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
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