By: Jake Wright – August 25, 2015, Special for DP
My name is Jake Wright and I am a senior LHP/OF from Chester High School and Icommitted to the University of South Carolina to play baseball my junior year. I am a huge fan of the Diamond Prospects organization and have participated in many events over the years.When I was asked to write an article about the Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s (FCA) baseball mission trip to the Dominican Republic, I was grateful to be able to share my experience with the organization and its followers. Thanks to Coach Joe Hudak and the FCA, this was my third trip to the Dominican. If you know me, you know how much I love baseball, but Jesus Christ is so much more important to me than baseball. He has forever changed my life, and it is only because of HIM that I can play the game of baseball.
I was the youngest person on this trip because my age group went while my family and I were on a mission trip in Haiti. I went with the Piedmont Pride baseball team – a group of college players from around the country. In the mornings we played baseball games against very talented Dominican teams, which included some former professional players. After the games, we gathered together and had the opportunity to share Jesus Christ and our testimonies with the other players. This gave us a chance to see what life was like for the Dominican players, and to make a connection with them.
Although there are vast differences in our countries and culture, we still had so many things in common. It always amazes me to see the love of Jesus overcome the language barrier and allow us, through interpreters, to speak to them about their salvation. We had to establish a relationship or “common ground” with them first by playing a baseball game. In the afternoons, we visited schools, orphanages and a sugar cane village. It humbles me to see the children’s’ smiles and hear their laughter, despite their hardships.
Here are some of the “highlights” from each day:
Day 1– My first day started with a Bible study where we talked about how players should react on the baseball field. Our FCA leader, Scotty Rouse said, “How we act on the field is REALLY who we are as a person”. As baseball players or coaches, we can all relate to this quote because in the game, as in life, we face all kinds of failures and surprises. Our reaction to these things is what defines us as a person and a player. Our true colors show when we face failures. God wants us to have good attitudes and mental focus and to be hungry for the next at bat or pitch. After the Bible study we visited a school for underprivileged kids and painted their faces as a fun activity for them. It was incredible to see how something so simple could make them happy. After that, we went to a local baseball field where kids were waiting to meet us and watch us practice.
Day 2 – Our morning devotion was about endurance and everything that Jesus endured for us on the cross. We played two baseball games that day. My teammate, Andy Santana, is originally from the Dominican Republic. He now plays shortstop for Geneva College in Pittsburgh, PA. He got to see his family again for the first time in two years. This was really special for him and it was an honor to meet his dad.
Day 3– We didn’t have baseball games scheduled for this day. We went to a boy’s orphanage and I got to see some of the kids that I’ve met on previous trips. Two years ago, I met a little boy named Stephen. He is eleven years old and is one of the most talented kids I’ve seen. He plays shortstop and can switch-hit. It wouldn’t surprise me if he plays professional baseball when he is older. We made a connection when we met two years ago, so to be able to see him again this year was the highlight of my trip! He was very happy to see me and he didn’t leave my side for the whole two hours we spent at the orphanage.
Day 4 – We had a game this day and won 6-5 against a very talented Dominican team. One of my teammates gave his testimony after the game. His testimony was very inspirational. We also went to a girl’s orphanage and played baseball with them using a tennis ball and a wooden 2×4. After that, we went to a church event with the girls where there was music and dancing. It was great seeing them having so much fun, and the presence of the Lord was very real in the church.
Day 5– We played and won our last game for the week. After the game, I got to share my testimony. I told them how Jesus had given me a fresh start, and that he would do the same for them, as well. I explained to them how they could become a Christian, and they seemed to really be listening to what I was saying. After the game, we went to the sugar cane village. This was a small community, but it was full of excitement and energy. A little boy stayed on my shoulders wanting me to run nearly the whole time. I had met this little boy before, so it was great to see him again. We had a great time just playing with the kids.
Day 6 – This was our last full day in the Dominican Republic, since the next day would be spent getting ready to go to the airport and traveling. We went to church and had a great worship service and listened to the pastor. I had a lady sitting beside me to translate what the pastor was saying. It is always awesome to worship with the Dominicans. After church, we went back to the house we were staying at for lunch and then went to the beach.
This was a wonderful trip that will forever impact my life as well as the lives of the others that went with me. Our team won every game that week, but that was not the most important part. The most important part was the mission work we did for Christ. He just allowed us to do that through the great game of baseball! If you are reading this and do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I encourage you to find someone to talk to about this. It will be the most important decision of your life.