"The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame." Isaiah 58:11
When we first started this blog, we thought we'd be updating it at least once a week. Once the reality of work here set in, our plans will likely change. Since our last update, much has happened here in the DR! Our summer interns arrived a little over two weeks ago and are a great group to work with. They are working well as a team and is a blessing that so many from different backgrounds can connect when working for the Lord.
We also have the first week of groups under our belts. We had two groups building two chapels in five days, which to our knowledge has never been done here before. We ran out of hammers! It's been a very busy schedule, waking up a 6:00am and doing construction until noon, ministry in the afternoon or evening, and bed around 10:00pm. As soon as we drop off one group at the airport, another arrives and we start all over again. We begin construction on two more chapels Monday morning!
We are settling into our duties well here. Cindy has been handling schedules and finances, which is a learning experience in a cash society. She also jumps in where needed, once in a while in the kitchen and going to the grocery store. Keeping track of receipts and budgets and exchange rates can make one's head spin. Kris has been learning the ins and outs of construction in the shop. It's amazing how all the pieces of a chapel come together at the site, even when he messes up all the measurements!
Also since the last update, we moved into our apartment in the TIME Center. It's a blessing to have our own quarters and the convenience of a kitchen and private bathroom, bedroom and office space. Even when there are 80 people on the other side of the door it's still fairly quiet! One reason our updates have been so sparse is because we do not have internet access in the apartment yet and we have to travel about a block to the building where the office is located. This is even more difficult with the groups now here! We did have Internet in the apartment for a day, but it was the wrong speed. Instead of just leaving it and upgrading at a later time, the phone company came and took back all the equipment so we're back to square one. We guess the Lord has more important things for us to do at the moment!
We are wrapping up our first day off in five weeks, so it's time to head for bed in preparation for a 6:00am wake-up call! Thanks for all your prayers!
Praises:
We have both been healthy in the midst of many people with illnesses
We have moved into our apartment for the summer
A great group of interns that get along with each other
Two teams have made a legacy for the Lord by constructing chapels (and not losing any fingers in the process!)
Prayers:
For our Site Director, Noe and his family. He has been up before 5:00am for several days to assist with foundation work for the chapels as our other foundation person won't be available until next week. Pray that Noe would find time to rest in the Lord and that Kris will be able to learn how to do foundation work as well.
Our decision to continue full time with TIME. The Lord does not seem to be showing us a reason not to!
Safety for us and the groups during the construction and ministry projects as well as healthy stomachs!
That the groups would develop a heart for missions and serving the Lord.
Kristian and Cindy Anderson
