We've landed on Canadian soil finding it difficult to believe the 18 days have past. We apologize for the sporadic nature of the blog during the experience. Internet access and time restricted our ability to keep you as updated as we intended to. Pictures will come in the near future. I'm blogging now from my home in NL and sadly, we have dial up - making it difficult to upload photos. But they will come soon!
We thank you for your continued prayers and support throughout the endeavor. Although the experience did not quite meet my expectations I was well able to see the hand of God at work in each moment allowing me to be used for his purposes and also, seeing him use the Dominican men and women to accomplish his purposes in my life.
There is much to process as we readjust ourselves back into our own culture here in Canada. In the near future you will find here the reflections and thoughts of each team member. Our prayer is that you will learn more of true meaning of "missions" through our experience and that we together work to further share the gospel of Jesus Christ both here and abroad.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Today we are very blessed to report to you some wonderful news! We were confronted with a desperate need at the church here in Consuelo, Iglesia Biblica Christiana. The bathroom at the church is in quite dire need of renovations. As a team we felt that if there was any way to help we wanted to be involved. However, the church lacks the funds to sponsor such an endeavour. We decided that whatever funds that were left over from our budget, we would donate to the church.
Today after much calculations and work, we discovered we are well able to bless the church, and so we have given IBCC (the church) $1000.00!!! Praise the Lord! We begin to dig the septic tank on Thursday and Friday! What a blessing it is to be used of God for such a task! We are very excited and thankful for God's provision.
Although this seems like a significant portion of money it is only enough to start the work on the bathroom. The church will need more funds to complete the project. Buying and building things is the same as in Canada, and so it is difficult to raise the funds to finish this project. We ask that you prayefully consider giving as the Lord directs you so that we are able to further bless our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Dominican Republic.
Praise God for excellent provision and mighty hand!
Dios Bendigo,
Ashley <3
Today after much calculations and work, we discovered we are well able to bless the church, and so we have given IBCC (the church) $1000.00!!! Praise the Lord! We begin to dig the septic tank on Thursday and Friday! What a blessing it is to be used of God for such a task! We are very excited and thankful for God's provision.
Although this seems like a significant portion of money it is only enough to start the work on the bathroom. The church will need more funds to complete the project. Buying and building things is the same as in Canada, and so it is difficult to raise the funds to finish this project. We ask that you prayefully consider giving as the Lord directs you so that we are able to further bless our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Dominican Republic.
Praise God for excellent provision and mighty hand!
Dios Bendigo,
Ashley <3
Sunday, May 17, 2009
It's our first Sunday on the sunny island and it is beautiful outside and a wonderful day in the house of the Lord! It's been a busy week and we look forward to a day of rest.
Thursday and Friday we sent two separate groups to Bochachica. It is a beach about thirty minutes from here. Shannon travels there bi weekly to spend time with the children there. The family these children have send them to the local beach to shine shoes for pesos. It is a sad situation because the money is taken from the children on most occasions and they do not have the opportunity to go to school. Many different elements come into play to make a very saddening situation. We had the oppportunity of buying lunch for the kids. On Friday we played baseball with the boys and the Canadians got owned! These boys are awesome at baseball! We pray that God used the things we said and did those days to show His love.
Saturday we went to a Batay where the Sugar Cane companies used to be. It is called Monte Choca. The place is full of poverty - the worst of poverty. We had the opportunity to bring soccer balls and other toys and spend the day with the people. One of the things we are quickly learning is the importance of building relationships with the people around us. They just want to spend time with them and love them. It is in this time of acknowledging these people in poverty as people with hearts and and dreams and desires that we begin to see the barriers break down. When we can't speak espanol we know that the love of Christ will be declared in the love and works of our hands and hearts.
Today as we were blessed to take part in the worship service at Iglesia Biblica Chrisitiana, I was reminded through the message and the worship of the people that the Church is not contained by a denomination or a country or race of people. The church is made up of all of God's children around the world. We come from so many different backgrounds and so many different economical situations but God is the Lord of all. It is amazing how welcomed we are here with people we don't even know and find a home and a family. What binds us together is the acknowledgment that God is our Father, our Padre. I was overwhelmed today in the service to look around and realize that these men and women are beloved children of God. They are my family. I don't even know them but they are my family in Christ. It's beautiful! And absolutely in every way how God intended the Church to be.
Dios Bendigo
Ashley <3
Thursday and Friday we sent two separate groups to Bochachica. It is a beach about thirty minutes from here. Shannon travels there bi weekly to spend time with the children there. The family these children have send them to the local beach to shine shoes for pesos. It is a sad situation because the money is taken from the children on most occasions and they do not have the opportunity to go to school. Many different elements come into play to make a very saddening situation. We had the oppportunity of buying lunch for the kids. On Friday we played baseball with the boys and the Canadians got owned! These boys are awesome at baseball! We pray that God used the things we said and did those days to show His love.
Saturday we went to a Batay where the Sugar Cane companies used to be. It is called Monte Choca. The place is full of poverty - the worst of poverty. We had the opportunity to bring soccer balls and other toys and spend the day with the people. One of the things we are quickly learning is the importance of building relationships with the people around us. They just want to spend time with them and love them. It is in this time of acknowledging these people in poverty as people with hearts and and dreams and desires that we begin to see the barriers break down. When we can't speak espanol we know that the love of Christ will be declared in the love and works of our hands and hearts.
Today as we were blessed to take part in the worship service at Iglesia Biblica Chrisitiana, I was reminded through the message and the worship of the people that the Church is not contained by a denomination or a country or race of people. The church is made up of all of God's children around the world. We come from so many different backgrounds and so many different economical situations but God is the Lord of all. It is amazing how welcomed we are here with people we don't even know and find a home and a family. What binds us together is the acknowledgment that God is our Father, our Padre. I was overwhelmed today in the service to look around and realize that these men and women are beloved children of God. They are my family. I don't even know them but they are my family in Christ. It's beautiful! And absolutely in every way how God intended the Church to be.
Dios Bendigo
Ashley <3
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
We Have Arrived!
Hola Amigos!!
We have arrived safely in the D.R. and it is our second official, full day here. Hace calor!!! (which means it is very hot!) We spent our first night, after getting in to the Dominican around 4 on Sunday, in Santo Domingo which is the capital and we stayed in the city over night and for the next day to tour and learn about the historical nature of the country and its culture. Then heading to Consuelo, where we will be staying for the remainder of our time.We have all settled in with our homestays and are struggling to communicate with them but are doing anything and everything we can(truly haha, looking like fools) to understand each other. It is amazing how such a short period of time can begin to develop such love and honor for each other. We feel as though our home stays are like family to us and look forward to that relationship growing further as the time progresses.
We traveled so much in our first two days of being here also going to San Pedro the closest city to Consuelo for supper and to eat empagadas by the beach. The stars were beautiful and after so much traveling and exhaustion it was a wonderful reminder of Gods power, might and control. Today we worked at El Eden, an after school program supported by Compassion International, and really got to see the face of God through the children. The joy that they have and their ability to make you feel so welcomed(Bienvenito) and loved is so extraordinary.
We have two unexpected people in some ways apart of our team and they are here for 3 months. We have great opportunities to get to know them, both in laughter and in more serious talks about faith and life. Please pray for them as they adjust to life in the Dominican and that we are able to continue to build relationships with them.
The experience has only just begun but truly we have begun to see the hand of God at work in our own lives. We were reminded today, by Shannon, of what it means to remain in Christ and truly serve him. As we open our hearts and minds to the guiding and direction of the Holy Spirit we have begun to see more and more of the face of Christ in those around us - in the Dominican men and women, every child we play with and even in our own team.
We covet your continued prayer and support, looking forward to the good things that God will do in the Domincano!
Dios Bendigo (God Bless you)
Nina and Ashley
We have arrived safely in the D.R. and it is our second official, full day here. Hace calor!!! (which means it is very hot!) We spent our first night, after getting in to the Dominican around 4 on Sunday, in Santo Domingo which is the capital and we stayed in the city over night and for the next day to tour and learn about the historical nature of the country and its culture. Then heading to Consuelo, where we will be staying for the remainder of our time.We have all settled in with our homestays and are struggling to communicate with them but are doing anything and everything we can(truly haha, looking like fools) to understand each other. It is amazing how such a short period of time can begin to develop such love and honor for each other. We feel as though our home stays are like family to us and look forward to that relationship growing further as the time progresses.
We traveled so much in our first two days of being here also going to San Pedro the closest city to Consuelo for supper and to eat empagadas by the beach. The stars were beautiful and after so much traveling and exhaustion it was a wonderful reminder of Gods power, might and control. Today we worked at El Eden, an after school program supported by Compassion International, and really got to see the face of God through the children. The joy that they have and their ability to make you feel so welcomed(Bienvenito) and loved is so extraordinary.
We have two unexpected people in some ways apart of our team and they are here for 3 months. We have great opportunities to get to know them, both in laughter and in more serious talks about faith and life. Please pray for them as they adjust to life in the Dominican and that we are able to continue to build relationships with them.
The experience has only just begun but truly we have begun to see the hand of God at work in our own lives. We were reminded today, by Shannon, of what it means to remain in Christ and truly serve him. As we open our hearts and minds to the guiding and direction of the Holy Spirit we have begun to see more and more of the face of Christ in those around us - in the Dominican men and women, every child we play with and even in our own team.
We covet your continued prayer and support, looking forward to the good things that God will do in the Domincano!
Dios Bendigo (God Bless you)
Nina and Ashley
Friday, April 3, 2009
Support Us in Prayer
As the time draws nearer for the departure of Team Dominican Republic, we ask that you continue to partner with us in prayer for the following:
- Financial Provision - Pray that the monies needed to finance this trip will come in the time needed so that each member of the team is able to go where the Lord has led them for this time.
- Health -Pray we return to Canada without any medical concerns.
- Protection - Pray for spiritual and physical protection in an unstable and unfamiliar environment, as well as a spiritual battle field.
- Quick Response on Government Documents - Pray that passports will arrive in time so that each member of the team is able to travel.
- Open Hearts - Pray that our hearts as a team would be open to God and what he would teach us in this three week period. Pray that the men and women of the Dominican would be open to receive us and the Living Word of God in us as we desire to build relationships with them.
- Prepare the Way - Pray that God would prepare the way even now before we leave for the team to arrive and begin in the work that God has called us to in this time and place.
- Discernment, Wisdom and the Mind of Christ - Pray that our hearts and minds would be in tune with the leading of the Holy Spirit as we prepare to depart and arrive; that we would follow his leading at all times and in all situations.
- Encouragement - Pray that in this time of preparation and arrival there would come those affirm and encourage those of us facing opposition regarding this endeavor, and that God's peace would reign overall in our hearts and minds.
- Shannon - Pray for Shannon, the missionary we will be working with in the Dominican Republic. Pray for strength, renewal and wisdom in her life and ministry. Pray also that we are able to be a blessing to her and encourage her in the work that God has called her to full time.
- Team - Pray that the team as a whole would be united and would come together as a collective body. Pray that as we board with host families we would demonstrate Christ with our relationship with our fellow team mates and to the families.
- God's Will Be Done - Pray that God accomplish what He desires to accomplish in this trip; that we would be open to whatever direction His will would lead and surrender to Him. Pray that our plans and ideas would surrender ultimately to His desires and that we would be quick to see 'roadblocks' or 'obstacles' as opportunities to serve and to demonstrate Christ's love.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Missions Training
March 13th and 14th the Dominican Missions Team took part in a Missions Orientation Training. This training, from Mission Prep, focused on cross cultural communication, spiritual warfare, and team dynamics. It was a great day full of valuable insight that will serve the team greatly as we prepare and then depart for foreign soil.
Following the training, the team went out for a beautiful supper together at Me Tierras Restaurant. Although it was Columbian, as opposed to Dominican food, we did get somewhat of a taste for the types of foods we will encounter in the Dominican. It was a great time of laughter and getting to know one another as it was the first time the team had met our final member, Jody Rabishaw.
Reflecting on the day I have found a sense of urgency and anxiousness to depart. Up to this point the realization of the whole experience has not come to the forefront. The training and team building has brought this vision and calling to a new life, and become real in our hearts.
Continue to pray as we carry on in preparation and each day coming nearer to departure for what we believe will be a blessed time in the Lord.
Blessings <3
Following the training, the team went out for a beautiful supper together at Me Tierras Restaurant. Although it was Columbian, as opposed to Dominican food, we did get somewhat of a taste for the types of foods we will encounter in the Dominican. It was a great time of laughter and getting to know one another as it was the first time the team had met our final member, Jody Rabishaw.Reflecting on the day I have found a sense of urgency and anxiousness to depart. Up to this point the realization of the whole experience has not come to the forefront. The training and team building has brought this vision and calling to a new life, and become real in our hearts.
Continue to pray as we carry on in preparation and each day coming nearer to departure for what we believe will be a blessed time in the Lord.
Blessings <3
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thank You for Your Support
It's hard to believe in a little more than two months our feet will hit the hot soil of the Dominican Republic and the cool winter days of Canada will be far behind us.
As we continue in the preparation process for our missions trip, we covet the prayers of supporters. We desire above all things to stand true to the cause of Christ and live as effective ambassadors of the gospel. Our specific tasks for the trip are yet to be determined. However, the possibilities are great. For this reason, we pray for wisdom in preparing for the tasks, challenges and experiences God would have us to encounter.
Whether we are teaching English, building a home, helping with daily activities in a village or sitting with a new friend sharing together our lives, our desire is that our hands and feet would be those of Christ and our words would flow from Him. As we will grow from them may they also grow to know Christ more through us.
We thank our supporters for your prayers and donations which make this dream a reality and look forward to sharing with you of our time spent in the Dominican republic.
Blessings
Ashley <3
As we continue in the preparation process for our missions trip, we covet the prayers of supporters. We desire above all things to stand true to the cause of Christ and live as effective ambassadors of the gospel. Our specific tasks for the trip are yet to be determined. However, the possibilities are great. For this reason, we pray for wisdom in preparing for the tasks, challenges and experiences God would have us to encounter.
Whether we are teaching English, building a home, helping with daily activities in a village or sitting with a new friend sharing together our lives, our desire is that our hands and feet would be those of Christ and our words would flow from Him. As we will grow from them may they also grow to know Christ more through us.
We thank our supporters for your prayers and donations which make this dream a reality and look forward to sharing with you of our time spent in the Dominican republic.
Blessings
Ashley <3
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)