Friday, August 23, 2013
Catalina Island - Last day
We ended our more than eventful trip to the lovely Dominican Republic with a day of discovery. Not only did we discover things about this amazing country (such as the underwater wildlife and the beauty of Catalina Island), we also discovered things about each other that brought us all together as one. Although we did not technically minister to a specific group of people today, we spent the day ministering to one another and going from a basketball team to a brotherhood in the midst of God's beauty. Our trip to Catalina Island began when the boat made a stop about half way to the island to allow us to snorkel and jump from the top of the double-deck boat. The whole team spent time in the water and the highlight of the stop was the amazing shots captured by Craig, the team doctor, of players jumping from the top of the boat and posing. Christyan Devan was seen posing as a boxer with David Fernandez and even Jordan Martz took a leap from the top of the boat. After the short stop to enjoy the beautiful coral reef, the boat took us to our destination for the day, Catalina Island. We spent most of the day enjoying the beauty and playing volleyball, highlighted by an India vs. United States clash. The United States took the game in straight sets. Most of the team then went to the other side of the island to cliff dive while some stayed behind and enjoyed the sun. After a beautiful day at the beach, the boat made its way back to the mainland and we began our trek back to the Score complex for the last time. During devotions, we, as a unit, began to open up to one another and explain that this trip was one of the most beneficial things we could have done. Not only did we get to minister and impact the people of the DR, we, as a unit, also felt impacted by the people we were here to help. Many of the guys shared laughs and compassionate stories that involved the wonderful children here and just how much they had impacted us. We came here to share the word of God to these people and try and make an impact on their lives, little did we know that the people of this nation would give us all something that we could take back with us: a renewed appreciation for the God we all serve. These people have nothing, yet they are proud of everything they own and the God that they serve. We should all be so fortunate to have a mindset like the people of the Dominican Republic. The trip was beyond a success. One filled with timeless memories and moments that will define our team for a long time. We came here a basketball team and left here a band of brothers.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Buenos Dias,
Today was a very eventful day for the Messiah Men's basketball team and SCORE. We began our day with breakfast and a short bus ride to the Emmanuel House. This institution was a place where kids from the poorest areas of "la ciudad" or city were able to come and learn. We met the children's teacher, while also being informed of sponsorship opportunity (30$ a child/month). Coach and his wife got down and dirty by filling up plastic bags with powdered milk. We put the plastuc bags in our orange draw-strings to distribute later that day. Another bus ride, led by the Emmanuel House teacher took us to a "pueblo" or community of very poor economic status. We were greeted by a rush of children as we began our journey of distribution. Our group was split into two teams, David's Team "Cuba/Dale" and Felipe's Team "Flip". The groups split up, going house to house distributing the bags of milk, as well as water filtration systems. As the distribution came to a close, piggy back races were held by the players and kids while Pete was teaching them an arm trick. An old man, grandfather of two, told us that no group has ever come through there with so much love towards the children in his entire life in that community; A touching and heart felt moment. Sadly, our trip in the pueblo came to a close as we ran out of things to give away. After lunch, some of the guys went to the beach near the SCORE missions house and enjoyed some fun in the sun by body surfing the waves. 2:30 came around and it was time for our last game of the week. The Falcons looked to finish the trip with a winning record but fell just short of victory to a team led by a professional point guard we saw the night before. However, the crowd for testimonies was the most receptive in my opinion as Ryan and David shared their stories. Even though we didn't pull out the victory on the court, I think we won off the court by touching some lives through our experiences with Christ. Now that our missions portion of the trip has ended, its hard not to believe that we've made impact here. God has blessed us with the opportunity to be here, to touch lives and I know we did that as best we could. Tomorrow's itinerary includes the Catalina islands, a vacation hot spot in the Caribbean...hopefully these American boys come back with some color! (hopefully not red)
Thank you for your support and keeping track of our journey!
God bless,
David
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Tuesday (Day 4 "los ninos pequenos")
The day started with breakfast and then a little down time before we piled in the bus and headed off to an orphanage for girls located in Boca Chica called "Pasitos de Jesus". The moment we stepped off the bus each guy was taken by the hand by a little girl who proceeded to play with us for the next 2 hours. The donations were handed out at this point and the books and bracelets were both very popular with the children. David and Geoff both found girls that became really attached to them and wouldn't let them set them down at all. At the end of our time there, the girls had a presentation and sang "How Great is Our God" which sounded really nice. They then asked us to sing a song, and after some frantic discussion we decided on "Amazing Grace", which while sounding much better than expected, was not quite at the same level as the girls. They then sang another song which featured a girl with an amazing voice and then sang "The Hugging Song" during which each girl came and gave us hugs because it was all that they could offer us. Leaving was very emotional for everyone involved and after many more hugs and goodbyes we headed back to the SCORE complex for lunch.
After lunch we had some down time in which people played games or headed to the beach. We then went to the straw market where we all got gifts for family members, girlfriends, and we managed to not forget ourselves. We then left the market with no machetes or cigars (despite numerous offers) and arrived at the complex for our game. It was another learning experience for us as a team, and we are yet to fully understand the rules of Dominican basketball. However everyone on the team played well and handled themselves in a way that represented both Messiah and SCORE very well, and after a tight game in which we lost by around 6, Ty and Geoff shared their testimonies with the other team. We then gave t-shirts to the other team and had a little interaction with them.
After dinner back at SCORE we had devotions led by Pete and then spent the rest of the evening hanging out and playing games. We all agreed that the day was a cool experience for us and had a big impact. Thanks again for all the support we have received and for following us on the blog.
After lunch we had some down time in which people played games or headed to the beach. We then went to the straw market where we all got gifts for family members, girlfriends, and we managed to not forget ourselves. We then left the market with no machetes or cigars (despite numerous offers) and arrived at the complex for our game. It was another learning experience for us as a team, and we are yet to fully understand the rules of Dominican basketball. However everyone on the team played well and handled themselves in a way that represented both Messiah and SCORE very well, and after a tight game in which we lost by around 6, Ty and Geoff shared their testimonies with the other team. We then gave t-shirts to the other team and had a little interaction with them.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Sunday and Monday in Santiago and Santa Domingo
Thank you again for your prayers and support as the Messiah Men's Basketball team is in the Dominican. After a late arrival Saturday night the team woke up early (7:30) Sunday morning, had breakfast and then set off on their five and a half hour trip north to Santiago. The falcons were the first American team to ever compete against the professional team in Santiago. Three hours after lunch at a familiar restaurant (T.G.I. Fridays) the team arrived at the Gran Hotel. The Gran Hotel is quite luxurious to Dominican standards, however it was a great opportunity for the team to learn how fortunate they are to have flushing toilets, working showers and air conditioners, and clean sheets. The team enjoyed a brief siesta as they settled in their rooms, but around 4:30 they reported back to the Toyota Coaster (Score's bus). Once the team was back in the bus they went to the home of a fellow brother in Christ and friend of Giovanni (a former pro player in the D.R. that is now a missionary with score) for a snack before Sunday's game, dinner after the game, and breakfast Monday morning. The family of missionaries provided excellent hospitality and even gave us our first run in with a Dominican tarantula that Christyan bravely wrangled into a cup and Pete properly let free to his family in a bush.
Sunday's game was much anticipated and there were quite a few fans (nearly 300) from the town in attendance. The game had been hyped up by local officials for quite some time and the game would prove to be a new basketball experience for all the Messiah players. The game was extremely physical, back and forth, and it was officiated rather uniquely. However, at the end of the game it was Messiah coming out on top with a victory 98-92. The competition was excellent but the highlight of the evening were the testimonies and brief message given by Pete and Taylor to the crowd at halftime of the game. Giovanni translated for the men as the crowd listened attentively which was very exciting for our team as a whole. It was a lot of fun for the team to get to interact with some of the children in attendance and to take pictures with the fans after the game. The Falcons slept well after a long fought battle where everyone worked together and contributed to the victory.
Monday began with breakfast and the long drive back down to the southern coast to play yet another game against a very worthy opponent. Messiah came out flat in the game however and despite their efforts, lost to the sharpshooting host team. However, the Messiah team kept their head high and once again members of the team, Drew and Greg, were able to share their story of how they came to know Christ/who Christ is to them after the game. The crowd was once again interested in what we had to say and seemed very receptive of our message which was encouraging to all of us. One humbling experience of the afternoon was when the opponents and different children in attendance asked us for our shirts, sweaty shorts, and even game worn socks to take home with them. It helped all of us realize how blessed we are and gave us a better idea of what it truly means to serve those around us. After the team arrived back to score HQ (just outside of Santo Domingo) they were greeted by dinner of chicken and rice. They showered and had team devotions where Drew lead the team in a study on the calling of Samuel to become a servant. He then challenged the team to take some time to listen to God just as Samuel did when God called him late at night. I know that we are in great anticipation of the things that The Lord has planned for us. We know that the impact we have here could last forever as we share the love of our Father with the people that need his grace. Tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 20) the team will leave Score HQ headed to a girls orphanage where they will get an opportunity to give things donated and show love to the kids. Thank you for your prayers. #23-PC and #31-TG- signing out.
Sunday's game was much anticipated and there were quite a few fans (nearly 300) from the town in attendance. The game had been hyped up by local officials for quite some time and the game would prove to be a new basketball experience for all the Messiah players. The game was extremely physical, back and forth, and it was officiated rather uniquely. However, at the end of the game it was Messiah coming out on top with a victory 98-92. The competition was excellent but the highlight of the evening were the testimonies and brief message given by Pete and Taylor to the crowd at halftime of the game. Giovanni translated for the men as the crowd listened attentively which was very exciting for our team as a whole. It was a lot of fun for the team to get to interact with some of the children in attendance and to take pictures with the fans after the game. The Falcons slept well after a long fought battle where everyone worked together and contributed to the victory.
Monday began with breakfast and the long drive back down to the southern coast to play yet another game against a very worthy opponent. Messiah came out flat in the game however and despite their efforts, lost to the sharpshooting host team. However, the Messiah team kept their head high and once again members of the team, Drew and Greg, were able to share their story of how they came to know Christ/who Christ is to them after the game. The crowd was once again interested in what we had to say and seemed very receptive of our message which was encouraging to all of us. One humbling experience of the afternoon was when the opponents and different children in attendance asked us for our shirts, sweaty shorts, and even game worn socks to take home with them. It helped all of us realize how blessed we are and gave us a better idea of what it truly means to serve those around us. After the team arrived back to score HQ (just outside of Santo Domingo) they were greeted by dinner of chicken and rice. They showered and had team devotions where Drew lead the team in a study on the calling of Samuel to become a servant. He then challenged the team to take some time to listen to God just as Samuel did when God called him late at night. I know that we are in great anticipation of the things that The Lord has planned for us. We know that the impact we have here could last forever as we share the love of our Father with the people that need his grace. Tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 20) the team will leave Score HQ headed to a girls orphanage where they will get an opportunity to give things donated and show love to the kids. Thank you for your prayers. #23-PC and #31-TG- signing out.
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