Summer of Que

As I type this, two of my children are sharing Christ with high schoolers in Argentina, two are at a church internship in California and EB is preparing to return from the States where she had some extended time with her family.   That has left Quentin and me here in Budapest.  It has been splendid.

Quentin loves baseball.  I left baseball after the MLB strike and the steroids scandal in the 90s.   But my son's untainted and innate passion for the game has brought me back to the love of my youth, both as a little league father and as an MLB fan.  Sometimes our lives are like something out of the movie, "Field of Dreams" where we talk and talk and talk baseball.   Below is one of the classic moments in James Earl Jones' long cinematic career.    If you share our passion for baseball, then you will understand why this clip is classic. 

People Will Come
Field of Dreams at MOVIECLIPS.com

Quentin also loves playing baseball. Granted, little league is not nearly as developed here in Europe as it is in the States. But there are leagues and camps and chances to play.   Recently, Quentin represented Hungary at a tournament in the Czech Republic.  Quentin was one of the youngest players in the tournament yet held his own.  I loved every pitch, every swing, every hit, every run, every out.   

Quentin only pitched one inning in the tournament but struck out two.  I love his cheeks in this pic.

Quentin had a good swing at this pitch that resulted in a solid base hit.  Note the baseball in the upper left corner. 

It hasn't been all baseball.  Just last week we escaped the heat of Budapest and hiked in the Slovakian mountains for several days.   We hiked with some friends and spent the night in a chalet high up in the mountains.   Even though non-existent in the Rockies of the American West, these chalets are common place in the mountains of Europe.   Here is a quick video that highlights our hike. 

Next week I will travel to the Black Sea and teach from Matthew's gospel to a group of summer Ukrainian missionaries.  This week my main focus is preparing for those sessions.   As much as I love my family, baseball and the mountains, teaching Bible is my great passion because it allows me to exalt my Lord.  Thank you for your involvement in our lives in the mission field.  And thank you for letting me get personal in one of our blog postings.