We landed in the DR - Explore Archived World Race Alumni Blogs

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We landed in the DR two days ago. I was expecting poverty, but to actually see it face to face is something totally different. The need here is so great and our physical ability to help so limited, however, we can and will make a difference in the lives of some of the beautiful Dominican people. Before we left the US I shared a prophetic word with my squad that basically said that the Kingdom of God is at hand and it?s like oil on your hands. If you have olive oil on your hands and you go and touch something, you leave a residue of olive oil. This is a symbol of leaving the residue of the Holy Spirit wherever we go, whichever lives we touch, the Kingdom of God has made and impact.

Our ministry hosts, Juan and Alba, are so kind and so tender. They have provided a beautiful home for my team, Forerunners, and team Steadfast Pursuit to stay in. So there are 13 of us together this month, 3 men and 10 women. The Church Juan and Alba pastor is called Iglesia Cristiana Benici?n. They have divided us into three groups. Group one is comprised of five people that will be cleaning and preparing the Church for services on Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Group two is comprised of four people and will be teaching English to children. And group three has the remaining four people and will be going with Juan to evangelize. It?s been great to see that everyone has chosen a ministry that they are less comfortable with and that they know will challenge and grow them; this is the World Race and that?s what we are here for. We are here to help build the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and grow in Him throughout the race. For me personally that means I?m part of the evangelism team. I?m not sure exactly what that will look like just yet since its only day two and we?re still feeling out daily living.

Our neighbors like to play their music?loud?especially from the hours of 8pm-12am. Coincidentally, when the music stopped at midnight the temperature dropped significantly. Did I mention it was hot? Nope, well, it is. Being from South Carolina I guess you could say I?ve been preparing for this my whole life. From my perspective we are hot and sweaty, but it feels good, it feels right and healthy even. There aren?t as many mosquitos as in SC and there always seems to be some kind of breeze. The landscapes are beautiful! We have access to the roof above us during daylight hours and it?s a fantastic view. One of our neighbors has a big mango tree and threw us a fresh mango fruit straight from the tree; it was delicious 🙂

The first night Brittany (the other team leader) and I prayed over our team, our building, our ministry, and our time here. It was an intense prayer for me. Probably one of the first times I can say I truly cried out to God. There may have only been a handful of prayers that I?ve prayed that felt as intense. It was intense and I was crying because I am literally beyond myself. And it?s exactly what I wanted. I wanted to be pushed beyond my comfort zone to a place where if God doesn?t show up we?re done. A place where there is no point for us being where we are if God doesn?t show up. But I have a hunch He is going to show up in extraordinary ways and simple ways throughout our time here. So please partner in prayer with us for protection day to day, unity within our group and ministry, and that the manifest Presence of ? God would rest upon us as a team wherever we go. Without Him we are done.