After several days of intense physical labor and spiritual activity, it was time to take a much needed break. We grabbed breakfast here at the camp before taking a bus into Santo Domingo (about an 11/2 drive). Once we arrived, students went directly to the market to shop for souvenirs and gifts. The market was buzzing with anxious shop keepers beckoning our students to look at their merchandise.
We left the market to see the two most historic sites in the Dominican Republic by bus. First, we went to the first Christian church built in the Western Hemisphere. Then, we made our way to the mansion built for Christopher Columbus in the New World he discovered. We arrived at the resort at the end of our trek. The team unloaded to eat lunch on a picture-perfect platform which extended over the blue water of the Caribbean. We ate delicious food that could be served in some of the finest restaurants in Virginia.
Everyone enjoyed the crystal clear water at the beach and took full advantage of the amenities that the resort had to offer. This portion of the trip serves two functions. First, it is a gift to the teams who work hard during the week to benefit the DR. Second, it legitimizes our trip as tourist excursion for the sake of our travel visas.
After enjoying a couple of hours in the sun, we loaded the bus once more to return to the camp for dinner. We had evening devotions before singing and talking into the night. Everyone is packed and ready to return tomorrow.
Please continue to pray for the safety of our travels home. Pray the change God has made in the lives of many students will be lasting. Pray for the logistical details of flight times and customs.
Look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!
Steve
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Dominican Republic Day Five
Today was our last day on the work site. The morning was spent laying brick in the scorching Dominican sun. The afternoon was spent mixing and pouring cement in a down pour. The weather here changes quickly and most of the time without warning. We worked hard and accomplished a lot. The staff from Youth for Christ/CareForce International compared us to the hardest working teams that have come each year.
Half of the team went back into the community to minister to the children again in the afternoon. Despite the rain, nearly 60 kids came out to play and hear an inspiring message. Megan McDonald shared her testimony and presented the Gospel to the children. Afterward, the team reunited and worked into the early evening to complete our final tasks.
We returned tired, but somehow energized by the work we had completed. After sharing a meal, we had group devotion time and enjoyed some time just laughing and reflecting. Tomorrow is an off day for us before heading home. We'll visit the market, see Christopher Columbus' house, and go to the beach.
Please pray that God would sustain the lessons we have learned once we get home. Pray that as we prepare to return home, everyone would see clearly what God intends to teach them in this trip.
Steve
Half of the team went back into the community to minister to the children again in the afternoon. Despite the rain, nearly 60 kids came out to play and hear an inspiring message. Megan McDonald shared her testimony and presented the Gospel to the children. Afterward, the team reunited and worked into the early evening to complete our final tasks.
We returned tired, but somehow energized by the work we had completed. After sharing a meal, we had group devotion time and enjoyed some time just laughing and reflecting. Tomorrow is an off day for us before heading home. We'll visit the market, see Christopher Columbus' house, and go to the beach.
Please pray that God would sustain the lessons we have learned once we get home. Pray that as we prepare to return home, everyone would see clearly what God intends to teach them in this trip.
Steve
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Dominican Republic Day Four
We have successfully completed another day's labor at the site which is planned to house one of the largest churches in Los Alcurizos. Youth for Christ/CareForce International has seen many people come to Christ over the last several years. Unfortunately, there has been a lack of strong churches to plug these new believers into. For this purpose, we are assisting in the building of this church to help reach and especially disciple young Christians. When the project is completed, there will be room for more than 200 worshipers!
After working all morning and getting a bite to eat, we split the team in two. Half went to the work site and the other half went to play games with the local kids. The team that went to play with the kids had a blast. More importantly they were given the awesome opportunity to share their testimony and the Gospel with the children. Samantha Kynett and Taylor Vest join together to share their story and the Gospel with the aid of a translator. They did a phenomenal job.
Tonight after our evening worship we were given a chance to go out and get ice cream in town. Dolce de Leche was by far the favorite flavor of the evening. :-)
Please continue to pray for us as tomorrow will be our last full day on the work site and in the community. Pray that as another team goes out to minister to children tomorrow that their Gospel message would be clear and would transform these students lives.
Steve
After working all morning and getting a bite to eat, we split the team in two. Half went to the work site and the other half went to play games with the local kids. The team that went to play with the kids had a blast. More importantly they were given the awesome opportunity to share their testimony and the Gospel with the children. Samantha Kynett and Taylor Vest join together to share their story and the Gospel with the aid of a translator. They did a phenomenal job.
Tonight after our evening worship we were given a chance to go out and get ice cream in town. Dolce de Leche was by far the favorite flavor of the evening. :-)
Please continue to pray for us as tomorrow will be our last full day on the work site and in the community. Pray that as another team goes out to minister to children tomorrow that their Gospel message would be clear and would transform these students lives.
Steve
Dominican Republic Day Two
Today was an eye-opening experience for our team in Los Alcurizos. We started the morning by attending worship at a church planted here by Korean Christians. There were nearly 20 worshipers gathered there to passionately praise God with their whole hearts. The pastor preached on the importance of persevering in prayer in the midst of troubling circumstances.
Afterward we ate a delicious lunch and took our first trip into the community. While we try to give an accurate picture of what students can expect to see, nothing can prepare them for the utter poverty that most people live in here. Many homes are nothing more than pieces of plywood and a few metal sheets. A majority of the homes we saw have no running water and little access to clean drinking water. Even so, the children here seem happy and enjoy passing the time with games they make up from old cartons and trash.
We left the community and entered back into the compound where we had the opportunity to play with dozens of Dominican children. They tossed the frisbee, kicked the soccer ball, and much more. We sang songs with them and prayed with them. At the end of the afternoon, everyone on the team had made a new friend with a small child. Watching the joy on the faces of the children and our team members was an overwhelming sight.
We wrapped up the evening by moving to a new camp... This time without AC. However, the team is adjusting well to the culture and already forging connections. Tomorrow marks the first day on the construction site. We have been reassigned to help build a church. What an honor!
Please continue to pray that God would keep us safe as we labor. Pray that God would sustain the good attitude of the team as He has for the trip thus far. Pray that through our work and the ministry being accomplished doors would be opened for the Gospel and God's work here.
Steve
Afterward we ate a delicious lunch and took our first trip into the community. While we try to give an accurate picture of what students can expect to see, nothing can prepare them for the utter poverty that most people live in here. Many homes are nothing more than pieces of plywood and a few metal sheets. A majority of the homes we saw have no running water and little access to clean drinking water. Even so, the children here seem happy and enjoy passing the time with games they make up from old cartons and trash.
We left the community and entered back into the compound where we had the opportunity to play with dozens of Dominican children. They tossed the frisbee, kicked the soccer ball, and much more. We sang songs with them and prayed with them. At the end of the afternoon, everyone on the team had made a new friend with a small child. Watching the joy on the faces of the children and our team members was an overwhelming sight.
We wrapped up the evening by moving to a new camp... This time without AC. However, the team is adjusting well to the culture and already forging connections. Tomorrow marks the first day on the construction site. We have been reassigned to help build a church. What an honor!
Please continue to pray that God would keep us safe as we labor. Pray that God would sustain the good attitude of the team as He has for the trip thus far. Pray that through our work and the ministry being accomplished doors would be opened for the Gospel and God's work here.
Steve
Dominican Republic Day Three
Today was our first experience working in the community. Originally our plan was to go and help in construction of a pastor's home and to do some cleaning around the school here in preparation for the upcoming year. However, our plans changed and we were privileged to be in the beginning stages of construction on a new church plant. We arrived to the work site early and saw the enormous task in front of us. We were charged with tearing down a vacated home on the property and building cinder-block walls around the perimeter of the site.
We learned quickly how to lay brick and demolish timbers. By the end of the morning we had nearly completed 1/3 of the entire brick laying job. We also took down all but the roof of the home. After some lunch we took a much deserved siesta. A siesta is a one or two hour break following lunch to rest. This was a popular portion of our day and many of the students suggested we bring this trend back to the states.
After lunch we complete all but the front quarter of the wall and finished dismantling what was left of the home. Through it all, team members demonstrated a worshipful attitude and cooperation with each other. We returned home and many students went to the pool before dinner. We wrapped up the day with a group worship and share time. These are special moments for the team to connect with each other and God.
As you continue to pray, please remember these important elements to our mission here. Pray that there would be no rain tomorrow. We are pouring cement and the rain could set us back or completely delay the project. Pray that God would sustain our safety and health. Pray for Cristian Santiago and Joel Soto our leaders from Youth for Christ/CareForce International. Thanks for your continued prayer and support!
Steve
We learned quickly how to lay brick and demolish timbers. By the end of the morning we had nearly completed 1/3 of the entire brick laying job. We also took down all but the roof of the home. After some lunch we took a much deserved siesta. A siesta is a one or two hour break following lunch to rest. This was a popular portion of our day and many of the students suggested we bring this trend back to the states.
After lunch we complete all but the front quarter of the wall and finished dismantling what was left of the home. Through it all, team members demonstrated a worshipful attitude and cooperation with each other. We returned home and many students went to the pool before dinner. We wrapped up the day with a group worship and share time. These are special moments for the team to connect with each other and God.
As you continue to pray, please remember these important elements to our mission here. Pray that there would be no rain tomorrow. We are pouring cement and the rain could set us back or completely delay the project. Pray that God would sustain our safety and health. Pray for Cristian Santiago and Joel Soto our leaders from Youth for Christ/CareForce International. Thanks for your continued prayer and support!
Steve
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Dominican Republic Day one
We arrived yesterday afternoon with a warm welcome from Care Force International/Youth for Christ staff. Cristian Santiago, the director of Dominican Republic operations, told us that we were an answer to prayer. We arrived at the compound and were pleasantly surprised to find out that we were going to spend the first night in an air conditioned facility. We ate local cuisine for dinner and then shared stories from our traveling. There is already alot of laughter as we bond together as a team. After getting a good night's rest, we are going to worship at a local church plant this morning. I am so excited to see what God has in store for our students. Please continue to pray, not only for our safety, but also for changed lives among the students and leaders.
Steve Browning
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)