Players helping Dominicans

[triangletiger 1,599]

This is a good story that should make us all feel proud of our team.

http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/aub/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/070517aaa.htmlSEARCH

 

July 5, 2017

 

 

In May, Auburn football players, Coach Gus Malzahn and members of the FCA staff spent the beginning of their summer break in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. A trip led by team chaplain Chette Williams, the team had many opportunities to interact directly with the communities. One of the more impactful stops on the itinerary were the days spent building, preparing and distributing clean water filters and solar light packets.

"What I took away from the trip is to be appreciative of everything, because they're living with no air conditioning, no clean water, no light and they don't complain. They're still happy, they're still smiling," senior defensive back Stephen Roberts said. "We have a lot to be grateful for. Like water, I never have to think about clean water, and they don't really have clean water. I hope other people can take a trip like this and have their lives changed as well."

"They say disease brought on by consuming unclean water is the greatest cause of death in the Dominican Republic. A lot of times they eat using the water that they bathe in, bathe their animals in, wash their clothes in—they drink it and use it to cook. So the water filters make it 99.9 percent pure."
-- John Franklin III

"With the size of the group we had, it didn't take us long to make twenty or so water filters to give out to families who earned them. It was a neat process because to them (clean water) is the world. Those kids may forget about us, but they won't forget about their clean water. That's just something that could last them for who knows how long."
-- Kerryon Johnson

"We were drilling holes into the buckets for the water to transfer down to the bottom bucket. This was a special moment to me because I felt like I took a part in creating it. When we delivered the filters, just seeing the reaction on the family's faces -- how they were smiling and running up to us, hugging us, and, just so appreciative. What we were doing to give them clean water, that was just amazing for me."
-- Deshaun Davis

DL Dontavius Russell and PK Daniel Carlson drain and assemble the filters before they are inserted into the buckets. Many non-profits work to fund and provide these clean water filters for Dominican and Haitian families for as low as $55 per kit. (Source: International Ministries)

"Tucker (Brown), Darius (James) and I were having competitions to see who could put on those little stickers the best. It was a lot of fun just hanging out and getting to do some work and help out these different families and villages that need so much. It was really humbling to be a part of."
-- Daniel Carlson

"There were so many families who didn't have a single light in their house. They try not to use candles because there was a big house fire there that burnt down something like 53 houses. The only thing they had was the light coming from outside, so at night it's hard to get things done. When we turned the light on, her eyes lit up, like she had never seen one before. It was just awesome to give her that light, and show her a bigger light in the world as well."
-- Kerryon Johnson

"This guy, that we delivered a solar light to, was a single parent of two girls. That was kind of big, seeing a father actually taking care of his kids. He just wanted us to pray for him. He was not actually a Christian, but he did say he believed in God."
-- Deshaun Davis

 

[3rdgeneration 6,076]

Way to go guys.  We are proud of you!

[AUpreacherman22 3,564]

That's awesome!!!  I have spent some time making water filters in the DR as well. It is a humbling and very rewarding experience. I love the DR people!

[corchjay 5,311]

God Bless and help all the starving, thirsty and sick people of the world.  It will get worse one day for nations like ours as well.  Trust in the Lord Jesus to provide and he will for eternity.  

[boisnumber1 2,735]

Great example of doing unto the least of these.

[AU-24 3,060]

Great job Gus and family, AU team, and International Ministries!

[JDUBB4AU 4,636]

What a blessing 

[PowerOfDixieland 3,121]

8 hours ago, AUpreacherman22 said:

That's awesome!!!  I have spent some time making water filters in the DR as well. It is a humbling and very rewarding experience. I love the DR people!

Yessir!  I Was in Boca Chica DR this past spring involved with a group which raised $25,000 for a water filtration plant and started the foundation for an educational/training facility for young men. Lots of really great ministry groups doing lots of great work to help empower the local people to help themselves.  They've got to own it or it's just enabling.

 Please don't just read this story and applaud, do something...anything.  If you're not part of the solution, you ought to be.

[AUpreacherman22 3,564]

Preach it, POD!!!

That's Very cool!  When I go, I work with Score International in Juan Dolio. I think that's pretty close to Boca Chica. 

[WarTim 3,346]

God Bless them all. 

[McLoofus 35,182]

Looks like a lot of team leaders in those pictures. I love seeing that one of them is JFIII. 

[AU64 10,122]

30 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

Looks like a lot of team leaders in those pictures. I love seeing that one of them is JFIII. 

Yep.  FCA doing good work....who would have thought it.   

Good leadership examples abound in Auburn athletics....nice to see some recognition for what Chet W is doing to help these men and women with their personal growth. 

[Tiger 8,639]

I'm glad our guys are able to help others and also the perspective they will gain from a trip like this is invaluable.

[aufan57 922]

Nice article & pics about Chandler Cox and his experience in the Dominican Republic

Quote

'They called me John Cena' Chandler Cox becomes big kid in Dominican

 

July 6, 2017

 

"I walked into the classroom and everyone started yelling, "John Cena!"

From the minute Chandler Cox arrived in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, he felt his inner kid emerge. During the week-long trip, there was rarely a moment, Cox wasn't completely surrounded by young faces. It could have been because of mistaken identity with the famous American wrestler, or it could have been the obvious instant connection he had with the joyous children of the Dominican.

"We spent the first day in a village called Hole of the Pigs. It was really special getting to hang with the kids. I wish I had known my Spanish better so I could have talked with them directly. They're just such cute kids and so full of life.

"We only planned on being there for about an hour but we ended up staying for about three hours because the kids were so fun. I was showing the kids snapchat and the filters where you can put different images on your face. They had never seen anything like it and were all so amazed and excited at how it could change their faces."

"Their classroom was a good learning environment. I could tell they loved going to school. I believe the kids enjoy going to school because it's a lot nicer than where they live. They actually have doors and windows and they get food and water."

"One thing I noticed is that the kids in the Dominican loved the camera, they kept saying, 'let's take another picture.' The kids are very affectionate. They want to be loved. They want to be held and talked to. I love to work with kids, so this is where I could serve best.

"They kept asking us when we were coming back to play. It was an amazing time to have fellowship with them. It really opened up the eyes of our team because the kids were all so grateful for what they had."

"This was one of our last days when we were delivering solar lights for their huts. When we walked in, the kids immediately started jumping on us. You don't even have to say anything to them, they just grab your hand. That's what this little boy wanted. He wanted to be picked up and be loved. That's what the kids are looking for there. They just want to be loved and I loved getting to spend time with them.

"We were walking down the pathway and this little boy jumped in my arms. He saw the camera and immediately wanted to take a picture. He ended up staying with me the entire rest of the day. He was really excited that he was able to see the picture after we took it so he could see himself."

"They love running around and playing games. We were doing very basic things but they were so excited to do be doing them with us. It was just a field of grass and we were running around for hours. John Franklin and Stephen Roberts were racing, and the kids were loving it."

"This is Chenon (left of Chandler). This was the hardest moment for me because I had a connection with him. He was so fun and loving. At one point, I took Chenon on top of the hill where our cars were parked and put him in to feel the air conditioner. He had never felt it before. He put his hand up on the vent and I gave him a bottle of water. I wanted him to have what I have. That was when I realized that I want to go back. I want to help and hopefully make enough money some day so I can give more to their community."

"My big takeaway from this trip is just to be grateful for the little things. For the water, clothes and shoes that we have. They have nothing and we have everything in America. Everything is beautiful for us and these kids don't know any different. Be grateful. Always love one another and enjoy each day.

"It was a life changing experience for me, and I knew it was going to be. I loved seeing what it did to some of the guys on our team.

"It was an experience of a lifetime and something I will always take with me."

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