I lift my eyes up...

I knew nothing about Panama. I vaguely remember hearing about some canal that they have and that they speak Spanish, but other than that… NADA!

But oh how my eyes have been opened to the beauty of another world.

Beautiful people, beautiful culture, beautiful ministry.

4 Americans, 3 Dominicans, 1 Argentine, 1 Uruguayan and a Bermudian had the joy of joining forces with missionaries David and Marianella Bueno for a week of ministry in Panama.

Honestly, it was interesting to go from one mission field to the next. However, where many families in the Dominican struggle financially, it seems that the need was not necessarily financially, but there was poverty in faith.

As we traveled between tribes and communities the theme seemed to be the same… discouraged brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Sick pastors, frustrated congregations, weak leaders, inconveniences, etc. Each group differed in their problems, but all needed the same solution. Prayer.

It was our joy to teach Bible clubs for both children and teens and reminding them to put/keep their eyes on Christ. Adrienne (missionary with SCORE Dominican) did an amazing job using Peacock feathers, balloons and the story of Jesus calming the storm to reiterate Psalm 121:1. We also had the opportunity to meet with married women, where Yajiada (Dominican Director of the Lily House ministry) taught on the role of women and also with single women, where I was able to teach about Rahab and the need to trust God’s choice, God’s way and God’s timing.

Other team members ministered through testimony, music and other teaching too!

I would love to talk about each day and EVERYTHING that God did, but there were a few special places and faces that will be etched on my heart forever.

One of which is a little island called San Antonio in the area of Baboa. To be honest, it felt like a movie as the team climbed on to a little boat and sped over to the most beautiful little community. I will never forget it! The women dressed in traditional clothing, the children playing and the men (the few who were not out working) were preparing last minute things for tourists who were coming to visit.

Our guys got started on a bathroom roof that they were repairing, while the rest of us talked with the people and played with the children. We visited homes, shared God’s word and ate a lovely lunch. Then I realized… everyone was in regular clothing. The traditional garb had been laid to the side and kids ran around in shorts and t-shirts, moms in dresses… everyone was “normal.” That’s when I realized, WE WERE FAMILY!

 It was as if they knew we didn't need a show or anything special… we just wanted them, how they were, no strings attached. Immediately I felt at peace. We taught God’s word to the children as little ones cuddled close and once again we left reminded to keep our eyes on Christ alone.

Another special moment was during a women’s meeting where we had the privilege of praying in small groups with women from that community. I listened to their needs and struggles, then we cried out to Abba Father for our sisters in Christ. It was a blessing to hear each lady pray in their own language (each tribe or community or area has their own original language as well as Spanish) until I realized that there is no Bible written in their native tongue! If you have a Bible you can read in your own language you need to THANK THE LORD because there are so many who don’t have that privilege.

I praise the Lord for the opportunity to serve in Panama this week. God is doing a beautiful thing through David and Marinella and it was a blessing to see it first-hand.

(MORE TO SHARE IN OUR UPCOMING NEWSLETTER… STAY TUNED!)

MEANWHILE IN THE DOMINICAN…

Robersy had the privilege of serving at a Baseball Conference. He taught about outfield, batting and several other areas as well as leading a small group. His eyes lit up as he shared about men in his group who had arrived to the conference discouraged and straying from the Lord only to leave the conference with their eyes refocused on their Lord and Savior!

This week has been a great week of teaching, learning and growing for the both of us. We’re thankful for those who prayed for us and at this very moment… we’re thankful for our bed! GOODNIGHT :D

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

It is 9:46PM and I'm attempting to keep my promise of Monday blogs, but this will be a short one, SORRY!
You see friends... I'm off to Panama tomorrow!

Second honeymoon? Nope.
Running away? Nope.
Serving Jesus? Yes sir!

I'm excited to board a plane tomorrow with our Pastor and seven other friends from church to spend the week serving Christ in Panama. We will be holding VBS's, services and other events during our time there all with one goal in mind. Sharing the Gospel!

We appreciate your prayers throughout the week until we return safely on Dominican soil the following Monday (6 days). I'll most likely be out of touch all week, but I do look forward to updating you when we return. Here are some things to pray for...

1. Safety - from airplane rides to trips down a river. May God have His hand upon us.
2. Open and receptive hearts!
3. Hearts and lives CHANGED!
4. That God will also speak to my heart regarding any changes I need to make in my own life.
5. Spouses and family left behind.
 
Praising the Lord for this awesome opportunity and praying that He goes before us.
In His sweet name...

I hope you're offended!

Usually, I can NOT watch a movie twice. In fact, it irritates me! If the bad guy is going to lose, if the princess will live happily ever after with her prince, if the hero is going to save the world…  If I already know the ending why watch it?! It’s the same with books. It’s gotta be a GOOOOOD book if I can read it over and over again.

HOWEVER, there is one book that I read EVERY year during Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter) called “More Than A Carpenter.” Over the years it has been highlighted, written on and basically “beat up” as I read it cover to cover. It’s short BUT profound! LOVE IT!

Basically it is a used-to-be-atheist who journeys to disclaim (is that a word?!) the authenticity of the Bible and Jesus’ claims to be the Messiah. It looks for evidence to whether Jesus was a Lord, a liar or a lunatic. If you have a chance, read this book!

One of the most interesting parts to me is the fact that of all the names in history Jesus Christ is the most offensive!

Mention Hitler and people want to talk about him, mention Osama Bin Laden and people have their opinions, mention Buddah or Krishna no one flinches… but mention Jesus and people shift in their seats, look for a way out of the conversation or try to change the subject.

We must ask why?

But Jesus doesn't just make PEOPLE shiver… Satan shakes in his boots too.

How do I know this? I see Satan fighting DAILY!

I see believers discouraged; I watch pride defeat pastors/directors; I see ministries fall; I see countries denounce the God they once claimed as their own; I see schools “outlaw” prayer. Satan is fighting HARD!!!

Here on the front lines of battle in the Dominican Republic we see Satan convince women that since they are prostituting to provide for their family it’s not sin… it is provision. We see baseball players going pro convinced that it’s not love of money… it’s only success. We see young people convinced that it isn’t immorality and drunkenness… it’s having fun.

On Friday we showed a movie called “Facing the Giants” to our youth group. We tried to show it on 3 perfectly good computers that wouldn’t work in the moment until computer #4 and a new DVD seemed to do the trick. But look at a quote by the coach Grant Taylor in the movie – “Lord Jesus, would you help me? I need you. Lord, I feel that there are giants of fear and failure staring down at me, waiting to crush me. And I don't know how to beat 'em, Lord. I'm tired of being afraid. Lord, if you want me to do something else, show me… But You're my God. You're on the throne. You can have my hopes and my dreams. Lord, give me something. Show me something.”

I know I feel like this sometimes. Defeated. Yet, God is still on HIS throne. Be ENCOURAGED!!! Amongst the failure, fear and defeat this week let me tell you some exciting things to prove that our God is still doing some amazing things.

1.  My sisters fiancé was accepted as Pastor at a church in PA.

2. Discipleship went great this week!!!

3. There is a new girl at Lily House that is learning and growing.

      4. Robersy’s boys are asking a lot of questions about their spiritual life.

      5. 5 kids got saved at youth group!!!

And the list goes on and on!

One of my favorite moments this week was one that Robersy shared. He said he had just arrived to do a Bible study with some of his baseball boys when an argument broke out between a few of the players. A few of the mothers were standing close by but the boys didn’t run to the moms… they ran to Robersy. One of the moms even shouted over to them while the boys were recounting the story for Robersy, “Leave Robersy alone. Poor thing… he’s not even your father, but the way you boys tell him EVERYTHING about your lives, he might as well be.” HAHA!

Amazing that these moms are noticing and I am so proud of the example Robersy is to these boys. The trust built with the boys has opened another opportunity to their families and Robersy is holding a movie night for the boys and their families’ tomorrow night. Pray for this! The Gospel will be shared!!!

So there you have it… my week and thoughts in a nutshell.

God is good and though Satan shivers in his boots and is working his butt off to attack God’s precious work, BUT God is working harder and we are thankful to be used for HIS glory J

Thank you to everyone who prays for us and encourages us! You are remembered daily as we pray for you too. Stand up, speak out and offend someone this week (by sharing HIM that is!!!). 

Enjoy this VERY special week as we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of our blessed Savior!

HAPPY EASTER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crusty Clothing

“I'm still wearing my clothes from last night,” she whispered to me as we slipped in to a back row of the church.

“Don’t worry about it,” I answered back.

“No seriously… I smell like alcohol and men.”

My heart dropped for her. She was clearly embarrassed. “Then just sit close to me… I’m just excited you’re here!”

Dirty rags.

Filthy clothes.

And seated in the most unlikely place of all, a Church.

But then it hit me. Check this out…

Zechariah 3:4, “The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you."

Bear with me a second! I know that this particular verse is out of context, but doesn’t it show an AWESOME picture of what Christ does for us?!

He doesn’t say, “Ok, go get showered and changed first. Then I will accept you.”

He says, “Get over here!!! Now let me help you get rid of those nasty rags (sin) and I will clothe you in these beautiful clothes (righteousness).”

Since God showed me this awesome word picture last Sunday, He has reminded me of it over and over and over again this week, which is why I finally decided to share it with all of you.

Both Robersy and I had the privilege of helping with a mission team of over 300 people. We translated, preached the Gospel, gave out food, attempted to build a house… then played with kids since I (Sarah) have no construction skills (mom, did I even play with Lego as a kid?! Golly!), visited homes and talked to a LOT of people.

After my experience with my new friend in church, I couldn’t help look at the clothing of each person I spoke to. I didn’t judge them or ridicule them… I just took notice.

Shirts with holes.

Broken flip-flops.

Torn pants.

Dirt.

Stains.

I wanted to replace all of the clothing I saw, and I felt sad to see so many people clothed in tattered stuff.

I know I’m not God, but do you think He feels the same when He looks us? Lost lives, broken families, hurting hearts. But you know what the cool part is? God says, “Get over here!!! Let me take that hurt and pain and sorrow… and check out this new garment I have for you. It is pure, without blemish and it’s free ‘cuz my Son bought it for you. So just put it on.”

It has been a busy week, a tiring week, but I’m so thankful for the lessons that God continues to teach me each day. Keep praying for my new friends in Boca Chica, that they would allow God to replace the dirty rags for clothes of righteousness and of course for Robersy and all (about 80) players that he works with throughout the week. We’re excited to see all that God is doing!

Of course I can’t finish up my blog without saying thank you to so many precious friends and family who wished us a Happy 1^st Anniversary! We had a great time spending the day together. I’m so thankful for my handsome hubby and can’t wait for the many, many more years to come.