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| Pastor Greg and family from Beeville work on a chapel panel together |
Cindy and I returned to the Dominican Republic on March 6 and hit the ground running. After a few days of planning and preparation we hosted a team from Beeville, TX and staff from South Texas Childrens Home Ministries (STCHM).
The Beeville group consisted of families from First Baptist Church of Beeville, TX. It is always a blessing working with family groups and this one was no different. We love to see families serving the Lord together and often times renewing relationships with each other. Serving together in a third-world country often makes them realize the blessings they have to be thankful for and draws them closer to God and each other.
While the Beeville group was conducting ministry and building a chapel, staff from STCHM conducted medical clinincs. STCHM's primary purpose in the States is to promote the physical, social, mental and spiritual well-being of children and their families. They carry that purpose to ministry here as well through medical/dental clinics as well as achild sponsorship program known as Samuel's Fund. TIME's partnership with STCHM is a great example of using our gifts for the Lord's purposes. TIME has facilities to provide housing, meals and transportation, while STCHM has medical expertise. We look forward to working with them in the years to come.
Due to a flight scheduling conflict, not all members of the Beeville/STCHM were able to depart on the same day. As a result, we had another day to keep them occupied and took them with some of the Samuel's Fund children downtown to the science museum. This was very interesting to see as it was our career before we entered the mission field. Afterward we treated them to Pizza Hut and took the metro back to the TIME Center.
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| Kris and Cindy at Trampolin, Santo Domingo's science museum |
Later that day, in a flashback to our summer schedule, we picked up another group at the airport. One of our summer interns from last year had organized a group of friends from Hope College in Holland, Michigan to spend their spring break with a purpose. For being a relatively small group (15 people) they constructed one of the largest chapels yet. One of the pastors that we commonly partner with has a chapel in a neighborhood where a disco club has recently opened. Due to the large crowds, alcohol and loud music he decided it was time to relocate a few blocks away on a plot of land nearer his home. In five days, the Hope group disassembled his chapel, fabricated additional pieces, and reassembled it in the new location. This new chapel is twice as long as a typical chapel and will provide space for the congregation to grow in years to come.
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| Hope College students after disassembly of the San Felipe chapel |
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| Pastor Domingo working on his new chapel |
Cindy and I are now entering a unique time. For the past several months we have returned to the States after a group has left. We are now here full-time so this period of day to day work and living will be a new concept. We will have another group arriving in late April and then plan to attend language school in May before the summer schedule begins. We thank you all for your continued support and prayer!
Praises:
We are now here full-time!
Our house is on the market
God's handiwork through the teams and many personal friendships made
Good health
Prayer requests:
That our financial support would continue to grow. One of our major supporters needed to stop support due to a job loss. Please pray for God's direction in their lives and additional supporters for our ministry here.
Sale of our home
Adjustment to day to day life here and deepening relationships with the nationals and our team
Our home church, Indianola Heights Evangelical Free Church is planning a trip here this summer. Pray for their organization, cohesiveness and support raising.
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| This ladder is not OSHA approved |
