An Update

Hi, everyone!  No, I haven’t dropped off the face of the earth!!  And yes, I still owe you pictures and a description of our wedding celebration. 

This week the SI summer kicked off.  We have two-week Outreach Teams from now through the beginning of August.  It’s an intense, busy time, and I have to admit, I’m a bit sad not to be climbing onto the trucks and heading to El Callejon with Daisy and the students!   I am getting to interact with them in other ways, but I do miss the daily time at the Social Work Site.  But, the new HR position is keeping me hopping!

Carlos and I have been working hard on translating the 41 page policy manual I drafted for the DR ministry.  We sit side-by-side and he reads my English and very handily translates it into excellent Spanish.  Even though his English is awesome, at times I have to interpret the “HR-speak” I’ve used.  Like all professions, Human Resources has a way of phrasing things that isn’t typically used in every day conversation! 

We are hoping to meet soon with the Dominican SI uses to help with all the labor and legal aspects of our ministry.  I’m excited to get some of my questions about the Codigo de Trabajo (labor codes) answered!

We’ve also been getting used to living in close quarters.  My studio apartment was small for one, but for two it’s a bit of a squeeze.  We moved some things around in the closet to make a bit of space for our quiet times… so we literally have a ‘prayer closet’ now!    

But, God is amazing, and has provided a new place for us to live at the end of the summer.  Missionary friends of ours are heading back to the US, and we will rent their lovely home.  It’s bittersweet because it’s one of the families we’re closest to!  But, we are so thankful to have a larger place to look forward to living in. 

And… since we’ll have extra rooms, we’ll be able to host friends and family and other visitors (hint hint!).  We want our home to be a place of respite and relaxation for others.  

We are continuing to plug into our new church, El Buen Samaritano.  SI will have some of the summer teams worship there… which means I’ll have to be the translator!  It’s always easier to translate into your own language, so that’s good.  But, I’m pretty nervous, as I’ve never had to do more than a few minutes at a time in front of a large group! 

This past Sunday I was trying to translate in my head as the pastor spoke, and I only had a few times I couldn’t completely understand.  When we talked with him about it after worship, he joked that I could just preach a different sermon if I get confused!  I'm praying it doesn't come to that!!

My friend and co-missionary, Rachel, has started a medical clinic once a week in Mata de Platano, the community where Carlos’ family lives.  We are thrilled!  As much as she is going to bless the community, we pray they will bless her, too, with their love and friendship. 
To us, that’s what being the Body of Christ is all about – each one of us has something to share with others to help us all glorify God.  Some of us, like Rachel, have a specific area of expertise.  Others, like Carlos’ mom, have a welcoming spirit and deep faith. 

Please pray for Carlos and me as we continue to get used to each other, and continue to seek God’s will for us as a married couple.  We remain humbled at God’s provision to each of us in the other, and want to share the hope we have in Him with others.  He truly is restoring the years the locusts have eaten. 

We can never repay Him, of course, and we know our entire lives here – and for eternity – will not be long enough to thank Him.  Our desire is to pour out our lives in His service.  Not because it saves us, but because He already has.  To Him be all the glory!

An Answered Prayer

Our God is so amazing! 

Carlos and I have been searching for a church home for a while now.  Unlike missionaries in many places in the world, here in Jarabacoa we have many good, Bible-centered churches.  I think of those who huddle in abandoned buildings to read a scrap of the Bible together, and am humbled by the privilege of singing out praises to God with loud instruments and clapping.

Our goal in joining a church was to find a place where we could grow and worship and serve God.  Both Carlos and I have experience and spiritual gifting in leadership, teaching and preaching.  We knew we wouldn’t be content showing up for a couple of hours on Sunday morning and then being done for the week. 

A few weeks ago, Carlos and I were very discouraged.  It seemed we simply could not find a church where we would be able to use the gifts we believe God has given us to strengthen His Body.  Even though we knew it was not God’s model for fellowship, we had even talked about worshiping at home, streaming sermons on the Internet. 

About that time, one morning at the SI Base, I saw our friend Daniel.  At a dinner with mutual friends last year, he had told us about a new church plant in the area called El Buen Samaritano (EBS).  He told us his family had joined and were really connecting.  To be honest, I listened but didn’t really think much about it. 

Now, seeing him again, I asked Daniel how things were going at the church, and when and where they worshiped.  He eagerly told me the place and time.

That Sunday morning we went and worshiped at EBS.  Before we went, we prayed, Please Father, if this is Your place for us, make it clear.  We went and were warmly greeted by Daniel who introduced us to lots of different people, including the pastors (a married couple). 

The worship was wonderful, including singing Revelation Song (in Spanish, of course!).  This song has been a part of every significant worship service I’ve attended in the past few years, including my Commissioning Service at First Pres in Harrisonburg, and my final service in Antigua, Guatemala. 

The next Sunday, there was an activity for men in the afternoon.  Carlos went, and came back practically floating.  He had talked with the pastor, who shared that they had been praying for someone to come and help with men’s ministry, and also teaching.  The pastor teared up as they talked, sharing their desire to see men and families grow in Christ.

The next evening Carlos and I went together and met with the pastors.  It was so wonderful to hear how God has been at work in their lives, and the life of this new church plant.  There is lots to do, and many ways in which our passions and giftings could connect there.    

We are rejoicing in God’s provision!  Just a month ago we were so discouraged, and now this! 

Please pray for us as we continue to explore how God is calling us to serve with EBS.  Both Carlos and I have personalities that go ‘all out’ and so please also pray that we will be wise, and not over-commit.  We’ve already got a full, full plate with Human Resources work for SI, plus our English class two nights a week. 

We know that especially in our first year of marriage, we need to set good boundaries and rhythms for work and relaxation.  As strange as it may seem, we don’t need to be pushed to work harder, but to relax harder!  We are thankful to have mentors and friends to help keep us accountable.

I hope that this is an encouragement to you.  Perhaps you, too, have hit a place of discouragement.  Our God is amazing, and He loves you very much.  Trust in Him to know the desires of your heart… and to fulfill them in ways far more amazing than you could ask or even imagine!