Croatian Migration 2019 Wednesday - Thursday

Hello Folks, Whirlwind continues and gathers speed to almost hurricane force blessings. What a pace we have kept these past 7 days. Crazy busy but still having time to build relationships and love them right where they are and they are asking why at each stop and during each event. It has been such a special time for the players and parents, from talking with host families, to the HiS PRINT team and other supporters who have come out to several of the events and games, to new friends we have made throughout this adventure. Many of the Croatian leaders and parents have committed how much they have appreciated the hospitality and friendship shown while they have been here! Thanks to each of you for your prayer support through all of this and those who have had the opportunity to come out and support in person! It's truly an amazing display of Christ's love in action!  Below you will see all that has occurred since Tuesday and my last blog. I have tried to reduce the number of hits on your inbox and just cover the highlights over a few days, so that you can see the difference you are making! Wednesday Wednesday we hit the ground early with practice at the A's facility on Rabb Road. What a blessing Ricky Watkins and the Houston A's organization has been in allowing us to practice on their fields most mornings and to also organize games for us to play against their different level of teams! After practice we headed to Chick fil A in Pearland to reload our stomachs and provide enough fuel to handle Urban Air Indoor Entertainment Park. Wow, what a huge success that was, the kids (and many parents and coaches) went from jumping on trampolines, dunking basketballs, riding go karts, running through mazes, doing high ropes element obstacle courses to riding a zip line for the next 4 hours! Wow what a blast if was for me to witness the smiles and hear the screams of joy come from all of them! As far as the kids were concerned, we just came to Disneyland and they could stay there for the duration of their time!! Thursday Thursday was another day of activities, but at a slower pace. We started the day later so everyone could catch up on sleep, and then headed to NRG for a tour of the Texans and Rodeo Houston. That place is so large that you almost get lost in the vastness of its size. After the tour we headed to HBU to practice with the university team and take part in their pregame routine. What a huge blessing that was to witness. The Croatian players were paired with their position counterpart from HBU, so that the shortstops went with the shortstops and the outfielders went with the outfielders and so on. They performed the drills side by side and then took batting practice with them on the field. What a great example the HBU players and coaches put on for these young players and coaches. This was a huge success and something the players and coaches asked if they could do again. While there at on the field at HBU, The President of Houston Baptist University came out to the field and spoke to the Croatian team. He was such a blessing to share with them his and the universities gratitude for coming these 6,000 miles away and choose to spend it with them. The team presented him with an official Croatian North Little League shirt, which he accepted with honor. After practice we headed to Minute Maid Park to watch the Astros take on the Cleveland Indians, and although the Astros lost the time spent together and the enjoyment of watching a professional baseball game will be forever etched in their memories and bring a smile to their faces. Blessings to each of you and thanks again for your support. You are helping us plant seeds of Christ's love in the hearts of many. HE DID IT! David