The stockings were hung on the counter with care...

For 29 years I have spent Christmas in Bermuda (with one exception in PA to see snow!) so needless to say, this year has been DIFFERENT! But I've come to realize that DIFFERENT isn't always BAD!

FELIZ NAVIDAD!

Here are some fun facts about a Dominican Christmas...

1. Although some people put lights up around their home, it is more common for a Dominican to paint their home for Christmas.

2. Dominican Christmas music is very different from our music in English. (See my FB page for a little taste of the culture here) but the people LOVE to sing along with all the traditional Dominican instruments. In the weeks leading up to Christmas little groups will visit houses in the wee hours of the morning and won't stop singing until you come out and give them something.

3. December 24th is bigger than December 25th. Families gather together on Christmas eve and eat, eat and EAT some more while enjoying time together. The 25th is used to recover.

4. Turkey is only eaten by the more wealthy families here while families in the villages enjoy chicken for Christmas. Roasted pig is also a VERY special treat.

5. Gifts are rarely given to each other on December 25th but a gift or 2 is given to children on January 6th.

6. "Santa" doesn't bring the gifts, the 3 wise men do so children are encouraged to leave water and hay under their beds for the camels.

7. On December 25th and January 1st Dominicans will "estrenar." This means that they'll put on a new outfit and go out to make sure others see them in their new outfit. lol. I thought that this tradition was only among the teenagers but Robersy's grandfather informed me that he has his outfit picked out to "estrenar" too :)

Although I have truly missed the Bermudian/Scottish traditions that my family enjoys leading up to the holidays, I am so thankful to enjoy my hubby's culture.

Tomorrow Robersy and I are heading out to the village where his family lives for Christmas. We'll have no access to internet until December 25th but we trust you and yours will have a VERY Merry Christmas! But as your celebrating PLEASE keep a few special people in your prayers since it will be a very difficult Christmas.

Pat Bishop who lost her hubby Ron (director/founder of SCORE) this year.

Shawn, Nell and Shaquan Williams - Shawn is my dad's work partner and has been since I was little so we've known the family for most of our lives. YESTERDAY his son passed away in a motorcycle accident.

Jordanny, a boy on Robersy's baseball team. His brother drowned at the beach TODAY. 

I know that there are so many other people suffering this Christmas, but these people are heavy on my heart right now. As you are getting ready in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holidays don't forget the reason that we celebrate. That same Savior who came to bring life and hope to the world can also comfort broken hearts....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Shine your butt off!

Parties and goodies and lights, OH MY!

As Christmas draws nearer we have been busy celebrating the precious birth of our Savior. We have had the opportunity to celebrate with our church, with Lily House and this week we’ll continue celebrating with our youth group and ministry team. It has been a busy time of the year, but we’re looking forward to a little rest soon.

Nate preaching to the boys on Saturday

Until such times, Robersy had a great game in Guayacanes with his team on Saturday. Pastor Nate shared the Word with the boys and God continues to stir their hearts. Pray for the boys as they enter a very difficult time for believers here in the DR. No school = a LOT of free time to get in to mischief. Robersy plans to keep them as busy as possible with activities and baseball.

Thursday night was very quiet! It was rainy and wet but there were still a few girls out. We did, however, have some great conversations which even led one lady to visit the church on Sunday with her 2 little boys. Keep praying for Y!



Lily House is getting ready to break for the winter so we do beg for your prayers! Many of these ladies will travel home to see their families, but a few have chosen to remain here. Pray for those who go home as they will come face to face with many temptations (drinking, drugs, music, men, etc.) and of course for those who stay since it may be a very lonely time… which brings other kinds of temptations.

We also finished up our GAP (American students studying here in the DR) Bible study group with stockings and hot chocolate, but I will miss them as they all head home for Christmas. Pray for them… especially today… since most of them will fly out this afternoon.



Church Christmas Dinner with friends.

As for Robersy and, well our 12 days of Christmas has begun. Last night we visited a beautiful park filled with lights and a LOT of people! It reminds me of the many years that my family and I would drive around Bermuda and see the houses decorated for the holidays.



I will miss those traditions this year. But one tradition that I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is this. On Christmas morning when we read the Christmas story we also talk about what it would have been like… for Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men (which came a little later), the angels, and even for God. We’ve even enjoyed talking about the animals in the stable, the sheep with the shepherds, the gifts from the wise men and the star.

I know they don’t have the ability to think like we do… but could you imagine if you were that star? And God chose to place you above the home of little baby Jesus so that others could come and worship Him? I imagine I’d shine my butt off. I mean, that’s a big deal! A trillion stars in the sky and there you are pointing everyone to the Savior.



MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Then I got to thinking.

Isn’t that what we’re called to do?

This time of year we’re busy shopping, partying, eating, etc. but we are the stars here in this dark world.



 Say Merry CHRISTmas without the fear of offending someone! There is no Christmas without CHRIST!

Don’t be afraid to share the Gospel with your friends and family when they come for Christmas dinner. You never know when it’ll be your last opportunity to share.

Show the love of Christ and visit someone who can’t leave their home or don’t have a family to visit them this time of year.

Pray for those who have lost loved ones this year. This will be a VERY difficult time for them!

AND THEN, when December 26^th arrives… KEEP SHINING!!!!!!!!

Unlike the star, God created us with a heart and a soul. So keep shining your butt off my friend. In your life, in your walk, in your celebrations.

May He be the Center of our worship ALL YEAR ROUND!

A day in the life of ROBERSY!

Hey, Robersy here (and Sarah is here to translate too).

Usually I don't share much in our blog but Sarah's the main one who updates you all on what is going on in our ministry. I asked my wife for the opportunity to share a little bit of what I see God doing here too. Especially about this past Saturday where I saw God's love, protection and provision in our ministry.

My boys went to play against a team in a town called Quisqueya. We have been there before and my boys were excited to play but before the game began one of my boys was shivering. Not because he was nervous, but because he looked very sick. I was scared because I didn't know what was happening to him. Many times the boys come to practice without eating since they do not always have food at home, but they usually tell me and I buy them something small. This was the case with this boy. When he said he hadn't eaten we had him sit on the side to drink liquids and eat as the game began. He began to feel a little better.

Then the game started.

All was going well until one boy went to run to first base. As he slid into the plate his left foot completely folded on to the side. It was broken! But he didn't notice until the first base coach yelled, "Your foot!" The boy grabbed his foot and pushed it back into it's place. This resulted in a LOT of pain.

Now I was really scared. One sick boy on the sidelines and one with a broken foot!

Since there were not many people there to help I called my pastor to see what I should do. We quickly discussed a solution and the Pastor sent another missionary to help as I had to stay with the other 38 boys. God was in control!

The missionary took the boy with the broken foot to the local clinic (the boy that was shivering felt a little better so he just stayed on the sidelines) and got an x-ray. It was definitely broken!

Despite the craziness happening I was able to share the Gospel. 9 boys, 2 coaches and 1 parent accepted Christ. It was such a special moment as God revealed His grace through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Seeing the openness of those from Quisqueya I called a representative from a church that we work with to come and share more about their church. This meant that even once we left, there was a place in that area that the players, parents and coaches could visit to learn more about Christ. God is doing something exciting! (GOD'S LOVE)
But Satan continued to attack.

When I arrived back at the church with the bus full of boys I met up with the boy with the broken foot. The doctor had only given him the x-ray and sent him home. No cast, no bandage, nothing!

To be honest, I was tired and hungry by this time, but I couldn't leave the boy like this. So we loaded up and headed to a hospital in San Pedro. My heart broke as I saw the conditions of the hospital. The wheelchairs were broken, the beds were dirty and the doctors didn't seem to care about the "emergencies." After about an hour and a half we were attended to and they put a make shift cast out of bandages on the boy's foot/ankle and was asked to return so they could re-evaluate the situation on Wednesday. (GOD'S PROTECTION)

At 5pm (I left my house at 7:30am to head to the game so it had been a LONG day) I returned the boy to his home. His mom was very understanding and even thankful since some of the extra funds that were donated to fix our truck were used to pay the boy's hospital bill. (GOD'S PROVISION)

When I arrived at home I was greeted with 12 GAP students who had come for dinner. I was excited to eat because I hadn't eaten since I left the house that morning!!! (GOD IS GOOD!)

What I share with you today isn't to glorify or exalt myself or what we're doing, but to remind you to pray for these boys that I work with every week. We are seeing fruit in their lives and their families are also impacted by our ministry.

I love these boys very much and thank the Lord for the privilege to be their spiritual role model. This takes sacrifice, but we're thankful for such a great work.

So please continue to pray for me and my wife. There are many times that we want to throw in the towel, but God reminds us through His Word that His Son Jesus Christ is worth our sacrifice. HE loves us, HE protects and HE provides... ALWAYS.

Here are a few photos so that you can continue to pray for the work that HE is doing here in the Dominican Republic.

Thank you for listening.

Raw chicken and dog barf… our missions REALITY

Well today has been quite the day. After a loooong month of cuddling puppies it was time for them to move on and for life to get back to “normal” (whatever that is). 5 puppies, their mom and their brother moved on to happy lives in other homes. We are down to 3 puppies (all accounted for), 1 momma and their brother that Robersy is fighting to keep. We shall see.

As we loaded each puppy in the crate I had a mixture of sadness and relief… until we arrived to San Pedro.

“What’s that smell?”

Now I’m not one to throw-up easily but let me tell you, I was on the verge…

SOMEONE had eaten a raw chicken and it was EVERYWHERE. The smell was horrendous and the 3 manly men that had driven with me for this expedition gave me the “we’re not touching that” look.

So my precious, dainty hands dug through the warm, gooey slime to retrieve 5 pitiful puppies. Each one squealed as I bathed them. #shout out to Ramon who held the hose while Robersy disappeared to buy soap and I think Jason was making a fake phone call.

Sometimes life gets messy. And sometimes we just have to laugh.

Each Monday as I share our stories and adventures we really do laugh… but something many don’t realize is that this is our REALITY. What I mean by this is, along with the laughter and craziness there comes tears and hard days too.

 Last week Monday I was hurting and I went as far as to share this on Facebook seeking prayer. The response wasn't entirely what I expected. I received a few messages stating that as a servant of the Most High God I shouldn't be so weak! :o

WELL, between the homesickness, financial struggles, stress of balancing ministry, family and sanity, missing having everything at my fingertips, feeling forgotten etc. I realized something…

I AM NOT SUPERWOMAN.

Are you shocked? I was! LOL.

It was like a revelation for me!!!

 

Sometimes I feel guilty for crying or for feeling sad.

Sometimes I get mad at myself for missing “home” because this is supposed to be “home” now.

Sometimes I struggle with finding a second to do my quiet time!

Sometimes I DON’T WANT TO WASH THE DISHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes, even being surrounded by people, I feel lonely.

Truth is… I’m human.

This truth was revealed even more so as I sat with other struggling sisters. I looked like a fish blubbering away until they began to share that they feel the same way!

“You mean I’m not going insane?”

“No… you’re just human.”

I’m not even sure why God placed it on my heart to share this today. I just know that there are some missionaries who just need some hugs and a lot of them are going to be home soon. So if when you see your local missionaries… and even the ones who serve right in your home town… squeeze them tight.

Serving the Lord full-time is not always easy on the heart or on the wallet BUT it is the adventure of a lifetime. We love what we do and thankful for all that God is doing but don’t look for a cape just give us a hug J

 

Some of our crazy teens with friends from Juan 3:16

Mountains of Jarabocoa

Because we're crazy and in love :)

Thanksgiving in the mountains!

 

Dominoes got crazy!

The boys trying to watch American football.

And just because it ought to be broadcast over the internet... Nate Jude's bday :) LOL.

 

A woman at 8 years old... I wonder if he knew.

18 years old… on a bench in tears. My heart broke as she told her story this past Thursday. “It all began when I was 8 years old. It was then that I became a woman… not by choice of course… it was stolen from me.”

I've gone over her story a million times in my head. The tears, the pain, the anger.

And I can’t help but wonder if that person knew.

Did he know that his actions would affect this young ladies life?

Did he realize that his actions would make her feel ugly, used and unworthy?

Did he realize that his actions would lead to a path of searching for love in the arms of man after man after man?

It took ONE TIME!

But this one act, as horrible and disgusting as it was, set into motion a series of results. In an instant, a little girl’s world was changed for a lifetime.

As I ran this morning I went over her story in my mind. This isn't anything new. In fact, we hear this same story time after time after time with different people as the “monster”… my father, my grandfather, a relative, a friend…

ONE TIME!

But as I ran I couldn't help but think of all the actions that we can make that affect another person’s life, both negatively and positively.

Abuse is obviously a huge issue. Physical, emotional, verbal… they leave scars!

I've never shared my whole testimony on my blog before but there was a time I went through spiritual abuse. This is a very real thing (Google it!)… I didn't even know I was being abused until I was pulled out of the situation, but it was serious and left some SERIOUS scars!!! 

I remember telling God that I hated Him, I fought with my family, I lost many friends (mostly because I didn't want to admit was I going through), I never wanted to serve God on the mission field again… I felt like a freak! I literally felt like I was dying inside and in one aspect, I was. I will never forget the pain inflicted upon me and in turn the pain that I inflicted upon others (this is the negative). HOWEVER God brought a godly counselor in to my life that put up with me when I would sit and yell at him in his office about how much I hated God and him and everybody. He would hand me a box of tissues and tell me we’d get through it together. I can honestly say that I would not have come through that situation without Mark Hall (this is the positive).

One person had a negative effect in my life… the other a positive.

Now stay with me. I am not saying that sexual abuse is the same as spiritual abuse. If you have your story may God use it for His glory… I’m only sharing mine.

The point is. We have the opportunity to effect someone for the positive or for the negative.

Things we say, do or even don’t do can stick with someone for years. 

The more I hear it from the mouths of precious girls on the street the more I find it true.

So what is our responsibility? 1 Corinthians 10: 31-33 “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.”

Are you making a difference?

I remember the lady who led me to Christ (Dinah Correia).

I remember my youth group leaders who helped me survive my teenage years and who still encourage me and my family to this day (Dan and Deanne Desilva).

I remember the family who brought me in as one of their own during my college years (The Christian family).

I remember the silent prayer warriors and supporters who make it possible to be here on the mission field even through a ministry transfer (too many to mention! But you know who you are!!!).

I could go on and on. This isn't even including my family who stuck beside me in the hardest times of my life!!!

You see. We make lasting effects in other people’s lives regularly! A positive word, an encouraging email, a smile.

While I was running this morning I fell. Don’t laugh! Lol. I fell face flat right down a hill. There were all sorts of tourists walking by but it was a little old man who sells paintings nearby who ran over to help.

Last week when I was running away from the psycho drunk lady I ran by 2 security guards sitting beside the BHD bank WITH GUNS who did nothing but Frankie saw me and stopped to help.

Such little things, but they made a POSITIVE impact.

This is Robersy and my prayer in ministry. We could do something, say something or not do something that could really hurt others… or we could attempt to do all things to glorify God.

We don’t always get it right, but we try!

This past week Robersy and I worked with the baseball clinic. I helped translate with the ladies and Robersy obviously worked with baseball. It was exciting to see so many men travel down to do something positive here in the Dominican! Teaching baseball to boys who could never afford quality training. Even Otis Nixon (former major league player) was here to teach some skills! Apart from that they shared God with many who had never heard of Christ before! A touch of positive for lots of boys!

I was able to visit Pasitos de Jesus (a girl’s home) and Lily House with the women. They listened, shared and loved on a lot of people who just need some lovin’. A touch of positive for a lot of girls!

Then we had a night out on the streets where we met this beautiful lady that I speak of and many others. 3 Americans, 2 Dominicans and a Bermudian just sharing Jesus on the streets of Boca Chica. A touch of positive in the lives of many hurting girls!

You may not be able to climb on a plane to serve beside us (although we hope you do one day!!!). But look around. You have a choice. Be the one that touches someone's life in a positive way this week. You never know how it will change their world.

Deck the halls!

Don't be mad at me!

I know full well that there it's over a month until Christmas. However, I made a pinky promise with Robersy that he'd let me put a Christmas tree up before the end of November. Turns out that sneaky little hunky hunk knew that I WAS LATE. Our neighbors already have their tree up, the hotels are decorated with lights and the grocery stores have Christmas music blasting!

Still, there is no time to stop and celebrate YET. Too much to do :)

Over the last week or so there has been a LOT of running around. We've had visitors, construction is still going on at the house that we rent so there is lots of dust/sand and lots of sweeping that dust/sand :), Robersy traveled to Moca for a mission trip and now we have begun Baseball week. A whirlwind of BUSY! And though we’re pooped… we have not lacked reason to give thanks to God Almighty!

I want to share a few of those blessings with you.

1. Business discipleship is going well. We have incorporated cleaning schedules and clarified responsibilities and through Erica’s “Servant Leader” class the girls are learning that “leaders” don’t sit around doing nothing… a true leader serves. Continue to pray for the ladies that they might have the heart of a Servant Leader.

2. We had our friend and fellow missionary, Jeff Hackett, come and speak with our teens about sex. Sadly, the number of teen parents is absolutely horrifying. Schools teach the importance of protection but the “purity” concept is completely foreign to them. Jeff was only able to scrape the surface and plans to meet with the teens 4 more times throughout January and February. Along with a teen girl’s conference that I have been preparing over the last several months, to present at the beginning of the year, we pray that the Dominican young people will begin to see that God has called us to remain pure. Pray for these upcoming meetings and for these precious teenagers.

3. Saturday morning, while Robersy played baseball with his boys, I was able to pray and be encouraged with several other missionary women at SCORE. Thankful for a refreshing time!

4. Sunday we celebrated our church’s anniversary with a LOT of brothers and sisters from other churches. So thankful to serve within this precious ministry and to sit under the teaching of Pastor Nate!

5. A young lady turned up at church to find out more about the Lily House ministry. She shared her heart and desire to change and I was able to pray with her before she left. We look forward to seeing her again on Tuesday to speak more.

6. Yesterday I was able to go to the beach to actually sit and enjoy it for the first time in months! I was so excited that it HAD to make the list of blessings :)

That of course brings us to today where I’ve already received lots of hugs from the precious little girls at the girl's home - Pasitos de Jesus (as I translated for some of the baseball player's wives) and Robersy is out ministering through baseball. 

ISN'T GOD GOOD!!!

Don't worry... I still have my Christmas tree count down and we will celebrate all December long BUT we are grateful beyond words that God has allowed us to serve here in the Dominican. 

Sum Saharian Sara... my high-school complex

I love nicknames. 

There was a time in my life that I was actually sad that “Sarah” couldn't be made in to a nickname. Ashley gets Ash, Matthew gets Matt… what about Sarah? 

I remember having a little high school complex about this. LOL! My mom started calling me “Sar” and a few friends gave me a whole new name (it was “Sum Saharian Sara” lol… what were we thinking?!). Still, no matter what others called me it didn't change the fact that I was SARAH.

Enter God…

Since it was mentioned a few weeks back in a church service I haven’t stopped studying the names of God. To me it is incredible to understand that these aren't God’s nicknames… they are who HE IS at ALL TIMES!

This fascinates me. I can be sassy and I can be sweet, but I am most definitely not sassy and sweet at the same time. But the GOD of all creation is all that HE is all at the same time. Let’s look at some examples…

Because being a missionary is NOT boring!
Jumping off a 40 foot cliff.

YAHWEH-RAPHA:"The Lord Who Heals" (Exodus 15:26) – “I am Jehovah who heals you” both in body and soul. In body, by preserving from and curing diseases, and in soul, by pardoning iniquities.

YAHWEH-JIREH:"The Lord Will Provide" (Genesis 22:14) – the name memorialized by Abraham when God provided the ram to be sacrificed in place of Isaac.

EL ROI: "God of Seeing" (Genesis 16:13) – the name ascribed to God by Hagar, alone and desperate in the wilderness after being driven out by Sarah (Genesis 16:1-14). When Hagar met the Angel of the Lord, she realized she had seen God Himself in a theophany. She also realized that El Roi saw her in her distress and testified that He is a God who lives and sees all.

EL-OLAM: "Everlasting God" (Psalm 90:1-3) – God’s nature is without beginning or end, free from all constraints of time, and He contains within Himself the very cause of time itself. “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”

Sooooo… we serve an “Everlasting Provider and Healer who sees EVERYTHING!”

And those are just four.

Do you get it?

And check this one out… ELOHIM: God “Creator, Mighty and Strong” (Genesis 17:7;Jeremiah 31:33) – the plural form of Eloah, which accommodates the doctrine of the Trinity. From the Bible’s first sentence, the superlative nature of God’s power is evident as God (Elohim) speaks the world into existence (Genesis 1:1).

LOVE IT!

So let’s put it in perspective of the Lily House ministry.

When we go out on Thursday nights our MIGHTY AND STRONG GOD who SEES EVERYTHING is also able to HEAL the broken hearts and souls of each girl we come across AND if HE chooses to use Lily House as a tool in the healing process, we need more mullah to cover expenses which… enter GOD… HE also PROVIDES.

You see, He doesn't pick and choose what HE wants to be today… HE JUST IS.

Isn't that encouraging?! It encouraged me this week… 

Here are ways you can pray for us to EL SHADDAI: “God Almighty,” “The Mighty One of Jacob” (Genesis 49:24;Psalm 132:2,5) – speaks to God’s ultimate power over all.

Robersy and the team in Moca.
Yes that was taken today (Nov.3)... yes, that is a Christmas tree :)

1. L is so close to getting off the streets. Pray for her as she has some big decisions to make in regards to her family. (Praise: She brought her brother to church this week!)

2. I am helping in a new area the Lily House. Business discipleship (I will continue to teach and disciple, but this is an added responsibility). Pray as I work with the ladies who have been in the program the longest and for guidance as I seek to provide help in order to improve the workplace.

3.  Robersy is in Moca (another area of the DR) for a 3 day mission trip. Pray for the whole team that God will move in them and through them.

Babies!!!

There are a LOT of babies around right now! In Lily House there are a few and another yet to come… fellow missionaries are having babies… the dog downstairs just had 8 puppies… and the other dog in the area is ready to pop. A lot of little ones around. I've gotten a little used to it now and instead of running away (I’m not a huge baby person… just fat babies since they bounce if you drop them…) I have been embracing it. Not too much though (sorry mom!). Lol. Just enough to admire and cuddle little human beings.

Just so you know... I only put this photo because I
have no photos of me cuddling real babies since I'm
too busying cuddling them to take photos!
This will have to do :) 

But a lot comes with those little bundles! There is pain when you see them fall, triumph when you see them stand, anger when you see them knowingly make bad decisions, joy when you see them make right decisions. There are a lot of emotions for mommas and daddies.

I’ve been experiencing some momma emotions recently.

I praise God for the ministry He has placed us in and for the men and women who we serve with. Together, God has chosen to place several teenagers and young adults under our responsibility.

Between baseball, youth group and Lily House ministry Robersy and I are honored to teach and disciple around 100 young people in total. But that same honor and blessing brings hard days too!

In all seriousness, recently there have been some pretty sad days. My “momma” tears have flowed, my “momma” heart has broken but my “momma” love hasn’t quit.

HOWEVER… Today I want to share a few of the victories that we've witnessed in the lives of our spiritual sons and daughters, because if we focus on the sad things that happen we’ll forever live in the disappointments.

There is SO much to celebrate!!!

Here in the Dominican and around the world it is super common for someone to raise their hand, kneel at an altar or sign a piece of paper making a public statement that a decision has been made when really, inwardly there is no true commitment. But when it’s real… IT’S REAL!

Over the last month and a half we've seen 7 baseball boys, who have raised their hands a million times, truly come to know the Lord as their personal Savior. These 7 boys are particularly special to Robersy as they are some of the oldest boys on the team and basically the role models for the rest of the team. Isn’t God awesome!

Pray for Robersy as he disciples these 7 young men following their decisions.

I loooove discipling and teaching the women at Lily House. Over the past year we have prayed that as these girls grow in their faith, God would then place women in their life to begin discipling too. What a joy to hear M come and share her desire to disciple two young ladies in the youth group. Then L shared her heart to increase her discipleship focus within the youth group as well. God is moving!

During Women’s Conference we made a LOT of contacts in Boca Chica and just this past week we have been able to have meetings and share with two of these ladies in particular. Although no decisions have been made thus far to enter the LH program, there are women seeking and trying to make a change in their lives.

One of my highlights was when L (a different L) visited the Lily House and it was M (the same M – and it was M’s idea!!!) who took her around and gave her the tour in Creole (what Haitians speak) so that she’d feel more at home.

My “momma’s” smile could not be hidden. I love these precious ladies!!!

I had a “momma” smile on Sunday too as some of our young people sang for the church! Precious voices praising the God of all creation… does it get any better?!

You see. Even through the “bad” days when there are scraped knees or bruised elbows from the kids falling so many times, it is the moments like these that say, “It is worth it!”

Praying for all of you other spiritual mom and dads out there today!!!

Getting DEEP with Robersy...

Sometimes Robersy says some pretty profound things! Although most won’t believe me… he is SUCH a quiet guy. He talks when he has to and once he gets comfortable around you he won’t stop talking, but he is usually pretty quiet!

To give you an idea I remember that HE didn’t ask me out on OUR first date. He was SO shy and quiet he had a friend do it :) lol. Thankfully that worked out…

However, back to my point. Robersy really makes me think sometimes. Like yesterday. I had planned a little get-together with some of our closest friends and their families. It was supposed to be a very small “party” to celebrate Robersy’s birthday. However, while we were at church yesterday I overheard him inviting 5 boys that he has been discipling to the party.

Since I’ve been at a women’s conference all week I put some things in to practice and waited until we were home, but I said (calmly), “Babe, I think it’s sweet that you invited the boys, but this is kind of a friend thing, a real life thing… not ministry.” And he smiled and said, “but Sarah… our life is our ministry.”

DEEP.

Stick with me… this is going somewhere :)

So many times I split ministry in my head. Today is ministry day, tomorrow is our day, Sunday is church day, Monday is rest day. Really… as children of the MOST HIGH GOD Robersy is exactly right. Our life IS our ministry. Does this mean we can’t rest?! UM, NO. Even Jesus spent time alone. Does this mean we can’t have “our” day? UM, NO… my greatest ministry is to my husband.

This is what ministry looks like.

But it is so important for us to remember that everything we do, think, say, etc. is a reflection of Christ to those around us.

Take this past week for example. I spent the week eating, sleeping and serving with about 55 lovely ladies during our women’s conference. If our ministry had only been outside of that beautiful hotel we would have missed the opportunity to minister to each other, to the cleaning ladies, to the waiters, to the bus drivers, etc. Our life IS our ministry!

This is what ministry looks like too.

Perhaps you’re not a pastor or a missionary (although you technically are… but we’ll save that for another blog!!!) but you are still called to reflect HIM! In your home, school, office, neighborhood. Your life is your ministry. Don’t miss out because it’s not Ministry Monday or Serving Saturday… just let your LIFE be your LIGHT!

I’m so thankful God speaks to us in different ways… this time He chose my husband.

Things to pray for this week:

1.       Two meetings with two ladies from the streets.

2.       Thursday night ministry.

3.       Discipleship and teaching at the Lily House (Sarah) and on the baseball field (Robersy).

Training the next generation

Another day, another week, ANOTHER YEAR!

Robersy's cake at youth group

I love to have a reason to celebrate. New job, new tooth, new relationship… you name it, I’ll celebrate it! LOL. Of course, when it’s your hubbies birthday it’s even that much more exciting! We spent yesterday gallivanting around the capital celebrating Robersy’s 27 years of life. First lunch at Applebees and then BBQ hunting with some birthday $$.

Games at youth group

Some people think I’m too gooshy… but I can’t help but brag on my boo! So thankful that God chose Robersy for me. He puts me in my place, encourages me and makes me feel loved. I truly found my perfect prince charming! LOVE YOU BABE!

As for the rest of the week, it was a joy to see God’s hand working.

Robersy and I have prayed about taking our discipleship to the next level. We have taught and taught… now we are preparing and sending. Of course, you should have seen my mouth drop open (especially when we haven’t shared this goal of ours super publically yet) when one of the young ladies I disciple approached me about the opportunity to disciple 2 other girls in the youth group!!! What a peace to know we are aligned with what God has planned too.

Got to do the Color Vibe Run with the GAP students

In line with the goal Robersy also spent quite a bit of time visiting several boys this week and we’ve committed to having a couple boys (in rotation) stay with us each Friday night. This gives Robersy the opportunity to work with boys outside of the team setting… and it gives their mommas a break too (apparently teen boys are hard work! Lol).

I have a feeling God is gonna do something awesome with these boys!

Thursday night went well too! Girl after girl is opening up and I rarely have to approach them before they are yelling out our names. This week will be an exciting week as we have groups going out for 4 nights in a row to speak to and encourage these women! Pray that this week will be a “breaking point” for these women in Boca Chica and that we’ll see many come to Christ!!!

Well… that’s what’s happening in our neck of the woods.

*Prayer Request* As you know, a piece of my heart will always be back home in Bermuda! They just had a horrible storm this weekend that caused quite a bit of damage and they are desperately trying to clean up before the next scheduled hurricane arrives this weekend. Please pray for family and friends!