After your world tips on its side, do you ever really get home again? Fully?
The Williamsburg Christian Academy team left more than work accomplished in the Dominican Republic, they left behind friends and family - heart bits.
And there will always be family in the Dominican for the folks who played with kids, dug out the old muck, built a bathroom, painted a home, crafted crosses, and shared coffee con leche among laughter, smiles, and cool breezes.
The beauty of the trip? The best part? That will vary from participant to participant; day to day; and with memory.
We walked beside Christian family in the Caribbean, left someplace a little better than we found it, and pointed new friends to a local church that will nurture them for the earth-bound side of this life.
Thank you, WCA Team, for Allie's first mission experience, and Connie's most recent DR mission adventure.
We are better for the week we shared with you.
Connie & Allie
Tuesday, we painted a home and started building a bathroom. We also drove up to a senior center where we met so many kind and merry hearted people. They loved the music and danced with so much joy; it was a fiesta! Tyler shared his testimony and Mr. P invited each person to open the door of their heart to Jesus so that we could dance together for eternity!
Wednesday was a "day out" when we could explore the historic Zona Colonial district where we found Columbus Plaza, ruins of old ports and homes, markets, and a faster pace of Dominican life.
Today, we painted the inside of the church and several of the guys are finishing the bathroom for the church "sister."
Some of us played with the kids that make their way to Iglesia Cristiana Bendicion each day while others painted. It's all important.
Yesterday as the bus bounced back to the church from the Zona Colonial, Pastor Juan asked Libby if she was having a good mission trip. Libby answered, "YES! It's my favorite!" Pastor asked "Why?" and Libby talked about how good it was to meet people and have the chance to build relationships with them while we work, play, and build.
It's true. On Dominican time, we have plenty of opportunity to sit in the shade and talk to the church family or blow bubbles with the neighborhood kids. It seems that the Dominican emphasis on relationship over schedules is blending into our hearts and plans.
Last night, Giovanni - our constant and kind companion - cooked empanadas for us - fried "hot pockets" with hot dogs and many cheeses. Not only does he and his fiance care for us...they feed us!
This weekend, we will post our photos to our facebook and then post the links to this blog.
Thank you for your prayers. Please keep it up.
We'll be home soon (and excited for running water!)
Living the Good Life, Williamsburg Christian Academy Team
& the project leaders
Connie and I agree, that the Williamsburg Christian Academy team is one of the most loving and hard-working teams to work beside. They have "plunged in" to creating a bathroom for one of the Church sisters where only a pit once was. The team has painted a home for a teacher who donates her time to tutor children at the church each school day. They've played four-square, catch, frisbee, and added cards to bike tires so that Jonathen, our team "mascot," can make more glorious noise while racing his bike up and down the street. Sometimes, it's the little things that bring life.
Tuesday evening, the team presented stories, testimonies, songs, laughter, drama, and kindness to the people of a nearby neighborhood. Among the braying of donkeys, racing of motor scooters, and a few errant chickens and pups; and under a clear moon, church came to these colorful friends.
This week, we've found that Childrens' Church is loud and fun. Dominicans worship with their hands, voices, feet, and heart. Iglesia Cristiana Bendicino was filled with life and kids singing, playing, learning verses, making new gringo/Americano friends, and getting to know the church community.
The team will fill in the details of their story when they return home to you. We can tell that you are praying and hope to update the blog at least once more before you welcome them home!
Project Leaders
Connie & Allie
(We were hoping to add videos of their services and life in the Dominican Republic to the blog, but will forward them to the team leaders when we return stateside.)
Our Williamsburg Christian Academy Team has been busy getting to know the neighborhood children, cleaning up the community around the Iglesia Cristiana Bendicion, and learning/living in listening prayer.
The church is to the right of the pictures with the large garage doors. The unfinished home on the left (temporary scooter parking) is where the team began their clean up.
As an unfinished and empty space (not uncommon in the Dominican Republic), it became a place for trash to collect, homeless people to live, and drugs to be bought and sold. Now, it is clean and includes a new walkway between the church and empty space which the community uses as a walkway.
The neighborhood kids are drawn to the WCA team. Soccer, frisbee, catch, circle games, El Ninos Bible Shool, baloons, and more keep the kids coming back!
After a good day of hard work and play, it was time for a fresh Pineapple Break!
WCA has helped to reclaim...redeem the neighborhood for life and hope. God is on the move and the Williamsburg Christian Academy team has become a fresh breeze for new friends in Villa Mella.
Several people from the church and community have commented about how hard working, genuinely kind, and considerate the WCA team is to the people in the neighborhood. This is more than a compliment, it is life in what can be a weary place.
We'll try to upload videos of the church services, Bible school, and other adventures (the internet is available, but a bit slower than our video upload demands).
The Williamsburg Christian Academy team has made it to Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic! Everyone is accounted for after an early wake up and long flight.
Pastor Juan, IglesiaCristianaBendicion, met the team at the airport with sandwiches and cool drinks for a quick lunch in the shade.
After the creative driving that is Dominican traffic, the WCA team played soccer and a game of round-robin catch with few neighborhood kids; won a pick up game of basketball with the locals, and began to meet the community that is part of this growing church.
The church has been in Villa Mella for a few short years and after much prayer, has seen a steady growth of people coming to services, asking questions, and seeking life in Jesus and this very loving community. They really see the team as an answer to their prayers for partners; people of prayer and faith to join in inviting the neighborhood to the church family.
We will be learning the fine art of bucket showers as the water link to the church has been delayed.
Thank you for your prayers and continued support! There is joy in the fundamentals: good company, kindness, uncommon generosity, and shared vision.
What a beautiful experience to be able to serve the Lord alongside a great friend.
Or what about being able to serve alongside family. Even better right?
Missions experiences can be so life transforming and special, that it is such a privilege to be able to share that with your friends and family. So imagine the love with our AIM missionaries, The Shauls in the Dominican Republic! They are currently full time missionaries with Adventures in Missions and raising their two beautiful, bilingual daughters in the city of San Juan, Dominican Republic.
The light of the Lord truly radiates through them in a great and powerful way. They are changing the Dominican Republic, one relationship at a time. Through their love for people, and obedience to the Lord, He has placed them in that city to radically shape the Dominican to be reclaimed by Christ in a real way. This family is taking the commission of Matthew 28:19 to go into the WHOLE WORLD and making DISCIPLES! That verse does not say, go into your comfortable neighborhood and convert people. By stepping outside of themselves, the Shauls are living out their faith by raising their family in the DR to connect and share the good news of the gospel to all in order to propel a missionary movement. Miguel does not just want to see Christians in the community, but Christians who are going out to other countries to serve and bring light there, also!
A couple weeks ago, our Gainesville office staff was so blessed to hear an encouraging devotion by Miguel in person! His passion for the Lord was so contagious and truly ignited our hearts. The DR is such a brighter place with their love and presence there. I know that you will be so blessed to meet them, and minister alongside them on one of our trips to San Juan!
Here are some pictures of the 7/9-7/16 missions trip to the Dominican Republic! It was an honor to serve God with you and we hope to see you again soon!
Here are some stories from your students' trip to the DR this past week. Pictures will be posted early next week.
Teaching English - by Elizabeth
Kresse
Over the past few days we've experienced so far in the DR,
it's been amazing seeing the different cultures compared to America and how the
people are so inviting. They are willing to stop what they are doing just to
have a conversation with us. In the States, everyone is cautious and
questioning to talk with people they haven't met. Here in the DR, they are
excited and filled with joy when we talk with them. They are so open and down
to earth. If only the people back home had qualities like that!
Tuesday I experienced something great. A few others and
myself visited San Juan's university to teach English to the students. It was
cool how happy they were to have us there. Something someone said to me was,
"You are the perfect teacher for me! You taught me how to speak and pronounce
words I couldn't before... thank you!".
By the end of class we had pictures taken with them and had
exchanged names, Facebook info, email, etc. It really opens your heart to the
people there. You can see the way God works through the Dominican people. They
have so little, but they still have enough love and passion in God to express
who they are. I've grown to respect Dominicans and appreciate them. I'm so
excited for the rest of the week!
Republica Dominicana-
by Erin Cronin, CA team
Fue una experiencia inolvidable! Visitando la gente en los
pueblos, asistiendo y ayudando en lose cultos, conociendo a los Dominicanos.
Nuestro Senor esta moviendo en todos partes del mundo!
Forever Changed- by
Sydni Toilolo, CA team
During this missions trip, I sure did feel a major change in
my heart. To see how appreciative the kids were and the families really changed
my heart. It helped me realize how in need these people are of God's love and
God's word. I'm really glad I got the chance to go on this missions trip. I met
new people and I made new friends-and really heard God speak to me. This
missions trip to the DR really was a life changing experience. I thank God for
this opportunity and pray He continues to bless this country. I love you, Lord!
A Great Trip to the
DR- by Anthony Harrison, CA team
This week has been amazing and I don't want to leave so
soon. When we first heard about this trip, I was excited and couldn't wait.
When we first got to San Juan, I didn't know what to think...but God led me on
the right path and I thank Him. I learned a lot of God and the few people that
I met. I know God loves us and wants to be a part of our lives. I thank Pastor
Paul and Mrs. Naomi for making me/allowing me to go on this trip and I am
grateful for them. I would love to come back and God is calling me to do that.
This was a great experience and I challenge everyone to do this.
The Eyes of a Child -
by Jordan Holloway, CA team
My trip to the DR was by far the most eye-opening, inspiring
experience of my life. The Dominica people are the warmest, friendliest people
I have ever met. The children especially affected me with their smiles and
happiness. I have never felt so at home. To minister and put smiles on their
faces as a representative of Jesus Christ is something I will never forget.
Guatchu Pita- by
Katie Kramer, FL team
Since the beginning of the summer I had been praying that
God would break for heart for what breaks His and to help me break out of my
comfort zone to walk in obedience with Him. Today my heart was completely
broken for the children in the slums of Guatchu Pita.
The moment we arrived, the children there happily greet us
with hugs, smiles, and grabbing onto us. Soon, as we began walking through the
area, towards a trench meant to stop the area from flooding, I noticed garbage
everywhere-from broken toys, rotting food, and waste to broken glass. Worse, I
noticed that those trash heaps were not only where these children lived, but
were their playgrounds.
My heart was completely broken for these children. At home I
always have at least two pairs of shoes that I can wear. But these children
didn't have a single pair of shoes to wear as they climbed atop of glass and
trash next to a terribly polluted river. I wanted to just sit there and cry for
these children and what seems to be a gross injustice... that I can be so blessed
while it seems like these children have nothing. It made me what to do
something about it, but at the same time, I questioned how God could allow such
and unfair injustice to exist.
Even though I don't have the answer to this question, I've
learned from this experience that God wants to use this heartbreak to change
me. And while I don't know exactly how He wants me to bring healing or bring
change to a world full of children who are living in such unimaginable poverty.
I know that experience is something that will affect my future ministry,
because God used it to change my outlook on the world.
Buenos Dias to all Friends and Family in the States!
We are having a great time in the DR! Yesterday was our first day of ministry out in the campo, Las Charcas. Both teams went out and did VBS, sports ministry, and door-to-door throughout the day. They came back excited to go out again today!
Please continue to pray for good health and powerful ministry. It's an honor to serve your students!
I will try to post a picture later on in the week, as time and internet availability allows.
This is Julie Engelsman, who works in field support for short term missions. I wanted to update you and let you know that both groups (the group from Florida and the group from California) have arrived safely in the Dominican. Connie Rock and Kristen Torres-Toro, who are the project leaders asked me to update this and let you also know that they have very limited access to the internet, and so they will update as time and internet availability allows.
The light of the Lord truly radiates through them in a great and powerful way. They are changing the Dominican Republic, one relationship at a time. Through their love for people, and obedience to the Lord, He has placed them in that city to radically shape the Dominican to be reclaimed by Christ in a real way. This family is taking the commission of Matthew 28:19 to go into the WHOLE WORLD and making DISCIPLES! That verse does not say, go into your comfortable neighborhood and convert people. By stepping outside of themselves, the Shauls are living out their faith by raising their family in the DR to connect and share the good news of the gospel to all in order to propel a missionary movement. Miguel does not just want to see Christians in the community, but Christians who are going out to other countries to serve and bring light there, also!
