"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them." Romans 12:3-6
The remainder of the team arrived safely home last night. This morning we received word that the Dominican Republic had a 5.3 magnitude earthquake. The reports are that no significant damage occurred. This struck us this morning as we began to see all of the faces that we have met over the last week. Please be in prayer for the people of the Dominican Republic as they try to understand the significance of this event. We pray that they will see the brevity of life and really begin to think of where they will spend eternity. Please pray that decisions will be made to serve and put their trust in the Lord.
The verses above serve as a reminder of what the Lord did in each of our lives during this trip. The team was comprised of people from Mexico, Alabama, the Dominican Republic, and Virginia. Each of us came with expectations, fears, and open hearts. Our group was comprised of locals, teenagers, moms, dads, and young married couples. We had many differences, but what the Lord did in each of our lives was the same. He RENEWED us. He took our hearts and renewed our hope in Him. He took our fears when sharing the gospel with a stranger, and He showed us the "peace that surpasses all understanding." He took us to the broken, and He showed us how to love them through His love for us. "Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed." Psalm 34:5 He showed us how to encourage them by just looking at them through His eyes. He renewed our hope in Him because He met us in our needs. He showed His love for us by showing us that He is always there.
He also renewed us by showing us the ways in which He works so wonderfully. Each person on our team shared a divine encounter with someone from the Dominican Republic. He connected our hearts with specific people where we could minister to them. On our first day in Santa Rosa, this precious little boy ran immediately to Justin and into his arms. Each day, he would burst with excitement as Justin picked him up, held him, and held his hand. During our last day in Santa Rosa, he spoke one sentence to Justin. When Justin asked Tony, our wonderful leader, for the translation, he replied, "He said he wants to go with you." During Justin's last trip to the DR, he began a connection with a little boy named Leonard. It turned out that Leonard was this precious little boy's brother. The Lord connects our hearts with specific people, specific families because He has a purpose. I share this wonderful story because the Lord is so amazing in the work that He does. He renewed our hearts to see the everyday blessings that He has for us. He places people, opportunities, and blessings in our lives where we will be renewed by the power that He is within us and around us. I pray that the Lord will open our eyes to everyday activities that He is orchestrating around us. Help us to see every blessing so that we can bring glory to God. May we share our miraculous stories with those who need to know the intimate love that the Father has for us. He is blessing you with your own God story now, will you share it with others?
I shared the 2nd set of verses in Romans for a specific reason. Often people believe that they have no gifts or skills that will be useful for a mission trip. I believe that all that is needed is a willing heart. The Lord simply needs people to say yes to go and share His Good News. Maybe you are a mother, the Lord can use your nurturing spirit to minister to mothers and to their children. If you are a farmer, you could be useful in educating people in growing and sustaining their village through farming. People are needed to teach women and men how to study the Bible. Everyone's hands are useful in hugging a child, creating a craft, packing a hygiene bag, or wiping a tear. The Lord has given us all gifts that should be used. The Lord is waiting for you to share His Story with the nations. Please pray for how the Lord can use you and just say yes. As you do this, you will find the Lord add to your collection of God stories, and you will see that trusting in the Lord never leads to disappointment.
Thank you for sharing this journey with us. It has been a privilege to pray and believe with others who are reading this blog. May your lives be continually renewed by the great works of the Lord. God bless you!
We also ask that you will continue to pray for the Missionaries and Translators that are continually working to bring others to Christ in the DR. Please pray for Tony Encarnacion, our leader and translator, who has laid down His life to serve the people of the Dominican Republic. Please pray that the Lord will continue to give him strength as he shares the Gospel. Please also pray for the young men and women serving as translators to bring the Gospel to the people of the Dominican Republic. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are so thankful for the work that the Lord is doing in their lives. Please join us in praying for: Jochy, Osiris, Wilfredo, Richard, and Allison. May they continue to do the work that the Lord has planned for them.
Thank you all for your prayers.
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