Rev. Dan McMiller is in the Domican Republic (DR) March 2-9, 2010, to assist in theological education, confirmation classes and preaching for relief to missionary Rev. Ted Krey. The mission team is helping with Haiti relief.

March 3, 2010:

In Palmar Arriba today we had class with 50 baseball players at a ball field.

As we pulled up to the baseball field outside of left center, all the teenagers left their spots in the infield, outfield and the shade of the dugouts and sat down in the hot concrete stands in the sun. By the time Rev. Walter Ries and I walked over there, they were silent and sat perfectly attentive for the 20-minute sermon/devotion on the Lord's Supper. Two songs were sung before and one after, plus a prayer.

This was the last of about 30 such devotions based on the catechism. Some people are taking this back to their pastors with questions. Most of the players do not attend the young Lutheran mission, but it is growing fast. No one yelled "play ball," but once we were done they took their positions and the game between a local team and one from a neighboring village resumed.

This year one of these teenagers signed a contract with a major league baseball team for $400,000. His coach—with whom we visited—received a $40,000 cut. He actually asked Walter what to do with the money. He is poor. Walter told him to buy a little house, a little car and invest in a little business. The man did all three things. The other pastors in the community all asked for money. Walter did not.

The little stadium was built by Jose Reyes, who is from Palmar Arriba. He was the first one from there to play in the majors. We watched a full inning, visited with some of the players and then left.

We will be back there tonight for two more confirmation classes. I will then preach on the feeding of the 5,000. The little boy's bag lunch being multiplied by God—I just can't get that out of my head - how God multiplies our little gifts.

Tomorrow I will take a bus to Santo Domingo for classes with Wille and Joseph.