Just over 6 weeks until we're in Azua. After experiencing the bitter cold in Wisconsin last week the warm temperatures are very inviting but that part of the trip is so far removed from our purpose and focus. All of us look forward to warm vacations and getting away from the cold and the snow when we can. Azua, however, is different. Yes, it's warm but when we think of Azua our first thoughts are not of vacations or the temperature. It's the sights, the sounds, the smells, the people.
The city of Azua is busy and noisy and smells of exhaust. The sounds of large trucks and scooters is intermingled with various horns and the occasional blasting of music from speakers mounted in the back of pickups. The marketplace is crowded with people sometimes shoulder to shoulder picking through piles of used clothes or household goods. The smells vary from the beautiful fresh produce to the pungent fish and meat prepared under standards different than our own. While better than years ago, it is not clean. Vendors take positions along the streets selling fish, fried food, cashews, fruit and bootlegged dvd's. Intersections are crowded with young men on scooters looking for a fare (taxis). It seems chaotic to the uninitiated.
Outside of the city is a bit slower but not rural to our definition. Village after village with tens of thousands of people live within 20 miles of the center of town. The sounds of scooters is nearly always present at least in the background and loud music from bars not uncommon but the crowdedness is gone. While still heavily populated to our sense of country living, the people of the city are replaced by other living things: like pigs, and chickens, and goats.
This is where we spend much of our time. The dusty dirt streets littered with broken glass and garbage. Homes made out of plywood with tin roofs, a concrete floor and a single light bulb hanging from the support structure made of hewn branches. Lumber is expensive in the DR. Privacy in the homes is often-times just a hanging bed sheet. Beds themselves are some times a luxury only for the adults.
While becoming more available, electricity in the rural areas can not always be depended on. Even in the nice house where we stay in the city we sometimes find it difficult for our American eyes to focus as the bulb wattage is so low.
Further yet outside of town is where the poverty becomes shocking to the unwary. Small, isolated villages where the men work in the nearby fields. Little to no access to clean water. Limited to no electricity. Single room homes made of scrap lumber and tin with dirt floors. Children running around naked until they are about 2 or 3 years old. No sanitation to speak of.
We've seen it before. Three of us have been down there yearly for 8 years or more. We fear we have gotten accustomed to it but we pray with intensity that we do not become callous to it. They are no different than us. They only live under different circumstances. They, like us, are image-bearers of the Creator. They need a savior the same as us. In fact, an argument could be made that because of their humbleness they have a heart more open to receiving that savior. They don't have the trappings of busyness or the distractions of wealth. While a different skin color and language, as a people they are much more open and inviting than Americans.
It's more than the sights and the sounds or the smells, however. It's always the people. The people and their stories. Not one person can go on these trips and not return home without having a story touch their heart. Thirty-two separate Americans have been on this trip in the last 8 years. While I can't say for sure I would find it hard to believe that any left the DR without shedding tears at least once.
The stories of heartache, pain or suffering are numerous in a third-world country. But it doesn't end there. The story of Christ didn't end with His suffering and death. The many stories we witness of sacrifice, redemption, repentance and salvation are the ones that bring the most emotion. These are the stories of Christ's power as He is alive and working in those who have accepted Him. May our hearts be prepared to serve Him and may the hearts of those in the DR be prepared to hear His message.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Video Done
The video for 2014 is complete and a link located in the column to the right. Hope you enjoy. While we give God the credit, He has worked through all of you who supported us with prayers and financial donations. Thank you again for the blessings.
God's blessings until we begin preparations for 2015!
The video for 2014 is complete and a link located in the column to the right. Hope you enjoy. While we give God the credit, He has worked through all of you who supported us with prayers and financial donations. Thank you again for the blessings.
God's blessings until we begin preparations for 2015!
Friday, February 28, 2014
Looking Back
While a bit groggy after 18 hours of travel yesterday I felt it necessary to give a recap of the past 9 days while things are still relatively fresh in my mind. Not only is this important for followers of the team, it is an archive for future teams and an accountability for our financial supporters.
Every team is different and some human element of concern can be present as to the final team makeup prior to the trip. This was the latest any team has been determined as "final" as Phil was only officially on board less than 3 weeks prior to departure. As was the devotion topic the first morning in the DR, we don't know why God chooses particular team members prior to going but when looking back every year it becomes apparent his hand was at work the entire time. Each member has a gift, that gift was used and the body would not perform as well as it did without each gift. The focus was on Christ and not on individual agendas. Pride was put aside and humility and service reigned.
Not in any previous trip has as much been done during the 9 days the complete team was in Azua. A relatively large budget that did not go towards wells was the primary factor but team efficiency and an extra half day in Azua also contributed. In 2013 half of our budget went into well drilling. While the team plans to continue with the wells and money was set aside for this in 2014, many things need to come together logistically for a well to actually be realized.
This is the 10th year for this trip and the 8th year in which the focus has been as it is now; both evangelical and construction in nature. The number of local contacts continues to grow and our repeated presence in the community has brought with it much knowledge and respect at the local and even national level. This has allowed many doors to be opened that would have been closed in the past. In past trips we would be involved in maybe one or two building projects. This year multiple projects were ongoing concurrently.
Building projects included:
- concrete floor for church (our and DR labor)
- concrete floor and roof for church (DR labor) - they were worshipping with only walls!
- concrete floor for rooms in special needs home (our and DR labor)
- concrete ramp for disalbed center (our and DR labor)
In addition to the building projects these are the larger ticket items purchased/funded:
- chairs for YWAM, various churches
- food packages for 359 families (1125# rice, 400# beans, oil)
- Bibles (500 adult, 1500 children's)
- money for at least one well
- yearly funding for feeding programs at multiple sites (nearly 1000 children!)
- electric/solar inverter for special needs school
- abacus' and scribes for blind (with help from Lion's club)
As this trip is all about Christ and serving Him, much of our time and effort is spent evangelizing and spreading the gospel. For this team this takes different forms:
- passing out 1400 tracts throughout Azua and neighboring villages
- guests on Nathanial's daily Christian radio program
- guests at local church services
- visiting 2 jails and witnessing to prisoners
- meeting with the blind and disabled
- visiting special needs, Project Four, Compassion schools
- 6 showings of the Jesus film with a message, call to prayer and worship afterwards
Yes, we were busy. The day usually began with devotions at 7am and ended with a debrief around 11pm. Very few (and very short) siestas were enjoyed. There were no complaints, however. Having a singular purpose and limited time the team wanted to make the most out of it. They wanted to imagine their Lord saying to them when time had run out: "well done, good and faithful servant".
It was a great trip any way you can imagine. Much was accomplished and the name of Jesus was spread to thousands of people. Each of the team members were strengthened in their faith. The evidence of God at work was very apparent and He revealed himself many times. It was a life changing experience for some. Others who have been on this team for some time grew greatly in using the gifts God gave them.
We were on the mountain top while in the DR. When doing His work, surrounded by His people without the outside world distracting you tend to get a spiritual high. The faith muscle is strengthened by exercise and this trip is a workout. Emotions run high as you witness the combination of poverty and suffering but are shown greater faith. It's also emotional when you witness firsthand the blessings, protection and doors being opened by God Himself. He is good indeed.
Until next year….
While a bit groggy after 18 hours of travel yesterday I felt it necessary to give a recap of the past 9 days while things are still relatively fresh in my mind. Not only is this important for followers of the team, it is an archive for future teams and an accountability for our financial supporters.
Every team is different and some human element of concern can be present as to the final team makeup prior to the trip. This was the latest any team has been determined as "final" as Phil was only officially on board less than 3 weeks prior to departure. As was the devotion topic the first morning in the DR, we don't know why God chooses particular team members prior to going but when looking back every year it becomes apparent his hand was at work the entire time. Each member has a gift, that gift was used and the body would not perform as well as it did without each gift. The focus was on Christ and not on individual agendas. Pride was put aside and humility and service reigned.
Not in any previous trip has as much been done during the 9 days the complete team was in Azua. A relatively large budget that did not go towards wells was the primary factor but team efficiency and an extra half day in Azua also contributed. In 2013 half of our budget went into well drilling. While the team plans to continue with the wells and money was set aside for this in 2014, many things need to come together logistically for a well to actually be realized.
This is the 10th year for this trip and the 8th year in which the focus has been as it is now; both evangelical and construction in nature. The number of local contacts continues to grow and our repeated presence in the community has brought with it much knowledge and respect at the local and even national level. This has allowed many doors to be opened that would have been closed in the past. In past trips we would be involved in maybe one or two building projects. This year multiple projects were ongoing concurrently.
Building projects included:
- concrete floor for church (our and DR labor)
- concrete floor and roof for church (DR labor) - they were worshipping with only walls!
- concrete floor for rooms in special needs home (our and DR labor)
- concrete ramp for disalbed center (our and DR labor)
In addition to the building projects these are the larger ticket items purchased/funded:
- chairs for YWAM, various churches
- food packages for 359 families (1125# rice, 400# beans, oil)
- Bibles (500 adult, 1500 children's)
- money for at least one well
- yearly funding for feeding programs at multiple sites (nearly 1000 children!)
- electric/solar inverter for special needs school
- abacus' and scribes for blind (with help from Lion's club)
As this trip is all about Christ and serving Him, much of our time and effort is spent evangelizing and spreading the gospel. For this team this takes different forms:
- passing out 1400 tracts throughout Azua and neighboring villages
- guests on Nathanial's daily Christian radio program
- guests at local church services
- visiting 2 jails and witnessing to prisoners
- meeting with the blind and disabled
- visiting special needs, Project Four, Compassion schools
- 6 showings of the Jesus film with a message, call to prayer and worship afterwards
Yes, we were busy. The day usually began with devotions at 7am and ended with a debrief around 11pm. Very few (and very short) siestas were enjoyed. There were no complaints, however. Having a singular purpose and limited time the team wanted to make the most out of it. They wanted to imagine their Lord saying to them when time had run out: "well done, good and faithful servant".
It was a great trip any way you can imagine. Much was accomplished and the name of Jesus was spread to thousands of people. Each of the team members were strengthened in their faith. The evidence of God at work was very apparent and He revealed himself many times. It was a life changing experience for some. Others who have been on this team for some time grew greatly in using the gifts God gave them.
We were on the mountain top while in the DR. When doing His work, surrounded by His people without the outside world distracting you tend to get a spiritual high. The faith muscle is strengthened by exercise and this trip is a workout. Emotions run high as you witness the combination of poverty and suffering but are shown greater faith. It's also emotional when you witness firsthand the blessings, protection and doors being opened by God Himself. He is good indeed.
Until next year….
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Loose Ends
Dan let us sleep in today so devotions didn't start until 7:15! Tom led a sometimes emotional study of the Good Samaritan and how it relates to our mission in the DR. Today was Compassion day with the afternoon at the blind. A lot of running around to different places and tying up loose ends is done on this day also.
The team did their yearly visit to the local Compassion International school where some of the team members have sponsored children. The school currently has 265 students where 4 days a week for half a day they are fed both the Word of God and physically. They tend to be some of the poorest kids in an already poor nation. We play with them, deliver ice cream and walk home with our sponsored kids to meet and pray with their parents and deliver gifts.
The visit to the blind center is always the last official ministry stop of the team for the year. Being blind in a third world country seems hopeless to us but their strength of faith is incredible. They are working at being totally self-sufficient. Our team (along with help from Lion's Club back home) blessed them with digital audio bibles, scribes, abacus' and brailers.
Jamie and Katrina joined Nathanial on the airwaves talking about sexual purity. It was very well received in a country where teenage pregnancy is the norm.
After project visits, bank runs and last minute wrap-ups the team prepared the house for the going away party. Approximately 55 guests showed up for pizza and cake. These are our local ministry partners and their families. It was another spirit-filled evening of song, prayer, speeches, hugs and goodbyes.
After a final meeting a tired but blessed and satisfied team ended the evening around 11:30. While our time has come to an end in the DR for 2014 our ministries here continue year-round. Check back to this blog in the coming days for a final recap and video.
See you tomorrow
Dan let us sleep in today so devotions didn't start until 7:15! Tom led a sometimes emotional study of the Good Samaritan and how it relates to our mission in the DR. Today was Compassion day with the afternoon at the blind. A lot of running around to different places and tying up loose ends is done on this day also.
The team did their yearly visit to the local Compassion International school where some of the team members have sponsored children. The school currently has 265 students where 4 days a week for half a day they are fed both the Word of God and physically. They tend to be some of the poorest kids in an already poor nation. We play with them, deliver ice cream and walk home with our sponsored kids to meet and pray with their parents and deliver gifts.
The visit to the blind center is always the last official ministry stop of the team for the year. Being blind in a third world country seems hopeless to us but their strength of faith is incredible. They are working at being totally self-sufficient. Our team (along with help from Lion's Club back home) blessed them with digital audio bibles, scribes, abacus' and brailers.
Jamie and Katrina joined Nathanial on the airwaves talking about sexual purity. It was very well received in a country where teenage pregnancy is the norm.
After project visits, bank runs and last minute wrap-ups the team prepared the house for the going away party. Approximately 55 guests showed up for pizza and cake. These are our local ministry partners and their families. It was another spirit-filled evening of song, prayer, speeches, hugs and goodbyes.
After a final meeting a tired but blessed and satisfied team ended the evening around 11:30. While our time has come to an end in the DR for 2014 our ministries here continue year-round. Check back to this blog in the coming days for a final recap and video.
See you tomorrow
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