Team FLG day 3 is in the books. It was another great day on the mission field. We squeaked out 2 more wins today. The guys stepped up and played hard. Played in the rain and battled back during both games. There were several "firsts" today: Oso Blanco Mark Mortimer pitched 7+ innings. Recorded a save and a win. I caught 5.1 innings. (Boy am I feeling it now.)Matt Swedenburg climbed a tree and 15 boys
followed him. (His dad Scott Swedenburg would have done the exact same thing.) Samuel Leonard is our secret weapon. He has been a hitting machine.
Our engage team has been doing an outstanding job!! I found out today that Ross Page has been given the task of keeping the pigs off the property. He is doing a great job!! Boyd Kaiser is the newest member of team BWCM soccer. I have heard they call him "Dominator."
God is really using this time in everyones life to sharpen, shape, and challenge. I was reminded tonight about a passage I have been in for a few weeks now.
2 Corinthians 1.3-4 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
This week is NOT about baseball. It is ALL about Jesus. I remember a story on Dawson Student Ministry (High School) Chapel Choir trip. We were able to spend an afternoon at a Mens recovery center (a Farm Center.) We had the opportunity to take a tour of the Farm. A man who was recovering from some type of addiction drove us around on a tractor and told us all about the programs and the different types of "jobs" each man had. A story he shared really stuck with me. He shared with us at first he didn’t really understand some of the tasks the leaders would give him. He knew he could do it a different way and possibly achieve the same results and may even be done faster. What he had to learn was, that it was not about finishing faster or doing it a better more efficient way, but it was about following directions and allowing himself to be led. That night that man shared something that didn’t really impact me too much on the trip, but it has made a huge impact on myself and a few others on the mission field.
Everyday our Lord is teaching us and grooming us to do great things. I truly believe this week has already been full of teaching moments. As a believer, He is asking us to be teachable, moldable, obedient, and most of all, willing. Last night during "God Moments" someone made the statement "it is not something that happens over night." I quickly thought of the word methodical.
I have had the privilege to call Francisco Leonel Osejo my friend. As bad as I wanted him to come to know the Lord three years ago. I have been able to see God work in his life. Yesterday after his team defeated us, he asked if he could share first. Something you need to know first: Four years ago Somotillo men would not give us the time of day, much less share anything in public with their "guy" friends around. He stepped up and wanted to share before we had a chance to share with his team. He first thanked God for giving both teams a chance to play a great game. Then he shared how thankful he was that we were being obedient and following the path God has laid out for us.
For three years I have often wondered is For Love of the Game really building up the kingdom???? Are we connecting with these guys. The Lord used yesterday and today to teach me. It is ALL about the small things. It is truly about loving people. Scripture tells us to love Him with everything we have and love our neighbor in the same way. The game of baseball is a great game. It is a wonderful tool.
A year ago this week I received a message from my wife Marsha Hall that she had a miscarriage. I was thousands of miles away and she was without me. I woke up today thinking about that. The Lord used my friend Francisco to comfort me as I have often comforted him. He followed us back to Casa De Shelly and hung out. We introduced him to a game called Spike Ball. He stayed and played for a while. The whole time he was playing I was smiling and thanking God for allowing me to be a part of this great moment. He used Francisco to comfort me today. As my heart started out clouded with hurt, The Lord used a friend to fill it with JOY!
It is not about how BIG you do it or how many people show up. It is all about what you do with the people God places in front of you. We must remember we have all been created with a purpose. We are a well thought out plan. The key to our success lies in our obedience to our Savior.
Another Great Day on the Mission Field.
