Dominican Republic Trip - Last Day

Today is Wednesday.  The MISSION POSSIBLE team has finished their work and it is time to play a little.  Today, after taking a few moments to acquire a well-deserved rest, they will board the bus and head to the beach.

Yesterday, we traveled to another remote village.  It was probably the poorest area we have encountered.  We ministered to children at another school and also carried supplies to them.  Taking supplies to the last school proved to be a great blessing, so the team pooled their resources and made a purchase of supplies for this second school.  The trips to the school have proven to be a great experience.  The children and school leaders were able to feel the love of God and be encouraged.  The team was also able to feel God’s love and offer encouragement and hope to people who have little to nothing

Everyone has found the trip to be a learning experience.  Regardless of how prepared you think you are for a trip such as this, once you hit the field, you discover there is no way to truly prepare for it.  In any situation, you encounter the unexpected, but when you are in such a place, there is no way to consider what the unexpected will be.  There re just elements that one’s mind cannot fathom.  It has truly been a walk of faith.

We also went to a nursing home in a nearby city.  Again, with a team offering, we purchased diapers, toilet tissue, bleach, and food supplies for this home.  IT was a beautiful place and in some ways, nicer than the convalescent homes we have in the states.  A nun who is very dedicated and proficient administrated it.  We sang and danced with the residents.  We prayed with them and basically just loved on them for two hours.  One 86-year-old man who has been in a wheel chair for 76 years, challenged me to a wheelchair race.  He won both heats and was overjoyed that his record is untarnished.  There was another, who sang a beautiful song to honor our visit.

One of the residents was a bright-eyed, feisty woman of 111 years of age.  I thought that was amazing.  Then I met Juan.  He did not want to open his eyes because he was starting his siesta but he spoke with me and prayed with me.  His mind was very sharp.  He is 120 years old.

Finally, we ministered again at Templo de Spiritu Sanctu in San Pedro…this, after ministering to the local pastors yesterday.  The message we bring is very new to them and they are looking for change. AS a result, they have opened their doors to us.  I have ministered on television in two cities and leave this morning to minster on an international broadcast.  Last night, as I ministered to the adult congregation, Anton Green took the youth into another area and ministered to them on creativity in worship.  His impact was very strong.  

There is so much to tell and so little time for you to read…suffice to say this has been an awesome experience and one the team hopes to repeat.  Pray for us as we travel home.  We will see you soon.

Blessings.

T

Live from Dominican Republic - MISSION POSSIBLE update

Today is Monday.  The MISSION POSSIBLE team has been very busy.  Over the weekend, we traveled to a remote village of Haitian refugees to an orphanage.  We had the opportunity to minster to the children about the love of Jesus.  We encountered a young woman who had adopted a small boy who nearly died as a result of a flood.  I was especially moved as she told her story and I considered that a woman who had lost everything and had nothing was willing to embrace the responsibility of becoming a mother to this boy.

After ministering in the orphanage, the team spread throughout the village and visited the homes of the people.  We were asked by the people to pray for God’s blessing over their homes for their marriages and for the future of their children.   These refugees migrated to the DR after losing everything in the Haitian earthquake.  They have nothing and are living in little more than shelters, yet the biggest concern they have and the prayer they requested is the same as the concern that people have in the U.S.  It proved to demonstrate that the enemy understands the power of family and that there is a consistent attack on the family unit.

We have ministered in three churches.  The first was Zion A.M.E. in San Pedro on Saturday.  On Sunday morning, the team ministered to the children at the Iglesia Circulo de Oracion, or the Circle of Prayer Church.  Sunday afternoon, I had the privilege of joining a pastor in a televised broadcast in San Pedro.  Then, Sunday evening, we ministered at the Templo de Spiritus Sanctu. The Temple of the Holy Spirit.

This last church is very special to us.  The pastor and the people there have touched our hearts.  Their mission and purpose is very similar to the one we demonstrate At Bethesda Church and I believe that there has been established a relationship with these people that will be long standing and productive for the kingdom.

For the fun stuff - there’s always fun stuff – we took a little time to see San Pedro.  We went a short distance along the coast and just observed the cultural differences.  The ladies have fallen in love with “JAMBO” – San Pedro’s version of Wal-Mart.  We have enjoyed the local cuisine – empanadas de jamon y queso (ham and cheese), and also empanadas de pollo y queso (chicken and cheese).  Last night we ate in a restaurant and I thought Ms. Eva would simply rapture as she located her favorite – Goat – on the menu!  Adding to the fun stuff, Elder Reed has joined the dance team and is pretty good!  I cannot wait for Bethesda to see that.

Finally, I cannot fully express my thanks and respect for the COI team who is hosting us.  Elson, the leader is an incredible organizer and through his efforts, this journey has been very productive and successful.  His team, Diana, Efrain, Harolyn, Frederico, Luis, and Carman are a true blessing.  They are a testimony to MaryAlice and the entire COI network.

We are leaving now to o to a school in the city.  Please continue to pray for us.  More later.

T

Expecting the Unexpected - Live from the Dominican Republic

This week I have the privilege of escorting MISSION POSSIBLE – Bethesda’s new short-term missions group into the Dominican Republic.  The group is led by one of our elder teams, Glenn and Charm Reed.  I am thankful for their dedication and the leadership they demonstrated in getting the team through the first part of the journey.

I am also excited about the encounters we have had and the new friends we have already made.  I believe that God sent us here to make a difference. 

That sounds like a “blanket” statement.  

Of course if you are going to go through the expense and effort of traveling to another land on a mission, you are expected to make a difference.  What I am referring to though is the immediate development of friendship and continuity we found with the people here.  I feel very at home with the people in this place –as though we have already been connected for a long time.  It is something that I consider to be very special and a great honor.  I cannot wait to see what the next week will bring.

I have been reading about “synchronicity”. Without going into detail, there is something that occurs when you are willing to release yourself in obedience to God, that seems to place you in the right place at the right time with the right people.  This action creates an environment wherein you can do things that under everyday circumstances might not have been possible.  I like to call it “divine appointment.

I believe that this trip has already proven to be full of divine appointments.  There were two other mission teams on the airplane to Santo Domingo, traveling for much the same purpose as us, but in different places around the country.  I sat flanked between two different long-term missionaries, who did not know each other but were from the same city in South Carolina.  They are also laboring in the DR.

We even encountered a popular rock band from the 70’s, who were in the airport waiting to catch the same plane as us for the first leg of their journey.  They do not show any great indication of sharing our beliefs – and actually joked about being perceived as our “opposition”, yet in conversation, 

                                    they demonstrated genuine interest and even perhaps a little excitement 

                                                                   that our team was coming to reach out to “our fellow man”.  They offered us well wishes, safe travel, and great success on our journey.  More surprising, they talked openly with others as we stood in the airport line about the work we were setting out to do.  I found it unexpected and encouraging.

That is a great combination.  On such journeys, you anticipate the unexpected.  You expect it.  You also expect that your efforts with be very encouraging and faith building.  But the thing that was cool was that in expecting the unexpected – I never expected to find encouragement where I found it.

For me, it has kind of changed the game a little bit.  I came here expecting to connect with great people doing great things.  I came “expecting the unexpected”.  I also discovered today that I had a pre-conceived notion about what the unexpected would be.  That has changed now.  We are here for a Kairos moment – a super-naturally charged happening. But I am not going to limit myself to find the joy in the “expected” areas.  I think that as we travel, we will encounter hidden joys that will add in great measure to what we accomplish here.

I look forward to seeing what comes tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.  God willing and wireless connection holding out, I will share with you as we journey.  Until then, expect the unexpected.