I am now on my second day in the Dominican Republic, and am once again thanking God for His goodness. For those who may not know, my fifteen-year-old sister Kristina accompanied me, and will be staying with me on the field for a month. This not only allowed me to bring extra materials and supplies, but gave me some valuable help in dragging 250 lbs + through the airport. Upon our arrival on Thursday afternoon at the Santo Domingo airport, we naturally had to go through customs with all of our baggage; God was with us, and we had no trouble at all. In fact, the customs official responsible for checking our bags conveniently disappeared (as if we were invisible with 2 cart loads of suitcases, a cello, and a digital piano!). We later found out that this is highly unusual, and that depending on the official, might have had to pay (as positive reinforcement – a.k.a. bribe) to get the piano out of the airport.
The climate is hot and humid (as expected), warms up rapidly in the morning, but also cools off rapidly after about 5:30 p.m. in the afternoon. This morning, I was startled to be awakened because I was actually a little cold! Much of the food is similar to what we eat at home – chicken, beans, rice, broccoli, etc.
Classes are scheduled to begin August 17, and until that time there are many preparations to be made and plenty of things to get acclimated to. Please pray that I will quickly grow accustomed to the particular manner of speaking Spanish here in the Dominican. There are some whom I have no trouble understanding; others, I have no clue what they just said, unless it happens to be my name or “cello.”
Thank you for your continued prayers. I was reminded the other day that, as I once heard, “any ministry is only an overflow of your personal walk with God.” Please pray that in all the newness, excitement, and preparations that I would not neglect the most important thing – my relationship with God.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
According to His Riches
"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
Looking back over the past couple of months, I am excited by the blessings of God on my preparations for the field. At the end of May, having just completed my deputation training from the mission board, my brother and I sat down with Pastor Tom Miles for counsel on taking the next step -- raising support. As our meeting drew to a close, he looked at me and said, "You know this is impossible, don't you? But we have a God who can do the impossible." As I began to make phone calls to pastors, I began to see why he had called the task "impossible." Yet, in many wonderful ways (and often at the last possible minute!), God opened doors for me to share my burden with pastors, churches, and individuals.
Now, less than a week away from my departure, God has provided close to 100% of what I need, as well as some class materials that I did not expect to have. As Pastor Miles said, this is impossible to do in only two months -- yet God did it.
Just as I was thanking God for His provision, He tested me once again -- due to a policy change, the musical instruments that I needed to take were going to cost extra on the flight due to their size and weight -- an expense that was completely unexpected. Strangely, that very evening before learning of the additional cost, I had read the story of the Feeding of the 5,000. Two days later, God provided the money needed and a little over for the transportation of the instruments. The individuals who gave had not known of the need nor the amount needed. It's wonderful to serve the God of the impossible.
Looking back over the past couple of months, I am excited by the blessings of God on my preparations for the field. At the end of May, having just completed my deputation training from the mission board, my brother and I sat down with Pastor Tom Miles for counsel on taking the next step -- raising support. As our meeting drew to a close, he looked at me and said, "You know this is impossible, don't you? But we have a God who can do the impossible." As I began to make phone calls to pastors, I began to see why he had called the task "impossible." Yet, in many wonderful ways (and often at the last possible minute!), God opened doors for me to share my burden with pastors, churches, and individuals.
Now, less than a week away from my departure, God has provided close to 100% of what I need, as well as some class materials that I did not expect to have. As Pastor Miles said, this is impossible to do in only two months -- yet God did it.
Just as I was thanking God for His provision, He tested me once again -- due to a policy change, the musical instruments that I needed to take were going to cost extra on the flight due to their size and weight -- an expense that was completely unexpected. Strangely, that very evening before learning of the additional cost, I had read the story of the Feeding of the 5,000. Two days later, God provided the money needed and a little over for the transportation of the instruments. The individuals who gave had not known of the need nor the amount needed. It's wonderful to serve the God of the impossible.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Final Countdown!
I am now less than two weeks away from my departure to the Dominican Republic, and am praising God for His blessings upon my preparations. Despite the short time frame, I have seen His hand at work throughout the deputation process and thank God for each of you that has given your prayer and/or financial support to this ministry. The interest you have in world missions, the time you gave in allowing me to share my burden with you, and the encouraging words you have spoken have all been a wonderful blessing to me.
Please continue to pray as I make the final preparations for my work on the field. Upon arriving, I will have a couple of weeks to finish planning for my classes at Fountain of Life School and to get settled in the work with Bible Church of Juan Tomás. Needless to say, leaving my home and family will be a huge transition for me! Please pray that I will be able to make the necessary adjustments to the Dominican culture quickly and smoothly.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support as I begin the work in the village of Juan Tomás. The door truly is wide open in this area for evangelism and discipleship, and I am excited to see the new opportunities to win souls for Christ through instruction and ministry in music.
Please continue to pray as I make the final preparations for my work on the field. Upon arriving, I will have a couple of weeks to finish planning for my classes at Fountain of Life School and to get settled in the work with Bible Church of Juan Tomás. Needless to say, leaving my home and family will be a huge transition for me! Please pray that I will be able to make the necessary adjustments to the Dominican culture quickly and smoothly.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support as I begin the work in the village of Juan Tomás. The door truly is wide open in this area for evangelism and discipleship, and I am excited to see the new opportunities to win souls for Christ through instruction and ministry in music.
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