In the Heat of the Day

Nicaragua.  This month we are working with New Song Mission Nicaragua.  It is a very relational ministry and we spend a lot of time getting to know people in the community and spending time with them.  There are a lot of kids in the neighborhood that we are able to play sports with or just run around and spray water at each other.  I also got to officially join the church softball team, which has been fun.  But, holy mother of oppressive heat.  Let me give an example.  So, yesterday we had a game at 1pm, not high noon, but lets be honest- close enough.  Temperatures were somewhere in the 90s with not a cloud in the sky to at least provide a little shade/relief from the blazing sun.  In Wisconsin if it is 60 degrees at the end of April, I’m in shorts and a t-shirt and pretty much ready to hit the pool it seems so warm.  Therefore when it is 90 plus degrees outside, I feel like I am in an oven slowly roasting down to a nice dehydrated state.  So yesterday, already just standing outside is causing me to sweat profusely and then the coach asks can you play catcher for us?  Why yes, I would love to put on a chest protector and a face mask because I am not sweating enough already.  Chin sweat much?  So, anyway I did in fact play catcher and it actually was more fun than originally anticipated.  My knees aren’t exactly loving me today, but I feel like it was worth it.  Playing catcher definitely helps me continually pay attention to what is happening in the game.  I had a couple of good at bats and we didn’t lose too badly.  All in all, a good game.  So, the game ends and I was like okay that was fun.  I was pretty tired and more than ready for a cold shower.  And then I learned an important piece of information.  We were playing a double header.  Oh good whole nother game in the blazing heat.  Pass me a tepid Gatorade please.  So after a short rest, I regrouped and had a pretty good second game too.  I love how sports make it easy to break through cultural and language barriers.  Softball is softball whether here or in the US.  I feel like throughout this trip I have found sports to be a good common ground.  Plus playing sports is just fun, so I’m all about it.  Now enjoy some pictures:

    

Yahaira and I before the game.

 

I blend right in with the team.  Can’t you tell?

 

Maintaining a crouched position for 4 hours yesterday equals super sore quadriceps today.  And by sore I mean I am hobbling about feeling elderly.

 

Here is another pseudo action shot.  This is right before I crushed the ball.  I am certain of it.  But let us also utilize this picture to talk about my attire.  Starting at the top- I am wearing my awesome fake Puma hat that I got at the market for $4.  The jersey Coach Manuel gave me right before the game.  It was a bit larger than other jerseys I’ve worn in the past and had a lingering scent of cologne.  And last but not least, how awesome are those red pants?  Also Manuel’s, and I may or may not have torn a hole in the left knee by sliding into 3rd base on the gravel infested field.  Oops. 

It was a great day for softball!