Today was our last full day in the Dominican Republic and it was spent on a catamaran boat trip and a visit to an island and sandbar. All the boys loved the time in the ocean and being with each other on their last day in paradise. They also learned that sunscreen needs to be applied evenly and multiple times during the day! Ouch!!!
To think of the months of planning and praying it took to get here, the fact that is has come to an end so quickly has left me with mixed emotions. Of course I am happy for what we have accomplished here, but as in all life changing events- now the hard part begins. A lot of our devotionals this week naturally led to discussions around gratefulness, accountability and connection, but getting back to reality, school, practice and life how do we not lose focus on what we have gained? I truly believe that the impact the Dominican players have made on the boys this trip is something each one of them will never forget. My prayer is that the way they felt, connecting with each other and the community they built in such a short period of time is not just remembered but multiplied in their life. May this be a ripple effect for all other friend groups they have at school. May this mission trip continue back home!
As I close out this time and reflect on the entire week, it is amazing to me that I came on this trip with this group of boys and had full expectation to see God move. In my feebleness, I assumed it would be in a certain time or place, but the reality it is so much more! Yes, the boys are here on a mission trip. Yes, they collected hundreds of items of baseball equipment to distribute the children on the island. Yes, they spent a day ensuring this place was better than they found it by picking up trash. Yes, they are experiencing a new culture and showing God’s love. But God, is so much bigger than to only touch these areas. As I sit and watch the relationships that are forming between the boys, my heart is full because I know what Godly, Christian friends have done in my life! I know that these memories will last a lifetime and will connect them to each other like nothing else can! In this day and age, having real connections is difficult, having real Godly connections- is a blessing that has eternal impact!
Thank you all for taking this journey with us. Please pray for our safe trip home!
To think of the months of planning and praying it took to get here, the fact that is has come to an end so quickly has left me with mixed emotions. Of course I am happy for what we have accomplished here, but as in all life changing events- now the hard part begins. A lot of our devotionals this week naturally led to discussions around gratefulness, accountability and connection, but getting back to reality, school, practice and life how do we not lose focus on what we have gained? I truly believe that the impact the Dominican players have made on the boys this trip is something each one of them will never forget. My prayer is that the way they felt, connecting with each other and the community they built in such a short period of time is not just remembered but multiplied in their life. May this be a ripple effect for all other friend groups they have at school. May this mission trip continue back home!
As I close out this time and reflect on the entire week, it is amazing to me that I came on this trip with this group of boys and had full expectation to see God move. In my feebleness, I assumed it would be in a certain time or place, but the reality it is so much more! Yes, the boys are here on a mission trip. Yes, they collected hundreds of items of baseball equipment to distribute the children on the island. Yes, they spent a day ensuring this place was better than they found it by picking up trash. Yes, they are experiencing a new culture and showing God’s love. But God, is so much bigger than to only touch these areas. As I sit and watch the relationships that are forming between the boys, my heart is full because I know what Godly, Christian friends have done in my life! I know that these memories will last a lifetime and will connect them to each other like nothing else can! In this day and age, having real connections is difficult, having real Godly connections- is a blessing that has eternal impact!
Thank you all for taking this journey with us. Please pray for our safe trip home!