our month of ministry in Azua. Raul, our ministry partner, said that it
is the desert of the DR. It is hotter here than what it was in San
Juan, but it is a dry heat so it is not that bad. When we arrived on
Saturday we spent most of the day getting settled and then we were told
that we were going to sing for the youth service that night. Most of
the kids want to learn English, so we were able to just sing English
songs. The kids knew most of the songs in Spanish already. We also gave
some testimonies and Jenni Brown gave a short message. My team is
broken up into many different houses. Matt is staying with Raul and
most of the girls in the Gentle Warriors. Robyn is staying by herself
at a house near to Rauls house. Cathy and Noah are with a family, Anna
and Hanna are with another family and Kim Jerkins(Gentle Warriors) and
I are with another family. Kim and I are very blessed with the family
we are staying with. They are so generous! The part of town we are
staying in is very interesting. There are naked kids running all over
the place, music is blaring out of all of the stores, and we can not
walk without a local in the neighborhood. The kids are very friendly
and will run up and hug you without even knowing you. The guys like to
hiss at the girls and we hear Americanos all the time.
children and youth only. We sang songs and then everyone was divided up
into groups for bible study. I went with the younger children. There
were about 45 of them. I know what you might think, but they were very
well behaved and the older kids really looked out for the younger kids.
We did some more songs, acted out Matthew 4 18-22, then had them draw
what they learned. It went really well. I was able to ask questions,
using a translator and the kids responded like the kids in every other
class I have ever taught. During the afternoon we hung out. I went with
Matt and Renee and got some ice cream…it was amazing! Then we had the
adult church service Sunday night. It was there Thanksgiving service so
people gave testimonies and sang songs. We were able to sing some songs
and give some testimonies. Later that night I went home and watched a
Jet Li movie with my family that was dubbed in Spanish. The entire
house was packed with boys from the youth group. I am really enjoying
this culture. I have been able to use the little Spanish I have and
everytime I say something and they understand they get really happy!
One of the boys that lives with us really wants to speak English and
uses as much as he can.
Today we went to the school where we will be teaching and prayed over it. The kids all came around 10am and we had English class. They are very eager to learn. Tonight we will have another English class and a sports camp teaching volleyball and basketball. This is so much fun! We have a full week and this weekend we have been asked to teach at a leadership conference. Pray for us to be able to come up with things spur of the moment, as that seems to be normal! Also pray for the father, Miguel, that Kim and I are staying with, he is not a Christian. Last night he came to the church service, which Raul said was rare. Then this morning when we sat down for breakfast he asked me to pray for our breakfast. We can not say much to him that he will understand, but my prayer is that the presence of the Holy Spirit will convict him and that he will turn to Jesus! Pray also for the many hundreds of boys and girls that are all over the streets. They are very poor and many are illiterate, pray for them to desire knowledge and especially the knowledge of Jesus Christ! The amount of kids that are around is astounding! The church service alone had over 100 kids and I see more and more new faces every day! Please also pray for my squad as we all adjust to the new food and culture. Many people are getting sick…pray for health and wellness! Thanks for all of your prayer…I love you all!
