Providence Christian College Baseball

One of the great domestic projects that Global Baseball is spearheading is the Christian University Partnership Program. Basically, we partner with universities to place a coach who focuses on discipleship while also mobilizing the players for international ministry.

One of my great joys during our time in the States has been the opportunity to share this program with a number of Christian Universities. The program started with Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids 4 years ago and has recently expanded to include William Jessup University, Biola, and Providence Christian College. There are a number of programs that are very interested in partnering with Global Baseball, but now we're just waiting for more coaches to be raised up.

In any case, I have had privilege to be an assistant coach at Providence during this past season. It is a first year program that has seen some success with a bunch of guys who were all somewhere else just 5 months ago. It's my first experience coaching at the collegiate level, so I have definitely learned a lot.

I have been mostly working with the infielders and catchers and throwing lots of bp during practices...and most recently I have been getting the nod for hitting in/out (pregame) and coaching either 1st or 3rd.

Off the field I have been able to build relationships with these players and I am looking forward to welcoming some of them to Europe when they travel to help with some short term trips.

This was definitely an unexpected opportunity for this year in the States, but it is definitely the Lord's leading in developing my coaching skills in preparation for Kosovo.

Comments

Who are these kids at ICSV...

Hi everyone... The first week and a half of school has been absolutely amazing! We have had some great opportunities to begin building lasting relationships with the students that God has brought to Vienna to be educated at the International Christian School of Vienna. Rebecca has been adjusting well to her role as secondary secretary. She is learning quickly the many demands of her new role and is doing quite well in supporting us teachers and the rest of the staff. Rebecca hard at work I have been really enjoying my classes. I have a total of 43 students spread out over 4 periods. The students I have represent 14 different home nations, with many of the students who are "Austrian" are first generation, so they are of other nationalities as well. I have also had the opportunity to begin working with the soccer team...again, many nationalities are represented on the field, truly an international squad. Here are some pictures of the team training at the local club

Almost a Year - A reflective poem by Rebecca

It’s been almost a year since we got on the plane. Knowing that we were leaving friends and family; we would never be the same. What has it been like leaving everything we know? Laughter and tears; sun and snow. Up and down; love and fear. All while trusting God for the reason we are here. Relying on support and prayers from the ones you care for, Though scary, freeing, challenging; it means relying on God even more. I’m so thankful to be part of a team who sees that Christ is our need Whether they can see the impact first hand or not, they have blessed students at ICSV. The students and families are so precious, eager to learn and understand What it means to love the Lord with all their hearts and to follow His command. At times I feel so left alone and wondering why God has called me here But then I talk to a student, or go to a school event, that’s when it all becomes clear. God never said life would be easy or even how we think it might be We just need to rely on Him, as He

Clowns and Hospitals

Many of you might remember the 1998 film starring Robin Williams that chronicled the early career of Hunter "Patch" Adams. He began using humor as therapy in his sessions and opened a free hospital in West Virginia. Here is a clip from the film... Fast forward 13 years to a hospital in Vienna, Austria...to a children's surgery ward. As we were sitting talking with some visitors we noticed Justin had more visitors... They proceeded to hand out musical instruments; here's the problem...this was less than 12 hours after Justin's surgery. It really hurt him to laugh at this point...and he still felt horrible After that nonsense, the clowns made 2 more appearances; once when they delivered lunch, and once later in the day when we had our friend Tom Mason visiting. Tom is a fellow missionary serving as a pastor at a local church and a teacher at ICSV. He is also a amateur magician. Pictures of him doing tricks have found their way onto this blog

Johnstein!

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