Sometimes you work in a ministry or go on a mission trip and never get to see the fruits of your labor. Other times – special times – God blesses you by letting you see the fruit. For me, last week, the fruit was getting to visit Azua, Dominican Republic, and visit with Dominican friends and eat meals in both houses that I helped do construction on during my two previous trips to the D.R. 
In 2000, my parents and I went with a group to our church to help dig a cistern for a family at our sister church. Ten years later, I was able to enjoy running water in their house because of that cistern. In 2003, my youth group went back to Azua and helped mix cement and build another pastor’s house. Last week I ate lunch in their beautiful home. It was such a testament to God’s faithfulness that not only 
was I blessed to have Family in the Dominican Republic (as they told me over and over) but it was such a sweet realization that our friendship and relationship was literally 
built into the walls of their homes. We had sweat and toiled together, studied the word together, laughed together, and now enjoyed the blessing of God’s provision together. And eating guava from the beautiful garden behind the D’Mezas house – the same spot of land that had been a big pile of rocky dirt last time I saw it – brought a literal representation of seeing and tasting the fruit of your labor. Praise Jesus!
was I blessed to have Family in the Dominican Republic (as they told me over and over) but it was such a sweet realization that our friendship and relationship was literally built into the walls of their homes. We had sweat and toiled together, studied the word together, laughed together, and now enjoyed the blessing of God’s provision together. And eating guava from the beautiful garden behind the D’Mezas house – the same spot of land that had been a big pile of rocky dirt last time I saw it – brought a literal representation of seeing and tasting the fruit of your labor. Praise Jesus!
Jomira and I holding a picture of the two of us and Katie N. from 10 years ago. Have we changed much? 🙂
