Ekipe Vs. Vila

After a month plus of rain, flash floods, digging drainage ditches, and washed out bridges and roads,

the big day finally came. The first matchup between Team Ekipe and Port Vila (Our country director's team). We piled into the camion singing take me out to the ballgame the whole way there. There were over 50 youngfala boys and papas from Ekipe that came with us or met us in Vila to watch Ekipe represent North Efate.

The game commenced at about 2pm. Team Ekipe was nervous. They saw the size of "The Port Vila Independants" and immediately became worried. A number of the kids on Vila's team are on the back end of their growth spurts while most of Team Ekipe is just starting theirs. I reassurred them that the other team might be bigger, but it didn't mean they were better. I told them they had practiced hard for the last four months and that they would do fine. They seemed doubtful, but fortunately as the visiting team we got to hit first. The hits started falling right away and after a couple errors, Ekipe realized they weren't outmatched.

It was a great game back and forth, lots of lead changes. Lots of errors on both sides. One of the Port Vila players hit a towering home run over the center fielders head, fortunately no one was on base. after a short rain delay and a bunch of muddy slides and collisions between players we decided to go five innings. Ekipe had a five run lead in the bottom of the fifth. 2 Runs scored with two outs after a controversial play at third base in which Ekipe's third baseman dropped the ball after applying the tag. The Ekipe cheering section thought the game was over and erupted into cheering as they stormed the field. Umpire Seth Dallman had to send them back to their seats so we could continue the game. The error left the bases loaded and The Independants down by three. The hitter for the Independants was clearly looking for a walk as he watched strike three go by to end the game.

Hot dogs were had all around, and all 50 plus Ekipe villagers piled into the Camion and returned home. The 1.5 hr. ride was celebratory singing the whole way home. We disturbed a number of villages on the way back to Ekipe with our hooting, hollering, and singing.

The whole Ekipe crew. Here's a fun game "Where's white man?" just like "Where's Waldo?" only easier

A great game, can't wait for the rematch next month in Ekipe.

A big thanks to everyone who has donated equipment to our project it is well used and loved already.

Ruth Bradford Johnson, Todd Johnson, Adam Hinkle, Nate (sorry, don't know your last name or your friends' who sent the lefty glove) and Karri, Who am I missing? Ruth maybe you could add the names of others that have contributed, I'd like to send some thank you's out but need their addresses, please email them to me if you have them.

Love always Javi