Saying Good-bye
After breakfast, morning devotions were led by Tom. Tom felt the Spirit calling him to use the story of Elijah.
Many last errands always need to be done before leaving. After packing suitcases and picking up the house the team went different ways: to deliver the purchased mattresses to needy families, the banker, to purchase funded items, etc.
After a final inspection of the completed pavilion the entire team met at Pastor Nelson's village to help serve food as part of the feeding program the team funds. Over 120 children were in attendance. More prayers and thanksgivings before going back to the house in Azua.
After a team photo in front of the house and final good-byes to Pablito, Dorcas, Palbo and Ruth, Genesis and the team arrived in the capitol about 4pm. Many stores and restaurants were closed due to the DR holiday (Independence) so they checked into the hotel, freshened up and found a restaurant on the square which is within walking distance.
A final debrief took place in the hotel courtyard. It was the wrap-up for the week focusing on what went right, what could be improved on and final thoughts and thank-you's. The team went to their rooms around 11 for a 3:30 wake-up to make the long journey home.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Nearing the End
Another delicious breakfast was followed by morning devotions led by Eric. As the Jesus Film is based on Luke's description, we went through in detail some of the stories depicted.
Tuesday is always "Compassion Day". This is the morning that we visit the school operated by Compassion International in Azua where Dan, Shawn, Paul and Eric each sponsor a Compassion child. We spend time playing with the kids, serve them ice cream and then walk our sponsor kids to their homes where we visit with the families. Gifts and prayers follow. It's always encouraging to see them grow in their faith through the years. It also gives the team another opportunity to walk the streets and pass out tracks.
After a quick stop at the house the team did their yearly visit to the blind to bless with funds from the local Lion's club and to encourage. They end up being the ones blessing us in their dedication to serving Jesus with no hint of discouragement due to their disability. It's quite humbling.
The team then took a trip to well #1 where the barrio (neighborhood) leaders had a planned meeting. They presented us with a certificate thanking the team for the well. More prayers and thanking Jesus.
A team meeting took place back at the house to go over finances. Decisions were made as to love offerings and the many projects that had been taking place or come up during the week.
The final night in Azua is always special. We invite all those that have supported our ministry locally. They come in their best clothes (putting the Americano's to shame). We serve pizza and soda followed by birthday cake and ice-cream for Dan and Tom. Including the team, about 50 people were in attendance. The best part is after the meal as everybody introduces themselves with many giving a short message. It is a very spiritual evening filled with prayer and thanksgivings. Warm embraces of good-bye ended the night at about 11.
Another delicious breakfast was followed by morning devotions led by Eric. As the Jesus Film is based on Luke's description, we went through in detail some of the stories depicted.
Tuesday is always "Compassion Day". This is the morning that we visit the school operated by Compassion International in Azua where Dan, Shawn, Paul and Eric each sponsor a Compassion child. We spend time playing with the kids, serve them ice cream and then walk our sponsor kids to their homes where we visit with the families. Gifts and prayers follow. It's always encouraging to see them grow in their faith through the years. It also gives the team another opportunity to walk the streets and pass out tracks.
After a quick stop at the house the team did their yearly visit to the blind to bless with funds from the local Lion's club and to encourage. They end up being the ones blessing us in their dedication to serving Jesus with no hint of discouragement due to their disability. It's quite humbling.
The team then took a trip to well #1 where the barrio (neighborhood) leaders had a planned meeting. They presented us with a certificate thanking the team for the well. More prayers and thanking Jesus.
A team meeting took place back at the house to go over finances. Decisions were made as to love offerings and the many projects that had been taking place or come up during the week.
The final night in Azua is always special. We invite all those that have supported our ministry locally. They come in their best clothes (putting the Americano's to shame). We serve pizza and soda followed by birthday cake and ice-cream for Dan and Tom. Including the team, about 50 people were in attendance. The best part is after the meal as everybody introduces themselves with many giving a short message. It is a very spiritual evening filled with prayer and thanksgivings. Warm embraces of good-bye ended the night at about 11.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Finishing Strong
After breakfast Chris led today's devotion centered on the parable of the sower. It was very appropriate for us planting seed in the DR but also for us in discussing this trip and our faith to people back home that do not have Jesus as their savior.
A trip to the marketplace was the first stop this morning. We love the marketplace as it's a chaotic mix of sights, sounds and smells. It's also a great way to pass out tracks and over 400 were hand delivered with the message of Jesus te ama (Jesus loves you).
The team then went to visit Pastor Wilfrido in the Haitian village. We have helped support this Godly man for a number of years and the children sang for us before we visited with and fed them. Many of these children are orphans living in deplorable conditions. The kids always have a great time playing with the Americanos.
After the Haitian village, all the girls along with Tom and Dan visited the disable women and gave powerful personal testimony and a message of hope. During this time Eric, Erik, Shawn and Paul visited the well sites with Pablito and Cesar to check on the progress.
After a supper of rice and beef we took a trip to Pastor Nelson's village. This is where Pablo constructed a building for our friend Sonia and her ministry which will be used as a Christian school. We showed the Jesus film here for a wonderful and nice-sized crowd and then Shawn gave the message and Pastor Nelson the call to faith. It was concluded with music and dancing - a powerful last showing of this trip.
Dan treated for ice-cream on the way back to the house and a debrief was held at about 11 pm. The team may be sunburnt and a bit tired but are on a "God high" and are focused on finishing strong.
Goodnight and God bless
After breakfast Chris led today's devotion centered on the parable of the sower. It was very appropriate for us planting seed in the DR but also for us in discussing this trip and our faith to people back home that do not have Jesus as their savior.
A trip to the marketplace was the first stop this morning. We love the marketplace as it's a chaotic mix of sights, sounds and smells. It's also a great way to pass out tracks and over 400 were hand delivered with the message of Jesus te ama (Jesus loves you).
The team then went to visit Pastor Wilfrido in the Haitian village. We have helped support this Godly man for a number of years and the children sang for us before we visited with and fed them. Many of these children are orphans living in deplorable conditions. The kids always have a great time playing with the Americanos.
After the Haitian village, all the girls along with Tom and Dan visited the disable women and gave powerful personal testimony and a message of hope. During this time Eric, Erik, Shawn and Paul visited the well sites with Pablito and Cesar to check on the progress.
After a supper of rice and beef we took a trip to Pastor Nelson's village. This is where Pablo constructed a building for our friend Sonia and her ministry which will be used as a Christian school. We showed the Jesus film here for a wonderful and nice-sized crowd and then Shawn gave the message and Pastor Nelson the call to faith. It was concluded with music and dancing - a powerful last showing of this trip.
Dan treated for ice-cream on the way back to the house and a debrief was held at about 11 pm. The team may be sunburnt and a bit tired but are on a "God high" and are focused on finishing strong.
Goodnight and God bless
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Another Day For God
Today's message will be short. Long days, the heat, little sleep and emotional events cause this writer to get some needed sleep tonight.
Breakfast was followed by devotions led by Paul. The men then left for the prison. Each of them had an opportunity to speak. They then visited the first well site to thank and pray with the workers.
Sunday is beach day so after a bit of a hike the team enjoyed some fun time in the warm waters of the Caribbean. A visit to the local YWAM (Youth With A Mission) followed.
Pablo grilled burgers for late lunch prior to the team heading out for the usual night activities. Both the church service and movie went great with Dan speaking at the church and Shawn and Eric giving a message at the movie. It was attended well with an estimated 250 people. It's very humbling to serve the creator of the universe and feel His presence.
Love to all
Today's message will be short. Long days, the heat, little sleep and emotional events cause this writer to get some needed sleep tonight.
Breakfast was followed by devotions led by Paul. The men then left for the prison. Each of them had an opportunity to speak. They then visited the first well site to thank and pray with the workers.
Sunday is beach day so after a bit of a hike the team enjoyed some fun time in the warm waters of the Caribbean. A visit to the local YWAM (Youth With A Mission) followed.
Pablo grilled burgers for late lunch prior to the team heading out for the usual night activities. Both the church service and movie went great with Dan speaking at the church and Shawn and Eric giving a message at the movie. It was attended well with an estimated 250 people. It's very humbling to serve the creator of the universe and feel His presence.
Love to all
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