The Barnabas Foundation...

I am still working my list of things to do before I leave but it is dwindling! I will be traveling to La Vega tomorrow to complete the purchase of a new apparatus for Pastor Ortiz. The cochlear model he is wearing now has gone out of use and luckily we had the funds to transition him into the new unit. It should be easier for him! I am so thankful for being able to get that taken care of before leaving!! I started this term with his implant surgery and buying his new unit will be the last thing I do as I leave!!

I have made the changes at the phone company to turn off my internet service, which will happen sometime today or tomorrow. If you don't hear from me or can't get me on my magicjack number (941-244-6280) it is because I no longer have service. You can reach me on my normal phone: 809-971-5246 or cell phone 809-258-6353 but it will cost you! I should be back on line once I get to New Hampshire, Thursday evening. 

I don't know what to say... last night we had a tearful good-bye with Pastor Melvin's family and leaders, and then a tearful affirmation among the group.  There couldn't have a been a better way for me to finish up this second term of mission service!  Sometimes things that happen in life are puzzling; good people often suffer terribly painful circumstances. I was priviledged to be able to witness how one such puzzling experience had a wonderful ending/new beginning.  As I drove home to day, as tired and worn out as I was, I was filled with a sense of joy and peace. I have been thinking a lot this last days about this term which began in 2003. God has given me an incredible honor to be apart of some amazing blessings. And I have also been a part of some very painful turn of events- both to me and to people I care about. I can't explain why these things happen; they often seem so unfair. And yet when we are true to our calling and continue to be faithful, these trials and heartaches produce so much growth and maturity. I know I am not the same person I was when I arrived back here in January of 2003. I have had people I love dearly betray me, reject me, and I have had dear friends betray their faith in the Lord, I have had leaders fall into sin and disqualify themselves as leaders, and I have been robbed I don't know how many times. 

I have also been a part of some amazing works of God- some highlights: Pastor Ramon receiving his hearing through the cochlear implant, Mecho receiving the funds she needed for her open heart surgery, all three churches finding permanent homes (with their own bathrooms!)- this week we got the doors put on the church in Los Santos and the fence is up around the basketball court in Villa de Yaque. Palmar Arriba has a new, wonderful basketball court, 7 water purifiers have been installed and are in use, the water trailers are here and working, ready to minister in a disaster, two of our new believers graduated from the Bible Institute and are serving as leaders in their respective churches, the Barnabas Foundation was established and is beginning to function, being a tool in our ministry to the poor and to up and coming leaders, and really the list of blessings could go on forever.  

Tomorrow is my last day to worship at the Hole, Los Santos and Villa de Yaque. I am so thankful for a pastor friend who has agreed to coordinate the ministry of these three young churches. So much work needs to be done to strengthen these new believers. Please pray that over the next six months, Dany and his wife will be able to guide them to a healthy foundation with capable leaders to continue to minister in their respective communities. Tomorrow will be an emotional day- pray for wisdom and grace as I share my final Bible study with them. 

On a totally different note, after getting home from the capital, seeing the St Giles folks off at the airport, I had an open house at my old place. Even after moving so much over to my new house, even after giving stuff away forever and ever, there was still a TON of stuff left over. I invited our church folks and told them to take everything and whatever they left behind, to throw in the trash. You would not have believed the boxes and boxes and bags and bags and bags of stuff they took away!

God has been so good to me through so many of you- you have been generous with me and our ministry which has allowed me to be generous with so many people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know all that "stuff" will be put to good use by good folks!

Today has been a great final day of VBS and D-Now. everyone was pretty much back at full health- we had a few folks a little iffy but they hung in there. It looks like we have been able to minister to about 300 children each morning and probably 60 or so youth in the late afternoons, not including our afternoon outreaches.

Tomorrow is our gran finale- we will be doign a mission trip within a mission trip, taking the youth from Don Gregorio with us to another mission field on the other side of Santo Domingo. pray with us that not only will we make an impact on the Tres Brazos area, on Pastor Kendar's church) but that the Don Gregorio church will be touched by the experience and continue to see ways to be on mission with God.

Only bad news of the day is that the Dominicans did indeed whup the Americanos in basketball- that's not that bad though because we had a great exchange and share time, which is what it is all about.

Another awesome day! Every thing has gone well, we are getting ready for our last day of our normal ministry. Friday will be a special day, working with another church in a very urban poor section of the capital.  We are excited about that opportunity. 

Discipleship Now has been an incredible success. There are some adults (males even) that have been attending and express a strong interest in beginning to attend the church! What an answer to prayer! Please keep on praying with us that "good intentions" will be carried out! We are excited for Pastor Melvin too- they have had a discouraging year so this is a real boost. Pray that he will be able to effectively follow-up with those who have participated.

Tomorrow afternoon, the whole team will be in Don Gregorio for our basketball competition. We are praying to break the ice with these young people and help the church build a relationship with them for future ministry.  Pray for us, and pray for Melvin, Mayilyn and the rest of the church folks.

Team 1 (Dwight, Tinsley, Jake, Charlie, Brett, Roberta, Jessie, Susan) God is so incredibly amazing. We are so blown away by how He is working on our team. He has paved the way htrough all of our interactions. It has been the greatest blessing to see God's joy as our strength, and experience His awesome greatness together. The change is evident even on our faces. Please continue to pray for our entire group and the ability to share God's love with the Dominicans we encounter each day.  It is obvious their hearts are open and hungry to receive the  Gospel. 
     Each evening we lead a disciplship Bible study and the Dominicans who come want to be there, even those who may not have heard about Jesus before our time with them.  It is a blessing to see God's spirit stir their hearts.  Pray for them, for soft hearts. Your prayers are so apparent- thanks!

Team 2: we would like to share some individual reflectiosn on our trip so far...

     I am so blessed by the sweet spirit and precious smiles of so many children we have ministered to. Ginny

     It is an honor to be at the tip of the spear in the Kingdom. God has proven sovereign once again over distractions, sickness, injuries and many other obstacles in our path.  Jess, Mikes (and Elda) I love you and will be home soon. Carey

     I have been so blessed by these people, the joy and energy of the kids and the thirst for the truth within the adults. The lack of sleep and rest is not a sacrifice, it is our honor and we have been able to rely on the joy of the Lord for our strength.   Tony

     Hey everyone! Thanks so much for all the prayer and support. I'm learning that even though I speak no Spanish at all, I can still develop relationships with the people here, and that is only because of God's grace. Mom, Dad, Scotty, I love you guys so much and I miss you a lot. Increase the peace!  Kara

     I don't anything has gone exactly as we planned but never once have we stopped smiling the whole trip.  I can't explain how much joy these kids put into our hearts, in all their glory... God continues to bless our team constantly. Thanks you for all your prayers, it means the world to us. Dad, I hope the house is still standing! I miss you all back home. Keep praying.... Joey

Team 3 (George, Taylor, Emily, Peter, Alex, Caroline, Corey, Mark) We were completely blown away by the crazy amount of children in our VBS. it was wild and crazy- George was a little shocked) but it was a great experience.  In the afternoon, during our sports outreach, we were able to minister to several older lakes who seem to be the hardest to reach.  This morning, a girl about 8 years old, volunteered to sing a solo for worship in our VBS. As a group we continue to believe that no matter what obstacles or surprises we face, God's will will be done through us because He is in control.

Always there is excitement! We had a minor accident this afternoon which led to an emergency room trip- Taylor wiped out on the BB court and needed 2 stitches- he is fine, and was back at his ministry site by 6pm.  What was really cool was that the people where he fell were so concerned about him- they asked all during the D-Now how he was.

It has been an awesome day. The BB court painting project went really well- we have lots of young men that are really into sports. We are now planning a play-off between St Giles and Don Gregorio on Thursday- please pray we can engage these young folks with the Gospel where they are at- the BB court!

We had great turn-outs this afternoon in all three locations- spirits are high. Thanks for your prayers!!

What a day and we are just halfway done!! Our teams had a great start this morning. Between the three site, we had 212 kids in VBS... amazing! Manoguayabo had 150 and that will probably climb as the days progress. We are ministering in a urban poor sector (Manoguayabo) and in two middle class neighborhoods. Numbers don't really "count"- the point is to make an effective outreach to the communities. We were really excited with the involvement of the kids, of the folks from Melvin's church, as well as the church folks from Manoguayabo. 

I saw lots of smiles and excitement from all three teams- I think they are so pumped up to be actually out there working. Obviously, they have trained long and hard before arriving here so it is fun for them to actually be "doing it." 

Everything has gone super well- they are resting and eating well in the Ministry Center where we are staying. We are eating lunch at Melvin's church. They got to see Carlos (another missionary Dwight has worked with) today so everyone was happy. 

This afternoon the teams are doing an afternoon outreach- sports, visitation, and team 1 is painting the basketball court in Don Gregorio. At 5pm they will scramble to different locations to begin their discipleship now ministry for youth. Please pray for this important ministry.  They finish up tonight with dinner at 8pm, debriefing, re-grouping for tomorrow and worship time.  It is a fast paced day- pray for strength, stamina in the heat, and effectiveness is sharing God's love with those we encounter.

This might actually be day 2 or 3 for the St. Giles day because their travel day lasted almost 24 hours! I don't know how they made it but they looked really good and strong when I saw them late yesterday afternoon. What a super spirit they have! They arrived well, got to see the Colonial City with Pastor Melvin, and then settled in to their new home. What a great place!

     I love it when volunteer groups get to begin with a worship day. We had a record high attendance at Don Gregorio this morning for SS. The group had to adjust their preparations and as usual, it all worked out perfect.  I know the SS and worship time inspired me and I am more than certain it did others as well. Pastor Melvin shared at the end if he hadn't already converted, he would certainly convert after that!

     We got to enjoy some great Chinese food, celebrating Carey's birthday, and then we took a tour of our ministry sites for the week. We got to meet Pastor Ramon Paulino in Manoguayabo and one of their leaders, Roberto. We will be sending on of the teams there each day. We also visited Camen Renalta and of course, the church in Don Gregorio.

     Please pray with us for strength and effectiveness. As we shared today with Melvin and his leaders, we can sense that the enemy has been attacking their ministry. Please pray for the young people to be open, for there to be a spirit of seeking God.

Tomorrow: in the morning, we will be doing a Bible school for children in three areas. In Manoguayabo (home of Pedro Martinez) we will be helping in a church plant area called Bienvenidos (Welcome). It is a section of the town that has great need. Carmen Renalta is an area near the church that Melvin is praying to open a cell group Bible study- pray for those people to step forward who are seeking the Lord. And pray for Don Gregorio, that this ministry will be strengthened and the community grow in its awareness and acceptance of this evangelical presence.

     In the afternoons we will be doing several things: sports outreach, evangelism door to door, and in one site we will be painting a basketball court to help out the community. Right after that, at 5pm, we will begin a discipleship ministry to young people. They have a series of Bibles studies mixed with games, dramas,  and music.

     The group has trained and prepared well. Now everything is in God's hands. Pray for Him to cause these seeds to take root and grow in the hearts of the communities where we are serving.

We have two volunteer teams in transit- the Cool Spring gang is at the airport getting checked in for their flight home, and the St. Giles group is about to land in Santo Domingo (12:25pm).  Please pray for both groups, for safety and protection in their travels.

Please pray for the St. Giles group as they get ready for this coming week. I know God has been working and preparing people for this week. Please keep the Don Gregorio church and youth in your prayers- we pray this will be a great experience for both youth group as well as produce much fruit.

I will do my best to update the blog this week- I am not sure of my internet access so it may be sketchy at times. Your prayers and encouragement are so important and very much appreciated!!