Puertas Online

From the Dominican Republic team’s latest newsletter:

“Dominicans have a real passion for baseball. Baseball fields, or “plays” as the are called here, are in every community, and it is a common occurrence to see a fully dressed baseball player walking down the street, a pickup truck loaded down with a young boys’ baseball team, and children playing baseball in the streets, often with little wooden sticks as bats and with water caps as balls. It is the dream of many young boys to make it to the Majors, of getting to New York and becoming rich and famous. School studies are frequently left to one side so that they might single-mindedly pursue this dream, and though there are those who do sign contracts, many don’t realize this dream, leaving many young men poor and without any vocation.

Recently in the community of Palmar Arriba a new play was built by Jose Reyes, a native from Palmar who now plays for the New York Mets. Jose’s father was there, along with officials from the community and four baseball teams, to officially open the grounds on Tuesday, June 30th. It was a very formal affair and a big moment for the community. We were also invited to be present for the occasion.

Over the past three months, Cacao, the baseball manager in Palmar, has invited us to come, twice a week, to share God’s words with the baseball players in the baseball camps – an open door to 50-60 young men each week. The young men play ball from 9:00 -12:00 from Monday through Sunday. Often, there are all-day weekend tournaments. Two weeks ago Pastor Ries gave the Wednesday morning talk and another manager was visiting. He invited us to come and give devotions at his baseball training camp as well.

God’s word is at work, and some of these players and trainers have also come to our worship services on Wednesday nights in the community. Two of them are in confirmation classes. Please keep these young men in your prayers!”