Opportunity to serve in public hospital

Serving coffe in public hospital

This past Saturday night, a team from our church spent the evening in the emergency room of Santiago’s public hospital. Fortunately, we weren’t there as patients! We brought our coffee pots, pitchers, water, ice and everything else we’d need (even a mop!) and spent the evening giving free coffee, fruit punch and water to anyone that wanted it.

Since emergency rooms are typically high tension areas, our goal was to share a smile, a hug, the beverage of their choice, and in several instances prayer with the family members and friends of those who were being treated. A couple of the people we were able to pray with were a mother whose son was in surgery after a gunshot wound and a man whose sister-in-law was having internal complications.

We had so much fun serving–it was fun to watch the expression on people’s face when we told them it was free with no strings attached. They couldn’t believe it! They were visibly touched when they were told we were doing it because they were important to God. In all, we served 400 glasses of fruit punch and around 350 cups of coffee!

Mini messages gaining ground!

 

Carlos P. sharing a mini-message from Proverbs

Each week during our Wednesday night services, we give an opportunity to someone in the church to share a mini-message. The idea is that they find a verse and prepare a, well…, a mini-message about it.

It’s exciting to see some of our young Christians move forward in their faith from just receiving the Word to sharing it and preaching it. I’m praying that over the next several years, God raises up a lot of pastors as a result.

Learning Christian business strategies at the business leaders' conference

Recently Global Advance came to the Dominican Republic and held a conference for Christian businessmen and women.

Eight of us from the church went and learned valuable insights and strategies on how to build a successful Christian business. We also learned how businesses should be used to finance God’s work, as well as impact society and government for God’s glory.

Carlos sharing to the church what he gleaned from the business conference.

Those who attended were incredibly impacted and the Lord birthed fresh vision in them for how He can use them in the marketplace for His glory and praise.

Handing out info and explaining how to avoid getting dengue fever.

Saturday afternoon our church went through the neighborhood on a crusade against dengue. Dengue is a disease similar to malaria and is caused by infected mosquitos (Both Olivia and I spent a week in the hospital about 12 years ago with dengue. I had to receive 7 pints of blood before my platlet count got to within a safe range again).

We fumagated houses and yards, gave out information on how to prevent dengue, gave out bleach to clean water containers where mosquitos breed and additionally were able to give out mosquito nets to 21 families. In all, we spoke to more than 100 people in the neighborhood! In several houses we were also able to pray for people for various needs.

Carlos fumigating for mosquitos in a neighborhood yard.

The exciting thing is, several of them showed up for church today! Even people walking by the church walked by with a smile as they looked our way. They are used to being judged and/or excluded by Christians (unfortunately); they tolerate the door to door assaults by some groups, but they aren’t used to Christians blessing them for no reason! This is fun! We’re also believing that this is going to win people into the kingdom as we continue to serve them with the love of Christ.

Young marrieds enjoy day away

Young marrieds at the beach at night.

Recently, over a long holiday weekend, the young marrieds from our church (really that’s the only kind of marrieds we have at the church–with the exception of Stephanie and me, who I guess classify as old marrieds!) left after the service to go to the beach through Monday. The father of one of our members lives in a coastal town, so we were able to go inexpensively–we basically camped out all over his house. Also, this father is a fisherman and a chef, so we were blessed to have great fish for both supper and lunch the next day!

Besides hanging out and enjoying God’s creation together, we were able to spend some time in the Word, talking about life as marrieds and how God fits into it all. I love these bonding opportunities as a church family!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our family wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Stephanie, Olivia, Christian and I want to wish you a very blessed and joyful Thanksgiving!

We are thankful for what the Lord has done in our life personally, calling each of us into a relationship with Him.

We are also thankful for our supporters–those of you who pray for us and our ministry here in the Dominican Republic, and also for those who have been led to support us financially. Because you partner with us, we are able to have the impact that we are making!

We are also thankful for the young men and women we are able to minister together with to reach the youth and young adults of the Dominican Republic. God is raising up an army of spiritual warriors for His glory and we give Him thanks!

The Power of God in a Life

Ariel preaching.

Ariel Martinez was a guy you wouldn’t want to know–before Christ entered the picture. He was the head of two gangs here in Santiago. He was a drug abuser and nearly an alcoholic. He was completely drunk several years ago when he heard the Gospel message. Even in his drunken condition, the Lord gripped his heart and Ariel surrendered his life to God.

Fast forward 4 years. Now Ariel is in training to take over the church we planted a year ago as lead pastor. A few short years ago, no one in his neighborhood wanted to talk to him. This past week, he was told that he had been voted in as the head of the neighborhood association where he lives! He didn’t even know he was running! However, his neighbors, most of them older than he, have seen what the power of Jesus can do in a life, and want him to direct their neighborhood affairs. This is the power of God in a life!

Jorge Luis needs your prayers!

I want you to pray with me for a young man named Jorge Luis. About six weeks ago he gave his life to the Lord. Everything was going well, then he just disappeared from the church. Efforts by our team to reach out to him were unsuccessful. Tonight he showed up for church!

I talked to him both before and after service. He admits that he felt peace in church and while he was walking with the Lord. However, just today he was talking with a friend about setting up a spot to sell drugs. His spiritual life is precariously in the balance.

Will you pray for Jorge Luis, that the Lord will draw him back? Also pray for Yovanny and Jean Carlos whom I have assigned to disciple Jorge Luis and help him in his spiritual walk.

Thank you for partnering with us in this!

People to Pray into the Kingdom

Preconverts Carmelita and Daury

I’d like you to pray with me for this young couple. They’re just 18 years old and have been attending our cell group in Ensanche Espaillat where, Lord willing, we will soon be planting our second church.

Though they’ve been part of the cell group for some time, I felt impressed to spend time really explaining the Gospel with them – why we need salvation, how we receive salvation and the joy of having a relationship with the Lord. They haven’t made a confession of faith yet, but the Lord is working on them, drawing them to Himself.

As you’ve helped me pray others into the Kingdom, I’d like you to add Daury and Carmelita to the list! I believe the Lord has great things in store for them!

 

Crusade wins souls for Christ

Javier and Elieser in the drama, The Best Cop

This weekend, we went to Villa Verde, a neighborhood here in Santiago and ministered in the street (literally).  The Lord was faithful and used the music, dramas, testimonies and preaching of the Word, and a couple dozen came forward to give their hearts to the Lord.

Besides praying for these new converts, I’d like you to pray for a teenager named Alejandro. He is presently 15 years old. Three years ago, he woke up one morning and the nerves in his legs had seized up. He walks only with great effort. We prayed for him several times for healing, and he declared he could tell a difference, however he wasn’t completely healed. Please pray the Lord continues to touch and heal his legs.