Hey everyone...
Thanks for the continued prayers and kind words. A ton has been happening in regards to this trip...it's amazing really, how God is going before us and preparing the way for this trip.
Amazing connections that have happened since the last update.
* Got in contact with a "Kosovo Softball Federation" - a very new (formed 2012) group of baseball/softball playing Kosovars (about 40-45 kids). This is pretty amazing because all our early research and info suggested that Baseball was COMPLETELY unknown. Now, at the very least, there are kids who will be interested in attending the camp. We will hopefully be meeting with the young man who has been heading up this group.
* The group above has been sharing 20 previously donated gloves amongst the 45 participants. Obviously, difficult to practice baseball if not everyone has access to gloves or other equipment. The great news of God's provision is that He is working through the club that I play for (Vienna Homerunners/Metrostars) and the local little league (AIBC). These two organizations are teaming up to donate some old, no longer used equipment. We will be able to bless the KSF with these donations...hopefully it will be an encouragement and an example of God's provision to these young people.
* Connected with a missionary currently involved in church planting in Kosovo. He is currently on home assignment, so we won't get to meet with him, but amazingly, he is quite close to the US half of our team, so he should be able to connect with them! This co-laborer has already helped bring a couple of sports related ministries to Kosovo, so he should have some good insight as we prepare.
* Met the owner of a recently established online baseball store here in Europe at the Austria vs. Russia game last Thursday night. He is quite interested in potentially sponsoring our efforts in Kosovo.
We appreciate your prayers as Rebecca, the Williams, and I get on the plane to Kosovo tonight.
Thanks for the continued prayers and kind words. A ton has been happening in regards to this trip...it's amazing really, how God is going before us and preparing the way for this trip.
Amazing connections that have happened since the last update.
* Got in contact with a "Kosovo Softball Federation" - a very new (formed 2012) group of baseball/softball playing Kosovars (about 40-45 kids). This is pretty amazing because all our early research and info suggested that Baseball was COMPLETELY unknown. Now, at the very least, there are kids who will be interested in attending the camp. We will hopefully be meeting with the young man who has been heading up this group.
* The group above has been sharing 20 previously donated gloves amongst the 45 participants. Obviously, difficult to practice baseball if not everyone has access to gloves or other equipment. The great news of God's provision is that He is working through the club that I play for (Vienna Homerunners/Metrostars) and the local little league (AIBC). These two organizations are teaming up to donate some old, no longer used equipment. We will be able to bless the KSF with these donations...hopefully it will be an encouragement and an example of God's provision to these young people.
* Connected with a missionary currently involved in church planting in Kosovo. He is currently on home assignment, so we won't get to meet with him, but amazingly, he is quite close to the US half of our team, so he should be able to connect with them! This co-laborer has already helped bring a couple of sports related ministries to Kosovo, so he should have some good insight as we prepare.
* Met the owner of a recently established online baseball store here in Europe at the Austria vs. Russia game last Thursday night. He is quite interested in potentially sponsoring our efforts in Kosovo.
So, anyways, lots of really cool things happening in the last week. I've been doing a lot of research; reading and documentary watching, and I am really pumped up for this week's trip.
In fact, I just watched a short preview of a documentary about baseball in Uganda. It is essentially the background story to last year's little league World Series tournament team from Uganda, which was the first ever from an African nation. Their story is hugely inspiring and reflects the hope that has been instilled in these young men...and it all started with a team of missionaries introducing baseball for the first time about twenty years ago. Watch the video at http://www.opposite-field.com/
We appreciate your prayers as Rebecca, the Williams, and I get on the plane to Kosovo tonight.
Best wishes! Softball was my sport growing up, so I am truly inspired by your mission! Hugs to the whole family...love to all!
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