The Baylor softball team traveled to Ghana December 28-January 6 to conduct introductory softball clinics to 300 children in Bouasi. Led by FCA Heart of Texas Director Ben Johnson and his wife Katherine, softball chaplain, Baylor head coach Glenn Moore and his squad partnered with FCA Ghana affiliate Vincent Asamoah to create a fun, encouraging environment to help kids feel comfortable learning a brand new sport, which opened doors to share the gospel while opening their own hearts to receive the love and joy from camp participants.

After the kids’ clinic, Johnson conducted a 3Dimensional Coaching training for fifteen local coaches that followed with conducting an actual softball clinic for these coaches to implement what they learned.

“To be able to connect those coaches and see them get how to talk to kids and come up with a plan for practice, what they do and how it can speak into the lives of their athletes, that can have the potential to really impact hundreds of kids long past when we’re able to come back,” Johnson said.

The team also visited a local chief who oversees 87 villages. In a miracle only explained by God, after seeing the work Asamoah does through his ministry, the chief donated seven acres of land for him to build a recreation center and church.

“This is a big deal for us to even go see this guy,” Johnson said. “The very next day, they’ve already cleared the perimeter with the city, and the chief himself gives us a tour of the place.”

Coach Moore’s team shared the game of softball, but more importantly, so was the love of God. In the smiles of the children and impromptu games of whiffle ball and breakout of songs, the joy of the Lord truly became the strength in Ghana. (Nehemiah 8:10)

Johnson and Moore hope to establish a solid foundation moving forward and praying about how God will connect them to other college softball teams to join with Asamoah’s vision for the people of his country.

Visit the Baylor softball blog for an in depth look at the Bears’ trip, and to learn more about FCA Ghana and how to get involved, visitghanafca.org. 

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Photos courtesy of Ben Johnson