What a great day. Our first bus ride this morning opened our eyes to the people's City, few tourist here so we were able to see people moving around in there natural surroundings. Our first stop was a private school. we helped with some small tasks for teachers around the building and began meeting students. Just before school ended we joined the junior and senior high students for their weekly chapel. Their students led the music part of worship, then Btittany shared her testimony and Andrew led a devotion.
Later we crossed the river and attended a youth group. Many students from the school attend this group and we rode the bus together. This gave opportunity for small conversations with the students learning more about their lives and The City.
Youth group began with a dinner then after hanging out a study together. More time to connect, we will see many of these students again Saturday night. We walked down a very steep hill to the ferry which brought us back across the river. We ended our night in a local cafe.
The group is learning about the City and its people, connecting well with one another and the new friends we are meeting. Good spirits inspite of a long day which included a lot of walking in a light rain. Everyone is eating well and another night's rest will go along way. We enjoyed reading your comments tonight during our debrief time.
Tomorrow we will be tourists a portion of the day visiting the wonderful sights of the City. More soon.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Day 1 from the DR
Our 1st full day was spent in San Cristobal near the capital with some old Quest friends and some new ones! We connected with Sharon (Coleman) and Juana, the pastor's wife who, along with her husband, are ministering to the young people of the neighborhood. We went to a new neighborhood the govt just finished building for a group of people who have always lived in makeshift homes by the river. The people are transitioning to their permanent cement homes but have encountered increasing crime and restlessness with the adjustment. Juana and her husband want to be able to showcase that God through the cross of Christ can supply the much deeper need for hope!
The first part of the day was spent connecting with the local kids through games and with local teenagers through rap and music. Later on, the guys and girls split up- the guys went on to play basketball with those same teens and with our Dominican brothers (Jochy, Fernando, Cristian, Vic, Hans and Arturo). They also continued to connect through rap and song- even "battling" (in a good way!) In 2 languages! The language barrier didn't interfere with sharing a message of hope and forgiveness through the raps. The girls spent the day making bracelets and connecting with the local kids.
A crowd gathered as both guys and girls got together to share some songs, testimonies, a puppet show and the team's cardboard testimonies right there on the street. We praise God and continue to pray that our words, actions and testimonies glorify God in all that we do, see and experience. Despite not having water for a bit, some scheduling setbacks, mosquito bites, and language barriers the team is focused and without complaint. Your prayers back home are not in vain! Please continue to pray that we would worship with thankful hearts and always be led by Him. Tomorrow, we will be connecting with Antonio here in Santo Domingo (past Quest teams may remember him and efforts to reach his neighborhood and with construction projects), then we head off to San Francisco to work with Pastor Gabriel! Much more to come! Con Amor, the DR team.
The first part of the day was spent connecting with the local kids through games and with local teenagers through rap and music. Later on, the guys and girls split up- the guys went on to play basketball with those same teens and with our Dominican brothers (Jochy, Fernando, Cristian, Vic, Hans and Arturo). They also continued to connect through rap and song- even "battling" (in a good way!) In 2 languages! The language barrier didn't interfere with sharing a message of hope and forgiveness through the raps. The girls spent the day making bracelets and connecting with the local kids.
A crowd gathered as both guys and girls got together to share some songs, testimonies, a puppet show and the team's cardboard testimonies right there on the street. We praise God and continue to pray that our words, actions and testimonies glorify God in all that we do, see and experience. Despite not having water for a bit, some scheduling setbacks, mosquito bites, and language barriers the team is focused and without complaint. Your prayers back home are not in vain! Please continue to pray that we would worship with thankful hearts and always be led by Him. Tomorrow, we will be connecting with Antonio here in Santo Domingo (past Quest teams may remember him and efforts to reach his neighborhood and with construction projects), then we head off to San Francisco to work with Pastor Gabriel! Much more to come! Con Amor, the DR team.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
City Team has arrived!
We are a bit tired but arrived safe and sound with all our luggage! All 19 bags. The City team checked into our hotel and then walked to a local office building for an orientation. We met a number of folks who live hear and some of them joined us for dinner in a local restaurant. A nice walk after dinner helped us stretch a bit and take in the neighborhood around our hotel.
We just finished up our day's debrief and now are headed to sleep! Tomorrow we spend time at a school and later hang out with a local youth group. The City team is beginning to soak it new surroundings, listening and learning. Thanks for your support.
We just finished up our day's debrief and now are headed to sleep! Tomorrow we spend time at a school and later hang out with a local youth group. The City team is beginning to soak it new surroundings, listening and learning. Thanks for your support.
News from the DR
Here is an update from the DR late last night . . .
just wanted to update you that we made it down, all safe, all bags here. No showers yet, b/c running water is out. But all are happy, and now in bed. We connected with Sharon Coleman today, as well as had a good visit with Karin Hernandez. Excited about the warmth, and full day of ministry tomorrow in one of the santo domingo barrios with Juana. We'll be building relationships with teens of the neighborhood using sports with the guys as well as beading bracelets with the girls. Thinking about and praying for our friends on the 2 other teams as they travel tonight.
just wanted to update you that we made it down, all safe, all bags here. No showers yet, b/c running water is out. But all are happy, and now in bed. We connected with Sharon Coleman today, as well as had a good visit with Karin Hernandez. Excited about the warmth, and full day of ministry tomorrow in one of the santo domingo barrios with Juana. We'll be building relationships with teens of the neighborhood using sports with the guys as well as beading bracelets with the girls. Thinking about and praying for our friends on the 2 other teams as they travel tonight.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Across the Seas
Our teams have all left the country and have crossed the seas. The DR team has even arrived at their final destination, although our other 2 teams have many miles to go.
Pray for the DR team as they get settled and begin to see and learn about the country they are serving. Pray for the other teams to rest during their flights and to adjust to time change differences when they arrive.
Pray for the DR team as they get settled and begin to see and learn about the country they are serving. Pray for the other teams to rest during their flights and to adjust to time change differences when they arrive.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Prepping to go!
Welcome to our Q10 blog! We are excited to have you join us on our journeys. We will try to share our experiences on this site. There will be days when all three teams log on and other days where none of us are able to connect. We appreciate your continued support as we go. The messages will be blended. Obviously, a short blog will not express the depth of each day so we look forward to sharing with you when we return.
Quest 10 is in the final days before heading out. Last Saturday during YEC the three teams met for a time of prep and during the evening celebration were commissioned. This Sunday local congregations will do the same.
This year marks the tenth year of Quest!! This is the ninth year a team has traveled to the Dominican Republic and the third year a team has traveled to South Africa. A third team was added this year and will travel to "The City." More than 133 students have participated in Quest. This year's team of 27 students represent 15 congregations.
Here are the teams:
Dominican Republic
Kathy, Columbia CT
Jimmy, Litchfield, CT
Caitlyn, Billerica, MA
Ben, Manchester, CT
Marley, Manchester, CT
Jared, Warwick, RI
Lenny, Billerica, MA
Andre’, Bridgeport, CT
Sam, Warwick, RI
Kula, Boston, MA
Carmen, Middletown, RI
Jimmy, Manchester, CT
DR Faculty
Susie, team director
Itamar
Justin, Q2-Alumni
Josh
Russell
Quest 10 is in the final days before heading out. Last Saturday during YEC the three teams met for a time of prep and during the evening celebration were commissioned. This Sunday local congregations will do the same.
This year marks the tenth year of Quest!! This is the ninth year a team has traveled to the Dominican Republic and the third year a team has traveled to South Africa. A third team was added this year and will travel to "The City." More than 133 students have participated in Quest. This year's team of 27 students represent 15 congregations.
Here are the teams:
Dominican Republic
Kathy, Columbia CT
Jimmy, Litchfield, CT
Caitlyn, Billerica, MA
Ben, Manchester, CT
Marley, Manchester, CT
Jared, Warwick, RI
Lenny, Billerica, MA
Andre’, Bridgeport, CT
Sam, Warwick, RI
Kula, Boston, MA
Carmen, Middletown, RI
Jimmy, Manchester, CT
DR Faculty
Susie, team director
Itamar
Justin, Q2-Alumni
Josh
Russell
South Africa
Kate, Middletown, RI
Catherine, Sterling, MA
Amber, Warwick, RI
Krestina, Newton, MA
Zach, Brunswick, ME
Jared, Sterling, MA
Josh, Newton, MA
Deva, Boston, MA
SA Faculty
Ken, team director
Katelyn, Q4-Alumni
Stephanie
The City
Krissy, Middletown, RI
Andrew, Hartford, CT
Brittany, N. Berwick, ME
David, Manchester, CT
Nic, Sudbury, MA
Kelsea, Sterling, MA
Tessa, Manchester, CT
City Faculty
Allyson, director
Rob
Beth, Q3-Alumni
Kate, Middletown, RI
Catherine, Sterling, MA
Amber, Warwick, RI
Krestina, Newton, MA
Zach, Brunswick, ME
Jared, Sterling, MA
Josh, Newton, MA
Deva, Boston, MA
SA Faculty
Ken, team director
Katelyn, Q4-Alumni
Stephanie
The CityKrissy, Middletown, RI
Andrew, Hartford, CT
Brittany, N. Berwick, ME
David, Manchester, CT
Nic, Sudbury, MA
Kelsea, Sterling, MA
Tessa, Manchester, CT
City Faculty
Allyson, director
Rob
Beth, Q3-Alumni
Thursday, March 27, 2008
DR -- Reflections, Libby
Trying to "summarize" what I learned, saw, and grew from experiencing during our trip would take much more than just writing it out on a blog. I'm still sorting it all out & growing from it all the time. And we've been home for almost a month.While we were only there for eight days, they were the busiest, shortest, longest, most incredible eight days I've ever been part of. Getting to worship with pastor Gabrielle's church at the beginning of the week has really stuck in my mind though.
Everyone there was so welcoming, it was just like being with family you haven't seen in a while. Almost every single person we met there left only after they hugged, kissed & blessed all of us.It reminded me of the verse that says "let us love each other, for everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. He who doesn't love, doesn't know God because God is love."They were so full of Christ's love, & it was written all over their smiling faces. It was an awesome reminder to me that when we're truly following after God's heart, we start loving a little more like He does. And that's not hidden. It overflows into our actions. Our words with strangers. The way we embrace & encourage our brothers and sisters. When we're loving the Lord with all that we have, it shows up in absolutely everything we do.
I saw and learned so very much while we were in the Dominican. Whether it was when we spent time with Marsha, or being in La Canela with the sweet & energetic kids, or just any number of incredible things That God taught me there, the gratitude, Christ-centered love, & wonderful contentment of the beautiful people we met is something that really struck me.
I'm so, so thankful that I got to be part of Q9 & Thanks to everyone who faithfully prayed for our group as well as our time in the Dominican. I don't think we have any idea how powerful our prayers are. But we all caught a glimpse or two of the Lord's power on our trip and are hopefully still looking for it all the time now that we're home.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
DR - Reflections, John
Words truly can’t express the experiences I had in the Dominican Republic. God truly opened my eyes to a wonderful culture. I realized that no matter where we live, the Holy Spirit empowers ALL believers. The post-trip devotions substantiated this idea in the form of John 17:11 – “…Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are.” Being able to worship God in an outdoor shack was such an astonishing opportunity. God is alive and present everywhere, no matter what geographical boundaries he may place on us!
It was amazing how acting out the “Everything” skit with English music produced the same result as when I performed it in my church! God doesn’t just speak through words; and he certainly spoke through our actions. I was so inspired when I saw the looks on the faces of the crowds when they realized that they actually had clean water to drink. However, this could not compare to the faces I saw when the crowds realized that they could have living water through the Lord Jesus Christ.
The most touching experience I had was being able to witness to a drug dealer in Spanish. I can confidentially say that the spirit led me to witness to that man in fluent Spanish. The man eventually repented of his actions, and he could potentially be a leader in his local church.
The trip unequivocally changed my life and has inspired me to continue my missionary journey for the rest of my life. No matter if it’s in my school or in a different country, this trip has set me on fire for God.
It was amazing how acting out the “Everything” skit with English music produced the same result as when I performed it in my church! God doesn’t just speak through words; and he certainly spoke through our actions. I was so inspired when I saw the looks on the faces of the crowds when they realized that they actually had clean water to drink. However, this could not compare to the faces I saw when the crowds realized that they could have living water through the Lord Jesus Christ.
The most touching experience I had was being able to witness to a drug dealer in Spanish. I can confidentially say that the spirit led me to witness to that man in fluent Spanish. The man eventually repented of his actions, and he could potentially be a leader in his local church.
The trip unequivocally changed my life and has inspired me to continue my missionary journey for the rest of my life. No matter if it’s in my school or in a different country, this trip has set me on fire for God.
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