A pick up baseball game has started in the open field next to the row houses we have just completed painting, and I am eager to play. After all, I did play baseball for nine years and would love the competition. I had always heard of how skilled the Dominicans are at baseball, and wanted to experience it first hand.
Our team is first to bat, and after the initial hitters I am up to bat. The pitcher glares at me, and throws his first pitch. It is a curve ball that had a break with a break (curve) like I have never witnessed in my baseball experience. The ball glides over the “plate” (a plastic bag) for a strike. I stare a little dumbfounded at the pitcher and his skill, to which he snickers a bit. Being able to judge and predict a pitch in baseball was always my “thing,” and so I expect him to throw another curveball again mainly because I was so bewildered at the first one.
He winds up and releases his pitch. The ball sails out me and I start to see the break. I swing with all my might, and crack the rubber ball with a dull thud. The ball quickly sails away over the road far away from where we are playing. Instantly, I knew it was a homerun, but (to my dismay) they ruled it a ground rule double. I don’t argue, because I am just having fun. And then the guilt sets in.
Why am I having fun? Should I be having fun? Last year I had such an immense change after witnessing the amount of poverty, and now I was joining in a pick up baseball game and having…fun? I didn’t know what to think.
That evening, I went to our trip director, Kim Costanza, and admitted my guilt to him. “Kim,” I said, “the poverty punched me in the face last year. I had witnessed nothing like it, and yet this year I am not feeling the same thing. I am having…fun.”
Kim looked at me and smiled. He answered, “I went through the same experience on my second trip. There is a reason behind what you feel: you now see people, and not poverty.” I knew he was right. Here I had just finished painting and enjoying the Dominican/Haitian people, and was now enjoyed them even more through play. I no longer saw the need, but a person created in the very image of God. I was delighting in and glorifying God by sharing in this baseball experience with the Dominicans and Haitians; giving them a break from their lives so we can both glorify God through play.
When people asked me how this trip compares to last year’s trip, I always respond, “Different, but equally as powerful.” And that it was. Praise be to God!
DR Financial Update
To give you a quick update on the Dominican Republic Trip, we have raised $24,600 of $28,600!!! That is 86% of our desired goal!!! If you would like to help support the seventeen students on this trip, please make a separate check out to:
Bellefield Presbyterian Church
Attn: Dominican Republic Trip
4001 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pa 15213
Lives were certainly changed on this trip!
Why We Do What We Do
Returning to the Dominican Republic for my second year with Cornerstone, I thought I knew what to expect. I had been exposed to extreme poverty, I had been broken down and force-fed reality, and I had experienced the culture shock of a lifetime. I thought I knew what poverty was. I thought I knew what kind of work God was going to do. I thought I knew just how He was going to break me again. But it didn’t take long into day 1 of the trip for me to realize; I was just as clueless as the first time around.
I went into this experience thinking I was going to help a disadvantaged people. I thought that I had something that they didn’t—that I was more blessed than them because I live in America and we have money and food and cars and technology. But when I took an honest look at any Dominican church service, it became much more difficult to assign the role of “the needy”. Yes, the Dominican and Haitian peoples are in need of food and shelter and basic resources; but I would argue, Americans have a need equally as great. Physically we are healthy, but spiritually many of us are sicker than ever. I had been consistently reading my bible and going to church and I thought that God and I were right on track. Then I went on this trip only to realize that my relationship with God had become dry and passionless. My fervor and excitement for God and the life he has given me paled in comparison to those surrounding me.
To see that some of the children I spent time with (despite living in what I would define as grossly disadvantaged conditions) had a firmer grasp and understanding of God’s love than I (living in privilege) was a truly humbling experience. At first glance, they have all the reason in the world to be a society of sadness and pain, but when we step into the villages and especially churches, the joy they find in God and his promise is so real. They shout out for Him. They jump for Him. They dance for Him. And it was all so contagious. I had been cheating myself out of an honest happiness by limiting my worship and relationship with God to society’s expectations. By the end of the week, the happiness that I had originally found in Christ was repaired and amplified. I’m back in the US with a renewed sense of His unfailing love and in awe of just how many ways he is able to deliver that love to His creations worldwide.
As you can see from the chart, our support has increased $2,900, which is 90% of our desired goal. You may have also noticed that our desired goal has changed from $2,900 to $3,200. The reason that this has increased is because of a raised that I have received. It is because of all of you, I have been raising this support so I can minister to students like Nicole through trips like the Dominican Republic. However, we are always looking for new supporters that help make this ministry possible. Now that I have gotten a raise, this is more important than ever! If God leads you to do so, we would love for you to be a part of this ministry through gift and/or prayer. I am asking that my current supporters give an extra 10% on top of their usual giving. This will help to make up the difference from what I currently make and from my goal. We trust for you and for us that God will provide. He always has, and He always will. Remember that any gift is a good gift. We thank you, and may God bless you richly because you have given to advance His kingdom! Please be in prayer that God will continue to build our support team and that we would be faithful in doing our part.
Moore News
On March 21st, we celebrated Joshua’s 3rd birthday. We had a small party with family and friends on the 19th, where he had a football themed party, which was his choice. Benjamin tried to heavily influence the theme by convincing Josh to change it to a “sports” party, but Josh wouldn’t budge. My parents, Emily’s mom, my sister and her family, and our friends Jenny and Clay all came out to celebrate his birthday. He thoroughly enjoyed the party, company, presents, and cake with the happiness and awe that only Joshua can provide. Joshua remains the most energetic and go-lucky of our boys…and the most mischievous. He, along with Benjamin and Asher, keep us constantly busy, yet constantly entertained.
As the semester is getting closer to an end (in three weeks), I find myself becoming increasingly busy. Please be in prayer for the stresses that come along with business.
We are so blessed to have people like you all in our lives, and cannot thank you enough! God Bless!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
