Hello from Santo Domingo!
So honestly, I’m not even sure how to start this blog. I have so many things to write about that it seems almost impossible to put it into only one blog. But I will try.
Currently, I am in Santo Domingo, going through Debrief with my squad as we await to head to Haiti for the month of February. Swapping stories of how God has used us, worked through us, and worked on us this past month has been an amazing blessing. For me personally, I have gone through a lot with my team of seven. For the majority of the month we did door to door ministry in association with a collection of other ministries in the city of Santiago. What started as something really difficult for me ended up turning into one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.
Going door to door is alien to the American church, and that’s okay. In the Dominican Republic it is widely accepted and practiced. No, what we did was not us going around shopping our gospel and selling it as a magic fix up to peoples lives. We did not tell them they were wrong for what they believed and that they were going to Hell if they didn’t believe what we believed. No. Instead, we just loved on these amazing people as we invited them to church. We asked them about their lives as we offered loving friendships and made it evident that we wanted to make a long term relationship with them. As the month went on, we had meals with some of our new friends, and shared the love that God had for us.
On top of this, we also did ministries that were close to each of our hearts. For me personally, it was kids sports ministry in association with sharing the love of God with the children from the local areas. We played baseball, soccer, hide and go seek, and also were even blessed with the opportunity to share about our cultures and beliefs with a local elementary school. The ministry was an amazing part of this past month and I am so thankful to God for using it to speak to me about how great his love is for each of us.
By the end of the month, each member of my team agreed that we had excelled in certain areas, while also recognizing that we needed to grow in others. We spoke life into each other and shared what was hard at times. I love my team so dearly because when I look around at each and everyone of them I see people who are warriors for God. I see dedication, love, and trust in God. Sure, we experienced scary events that challenged us, but to quote our Squad Coach Deon, “The size of our problems reveal the size of our strength.” We stood tall, we fought, and though we might have been hesitant at first to engage in battles we needed to fight as a team, and as individuals, we trusted in God and ran towards the enemy in boldness and the authority that Christ gave us. By the end of the month, we learned that the invitation that God offers, is in fact participation to follow him.
So thank you all for your prayers. Thank you all for your commitment, not for me, but for trusting that God was going to use us, and use us to further his kingdom. Through Christ, we are able to have relationship with God, and through us, God pushed us emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes physically to share what Christ did for you, me, and your next door neighbor. Thank you for your prayers. Know that I am praying for you often. I have woken up several times late in the night this past month, in what I can only imagine is the Holy Spirit waking me, to pray for you and others. I love you all dearly, whether you believe in God or not. I love you whether you have wronged me or not. And if you are a random reader, who is just happening to be contemplating applying for The World Race, I love you too, and yes. Please sign up if you feel God is calling you, but you’re just not sure. Life is not well lived without risk. So please do what I didn’t do, when I signed up last year in hesitation, and sign up knowing that if you offer yourself up to God to be used that he will use you.
Thank you all so much! I love you all so dearly,
With love, Brandon
P.S.
Please pray for the civil unrest in Haiti. A lot of conflict is going on over there and I ask that you pray for my squad as we travel over there to give the gospel without restrictions, hesitancy, or lack of boldness, and that we continually love others as God loves us.
Sincerelly yours,
“Pablo”
