kids on first

this past week was a step in the right direction for our baseball program. I was able to visit some schools and talk to them about our baseball program. It is always fun to visit the schools where kids love to eat, talk and touch. We went from class to class showing everyone the new soft baseball. Many people are afraid of getting hurt with a baseball, so I bring our new soft baseball and bouce it off of everyone’s head to show that it doesn’t hurt. The kids laugh and laugh and then we are able to invite them to come play every saturday…and have fun!! After visiting two schools, handing out flyers, we visited a primary school in Las Palmas. We will start an after school baseball program in this community which will give these kids something to do while their parents are often working. I will meet with them again this week to get the ball rolling…literally.

Saturday was great playing with the kids and seeing alot of new faces. The kids are thrilled to have someone give them some attention and are learning alot. As I struggle with the fact that we have been here over a year and still have no baseball fields for kids…I realize that the kids are having fun even if the conditions are not what they could be.

“Kids first” will always be my motto as I continue to reach out to them one at a time.

missions in Cabo?

When you hear of someone doing “missions” in Cabo San Lucas, you might find yourself thinking (maybe not out loud), why there? why a resort town? From a westerner’s perspective, specifically someone from the US, when we think of missions, or global missions, most often we think of far off places where no American has ever been. A place where tourism doesn’t abound, where English isn’t a commonly heard language, where there aren’t beautiful beaches and resorts that infiltrate the local community’s landscape. But for some, specifically GRIP international, a place like Cabo is just the place to reach out a hand and offer friendship and care. In a place like Cabo, many times the hurt, the poverty, the poor care of the underprivileged is masked by consumerism, tourism, government development, population growth, nice hotels, pretty beaches, and lots of beautiful handmade artifacts and trinkets to take back to your hometown. GRIP saw through the facade, a group of people who deserve the best, hard-working people, who need a helping hand.

Found on the english version of the Baja California government website was this statement:

“Migrating people arrive to Baja California with the intention of a temporary stay, expecting to later immigrate to the U.S.A., and when they do not accomplish it, the majority decides to reside here permanently. This is the reason why one of each two habitants is born in another State or country”.

Cabo is a land of opportunity, but sometimes not all dreams come true. Many people migrate to Cabo for work in hopes to “get ahead”: to move to the US where visions of greener grasss lie, maybe it’s to give their kids a better education, or maybe it’s just to get a job when it was difficult elsewhere. Immigrating to the states can be very difficult, and many don’t make it.

Many of the people of Cabo have basic needs that are not met everyday: nutritious food, fare wages, childcare while parents work, the presence of a father figure for children, access to free school and education, and many health needs. This is not to say that the government is not trying, but poverty exists as it does all over the world. GRIP can’t solve all these social problems, so lending a helping hand means providing kids with a fun activity, that is safe, healthful, and enjoyable. A place where kids can laugh, be mentored by adults, get exercise and learn how to work together.

Baseball is the name of the game. Helping people is the vision. The location- it could be anywhere- but for GRIP, it’s Cabo.

 

The history of baseball in Mexico

Many of us have heard of Latin Americans playing baseball in the states, but what you might not know is that baseball has been in Mexico for over a century. Check out this site to learn more about how it all began!

While it may be more likely to see kids in Mexico running around playing with a soccer ball, or futbol, there are a few kids with a ball and bat. GRIP wants to contribute to the legacy of baseball in Mexico. Do you want to be a part of it too?

Back in Cabo

It was a grueling trip back down the baja, but Mike arrived safely thanks to the prayers of many.
The most difficult part of the trip was when Mike left Portland alone and drove through the night.
He had to pull off in several rest areas to try and catch some winks. After a good nights rest in
Tustin, he and brother-in-law Darrel headed down the Baja. They arrived safely after 24 hours, thanks
to the prayers of many. They made it in just ahead of a threat of another tropical storm expected to
hit Cabo. Fortuntely that never materialized.
After a few days to recoop, Mike is hard at work, cleaning up after lots of rain. He has had lots of meetings
with the local folks there and many are anxious to get the baseball program up and running for the fall.
It is extremely hot and muggy but hopefully the weather will be cooling down in a few weeks.
Kathy and Annie are scheduled to be back on the 16th of Oct.

We appreciate your prayers over the next couple weeks. There are multiple things that need to be completed
before our return to Cabo.
God is so good and faithful so we trust in His strength for each day!

Kathy