Monday

Sunday
Sunday was a busy day. We had 2 games and I am really, really fealing my age today. Inbetween games the karate team did their exibition in the courtyard of the baseball complex. The majority of the audience was japanese. At the end of their routine 25 people gave their life to Jesus. Even though many of the japanese have been in Brazil for years and speak on the local langugage they worhship buda.
Just before we were starting the next game the president of the baseball federation was talking with a few of us and the subject of Jesus came up. After about a half hour he ask us to help him come to know this Jesus. This was a big step because he has been a road block for further ministry in the area. He was so excited afterward that many of the others were seeking to understand. A group of about 12 were invited to church at 7pm that night.
Oh, about the baseball. We went 0 for 3 over the weekend. But I did contribute both offensively and defensively. As I said I am feeling my age. I know where each muscle is connected to my body every time I move. Steps at the hotel are out of the question!
Billy Britt preached at each of the 4 services. Over 100 people gave themselves over to Jesus.
So for the day over 132 souls were saved. A few of the kids and adults that were invited to the church by the baseball team came to know Jesus as weel on Sunday night.
For the day over 130 people gave came to know Jesus because of our visit.
After the servie , 10pm, we went to an all you can eat pizza place and then headed to Corumba at 12 midnight for the 7 hour ride during the night.
Monday was a relaxing day getting ready for the next 3 days of clinics in the Corumba area.
Chow!

Saturday

Well a front came thru and changed the hot winter to a cold, 60 degree, rainy morning. Our softball team played in the rain while we sat in the stands cheering them on. By the way most of the equipment that the other teams were using we brought down over the last few weeks. They really have used most of what was brought already.
By the time we were ready to play most of the older guys were cold, stiff and a little hesitatnt to play. We let the young ones play the whole game instead. We figured we still have 2 more to play so lets not push it. We we lost to the Japanese team 11 to 3. We had a great fellowship time with the people in the stands and families of those playing. After the game we had bar be que and kareoke.
The karate team was doing their exibition at 7:30 so we went to that service in the evening. They had a wonderful spirit lead program. Between the praise music and their program 42 people gave their life over to the Lord. It is just so cool to experience the energy that has been present over the last few weeks. Even though I have been focusing on the baseball most of this trip.... BOY DO I HAVE A PICTURE FOR YOU TO SEE RELATED TO KARATE!
Tomorrow I may not get to update the blog because it will be a long day. We are at the fields until 5pm. We pack and load the bus, go to church at 7pm, eat after the 2.5 hour service and leave for the 7 hour ride by bus, overnight to Corumba. Please pray for , proper rest and a safe over night ride to Corumba. Oh, also pray for one of the guys on the karate team... he broke his hand during the exibition.
Chow!

Friday

Well the bed of nails is done and has passed inspection. I hope it works for the show on Saturday evening. We spent today at the Japanese baseball complex practicing for two games tomorrow. I am hoping that I can comtribute this week at the plate alittle more than last week. The neat thing this week is we will be coaching four other games with the local kids in a state gathering at this complex.
Today was also time to get to know the group of 23 people from Hebron Baptist and we had some special time doing dewvotions together. The karate group is going to bring a extra special touch to this week with their ministry. I really can´t wait to see their exibition tomorrow afternoon at the complex and then again at church tomorrow evening.
CHOW!

Thursday the 27th

Back to Monday.
Monday morning I was invited to play soccer with all the pastors in the area. They get together at least 4 times a week to play. This started a few years back to help with stress and also to get to know each other. They say that this has worked well because the churches have been working together more thatn ever instead of working against each other, spliting and creating new ones over and over again.
Apparently it is a big priviledge to be asked to play, so I was excited. I got lucky and scored a goal so I actually was part of the team instead of running around like the invisible player that nobody pays attention to. (Since Monday they have wanted me to play Tuesday and Thursday). Since Monday I have found out it is a big thing to be invited into their casa (their court).
Monday afternoon and early evening we spent driving all over Campo Grande trying to find all of the supplies for the karate team that is coming from Hebron Baptist. I we were in the states it would have been an hour job. The language barrier and different materials like wood, nails, concrete and bricks are all different sizes and and shapes that we are accustomed to. We had a great day just building relationships with the people.
In the evening we were at the church and people just would be coming to or calling the church wanting to take the americans out on the town or into their homes (for fellowship and to practice their english). What a great time and an easy way to evangelize. At 9:00 we went out to eat until 11:00. They just eat and eat ( and very few over weight people, I just don´t understand why).
At 11:30 another pastor called and we went over their home to play the board game called war. That was allot of fun since everything is in another languauge.
Tuesday
We spent all of Tuesday getting the rest of the materials for the karate team. Finally after about 12 hours and 30 stores we have found what is needed for the 3 exibitions. The evening was visiting with more cell groups and talking with the pastors about the 40 days of purpose. This church is going to go through this starting in mid August. The interesting thing is I see that they are far beyond the recommendations of the 40 days aready. I can only imagine what this church could be experiencing after 40 days are over. The prayer groups, services and small groups are so committed and engaged already this place will be on fire during and after that timeframe.
Wednesday
Well I was going to work with a church worker today to measure and cut all the work for the guys and gals to break in the exibitions. I figured it shouldn´t take more than 3 hours to do. Well, what was I thinking. I forgot where I was. Their work day is 8:00 to 4:30 with 2 breaks and a 3 hour lunch. Another benefit of working in Brazil is everyone gets 30 days vacation. Whether you have 1 year of service or 30 years, it doesn´t matter.
Back to the boards, while we were working , Emerson would say the number in English and I would say it in Portuguese. We worked well together and had fun doing it. It just wasn´t long.
In the afternoon I agreed to go with a family from the church to get a history tour of CAmpo Grande. They were trying English and I was doing my best to learn some of their words. They took me to places that most don´t see and had to meet many of their family members. Some families are HUGE here. I was getting tired and had the pastor call them so they would take me back to the church. We seemed to be getting further and further away and they were really into the hosting mode. But this was my last evening with my host family so I needed to get back. Time is not a main topic here. Well I did get back and we had a wonderful evening with my host family. Prayer, readings from the bible, singing ( Iam glad no one else heard me). We didn´t sing long onve their heard my voice. Sandra is a music teacher and was trying to help me. This turned more into a comedy routine as the night went on. So after about 10:00 we went out for a second diner. This was a very special time for me.
Thursday
Jeff wanted me at the airport to meet the group as they arrived. 23 of them came from Hebron Baptist. A group of them will be playing basebal, some will be playing softball, some will be doing karate, and some will be doing leadership traing and preaching at the services. Once at the hotel we checked in to the Jandaia. This time Jeff and I have the suite that the president of Brazil stays in when he is in town. Pretty nice! AS the group rested a few hours I was given the instructions on how to build the bed of nails that the karate guys will use on Saturday night. I can´t believe he trust me with doing this. 400 4 inch nails are strategically placed ( I hope) and he is laying on them and having concrete broke on his stomach. Its almost ready to install the nails at this point.
We went to a youth service at the church. It started at 6pm amd went to almost 9pm. The was a praise band with a message in the middle and a salvation message at the end. The 1000 seats we almost all taken for this service at one point. At the end 18 youth gave their life over to Christ. It is without words when you hug someone that has just made that commitment and you can´t speak their language They are sobbing with joy and want you to be part of their experience.
After this service we were invited to someones home. Their cell group cooked up their barbeque and we ate and ate until 11:00. At 11:00 the pastors wanted us to go play soccer. I just couldn´t go. I just can´t keep up with these older guys.
Its late I got to stop and go to bed IN MY SUITE!
Tomorrow we will be practicing for the tournament on Saturday and Sunday. I also have to finish the bed of nails for my buddy. I hope that it works Ok for him on Saturday. He seems like a nice guy and would like to keep it that way.
Sunday after the 7pm service we will eat at the pizza place again, leave for Corumba around 11pm and ride the 7 hour trip during the night. I can´t wait to get back there to do the clinics with the kids.
CHOW!

Tuesday the 25th

This is the first time I have had access since last Saturday evening. I don´t have much time so excuse my typing. I will have access again Starting Thursday evening pretty regularly.
My host family, as I said is the Mission pastor. He is married, 40 years old to a beautiful lady named Sandra. They have a 15 year old boy named Benjamin. All of the host families along with the host church, including the congregation, has basically rolled out the red carpet for us.
I have a bedroom and personal bathroom for myself during my stay with the host family. Once I unloaded everything they said what would I like to do. I said that whatever you would normally do I will follow. I was going anywhere until next Thursday. Next thing I knew we we out and about. Djama is the mission pastor over all the missions and cell groups. We spend Saturday evening going to 4 different cell groups eating and talking until after midnight. Cell or small groups here are very engaging and beneficial to the people.
Sunday was an emotionally charged day. They have 4 services at the church. 2 in the A.M. and 2 in the P.M.. The 1st service was more traditional but not high church. The second service was more towards contemporary. The 3rd service was more towards what I would call a more modern praise and the 4th service was all out praise(they called it getting funky). The 1st service was a little over and hour long and each service got longer. The 4th service was over 2 hours long. I had no idea it went that long until I looked at my watch. During the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th services they had a rededication time of prayer that people could go to their knees at their seats or go to the front and be prayed over. Each service also gave the salvation message. The 3rd service 12 people gave their lives to Christ. In the 4th service their was 42 people that ask Jesus into their lives. The energy level of that service I have never experienced before. There was people up around the front of the church a half hour later talking with designated people to council the new believers through their decision.
After church, about 10 o clock we went out to eat to an all you can pizza place. You walk into this place, sit down, and they bring every kind of pizza by you that you can think of. Name it and it was on the pizza. From file Minyon to ice cream. From fruit to vegetables. Their was not a piece I didn´t like. My best was the minyon and the other was chocolate ice cream with strawberries.
We left the resturant about 12:30.
More to come got to go!

Saturday

Today we played two games of ball. The first game was at 8:30am. We playe the Japanese in a game of hard ball. During this game I coached, player first base and right field. Also went 0 for 1 at bat. Hard ball coming at 85 miles a hour was alittle different than slow pitch softball. We we even going into the 5th inning and they pulled away and won the game 9 to 5.
the softball game was co ed and we really didn´t keep score. We finished up around noon time and hard a tremendous lunch. The way I am eating I will probably gain 20 pounds while I am here. Oh, the dirt in on the field is like GA clay. It took 15 minutes in the shower to get clean. It went right through the uniform.
It is around 5 o clock and I have just met up with my host family that I will be staying with until Thursday morning. He is the missions pastor at the church in Capo Grande. His name is Djalma.
We have been at the church for 15 minutes and all of these people are coming in from who knows where. I am being introduced and they are very welcoming . They are saying that they hear that there is a missionary at the church that looks like Tom Seleck(and thats why everyone is coming to see). Sorry that they are dissappointed!
Apparently I will be of the service tomorrow morning as the mission pastor Djalma uses me in his sermon. I am not sure how often I will ave access for the next few days because he doesn´t have access at home to the internet. The locals are so nice, they are treating us like royalty.
The next group that is coming will be here on Thursday. We will then do the 7 hour bus ride again to Corumba. Just a note about Corumba.... John Grissom, the wroter is a major contribute to Global Baseball in that area. He apparently wrote on of his books about Corumba.
More to come when I can write

Friday

We left Corumba and traveled the 7 hour bus ride to Capo Brande. Road at times was rough but it is no Haitian srcream machine. The bus is very comfortable. We got to the host church at dinner time. We had a few minutes to walk around the city. Capo is about 200 thousand people in size. They drive like the average big city. People riding bike, walking, motorcycles all weaving between cars.
The hotel named Jahdia is very, very, very, plush. Alot different than Corumba. Interesting though is the safety factors. As i walked into the room I felt a stiff breeze. Here the windows were wide open. I just walked over and leaned out to see the pool 16 floors below. Not something that would happen in the states. i made sure that the windows were closed and locked just in case of any sleep walkers!
We ate dinner at the host church. Their membership is growing by leaps and bounds. Their focus is on spearding the word through missions. Our 15 member team was broken up by age and placed in cell groups. Cell groups are like our same groups at GS. We started ours at 8:00 and ended at 11:00pm. What a wonderful time as we practiced speaking multiple languages to get Gods word accross to each other. They have a leader, a praise leader, and each week switch to another members home. It is just like home. Kids playing, phones ringing, and we still get through what we were there for. We were able to meet without fear for fellowship and direction of His word in a home that is over 4,000 miles from my house. The power of the spirit has no boundaries. Only the ones we put up on our own. Its after midnight and I am not even a bit tired. I am really pumped up after the cell group meeting tonight.
Tomorrow will send me in a toal different direction. We will play a hardball game at 8:00 am. A softball game at 10:30am. At luch all but 5 of us will head to the airport to start the treak home. The remaining 5 will hang around the statium with the Japanese contingent here and do something till mid afternoon. At that point I will go to my host family and be with them until next Thursday.I have yet to meet this host family in Capo Grande.

More to come.

Thursday
Today was another exiting day. We went to another area of Corumba that is closer to third world conditions that I have seen in other countries. The area really reminded me of Haiti neighborhoods. This area is a new planted church with a sports ministry. Global Baseball has recently provided funding and equipment to get a field in place behind the church that will be the center of the community in that area.
The kids that came to the clinincs really had no idea what baseball is about. After both sesions they were having alot of fun. The average age was around 10 years old. Having over 40 10 year olds together, holding their attention was a real challenge in the beginning but after awhile we couldn~t get them off of the field.
The two devotional times today were more of a message that was at their level and their were real attentive to what was being said.
The other day I talked about the statue of Jesus on the hill. Well, the hill is about a 3/4 of a mile steep road that we all walked up just before sun down. There were 13 stations along the way with statues portraying different times in Jesus life. At the top is the 40 foot statue of Jesus with His arms extended. What a beautiful sight from the top ... overseeing the city, the Paraguay river and Bolivia. As the sun went down the reflections and colors of the sky is just indescribable. There is no air polution and the sky is so clear.
The people have bee so friendly here and it is easy to communicate even without speaking their language.
After dinner we have a free evening to just hang around and relax. The stores all close at 7pm so there is little to do but relax and reflect on the day.
Tomoorow we will be leaving for Capo Grande in the a.m. Its that 7 hour bus ride again. The Capo Grande area is supposed to be a much more affluent area han what we have been experiencing so far. Baseball truely does have a chance in the soccer dominated country. It is fun talking about the world cup because everyone is a soccer fan and I mean everyone. They live for soccer around here.
Hopefully I will have internet access in Capo Grande. I have pictures that I would like to attach but this computer blocks the use of discs. More to come.....

What a great day!
The day started with us spliting into two groups to do clinics at different fields in Corumba. Our group held two clinics, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The morning session we had 25 kids up to the age of 18. We did the normal clinic stuff like base running, outfield and infield drills and had a scrimmage to see how each person played the game.
At the end of the morning session we gathered in the stands with the kids and their families. One of the coaches gave his testimony and offered the salvation message. Watching kids come to know Jesus in their hearts, especially in this environment is real special.
The afternoon session was much the same with hitting and pitching drills. The afternoon testimony was my opportunity to share. I offered the salvation message and talked about recommitting to our Lord. This was very powerful for me that God used me to bring others into a relationship with the Lord.
We went to dinner and had more of the meal style like Fogo de Chow (Fresh meat of all kinds sliceds to your liking.
After dinner we split up again and went to a few churches. One of the coaches gave the message and another gave his personal testimony. There was kids at this church (hat was over a half hour from the field we were at earlier today.)They were playing the instruments in the band. It was great to see them.
Tomorrow we will be dong more clinics and sharing at another field in Corumba.
The Coromba area is beautiful. 80 degress and no humidity. We also went to the river as saw peranans. More to come got to get off the net.

Wow! What a begining. We are finally here. It started at 8:00 am on Monday and we reached our hotel in Corumba at 8:15pm on Tuesday evening. No real issues getting here other than the normal air travel connecting flight sagas. After going non stop, 3 plane rides and a 7 hour bus trip later, everyone is in excited about getting started tomorrow morning.
There is already so much to talk about and share how God is paving the way for His will to be done. There are 15 people here from four states with all different talents.
Corumba is near the Paraguay river across from Bolivia. There is a high hill in the city that has a statue of Jesus with open arms at the top. At night the sky is black with the brightest stars I have ever seen. What a beautiful sight to see as we pulled up to the area and Jesus is overlooking (us) the city with a sky that is almost indescribable.

This is a test to insert picture in blog.

By the way this picture is of the setting sun the day of Hurricane Alberto in Tampa, FL.