Don Copeland, one of our DR 2010 team members, concrete maker extraordinaire and a lousy boat driver, shared this devotional during one of our evening devotions. I thought you'd enjoy it.
Small Ball for God
I receive an email periodically from Jason Cruise of Outdoor Ministry
Network called the Man Minute. It focuses on things in everyday life that
point us towards the Lord. This past week I received the email and it was
about Jason and his son attending a minor league baseball game in Nashville.
Jason was excited to be there because one of his baseball heroes, Ryne
Sandberg was there coaching the opposing team. The devotional linked to
Sandberg’s Hall of Fame induction speech. I took the time to read his
speech and was inspired by his humility and love of the game.
What can baseball have to do with faith? I’ll tell you what it taught me.
Sandberg was a second baseman, noted for his hard work every day and his
love of the game. He played for the Cubs – a team that has only one two
world series in its 137 years of existence (1907 & 1908 for the record).
He played the game like it was meant to be played, selflessly.
In his speech he talked about the importance of playing for the team and not
for self, learning how to advance the runner, how to take a strike in order
to allow a base runner to steal a base, and how to condition himself to be
ready for anything the game might throw at him. He did what he did because
it was his responsibility, not for his own glory, but for the betterment of
the team.
I’m going to mention some phrases – see if you can find something that they
all relate to:
- Single
- Double
- Triple
- Home run
- Balk
- Passed ball
- Wild pitch
- Throwing error
- Catching error
- Stolen base (home)
- Fielder’s choice
- Sacrifice
Add bases loaded to the mix
- Hit by pitch
- Walk
- Catcher’s interference
What do all of these result in?
A runner scores from third base with less than two outs.
So - you might say. What does that have to do with faith, what does that
have to do with me, here in the DR on a mission trip? I say to you – it has
a lot to do with us here today. How did that player get on third? Triple?
Single and two stolen bases? Walk and two stolen bases? Single, stolen
base, sacrifice fly or ground ball to advance him to third? The list is so
much longer than the list for how he can score. The key is that he or his
team managed to get him to third base with less than two outs. If he was on
second or first the list of ways he can score is greatly diminished. What
if the second baseman on his team had made an error on an easy play the inning
before? Would they even be at bat yet? Perhaps that error made getting that
run home from third that much more important.
Is there more glory in stealing home or being the man who sacrificed to
advance him to third? Does he steal home if he’s still on second?
Where am I leading with this? We are all players on the Lord’s team. Every
day we are here we will be called on to make the routine play, cleanly
fielding a ground ball, hitting a ground ball to second with no outs and a man
on second, choosing the right opportunity to steal a base. While some of
these things may seem unimportant, they really aren’t. We are not always
going to hit home runs or base clearing doubles. Sometimes (in fact most of
the time) we are going to be called on to advance the runner.
As we go about our days here let’s try to keep in mind that God wants us to
play small ball. When we play small ball we sacrifice ourselves for the
betterment of the team. God’s team – His kingdom. Routine play on a
ground ball – painting a neglected wall of an orphanage in the DR, sacrifice
fly – providing words of encouragement for a fellow mission team member,
getting a clutch hit – reflecting God’s love through your service to others.
Make sense?
When we all play the game for the love of the game and think of the team
first (God’s team) – the Team Wins. When we don’t win, we dust off our
uniforms, pat each other on the back and hit the showers with anticipation
of tomorrow’s game.
Why?
Because we love the game.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Tammi teaching Lidia the Hokie Pokie
Notice the wheelchair on the new mural. A special touch for the children of Casa de Luz
Finishing the sidewalk & pad to the prayer garden. 110 ft of sidewalk & the pad.
New mural in the hallway. Painted by our team.
A tool for showing anyone who comes to Casa de Luz the plan of salvation
A tool for showing anyone who comes to Casa de Luz the plan of salvation
Friday, June 25, 2010
A Great Team!
We are home from the DR. It was a great trip. I look forward to hearing how the team members share their experiences and stories. Speaking of the team, I can honestly say they were great! I have done a lot of trips and this one ranks way up there. Each team member worked hard, got along and lived out what going on a trip like this is all about.
This week we learned more about ourselves and our world. We discovered how blessed we are and recommitted ourselves to using God's blessings to reach this world for Him. We lived out what it means to "go into all the world." We loved the children of Casa de Luz and the people of the DR and now it is time for each of us to lead you in discovering what we have learned. We want to lead you to find out where God wants you to "go" in this world.
I will be posting more to this blog in the coming days. Video, pics and more. Ck back here often to see more from our trip and how you can get involved with Casa de Luz,
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Whatever It Takes - Day 5 in the DR
We woke up this morning with plans to complete the sidewalk. As soon as I walked outside I knew it was going to be difficult. You see, Casa de Luz is located right on the coast. You can see the Caribbean Sea from the orphanage property. As I walked out of the hotel, also located right on the water, I saw nothing but dark skies out over the water.
We have had rain everyday while here. We had expected wet weather, it is the rainy season, but we have had an unusually large amount. The rain has kept us from get things done. Pouring concrete in the rain isn't fun or easy. We had hoped that we would get a break today and be able to complete the sidewalk but when we saw the clouds on the horizon we feared it wouldn't happen.
We decided that we would get as much done as possible before the rain came. We had barely gotten out of the bus when the skies opened up. It was raining harder than it had rained all week. After waiting for about half an hour we got enough of a break to get started. We decided to use plastic and tarps to cover the cement mixer and sidewalk and work through the rain. I will post pics of the set up. It was really quite ingenious.
We had a long way to go but with determination we plowed forward. Everyone pitched in and by the end of a long and hard day we not only completed the sidewalk but also a pad inside the garden for wheelchairs. Hard work and determination were part of the equation but more importantly a since of purpose pushed us on.
You see, the purpose behind building the sidewalk in the first place was so that the children in the wheelchairs could go down and enjoy the prayer garden. None of them had ever been there. The path was too steep, rocky and most of the time muddy and overgrown. The sidewalk will allow them to see the garden, spend time outside and enjoy the peacefulness there. It is a great place under the mango trees and filled with butterflies. The pad at the bottom will allow them to be rolled down and parked comfortably and without fear of getting stuck. That is what motivated us. It was the reason we decided to do whatever it takes to complete the project.
I am so proud of each member of the team. Today they showed what mission work is all about. Flexibility, determination, hard work and cooperation are all apart of a successful trip but most important is a sense of purpose. Today the team set aside their own agendas and despite the conditions let their desire to provide this place for the children drive and give them energy.
There is a beautiful new sidewalk and wheelchair pad at Casa de Luz. Awesome!
We have had rain everyday while here. We had expected wet weather, it is the rainy season, but we have had an unusually large amount. The rain has kept us from get things done. Pouring concrete in the rain isn't fun or easy. We had hoped that we would get a break today and be able to complete the sidewalk but when we saw the clouds on the horizon we feared it wouldn't happen.
We decided that we would get as much done as possible before the rain came. We had barely gotten out of the bus when the skies opened up. It was raining harder than it had rained all week. After waiting for about half an hour we got enough of a break to get started. We decided to use plastic and tarps to cover the cement mixer and sidewalk and work through the rain. I will post pics of the set up. It was really quite ingenious.
We had a long way to go but with determination we plowed forward. Everyone pitched in and by the end of a long and hard day we not only completed the sidewalk but also a pad inside the garden for wheelchairs. Hard work and determination were part of the equation but more importantly a since of purpose pushed us on.
You see, the purpose behind building the sidewalk in the first place was so that the children in the wheelchairs could go down and enjoy the prayer garden. None of them had ever been there. The path was too steep, rocky and most of the time muddy and overgrown. The sidewalk will allow them to see the garden, spend time outside and enjoy the peacefulness there. It is a great place under the mango trees and filled with butterflies. The pad at the bottom will allow them to be rolled down and parked comfortably and without fear of getting stuck. That is what motivated us. It was the reason we decided to do whatever it takes to complete the project.
I am so proud of each member of the team. Today they showed what mission work is all about. Flexibility, determination, hard work and cooperation are all apart of a successful trip but most important is a sense of purpose. Today the team set aside their own agendas and despite the conditions let their desire to provide this place for the children drive and give them energy.
There is a beautiful new sidewalk and wheelchair pad at Casa de Luz. Awesome!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Day 4 Haitian batay visit
We visited a Haitian batay east of Santo Domingo this afternoon and it was crazy! Usually we have a planned visit and it is fairly structured but this time we arrived unannounced and man was it a mad house.Our bus driver pulled into the batay and asked where the church was. Immediately the children began yelling and running after the bus. A bus full of missionaries could only mean one thing, gifts.
We contacted the pastor and arranged to use the little church to meet the children and hand out the backpacks we had brought. As soon as the church opened it became a mad house. Kids and adults came from all over and the church was soon full. As you can see in the picture we had to close the doors. There were as many people outside as there was inside.
We heard them sing songs and then shared the gospel with them. Michael, Bailee and Callie sang. With the pastors help we shared the backpacks. They had school supplies, clothing and small gifts in them. We handed out 100 or so but could have handed out double that. It was sad to have to tell those waiting that we had run out but it was fun to watch those who had received one open them up and show each other what was inside. If only we could have brought more with us.
All in all it was a great experience. During our share time this evening we talked about how blessed we felt and challenged to never take those blessings for granted but use them to reach out to those less fortunate.
The sidewalk is moving along. We should complete the pouring of the concrete tomorrow. Bethany Sweeney is going to draw a mural on one of the walls and the team is going to paint it tomorrow afternoon. I think we settled on the bridge illustration that is often used to share the gospel. It will be a great tool for sharing with those who live at and visit Casa de Luz. I will post some pics tomorrow.
Keep praying for us as we wind down our time here. If you have not donated to our OCL #2 offering remember, 50% will help put the roof on the second floor. Find out more here. I will post pictures of that area tomorrow.
Monday, June 21, 2010
DR Project Day 3 wrap up
Day 3 in the DR is coming to an end. It has been a great day!
We began early this morning working on projects @ Casa de Luz. The sidewalk is coming along and everyone got involved. Cement was mixed, rock was hauled, the path was dug and a sidewalk is beginning to appear.
We completed the outreach packets for the hospital. We made sandwiches and packed them with toothbrushes and toothpaste along with some personal care items. We used these to reach out to and help family members of children in the burn unit. Many of them have come a long way and have little resources. They often have no money for food and no place to stay. The small gift bag helps them but more importantly gives us and opportunity to share with them. Today we gave out over 100 bags.
While we were at the burn unit we meet a number of the children and had a chance to pray for them. The team went into the special unit in small groups and prayed with the children and learned a little of their story. It was a brief time but one that each of us will never forget.
This afternoon we went to the Dominican version of a Walmart. We went to get more school supplies for the Hatian outreach tomorrow. It was fun to try and figure out the exchange rate and all the different products.
Tonight we went to SCORE and participated in the opening night of Kosmos. It is a mission conference that takes place here every 2 years. There were 400 students and leaders from all over the US. They will do different missional outreaches during the day and gather for corporate worship each night. It was a good night of worship
Tomorrow we will continue our work at Casa de Luz and head to our first Haitian batay in the afternoon. We will take backpacks with school clothes and clothing to the children there.
I am having trouble uploading video and pictures to the blog. The internet is slow here. I hope to get something up soon.
Thanks for all your prayers. Keep them up!
We began early this morning working on projects @ Casa de Luz. The sidewalk is coming along and everyone got involved. Cement was mixed, rock was hauled, the path was dug and a sidewalk is beginning to appear.
We completed the outreach packets for the hospital. We made sandwiches and packed them with toothbrushes and toothpaste along with some personal care items. We used these to reach out to and help family members of children in the burn unit. Many of them have come a long way and have little resources. They often have no money for food and no place to stay. The small gift bag helps them but more importantly gives us and opportunity to share with them. Today we gave out over 100 bags.
While we were at the burn unit we meet a number of the children and had a chance to pray for them. The team went into the special unit in small groups and prayed with the children and learned a little of their story. It was a brief time but one that each of us will never forget.
This afternoon we went to the Dominican version of a Walmart. We went to get more school supplies for the Hatian outreach tomorrow. It was fun to try and figure out the exchange rate and all the different products.
Tonight we went to SCORE and participated in the opening night of Kosmos. It is a mission conference that takes place here every 2 years. There were 400 students and leaders from all over the US. They will do different missional outreaches during the day and gather for corporate worship each night. It was a good night of worship
Tomorrow we will continue our work at Casa de Luz and head to our first Haitian batay in the afternoon. We will take backpacks with school clothes and clothing to the children there.
I am having trouble uploading video and pictures to the blog. The internet is slow here. I hope to get something up soon.
Thanks for all your prayers. Keep them up!
Day 3 in the DR
We are about to begin day 3 in the DR. It's going to be a very busy one. Our schedule includes a morning @ Casa de Luz where we will pour the sidewalk, make sandwiches for our outreach to the burn unit @ Walter Reed Hospital and finish the backpacks for the Haitian outreach tomorrow. As always we will love on and play with the children there. After the outreach this afternoon we will be going over to SCORE for a worship time with about 400 people. I will post more on that later.
The trip to the Maternity Hospital yesterday was an experience that the team will not soon forget. We handed out gift bags to 65 new mothers. The bags had bottles, formula, wet wipes, diapers, baby clothes and some personal care items. They people were warm and open and wanted us to see their babies. Conditions there were far from good and we again realized how blessed we are in the states.
I am assuming Michael got in late last night. My last Twitter update from him said that his flight was delayed. He was to take a cab from the airport and arrive late. I have not seen him yet but I am sure he is safe and sound. We are glad he is here
Last night we went out for Pizza as a team. It was a good time. Afterward we went and visited Jackie's House. It is another orphanage located on the opposite side of Santa Domingo from Casa de Luz. It was quite a long and interesting drive. It was up in the hills. We arrived there about 8:00pm.
Jackie's house has 14 children. 3 of the children are handicapped. Jackie and her husband Hernando have run the facility for 9 years. Most of the children have been abused and abandoned by their families. I hope to share more about Jackie's House and how it is connected with Casa de Luz later
When we arrived we were met by the beautiful children there. The all had on matching shirts and were gathered outside. We quickly went in because the area was in a blackout and the generator was providing light only in a portion of the inside. When we got inside the children all introduced themselves in English. They were quite proud that they could do that. A few of them then shared their stories with us. It was quite emotional to hear their journey and how they had come to Jackie's House. As soon as I can download the video I hope to post a portion of a few of those stories.
The children sang some songs and danced for us. I can tell that other mission groups from the states had visited there because of the dances. We got to spend time individually with the kids and then they shared pictures they had made for us. Lots of hugs and love was shared. We said our goodbyes and headed for a long journey home.
The day ended with us trying to process all of the events of the day. To say we were in overload would be an understatement. I guess the greatest lesson from today was the team's reminder of how blessed we are and how we need to use those blessings to reach out to those who are less fortunate.
Video and pics should be posted today. Look for them later. Please continue to pray for us and our ministry here.
Tim
The trip to the Maternity Hospital yesterday was an experience that the team will not soon forget. We handed out gift bags to 65 new mothers. The bags had bottles, formula, wet wipes, diapers, baby clothes and some personal care items. They people were warm and open and wanted us to see their babies. Conditions there were far from good and we again realized how blessed we are in the states.
I am assuming Michael got in late last night. My last Twitter update from him said that his flight was delayed. He was to take a cab from the airport and arrive late. I have not seen him yet but I am sure he is safe and sound. We are glad he is here
Last night we went out for Pizza as a team. It was a good time. Afterward we went and visited Jackie's House. It is another orphanage located on the opposite side of Santa Domingo from Casa de Luz. It was quite a long and interesting drive. It was up in the hills. We arrived there about 8:00pm.
Jackie's house has 14 children. 3 of the children are handicapped. Jackie and her husband Hernando have run the facility for 9 years. Most of the children have been abused and abandoned by their families. I hope to share more about Jackie's House and how it is connected with Casa de Luz later
When we arrived we were met by the beautiful children there. The all had on matching shirts and were gathered outside. We quickly went in because the area was in a blackout and the generator was providing light only in a portion of the inside. When we got inside the children all introduced themselves in English. They were quite proud that they could do that. A few of them then shared their stories with us. It was quite emotional to hear their journey and how they had come to Jackie's House. As soon as I can download the video I hope to post a portion of a few of those stories.
The children sang some songs and danced for us. I can tell that other mission groups from the states had visited there because of the dances. We got to spend time individually with the kids and then they shared pictures they had made for us. Lots of hugs and love was shared. We said our goodbyes and headed for a long journey home.
The day ended with us trying to process all of the events of the day. To say we were in overload would be an understatement. I guess the greatest lesson from today was the team's reminder of how blessed we are and how we need to use those blessings to reach out to those who are less fortunate.
Video and pics should be posted today. Look for them later. Please continue to pray for us and our ministry here.
Tim
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Day 2 pt 1 - DR Project 2010
We have just completed a very busy morning. We started at 8:00 by heading to Casa de Luz. There we continued work on the new sidewalk to the meditation/prayer garden and prepared for the outreach this afternoon @ the Maternity Hospital. We, or better, Josh, began clearing a path with machetes to the corners of the property so we can lay corner posts and secure the edges of the property. We went to the hardware store and purchased rakes, shovels, a new machete (for Josh) and 20 bags of cement. After a great lunch we are now back at the hotel getting cleaned up for our visit to the hospital and another orphanage nearby.
I talked live during this morning's worship @ BridgePoint. It was great to share for a few minutes what we are doing here and hear from them during worship. Technology is great!
I hope to upload some video and pictures tonight. Look for them late or early tomorrow.
Thanks for your prayers. More this evening.
Tim
I talked live during this morning's worship @ BridgePoint. It was great to share for a few minutes what we are doing here and hear from them during worship. Technology is great!
I hope to upload some video and pictures tonight. Look for them late or early tomorrow.
Thanks for your prayers. More this evening.
Tim
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Day 1 of DR Project 2010
We arrived safely this afternoon in the Dominican Republic. There were no travel delays and the trip went smoothly. Upon arrival we made it though customs with 32 duffle bags full of everything from diapers to medicine. The only fear we had was the medicine being flagged and pulled at customs. We were bringing in quite a bit of medicine and could have easily been stopped but we sailed right through and were able to get all of it to Casa de Luz.
We went straight to Casa de Luz (the orphanage) and after eating a great lunch and touring the new folks around the facility we began to unpack the supplies. It was great to see how much we were able to bring with us. We were able to fill the shelves in the storage area and then some. We also began to prepare for the outreaches that we will do beginning tomorrow.
Some of the guys went right to work on a sidewalk we are going to build that will allow the children to go in their wheelchairs down to the meditation garden. Those who followed us last year will remember that we built the wall around the garden on our trip last June. I hope to show you pictures of a finished sidewalk by the end of the week. We also hope to begin work on the raised garden we are going to build tomorrow. Pictures of that will also follow.
We are getting ready to head back over to the orphanage after a couple of hours rest at the hotel. We will enjoy another Dominican meal and then finish preparing for our outreach at the Maternity Hospital tomorrow.
Thanks for your prayers. Please continue to pray for each team member. Pray for health, energy and that they will find the rhythm God has for them this week. Pray for our outreach to new mothers at the Maternity Hospital tomorrow. Pray for the children of Casa de Luz as we touch and love them. Pray that they will know through our touch that God loves them.
More later.
Tim
We went straight to Casa de Luz (the orphanage) and after eating a great lunch and touring the new folks around the facility we began to unpack the supplies. It was great to see how much we were able to bring with us. We were able to fill the shelves in the storage area and then some. We also began to prepare for the outreaches that we will do beginning tomorrow.
Some of the guys went right to work on a sidewalk we are going to build that will allow the children to go in their wheelchairs down to the meditation garden. Those who followed us last year will remember that we built the wall around the garden on our trip last June. I hope to show you pictures of a finished sidewalk by the end of the week. We also hope to begin work on the raised garden we are going to build tomorrow. Pictures of that will also follow.
We are getting ready to head back over to the orphanage after a couple of hours rest at the hotel. We will enjoy another Dominican meal and then finish preparing for our outreach at the Maternity Hospital tomorrow.
Thanks for your prayers. Please continue to pray for each team member. Pray for health, energy and that they will find the rhythm God has for them this week. Pray for our outreach to new mothers at the Maternity Hospital tomorrow. Pray for the children of Casa de Luz as we touch and love them. Pray that they will know through our touch that God loves them.
More later.
Tim
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Bags being packed
As I write this 28 duffle bags have just been packed with supplies for the trip. They are full of diapers, medicine, backpacks, school supplies, clothes, PB & J, baseballs and more. A big thank you goes to Kris Minneti for heading up the job. It's been a big one. Thank you to everyone who has donated items for the trip. I am excited about how the things we bring will help the children of Casa de Luz and the others we will connect with.
At this time we have raised about $20,000 toward the 2nd floor roof. We just need about $5000 more to get started and complete that project. God is working in the DR and the completion of the roof is just one of the many puzzle pieces He is bringing together. His timing is incredible and perfect. I can't wait to see how it all comes out.
Please be in prayer for the 19 team members who will be heading out early Sat. morning and check back here often for updates.
At this time we have raised about $20,000 toward the 2nd floor roof. We just need about $5000 more to get started and complete that project. God is working in the DR and the completion of the roof is just one of the many puzzle pieces He is bringing together. His timing is incredible and perfect. I can't wait to see how it all comes out.
Please be in prayer for the 19 team members who will be heading out early Sat. morning and check back here often for updates.
Friday, June 11, 2010
2010 DR Project Trip
In a little more than a week we will be heading back to the DR and Casa de Luz. This year a team of 18 will be working at the orphanage, in Hatian batays, doing construction, medical outreach and more. We will leave Tampa on Sat., June 19, and return on Friday, June 25. Check back here for updates, pictures and video
BridgePoint is in the middle of it's OCL campaign. To find out more visit here. 50% of the funds from this portion of the initiative will go to help put the roof on the 2nd floor of Casa de Luz. When that is completed they can reach more kids and better provide for the ones they have. To date we have a little over $17,000 for the roof. We need about $8000 more to complete the project. If you would like to help you can donate here.
More later!
BridgePoint is in the middle of it's OCL campaign. To find out more visit here. 50% of the funds from this portion of the initiative will go to help put the roof on the 2nd floor of Casa de Luz. When that is completed they can reach more kids and better provide for the ones they have. To date we have a little over $17,000 for the roof. We need about $8000 more to complete the project. If you would like to help you can donate here.
More later!
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