Sunday, February 17, 2008

DR-- Creativity, Flexibility and God's Love Overflowing!

Hey loved ones!

What an unbelievable couple of days it has been on "our" part of the world. From playing basketball under the hot sun all afternoon, to not having any running water, not being able to take showers and having to depend on church members' homes, to worship experiences that have transcended language and cultural barriers where God's love was/is overflowing!

We began Saturday with more preparation at Iglesia Bautista San Francisco de Macoris (Pastor Gabriel's church; YEC '06), a home-cooked Dominican breakfast (Mangu!) and an afternoon of playing basketball and football with young people from the church and the neighborhood. In the evening, (after joyfully hitting the showers thanks to the generosity of church members!) we experienced God through the worship and fellowship and were honored to be used to share His message of hope and redemption through testimonies, songs, and the Everything skit (which translated really well!).

The Sunday service was a bittersweet-- a celebration of God's faithfulness and truth and a sad time to say goodbye to part of our Dominican family that we've come to love, even in this brief time! Parents & friends, you should be proud at how flexible and willing your students have been even through the numerous changes-- no complaints or questions asked! Many of our Dominican brothers & sisters were impressed by their willingness to EAT anything given (and go for seconds!)... we certainly love our chefs!

After lunch meant we had to dash to Santiago for ministry in Los Santos where the students sang worship songs, performed their stomp & rap, played with neighborhood kids and where our very own Ken and Rob baptized 6 growing believers in front of numerous witnesses!

We just finished our water purification training with Marsha Davidson. Tomorrow we will be the 1st team to install this system in a neighborhood called La Canela. We will be working with teen leaders who will be the ones maintaining it to provide pure water for up to 1,000 people! Pray for us as we work to physically give clean water here and prayerwalk the neighborhoods to share LIVING water! We're excited and humbled to be a part of it all! Que bueno es Dios!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

hi hope, i am proud of you! remember you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. lives are changing because of you and your team's willingness to be available. YEAH! your not missing much as far as weather. freezing rain tonite and yesterday's high was 10 degrees in burlington. so enjoy the heat :) i am praying hourly for you, your team and those whom God called you to serve. may the Force be with you, mom

Queen - Ababa said...

Praying for you all!! Praise God that he has been moving in your lives already!!!

Anonymous said...

Dear questies:
Our church is praying for you guys at DR and SA. Keep going, be use by God with great power and give Him all the glory. We are glad you are having fun... And, yes we praying in spanish.
Cristo vive! Luv u sweethearts...
Pastor Raul Elizalde.
Iglesia Casa de Oracion
Worcester, Mass.

Lisa said...

Hello John-Paul,
Sure does sound like you all are doing lots of good things. I have prayed that God use you in a mighty way, and I am blessed to be able to see my prayers answered. I am so proud of you and the team. Remember how someone used to say, stay flexible and fluid, LOL. It sounds like that is what you are all doing. God bless you all and keep you safe. I cant wait to hear all the good news when you return. See you at the BCNE Saturday :)

Lisa said...

Almost forgot. Letting you all know that John's Grandparents John and Jennie from Arizona are praying for you all.

Anonymous said...

Hi Uncle Ken! I love you! Caleb loves you too! I am at your house. i am going to play with auntie jen and caleb. See you soon!

katlyn

(I tytped this messag4e all by myself. Auntie Jen helped a little.)

Anonymous said...

Hi Dada! Mommy said you called last night, but I was sleeping! I miss you and can't awit for you to come home so that we can play. I might even learn how to crawl by the time you get back!! I love you!

Calab

Anonymous said...

Hey Robert!
I love you! Can't wait to see you!
Angela

Anonymous said...

Hi Daddy,
I miss you so so so so much and I'm counting the days til you come home. Pistachio!!!
I love you, Savannah

Daddy,
I love you. I miss you. I'll see you in 4 days. We're going to Kyle and Caitrin's house this afternoon. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. Mahi Mahi.
Samuel

Anonymous said...

Hi everybody,
Stopping by to say that you've been in our prayers! It's exciting to see what God is doing in & through you! Keep it up!
Ana & Gil

Rachel said...

Rob and Ken baptizing?? that sounds so out of character for them ;)
It's amazing to hear about the many things you all are doing!! You've been in my prayers constantly.

You have an opportunity to spread the love of Christ while you're among the Dominican people, that love which is reflected in your behaviors and attitudes.

1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."
May His light so shine amongst you.
God Bless you all!

-Rachel.

Anonymous said...

Hi natalie!!!
Sounds like you are having a great time and like God is using you guys in awesome ways! It was really weird yesterday at church because you and alison were both gone. CRAZY! Can't wait to see you when you get back and hear all about everything! I'm praying for ya and so is everybody else at FBCM!!! Hi Marsha!!!!

Becca

Anonymous said...

wow!! i love reading about all of the wonderful things happening - i'm glad that you all could perform the "everything" skit; that goes to show you that God has no language barrier. amen! still praying for the team! <33 my bori's!

Anonymous said...

NatNatBonBon- wow! It sounds like you're having an amazing time serving God and others. I know you're having a lot of fun in the procees. Jake,Cody, and Shmooties say hi. ;) I'm praying for you and the whole Q9 team. Love ya.
Lydia

Anonymous said...

Hi Natalie, Sounds like you & all the Questies are doing a terrific job being about God's business. We are pryaing for everyone and the young people you are serving. Dad, Smoots & I send our love. Uncle Harry is praying for you guys. Miss you. God bless, FBC Mom

Anonymous said...

SOOOOOZE! I'm praying for you and miss you TONS! God bless the work you're doing in South Africa. Tell Leesa that i miss my hiking partner. Come home safely!

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah that last one was me, Rosie!
sorry

Anonymous said...

ashley!
i miss you. i hope you are having a great time. i am praying for you guys. i know God will use you all in a great and rewarding way! have fun! and i cant wait to see you and hear all about your trip!
love Carmen!!!