A hearty "AMEN!"

Before I begin... 

It's Robersy's 30th birthday! SO... SHOUT OUT to my hubby and thanks be to GOD for one more year of life! Check out my Facebook page for a sappy post to commemorate the day :)



Josiah has been doing a whole lot of cute things lately. Sometimes my heart literally can't handle it! Yesterday I shed tears over his first art activity that he did while at Lily House. Hand prints formed in to a heart that said "Te amo mami!" - I love you Mommy!

OH MY HEART! 
It's on my refrigerator and my heart melts a little every time I see it, lol.

He is also expanding his vocabulary. His newest word is "crackers" which sounds a little like "poop" in Spanish but we're gonna take it. 






He knows most animal noises. He "Meeees" at the goats from our bedroom window and barks along with our dogs. Actually on Sunday I had to stand at the back of church because he is a little tornado and a gentleman walked in to the sanctuary Josiah pointed right at him and let out a LOUD "ribbit! ribbit!" I'm telling you... I had never seen it before but it's true! There is a resemblance! LOL.

But one of the sweetest things he does I haven't decided if I want to correct.

Manners are IMPORTANT but sadly not taught to many children here in the DR, so I have made it a priority to push "PLEASE and THANK YOU!" He's been doing the sign for "Please" and we're still working on the actual word, but our "THANK YOU!" has turned into a sweet lesson for my heart.


Josiah hasn't quite figured out the difference of saying "Thank you" to Jesus before we eat and saying "Thank you" to someone for something they have done, given, etc.

If I give Josiah a cookie and say "Thank yoooou" urging him to follow, he quickly bows his head, mumbles a few unrecognizable words and then lets out a hearty "AMEN!"

Uhhhhh! Who would correct this sweet gesture!? Honestly we tried in the beginning and I'm sure he'll get it before he's 20 :) But it has been a sweet reminder to where my heart must be.

On our way to the game

I am quick to thank a group for donations or an individual for their help... but I often forget to thank the ONE from whom all blessings flow. 

GOD is so, SO good to us and I often to forget to thank HIM for the blessings HE pours over me and my sweet family every day.

So let me give out a shout out to JESUS...
This past weekend Robersy had the opportunity to work with a baseball team and a group of teens joined us on Saturday as fans to cheer on the players! The game was great, although I was there for the social aspect, heehee, and then as we always do the Gospel was preached following.

I was actually surprised when the invitation was given that no one raised their hand or came to the side. Actually, to be honest, I was a little thankful too. One of the biggest frustrations for us as missionaries is when everybody in a crowd "receives Christ" because many times its because of peer pressure and we've even seen coaches pushing their whole teams up to the front to accept Christ thinking there might be a freebie as well. We just pray that even a few of those might be sincere.

Anyways! Our director waited a few minutes before closing in prayer and my heart almost exploded (along with my tear ducts that must have had a leak!) when I saw a young man from the American team stand up and move to the side to speak to someone about receiving Christ as his personal Saviour.

So many times we assume that those who come down on a mission trip, especially when they're part of a Christian school, are already Christians. What a true act of humility to stand in the midst of over 100 young Dominican baseball players to say... "Hey. I've been living a lie. I don't know CHRIST, but I need HIM."

THAT WAS YOU GOD! YOU DID THAT! 
SHOUT OUT TO YOU!!!

Then it started a ripple effect among a few others who came to the throne of grace as well. 

Isn't HE GOOD!!!







Then, in our hurricane relief efforts, 
GOD used many of you to bring LIGHT to several homes.

If you were to say to "Luci" to most of the SCORE missionaries they would began our little spiel that "THIS is the reality of the Dominican Republic." :) I'm sure that some of you that have been to a SCORE night are repeating the same!

But to those who don't know, Luci is a solar-powered, inflatable, waterproof lantern that we use to bring physical and spiritual light in to Dominican homes.






Using a good friend of ours, Robersy and I have been entrusted with the sale and dispersing of Luci lanterns to homes in the Dominican. This was the first time we reached out to those outside of the Dominican and we were humbled by your participation. 

With each lantern given, we have been able to share the love of CHRIST! 






Some have even received Christ when the comparison is given between physical light and the ONE TRUE LIGHT. MANY seeds have been planted.

GOD used YOU in providing these lanterns as HE called these individuals to HIMSELF and HIS eternal salvation.
Isn't HE GOOD!!!

So today... although I am still truly thankful for YOU... I'm pulling a Josiah and bowing my head and thanking HIM - for HE HAS DONE GREAT THINGS and HE is TRULY worthy of ALL praise.

Blessings!

The dreaded cape.

Today (written earlier this week) began as normal as any other day.

Rolled. Tumbled. CRAWLED out of bed. Realizing we had slept in on Prayer Meeting morning I ran to take the dogs out while Robersy went to brush his teeth. Since they take just about the same amount of time to do (haha!) I walked in the door just in time to hear Josiah waking up. 

"MOMMA!" - When Robersy isn't home we practice yelling "Daddy!" from the bedroom... hoping it'll sink in one day so then I can sleep in. 

"One second, boo boos." 

I had to put it on... where was it? 

"MOMMA!" 

"I'm coming!!!" 

Didn't I just wear it yesterday? Maybe it was in the closet... under the bed... dirty laundry?! "ROBERSY!!! WHERE'S MY CAPE!!!"

:)

OKAY. Obviously I'm being facetious. But over the last several weeks a very serious thought has occurred to me. It's the reason I haven't written. It's the reason I haven't blogged. It's the reason I haven't shared the very intimate and personal feelings I have experienced over the previous month.

Shall I share?
Do you think you're ready?
Here we go...

I. AM. HUMAN.

Ahhhh!!! My heart hurts to write these three words. My head pounds to accept it's truth.

By this point you're getting ready to close the blog and move on to something more spiritual, but stay with me for a second and let's get serious so I can share with you the realization that most missionaries know so well and the ways you can help the missionaries and full-time ministry workers that GOD has placed in your lives.

These past 2 months have been the craziest roller coaster ride of my life. 

I have experienced pain, grief and anger like I have NEVER experienced before. 

I have cried more times than I can count.

I have doubted. HIS call. HIS will. HIS desire to use me.

One after another situations have hit our home, our ministry, our family, our faith... making it scary to stand back up again, in fear something greater might come next.

And it's becoming difficult to keep our "capes" on.

The funny thing is, we never bought these capes. We didn't even ask for them! They were wrapped around our necks by people we love most and the countless individuals we serve on a daily basis. 

The cape is one of expectation. One that hopes we have all of the answers. One that wonders why we cry, why we fight, why we yell. One that ought to be stronger. One that doesn't feel pain and doesn't allow tears to flow. A true Superhero.

Here's the deal.
I can't be that for you or for them.

I speak on behalf of all ministry workers when I say, "I am human." 

The cape isn't lost. 
It doesn't exist.

The same pain you feel when you stub your toe we feel as well.

The anger you experience when someone betrays you, lies to you or stabs you in the back, we experience too. And it happens. Regularly.

Sadness feels SAD to us too, the only difference is that we can't just run to mom's house... we call on spotty internet and fuzzy computer screens.

Fights, cliques and gossip exist within ministry just as much as it exists in your office... and it's not okay... in either setting.

We're not Superheroes. 
This may not mean anything to you, but over the last few months I have clung on to and held tight to a cape that God never expected me to wear. I need the same GRACE, MERCY and FORGIVENESS as anyone else in any other profession.

On my way to San Jose to teach the other week I admired a beautiful and OCD approved fencing :) SO STRAIGHT. SO PERFECTLY MEASURED. But as I drove by I notice an opening. Clearly nibbled away by a goat or cut by somebody passing by. Either way. This one opening, though only a few meters away from a security guard and a shot gun, could let any number of things in. And a thought crossed my mind.

Why don't they cover it up?!
A little tarp, a big black trash bag at least! 

But the truth is... the gap would still be there.

I started to think about all of the fears, doubt and insecurities that I had allowed to creep in to my life over the last few months... all covered with that dreaded cape. I could have walked through it all a little easier if I had taken off the cape and been real with others. It would have allowed GOD and others to step in to help close the gap rather than pretending it didn't exist.

The freedom of being REAL covered up with a cape all because "more" is expected of me. 

More faith.
More grace.
More forgiveness.

Yet we REQUIRE and ought to GIVE equal amounts of these very things... and it's way more than either of us have done. Can I get an AMEN?

Perhaps this blog is difficult to follow, but if you're walking through living up to someone's expectations perhaps you get it. 

Can we all just live for JESUS!? 
Take off the cape!
Let GOD step in and allow HIM to place others in to your life to help with the burdens, the doubts and the healing.

Can we all just be real?

Next week I'll fill you in on all the happenings around here. Pics of groups, mission trips and the kids to come! But this week. Pray for your missionaries and ministry workers. We carry a heavy load of wearing a cape the LORD never asked us to wear. Pray that we might be real and seek counsel, help and healing before the cape becomes hypocrisy. And pray for the same in your own life too!

Simmer down, Irma.

The sun is splitting the trees!

The temperature is H-O-T. 

There is literally no sign of what is to come.

It appears there is a storm a brewin' in the Atlantic and it's headed towards us. Well, the "storm" has grown in to a Category 5 hurricane named Irma and it looks like she might do some damage.

As we don't know what the next few days might hold I wanted to send out a quick blog to ask for your prayer. 

We praise the LORD for the second floor, concrete home GOD has allowed us to live in... however, there are many, MANY people in our church, youth group and baseball ministry that live in homes with wooden walls and tin roofs. Homes that might not take the beating well. We ask for GOD's protection over each one of them and their families. We ask for wisdom in knowing how to prepare and guidance in knowing how to help.

We ask for prayer for Robersy's family as well as the Dominican and Haitian families of many of our SCORE employees and missionaries. 

Robersy's mom lives in a small tin-roofed home at the bottom of a hill. Heavy rain has caused mud to flood her home on occasions before and she's fearful that her home won't withstand the hurricane force winds. Robersy's mom also suffers from asthma that is regulated with a nebulizer daily. If the power goes out for a long period of time this could cause issues for her health as well. We've ask her to come and stay with us, but obviously she is fearful to leave her home and belongings as well.

We ask that this storm might draw people to HIMSELF and in the midst of scary circumstances, that the LORD might reveal HIMSELF with HIS mighty, powerful hand. 

We KNOW and BELIEVE in a GOD that can CALM THE STORM. We worship the CREATOR of the winds and the waves that humbly obey HIS commands. Still we trust in HIS absolutely perfect plan and ask that HE does what will bring HIM the most glory.

Slippers.

Life has been a blur lately. 

Last week Robersy and I sprawled out on the couch. As I began to think about what I had gotten up to that day I couldn't stop laughing.

I still remember that on that particular day just over a week ago I had ran, studied, squeezed on to a full public bus with Josiah in tow, led a Bible study, stopped an argument, counseled a young lady, fed 2 stray kittens with an eye dropper, put Josiah down for a nap, grabbed something to eat, set up the church for youth group, planned games, checked on the stray kittens and the girl taking care of them, visited a few missionaries going through some tough stuff, ran back to the church to do the finances, grabbed dinner for Josiah, opened up the church for the kids, helped lead youth group, drove some of the kids home and got home with a sleeping baby and exhausted husband around 10PM. 

C-R-A-Z-Y! And so diverse! LOL.

Every day IS different, and our days largely depend on what those we're ministering to are walking through at the time... if that makes sense.

For example. We don't regularly visit the hospital, but if one of our teens/disciples are... we are too. We don't regularly to crisis counseling, but if need-be we do!

As a prepare for a few Bible studies I'm leading this week I've just started Beth Moore's "Believe God" study. I've only gotten through the first video and I think this might be a good one :)

At the end of the study she pulls out 3 pairs of shoes.
A fancy dancy pair.
A pair of slippers.
And a pair of work boots.

Although she has different application, it got me thinking of the shoes we've put on lately and the different seasons we encounter. 

There are seasons of fun, enjoyment and even celebration (when things are going great!). 
There are seasons of REST!
And there are seasons of a whole lotta work!

We're just coming out of a very busy season in our personal lives and ministry. We've had our work boots buckled tight! It's been exhausting, but we're thankful for the things accomplished. However, next week we plan to slip on our slippers and rest for a moment before things get busy again :)

I want to encourage you to pray for your missionaries! Whether local, overseas or wherever they might be. Working with short-term mission teams, camps, VBS, summer conferences, etc. Days and weeks as crazy as ours. Pray that they might find a moment to catch their breath and rest in the arms of our Savior before starting afresh! For the sake of their marriages, families and spiritual lives.

Youth United!!! 4 youth groups together worshiping God!!!

Games at Youth United!

Two of our teens were baptized on Sunday. 

Climbing a mountain on our day off :)

Thank you to all who sent school supplies to SCORE!
These are "back-to-school" gifts we were able to give to our teens.

Our back-to-school activity included games about Science...

Math

And Physical Education

Thankful to a member of our church, Patricia, for sharing the importance of attending school.

All these activities were shared with this crazy little boy <3

Run Away!!!

This morning I had to get away.

My heart.

My thoughts.

I just needed an escape. So I left Josiah with a babysitter... and drove myself to the airport. 

Now, don't call the police. 

I have not deserted my husband or son. There is just something relaxing about watching other people get away.

Actually, watching hellos and goodbyes here at the Santo Domingo Airport is pretty sweet. Whole families and even distant relatives gather to send off one of their own. Baseball players grinning from ear to ear decked out in their team's gear. Students traveling to school. Suit clad women and men heading off for conferences, new experiences, another world.

The expectations of what is to come. The excitement. The thrill.

I remember arriving for the very first time in the Dominican. It would only be 5 weeks... so I thought. Little did I know, it would change my life forever. And thus I began to see GOD's hand move (though HE had been at work long before...). I returned for a year and a half. Then each summer and Christmas. Finally marrying my one true love while following the call of my First Love. 

And ooooohhhhhh the hopes and dreams that filled my heart and journals. What we would do, where we would go, how much we would accomplish. 

But there came a time, dear friends, when expectations collided with reality.

Real people and real problems got in the way of our plan.

And we're left saying... THIS ISN'T HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE!!!

People are supposed to be RUNNING to the Lord. Overwhelmed by the opportunity given for new life and new hope. The thought of sin ought to be bitter-tasting to their grateful hearts. We should have a team of leaders so humbled by the thought of pouring in to young people. An excitement to grow and to see growth. 

Yet we're clawing for just enough leaders to get by. And we're begging our kids to come back to the fold.

WHY?! This isn't how it's supposed to be. Just in the last week I have been brought to my knees for other ministries in the same boat. Physically, emotionally and spiritually battling against Satan and his kingdom and with all the air left in their tired lungs asking our Savior, "Why?"

"Let's run away!" 

I've said it to Robersy and others. 

Always uttered with a smirk on my face. Only whispered with a sprinkle of truth. 

The truth is, here or there, anywhere... there comes a time when expectations collide with reality. 

But then we realize that REALITY is what GOD ALMIGHTY holds in the palm of HIS hands. 

The present and future gently held in HIS grasp. 

A timeline perfectly orchestrated.

Plans that nobody can alter.

And though a quiet, "why?" is still often stifled by my tears I know this to be true...

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 

neither are your ways my ways," 

declares the LORD. 

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, 

so are my ways higher than your ways 

and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

As the rain and the snow 

come down from heaven, 

and do not return to it 

without watering the earth 

and making it bud and flourish, 

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 

so is the word that goes out from my mouth: 

It will not return to me empty, 

but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." 

Take heart.

HE knows what HE's doing :)

Truly thankful for our missionary family who has loved on us through this tough time
by a listening ear, meals and plenty of hugs. 

Saying goodbye to some of our favorites :( Thankful for the interns who have loved on our teens.

And just a few snap shots of our little man, who has developed 
quite the personality and keeps us cracking up!

"SMILE!"

Loss

10 days ago, I grieved in a way I never had before. 

I grieved the loss of two spiritual daughters. I mourned the loss of trust. I sobbed over the broken lives, hurting families and betrayal. 

I questioned. 
I doubted. 
I blamed myself. 
I knew I could have done more.

I truly believed that the burden was too much to bear. 

Sleepless nights turned in to very early mornings. Trying to understand and literally begging God and others for guidance. 

I didn't want to be angry, but couldn't bear to forgive. The lies, the scheming, the rebellion.

I knew I'd never felt such hurt... and would never experience such loss again.

I was wrong.


Little did I know, days later, I would experience loss again.

Forced to say "goodbye" when I was never given the opportunity to say "hello." 

Forced to let go of something I'd never gotten to hold. 

To experience the contractions.
To see the blood.
And still be left empty handed.

I know I'm just a statistic. That others know my pain.

But he was mine.

He was MINE...


So here I stand again. Well... more like curled in the fetal position... which is only too ironic. Begging God AGAIN for guidance.

Once again trying to understand.
Once again feeling like a failure.
Once again feeling betrayed.

So why do I share? 
Because, though our lives are played out on a stage before our family, friends, church, ministry and supporters, we experience very real hurt in ministry and in our personal lives. 

I want permission to cry and to be mad and to run away. 

And I want you pray.

Because I believe in a GOD that will dry my tears, and remind me that HE is near, and hold my sweet baby tighter than I ever could.

I know my GOD is a GOD of
HOPE
RESTORATION
and HEALING

and I want to experience these things first-hand in our family and ministry.

I miss him... 
though I don't exactly know what I'm missing. 

I don't think that'll go away. 
I hope that doesn't go away. 

Will you pray for our family and ministry?

CAMP, BABY!!!

He just can't control it.

It oozes from his soul and flows from his head to his toes.

Truth is, my child looooooves to dance.

Just the other night I was rocking Josiah to sleep on the porch since the lights were out. He was ALMOST asleep! Until the ice-cream truck, with its distinct music, came driving down our street.

He literally jumped out of my lap! He had to get his groove on! His feet, his head, his hands... everything had to move to the music!

Truth is, there is something that gets us going!

Sports, music, art... 

For us, it's working with young people.

Although they also get on my last nerves too, there is something that makes us want to get up and DANCE when seeing a teen's heart changed for the glory of GOD.

We had the blessing of seeing many of our local teens and others from surrounding churches come to a saving knowledge of CHRIST and rededicating their lives to the LORD. What a thrill to see young men and women being trained up for HIS glory!!!

About 275 arrived at camp on Tuesday, rearing and ready to go! With the help of the program team, the counselors and the Highlands staff we had an AMAZING week.

The games, the songs, the messages. All pulled together with the theme "I AM THIRD." for an incredible time. So much so that many young people went home in tears. 

Pray for those that had made decisions. Many don't live in a home that supports and encourages them in their mission to live godly lives. Pray that they will link up with a solid, Bible preaching church and that they might GROW!

Speaking of growing...

In case you haven't heard. My belly is growing. And although the food at camp was ON POINT, it wasn't the rice and beans... IT'S A BABY.

We're thrilled to announce our addition and we look forward to meeting him/her in February.

It appears we're already trying to fill our new-to-us van already, with our very own home-grown baseball team :)

Just kidding! But we are truly grateful for the van and how it has already been used in our ministry. We're currently looking for a trailer to store the baseball equipment on the back, but we'll post when that becomes available.

It seats about 15-20 and the interior was re-covered with material that wouldn't absorb the sweat of nasty baseball players. Heehee.

So now you're all up-to-date. And we'll have plenty more to share this coming week as we continue to serve alongside some precious friends and mission teams. SO STAY TUNED!!!

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

Last Week's Blog:

He's DOWN! He's DOWN!!!

Josiah is finally down for a nap after an impromptu sleepover last night. Six boys came to visit... with backpacks filled with overnight belongings. I'm not always soft, but when an 11 year old gets teared up when we say it's time to go home my heart melts a little.

PLUS, 6 free babysitters while I catch up on reading, Bible study and Netflix. Really it's a WIN-WIN :)

Nevertheless, I now have laundry to do and candles burning (Preteen boys STINK!) but sometimes the little sacrifices are worth it.

While we sat to do our family devotions this morning, Robersy and myself with our 7 children, they had a lot to say and a lot to ask while Robersy shared the importance of discipleship. 

As some of the youngest boys on Robersy's team my heart melted as I looked at my 1 year old squished on the couch with the others. Intently listening. He wants to be just like the big kids. In fact yesterday afternoon he spent the majority of time throwing balls, racing cars and swinging bats with the older six.

These kids may not think they have anyone looking up to them, but I can assure you, they do.

In fact, we all do. 

I know I've talked about this before but whether you believe it or not, you are influencing someone. Good OR bad... but you ARE influencing someone.

So what do we do with this super power :)

We live right.

RIGHT... in the eyes of God Almighty!

That is exactly what our church youth conference is all about this weekend.

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!

"We are called to be LIGHT in a dark, DARK world and people are WATCHING... are you putting your faith in to ACTION?"

Pray as we teach our young people what it means to live out our faith.

So that's what we've been up to. Busily preparing for the conference, as well as for camp, all while continuing our regular ministries and searching for a van!

We appreciate your prayers at a very busy time of the year!!!
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TODAY'S BLOG!

"THAT'S A WRAP!"

What a fabulous weekend! It was CRAZY and we're dead tired. But it was fantastic!!!

The teens left the conference feeling well-loved and encouraged to BE LIGHT and TAKE ACTION by our three invited speakers. I was thankful to see the messages came together and God moved as we knew HE would! 

We began the day with muffins and 2 messages from Word of Life National Director of Bible Clubs, Samuel. He spoke about our call to be light and what that looks like in our day-to-day life. It was also a blessing to hear about Samuel's own story and how the Lord led him in to ministry.

After a LARGE typical Dominican lunch of rice with beans (moro), chicken and salad we settled down to hear our Pastor, Nathan Jude, bring the Word. We love how God speaks through our Pastor on a weekly basis and this weekend at the conference was no exception!

Finally, after more snacks, prizes and songs, we heard from our final speaker, Word of Life missionary, Josued. Unfortunately, Josued had car issues on his way out to us, but we were blessed by his message when he was able to arrive!

4 teens expressed a call in to ministry - and to tell you the truth, we see it in them too. Their desire to serve their local church, push other teens towards a closer relationship with the LORD and of course clear evidence of their heart to grow is undeniable.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

I've included some photos so you can get a visual :)

Burnin' Tires and Box O' Puppies

"Hey! Be careful... they're burning tires down there."

Surprisingly, this is not the first time we have heard this phrase yelled in to our truck window. Tires are usually burned, as are rocks thrown, when people are on strike or protesting (in many cases because of electricity outages).

THIS, however, was the first time we had heard it on our street. It didn't come as a complete surprise as the electricity has been going off consistently each morning around 3am for the past week. Holy Heat Batman...

Robersy and I looked at each other and spoke at the same time.

"YEESSSSS!!! Let's join the riot!!! Let's throw a burning tire! These power outages have been awful!!!"

"Oh dear, that doesn't sound safe. Let's find another way home."

HAHA. I'll let you guess who responded in which way. Truly, Robersy and I could not be more different. 


Then there are mornings like this morning.

"Oh my soul, babe, someone left a box of puppies at our front gate."

Looking shamefully at the floor. "It was me... I saw them at the end of the road last night and brought them closer so I could take care of them."

That one will shock you... IT WAS ROBERSY who brought the puppies home! (NO! We are not keeping them). BUT, OH MY HEART. A man who brings home PUPPIES <3 <3 <3

Any who. It's funny how God brought two crazy individuals together. Two islanders, but from a world of a difference in upbringing, culture, family, etc. united in the precious blood of JESUS CHRIST.

It blows my mind.

Then there are missionaries and friends who serve together from all around the Dominican, Michigan, Tennessee, West Virginia, Costa Rica, Ohio, New York, Atlanta, etc. Each from different walks of life, testimonies, family backgrounds and traditions. Again, so different yet united in such a precious bond named Christ.

I was reminded of the sweet bond as I watched a dear friend and sister from the Dominican slip out of church after Communion on Sunday morning. Her young daughter wiped tears from her eyes, but they weren't naughty tears... they were sad tears.

"Is she okay?" I whispered as she opened the back door. 

"She's sad because Jesus died. It seems she finally "got" why we celebrate Holy Supper... I just gotta let her know that Jesus is still alive."

OH. MY. HEART.

I can't wait for the day I can share this same joy with my son as he comes to an age of understanding and I look forward to seeking advice from my sweet friend whom I had NOTHING in common with before Christ.

That unspeakable Joy I spoke of last week, unites HIS people, HIS body, HIS church.

I'm also MOVED TO TEARS when I know this "common bond" has led people, who have known us briefly or even just heard of us and our ministry, to support us as we serve on the mission field. We do not take it lightly. In fact, we pray over those who give and have given. We do not feel worthy, but we are sincerely honored.

Many of you were thanked for and prayed over as Robersy, Josiah and I drove from dealer to dealer to look at vans today. We can hardly believe the money has been raised through the precious saints in Bermuda (more specifically those who worship at Paget Gospel Chapel), and through other supporters and donors we should have the funds for insurance and touch-ups.

HOW?!
WHY?! 

We are in AWE of your generous hearts and love for us that is only possible through a bond that began at the cross. THANK YOU!!!

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Besides van-hunting we have been busily getting ready for the youth conference and camp as well as conjuring up new adventures for our youth.

Living as a Christian teen in sex-driven, party-centered lifestyle of the Dominican Republic is tough. And since there aren't the "after-school activities" or "summer day camp" options we have in the States and Bermuda many times teenagers find their own extra-curricular activities, which sadly leads to dropping out of school to parent a child or being involved in accidents due to under aged drinking and late night partying (we're talking kids that are 11 and 12 years old! And it's NOT shunned by the parents).

This is why we decided, even between planning and preparing for large out-reach activities, to begin "Youth Wednesdays." From 3-6PM on Wednesdays during the summer we'll provide a safe environment for the teens to "hang." We'll provide different activities each week but we're praying this will encourage them to meet with others in healthy activities at other times of the week too.

The Christian life is NOT boring... but in some cultures "fellowship" begs to be taught.

Pray that this might be a fun time for our young people and bonding time with the leaders.

So there you have it. Summer in the DR. We can't wait to see and serve with some of you soon and then the rest of you can pray for us as we face the summer HEAT! 

BLESSINGS <3

Some crazies we serve with.

Blessed by these friendships.

HAHA! Anna is going to kill me. But I'm thankful for her!

And of course, sweet ministry too.