Where do I begin to tell of this experience? I will let the few pictures I have here tell about the Baseball Bootcamp that FCA ran in Niles, MI.
Boys from both Niles and from inner city Chicago neighborhoods joined together for a weekend to learn baseball skills and hear about Jesus. It was also a family affair for the Johaniks, as three of the boys participated in the camp, Jake hauled tables and water coolers, I helped with administrative things, and Ruthie took care of this super cute yellow lab puppy named Daisy. (Ruth and Daisy were inseparable all weekend.)
Peter was happy to have his friend Anthony join us as well.
Jim and Derek rented a 15-passenger van as a backup plan in case there were any transportation issues once everyone was in MI. As it turned out, God had already been preparing Jim for the unexpected, and they would end up needing that van much sooner than they anticipated. They pulled up to the pickup spot in Chicago with breakfast for the expected 25-30 boys from the Near West Little League. Instead of 30 boys, though, there were 50 boys, all excited to spend the weekend in Niles, MI. The 15-passenger van was filled, along with a bus and another van, donated by nearby Chicago Hope Academy.
Now the question arose: How will we feed and house all these boys for 2 1/2 days? All the preparations had been done. The sleeping arrangements for the boys were already in place. But God knew ahead of time how many boys would come, and He knew all their needs. “In Your goodness, O God, You provided for the needy.” (Psalm 68:10)
We observed an all-in, on-board mindset in the Janowskis, who didn’t blink an eye at the almost doubled number of expected house guests. The community of Niles gathered to provide bus transportation to and from the baseball field; provide showers at the local YMCA and middle school; provide an outstanding fish fry meal Friday night; and provide ongoing helping hands to cook, serve and clean up every meal.
A snapshot of the first dinner at the Janowskis:
In this next picture, the man on the left is Jimmy Brawley. He headed up all the baseball coaching for three days. He loves kids and loves baseball. He is standing with his parents. They are the fish fry folks. They donated hundreds of bluegill (caught themselves), onion rings, salads and desserts.
Grandpa Brawley walked around the tables with a tray full of homemade onion rings, and asked, “Did you get enough to eat? If not, you know who’s fault that is, don’t ya?”
We sensed a softening of the boys’ attitudes when they saw the grand dinner setup and experienced being served and loved so much.
Meanwhile, as everyone ate, the big Janowski/Johanik boys were quietly setting up fireworks down by the river. After the sun went down that night, they put on a massive fireworks show for the boys.
All throughout the days, the boys heard testimonies from various coaches about how Jesus has changed their lives. How He has given them hope, peace, purpose. But some of the most powerful times were in the Janowskis’ pavilion down by the St. Joseph River.
After hearing about God’s Son, Jesus, dying on the cross for them; and a call to confess and turn away from their sin, every boy there prayed to receive Him as their Savior.
Other highlights of the weekend: good ol’ Chick-fil-a donated lunch on Saturday.
We got a team picture of the 50 Chicago boys and 43 Niles boys.
Derek got to know some of the Near West Little League-ers.
It’s hard not to be moved with compassion when you hear their stories.
We went ATVing, because you can’t visit the Janowskis and not ride an ATV.
Saturday night, the boys played relays, had more time in the pavilion, and roasted marshmallows to make s’mores.
Jake was able to have some lengthy conversations with a couple of the adults from Chicago. James is one of the coaches for the little league. He and Jake bonded talking about biking.
Ruth was sad to have to say goodbye to her new friend. She asked more than once if we could bring Daisy home.
We look back on this experience last weekend with great joy, praying that the seeds which were sown would take root and grow up and bear much fruit among the 50 boys who were there.
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:9-10)
I find myself thinking about a few of the boys who stood out to me and pray for them by name. God prepared this weekend in advance, and I am confident that what He began in these young men He will be faithful to complete.
