The Barnabas Foundation...

I want to make you aware that as Southern Baptists, your support of the Cooperative Program, Lottie Moon and also Relief funds make a huge impact on our work. The relief efforts that I described in my earlier blog will be funded in great part by these disaster funds.  Thanks for your support of the Hunger Relief fund- they are making a difference!

I am close to having official approval for 2 seperate projects using these funds. One is the water purification systems- I have asked for enough funds to place 10 units around the country. And we already have some volunteer groups lined up to do the work!  Also, we are close to receiving approval for funding for the Barnabas Foundation and the whole microcredit endeavor. 

So as you can see, your giving through SBC channels makes a big impact not only here in the DR but in all areas of the world. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

There is SO MUCH to be thankful for, as the Psalmist says in chapter 16,

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
   indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

 7I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
   in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me;
   because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

It is a priviledge to be your misionary here in the DR, to work with the people I work with, and to have a part in the Kingdom's work.  I am thankful for your friendship, your prayer support and your support through the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering!! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

I wish you all a wonderful day with family and friends. I will be traveling in just a few minutes to Santo Domingo to share the day with my International  Mission Board family- right now there are just 5 families here in country and we will be joined by a volunteer couple who is here working this week- 22 people in all, with 9 kids so pray it doesn't rain and the kids can play outside!

I remember reading some of Martin Luther King's writings for a class I took in college. You know how some things that you hear or read stay with you for a long time? Well, the following quote has stayed with me for years and has helped me deal with many of situations.

We must combine the toughness of the serpent with the softness of the dove, a tough mind with a tender heart.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
It comes out of Jesus' instruction to his disciples when he sends them out in Matthew 10:16...

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

What a day! I know I am biased, but I must say Fenway definately beats Yankee Stadium.  It was quite an experience heading into the Bronx decked out in red! It is fun being a part of one of the greates rivalries in all of sports. Thankfully, we were not alone- the Red Sox nation travels!  Obviously, the series was a bust- we got swept- it was terrible. There are two things that struck me...

1) How passionate and intense people are about sports. The t-shirts expressing what Yankee fans think of Boston and the Red Sox were incredible. (And vice-versa).  It is amazing how much money was spent today just to watch a game. Over 55,000 poeple, many traveling from Massachusetts (@$3+/gallon!), all the food, all the merchandise- it was hilarious to see grown men and women dressed in their favorite players team shirt...)  I enjoy the game and the rivalry as much as anyone, but the whole scene today made me pause and consider how misplaced our values can become.  How I wish we could be as passionate about justice and righteousness, and as willing to make sacrifices for those causes as we are about sports.

2) In the 6th inning, things were getting a bit testy in the stands. I don't think the Yankee folks appreciated the Red Sox nation shouting, "Let's go, Red Sox" in their stadium.  A few fans were ejected, etc. Then there was a controversial call on the field, with Terry Francona eventually being tosses. So here we are, shouting back and forth our dislike for one another, then comes the middle of the 7th inning, we all stand up and sing "God Bless America" together, and then we sit back down and begin once again with the NY/Boston hate talk. It was just amazing- we can disagree so passionately about which team/city is the best, and then forget all of that and sing about our common bond/love for our country. It was a striking moment- I loved it! 

Like I said, the results of the game/series stunk. But it was a cool experience- lots of fun. 

Tomorrow morning my mom will go in for surgery at 6am. Hopefully by 10:30am, she will be in recovery. Thanks for keeping her in your prayers.

Ready or not, here comes the team! We are almost ready. It has been another crazy day of tying up loose ends. One of my errands today gave me pause to reflect- Wednesday I made an unscheduled trip to Santo Domingo to pick up our mission van and our mail. (Because Thursday was a holiday, we were not going to be able to get it through customs here in Santiago.)  I took advantage of having the van to get my "jeepeta" in the shop for a much needed tune-up. Today I got it back- the mechanic is a great guy, a Christian and president of the Civil Defense in Licey- another municipality about 20 minutes from Santiago. We had a great chat and I see potential in doing some ministry with him and his Civil Defense unit.  (As soon as God decides to add a few days to the week!)  Anyway, the report on the SUV was that it was TERRIBLE- the spark plugs were in pitiful shape, the brake rotors were gone, the fuel injectors were dirty, and the list goes on. (It really hadn't been that long since I had it in for service!) He replaced all of this and the vehicle runs great now and I should get better gas mileage. All this to say, we are not all that different from the vehicles we drive- we need "tune-ups" every so often- spiritually, mentally and physically.  Jesus often withdrew for a long period of time to be alone and pray (converse) with his Father.  He withdrew from the crowds and a crowded schedule that clamored for his attention, spending quality time with his inner circle.  And he maintained his physical fitness as he walked, traveling about the region.  I was reminded today of my need to follow Jesus' example and have a routine "check-up" physically, emotionally, and spiritually. How about you?  Bad attitudes, poor thought patterns, eating habits and fitness habits can creep in and waste our energy, keeping us off balance emotionally and physically while robbing us the joy we have in Christ. Spend some time alone with your Lord, let him check you out, "replacing what's is worn out, and find renewed energy and joy!

 

You never know where or from whom you might hear good advice- this struck me as something worth reflecting on:

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many--not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
- Charles Dickens

I saw this quote today and couldn't hep but smile at its truth!  (It may not be the most important thing, but life is a lot easier and more fun when this is put into practice!)

The most important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative, and the second disastrous.
- Margot Fonteyn

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
- Mark Twain

 

Enjoyment is not a goal, it is a feeling that accompanies important ongoing activity.
- Paul Goodman

We were supposed to have a workshop with the Bible League last night but they had to cancel. I felt strongly we needed to meet anyway so we got together and reviewed the five functions of church and did a little evaluated of where we are in our development. It was a very good time, at least for me!  As we discussed the fellowship aspect, Jesus' words in John about how he calls us friends, how he has given us everything he has been given, is just overwhelming! Stop and think about, and it will change your heart!

Even beyond thinking about "what" is church, we have to ask the question, "why" church?  And it comes down to one person: Jesus.  It is His church, He builds it, He owns it, He cares for it, He empowers it, He guides it, etc, etc. And if He doesn't, it isn't church, it is just some sort of club.

This morning someone sent me this video clip; it was good timing!  If you have 9 minutes or so, watch it!

The Jesus Painting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M4_IlbaZHA