A Day of Family Fun at the Baseball VBS

 A great time was had by all.  I enjoyed being on the field with my friends and teaching the little ones how to play baseball everyday, but my favorite day was Saturday.  The parents and camp volunteers joined in on the fun.  The atmosphere was relaxed and playful - smiles all around!

                                            

                                                 

Field of Dreams

When Toncho and I began meeting together almost a year ago, pulling together a baseball camp that would also be an outreach of the church was only a dream.  We prayed through the process, asking God to give us direction.  We planned as well as we knew how to plan, and then we waited to see what God would do.  Other people came alongside of us to help.  The first was Sam, an intern from the US who had been involved in a baseball related ministry prior to his time in Bulgaria.  We knew that he would not be around for the camp, but he made valuable contributions to our early planning.  As the first day of camp quickly approached, Toncho and I, along with our wives, tended to the final details.  Toncho was making fliers and getting them out into the community.  I spent my last day reconditioning and relacing old gloves.  Susan was helping me think through the organization of the week's activities while Ani was preparing the lessons she would teach.  Toncho and I made a run to the store to pick up snacks and drinks.  Early Tuesday morning, I loaded down my car with baseball gear, much of which was donated by supporting churches in the States.  I went to the field well ahead of schedule and set up stations.  Everything was ready before the first wave of children arrived.  We had a great crew of people who helped with baseball instruction, Bible lessons, providing snacks, and just loving and serving the boys and girls who came out.  It was a great time of fun and fellowship.  Now our "Field of Dreams" is a reality, and our team, the Pumas will begin practice this Tuesday.  As the phrase goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words," so I will close with a big "Thank you!" to our photographer, Deny.  She did a great job all week long.  Not included are pictures from Saturday when we got parents out to play wiffle ball and hit in the batting cage.  I will see what I can do about that.

From the Medical Clinic to the Baseball Field

Much to report on since my last entry -  a quick 3 months in the states, visiting family, friends, and supporters.  The time was too short, but it served as a good reset for preparing us to return to the work in which we are now engaging.  We just finished a week long medical outreach in Pazardjik.  Betsy led this team.  It was good getting a chance to reconnect with her.  Susan and I dropped in on her overnight on our whirlwind through the states and now here she is with us on the other side of the ocean. She is such an encourager and she is a delight to watch as she connects with patients.  I was the only therapist on this team and so I took on all comers.  Most of my patients had conditions that are more typically in the realm of physical therapy, but no matter, I saw them all the same.  Yes, an occupational therapist can treat knees and backs, especially when he is the only game in town.  It was a pleasure to serve the people and the church in this little Bulgarian town.  I prayed with almost all of my patients.  They were all so glad to have me pray for them.  I heard about lots of aches, pains, loneliness, and worries over loved ones - important things to pray over, and so, along with patients and translators, I laid those concerns at the foot of the cross.  On one particular day, I worked with four elderly ladies, one after another.  As we ended our prayers, three of them were crying.  By the third time this happened, I found myself getting emotional and being touched by how alone and forgotten each lady felt.  I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share the burdens felt by those I served.

We are now scrambling to pull together the last details as we are preparing for our first ever baseball camp.  Please pray for us and the families that will be represented.