Wow the past 24 hours have been a whirlwind, but all glory goes to God!
Today was the first day we were able to go to the baseball academy where the majority of our ministry on the island is taking place. After breakfast, we boarded the bus to make the 60 minute drive to the academy. The drive to the field was eye opening for many of the players. As we passed villages, they were able to see the shack houses that are like the ones many of the boys from the academy live. They saw a woman washing clothes in a bucket and saw many little kids waving to the bus as we passed.
When we arrived at the academy, the boys were able to bring all the donation bags that they received through the Home to First equipment ministry drive to present to the kids at the camp. After introductions, our team was able to present the players with seventeen bags of equipment! This was very special to watch and the kids were very appreciative!
The boys spent the entire day at the academy. They spent time talking with the Dominican kids, learned about how the boys train, where they sleep, what type of foods they eat and also the sacrifices their families make by sending them away for a chance to play baseball. Our Trojans were able to watch them practice and were amazed at their work ethic and precision on every drill. The Dominican kids were excited to watch as our team was able to get a personal practice on one of their fields in the afternoon. They enjoyed watching and even said that Gavin Smith looked like a Dominican while he was fielding balls at shortstop!!
After a long day of getting to know their new friends, the team headed back to the hotel.
At evening devotionals several of the players shared how impactful it was to see the living conditions of the players. The Dominicans have very little, stay in a small space with no air conditioning, but are so happy and grateful to be there playing the game they love. Their drive and work ethic is because they all have the same goal- to make it to the MLB.
My favorite thing about today was to see the interactions between the boys even with the language barrier! God’s love and kindness is universal and was evident in what took place today! Our boys are growing in their bonding and confidence and it is a beautiful thing to watch God move in and through them!