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.

Soggy Animo

"One, two... one, two, three, four, five."

Just a few years ago there was a song that swept across the Dominican Republic. I actually think the song was called "One, two, three, four, five" and just about everyone was singing the lyrics.

However, it wasn't necessarily because the song was good... it was just super catchy. It's a song all about getting up and getting going. The young artist sang about getting excited about the day and making lots of noise to get pumped up.

HOWEVER, the young lady's unimpressed expressions and lack of excitement made the song simply ironic.

"Get excited. Get pumped up." All sang with a bllllaaaa frown.

HA-HA!

It cracks me up, but is a good reminder too.

Have you met BLAAAA Christians? Kind of ironic, right???

Saved by grace?!

HALLELUJAH!

Going to Heaven?!

Praise JESUS!!!

But we sit in the pews like zombies and try not to seem weird to our friends and co-workers during the work week.

JESUS didn't die so I could live a mediocre life with a frown on my face while MUMBLING the most EXCITING NEWS THAT EVER WAS!!!

Heck to the NO!

Friend, we are called... NOT to remain silent. We are changed in order to literally SCREAM "JESUS SAVES!!!" through word and deed.

Can I get an AMEN?!

Please, friend, if you have lost your joy BEG HIM to shake things up. Ask HIM to remind you of HIS work in you. Take time to remember the train wreck you were before knowing the SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.

I know I need to do this daily because this money-driven-popularity-contest we call life has a way of dampening our spirits sometimes. We ought not stay soggy.

This morning, as Robersy has been out at the mechanic AGAIN, I have been looking at our schedule and organizing some things for the upcoming months.

I literally want to get up and run in circles (haha!) cuz I am that excited. Yes, it'll be busy, but our teens are going to have some really special events over the summer to stir their hearts to grow in their faith.

On June 24 we have a youth conference  "Lights, Camera, Action - How to put your faith in to action" for the teens that live and worship in our area. We were talking with someone just this week about snacks, decoration, themes, etc. We are praying that this will be a great preparation for their hearts before camp.

Camp is from July 11th-15th then there are some pretty special coming down to serve here for a couple weeks following.

Then of course we have a young lady from Bermuda coming to live and serve with us for the month of July! We're so thankful that our area of influence is not confined to the Dominican Republic. We trust her time with us with help her Spanish AND shake up her walk with the LORD!

So those are the things coming up, but we prepare for those even as we continue to serve day to day. Just this past week involved teaching, discipleship, baseball practice, a visiting group at youth group THEN baseball, softball and volleyball games... all in one morning!!! We stay busy which is why it's so important to find JOY in serving JESUS!

How about you? Are you getting a little soggy? How can we be praying for you???