Today was an other amazing day in the DR for our Adamant Group. We started with a pool-ocean side devotional. We focused on how we are to do our work like we were doing it all for Jesus. That was a great message for all of us as we headed into our busiest day yet. 

We started with a walking tour of  Ascension Village. We headed up to the top of the hill and met several residents on the way up and down. We arrived at the feeding program just in time to help serve  the food and wash the dishes. The program was run by the Pastor of the church we attended yesterday. Clairabell has a deep love for Jesus and her community. After all the work was done she graciously shared her testimony with all of us. Inspiring!

I learned that when I reach my hand out to a little girl for a high five and she reaches out to asking to be picked up, if you pick her up, you can have a special moment – but she may not want to let you put her down again and when you have no idea who her mom is, it can start feeling awkward! Mom did come to the rescue!

After the feeding and clean up was done, we were able to go speak to the 19 yr old preacher that shared yesterday with so much passion. He inspired us with his story of redemption. God has very big plans for Miguel!

Then it was off to build a wall around another GoMAD building in the community of Canta Liranta. The block wall is going to provide a place for local residents to go when the river floods the homes in the area. We tried to help and hopefully stay out of the way of the contractor, Mario, and his team who were working on it. We got to mix cement on the ground, move it and keep Willie (another worker) in cement blocks. It was fairly mild today. 30C plus humidity.   I asked Mario if anyone other than Gringos on mission trips build walls in the afternoon instead of doing it in the morning. He grinned and said No!

After we had worn ourselves out, kids started showing up for the youth drop in. So we all got to play volley ball, draw, shoot hoops, play Rojo Light, Verde Light, wrap a kid in toilet paper and hear about Jesus (in spanish). I did learn that if a DR teenager suggests that you come and shoot hoops, he actually intends to school the old fat gringo in 1 on 1. I am glad that we have the NBA title in Canada right now, or I would have been embarrassed. Very cool to connect without knowing their language. 

I have experienced so many emotions in the last 3 days. I think that the biggest one has been a real sense of gratefulness to the people that we have visited. They have been so welcoming and they have taught me so much about themselves, their community, their way of life and how God has been working through them to improve their community. We have also been introduced to many people that are selflessly giving of themselves for others. It has really challenged me to think about what my life is and what it could be! 

So it is off to bed for a well deserved rest to get ready for more of what God has in store for us tomorrow. Please continue to pray for our kids and leaders. Please ask God for safety, but most of all for us to see all that He has for us to learn about Him and His will while we are here!

 

Rick