tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61120405676810861402024-02-22T00:25:18.086-08:00Atlanta FCA Baseball BlogMike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-91582700895541131002012-03-12T09:52:00.000-07:002012-03-12T09:53:09.380-07:00Influence of a coach and athlete<div style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; DIRECTION: ltr; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: x-small"> <div>Morning all,</div> <div> <div style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; DIRECTION: ltr; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: x-small"> <div><font face="tahoma">This past weekend I was blessed to be able to spend some time with a team/coach that we minister to in south Atlanta (Mary Persons HS in Forsyth, Ga.- Monroe County). This coach Jonathan Gastley<a></a><a></a> and senior catcher Devin Skelton take their faith very seriously. They have made a stand to be bold for Jesus in a public school setting. Both coach and athlete have been part of the FCA<a></a><a></a> Baseball ministry since last summer.</font></div> <div> <div> </div> </div> <div></div> <div> <div class="WordSection1"> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rpjk2tk9JoeYSbS08xvU6BMRKOz8O0HCAbCWv33mlPA43PdUkLkaR2ZF4ajoEZBPUsKtDmoEYGHLwIKfugwj3vn2i0rpJINFAeJ37Rorx6f-yFcSHri4fMXEmBI2rDlgverj8PV8F_Yv/s1600/image001-789381.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rpjk2tk9JoeYSbS08xvU6BMRKOz8O0HCAbCWv33mlPA43PdUkLkaR2ZF4ajoEZBPUsKtDmoEYGHLwIKfugwj3vn2i0rpJINFAeJ37Rorx6f-yFcSHri4fMXEmBI2rDlgverj8PV8F_Yv/s320/image001-789381.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719054715210302162" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="calibri"></font> </p> <div><font color="#0000ff"><em>By His Power</em>,</font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Tahoma">Mike Roby</font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Tahoma">FCA Director of Baseball/Softball</font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Tahoma">770-713-9903</font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Tahoma"> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Tahoma"><a href="mailto:MRoby@fca.org">MRoby@fca.org</a></font></div> ROMANS 12:1-2</font></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="calibri"></font> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="calibri"></font> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-17857927832243814112012-02-28T12:49:00.001-08:002012-02-29T11:48:43.184-08:00FCA Baseball goes to HungaryA year ago I would have thought you might be crazy if you asked if we would go to Hungary in February. I've found that God has a pretty good sense of humor as well. I was contacted in December by a missionary in Hungary about coming over to teach baseball and share Jesus with about 200-400 kids and coaches during the month of February. After a couple days of thought and prayer God showed 4 of us that it was time to head to Europe.<br />
We left on Thursday, Feb. 16th with myself, Brent Slade, Mike Holman, and Bill Emerich. We were greeted by about 4 inches of snow on the day we arrived and temps ranging in the high teens to low twenty's......yes I know, great baseball weather. Fortuanently for us the baseball training would be indoors for the entire week.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Saturday and Sunday (18-19th) we had two 8 hour days of baseball training with kids ranging from no baseball experience to some that had played for 4-5 years. Either way the kids were eager to learn the game and our team loved every minute of it. The remaining rest of the week we held 4 hour sessions at night and during the day we went to a few villages to see existing teams. While visiting these small villages I think we all became aware of the fact that we have so much to be thankful for here in the USA. Most villages were lucky to have a field and for some it was an open grass lot without any lines or bases.<br />
Following each session we were able to share the Gospel and even share a few devotionals. It was awesome to see many of these kids that were very stand off or shy at the beginning of the week come to opening up and sharing with each of us. As we shared the Gospel we were asked by the missionary if he could do the followup since most of the kids did not speak english. The missionary (Terry) has already followed up with many of the kids and is starting a Friday night Bible study club back in Hungary.<br />
As we closed the end of the week it was very evident to me that God is a lot larger than we give Him credit for. The fact that Hungary dates back to the 1st century reminds me that we are still a very young nation and God has been working there for a LONG time. The idea that we simply went over to share our love for baseball and our passion for Jesus still amazes me.<br />
I think one gentleman that we met said it best. He was very upfront and clear with us that he DOES NOT believe in God. But here was his statement, "I don't believe what you believe......but I would like for you to send more guys like yourself over here because I see something different in you guys."<br />
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My last thought.....we MUST let His light shine!<br />
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If God allows we plan to head back over......God could always use YOU!<br />
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</div>Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-49184185332485786862012-02-11T18:19:00.000-08:002012-02-11T18:19:01.818-08:00Don’t tell me baseball/softball folks aren’t committed…..Don’t tell me baseball/softball folks aren’t committed…..<br />
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With the mild winter we have had it only was a matter of time before we were going to get a cold snap, my prayer was just that it wouldn’t be today. Well, in typical fashion the Lord shows me that we MUST be committed to His work no matter the weather.<br />
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Feb. 11th will probably go down as one of the busiest calendar days in the life of FCA baseball/softball in Georgia. Today’s schedule brought the 1st annual South Atlanta Coaches Clinic, two Urban/Inner city Atlanta baseball camps, and one pitching clinic in Cobb Co. All taking place while a weather cold front swept through the Atlanta area. As God has shown time and time again when His people show up so does He. With temps in the mid to high 30’s and winds at 15-20mph EVERY event listed above went off. And without fail the Lord showed His grace and presence through each of these events.<br />
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The South Atlanta Coaches Clinic hosted by Salem Baptist Sports had 80 coaches show up and brave the weather to hear from some AWESOME coaches and speakers. There were 6 high schools represented with clinicians, 2 former MLB pitchers, 2 former collegiate players, 2 travel ball coaches, and one current MLB player. These folks brought some serious knowledge to the game of baseball and softball for our coaches in attendance to absorb. Along with the clinicians we also had a wonderful team of volunteers that spent their day loving on the coaches that were attending. I personally can’t thank all of them enough for their commitment, energy, and encouragement throughout the day. After 4 hours we closed with the Gospel and challenge to every coach……you MUST be a coach of INFLUENCE. The young people we are entrusted too will depend on us! As we closed the day we offered a 6 week coaches Bible study starting the end of Feb. and 12 coaches committed. As follow up emails go out I know that number will rise. Praise God!<br />
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Our Urban/Inner city ministry (led by Brent Slade) also went off with God being glorified. By the end of the day we had ministered to 42 Atlanta youth and 16 gave their lives to Christ! That’s 16 young men that will NEVER be the same and God will use for eternity! Please keep these 16 young men in your prayers.<br />
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What the Lord showed me today was this…….as much as we want to complain about our situation (weather, finances, schedules, etc.) He has called us to the front lines. Most of us (including me) would have much rather just stayed in bed and warm. Instead we are accountable to what God has entrusted us with and the people around me (us). We MUST show up! Romans 12:1 tells us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice. God is really asking us to surrender our all and GIVE HIM 100%. I am just thankful that He continues to use folks like you and I. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBBzYVuFcPWsn_GEmoQKacagzbZgIbVF_5wykhIPofPANiJcVpfKPRv9GAyxIpKeQRtqhbq9kRIsaFgBTPTDfV4vUDhWX2n8CcYpt8Byb1iLGvZbJpRtp4ghYf4Fxq8x5M9tS4YVXAFki/s1600/IMG_2201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBBzYVuFcPWsn_GEmoQKacagzbZgIbVF_5wykhIPofPANiJcVpfKPRv9GAyxIpKeQRtqhbq9kRIsaFgBTPTDfV4vUDhWX2n8CcYpt8Byb1iLGvZbJpRtp4ghYf4Fxq8x5M9tS4YVXAFki/s320/IMG_2201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-13230459730842432002012-01-20T19:47:00.000-08:002012-01-26T08:56:05.148-08:00That was uncomfortable..............Ok, here is a post that just opens my heart for all of you to see. I realized today that I have become too comfortable with my surroundings because I am around people like me.<br />
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I spent today attending a baseball coach’s conference in Alpharetta that most of all the high school and middle school coaches from around Georgia were attending. My “job” today was to man a booth that would have information about our mission trips to the Dominican this coming summer. I had a poster board display with photos from last year and nearly 200 flyers to pass out with all the trip details.<br />
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As I spent some time meeting coaches and checking out all the other really cool vendors (thankfully I didn’t carry any money with me) I realized that not a lot of folks were coming by to talk about the mission trip. I also began to listen to conversations that coaches around me were having and I couldn’t believe some of the topics of conversation. At this point I realized that I wasn’t surrounded by my usual group of folks. It finally struck me……this is uncomfortable. Two thoughts came to mind immediately. One, this was me about 10 years ago and two, I have been surrounded by some strong believers for quite some time. Either way……I was uncomfortable.<br />
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As I got in the car heading home this evening I made the hour drive back to McDonough in all quiet. No radio, no phone, nothing. I began to ponder, have I separated myself from the fallen world? You see, for the last 6 months I have been surrounded by a family of faith that has built me up during this transition into the ministry. I believe STRONGLY in Proverbs 27:17, “ As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” We are called to spend time together and minster to each other but is that the only folks we are “called” to be around? Absolutely not! Jesus is our perfect example. He spent time with prostitutes, beggars, pagans, etc. <br />
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So, my challenge. How are the lost or fallen expected to see something different if we’re not available for them to see it.Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-52930758380126494242012-01-05T06:05:00.000-08:002012-01-05T06:05:09.364-08:00True "friends"Psalm 1:1-"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.'<br />
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-As many of us re-evaluate ourselves at the first of the year I would challenge you to look around. Look at your "friends" and people you cling to. Do your friends build up for faith, or do they tear it down? True friends should help you draw closer to God, not hinder, your relationship with Him.<br />
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-Many of us might answer, "sure, the people around me build up my faith". But let's not rule out those "friends" that we have on social media outlets. Our facebook, twitter, etc. friends can fill our computer screens, phones, and ipads with junk that slow down our growth. Lastly, evaluate....are you one of those "friends" that is hindering someone else from growing in the Lord?Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-47913033816825212542011-12-31T19:54:00.000-08:002011-12-31T19:54:04.190-08:002011- The difference one year makes..........As I sit here on New Year’s Eve with Lora and Lucas watching college football I couldn’t help but reflect on what 2011 has meant to me and my family. Most of you reading this know the journey we’ve been on but I felt the need to summarize.<br />
<br />
<br />
This time last year (and most previous years) I take the end of the year to reflect on personal goals that were achieved. Things such as my training miles, workout schedules, races completed, business success, and ways to improve for the next year. <br />
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This New Year’s Eve I can’t say that any of those things have really crossed my mind. I will always be trying to improve health and athletic wise but I really don’t have much of a clue on how my “total” accomplishments were achieved. The reason? 2011 was a life changing year for me and my family.<br />
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In February I was contacted by an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) ministry leader in Atlanta and was asked to go to lunch. As we met it was expressed to me that God had opened the door for me to enter full time sports ministry as the Director of Baseball/Softball ministries in Georgia. As most of you know baseball has always been a passion of mine and the opportunity to minister to coaches, kids, and parents through this platform was exciting. I knew the consequences would be walking away from our insurance business where I had felt comfortable for the past 12 years. As I went home after the meeting I knew that Lora and I needed to do some SERIOUS talking and praying. As I have stated on several occasions I believe that God seems to speak to our wives quicker than most of us men ( or at least they listen better than we do..ha). This conversation was no different. Lora and I sat down, I explained my meeting with FCA and her response was, “you should have been doing this years ago”. I knew at this point it was time to start praying. It took us 4-6 weeks but it became very apparent that God was working in our lives and it was time to take the leap. So in May the journey began and steps were taken to follow God’s lead.<br />
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I could type for hours about how God placed so many people in my path that have been such a blessing but I will simply say this. I can’t thank all of you enough for your support, prayers, encouragement, and the same excitement that I had for what God was doing through the game of baseball to reach the world (you all know who you are). I couldn’t have done this without you. A special shout out to my family, friends, my baseball board members, and of course Lora and Lucas. I love you all!!<br />
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Since entering the sports ministry world this past summer I have been blessed to meet some awesome people, was part of 150 person baseball mission trip to the Dominican, seen young men lead to the Lord, coaches rededicate their lives, and hearts opened to become strong in their faith. The idea that God has chosen me and my family has been humbling to say the least. As I travel around Georgia and Atlanta area I have found that God has given me a voice to speak the Gospel/Truth and give coaches a different perspective on how to approach the game. You see…..a coach has more influence on a group of people in one year than most people have in a lifetime. The goal…..help them see that and make an impact on young people’s lives.<br />
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As 2012 is about 2 hours away I would be honest if I told you that I’m really not ready for 2011 to end. God used this year to change our life forever and I couldn’t be more blessed. However, knowing what He did in 2011 I can only be excited about what’s in store for 2012. My prayer is that all of you have a blessed 2012 and that you too find what it is that God is calling you to.Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-25477378179360063932011-12-28T11:34:00.000-08:002011-12-28T11:34:51.446-08:0014 yr old FCA baseball player making a difference....I want to wish everyone a safe and happy new year. I pray that all of you had a wonderful Christmas and are now preparing for 2012 and what God has in store for us.<br />
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<br />
I wanted to share this article that was written about a young man that is part of our FCA Baseball ministry. I meet Logan this past June at a pre mission's trip meeting/practice. I ministered along side Logan while we spent 7 days in the Dominican Republic on one of our FCA Baseball mission trips. As I read this article I couldn't help but think of this passage.<br />
1Timothy4:12-<br />
12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. <br />
<a href="http://www.macon.com/2011/12/18/1824831/bonaire-middle-recaptures-fca.html">http://www.macon.com/2011/12/18/1824831/bonaire-middle-recaptures-fca.html</a><br />
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For those looking to give to a ministry prior to year end we would love to have your support.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.georgiafcabaseball.org/">http://www.georgiafcabaseball.org/</a><br />
<a href="https://northeastatlantabaseball.publishpath.com/Default.aspx?shortcut=donate&OriginalDomain=georgiafcabaseball.org">https://northeastatlantabaseball.publishpath.com/Default.aspx?shortcut=donate&OriginalDomain=georgiafcabaseball.org</a><br />
<br />
By His Power,<br />
Mike Roby<br />
FCA Director of Baseball/Softball<br />
770-713-9903<br />
<a href="mailto:MRoby@fca.org">MRoby@fca.org</a><br />
ROMANS 12:1-2Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-5519403546979697012011-12-22T06:51:00.001-08:002011-12-22T06:51:42.930-08:00Merry Christmas from FCA Baseball/Softball<div style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma; DIRECTION: ltr; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: x-small"> <div dir="ltr"><font face="tahoma">On behalf of everyone associated with our FCA<a></a> Baseball/Softball ministry we want to wish you and your families a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!</font></div> <div dir="ltr"><font face="tahoma">As we approach December 25th our prayer is that all of you will have safe travels and be able to enjoy time with your families. May we also take time to really celebrate what Christ & His birth means to all of us. We look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for 2012!</font></div> <div dir="ltr"><font face="tahoma">Luke 2:8-12</font></div> <div dir="ltr"><em><font color="#ff0000"><sup>8</sup> And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. <sup id="en-NIV-24983" class="versenum">9</sup> An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. <sup id="en-NIV-24984" class="versenum">10</sup> But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. <sup id="en-NIV-24985" class="versenum">11</sup> Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. <sup id="en-NIV-24986" class="versenum">12</sup> This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." </font></em></div> <div><font color="#0000ff"><em>By His Power</em>,</font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Tahoma">Mike Roby</font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Tahoma"><a></a><font color="#0000ff" face="Tahoma">FCA</font> Director of Baseball/Softball</font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Tahoma">770-713-9903</font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Tahoma"><font color="#0000ff" face="Tahoma"><a href="mailto:MRoby@fca.org">MRoby@fca.org</a></font></font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Tahoma">ROMANS 12:1-2</font></div> </div> Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-75181815697191605302011-12-18T19:58:00.000-08:002011-12-19T12:29:54.049-08:00Spoiled vs. Expected......The other day I was flipping radio stations because I am just not able to listen to Christmas music 24 hrs a day (don’t judge me..ha). As I stopped on a station that I normally don’t listen to I was intrigued by the question they were asking listeners, “are our children (or your children) overly spoiled?”. I began thinking which ended up lasting all day with several conversations with others. I pondered whether or not my child is spoiled and even bigger, are we spoiled as a society. After talking to some close friends and wife here is what God showed me.<br />
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Are we and our children spoiled? Absolutely! As I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to difference countries and some third world countries I have concluded that God has clearly shown me that we are all spoiled. The simple fact that we have running water, air condition, heat, and electricity is more than most in our world even THINKS about having. When you compound that with this time of year and the money that we spend on our children, family, and friends it becomes so clear that as a whole….we are spoiled. But I believe that we need to take it one step further which might open your mind to a whole new idea.<br />
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As I spoke to several friends throughout that day and we discussed this topic there was one common theme that I heard over and over. That theme?? EXPECT. We talked about how our children walk into certain store’s and EXPECT to walk out with something. How many of you (I) go into Wal-Mart to grab a household item or grocery item and because our children are with us and ask for a $1-$5 item we grab it because it’s cheap and it keeps them happy? How about when we come home from work or school and EXPECT that our electricity will be on? Our TV to turn on? Our toilet to flush? Our shower/bath to produce water? I think you see my point. We EXPECT these things to happen because that has always been our expectation. If we walked into our homes and none of those things happened we would be upset (and don’t say you wouldn’t). We would call our utility company, service provider, repair person and “demand” that our service be restored……because it would inconvenience us. <br />
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As a follower of Jesus Christ my prayer is that fellow brothers and sisters in Christ will see our everyday treasures as a Blessing but my fear is that we view many of our treasures as expectations. When we EXPECT than we lose focus on whom and why we have everything that we have. <br />
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Psalm 33:12-13, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind.”<br />
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Ezekiel 34:26, “I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.<br />
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So, for me the radio station’s question is bigger than just are our children spoiled. The question is have we as a society and body of believers become so spoiled that it has become expected? I hope you agree that God’s blessing is more than we deserve…..and therefore our expectations should simply be to give Him praise for the things we have daily and minute by minute.Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-34272665005367857182011-12-13T11:34:00.000-08:002011-12-13T11:48:26.847-08:0011 yr old team minsters to homeless<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Hey everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I mentioned yesterday that one of our ministered teams had done a ministry project in downtown Atlanta. Below you will find a note from our coach and a few photos. I'm convinced that God is using these baseball teams/players to reach our communities. Thanks again for your commitment!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Mike Roby</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">----------------------------------------------------------------------</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Mike,</div><div class="MsoNormal">This past Saturday our team headed down to Atlanta to join several churches in passing out food and clothing to the homeless. Even more important, we had the opportunity to pray and minister to them. The event touched our hearts and made so many of us in attendance feel lucky to have the “basics” that God has provided us. Many do not know that we have 25,000 homeless people in the city of Atlanta alone – so the opportunity to earn a jewel in our crown is very close to home.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My hope is that our players and parents alike will give thanks to the many blessings God provides us with and do everything we can to spread his word and share our good will. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">God Bless you this Christmas!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Mike Nardella<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">11U FCA Redhawks<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcjY8lwOscaw0nRbjLCJxUNAnQavub4IxIJFgg2odLmo_VvN8OW25d-6N4sNWfAkwhEiYIVtt9nenueUJxL2qnb1GH1poC2Z7SUMl73T2tyI6A3_ibFeU-M1jCOQXuBr97jpBkk-F0rAt/s1600/Hugging+brothers+and+sisters+in+Christ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcjY8lwOscaw0nRbjLCJxUNAnQavub4IxIJFgg2odLmo_VvN8OW25d-6N4sNWfAkwhEiYIVtt9nenueUJxL2qnb1GH1poC2Z7SUMl73T2tyI6A3_ibFeU-M1jCOQXuBr97jpBkk-F0rAt/s320/Hugging+brothers+and+sisters+in+Christ.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
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</span></div>Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-76637327959159142952011-12-12T07:52:00.001-08:002011-12-13T11:48:49.139-08:0010u FCA Softball<div style="direction: ltr; font-family: Tahoma;"><div style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I am excited to announce that the south side of Atlanta will have their first FCA<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6112040567681086140&postID=7663732795915914295"></a> softball team. Coach Darby Steele from McDonough has felt the call to start a 10u<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6112040567681086140&postID=7663732795915914295"></a> FCA<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6112040567681086140&postID=7663732795915914295"></a> travel softball team. These young ladies will be ministered to through their coach on a weekly basis. Not only will they learn the game of softball and compete in Atlanta area tournaments they will also be involved in weekly devotions/bible studies.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: tahoma;">Darby will be holding team tryouts on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 from 2-4pm<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6112040567681086140&postID=7663732795915914295"></a> @ the Salem Baptist Sports Complex in McDonough. Registration begins at 1:30pm<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6112040567681086140&postID=7663732795915914295"></a> and tryouts are of course FREE.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: tahoma;">This will be a 10u<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6112040567681086140&postID=7663732795915914295"></a> (2001 B) team.</span></div><div dir="ltr"></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: tahoma;">For further info please email Coach Darby Steele. Her email address is:</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: tahoma;"><span style="font-family: tahoma;"><a href="mailto:darbysteele@sprint.blackberry.net">darbysteele@sprint.blackberry.net</a></span></span></div><div dir="ltr"></div><div><em>By His Power</em>,</div><div><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Mike Roby</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6112040567681086140&postID=7663732795915914295"></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">FCA</span> Director of Baseball/Softball</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">770-713-9903</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><a href="mailto:MRoby@fca.org">MRoby@fca.org</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">ROMANS 12:1-2</span></div></div>Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-3368228730791517042011-12-02T07:22:00.001-08:002011-12-02T07:41:15.109-08:00Coaches Clinic<div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal">On behalf of our baseball board of directors and myself we want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. As you spend time with your family and friends our prayer is that you will also take time to thank our Lord for the blessing He has given us. Without Him nothing is possible.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We are excited to launch our first coaches clinic for 2012. Attached is the brochure/flyer for the Jan 14<sup>th</sup> clinic which will be held in Lilburn, Ga. Last year this clinic had 160 coaches attend from every level of baseball. If you know someone that would benefit from this please feel free to forward. Not only will these coaches learn about the game of baseball but more importantly they will learn about the game of LIFE and God’s game plan.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For those of you on the south end of Atlanta don’t worry. We have a clinic coming in February for you as well. That info will follow in the next few weeks.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #1f497d;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #1f497d;">By His Power,</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #1f497d;">Mike Roby</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #1f497d;">FCA Director of Baseball/Softball</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div>Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-44146042512903916842011-12-02T07:12:00.000-08:002011-12-02T07:47:22.687-08:00Happy Holidays!<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Hey everyone,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">First I want to say Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to all of you. As we take time to spend time with our family and friends over the next few days, may we also stop and spend time giving thanks to God. Without Him there would be no blessings.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As most of you know this has been a crazy year for me and my family. God has completely changed our path and we couldn't be more grateful. I am thankful to all of you for your patience as this new journey has caused me to take a step back in our endurance team/ministry. I look forward to seeing what God does in 2012!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Lastly, after speaking with several of you it appears that our schedules during December is jam packed. We have decided to move our season ending fellowship to January. We hope to have a date within the next week or two. Hopefully this will allow all of us to have a little more "free" time after Christmas to really enjoy getting together and not be rushed. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Talk soon!</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">By His Power</span></em><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Mike Roby</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">FCA Director of Baseball/Softball</span></div>Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-41910437659020956112011-07-24T08:12:00.000-07:002011-07-24T14:40:55.805-07:00A mission trip or a life on mission?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQn_bnA1IjV8q5TBAQgEGKyg2LItlEtJsKBNValtswRxraw3SqAXz63CwwqqAiMy5Xl7w4QJdE0GrNCvmaA45_jPiw8VH2gNn3TfOaxj1evt8Em7oMxGDCLU09Q5hsPhrZB5VLYEhGJD2M/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQn_bnA1IjV8q5TBAQgEGKyg2LItlEtJsKBNValtswRxraw3SqAXz63CwwqqAiMy5Xl7w4QJdE0GrNCvmaA45_jPiw8VH2gNn3TfOaxj1evt8Em7oMxGDCLU09Q5hsPhrZB5VLYEhGJD2M/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+907.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUcuwxDpsLoWZs_W80eqILZiMQiD3-MvoYPABtOtWKysNHqhiT5K7Z9duStoWylDXBGAlwp0JK6uubpbQXb1-Cm_W11ECIzn2xVi9mAq1kLP6Yk5l9Pu4qnrHsXuMyzauAscUeEIWLaZt/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUcuwxDpsLoWZs_W80eqILZiMQiD3-MvoYPABtOtWKysNHqhiT5K7Z9duStoWylDXBGAlwp0JK6uubpbQXb1-Cm_W11ECIzn2xVi9mAq1kLP6Yk5l9Pu4qnrHsXuMyzauAscUeEIWLaZt/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+908.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvpYxJAfIvPWmUkpZtZKSyJV85z1qr5gIxPkC7Skj7XGlCipgwlLub2RBlNXxYbcnym2M2qKxn81AbTtION9B0YCqGSUDpuMk8ewNO8b35mz9u_rVlhecTU7lQRdJMs2UMK2z-89Rn1zE/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvpYxJAfIvPWmUkpZtZKSyJV85z1qr5gIxPkC7Skj7XGlCipgwlLub2RBlNXxYbcnym2M2qKxn81AbTtION9B0YCqGSUDpuMk8ewNO8b35mz9u_rVlhecTU7lQRdJMs2UMK2z-89Rn1zE/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+916.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iWNRG9CuEaPICBu6yPPgfzUhzZUEvpG2a2LqD6OOreHdJw7BYeRfDX1CmB2lJaQj7ptBJHHNNbqXshhYZmaewyUFeeaE6W7mvpxMPt-8KR49AwhOGyV10eTFWO8SdpA7ynmro_BdeH4q/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iWNRG9CuEaPICBu6yPPgfzUhzZUEvpG2a2LqD6OOreHdJw7BYeRfDX1CmB2lJaQj7ptBJHHNNbqXshhYZmaewyUFeeaE6W7mvpxMPt-8KR49AwhOGyV10eTFWO8SdpA7ynmro_BdeH4q/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+918.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKfAhtJpAJmZRnzpvVxY0QHXUlI9yUTo8hxDvTcVMy6UrFWelNCRDWQt5yRyaP7Aypa7TY866jgHF0du6kB1VV9UGhJjCFBM1HLSAvi_YVbfDuDMXLhevJhvUeGjiKxdeK_IJ73v8lNWO/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKfAhtJpAJmZRnzpvVxY0QHXUlI9yUTo8hxDvTcVMy6UrFWelNCRDWQt5yRyaP7Aypa7TY866jgHF0du6kB1VV9UGhJjCFBM1HLSAvi_YVbfDuDMXLhevJhvUeGjiKxdeK_IJ73v8lNWO/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+881.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>To all who have just returned home from what they perceive as a life changing mission trip to the Dominican Republic and are ready to make a difference by beginning to live life differently, here's your challenge. <br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232;">"But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourself. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in the mirror; for he goes away and right away forgets what kind of man he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who acts-this person will be blessed in what he does"</span> - <i>James 1:22-25</i><br />
<br />
Many of you over the past week or two, as you have changed your place and changed your pace, have heard the voice of God and have had your perspective changed. You're back home and now your challenge begins. Will you have the faith and the courage to live out what you heard God telling you? Will you be a "doer" of His word and be blessed or will you come home, allow yourself to get caught right back up into your old way of life and be a "forgetful hearer"? Hearing Gods truth is only part of the equation...it's the easy part. Applying it in your life is more difficult because it very often requires sacrifice. However THAT is where the blessings lie. Unapplied truth is just like unapplied paint. It doesn't do anyone any good. The value is in the application. <br />
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Pray for strength. Pray for the wisdom to know what to do with what you heard while you were in the DR. Be a doer, not just a hearer and be blessed.Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-17845288629271300412011-07-21T08:01:00.000-07:002011-07-24T14:36:40.378-07:00Simply amazed how God chooses to use us in His plan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqcMWpmXuUvD6LeA15jRdii1ll2_BUecKRdCGskGnwq2s2seyGmDrJG1Mfc1Co4Kt4ieYPDcNvzeVb3xgOe7EUo-IkbV499gCOdXzIOyeC9al-_8VQ8HJCq0M1L3WdUqrY7R5IRMPdRoi/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqcMWpmXuUvD6LeA15jRdii1ll2_BUecKRdCGskGnwq2s2seyGmDrJG1Mfc1Co4Kt4ieYPDcNvzeVb3xgOe7EUo-IkbV499gCOdXzIOyeC9al-_8VQ8HJCq0M1L3WdUqrY7R5IRMPdRoi/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+882.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdH8X7rrI7g-v0UNiGvFgDr7iZJRae2CtfNmoRLNe0-5VgX_AbEbqZN-qA5zCpnns3UHb1Jjus2gjnbRFGTP6IuX2h6e9yzp6yq6AsaFt5_8qIKuXbbHVc_jN3e0ggZfuWLtEhUHDyynP/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdH8X7rrI7g-v0UNiGvFgDr7iZJRae2CtfNmoRLNe0-5VgX_AbEbqZN-qA5zCpnns3UHb1Jjus2gjnbRFGTP6IuX2h6e9yzp6yq6AsaFt5_8qIKuXbbHVc_jN3e0ggZfuWLtEhUHDyynP/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+897.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8xMgtua-85Y9U9KMETVSlsxKLMomm3ixR6NiBd0WyfPPjL5Zf3I4SV-aifcKrcCHck5TM-GXx1GQS6EdMtBpvkmijSoewPZ4OTLhEPcnImIK_WEk2ayqsn8mKlKCvQAy5aPQ5kFrls5J/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8xMgtua-85Y9U9KMETVSlsxKLMomm3ixR6NiBd0WyfPPjL5Zf3I4SV-aifcKrcCHck5TM-GXx1GQS6EdMtBpvkmijSoewPZ4OTLhEPcnImIK_WEk2ayqsn8mKlKCvQAy5aPQ5kFrls5J/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+898.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDNq5Ko61pFuU5LCJMTYybVS7_UC2-cacQ_e58Ali37qHFtS7Dvy_eqXW9izFmLGO68Wg51hpFy6nrq4UMVNDGjOSTnRKcCwfKIcdEliR044k8_gIBxO3MKKJ31uv6YXSyhaO2zqLS0-B/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDNq5Ko61pFuU5LCJMTYybVS7_UC2-cacQ_e58Ali37qHFtS7Dvy_eqXW9izFmLGO68Wg51hpFy6nrq4UMVNDGjOSTnRKcCwfKIcdEliR044k8_gIBxO3MKKJ31uv6YXSyhaO2zqLS0-B/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+873.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5ahLI3BOAoVt1nx1taHeXjzYckwby1eqj0fEGXFiWZo7AZRxC2Zl1P66u6Bb2RNmjDz3XcTIGomw-N_0Sb4TctRt3E7FQB0jUT3UMyO9o2LxWL0BjT3qPvBKYWE73ipHsBpjo1L_Jz6U/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5ahLI3BOAoVt1nx1taHeXjzYckwby1eqj0fEGXFiWZo7AZRxC2Zl1P66u6Bb2RNmjDz3XcTIGomw-N_0Sb4TctRt3E7FQB0jUT3UMyO9o2LxWL0BjT3qPvBKYWE73ipHsBpjo1L_Jz6U/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+904.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d5yWC32Rd_FnaB5mGjrOEnJXCOezt-1IKRN1sZljR_2rqGqnW9B3MCOgNkQdxc18BCaXm47pB67C9fSg8w2s49qsAJFVYW8CFhnJbciLf6YMY_NUya2GRqfjzggYD6UMJNyK0iWNfS5R/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d5yWC32Rd_FnaB5mGjrOEnJXCOezt-1IKRN1sZljR_2rqGqnW9B3MCOgNkQdxc18BCaXm47pB67C9fSg8w2s49qsAJFVYW8CFhnJbciLf6YMY_NUya2GRqfjzggYD6UMJNyK0iWNfS5R/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+905.JPG" t$="true" width="266px" /></a></div>So...we are now on the backend of week number two. My family and I have been here now for 12 days and we have had 124 coaches, players and parents form all across the eastern part of the U.S join us here thus far. As I sit here trying to think of where to begin and what to share with you, my mind is overwhelmed. There is SO much God has done and is doing that I want to share, but it's just too much right now. Therefore, in effort to be as concise as possible, let me just share with you what yesterday looked like....just ONE DAY. <br />
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* We purchased and delivered food to feed 120 people for a period of 4-5 days in a village we have visited 3 times over the past 10 days. The head baseball coach of this village, Coach July Bozo, gave his life to Christ when we visited him and shared the gospel with him last week. FCA has officially "adopted" this village and these people and we will continue with weekly ongoing ministry and discipleship through our on the ground staff, Mike Shaheen. We shared the gospel with the entire village yesterday (over 400 people) and had well over 20 people give their life to Christ.<br />
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* Two baseball teams and one softball team spread out and traveled to separate villages to compete against Dominican teams and evangelize. One of our teams was invited to play on the Dominican Air Force base against their national team. We were greeted by a marching band along with the general and chief of command of the entire Dominican military. Although we lost the game 5-0 and were "no hit", I was blessed to have the opportunity to share the gospel with the general, members of his staff, and all the members of the coaching staff and the players. Praise God that 35 people made a decision to give their life to Christ. Results from the other 2 teams were similar and God has opened doors for ongoing ministry through all three of the coaching staffs and players of these teams as well as with high ranking government officials.<br />
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* After dinner, we took our entire crew of 65 on a five block walk to the ocean where we baptized 15 young men, young women and coaches from our group who wanted to take the next step in their faith journey by professing publicly that Jesus Christ was their personal Lord & Savior and celebrate their new birth. Also among that group was one very special Dominican 15 year old boy who has befriended and become very close with my 15 year old son Nick over the past year. An incredible ending to another amazing day here in the DR...probably the most powerful day that I have spent here in the last 3 years.Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-67698950637469753112011-07-17T13:42:00.000-07:002011-07-24T14:25:56.089-07:00Perfect Timing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GPmOdQuB-ar94Xw_Fb2tOK1XokqL4kodEblPFyGicwXQe1fBk1tOfr7wjrSk-uvj-gUsYZzTdEypwY57gnb5Z7JwTALyAZYtkRpClmbiD73NkQZnhRQ9zt1Hw_yhHYtNqlvGLH_Evr93/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GPmOdQuB-ar94Xw_Fb2tOK1XokqL4kodEblPFyGicwXQe1fBk1tOfr7wjrSk-uvj-gUsYZzTdEypwY57gnb5Z7JwTALyAZYtkRpClmbiD73NkQZnhRQ9zt1Hw_yhHYtNqlvGLH_Evr93/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+774.JPG" t$="true" width="265px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMF2eEdc2dmue7zl8TeVYe18JztFut7s4kefhyphenhyphenlLbxiRDiBxGfF2Yzqh7HAKCiLugEp0dJ45LEBnneVpD_Ipd8xG6XnkJUzGx5tfM7bm-MgbuGB8CvEJHo50u_23pc7pTuqGNRymuZP7OH/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMF2eEdc2dmue7zl8TeVYe18JztFut7s4kefhyphenhyphenlLbxiRDiBxGfF2Yzqh7HAKCiLugEp0dJ45LEBnneVpD_Ipd8xG6XnkJUzGx5tfM7bm-MgbuGB8CvEJHo50u_23pc7pTuqGNRymuZP7OH/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+777.JPG" t$="true" width="265px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQizt9_45ge-ShHAOyfAjyqX5DHkMYwcmFqbxXo9u9lR0_ZZFQ_d_iEk9RFfmfaOKidHza1mfiLQEJpcin4KnTenxqfPvu4hbT3Z9Ht1df7k_7WlRQrPQF_ZZBKC5qEcQOVkX7i-kdAqK/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQizt9_45ge-ShHAOyfAjyqX5DHkMYwcmFqbxXo9u9lR0_ZZFQ_d_iEk9RFfmfaOKidHza1mfiLQEJpcin4KnTenxqfPvu4hbT3Z9Ht1df7k_7WlRQrPQF_ZZBKC5qEcQOVkX7i-kdAqK/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+786.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>Week number one here has just come to a close and 57 people comprised of middle school baseball coaches, middle school baseball players and some parents are returning back to Atlanta forever changed. At 12:30am this morning, a brand New group of 65 high school baseball players, softball players, coaches and parents arrived safe and sound. We all visited a church in San Pedro this morning and now everyone is at our FCA Baseball facility in Boca Chica on the practice field. Everyone is tired and ruining on fumes from the late arrival last night, however at the same time they are all marveled at what they have already seen and experienced thus far.<br />
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I have over 1300 pictures from this past week alone and testimonies of God's work in the hearts of each and every person who joined us here for the last 7 days. I will post those picture on a photo sharing site as soon as I can, however I want to share a personal story of mine here to illustrate how God's perfect timing and His perfect plan.<br />
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Many of you know my story of how God used Julio Franco to radically change my life and lead me back to Him four years ago. I have reached out to Julio SEVERAL times over the past 4 years via text message, phone call, email and have actually had a hand written letter delivered to him. I wanted him to know how God used his simple act of obedience on January 22nd of 2008 as he shared the gospel at an FCA event that I attended to forever change my life, the lives of my wife and children and through my story, thousands of others for His Kingdom. Julio has never responded back to any of my attempts. However it never bothered me because I knew in my heart that he and I would connect one day when God wanted it to happen.<br />
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Yesterday morning I accompanied one of our baseball teams to the village of Consuella, just outside of San Pedro, to compete against their village team. It's the village that Julio Franco was born in and grew up in. When I stepped onto the field I saw one young man taking ground balls at 3rd base. My interpreter told me It was Josh Franco a rising junior in high school and Julio Franco's son. I had the opportunity to speak with Josh for a while and he told me that he and his family had moved back to the DR for a year so that he could train here, avoid the Major League Baseball draft system and sign here in the Dominican. Josh told me that his dad would be out on the field in about 30 minutes. Imagine how I felt at that point.<br />
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God's ordained timing, just as it always is, was perfect. Julio and I got to spend close to 3 hours together talking about life and our love for Jesus. The morning climaxed with me sitting on a bucket and sharing the gospel with the team he is training here and on the very same field that Julio played baseball on as a boy. All the while, Julio stood behind me and translated. Eight high school aged young men responded by giving their life to Christ. Julio had a smile on his face that was priceless. Personally...I was (and still am) in awe of how the God of the universe chooses to orchestrate His plan.<br />
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This story is just one of many that have been experienced here over the past week. We have 76 high school coaches and athletes arriving here tonight who at this point have NO idea as to how God is prepared to move in their lives if they will "be still and know that He is God". Please pray for them....as well as for my family and I as we head into week # 2 here.Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-59086887675884533162011-07-12T12:49:00.000-07:002011-07-24T14:16:17.287-07:00Incredible Bleesings in the Dominican Republic.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2ibIQifMPf3c_8kKuZ1HDfTpgZKcbn-GbZ3jUIjf63f20hYUortiGmEynD9kZKnqDZd-rKhuEzyaTFXNlGX90L45bzbe9gsLSeKQqAWUWyG-e39x6Ki6CPuP9FPGXuUJ2nHL2-l6R-jl/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2ibIQifMPf3c_8kKuZ1HDfTpgZKcbn-GbZ3jUIjf63f20hYUortiGmEynD9kZKnqDZd-rKhuEzyaTFXNlGX90L45bzbe9gsLSeKQqAWUWyG-e39x6Ki6CPuP9FPGXuUJ2nHL2-l6R-jl/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+032.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZ3HyiCrwMeWsvHpVXabbZCbU5KDP0FgsCtvhyphenhyphenp73fyod0d62cQSBouOxcn1idB50Fft-BM66FkfSaNxWi1fxF-d5rcfPU1CbxDb30bF5MJDBwfth0g0JJ-5rmuiBV_CeLMx-jbAiSGPH/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZ3HyiCrwMeWsvHpVXabbZCbU5KDP0FgsCtvhyphenhyphenp73fyod0d62cQSBouOxcn1idB50Fft-BM66FkfSaNxWi1fxF-d5rcfPU1CbxDb30bF5MJDBwfth0g0JJ-5rmuiBV_CeLMx-jbAiSGPH/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+034.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmhupIqA5wqxXoCkU1tPs90CLps22OROAFTvaNlzh-BFokC9I_XMk6omdpXpkRGk5RN7lTCl0Db12aayjqg2QCbgrYf5Q3PDthrfOm-hUKwF88QhITh7JlWxQ_GGx6cZQsyA99wNn3xZZ/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmhupIqA5wqxXoCkU1tPs90CLps22OROAFTvaNlzh-BFokC9I_XMk6omdpXpkRGk5RN7lTCl0Db12aayjqg2QCbgrYf5Q3PDthrfOm-hUKwF88QhITh7JlWxQ_GGx6cZQsyA99wNn3xZZ/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+098.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEPrxpLAmvv5ZXM_5I8kSMMPfZ_aS9Ll_h9CNTjxEnzW1HwdvdrOQnkAjpTvaBgM-RDb8CDNfjVHHw3dHZFmb5oRpglY3cSMQc7V_cItMd_5NzNprBklhRBx43G4zv-ZrjzVybya4Uiv5/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEPrxpLAmvv5ZXM_5I8kSMMPfZ_aS9Ll_h9CNTjxEnzW1HwdvdrOQnkAjpTvaBgM-RDb8CDNfjVHHw3dHZFmb5oRpglY3cSMQc7V_cItMd_5NzNprBklhRBx43G4zv-ZrjzVybya4Uiv5/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+330.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>I have found wireless access!! What a whirlwind these past few days have been. Where to begin. We all spent Sunday morning worshipping our God with our Dominican brothers and sisters in a Church in Santo Domingo, pastored by my good friend Pastor Abi. All 57 of us were greated with open arms by the people with the church who live in the surrounding sugarcane villages of San Pedro. We worshipped God in both Spanish and English and heard a wonderful message from Pastor Abi about bcearing Kingdom. I believe that I can say that without exception, all in our group were impacted as they realized that regardless of where we find ourselves in this world, there is <span style="color: #f1c232;">but one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God the Father</span>-<em>Ephesians 4:4-6</em>. <br />
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After church, we returned to our humble abode at the SCORE missionary training center and had lunch, suited up in our uniforms and then headed out to the Highlands complex (our FCA home in the Dominican) and practiced on the fields where the Sanfrancisco Giants train. Then, dinner, devotions and small group sessions with the coaches and players after dinner and everyone crashed.<br />
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Yesterday was an amazing day. It was the first time that everyone got out of their "comfort zone" as we traveled to a couple different villages to compete on field against some very good Dominican teams. The look of shock on everyone's faces as we pulled into the villages and first layer eyes on the fields was something else. For the next 3 hours, each team competed against young men of their age who were from an entirely different culture and spoke a language they could not understand. But they were united by the game that thcey were all passionate about. There were at least 100-125 spectators at each game from the surrounding villages watching us play. The parents and siblings of our ball players spent some amazing time with the children of those villages while the games were taking place. WAY too many details to share in the blog, however God was glorified! <br />
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More of the same this morning and we will visit orphanages this afternoon. Please keep praying forv us and for the message of Jesus Christ to take hold through revival here in the villages and communities where we are ministering. I will communicate again as soon as possible. We have over 700 amazing pictures thus far, however the connection here is still to slow to upload them to the blog. Guess you'll have to way til we return tonsee them...sorry.Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-29598683569344475932011-07-10T13:13:00.000-07:002011-07-24T14:18:49.538-07:00In the DR safe, sound and blessed!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmMhF45mhUEY6SaJ0h0HYKNMvbjEjZFb95G4VTPyJ1QzC-HxU8V_OdaBCMuOzIKqSIv4OsbvANzgttbluBRTbmvNBJJvTmxb2ILeXwlm3suBbUdL1bWSyqooGesutku3ZDFdmYXv9ONfZ/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmMhF45mhUEY6SaJ0h0HYKNMvbjEjZFb95G4VTPyJ1QzC-HxU8V_OdaBCMuOzIKqSIv4OsbvANzgttbluBRTbmvNBJJvTmxb2ILeXwlm3suBbUdL1bWSyqooGesutku3ZDFdmYXv9ONfZ/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+300.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkH40_w-06D1adFHA38Urd6Zin-cNmxNcFb2y4tIHoza6bCs4wGLjTKGn76xtUDGASzHDCs4S_CfXG6AXz8NIW0kH_RM8I_wkgmzbcVb8IziagkWrzbJcW4YzjMb2dZ0Hm-30TRrYKmxr3/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkH40_w-06D1adFHA38Urd6Zin-cNmxNcFb2y4tIHoza6bCs4wGLjTKGn76xtUDGASzHDCs4S_CfXG6AXz8NIW0kH_RM8I_wkgmzbcVb8IziagkWrzbJcW4YzjMb2dZ0Hm-30TRrYKmxr3/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+297.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sW6VLpf843YlPc5e0PrDw7q-cHYLmfyp9dlgGjKXsXuW2FMZGz_TbXLL2D26G1ouyqLkDMR7qoEzcctYUOok1NsRJ6omaiZJvKZhqYtJd3stFrgwfZBWcA2D4Twg1DeTWadGh3u7HEq2/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sW6VLpf843YlPc5e0PrDw7q-cHYLmfyp9dlgGjKXsXuW2FMZGz_TbXLL2D26G1ouyqLkDMR7qoEzcctYUOok1NsRJ6omaiZJvKZhqYtJd3stFrgwfZBWcA2D4Twg1DeTWadGh3u7HEq2/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+385.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hey everybody...all is well. This is the first opportunity that the Internet has been working and it is very spotty right now at best. I just wanted to let everyone back home know that we are here and all is well. Pictures speak for themselves...God bless all of you and I will try to post again very soon.</div>Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-66403716893561933792011-07-08T13:45:00.000-07:002011-07-24T13:48:16.705-07:00Ready to go!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbhRj7GA4ViSTh50LLC_VzTM4wZYXDXYovT8K8iF1a4Go8d3iGlm_G-8N69sf8gFYfvFIQOpsTtgyogFV0VFTf9kohVZsY0yxCw3QK-8nM8i2cDJoSWw0IoxQoiTPXEZZtlh0qhI9tQkU/s1600/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbhRj7GA4ViSTh50LLC_VzTM4wZYXDXYovT8K8iF1a4Go8d3iGlm_G-8N69sf8gFYfvFIQOpsTtgyogFV0VFTf9kohVZsY0yxCw3QK-8nM8i2cDJoSWw0IoxQoiTPXEZZtlh0qhI9tQkU/s400/2011+Dominican+Republic+Trip+236.JPG" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div>Ok...the bags are packed and we are prayed up. God is in control and I wait in anticipation for how He will move in the hearts of all those who have been called to this mission. I will post to this blog with pictures and updates as often as I can. We covet and appreciate your prayers.Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-90824549761850684082011-03-03T04:23:00.000-08:002011-07-24T14:44:02.856-07:00Our Perspective of a "Win"<img alt="" border="0" height="258px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579833407830307906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidpJIKoTtetzDezlhpZrW60A2nyfOfpSWxvH-ITaC5j5RX8fBvCFHQBirEFhfl48Lt4D13Q0rwuIbjXdHBFaIb6DquTupPDnkVA2NL9TWHgLBrCm6fqVKTBQWCh494Ek7jdEpidU0dPrn/s400/Influence.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400px" />Well coaches, it's the first week in March, the un-official kick-off for the 2011 season. I guess this is where “the rubber meets the road” in respect to all the work you put into your fall and winter workouts. So as we head into the season, I would like to share just a few things from my heart in effort to encourage you, to help keep you focused on the vision of using your influence to impact your teams for Jesus Christ, and to strengthen you as you seek to be a coach who looks to define your wins through a set of lenses that is counter cultural.<br />
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Our culture…the world we live in….tells us that our worth is determined by our accomplishments and encourages us to pursue significance and meaning through the things we do. The world of competitive sports (in our case baseball) magnifies this “performance based” system and drives home the lie that “acceptance” is conditional….that it’s based on performance. In turn, this thought process instills a false sense of self worth into young men and leads them into a belief system that tells them their self worth and their identity is based upon what they do and how they perform. As they begin to fail at things in life (and we all do), this false sense of self worth causes them to start making decisions which are rooted in an attempt to meet a desperate need for approval and appreciation. This is an EXHUASTING existence. I know, because I lived that lie for 47 years of my life.<br />
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Here’s the truth. Our worth is determined by what Christ was willing to do for us, and in Him, we have an unlimited and unchanging source of meaning and purpose. Who we are in Christ is not shaped by what we do, but by what He did for us on the cross and what He continues to do in us and through us each and every day of our life. As Christian coaches, we have been called to embrace that perspective and share that message with our players, their parents and “all whom you influence” by living it out in our words, our actions and our RE-actions. The reflection of Christ in us may be the first, the last or the ONLY image of Christ that will be seen by those who come across our paths. Romans 12:2 is a wonderful example of how we as followers of Christ are called to live and to coach. I love Eugene Peterson’s translation in The Message:<br />
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<em><span style="color: #ffcc00;">“Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you and develops well-formed maturity in you”.</span></em><br />
In order to live that out, we must first be secure in our OWN identity and our OWN self worth. You’ve all heard of “identity theft”. There’s a thief who wants to steal our identity by trying to convince us that the worlds performance based system is what life is all about. I believe that as coaches, we are most vulnerable to the enemies attack while we are on the baseball field and in the midst of competition. It is during competition that we are tempted to play the “comparison game” as we look at our opposing coaches and their players. Comparison is the death of contentment. It causes us to take on attitudes of pride and it causes us to fall back into the worlds view of performance based self worth as we begin to feel threatened. Then, in the blink of an eye, our definition of a “win” is changed. It quickly becomes about the numbers on the score board, our character is compromised and the enemy has won.<br />
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Where am I going with this? I remember reading the book “Season of Life” about four years ago. In the book, the main character, Joe Ehrman, a High School football coach would ask his team before each practice “What’s my job?”, and the team would yell back at him “To love us”. Coach would then ask them “And what’s YOUR job?”, to which they would answer “To love each other”. Reading those words in that book was a defining point in my life. That was the “AH-HA” moment for me that not only caused me to realize the impact of a coach, but it also kicked off the spiritual journey that I have been on ever since. I have come to know now that the words of Joe Ehrman were in actuality the words of Jesus as He gave His disciples a new commandment. A commandment that was RADICALLY different than anything they had heard from any Rabbi or religious teacher before. He said:<br />
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<span style="color: #000099;"><em><span style="color: #ffcc00;">“I give you a new commandment; love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also have love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34</span></em></span><br />
That’s how we determine our wins in this life….and that’s how we determine our wins on the baseball field. It begins by loving God and totally embracing His love for us as we recognize the true security and significance that we have in our relationship with Him. The only way to love those “hard to love” people that He brings into our path is through an overflow of the love that we have for the one who makes us who we are. And that comes by putting Him first….by spending time….quality time….with Him. By trusting in the fact that He will honor the time we take away from other areas of our busy days to spend with Him in prayer and thanksgiving.<br />
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The simple discipline of readjusting your daily priorities to spend more time getting to know God on a much deeper level through prayer will be the one thing that will radically change your life and the lives of all those He has entrusted you with. And it will cause you to NEVER sway from the foundation of how you define a “win”. Thank you so much for answering Gods call on your life to “Shepherd a flock” for Him. I hope to be able to share time with each of you on a baseball field soon.Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-11771195047545047142010-10-17T14:05:00.000-07:002010-10-17T14:31:40.846-07:00God tells the Shaheen family "Follow Me"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8ZUfJgP8vkgclydWpoYxlLzRPSXcBx8dw32r4eiMAg1jcvTP1K8UAIW2rqYYwyyYp0Ecsqr_RIP9iQzvHU_SXI5QGbQArcH55QKT7zf-TGqh65is1suhht_USRet3AHsYtuAkI_l10un/s1600/Shaheen+Family.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529125753573662018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8ZUfJgP8vkgclydWpoYxlLzRPSXcBx8dw32r4eiMAg1jcvTP1K8UAIW2rqYYwyyYp0Ecsqr_RIP9iQzvHU_SXI5QGbQArcH55QKT7zf-TGqh65is1suhht_USRet3AHsYtuAkI_l10un/s400/Shaheen+Family.jpg" border="0" /></a> Hey all! With all the "busy-ness" in life I have REALLY been a slacker in BLOG posts. Sorry about that. However, I know that you will be blessed as you read about how God continues to expand our baseball ministry by raising up obedient leaders who are committed to follow Christ WHEREVER HE LEADS THEM! Below is the story of the Shaheen family in the words of Mike Shaheen, the current head baseball coach at the Wesleyan School in Norcross, GA.<br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>In 2004, I took my first short-term mission trip to the Dominican Republic. It was an incredible trip that strengthened my relationship with Christ. The people in the DR were extremely hospitable and of course showed me a love for baseball that I never had seen before. The students and teachers from The Wesleyan School and I worked really hard in construction and also loved on the children every moment we could. What I did not know at the time, but now realize, is that God was planting a seed in my heart for something really big in the Dominican Republic.<br /></div><div></div><div>Four years later in 2008, I felt led to serve again in the DR. This time around God planned something really special for me. During this trip, I befriended a man in a village that happened to be a coach of a high school aged Dominican baseball team. He allowed me and a few other missionaries to participate with his team and give our testimonies. We ended up spending a lot of time with the team and by the end of the week had grown close to the coach. Before we left, the coach, Cesar, told us that he had stopped developing his relationship with Jesus, but now, because of our stories and our intentional love for the Lord, he recommitted his life to Christ. He also decided that he would train his players not only in baseball, but in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I was in awe of God’s goodness and was just starting to realize what we can do as believers if we allow God to guide our actions.<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>Now, flash forward to the summer of 2010. God had been working on my heart for about a year. I felt the tug of the Holy Spirit towards something different than what I was currently doing. I was definitely a little scared. I was currently a teacher and a baseball coach at The Wesleyan School in Norcross, GA. We had just won our third baseball state championship in a row and life was pretty good. My wife Jodi and I had just adopted our two children two years earlier and that capped off our dreams of a house, two kids, dog, two cats and a picket fence (not white). We had planned to spend 10 days in July in the Dominican with FCA Baseball who was leading 100 other short-term missionaries on this trip. I knew deep down that the trip was going to be bigger than the other trips I had taken. My family’s presence with me marked a great opportunity for me to ask God questions each day on the trip. While reading His word and praying with other brothers in Christ, I became really open to the idea of spending my future in the Dominican Republic. It was amazing to see my wife also feel a strong pull to the DR. We were falling more and more in love with Christ and with His plan for us. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Although radical, it was very clear by the time we came back to Georgia, that God wanted our presence in the Dominican Republic. After much prayer and conversations, the Shaheen's made the decision to become missionaries in the Dominican Republic. On October 15th of 2010, I announced my decision to to the Wesleyan baseball community that I will be leaving Wesleyan to lead the FCA Baseball ministry in the DR in June of 2011. My friends and mentors at Wesleyan have been major influences in my faith journey and I am forever indebted to them. I am very excited about what God has in store for us this spring at Wesleyan and the next few years in the DR.</div><div> </div><div>To see the Shaheen family's BLOG, click on <a href="http://dominicanfcabaseballministry.com/">http://dominicanfcabaseballministry.com/</a></div><div> </div><div> </div>Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-84824573452097244342010-07-24T06:44:00.000-07:002010-07-24T07:37:54.921-07:00On the way back to to U.S.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-ygZb3CFdrc7D5CHnx9UTCi_c6Ekyz2eJRp2fhOilxTU9H2gpZjdV4rfne529rvYx6cmcs4mJuO7fmEepl0MhFVqflCNwXajGnTcHNo5OSfvnXlKpzJBPbkCyxS4Gy07CqFzZ0XRbWpO/s1600/Slade+in+a+village.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497481496729605906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-ygZb3CFdrc7D5CHnx9UTCi_c6Ekyz2eJRp2fhOilxTU9H2gpZjdV4rfne529rvYx6cmcs4mJuO7fmEepl0MhFVqflCNwXajGnTcHNo5OSfvnXlKpzJBPbkCyxS4Gy07CqFzZ0XRbWpO/s400/Slade+in+a+village.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjewrUCI2Iv5YOt_cT6D05JrKMNN1Ur6tUSy95y-v4RuMaPOMfCRwiOdb6UI0NOP0hySsNaqx33fzRh19KI4biC1KFIgQFpwTSz_Qj0DZ-2xV39GAkh-4PVhHLUtJ26iYd1xsuqGLvXa0m/s1600/Hannah+in+a+village.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497481178430493058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjewrUCI2Iv5YOt_cT6D05JrKMNN1Ur6tUSy95y-v4RuMaPOMfCRwiOdb6UI0NOP0hySsNaqx33fzRh19KI4biC1KFIgQFpwTSz_Qj0DZ-2xV39GAkh-4PVhHLUtJ26iYd1xsuqGLvXa0m/s400/Hannah+in+a+village.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4YmEJyNAq5gz2Z54vp7gX8agrh3nizIRBeKv0wuz10Fei793531JasEr47g1kSr9b8F9gXKa5cjGZan_zhEn3oMsMO7dt_cXfNHWwfrI06XTdOTHiZf2XU9xGFFd157vOWv47pN-rKdw/s1600/Middle+School+Blue+team+players.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497480737066617042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4YmEJyNAq5gz2Z54vp7gX8agrh3nizIRBeKv0wuz10Fei793531JasEr47g1kSr9b8F9gXKa5cjGZan_zhEn3oMsMO7dt_cXfNHWwfrI06XTdOTHiZf2XU9xGFFd157vOWv47pN-rKdw/s400/Middle+School+Blue+team+players.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>On the way back home. Our first group left here very early this morning (4:15am) and is more than likely already back on the ground in Atlanta by now. The remainder of our group has just finished packing and will head to the airport in an hour or so. </div><br /><div>Was this mission succesful? Absolutely! We were led here to serve both the physical and spiritual needs of the Dominican people. However, this trip was SO much about the work that God wanted to do in the hearts of all those who have been obedient to come. The game of baseball was the "hook" that God used to get all of us together over here for His true purpose. Change of pace + change of place = change of perspective. Over the course of these past ten days, we have had 15 members of our group accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord & Savior. Five other people have publically professed their commitment to be fully devoted followers of Christ. Through out our travels as we shared the gospel on baseball fields, softball fields, sugarcane villages and orphanages, we have witnessed well over 200 people receive Christ as their Lord & Savior and given away close to 700 Spanish version Bibles. </div><br /><div>On a personal note, God has impressed upon my heart the great need for Christian male leadership here on the island. In my opinion, drastic change here will only come through consistant evangelism and dicipleship of young males. As FCA Baseball & Softball continues to go forward with the mission here in the Dominican republic, this will be the area where we will focus the attention of our resources. </div><br /><div>In regard to the "fire" and the perspective change that God has given all of us while we were here, I pray that each of us will be very intentional in keeping the fire stoked as we return to the lives that we have been away from for the past week-ten days. We must all remain intentional in anchoring ourselves in our identity...who we are "in Christ". We must walk in confidence, knowing that our time here on earth is temporary and fleeting. We must remain intentional and consistent in our prayer life, with our time in Gods word and recognize that the people we surround ourselves with will determine the direction and quality of our lives. We must realize that it is not us who is in control of our lives, but God and that He has an incredible plan for us. Remaining "in Him" and walking with Him daily...in all areas of our lives... will enable us to recognize His leading and direction for us and He will be glorified as we "bear fruit" for Him. Again, it's not what we do for God, but what He has already done FOR us that we need to anchor in. God will show us the activity that He wants for us. </div><br /><div>To all of you who have followed this blog or have heard about our mission here over the past couple of years and may be thinking "wow..I would love to be a part of that mission", I encourage you to reach out to me. It just may be that God wants you to be a part of His work here. God Bless you!</div></div></div>Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-1467456890178281272010-07-23T13:05:00.001-07:002010-07-23T13:33:05.538-07:00Internet in the Dominican Republic is FINALLY back up!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6MWB4eTWt90JN1_b2jFuj9QltF4CiNZC5eVxnwMXkCBrFFmXVoq5UkyKsgRa9ChGBNHhjhrpVYmk0RliKKrgvTQBc30WAwTmP7es6uyVosulJarTpBxz2XI3YJ-USB4ui6Vi_xxejmlK/s1600/Bible+in+Hand.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497200291142282786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6MWB4eTWt90JN1_b2jFuj9QltF4CiNZC5eVxnwMXkCBrFFmXVoq5UkyKsgRa9ChGBNHhjhrpVYmk0RliKKrgvTQBc30WAwTmP7es6uyVosulJarTpBxz2XI3YJ-USB4ui6Vi_xxejmlK/s400/Bible+in+Hand.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-PDbhhqSNlOOLMxhyWsu-Med06Y9xWKVmYBppKx85A-5Jr1ToDaym_FKhK-ZZyxYvr-EtuMwSqH4eCFPzGEHHh9rvQ8BRssn3wNNFXXedxgKC1NVizmKJWPk27QhRael6weVIXnyIMir/s1600/Trey+Manion.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497199985716427266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-PDbhhqSNlOOLMxhyWsu-Med06Y9xWKVmYBppKx85A-5Jr1ToDaym_FKhK-ZZyxYvr-EtuMwSqH4eCFPzGEHHh9rvQ8BRssn3wNNFXXedxgKC1NVizmKJWPk27QhRael6weVIXnyIMir/s400/Trey+Manion.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNofVsOMlVvX-cvzKOc9lbIUqsb_5pkXUdYxoODfNorPxh3K_4DkPZoTPDXafnJY6TR_7RXBTx3HcLuI2Wzchw3s-vg86Pk3HTR-tJ_YOHv_8M2pT-Z7Ere6L8xHKRp5t4AQyrjPf1Eu6M/s1600/Flooded+streets.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497199639013232946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNofVsOMlVvX-cvzKOc9lbIUqsb_5pkXUdYxoODfNorPxh3K_4DkPZoTPDXafnJY6TR_7RXBTx3HcLuI2Wzchw3s-vg86Pk3HTR-tJ_YOHv_8M2pT-Z7Ere6L8xHKRp5t4AQyrjPf1Eu6M/s400/Flooded+streets.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnttuRJ2ke8rxo-mia4nsV5DX61YT1FMzYZx8hcGHGPqKQA7U7lf-aKXeLb01fwx2V-fgrpPdZpfbN1ymB5RuKYZBxn6rNqh56Z3Wwklwa7sSq1jcRV-zDn1O1_HhOmuylz1M53AHKBDeI/s1600/Baseball+in+a+village.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497199323830312850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnttuRJ2ke8rxo-mia4nsV5DX61YT1FMzYZx8hcGHGPqKQA7U7lf-aKXeLb01fwx2V-fgrpPdZpfbN1ymB5RuKYZBxn6rNqh56Z3Wwklwa7sSq1jcRV-zDn1O1_HhOmuylz1M53AHKBDeI/s400/Baseball+in+a+village.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4NPBVXYSh3FLh351T-RYPihuvK9FB2JoVswg9KLwepNfjCQYjL9RrnN_fD0VeQ3KZAbLGYmq3QVRVRlCa_jndQwEzydmCvhHyQSWqj3CjFEuF6jmBANMj5bvfha37ea6_EgLThbdm4a2/s1600/Responses+at+the+ball+park.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497198576555770210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4NPBVXYSh3FLh351T-RYPihuvK9FB2JoVswg9KLwepNfjCQYjL9RrnN_fD0VeQ3KZAbLGYmq3QVRVRlCa_jndQwEzydmCvhHyQSWqj3CjFEuF6jmBANMj5bvfha37ea6_EgLThbdm4a2/s400/Responses+at+the+ball+park.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJBt-Rw59m_ePYI10B9UTq6WC932dVFGRjw4pfonMLTIKCjwV8i9D-e0deJKmM0nF3fa6gMyqt9WJH_iWC4keQl06QX1-bE5zDBdF63Kq4Sl4dJhsCQQMvfUMFr5QphrusdAXV1YpYHpN/s1600/Lindsay+Loving+the+Kids.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497198032248730082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJBt-Rw59m_ePYI10B9UTq6WC932dVFGRjw4pfonMLTIKCjwV8i9D-e0deJKmM0nF3fa6gMyqt9WJH_iWC4keQl06QX1-bE5zDBdF63Kq4Sl4dJhsCQQMvfUMFr5QphrusdAXV1YpYHpN/s400/Lindsay+Loving+the+Kids.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLzB2ND4r7Um6q3war4gQrpDoXe4HmE0Fe7gI1M1EtxegQOStdOsRIv5lCvHAExFyEZfCioCAA_YZWgbfYC_kM3nUT_T7ZzwlrPc864wm7W-tsELbzVAw9OD8OTU4pIIiVrVdo5P0e__z/s1600/Feeding+at+a+church.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497197476950003202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLzB2ND4r7Um6q3war4gQrpDoXe4HmE0Fe7gI1M1EtxegQOStdOsRIv5lCvHAExFyEZfCioCAA_YZWgbfYC_kM3nUT_T7ZzwlrPc864wm7W-tsELbzVAw9OD8OTU4pIIiVrVdo5P0e__z/s400/Feeding+at+a+church.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSzgMTRS_0Py7SNy-MZXbX2HS5ahYEIfV9XyiPLqzUjNsB5OD5XrVweDafaEW6DFhcSFM3Kdh5bEO2bOtLouRLaApwdSk7nszf-HhbMqeA29854S8F3MgWebTjwMNi036cs1gag9bJlWE/s1600/Kids+Praying.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497197110628931746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSzgMTRS_0Py7SNy-MZXbX2HS5ahYEIfV9XyiPLqzUjNsB5OD5XrVweDafaEW6DFhcSFM3Kdh5bEO2bOtLouRLaApwdSk7nszf-HhbMqeA29854S8F3MgWebTjwMNi036cs1gag9bJlWE/s400/Kids+Praying.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RN8l4qj7S2_lhJR0HneXR3-WrVr5b_pJ-plsJ0zXChpXKN2NYkMObN5OC-eqPyJmt_CnICLAje3drjx5loVi5ozLlrP6g2H82clJFI8ZYi51dB0wYhm9F-RHzfvDO40g3WTe7x4qsKzt/s1600/On+the+Wall.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497196794925405490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RN8l4qj7S2_lhJR0HneXR3-WrVr5b_pJ-plsJ0zXChpXKN2NYkMObN5OC-eqPyJmt_CnICLAje3drjx5loVi5ozLlrP6g2H82clJFI8ZYi51dB0wYhm9F-RHzfvDO40g3WTe7x4qsKzt/s400/On+the+Wall.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR3M3yDas3MuQdx9xC2CGyva9OTeemW5mbYdoTGslW8LcnBlNEaW_7Vx6wSB9Pkx5FK52a1mLi2yst8EYCd8cXhSWtJWYPkl_QbGWMz2CYe8gJHtOssde47NqzAKJ78VBH5_iEGOuPnuQ/s1600/Austin+Galloway.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497196039812522578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR3M3yDas3MuQdx9xC2CGyva9OTeemW5mbYdoTGslW8LcnBlNEaW_7Vx6wSB9Pkx5FK52a1mLi2yst8EYCd8cXhSWtJWYPkl_QbGWMz2CYe8gJHtOssde47NqzAKJ78VBH5_iEGOuPnuQ/s400/Austin+Galloway.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Hey everyone…sorry for the delay in updates. Because of the weather, our internet connection has been down since Tuesday afternoon. Although the weather has really changed our plans and has caused us to cancel most of our baseball games, we have all continued to be blessed as we see God move in our hearts. </div><div> </div><div>Our past few days have been amazing as we continue to see God work in and through the lives of our group and the Dominican people. When we ARE able to play ball, in different villages, our coaches and athletes share the gospel after each game as well as visit villages and orphanages. Many within the villages have come to know Jesus over the past few days. Along with the salvations in the village, we have had over 15 of our own coaches and athletes come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord & Savior as they have heard the gospel presented. </div><div> </div><div>Yes…faith comes through hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Jesus Christ (Romans 10:17).</div><div> </div><div>The pictures above speak loudly.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-75776895758801068502010-07-18T18:44:00.001-07:002010-07-18T18:57:38.998-07:00Sunday in the Domincian Republic<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVRKDAUujYKiDpqD-T6f2-8wvuotKxcYxPK60jvjH5MEmhhiI7ptZlIuNpC4e-vdjfF6tTPWNjgsCMJYRmHtZDcXhI0zkcmnciqAhLeP0cuWVz-Yg5Moem9gUiKpjZDoR9TtEemFrfzQX/s1600/100_0059.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495430203939378194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVRKDAUujYKiDpqD-T6f2-8wvuotKxcYxPK60jvjH5MEmhhiI7ptZlIuNpC4e-vdjfF6tTPWNjgsCMJYRmHtZDcXhI0zkcmnciqAhLeP0cuWVz-Yg5Moem9gUiKpjZDoR9TtEemFrfzQX/s400/100_0059.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTE0YgpOh5YLJIKjQhuFVO5LiVJWG3bXgL_piD1yWjfZ1RxRRKWve8MtwlMzivUNZy3jw3VWO0onuKOWAb0gJo-671SQ1zriU-eCDPkZjPzYYSF-3Guz_aaHKUcidFFxYuUHslxxB_64D/s1600/IMG_4410.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495430196422210834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTE0YgpOh5YLJIKjQhuFVO5LiVJWG3bXgL_piD1yWjfZ1RxRRKWve8MtwlMzivUNZy3jw3VWO0onuKOWAb0gJo-671SQ1zriU-eCDPkZjPzYYSF-3Guz_aaHKUcidFFxYuUHslxxB_64D/s400/IMG_4410.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaMGXnB3gqkHXnL5ZTNcPDw3tb-KXWKusXJKVPZVGCRSyZ7Wd9WnZdgeGgUlNML_CjL1waSPWmJ73ogzXxnlbPO81JTwxNyEB3YolycxPTCsVm3HfSdXemvfLU_ENHD4GT3s30hCsX-Hp/s1600/IMG_4391.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495430192104447122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaMGXnB3gqkHXnL5ZTNcPDw3tb-KXWKusXJKVPZVGCRSyZ7Wd9WnZdgeGgUlNML_CjL1waSPWmJ73ogzXxnlbPO81JTwxNyEB3YolycxPTCsVm3HfSdXemvfLU_ENHD4GT3s30hCsX-Hp/s400/IMG_4391.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Yft0BeYaFl5VAHFUgbqIonFqZjKTUcyMiolG_bJDwwYMb1kHk6mqQ6IeIe4kTj-fdwfcGz88Ewmq6VAP0MFL_eZhl5cy1WWRneRYWTWkzsMAE2se0HD5xOwN2zuVBAF6n6esTo-d3NYL/s1600/100_0061.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495430181521047762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Yft0BeYaFl5VAHFUgbqIonFqZjKTUcyMiolG_bJDwwYMb1kHk6mqQ6IeIe4kTj-fdwfcGz88Ewmq6VAP0MFL_eZhl5cy1WWRneRYWTWkzsMAE2se0HD5xOwN2zuVBAF6n6esTo-d3NYL/s400/100_0061.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbmqhKsTbDXfFrCVVlaOwWmU1AHkJzBRHcLQPM94qnPmkPS-MHQxrXc7mlJNfXdCHyDVWYbz1XvcCACgWVCuHcj2eS1-WoebBi8kty1HMLU5AREMXiqFLsJnSYncfLglgKbS4QixsiCyA/s1600/100_0052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495430178255494802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbmqhKsTbDXfFrCVVlaOwWmU1AHkJzBRHcLQPM94qnPmkPS-MHQxrXc7mlJNfXdCHyDVWYbz1XvcCACgWVCuHcj2eS1-WoebBi8kty1HMLU5AREMXiqFLsJnSYncfLglgKbS4QixsiCyA/s400/100_0052.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdhSXvdD-izk39Zf-xuEvHtns9kb-K4t0tph_KZJ1-jD34onvwrx67lVQDvNKlO-PW-YXPtWEGtQHgWKhJZMT09yCej331tOsf42NOzNJNvPYUba7G5n4HBR1O_lDqSthQUNMkhHg806y/s1600/IMG_4483.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495428868344344018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdhSXvdD-izk39Zf-xuEvHtns9kb-K4t0tph_KZJ1-jD34onvwrx67lVQDvNKlO-PW-YXPtWEGtQHgWKhJZMT09yCej331tOsf42NOzNJNvPYUba7G5n4HBR1O_lDqSthQUNMkhHg806y/s400/IMG_4483.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6Kc7pexi_UBMFFVLhM4LDYe0p8jkf_1AQFLJd-BdqK2R8hNuoH9Ndtly7HvtiNdze01JRTwLsIXV0sww8nssc16ml-rU9aeZ5yg3aAOu1589yzxdWgxcBQd5_mt3DUxPQPUcB3z9AQ4Q/s1600/100_3257.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495428858008884402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6Kc7pexi_UBMFFVLhM4LDYe0p8jkf_1AQFLJd-BdqK2R8hNuoH9Ndtly7HvtiNdze01JRTwLsIXV0sww8nssc16ml-rU9aeZ5yg3aAOu1589yzxdWgxcBQd5_mt3DUxPQPUcB3z9AQ4Q/s400/100_3257.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHJEn-KLhfqh2kJxMhBtWsokzJWW3faTjo675QBYHVBijJUSV7inbdCCnlgsNFOp9Ocnif5CwBuA7G-H61ulo2FHZfcwZTFuwuxHzYCIj15mQWpX2QWx_R6uxWIU1om0GM7IkvJfezDld/s1600/100_3250.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495428855043174578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHJEn-KLhfqh2kJxMhBtWsokzJWW3faTjo675QBYHVBijJUSV7inbdCCnlgsNFOp9Ocnif5CwBuA7G-H61ulo2FHZfcwZTFuwuxHzYCIj15mQWpX2QWx_R6uxWIU1om0GM7IkvJfezDld/s400/100_3250.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98zYpKnhPM_scGXNHLGWXQdfH5Wy7OCzNlW13l7aNHEY6Z1Eg0V70GxCluH_n1hgwQ9GqkM3E-sHCf3AwNp1K1Ku8gwvxqpveUG59nTfTIVDdz8jTYlKhNeEulO28X3DWLVgZx9GJapIA/s1600/IMG_4051.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495428848577280178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98zYpKnhPM_scGXNHLGWXQdfH5Wy7OCzNlW13l7aNHEY6Z1Eg0V70GxCluH_n1hgwQ9GqkM3E-sHCf3AwNp1K1Ku8gwvxqpveUG59nTfTIVDdz8jTYlKhNeEulO28X3DWLVgZx9GJapIA/s400/IMG_4051.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qbVs0cmfJGaN_80h2oeyTM_9rhwGPta5pjdxPB10UW_REGxklFIvUWXZyQBiPo30tPXET4DFOk_p9Vj0Ah0unqI0ObQVUmMatQlnSnCKlMMo8HjCGuM-UwzEp71NRTjkp0uQ9uRKKO6g/s1600/100_3267.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495428837821651394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qbVs0cmfJGaN_80h2oeyTM_9rhwGPta5pjdxPB10UW_REGxklFIvUWXZyQBiPo30tPXET4DFOk_p9Vj0Ah0unqI0ObQVUmMatQlnSnCKlMMo8HjCGuM-UwzEp71NRTjkp0uQ9uRKKO6g/s400/100_3267.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>This morning we went to a SCORE church plant in San Pedro. It was a pretty modern facility. The pastor spoke English and we got to sing in Spanish. After we sung a little with the Dominican people, there were a few baptisms. These were the first baptisms at this particular church. It was a waist deep concrete pool outside the church near the back left corner. A Dominican woman who was baptized was so overwhelmed as her sins were washed away. We then went to another building to hear a new American missionary lead us in English Sunday School. After that we all came back together in the main church to sing and complete the service.<br />The middle school and high school baseball teams left for the brand new Score Highlands Baseball Complex in Boca Chica to practice around 2 pm. This facility consists of two baseball fields and a softball field and is home to the San Francisco Giants Dominican League Affiliate. There are also soccer fields, volleyball court and two pools.<br />After dinner and before devotion time many of the boys, coaches and parents took the little walk down seven or so blocks to the beach. Devotion time completes the day and we have a visit to an orphanage and games for both high school teams and middle school teams are on the agenda for tomorrow. </div><div>Posted by Jodi Shaheen (so Bob can do what he does best!)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6112040567681086140.post-38734677824683420352010-07-17T17:41:00.000-07:002010-07-18T10:30:14.253-07:00Hey...The boys have arrived safe & sound...and I'm not sure what the girls think of that!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJXYyPSEIGGyadPulWWfKKLMJ1YrJxUQLx9h-l28mMXg-22oukmkaj07WxvRV-5IeW8wGk1rGOcTjvYB_W8oK2P3n9eqYVd3FHiiwiSWQmhDKOjJFRtAxxn4h3MpusQ03Co292uQHxK2f/s1600/Pedicures.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495292556270015842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJXYyPSEIGGyadPulWWfKKLMJ1YrJxUQLx9h-l28mMXg-22oukmkaj07WxvRV-5IeW8wGk1rGOcTjvYB_W8oK2P3n9eqYVd3FHiiwiSWQmhDKOjJFRtAxxn4h3MpusQ03Co292uQHxK2f/s400/Pedicures.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2C2zpmdJYaqe-VR9TxCdrpP5vgnYXVMsy4Omg0ZSYRok1MKkzrgYI41oyKoJ-XUPyO5TveRaT3bmMIGsRzvsqq203LGdB1EwWRIcztf5QXWVeYBTQuXLFOHQTCfrE-bjj1k07M_v1O_hL/s1600/Lindsay+%26+villagae+girls.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495291960266397874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2C2zpmdJYaqe-VR9TxCdrpP5vgnYXVMsy4Omg0ZSYRok1MKkzrgYI41oyKoJ-XUPyO5TveRaT3bmMIGsRzvsqq203LGdB1EwWRIcztf5QXWVeYBTQuXLFOHQTCfrE-bjj1k07M_v1O_hL/s400/Lindsay+%26+villagae+girls.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMY04NKaRDq4ls_waLxMYQlNUDngrqgoSVSyXLsdFV7lQsTsdHyVYUTadYJFpKts72ofbciOs8-uV4xsCI4SDLKignXfzHK1s8b9aeMJ6jFFQIbYoyLqznqhWYcIjAAoFelUcxpaqTwNsw/s1600/Bracelets.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495291492716235538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMY04NKaRDq4ls_waLxMYQlNUDngrqgoSVSyXLsdFV7lQsTsdHyVYUTadYJFpKts72ofbciOs8-uV4xsCI4SDLKignXfzHK1s8b9aeMJ6jFFQIbYoyLqznqhWYcIjAAoFelUcxpaqTwNsw/s400/Bracelets.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvF262kac6BGfYXHA3vBmQIQevfzKrIUL-J8OvqBiHEWoYaCZJscXdNLN0gjHv54iYQXhnAJdKQG4T_dKi-BeG2fa_YQiRzh_GDO8cjGnDywTOl-BLBiH-1U7UQOOPMRn1-y6M9fTGTie/s1600/Kickball.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495298389797241954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvF262kac6BGfYXHA3vBmQIQevfzKrIUL-J8OvqBiHEWoYaCZJscXdNLN0gjHv54iYQXhnAJdKQG4T_dKi-BeG2fa_YQiRzh_GDO8cjGnDywTOl-BLBiH-1U7UQOOPMRn1-y6M9fTGTie/s400/Kickball.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfy7vxeUeieiNsawlqzGd8v4jvAMrq4TWHyMqpuUe3hpYJpUDjlxU3tfSVOsbTCoM8j30fMCWbywJysYUCrX1FWh9zcN6vVuWNUWFQ-vU8zPFWXvxcsas9l6foNcvia_RKSZvhBUHp9UVQ/s1600/Kickball+%232.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495299023387152226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfy7vxeUeieiNsawlqzGd8v4jvAMrq4TWHyMqpuUe3hpYJpUDjlxU3tfSVOsbTCoM8j30fMCWbywJysYUCrX1FWh9zcN6vVuWNUWFQ-vU8zPFWXvxcsas9l6foNcvia_RKSZvhBUHp9UVQ/s400/Kickball+%232.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6xJOoDvC3d55V94vSPRye1oMlfYqHwWyMDQTMnJ0w0_myn8Hx5rHWXcq29NuZ4VAvDI6-d5Bf-t6xZPg5TKVjCv3fNyE5rZzZUr7Gu4-5d2gGz9OyEfifQI8iwkQt0FKfVwQxsZk7M9j/s1600/Boys+Arrival+Arrival008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495299304908657938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6xJOoDvC3d55V94vSPRye1oMlfYqHwWyMDQTMnJ0w0_myn8Hx5rHWXcq29NuZ4VAvDI6-d5Bf-t6xZPg5TKVjCv3fNyE5rZzZUr7Gu4-5d2gGz9OyEfifQI8iwkQt0FKfVwQxsZk7M9j/s400/Boys+Arrival+Arrival008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>OK...Sorry I am a bit behind on this. Yesterday was a crazy day with 31 of our group already here and 70 more arriving. So here is the update for yesterday. The girls headed out in the morning for another sugarcane village and on the way stopped and picked up all sorts of toys, balls, Hula-Hoops and fingernail polish (which was really a big hit with the little girls). Our team stayed at the village for about 3 hours and just loved on all the kids, playing kickball, soccer,and giving pedicures. Watching how quickly the children learned how to do the Hulahoop was really cool as well. Two of our girls shared their testamonies as to how God has worked in their lives and we handed out two cases of Spanish Bibles.</div></div><br /><p>The afternoon brought some pretty heavy rains that delayed both of the flights that all of our baseball playes, coaches and parents were on and the weather also flooded the softball fields where our girls were to play another softball game against a village team. So..we adjusted well by using the opportunity that God provided through the flooded fields to become MUCH more interactive and relational with the Dominican girls team as we all joined together in a friendly game of Kick Ball. The boys all arrived safely with the only damage being two equipment bags that were lost some where in Miami (hopefully delivered to us today) and a baseball bat that was damamged. We just arrived back at SCORE after our Sunday worship services in different village churches. I will post those pictures and provide the days updates either later today or tomorrow morning. God Bless all of you!</p>Mike Roby, Georgia Baseball/Softball Directorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10314475686878354584noreply@blogger.com0