Around 3:00 p.m. we headed out to our first game in Mexico. We filled up our water jug because it is HOT south of the border. When we pulled up at the field it was vintage Mexico. It was a cinderblock ball park that could seat around 1000 people. It is actually the home field of the really good baseball league in Piedras Negras. Both teams started warming up as a lot of our clinic kids started rolling into the stadium.
The team we played today was made up of select players from Piedras Negras. The youngest was 15 and the oldest may have been in his 30's. Since some of our opponents had some maturity to them, I hit a round of infield to our coaches just to see if Coach V and Adrian wanted to give it a go. After seeing the rust on those two guys and Adrian almost breaking a hip, we decided it would be best to have them just coach. I think after a little "Icy Hot", Adrian will be OK.
Before we knew it, the pre-game rituals were complete, the umpires were in place and we heard the familiar term, "JUGAMOS" from the guys in blue. Our first 9 inning game in Mexico was finally underway.
Aaron Cornell got things started with a lead off triple and both Hinkley brothers followed up with two solid hits. We ended the top half of the 1st inning with a 2-0 lead and our International winning streak seemed to be off to the right start. We started the game with Brian Holt on the mound and our defense looked really solid.
Coach Nation took the reigns at First Base and Davey guided the ship from the Third Base coaching box. However, the real story line for our first game goes to Brian Holt because he was a bulldog. He threw 107 pitches and went all nine innings. All the Mexican's were a little disappointed that Holt went the entire game because they all wanted to see our 6'9 Cole Way stand on the mound and throw the baseball. However, it was Holt's game and he wanted to finish it out and finish is exactly what he did. We won our first international game of 2010 by the score of 6-1. It was a great day of baseball and a great outing for all of our guys, especially Brian.
After the game, we shared the gospel with all those who came to the game and many prayed to receive Christ. Including many of the kids who played on the team from Baja California. Honestly, I have been a little overwhelmed at the fact that God has opened up a door to share the gospel with the Little League kids in Mexico. Think about the legacy potential in that supernaturally opened door. God is allowing us to influence the future of baseball in Mexico by allowing us to tell it's future baseball stars about Jesus. We are not just sharing with kids from Piedras Negras but are sharing with the best baseball teams from all over this country. That is really amazing to me.
As we were clearing the dugout, a man named Ricardo, who works for one of the local radio stations came up to ask some questions about the Ambassadors. He was late to the game so he missed the 6-1 victory but we were able to share with him who we are and why we came to Mexico.
He had heard that we were in town and came to see what we were about. He interviewed Cristobal and I asking us questions about baseball. Our conversation very quickly turned to Ricardo's spiritual condition when he asked a key question, "You mean to tell me that you play baseball and you also talk to others about God?" This lead to the gospel and Ricardo prayed to received Christ. It was an incredible moment. After he accepted Christ, Coach V was able to give him one of the Bibles his church in Blanchard graciously donated to us for us to give out to to others in need, a brand new bracelet and a media guide.
It is so amazingly cool to see people come to know Christ.
Ricardo responded to the gospel when we asked if we could share with him. I wonder how many people back home would respond to the gospel if we asked? Maybe we should do more asking?
After Ricardo got saved, we came back to the hotel to shower and then we went to eat the most amazing Carne Asada cooked by Ariel, the head of all the Little League players in Mexico and our umpires. This Carne Asada was legit and it was likely the very best food I have put in my mouth.
After we stuffed our faces, Coach V and I got into a little contest to see who could eat the hottest pepper. Though there was some debate on this, I am pretty sure that I won but Coach V may have a different perspective. All I will choose to say for now is this: Stay away from the little green peppers. They are hot and get a lot hotter after about 4 minutes of eating them. Before we knew it, all the guys were joining into the pepper eating contest. It was so much fun watching each other suffer after throwing down ice cubes after those big bites of jalepeno peppers. This is such a guy thing but it was so much fun. All of us are a little worried how those peppers are going to be on the back end of tonights experience if you know what I mean? But I guess we will reap what we sow.
After the amazing dinner we are back at the hotel and I am dozing as I write so I really should be off to bed.
Thank you Lord for an amazing experience in Mexico. Thank you for allowing us to follow Your road.
Posted on
Monday, July 26, 2010
by Chris Wall