Thursday…only two more days in the Dominican Republic….hard to believe it! The trip has flown by so quickly! Today from the work crew in San Jose…. We were able to finish hanging all of the siding on the walls..we were able to finish the metal roof except for two pieces of metal. We waited on the metal for a couple hours before heading for lunch at 1…the way things work in the D.R. are like this: The guys bringing the metal told the missionaries this morning at 8 that they were on their way…at 3 p.m. the metal wasn't there yet and the guy bringing it had shut off his phone (more than likely so we couldn't call and ask about its whereabouts). When It started to pour and thunderstorm, we called it a day and headed back to the highlands. Hopefully the metal will come by tomorrow morning and a crew of 4 guys will head out there at the break of dawn to finish it up…God willing.

The rest of the group isn't back yet as I write this (it's about 4:50) but I'm sure they'll be back soon. They went to the straw market this morning in the capital. Then they went to a place owned by some Christians who have family that work at Score. These people are starting a preschool next week and have had a heart for teaching young people about Christ before they enter the public schools in kindergarten. Our group was scheduled to go there this afternoon and paint so that they can open on time next week. I hope they were able to get that done today!

Tonight we are going to SCORE for missionary night and an Argentine BBQ. The Argentine BBQ costs $20 and all proceeds go to church planters in the Dominican that work with SCORE. We will be hearing some of the testimonies of the young people who go through the discipleship program. People like Greg, from Los Montones. He shared his testimony with us two nights ago (He's staying with us here at the Highlands to spend time with Caleb and Abe and our group…we met him 5 years ago on our first missions trip to the D.R.). The discipleship program takes place at SCORE and is roughly a 3 year program and it prepares the students to pastor church plants. It is amazing to see someone like Greg who we met years ago as he is preparing someday to pastor his own church…and someday soon not years from now. He is being ordained in the fall as he will have completed his discipleship at that time. GOD IS DOING AMAZING THINGS HERE…these people not only give up three years of their life, but there is a SIGNIFICANT change in their life when they decide to follow Christ. Can we say the same thing?

Tomorrow we are headed to Emmanuel's house (an orphanage) in the morning and to Olivares (the place we put the roof on the church last year) in the afternoon to feed a village. It's our last day of ministry in the D.R. These days have been packed but wow has God been working here!

We have things to share about our trip on Sunday…a video montage of the trip and some of our favorite "God moments". We can't wait to tell you all about it Sunday. J

Love,

Your Team in the D.R.  

7/11/12

Today our group split up. Half of us went to San Jose where we finished almost all of the siding for the walls and put on half of the metal roof. God certainly provided as we ran out of water twice on the hottest day yet. However we ended up getting water from a small store in the village and everything worked out. God is good! The other half of the group went to La Romana-the girls' orphanage, and had a sweet time of ministry and making bracelets with the girls and some boys who live there too. I hear that there was even dancing! ;) This afternoon they went to Honduras, a village we visited last year. What a great day! We are definitely worn out but it's been worth it! We have devotions soon, then bed. Tomorrow we are splitting up again-half to San Jose and half to Santo Domingo. We are painting a preschool that is opening next week! Some are also going to the straw market. ;) We are having a great time thank you for prayin!! Please continue to pray for safety and the people of the DR. ;)

What a great day! We spent the entire day in San Jose, stopping for a lunch of ham and cheese sandwiches, chips and "cola real" the Spanish equivalent of Cola. The guys spent the morning readying the trusses and putting up some more of the walls. They worked harder in hotter sun than I have ever seen. I'm surprised (GLAD) that they all made it to the end of the day! By the end of the day all of the trusses were nailed in place. Thank God for His provision and protection. The remainder of our group spent the morning doing a VBS with the kids under a huge tree on their baseball "field". Suzanne spoke in Spanish and presented the gospel to them, talking about how Jesus died for them and it's a free gift. The kids were so great this morning. We had a blast! At lunch we rested for about an hour and then it was back to work/play! Some of us put in the windows on the church and everyone worked hard to meet our goal for today! We did meet our goal before we left around 5. J A long but fruitful day. Praise the Lord. Tonight we had our devotions at SCORE. It was great to be back at the Score Complex to have devotion with all of the Score people. We are headed back to the girls' orphange tomorrow while some keep working on the building...What a trip this has been so far. Please come and hear more about it on Sunday at 10 a.m. at Alden Community Church! :) We can't wait to share with you all!

 Tuesday Morning Before....

 Trusses are up!!

Tuesday Afternoon After....Windows...Trusses...most of the wall! :)

Today we spent time again in San Jose. Some of The guys and Becka finished the trusses and put up the walls for the church while the rest of us did a VBS and played. Here are some excerpts from devos tonight: "I find it easier here to focus on God" "those guys (the Dominicans) were so excited to be working!" "it's God's church. We're no building for them, they're not building for them...we're all building for God" "Craig and Omar (missionary and Dominican pastor) were talking six months ago about building a church in 2-3 years..today  they stood in front of a building that will be used Sunday for it's first service!"

What a great day we had. Tomorrow we are headed back to San Jose to building a church and relationships. All is well-praise God. Will write more tomorrow as we will have internet access. God is so good!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

What an amazing day in the house of the Lord! Let me set the stage….this morning we drove through sugar cane fields to the village of San Jose. The village is small and as we drove past the one or two room houses, the kids out front waved as they recognized faces from yesterday. At the church we piled out of the bus and went into a small building filled with wooden pews. It is used as a school house, but on Sunday it transforms in the church. It was bursting at the seams with people! Nearing the church we heard the sounds of happy people..the moment we stepped in the church we could tell it was alive. As worship started and Pastor Craig (a Score Missionary from Atlanta) welcomed the Dominicans and Americans (us) we started worship. I'm telling you-you can ask any person that went to church at San Jose Iglesias de gracias…the people in this church know how to worship OUR GOD! Holding nothing back-they sang loud and clear…clapped their hands..danced in praise to God. It was truly a BLESSING to hear "Gloria….a Dios" (Glory to God) as it was sung at the top of their lungs, hands lifted in praise to the God we serve…It was truly an eye opening experience and a wakeup call…they didn't have musicians..they played the song over the stereo loud *so that everyone in the village could hear* and they sang their hearts out. After singing songs like " our God is greater" and "Glory to God" some of us took the children to a different area (a sort of kids church) and Suzanne had the opportunity to tell the Bible story of Adam and Eve to the kids there. She did a spectacular job! It was awesome as we listened to her fluid Spanish as she interacted with the kids. As some of us took the kids out to the coloring spot (a store front/slab of concrete) the rest stayed in the church and listened to the message which was preached by the missionary, Craig. What a great time this morning! When we got back we had some chicken, rice and salad for lunch and spent some refreshing time in the pool. After an hour or so of rest we were back on the road, headed to one of our favorite spots - Los Montones. Los Montones was a village that we spent much of our time in during our second year in the Dominican. Many relationships have been formed between Greg, Ridel and their friends and our team. At Los Montones we attended their Sunday night church service. It was awesome to see Ridel and Greg and the other friends we have there. Those who are on their first trip enjoyed visiting in the village as well, as the people there are so friendly. The change that Jesus brings is evident in this village.

This week we plan on going to San Jose most of the days to work on the work project. The guys will be putting up the walls, trusses, doors, windows…as much as they can before we need to leave on Saturday. Pray for the people of San Jose as we visit with them, teach and play. We hope that relationships that are made this week that will make a difference for eternity.

Thank you for praying for us! Please continue to pray for the hearts and lives  of the people here.

Your team in the Dominican!

Edwin had the opportunity to preach tonight at Los Montones. What an awesome experience! J He did a fantastic job!

Day 2!! ;)
What a day! We are finally ALL here! Our last team member arrived today, thank the Lord....and our last suitcase came in too!! After a couple bumps in the road-quite literally-we are all here and God is still good! We've had a great first day of ministry. Most of our guys went to San Jose where we will be building a church. They assessed the situation and began work on the trusses. The rest of us went to the girls' orphanage where Kelly and Haley were able to see the girl they sponsor. What a precious moment! This afternoon we all went to San Jose and met and played with the kids/teens who we will get to know in the coming days. Please pray for safety for the guys as they build. There was a huge thunder storm today...a definite show of God's power. Wow. Will write tomorrow. We are going to San Jose tomorrow for church and Los Montones for afternoon church  ;)  There is no Internet or phone here so thanks to Hannah Kelley for filling you all in through text. ;)
P.S. "Hi to my mommy and daddy!!!" -Shannon

We made it safe and sound to the DR! Easy flights. Praise God we are all here, we did have a little hiccup with a passport but by tomorrow night our whole group will be here:) PRAISE GOD for His mercy and grace on our trip so far! Thank you for your prayers! We will hopefully be writing each night about the day...! Stay tuned!                                                                                                                                         - Alden Community Church Missions Team 2012

On the way!!!

We are boarding our plane now to the DR! So excited! Should be there by 5:45 tonight! :)

Leaving on a jet plane...

We leave tomorrow! Please keep us in your prayers as we fly out tomorrow! Thank you for your continued support!

Today is Sunday. 5 more days until we leave for the Dominican!!! As I relax on my day off, I lay in the sun by the pool with my family. I can't help but marvel, in awe of the beauty of God's creation, as I lay here under his sunshine. This is the same sun that smiles down on the people of the Dominican. The same Son loves them. I cannot wait to see what God has for myself and our group as we go down there to minister to those in need to share Jesus' love. I am praying for strength and courage. I know God is the man with the plan and he will take care of us and use us to do wonderful things for his glory :)
- Shannon

One week. It doesn't seem real, maybe when we step out of the Dominican Airport and getting smacked in the face with the heat and when we can't understand the conversations going on around us. Maybe then it will seem real. No matter how many times I go, it still is just as exciting as the first time. I can't wait to see what God has in store for our group. I can't help but think that God has amazing things for us and the people of the Dominican. I'm so blessed and thankful to be part of God's plan. There is truly nothing better or more rewarding. "...And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then what could stand against...."
- Dawn Marie

Blowing bubbles for the kids.

Making benches to be used in church services in local villages.

Ahhhhh we leave in 8 days! It came SO fast! I feel like just yesterday we were signing up for the trip. I am so excited to see what God has in store for us down there. I'm praying that this year, God uses our group more than ever before in ways we can't imagine. Thank you to everyone who is praying. Please continue to pray for our group that we wouldnt let ourselves get in the way. And also for the people we will be ministering to.
- Kelsey

With each day that passes I get more and more excited to go to the D.R. I have to admit I am one who gets nervous and I honestly don't know what to expect as this is my first missions trip. Someone gave me the verse

2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.

I just am praying that we are open to what God has planned for all of us. That we may glorify him with every day. God is Good!

- Val

Thank You

THANK YOU SO MUCH for the generous support for our trip! It was such a blessing to get the offering from Sunday. The money donated by our church family will be going towards building supplies and the building project in the Dominican.


In 10 days we will be heading to the Dominican Republic! :)


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"Just talked to a friend in the D.R. today. I Can't wait to see what God has for us there!"
- Kim Lang




Last year with some of the kids from a village we did a building project in.

18 Days Away!

We are 18 days away from flying to the Dominican Republic and somehow it still doesn't seem real. It probably won't seem real until we are on the plane, sitting next to someone with the same color shirt as us and the other 20 some people on the plane from our group. Or maybe it'll seem real as we step onto the pavement in the Dominican and smell the smell native the the Dominican and feel that heat! It might not seem real to us until we are sitting beside someone who doesn't speak our language, doesn't understand what we are trying to communicate  and a simple smile breaks the barrier.

I remember being in this village (the one in the picture) and being amazed at the intensity with which this man colored. He was enjoying himself. It was the simple pleasure of coloring that he enjoyed. I remember wishing somehow that I could feel that way, maybe not about coloring, but about life. I remember wanting to slow down all the busy things in my life and take time for the important things, the things that bring me joy and the things that matter for Christ.

This year, the same as last, we wear a bracelet that says "it's not about us." While we are in the Dominican, we need a constant reminder that literally "IT IS NOT ABOUT US!" When it gets hot..."it's not about us"...when we are hungry..."it's not about us"...when we feel like we can't get up and share our story because it's too personal or too embarrassing..."it's not about us."

The challenge is to live that way on the missions trip, but it shouldn't end there...the real challenge is to live that way in our daily life, at work, at home and in our communities.

 Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 115:1

Thanks for checking in!

We are glad you are here!

Thank you for checking out our blog!

We haven't left for the Dominican Republic yet, but here's how you can help in the meantime:

1. Pray - Please pray for the people of the D.R. as well as a village we may get to minister in called San Jose.
2. Donate - There are many who still need funds to be able to go on the trip.
                    We are taking donations for Feed a Village (a program that literally feeds a village while we are there with essential groceries to support a family for a week) and for our work project while we are in the Dominican Republic.

Please start praying for us and the people of the Dominican Republic!

We are anticipating a trip filled with "God-moments" and can't wait to be changed by Him!