Newspaper Interview

We are so thankful to have had an article written by the Royal Gazette about what God is doing here in the Dominican Republic. Instead of writing a new blog this Monday, we'd love for you to check it out :)

Click the link below!

Dedicated to Serving Others

God bless! And remember to stay in touch rslara14@gmail.com

Serving HIM well

It is 11:20PM and I am WIDE AWAKE! 

I guess the Frappuccino did not help, but this gives me a chance to clear my head before climbing into my comfy bed on this cool Sunday evening.

Last week I shared about all the awesome things that God is doing in our ministry. Robersy had an amazing baseball team working beside him for a week (see the pics on last week's post), we've seen people saved (yay!!!), street ministry is up and going (Praise God!), etc.

However, in both of my 2015 posts I've mentioned “re-vamping” our schedules…  I've just never mentioned why (NO, I AM NOT PREGNANT! I know that’s what you were thinking!).

I was pooped at the close of 2014. I had served my butt off in several different areas and felt like I had loved my husband, but as I took time to analyze how I had used my time I was convicted about how much time I had spent with the Lord.

“But I spend 24/7 with God… I’m a missionary!”

LOL.

Although His promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 is true that He is always with me and I've been pretty faithful in my personal devotions, on my side I have been MARTHA a lot more than I have been MARY.

Now, although people have a whole lot to say about Martha, I actually like her and her zeal to serve… and her feisty-ness to get her sister involved too :)

HOWEVER, my 2014 schedule looked a bit like this:

SERVE!!!... Use any energy left over to be an awesome wife!!... Spend time with Jesus.

It left me EXHAUSTED and if you read through some of my old 2014 posts there is a lot said about desiring rest. Which never seemed to come, by the way.

So during our Christmas break I spent some time sitting and thinking about if I had served God well.

I served HARD!

I served with PASSION!

But “WELL”??? I don’t know.

So the more I thought, the more I prayed and the more I prayed, the more I knew. If I want to serve in full-time ministry for the rest of my life something has got to change.

Enter 2015.

This year I’m flip-flopping my life. Well, God is flip-flopping my life cuz I’m going to need His help.

Spending time with the Lord is and always needs to be PRIORITY #1 (please keep me accountable friends!).

Then comes serving my hubby well – this is my first ministry.

And then finally, I will still serve my butt off… but only after the first 2 things are taken care of.

To be honest, I've still kept most of my responsibilities from the past year but have scheduled them in a way so that GOD might be glorified, not Sarah.

So I hope that helps you understand when I talk about re-vamping my schedule. 

And so far, so good!

The more time I've been spending in the Word, the more I've desired to serve my hubby and this has overflowed into a true joy of serving in ministry. But since it’s only Jan 19^th (yup… it just turned midnight so I am fading fast) I do ask for your prayers as I try to do as God has called each one of us to do… 

Serve Him WELL.

How can we pray for you this year? We’d love to hear from you! Rslara14@gmail.com

Get your cleats on!

1... 2... 3... GO!

We have been excited to jump back in to ministry in 2015. We have revamped our schedules and really prayed about how GOD would want to use our time. We're praying for a good year!

Robersy started right off the bat (haha... pun intended!) with a baseball team from Tennessee. 

*SIDE NOTE* 
An awesome direction that SCORE is really trying to move in is less giving, more helping. This means, we don't just go to a village to hand out food, instead we are sending people to help the village grow their own gardens so that they can grow their own food for years to come. This also means, we don't just go and play all the time... but we play some AND teach the kids the importance of attending school, hygiene, etc. We want our ministry to mean something and help the future of the Dominican Republic.

This has always been heavy on Robersy's heart. We just don't hand things out. The boys on his team have to earn what they receive through good behavior, attending school, attending church, etc. He has had a positive response within the baseball ministry by doing this. The boys don't beg... they just work harder. 

Saying this, an FCA coach from Tennessee was excited about how God was moving here and wanted to bring his team to serve with Robersy's team.

Over the course of the week, the boys did ministry together (picking up trash and handing out tracts), trained together (field and beach training) and played together. Yesterday after the church service 3 boys on Robersy's team even received Christ as their personal Savior!!! God is doing awesome things!

Here are a few pics from their time together.

I've (Sarah) had a great week too. Apart from sharing with the team and visiting a few games, things are back on the go at the Lily House. After a lot of praying, planning and preparing, we've welcomed 3 minors in to the program and we are excited to see how God moves there. Pray for the girls as they get accustomed to a new situation and plenty of new people!

Thursday night was our first night out for the year on street ministry and it was great to link up with some regulars and meet some new ladies. As a result of going out we had 1 lady visit the church with her 2 children. THEN, following the church service a lady who works at a restaurant where we minister on Thursday nights came marching in (she didn't even make it to the service, she arrived late, but on a mission!) and said, "I can't do it any more... I can't keep running. I want to accept Christ as my Savior!"

WOOHOO!!! I am so excited to see God's hand moving in Boca Chica. One step at a time... one woman at a time... GOD be glorified!!!

Toes in the sand...

It is absolutely perfect. The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing and the sand is squeezing between my toes at Boca Chica beach. I can't help but smile as I read Psalm 84.

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God."

Reflecting on the previous year I can remember times when I saw God's hand so clearly that I thought He'd appear at any moment, while at other times I questioned if God remembered that I was there. I can remember times when I had more than my two hands could hold, while other times I literally had to grasp for help. I can remember when God answered my prayers so fast and so clear, while other times I simply had to wait.

But as we begin this new year... this new opportunity... this new adventure... I rejoice for the peace I find in His presence. I strove (is that a word?!) to walk faithfully in 2014 and give thanks for the times that I failed because it reminded me that it is impossible to do life on my own. I want HIM. I NEED HIM. My soul longs to do right in His eyes.

HIS eyes.

HIS eyes.

If you look at verses 11 and 12 of Psalm 84 it reminds us in whom we must place our trust.





"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You."

Hope this makes Carolyn, Cathy and the ladies at
Columbia Baptist feel a little warmer this winter :)

If there is one thing I am taking and learning from 2014, it's that I serve an audience of ONE. 

The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!

I have tried to please others, be who others have wanted or not wanted me to be, do or not do what others wanted me to do, but... that is not what God desires of me or of any of His children. He wants me. But He wants ALL of me. 

Those efforts spent changing my whole schedule, saying yes to commitments I physically couldn't even keep up with and even trying to change my character to make people happy, are better spent praisin' Jesus. 

Because that's why He created me in the first place. For Him. (Col 1:16)

So as I head back to Lily House tomorrow and things get busy with an awesome to-do list in other ministries while living life here in the Dominican Republic... may HE be all I strive to honor. In my actions. In my words. In my being. 

Happy New Year friends. Let's do 2015... for HIM!

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.