Road Weary Pilgrim

I’ve just returned from a very rewarding baseball road trip to Lansing, Michigan and Detroit. The Blue Jays’ low A farm team, the Lugnuts, play at Oldsmobile Field in Lansing, a beautiful ballpark. On Wednesday evening before the game I was able to spend some time with David Corrente, a fellow Canadian, and one of the Lugnuts’ catchers. I’ve known Dave for several years now and it was good to visit with him.

Thursday morning I enjoyed breakfast with Rolando Quiroga, one of our Baseball Chapel leaders with the Lugnuts. Rolando is building relationships with the Latin American players and is doing a great work in Lansing. I certainly enjoyed my time with him.

Thursday evening David Corrente’s parents drove over to the game from Chatham, Ontario and I had the pleasure of meeting them for the 1st time. Following the game…it was Christian Family Night…the Christian band Building 429 (based on Ephesians 4:29) presented a concert and I joined David and his parents, John and Linda, in the visiting team’s dugout where we were blown away by the volume. The group was excellent though.

Friday afternoon I drove down to Detroit to watch the Jays battle the Tigers. The Correntes came back over from Chatham and joined me at the game. While I was picking up the tickets the father of an ex Peterborough Pete (James Edgar) saw me and stopped to chat. He told me where their seats were so I went over and visited James, his girlfriend and his parents during the game. It’s always great to stay in touch with former Petes. Following the game the Jays’ strength and conditioning coach, Donovan Santas, and their head trainer, George Poulis, came up to my hotel room for some fellowship, Bible study and prayer.

Saturday evening the Tigers’ Baseball Chapel leader, Jeff Totten, and I had dinner together and “talked shop”. Jeff has faithfully ministered to the Detroit ballclub since 1990.

Sunday morning Jeff conducted chapels for the Blue Jays and then the Tigers and I had the pleasure of sitting in on both services. Following the chapels Jeff prayed with the umpires and then treated me to a sumptuous feast of ribs! Wow, were they good!

As I made the long drive home on Sunday afternoon I was grateful to God for the wonderful opportunity He has given me over these last 29 seasons to minister on the front lines of the baseball world. It was a good five (5) days but I was glad to get home.

Thanks for your ongoing prayer support, my friends!

David