Dominican Republic 2008 Mission Trip Updates
The area surrounding the TIME House
Today we began our day at 6:30am with morning devotions, followed by breakfast and off to building the chapel at 8am. We worked as couples for the most part… each couple having a different task.
Here are some pictures to show you the pieces that we have worked on today.
The uncut lumber:
The tool garage:
John and Ruth:
Duane and Vivian:
George and Deb:
Greg and Laurie:
Rene and Cheryl:
First… we thank all of you for your prayers. It has been a comfort and a blessing to know that our family and friends are lifting us up in prayer.
This morning was our sleep in and rest up before our work week. It was much needed, as many of us did not sleep Friday night before our travel here. So we all felt much better.
We had breakfast at 8am, and went to church at 9am.
Pastor Rudy’s message was about faith. We were able to follow along because we understood the scripture references that Pastor gave. It was a delightful service with many in attendance.
We saw more of our friends this morning, Patria and also Russell and Miosiotti with their 10 month old baby Naomi. It is such a special occasion when we once again see those we know here.
Dorretta Brown is here as well as her daughter Joanna, who is traveling with a short term medical mission team. Dorretta is such a blessing and and encouragement, as she is in her 80’s and has no sense of retirement and is not retired by the way. She says she feels great and we all wanted to know what kind of vitamins she was taking!
Duane led Sunday school and discussed verses on marriage and how a man and wife have different roles, so is it any wonder we are different. Women was created to be the man’s helper and we complete each other as a couple. Also discussed was Ephesians 5:33 as an introduction to this weeks bible studies on Love and Respect.
Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.
We enjoyed lunch and then went to Los Tres Ojos (the three eyes), there are three subterranean lakes that you get to by walking down many, many, many steps. It was a beautiful area set in a cavern that was humid and cool.
Later in the day we visited the chapel that we built last year at Guaricanos. We saw Pastor Alberto and Lillian (who are expecting a baby in October – Praise the Lord). We separated into groups and distributed gospel tracts to the people in the homes surrounding the chapel. This was quite a uplifting experience. As we walked through this area we had the opportunity to see how Pastor Alberto and Lillian have a big heart for people. Their love for God and others simply poured out in their greeting and speaking with the people. We saw how mightily God is working in that area, as half way through the service people started drifting into the service and participated in song and prayer.
We enjoyed the sermon from Pastor Alberto (Noe translated the message). Pastor Alberto’s message was on obedience… when we are disobedient, we must turn around and return to where God wants us, and repent.
After dinner we discussed the day and how as couples God is working in our lives through sharing were one couple was and where they are now.
We arrived safely yesterday in the Dominican Republic.
Our check-in, travel, and retrieval of luggage all went well. We have all the supplies that we brought.
We were greeted by Noe, Steven, and John Carlos at the airport… it was nice to see our Dominican friends again!
We saw Ina York for a bit last night and she has some very exciting news about her ministry in Cercadillo.
It is a Glorious Morning here in the DR… this is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad it in!
Will update more later today with some pictures.
We have been able to have two fundraisers: the Fall Festival food sale, and a Pretzel sandwich sale (and another Pretzel sandwich sale on March 2nd). The funds raised are going toward the materials for the couples conference and chapel construction. Thank you!
The couples conference will focus on a ‘Love and Respect’ seminar presented by Duane and Vivian Sawyer. There will be 25 Dominican Couples attending the conference. We are trusting the Lord with the results of the conference. We will be giving a copy of the Love and Respect book and workbook to the Dominican couples who attend the conference. This book is by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs.
As a team we are each also reading this book in preparation for the daily devotions that we will have while in the Dominican.
Link to the DR Couples 2007 Weblog: http://drcouples.wordpress.com/
