Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
I think we could have used that for almost any day here in the DR! While we did accomplish some of the work we expected to do down here during this short time, we had other adventures, too. Well, maybe not so much adventures as much as the nature of living here. We thought we'd try to update the blog while we're here.
Generator: Those of you who read our prayer update saw our need for prayer for the generator. Here in the DR most people have electricity, but it is not always guaranteed 24 hours a day. From what we've heard, there's something of a political aspect to it. Depending on who is in power determines what areas may receive more consistent power. Here on the north side of Santo Domingo we usually lose power a couple times a day. As a result, we have a generator on the roof that kicks in during a blackout. Last week the generator developed a cooling leak from a broken thermostat housing. Using some epoxy weld we managed to temporarily fix the old housing while a used replacement part was tracked down. Thanks to the assistant maintenance man Jean Carlos and site director Noe for finding the part. I can't imagine finding such a specific piece in a city of 2.5 million who speak Spanish!
Float Switch: While many houses around us have city water, the TIME Center has a well. The well feeds a cistern which then supplies the building with our water. This summer, the float switch for the well pump failed. The float switch is much like the switch on many sump pumps back in the States but backwards. In our case, it turns the pump off when the cistern is full and on when it is empty. Without the switch we had to manually turn the pump on and off. If we forgot the cistern would overflow and flood the neighbors, or run empty when someone was in the middle of a shower! Fortunately we now have a new float switch in place.
We also had the pleasure of attending a Dominican wedding in a chapel TIME built many years ago. We were invited earlier that day (no need for invitations, the pastor drove up in his van while we were working and invited us). It was an amazing experience, more info will follow in our next newsletter.
We also participated in work day at the church next door, refinishing the benches, painting and general clean-up projects.
Our last couple of days here before the board meeting in Dallas are filled with giving a tour of the ministry to a prospective summer group. This could be one of the largest single groups we've had in the DR, perhaps 60-80 people. The largest group we had this past summer was a combined group of 52 so we'll need lots of prayer in coordinating if this one comes to pass!
Thanks again, Kris and Cindy Anderson
Praises:
Cooler weather this week than most of the summer.
Many maintenance tasks and paperwork were accomplished.
Plans are coming together for next years ministry. There is much potential!
Prayers:
Contiued focus on God's leading in our lives.
TIME Ministries board meeting later this week.
Violence in Monterrey, Mexico would subside and allow for groups there this summer.
For students thinking of becoming summer interns next year. That God would work in their hearts for direction.
That our prayer and financial support continues to come in.
