play Dominos with Wyman.

Flowers made from Coke bottles by Noemi.  We are going to try to sell these to raise support for them and their calling here in the DR.

Other flowers from Coke bottles. Noemi has some talent as an artist.

Wyman giving Smiley a ride. I cannot believe Noemi agreed to that. Hold the feet, buddy.

Picture of the week: Grace with our new puppy, Princesa.  Grace has never found an animal she does not want to pick up.  Dangerous!

2011 Video Recap

Here is a quick recap of our time here so far.  Excited about returning the end of December and beginning a new exciting year!  Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.  This year we have a lot to be thankful for!!

FCA Dominican Baseball and Home School

Hey, listen to Andy Pettite share his love for Christ

God is good

This was absolutely a great way for Jodi and I to finish up our first 5 months in the DR before we go to Atlanta and Boston for a break.  Today started with me handing out 28 FCA baseball game jerseys to players and coaches from Ozoria Baseball Club in Boca Chica.  They earned the right to wear those shirts today.  For the 5 months I have been here in Boca Chica, I have seen these guys work really hard on the ball field and listen to their coaches every day.  Their coaches are believers in Jesus Christ and want them to go to heaven too.  It made me so happy to see HR 10 on their sleeves.  Holt is proud of them and is excited to have more people come to see him in heaven someday.

After passing out the game jerseys, we played a game against an American home school team from 7 states.  Those home school boys played well and showed our boys here in the DR how to get it done.  I was happy to see the passion and discipline from the "gringos."  Ha Ha Ha.  Before the game we read some scripture in english and spansish and prayed.  That was good.

After the game, we ate lunch together and shared testimonies.  A coach from the FCA Dominican team along with a Dominican player gave testimonies to the Americans and that was good.  Then, Danny Lovett, former VP of Liberty and Prez of Tennessee Temple, shared the Gospel and several young men made the decision to accept Christ into their heart.  That was good.

After the sharing, we played game 2.  Game 2 was a little different.  Home School had a 40 year old  ringer brought in named Andy Pettite.  You might have heard of him.  I think he has the most post season victories of any pitcher in the history of MLB.  Not too shabby.  The pitcher for FCA Boca Chica...almost 37 year old Mike Shaheen.  Mike Shaheen is only famous in his mother's eyes, Bette Shaheen.  

After Andy Pettite finished his 2nd inning, the game stopped as both teams went out to the mound to thank him.  (Two Dominicans got hits off of him and saved the balls)  Andy stood in front of all the young men and adults watching and told us this:

Quoting my friend from Atlanta, Billy Worthington: How cool is that?  The look on the faces of those Dominican and American baseball players was priceless.  We still have two more days of clinics (one at the Highlands here) with guys like Damaso Marte, Lou Pinella, Andy Pettite and Luke Murton (GT grad, Yankee).  I was a little bummed that all these Yankees are here, but let's face it, we are all on the same team that counts.

Oh, by the way, after two innings I almost collapsed (joking, not really).  I probably should have stopped after one bad inning.

I hope you heard God talking to you today.  Looking forward to seeing you in a week or so.

Luv you!

The Shaheens

A year later....remembering Holt Rowland

Hi there, this is Jodi.  Last year about this time we heard horrible news that a young man who we were in the Dominican Republic with the summer of 2010 had been in a car accident.  His name was Holt Rowland.  If you have our wrist bands, have seen the FCA baseball shirts or know our ministry you will see HR10 adorned with pride along with Holt's favorite verse, John 3:30.  The accident occurred on November 9th, and Holt lived on machines until the next day and his organs were donated.  His parents Dave and Kim, and his brother Hunter Rowland have become dear friends of ours even though we met only them for the 1st time right after Holt went to be with the Lord.  Their faith during such a trying time was a blessing for me to see.  Kim raising her hand in praise and singing after the loss she just experienced made me think, what do you have so that you can do that....and it is faith!

Once a fierce rival, Pierce County (where Holt #10 played baseball) and Wesleyan are now joined in the love of Christ and Holt.  During this anniversary time, the Rowlands and all of Pierce County Nation was heavy on my heart.  When I started thinking of what I could do for the family, I thought of making them a video.  What it turned out to be for me was a reminder of what really matters in life.  We will never know when we will take our last breath, but it is how prepared we are when that happens and how much love we have shown the world that is really important.  I only spent a few instances in the DR with Holt but the time I spent with those who love him and hearing the stories while watching a video of his memorial service, it is evident that Holt Rowland got it.  I pray for comfort for his family and friends, but I know their faith and that they know one day they will be with him again.  It brings them joy to see countless souls now walking in Christ due to hearing their sons story.  They even knew how much Holt loved the DR and how excited he was for our upcoming ministry and they wanted donations in Holt's memory last fall to go to our ministry.  Pierce County Nation is part of making our ministry happen here and we are thankful.  I hope you have time to watch the video, it may change your life, or share it in order that it might change someone else's.  We don't have Holt but we know that his story will inspire others to commit to walking Christ.

If you don't have time for the video, it is about 12 mins, then here are some visuals, I felt were good reminders to all of us:

This picture below was discovered after Holt's passing.  He had faith that his deer stand was in a great place although no one else believed him because no on had ever seen or shot a deer there before.  That picture is one of the two deer caught on the trail camera around 5 AM.

Holt, we miss you and we are blessed that your story is alive in the Dominican Republic.  

In His Grip,

Jodi

Haiti Video

Pulling Heaven Down in Haiti

Hi there, this is Jodi.  Mike is in Haiti, so I wanted to do a quick update and ask for your prayers.  If you remember back when we first got to the DR a man contacted Mike named Eliezer Lembert Caraballo and they became fast friends.  The story is back in July titled "It’s Clear Now Why We Are Here" if you didn't get to read it.  Saturday night Mike and I took the kids, along with our fellow missionary friends Craig & Joanna, to a Dominican Winter League baseball game in the Santo Domingo.  It was quite the experience!  There are 6 teams in the winter league and Mike has 2 ballparks crossed off the list!  We had a great time.  Eliezer met us there and spent the night and they drove back to Pedernales together the next day.  Craig McClure a SCORE Missionary went as well, along with Rawlings Foundation Missionary Eddy Jesus Gil and Intern with the Rawlings Foundation Will Thompson.  They suited up a baseball team with new uniforms, played soccer and American football with the kids.  Shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ using The Gloves for God baseball glove, and I am sure many more things I didn't get updated on from each of their facebook pages.  


Here is a map and a video of some of the pictures they posted to give you a little idea of what they are doing.  Pray for safety and their drive back to Boca Chica (about 5 hours I believe) and for there to be many seeds planted as it is God's will.  Thank you!!  More to come when Mike returns on Wednesday evening!  I am sure he will have many stories!!

Map of Dominican showing Pedernales

Gravity ~ Pulling Heaven Down in Haiti from Jodi Shaheen on Vimeo.