Hello friends and family!
What an incredible first week Carly and I have experienced here in Barahona with at team of students from LaTourneau Univ. in Longview, TX. Their leader Daniel is a friend of Frazer Ratleff's, who came up to San Juan Is. last October to leads us in packaging meals for children. (The COTN Meal Packaging Event) Carly and I really felt welcomed right into their team and as the week went on, God led us as we became family. We all knew that we were part of His family, but those are words...then He showed us by the love that was demonstrated through listening, sharing, affirming and caring for each other. Somehow I think God gave us a tangible example of what it is like to "be" the church.
In addition to new relationships being built at the Casa, we then went out to Altagracia to serve (pour cement floors) and experience more love and thankfulness. Sometimes the need overwhelms me, to be honest with you. The children are so precious. Every time Carly goes out with a team...the kids gravitate to her. Ellie too. My friend Manual Emilio, who lives in Altagracia and is one of the young pastors there, asks you to pray for the young teens there, that they would continue their education. Many stop going to school for various reasons; the girls get pregnant, the guys think they need money now and will take off to Santo Domingo to seek work, which is kind of a dog eat dog world in the city.
Last night I spoke to a little church in Barahona, encouraging them to think about what it means to love and to love well. Monique and I will go back there and expand that message with married couples next week, I think.
Carly and I are looking forward to Monique's arrival on Sunday and of course Ellie with our Friday Harbor team in about a week.
Blessings to all of you. We are so grateful to be here again this year.
Hello friends and family!
What an incredible first week Carly and I have experienced here in Barahona with at team of students from LaTourneau Univ. in Longview, TX. Their leader Daniel is a friend of Frazer Ratleff's, who came up to San Juan Is. last October to leads us in packaging meals for children. (The COTN Meal Packaging Event) Carly and I really felt welcomed right into their team and as the week went on, God led us as we became family. We all knew that we were part of His family, but those are words...then He showed us by the love that was demonstrated through listening, sharing, affirming and caring for each other. Somehow I think God gave us a tangible example of what it is like to "be" the church.
In addition to new relationships being built at the Casa, we then went out to Altagracia to serve (pour cement floors) and experience more love and thankfulness. Sometimes the need overwhelms me, to be honest with you. The children are so precious. Every time Carly goes out with a team...the kids gravitate to her. Ellie too. My friend Manual Emilio, who lives in Altagracia and is one of the young pastors there, asks you to pray for the young teens there, that they would continue their education. Many stop going to school for various reasons; the girls get pregnant, the guys think they need money now and will take off to Santo Domingo to seek work, which is kind of a dog eat dog world in the city.
Last night I spoke to a little church in Barahona, encouraging them to think about what it means to love and to love well. Monique and I will go back there and expand that message with married couples next week, I think.
Carly and I are looking forward to Monique's arrival on Sunday and of course Ellie with our Friday Harbor team in about a week.
Blessings to all of you. We are so grateful to be here again this year.
I'm glad you've both had an amazing week. You serve an amazing God. Get Carly to snap a few of you for us. We miss you. David and Pam
ReplyDeleteThanks David! I appreciate your comments always and encouragement. Last week's team was one of the most affirming experiences Carly and I have had with people we hardly know. The week began with group gatherings, which we were welcomed into, praising God on the rooftop of the Casa and affirmations, all orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. God is amazing and he knows us intimately, meeting us right where we are each day, if we will turn our faces to Him.
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