Thursday, March 31, 2016
Video Done
A link to the 2016 video on Youtube can be found on the right side of this page. Hope you enjoy!
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Epilogue 2016
By now the team has adjusted to "normal life" back at home. It was only 8 days that we were away but as the experience is the combination of physical, mental, and spiritual the effects are more pronounced than say your typical week-long vacation. This is most evident in team members that have not been on this journey before.
As any member will tell you, this trip has the power to change a person. We go to the DR for one primary purpose: to preach the salvation of Jesus. But along the way we also get preached to. We go to bless but we also get blessed. It's one of the benefits that most do not realize. With that said, however, we must keep the stories, faces, sights, sounds, and smells of our experience at our core. It does the Spirit no good to experience it and then forget. Our memories should shape our future. Our boldness for Jesus should not remain the the DR.
The spiritual highlights of the trip included:
- 6 separate showings of the Jesus Film with a message and worship to follow
- witnessing to the prisoners
- witnessing to hundreds of individuals wherever we went
- many shared testimonies and personal prayers
- passing out approximately 1200 individual gospel tracts
- disabled ministry
- blind ministry
The major financial expenditures of this trip included:
- 700 Bibles
- 1500 children's Bible story books
- 625# rice, 200# beans and 250 bottles of oil packaged into 250 individual family bags
- 3 concrete floors for churches
- 2 roofs for churches
- 1 well cistern
- 45 wheelchairs, a number of walkers and canes
- $5000 to support 2 separate year-round childrens feeding programs
- 200 bibles, 6 mattresses and pillows sent to Haiti
The work is great and the workers few but we do what we can with what we've been blessed with. The entire team would like to thank our supporters for their prayers and generous financial contributions. Without you our ministry would not be as effective as it is but because of you we have and will continue to make a difference in the DR in the name of Jesus.
As any member will tell you, this trip has the power to change a person. We go to the DR for one primary purpose: to preach the salvation of Jesus. But along the way we also get preached to. We go to bless but we also get blessed. It's one of the benefits that most do not realize. With that said, however, we must keep the stories, faces, sights, sounds, and smells of our experience at our core. It does the Spirit no good to experience it and then forget. Our memories should shape our future. Our boldness for Jesus should not remain the the DR.
The spiritual highlights of the trip included:
- 6 separate showings of the Jesus Film with a message and worship to follow
- witnessing to the prisoners
- witnessing to hundreds of individuals wherever we went
- many shared testimonies and personal prayers
- passing out approximately 1200 individual gospel tracts
- disabled ministry
- blind ministry
The major financial expenditures of this trip included:
- 700 Bibles
- 1500 children's Bible story books
- 625# rice, 200# beans and 250 bottles of oil packaged into 250 individual family bags
- 3 concrete floors for churches
- 2 roofs for churches
- 1 well cistern
- 45 wheelchairs, a number of walkers and canes
- $5000 to support 2 separate year-round childrens feeding programs
- 200 bibles, 6 mattresses and pillows sent to Haiti
The work is great and the workers few but we do what we can with what we've been blessed with. The entire team would like to thank our supporters for their prayers and generous financial contributions. Without you our ministry would not be as effective as it is but because of you we have and will continue to make a difference in the DR in the name of Jesus.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Back to Wisconsin
Saturday morning breakfast was the last taste of that incredibly ripe and sweet fruit. Pancakes were available and as some eggs were left over Pablo made omelets to order. We will sure miss his cooking; always on time, delicious, a nice variety, and nearly always Dominican.
The team wanted to leave around 8:30am and after final packing and weighing of suitcases we were set. The official team picture was taken in front of the bus and we said our goodbyes to Ruth and Pablo after Genesis led an emotional prayer. What servants to our Lord Ruth and Pablo have been through the years!
Pastor Anderson travelled with us and we met Nathaniel in the Capital after our usual trip to the tourist mall for assorted "needs". We had about an hour to tour an area of the Colonial City which included portions of the fort and some of the older buildings and streets. We are talking early 1500's here as the Dominican Republic was "discovered" by Columbus in 1492. Santo Domingo is the oldest European City in the Americas founded in 1496 by Columbus' brother Bartholomew. Looking at 500 year-old buildings and imagining who walked the streets never gets old.
Santo Domingo is a unique city of contrasts; old and new, rich and poor. It's large at 1.5 million inhabitants. It's bustling and hectic with winding narrow streets and the 500 year-old Colonial City contrasts with modern architecture in other areas. Seeing China Town in a hispanic country seems a bit out of place. Like the rest of the population in the DR the majority of the population is quite poor and when driving on either the main highways or side streets you see these contrasts; expensive SUV's passing carts propelled by a horse that seems only days from death. Dilapidated homes only a mile from near-mansions.
Farewells were had with Dean and Kim in Atlanta as they had a separate flight to Madison. The rest of the team landed uneventfully in Appleton around 8:45pm. Families greeted and last hugs were made.
Please continue to look to this blog for two future postings as it relates to the 2016 trip. The first is a recap which will include the list of major expenditures and accomplishments. The second will be a photo montage set to music.
Gloria A Jesus
The team wanted to leave around 8:30am and after final packing and weighing of suitcases we were set. The official team picture was taken in front of the bus and we said our goodbyes to Ruth and Pablo after Genesis led an emotional prayer. What servants to our Lord Ruth and Pablo have been through the years!
Pastor Anderson travelled with us and we met Nathaniel in the Capital after our usual trip to the tourist mall for assorted "needs". We had about an hour to tour an area of the Colonial City which included portions of the fort and some of the older buildings and streets. We are talking early 1500's here as the Dominican Republic was "discovered" by Columbus in 1492. Santo Domingo is the oldest European City in the Americas founded in 1496 by Columbus' brother Bartholomew. Looking at 500 year-old buildings and imagining who walked the streets never gets old.
Santo Domingo is a unique city of contrasts; old and new, rich and poor. It's large at 1.5 million inhabitants. It's bustling and hectic with winding narrow streets and the 500 year-old Colonial City contrasts with modern architecture in other areas. Seeing China Town in a hispanic country seems a bit out of place. Like the rest of the population in the DR the majority of the population is quite poor and when driving on either the main highways or side streets you see these contrasts; expensive SUV's passing carts propelled by a horse that seems only days from death. Dilapidated homes only a mile from near-mansions.
Farewells were had with Dean and Kim in Atlanta as they had a separate flight to Madison. The rest of the team landed uneventfully in Appleton around 8:45pm. Families greeted and last hugs were made.
Please continue to look to this blog for two future postings as it relates to the 2016 trip. The first is a recap which will include the list of major expenditures and accomplishments. The second will be a photo montage set to music.
Gloria A Jesus
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Firsts and Lasts
Our last full day (Friday) began with eggs, bacon, and fruit and then a drive to YWAM at 8am. Rodney the director is an American who rents us the downstairs of the house he lives in. We typically sit in to their morning worship feeling a sense of peace and praise with the uplifting music. As most of the students are Haitian some songs are sung in Creole; so powerful and beautiful with a bit exotic.
After worship we had our first first of this team: a baptism! With a bit of a surprise to the rest of the team Paul had arranged for the WYAM pool on the property to be filled so he could perform a double baptism on Brian and Kristi. He had a wonderful message and both Brian and Kristi had picked out a Bible verse. Chris read scripture and Shawn said the final prayer. It was witnessed by the team including Nathaniel, Wilfredo, Anderson, and Genesis. What a way to end their first mission trip together. They have both been a great example of the real potential of our youth when brought up in a Christian home. Their character, maturity, work ethic, and eagerness to serve have been outstanding for someone still in high school.
While Dan ran errands with Nathaniel, the rest of the team drove out to La Verada; another poor off-the-beaten-path village we have visited before. The elders were in the fields working but they know us well. We played with the kids, handed out tracts, left clothes, food, and bibles and showed the Jesus sketch on the iPad with a brief message. Last year at this village they found a tiny old lady sleeping on a pile of clothes in a corner of a house and left money for a new place to live. She was so excited to see the team and show them her casa. As last year, her hugs for Shawn fixed any back issues he may have had.
The second first of the day and for this team was lunch with the governor. You read that correctly: lunch + us + the Governor of Azua (Azua is also the name of the state, the second largest in the nation). As our influence and reputation grows the team has attracted attention. We met him and his team for a somewhat formal lunch in a nice restaurant. Basically he has heard good things, wanted to meet us, and determine if we could work together for the betterment of Azua. He is a Christian man so this new partnership should prove to be a real benefit for the future of the poor in Azua. Lunch was rice and beans, chicken, beef, pasta salad, and potatoes.
Today was Dean and Kim's turn on the radio. As we were with the governor during the normal broadcast time their discussion on biblical marriage was recorded for broadcast next week. It can be listened to through the internet.
There were a few hours the team left open in the afternoon and as most of the loose ends were tied up all but Dan and Chris took an hour to go to the ocean about 10 minutes away. The beach we go to is a less popular one and requires a hike. The scenery and water was just perfect.
The final night is always reserved for the team send-off party. This is a combination thank-you for our Dominican friends and for them to share their thanks and good-byes. About 70 well-dressed people (at least the Dominicans) were in attendance and consumed 17 pizzas, spaghetti, 4 cakes and much soda. Introductions, speeches of thanks, kidding, and prayers are said, and final alleluias are sung. Our last guests left some time well after 10 and our final debrief wrapped up around 11:30. Back to the Capitol tomorrow.
God is Great
After worship we had our first first of this team: a baptism! With a bit of a surprise to the rest of the team Paul had arranged for the WYAM pool on the property to be filled so he could perform a double baptism on Brian and Kristi. He had a wonderful message and both Brian and Kristi had picked out a Bible verse. Chris read scripture and Shawn said the final prayer. It was witnessed by the team including Nathaniel, Wilfredo, Anderson, and Genesis. What a way to end their first mission trip together. They have both been a great example of the real potential of our youth when brought up in a Christian home. Their character, maturity, work ethic, and eagerness to serve have been outstanding for someone still in high school.
While Dan ran errands with Nathaniel, the rest of the team drove out to La Verada; another poor off-the-beaten-path village we have visited before. The elders were in the fields working but they know us well. We played with the kids, handed out tracts, left clothes, food, and bibles and showed the Jesus sketch on the iPad with a brief message. Last year at this village they found a tiny old lady sleeping on a pile of clothes in a corner of a house and left money for a new place to live. She was so excited to see the team and show them her casa. As last year, her hugs for Shawn fixed any back issues he may have had.
The second first of the day and for this team was lunch with the governor. You read that correctly: lunch + us + the Governor of Azua (Azua is also the name of the state, the second largest in the nation). As our influence and reputation grows the team has attracted attention. We met him and his team for a somewhat formal lunch in a nice restaurant. Basically he has heard good things, wanted to meet us, and determine if we could work together for the betterment of Azua. He is a Christian man so this new partnership should prove to be a real benefit for the future of the poor in Azua. Lunch was rice and beans, chicken, beef, pasta salad, and potatoes.
Today was Dean and Kim's turn on the radio. As we were with the governor during the normal broadcast time their discussion on biblical marriage was recorded for broadcast next week. It can be listened to through the internet.
There were a few hours the team left open in the afternoon and as most of the loose ends were tied up all but Dan and Chris took an hour to go to the ocean about 10 minutes away. The beach we go to is a less popular one and requires a hike. The scenery and water was just perfect.
The final night is always reserved for the team send-off party. This is a combination thank-you for our Dominican friends and for them to share their thanks and good-byes. About 70 well-dressed people (at least the Dominicans) were in attendance and consumed 17 pizzas, spaghetti, 4 cakes and much soda. Introductions, speeches of thanks, kidding, and prayers are said, and final alleluias are sung. Our last guests left some time well after 10 and our final debrief wrapped up around 11:30. Back to the Capitol tomorrow.
God is Great
Friday, March 4, 2016
Building Relationships
Thursday's breakfast was pancakes, sweet rice, and fruit. It would be unfair to our chef not to mention the always present freshly brewed Dominican coffee. Devotions were led by Shawn focusing on the cropping parables in Matthew 13 (The Soils and The Wheat and the Tares). It was pointed out with some discussion that a parable does not exist that involves cows. Just saying.
The team loaded up and went to the blind center to show the Jesus Film indoors for the disabled. After the film Shawn gave a brief message and then the team opened the floor for discussion and prayer. This was a powerful time as we heard many testimonies, were able to witness ourselves (Dan and Jack), and prayed for them individually. They were fed sweet rice and juice at the conclusion.
When the disabled had gone, the team met with the director of the Blind Center and two of it's members. It's always humbling to hear what they have accomplished in spite of their impairment. Their membership includes a professor and lawyer. Their current project is raising up people to learn sign language to help the deaf. The blind helping the deaf! They were blessed with 50 folding walking sticks donated by the Lion's Club.
During the time at the blind, Brian and Kristi guest stared on the radio program hosted by Nathaniel and produced by Pastor Anderson. The topic was teenage Christian dating. They did a great job on an important topic and even got some positive public feedback that afternoon.
After returning to the house in the afternoon the team had meetings with Nathaniel and Wilfredo on various topics and needs. Because of our limited time here, the overwhelming needs, and both the human and spiritual elements, issues arise. One is of the family displaced by the fire with the injured
daughter. It's too complicated to write here but we needed to modify our plans and provide mainly for the girl and less for the family after finding out certain details. We have a stewardship responsibility with God's money and need to use discernment. You are welcome to ask a team member for further details.
Supper was rice with a bean and chickpea sauce, chicken, potatoes, and steamed vegetables.
The Jesus Film was shown at AMI (construction project) that night. A momentary heavy rain made it a bit of a mess as there is not a roof yet but the attendance was very good in spite of the weather. Dean made good use of his gifts of height and strength by lifting a ton or two of kids into the air. The team served the leftover juice and sweet rice from the afternoon prior to the showing and Kim and Shawn gave a message after. The mothers were given food, and Bibles were left with the pastor. It was a very nice evening for the last showing of the trip. This location will be a fixture of future trips so this was a very good start.
Also prior to the movie, Chris, Shawn, and Mary made a trip back to the Reyes family they met a few days before to present them with a present. As this is one large extended family living together in their own community (almost a compound) they had happily posed for a picture. Never did they expect that the Americans would come back with a framed personalized 8x10. They were all huddled together in a dark house out of the rain and when Shawn pulled it from his backpack and illuminated it with his flashlight the room erupted with applause. The grandpa nearly started to cry. Twenty-eight family members in one photo; something you don't see here. The family was also left with Bibles and a prayer. Lots of hugs and kind words from the Reyes'.
The team was back to the casa by 9:30pm and then the debrief. Health is good overall but a few members are operating at less than 100%. The heat, long days, and various foods can take a toll on an American body.
Glory to God
The team loaded up and went to the blind center to show the Jesus Film indoors for the disabled. After the film Shawn gave a brief message and then the team opened the floor for discussion and prayer. This was a powerful time as we heard many testimonies, were able to witness ourselves (Dan and Jack), and prayed for them individually. They were fed sweet rice and juice at the conclusion.
When the disabled had gone, the team met with the director of the Blind Center and two of it's members. It's always humbling to hear what they have accomplished in spite of their impairment. Their membership includes a professor and lawyer. Their current project is raising up people to learn sign language to help the deaf. The blind helping the deaf! They were blessed with 50 folding walking sticks donated by the Lion's Club.
During the time at the blind, Brian and Kristi guest stared on the radio program hosted by Nathaniel and produced by Pastor Anderson. The topic was teenage Christian dating. They did a great job on an important topic and even got some positive public feedback that afternoon.
After returning to the house in the afternoon the team had meetings with Nathaniel and Wilfredo on various topics and needs. Because of our limited time here, the overwhelming needs, and both the human and spiritual elements, issues arise. One is of the family displaced by the fire with the injured
daughter. It's too complicated to write here but we needed to modify our plans and provide mainly for the girl and less for the family after finding out certain details. We have a stewardship responsibility with God's money and need to use discernment. You are welcome to ask a team member for further details.
Supper was rice with a bean and chickpea sauce, chicken, potatoes, and steamed vegetables.
The Jesus Film was shown at AMI (construction project) that night. A momentary heavy rain made it a bit of a mess as there is not a roof yet but the attendance was very good in spite of the weather. Dean made good use of his gifts of height and strength by lifting a ton or two of kids into the air. The team served the leftover juice and sweet rice from the afternoon prior to the showing and Kim and Shawn gave a message after. The mothers were given food, and Bibles were left with the pastor. It was a very nice evening for the last showing of the trip. This location will be a fixture of future trips so this was a very good start.
Also prior to the movie, Chris, Shawn, and Mary made a trip back to the Reyes family they met a few days before to present them with a present. As this is one large extended family living together in their own community (almost a compound) they had happily posed for a picture. Never did they expect that the Americans would come back with a framed personalized 8x10. They were all huddled together in a dark house out of the rain and when Shawn pulled it from his backpack and illuminated it with his flashlight the room erupted with applause. The grandpa nearly started to cry. Twenty-eight family members in one photo; something you don't see here. The family was also left with Bibles and a prayer. Lots of hugs and kind words from the Reyes'.
The team was back to the casa by 9:30pm and then the debrief. Health is good overall but a few members are operating at less than 100%. The heat, long days, and various foods can take a toll on an American body.
Glory to God
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Servant Pablo
Wednesday morning began with ham & cheese omelets and fruit. Chris then led a devotion from various scripture passages about developing a passion to share the gospel. Her emotions showed as this topic is close to her heart.
The first order of business was to finish packaging the remaining beans and rice. The team then packed up for the day as we were not coming back to the house until late evening.
Oregano Grande was the first stop of the day (after a roadside break for coconuts). This village is some distance from Azua and was last visited by the team six years ago. At that time access to the village was only by crossing a river on foot but a bridge now exists to drive over. This community of about 450 is a very poor farming area and always welcomes us warmly. We didn't have a lot of time but we played with the kids, Paul, Kim and Nathaniel shared a message with them, tracts were handed out, and food and Bibles were left with the local pastor. The DR is poor in financial wealth but rich in scenic wealth; it was a picturesque ride in the hills Northwest of Azua.
Next stop was Project Four where the Nelson's pastor. We were planning on a feeding program but the timing didn't work out. Most importantly was a surprise party for Pablo who led the construction of the Project Hannah School there. This is a unique internationally funded school in the middle of a typical poor locale that greatly blesses the area. The place was decorated for the occasion, they had a wall full of pictures of Pablo, the kids did skits and sang songs, and a video was shown. Our friend from previous trips and the guiding force behind the school, Sonia Ranta, was also in attendance. It was good to see her and we tried to catch up as best we could with the short time we had.
At Project Four the team spent a lot of time playing with the kids. The school building roof is flat with a thatched roof above which makes a great shaded area to play basketball, jump rope, face painting, and plenty of piggyback rides. We were served a lunch of mango juice, cheese finger sandwiches, a delicious ham and cheese salad, something like a mini-empanada, and some kind of vegetable thing that was not the most attractive but was actually quite good. Before leaving the team left food and Bibles with the Nelsons.
Our fourth showing of the Jesus Film was our final stop of the day. We were in an area we have not been before that only has the early beginnings of a church; no building as of yet. Maybe 70-80 people were in attendance and it was evident early that this was a heavily dominant Haitian village. Many young men were present so Shawn gave a message of Biblical Manhood.
The team was home at 10pm for debrief. Looking forward to another busy day tomorrow.
God Bless
The first order of business was to finish packaging the remaining beans and rice. The team then packed up for the day as we were not coming back to the house until late evening.
Oregano Grande was the first stop of the day (after a roadside break for coconuts). This village is some distance from Azua and was last visited by the team six years ago. At that time access to the village was only by crossing a river on foot but a bridge now exists to drive over. This community of about 450 is a very poor farming area and always welcomes us warmly. We didn't have a lot of time but we played with the kids, Paul, Kim and Nathaniel shared a message with them, tracts were handed out, and food and Bibles were left with the local pastor. The DR is poor in financial wealth but rich in scenic wealth; it was a picturesque ride in the hills Northwest of Azua.
Next stop was Project Four where the Nelson's pastor. We were planning on a feeding program but the timing didn't work out. Most importantly was a surprise party for Pablo who led the construction of the Project Hannah School there. This is a unique internationally funded school in the middle of a typical poor locale that greatly blesses the area. The place was decorated for the occasion, they had a wall full of pictures of Pablo, the kids did skits and sang songs, and a video was shown. Our friend from previous trips and the guiding force behind the school, Sonia Ranta, was also in attendance. It was good to see her and we tried to catch up as best we could with the short time we had.
At Project Four the team spent a lot of time playing with the kids. The school building roof is flat with a thatched roof above which makes a great shaded area to play basketball, jump rope, face painting, and plenty of piggyback rides. We were served a lunch of mango juice, cheese finger sandwiches, a delicious ham and cheese salad, something like a mini-empanada, and some kind of vegetable thing that was not the most attractive but was actually quite good. Before leaving the team left food and Bibles with the Nelsons.
Our fourth showing of the Jesus Film was our final stop of the day. We were in an area we have not been before that only has the early beginnings of a church; no building as of yet. Maybe 70-80 people were in attendance and it was evident early that this was a heavily dominant Haitian village. Many young men were present so Shawn gave a message of Biblical Manhood.
The team was home at 10pm for debrief. Looking forward to another busy day tomorrow.
God Bless
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Sweating for Jesus
Tuesday started early with a 7am breakfast of bacon, eggs, Dominican oatmeal (don't know) and fruit. Dan led devotions continuing with 1 Cor. 12 where Paul left off and a short story from Esther.
The work crew of Paul, Dean, and Brian left for "the site" which we will now call AMI (Azua Mission International-more to come on this later). Working with Cesar and his crew they spent all day mixing, pouring, leveling, and troweling concrete for a 36'x78' floor. It was difficult work in the DR sun but thanks to the hard-working Dominican crew they were able to finish by 4pm.
The remainder of the team used the morning to assemble wheelchairs to bless the disabled. Last year's program was so successful that another 45 chairs were purchased in addition to crutches and walkers. It's so humbling to be able to help those that are not physically mobile. There is no ADA in the DR and the Azua streets are filled with holes and very poor sidewalks (not to mention the dangerous traffic). It's so bad that last year the team poured a ramp to access the disabled center with a wheelchair (which the director uses)! After the blessing of the wheelchairs Shawn gave a message and led a mini-devotion with the disabled. Then they stopped back at the house to pick up food for the construction site. Pablo had beans and gravy, rice, chicken, and salad prepared.
After lunch the construction crew went back to work, Kim and Kristi played with the mob of kids that had appeared through the morning, and Shawn, Chris, and Mary went witnessing to the area handing out tracts and praying with families. They came back to find the rest of the team in a vicious kickball game in the stony field that's part of AMI. Only one large American suffered a minor scrape.
After a quick supper of yucca and empanadas the team split again for the night. Everyone went to the Jesus Film site to set up and then Shawn, Chris, Mary, and Kristi went to a church service at Pastor Anderson's which the team helped build 2 years ago. Shawn gave the message at the church service on scriptural authority and Dan and Kim each gave a message at the Jesus Film.
Since being in town the team had to stop for ice-cream prior to the debrief back at the house which lasted until about 11.
While tired and with some excess sun the team is healthy and looking forward to the 2nd half of our journey. Continue to pray for protection, health, safety and doors to be opened in the name of Jesus. Pictures can be found on the team Facebook page.
The work crew of Paul, Dean, and Brian left for "the site" which we will now call AMI (Azua Mission International-more to come on this later). Working with Cesar and his crew they spent all day mixing, pouring, leveling, and troweling concrete for a 36'x78' floor. It was difficult work in the DR sun but thanks to the hard-working Dominican crew they were able to finish by 4pm.
The remainder of the team used the morning to assemble wheelchairs to bless the disabled. Last year's program was so successful that another 45 chairs were purchased in addition to crutches and walkers. It's so humbling to be able to help those that are not physically mobile. There is no ADA in the DR and the Azua streets are filled with holes and very poor sidewalks (not to mention the dangerous traffic). It's so bad that last year the team poured a ramp to access the disabled center with a wheelchair (which the director uses)! After the blessing of the wheelchairs Shawn gave a message and led a mini-devotion with the disabled. Then they stopped back at the house to pick up food for the construction site. Pablo had beans and gravy, rice, chicken, and salad prepared.
After lunch the construction crew went back to work, Kim and Kristi played with the mob of kids that had appeared through the morning, and Shawn, Chris, and Mary went witnessing to the area handing out tracts and praying with families. They came back to find the rest of the team in a vicious kickball game in the stony field that's part of AMI. Only one large American suffered a minor scrape.
After a quick supper of yucca and empanadas the team split again for the night. Everyone went to the Jesus Film site to set up and then Shawn, Chris, Mary, and Kristi went to a church service at Pastor Anderson's which the team helped build 2 years ago. Shawn gave the message at the church service on scriptural authority and Dan and Kim each gave a message at the Jesus Film.
Since being in town the team had to stop for ice-cream prior to the debrief back at the house which lasted until about 11.
While tired and with some excess sun the team is healthy and looking forward to the 2nd half of our journey. Continue to pray for protection, health, safety and doors to be opened in the name of Jesus. Pictures can be found on the team Facebook page.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Gifts
Morning devotions were led by Paul from 1 Cor. 12 focusing on spiritual gifts. Thanks to Mary it went down a path of spiritual journey in which the entire team benefited. Breakfast was pancakes, hot boiled eggs, and the ever-present fruit.
Monday's are always a visit to the marketplace. The team passed out about 500 gospel tracts while witnessing firsthand how most of Azua shops. These are small stands set up along the streets selling everything a person needs. There are no Walmarts in Azua. Tailors, cobblers, bags of grain, piles of produce of all colors, freshly caught fish, hanging meat, live chickens, stacks of clothes and piles of shoes all decorate the crowded street as people jostle and motor bikes try to squeeze through. The sights are both colorful and filthy, the sounds are noisy and chaotic and the smells are usually not pleasant; in other words a great Azua experience. Without details, the team was able to also touch some lives on a personal level on their walk.
The next stop was Estebania to visit Pastor Wilfredo and his village of fellow Haitians. This incredible servant of God makes his living as a dentist but works tirelessly for his poverty stricken people. The team has supported this ministry for many years because of Wilfredo's dedication to the Lord. The children were dressed in their best and greeted the team as they always do with song and dance. The team helped with feeding the kids, played with them, and discussed future plans with Wilfredo before having a lunch of chicken, beans, and rice in his humble living area. Wilfredo's wife made a special cake in honor of Dan's birthday last week.
While some of the team was enjoying Dan's cake at Wilfredo's, Dan and Nathaniel were purchasing household items for the family effected by the fire. The daughter will be released from the hospital tomorrow and they have no place to live and apparently the situation with the father is not good. It's a sad story but the team is using their people resources to help this family recover. Nathaniel was able to have a deep spiritual conversation with the mother which is a blessing.
About 5pm the team was invited for a meeting and supper by a well-known local pediatrician. The delicious meal consisted of beans and rice, goat, chicken, potatoes, yucca, avocado, tomato, and french fries. This woman has a heart for young women (girls, actually) and the incredible rate of pregnancies in Azua. She noted she once had a twelve year-old who was pregnant. The health, psychological, and social ramifications of this cultural statistic is very sad, to say the least. It's rare in this area for a girl to be married before having a child and most girls are pregnant by age 16 or 17. She would like to offer her services and resources to the new center being built by Nathaniel and the team. This will be an incredible gift to this impoverished area.
The evening was concluded with the Jesus film in a dusty ball field. Mostly kids but many young men were in the attendance of over 100. Dan, Paul, and Nataniel talked and praise music followed. It was a good day. The team is healthy, eager to serve, and working together well. One Spirit, one focus, many gifts.
Monday's are always a visit to the marketplace. The team passed out about 500 gospel tracts while witnessing firsthand how most of Azua shops. These are small stands set up along the streets selling everything a person needs. There are no Walmarts in Azua. Tailors, cobblers, bags of grain, piles of produce of all colors, freshly caught fish, hanging meat, live chickens, stacks of clothes and piles of shoes all decorate the crowded street as people jostle and motor bikes try to squeeze through. The sights are both colorful and filthy, the sounds are noisy and chaotic and the smells are usually not pleasant; in other words a great Azua experience. Without details, the team was able to also touch some lives on a personal level on their walk.
The next stop was Estebania to visit Pastor Wilfredo and his village of fellow Haitians. This incredible servant of God makes his living as a dentist but works tirelessly for his poverty stricken people. The team has supported this ministry for many years because of Wilfredo's dedication to the Lord. The children were dressed in their best and greeted the team as they always do with song and dance. The team helped with feeding the kids, played with them, and discussed future plans with Wilfredo before having a lunch of chicken, beans, and rice in his humble living area. Wilfredo's wife made a special cake in honor of Dan's birthday last week.
While some of the team was enjoying Dan's cake at Wilfredo's, Dan and Nathaniel were purchasing household items for the family effected by the fire. The daughter will be released from the hospital tomorrow and they have no place to live and apparently the situation with the father is not good. It's a sad story but the team is using their people resources to help this family recover. Nathaniel was able to have a deep spiritual conversation with the mother which is a blessing.
About 5pm the team was invited for a meeting and supper by a well-known local pediatrician. The delicious meal consisted of beans and rice, goat, chicken, potatoes, yucca, avocado, tomato, and french fries. This woman has a heart for young women (girls, actually) and the incredible rate of pregnancies in Azua. She noted she once had a twelve year-old who was pregnant. The health, psychological, and social ramifications of this cultural statistic is very sad, to say the least. It's rare in this area for a girl to be married before having a child and most girls are pregnant by age 16 or 17. She would like to offer her services and resources to the new center being built by Nathaniel and the team. This will be an incredible gift to this impoverished area.
The evening was concluded with the Jesus film in a dusty ball field. Mostly kids but many young men were in the attendance of over 100. Dan, Paul, and Nataniel talked and praise music followed. It was a good day. The team is healthy, eager to serve, and working together well. One Spirit, one focus, many gifts.
Off and Running
Pablo's breakfast was eggs, bacon and the freshest fruit (banana, pineapple, watermelon, and mango) served at 7:30. Devotions were led by Shawn which focused on being "missional minded".
While the men were gone the ladies were packing much of the 625# of rice, 200# of beans and 250 bottles of cooking oil that will be used throughout the week distributing to those in need.
The Compassion School where Paul, Dan, and Shawn have sponsored children was the next stop of the day. The team plays with the kids, learns about the school (for the new members), served and ate lunch with the kids (beans, rice, and pork) and visited the homes of their sponsored children. Compassion International has over 1 million sponsored children throughout the world and less than 1% are visited by their sponsors so seeing these kids every year is special. It allows us to encourage them personally in their faith.
The team split after lunch with Paul, Dean, Kristi and Brian finding some kids to play baseball with (not difficult in the DR). Minor scrapes and sunburns a couple of hours later but the DR boys had a great time showcasing their skills. Brian had brought along some used equipment which was a received with great enthusiasm.
During the split the other team members visited a four year-old girl in the hospital who was recovering from burns from a recent house fire. Kim put her nursing (and passion) gifts to work coaxing a smile out of her and tending to her injuries. The mother was present and explained they had lost everything but were planning on moving back into the least damaged room of the house. The team visited the 3 room house filled with ruined furniture amd appliances. The block walls and tin roof were sooty but sound. Any wood roof structure was charred badly, however. The sick stench of burnt posessions was everywhere. All because of a fan that overheated. The team plans on purchasing the items needed to furnish a basic house.
After a quick siesta back at the house the team enjoyed fish, chicken, rice, bean gravy, steamed vegetables and fruit for supper. While Pablo will fix anything we would like, the team enjoys traditional DR meals while here.
Every night we show the Jesus film and tonight it was in a remote area only a few miles from Azua. Called Five Star, it is a very poor region where the team is supporting the local ministry with the purchase of a roof and floor for a new church ($2000). It was attended by about 70 attentive guests who listened to Shawn share the gospel, worshipped Christ with music, and gave the Americans plenty of hugs.
Enjoying ice-cream is always a treat and especially so when strolling through a park in the Carribbean on a beautiful winter evening (humid and low 70's). The team passed out tracts while getting a taste for the busy nightlife of young people in Azua. A debrief was held back at the house and the team ended their day around 11pm.
After a quick siesta back at the house the team enjoyed fish, chicken, rice, bean gravy, steamed vegetables and fruit for supper. While Pablo will fix anything we would like, the team enjoys traditional DR meals while here.
Every night we show the Jesus film and tonight it was in a remote area only a few miles from Azua. Called Five Star, it is a very poor region where the team is supporting the local ministry with the purchase of a roof and floor for a new church ($2000). It was attended by about 70 attentive guests who listened to Shawn share the gospel, worshipped Christ with music, and gave the Americans plenty of hugs.
Enjoying ice-cream is always a treat and especially so when strolling through a park in the Carribbean on a beautiful winter evening (humid and low 70's). The team passed out tracts while getting a taste for the busy nightlife of young people in Azua. A debrief was held back at the house and the team ended their day around 11pm.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Coming Home
The reader may be a bit confused by the title but hear me out.
Day 1 started early Saturday morning with most of the team meeting at 4:15 am in Appleton for the first flight out of the day. A quick connection was made in Atlanta where they joined Dean and Kim and then landed in Santo Domingo by 2 pm to be picked up by Dan and Paul who have been here since Thursday (ask them about their flights). Of course Genesis was driving and Nataniel was along also. An early arrival gave the team the opportunity to get a good start on their (God's) work.
After sandwiches in the Capitol the team headed for Azua. They drove through the city and stopped to look at the building under construction on "the site". (I will explain this project in a later blog). The locals welcomed us warmly as they're excited when the Americanos come to town. After inspection the team headed to the house where they were welcomed by Pablo and Ruth who once again came from Puerto Rico to share their time, talents, and truck. A rare light rain welcomed them to the house where they moved in and had a team meeting going through the coming week's agenda before turning in around 10pm.
This is the first time in the DR for Brian, Kristi, Mary, Dean, and Kim. Collectively this is 38 years for Paul, Dan, Shawn, and Chris. The veterans have experienced the smells, sounds, and sights of a seemingly chaotic culture. Firsthand they've witnessed both the worst in living conditions but some of the best of mankind. These experiences have shaped how they think of the DR; much different than those who only know the resorts along the East coast. Because this intimacy with this part of the world has always been while serving Jesus it's thus become a time a great spiritual joy and rejuvenation! In a way, to the veterans this is home. A place of spiritual peace and focus without the distractions and responsibilities of our lives in Wisconsin; simpler and seemingly closer to God.
Day 1 started early Saturday morning with most of the team meeting at 4:15 am in Appleton for the first flight out of the day. A quick connection was made in Atlanta where they joined Dean and Kim and then landed in Santo Domingo by 2 pm to be picked up by Dan and Paul who have been here since Thursday (ask them about their flights). Of course Genesis was driving and Nataniel was along also. An early arrival gave the team the opportunity to get a good start on their (God's) work.
After sandwiches in the Capitol the team headed for Azua. They drove through the city and stopped to look at the building under construction on "the site". (I will explain this project in a later blog). The locals welcomed us warmly as they're excited when the Americanos come to town. After inspection the team headed to the house where they were welcomed by Pablo and Ruth who once again came from Puerto Rico to share their time, talents, and truck. A rare light rain welcomed them to the house where they moved in and had a team meeting going through the coming week's agenda before turning in around 10pm.
This is the first time in the DR for Brian, Kristi, Mary, Dean, and Kim. Collectively this is 38 years for Paul, Dan, Shawn, and Chris. The veterans have experienced the smells, sounds, and sights of a seemingly chaotic culture. Firsthand they've witnessed both the worst in living conditions but some of the best of mankind. These experiences have shaped how they think of the DR; much different than those who only know the resorts along the East coast. Because this intimacy with this part of the world has always been while serving Jesus it's thus become a time a great spiritual joy and rejuvenation! In a way, to the veterans this is home. A place of spiritual peace and focus without the distractions and responsibilities of our lives in Wisconsin; simpler and seemingly closer to God.
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