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!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
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
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Nearing the Finish
Today was the last full day of ministry in Azua and going into it the team was determined to finish strong. The day started spiritually as every other day but instead of a devotion at the house the team went to the YWAM base in town to join in worship; powerful.
The team then visited Project Four (Hannah) which is a school recently constructed with the help of Pablo and past team member Sonia. It is partially operated by the Nelson's and teaches 160 students every week in an especially poor area. They asked us to stop by for a visit. The kids sang for us and we played with them.
On the way back to the house for lunch Shawn and Chloe went to the radio station with Nathanial for his daily half hour spot. Shawn discussed biblical marriage and Chloe and Shawn discussed Christian parenting and the temptations of teenagers.
Dan, Tom and Nathanial went to the capitol to speak to a high ranking official about future well drilling in the area. The discussion went very well with the government agreeing to pay for much of the costs and expediting the process. This looks good for future wells in the area.
While they were in the Capitol the rest of the team visited a village called Las Veritas. They have been here before and found it again lacking in almost everything but faith. They blessed the community with clothing, food and bibles. The team showed the Jesus sketch on the iPad, worshipped and gave a message. The visited ended with the kids singing and those fabulous DR hugs. Another great spirit-filled visit where we found ourselves being blessed more than blessing them.
The day ended with the last Jesus film of the trip (6 total this year) in the church where the major construction project took place of pouring a floor. The church was packed, Shawn gave the message, Duane talked about how much alike the team is as the Dominicans and the night once again ended with music, dancing and prayer. It was a great final showing.
The team debriefed and was excused around 11:30pm.
Gloria Dios (Glory to God)
Today was the last full day of ministry in Azua and going into it the team was determined to finish strong. The day started spiritually as every other day but instead of a devotion at the house the team went to the YWAM base in town to join in worship; powerful.
The team then visited Project Four (Hannah) which is a school recently constructed with the help of Pablo and past team member Sonia. It is partially operated by the Nelson's and teaches 160 students every week in an especially poor area. They asked us to stop by for a visit. The kids sang for us and we played with them.
On the way back to the house for lunch Shawn and Chloe went to the radio station with Nathanial for his daily half hour spot. Shawn discussed biblical marriage and Chloe and Shawn discussed Christian parenting and the temptations of teenagers.
Dan, Tom and Nathanial went to the capitol to speak to a high ranking official about future well drilling in the area. The discussion went very well with the government agreeing to pay for much of the costs and expediting the process. This looks good for future wells in the area.
While they were in the Capitol the rest of the team visited a village called Las Veritas. They have been here before and found it again lacking in almost everything but faith. They blessed the community with clothing, food and bibles. The team showed the Jesus sketch on the iPad, worshipped and gave a message. The visited ended with the kids singing and those fabulous DR hugs. Another great spirit-filled visit where we found ourselves being blessed more than blessing them.
The day ended with the last Jesus film of the trip (6 total this year) in the church where the major construction project took place of pouring a floor. The church was packed, Shawn gave the message, Duane talked about how much alike the team is as the Dominicans and the night once again ended with music, dancing and prayer. It was a great final showing.
The team debriefed and was excused around 11:30pm.
Gloria Dios (Glory to God)
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