Before we started the schedule for the new semester, we all took a little time to catch up with each other about our family visits and settle into San Juan again. One of these days we spent hiking through the mountains.

  After a van ride from the city we were at the feet of the mountains. We started walking along the road and passed by houses and kids playing in the streets. The morning air was still cool and if you caught some shade you would feel the true measure of the morning clinging to the nights coolness. As we passed the last of the houses, the road began to look more like a trail, stones sticking out of mud, leaves, animal waste, branches along the side, shade falling on either shoulder or over the whole path in some places. It was a well-traveled path but remained untamed.

  The 12 of us walked along in a mob fashion, 3 to this side, 4 on the other, 5 in the middle. This changed after a few farmers going to their fields passed us up in their plastic boots or sandals. Who figured that there would be more traffic than us on this trail in the morning? What I remember most about the walking wasn’t the solitude we had from others, or the incredible views that we had overlooking a river below, but it was the laughter and talking we had among ourselves. I saw the three weeks spent apart being the past in conversations and the next 5 months coming to the front of every ones minds.

As I woke up Friday morning, my heart and mind were still asleep. The day before I took a very early bus ride to the capitol with Mike, I was still reclaiming the hours of sleep that I lost from trying to keep the blaring music out of my ears while on the bus.

"Lord, give me strength for today…and joy…and help me get out of bed". My prayer weakened and gave way to a yawn…I wondered, "Will five more minutes of sleep wrinkle the days schedule…wait, what is today? Friday, I think...wait, today is our Thanksgiving celebration day!"

After a wonderful breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, fruit, bacon and orange juice, we broke the news to the group that class was canceled for the day (along with any other ministries) and that we were all going to play kickball instead. Some were excited for some kickball action; others wanted to go back to bed. Nevertheless, we all went and had a great time kicking, cheering, and running in the cool morning breeze.

After everyone was showered we gathered at the base (the Shaul's house) for lunch. Even though many of our favorite Holiday snacks were MIA (missing in action), no one seemed to notice as we talked and laughed with each other. Some minds were occupied with thoughts of Thanksgiving and what it means to them and their family, saying phrases like "In my family….", or "My mom makes…." and an occasional comment about Grandmas special treats.

Personally, I can say that this was a family celebration that I will not easily forget: the food was spectacular (props to the girls, with Carrie and Kristen leading the
way), the kickball game filled the void of the missing traditional American football game.
Having people laying around on the futon reminded me of older family members who require naps to digest (so as to gain more room for a late dessert). Hand made decorations adorning the walls let everyone know that we wanted a fun family event where we could be free to take a nap, watch a ongoing movie, make decorations or play a game like chess. Part of being a family is loving and accepting one another for who we are and were we are all at with our walk towards "christ likeness". Love entails alot of things but this day I see it is also accepting others for who they are, and not by what they do.

Family love was in the air like the glow of our little Christmas tree which provided a nice glow for all during the candle lit dinner.




Isn't it great how 13 people who have known each other for 2 months can have such a great family celebration and not miss their own families enough to not be missing from this one we have here.

Jonathan, Carrie, Corey, and FYM David live in this house which is a five minute walk from the AIM base. We have made good relationships with neighbors and kids in this cul-de-sac and we look forward to having a cell group there starting this week!

The "cul-de-sac" house is also home to baking for the coffee shop that is getting started. Two weeks ago we had a coffee shop kickoff night at this gazebo in the cul-de-sac.

This is the girl FYM apartment (upstairs). All seven FYM girls live in this three bedroom, two bathroom apartment. You can find the girls hanging out and resting in their apartment when they are not out in the community doing ministry.

Here is where we have class, worship, and debrief.  This all takes place at the AIM base.

Come take a look at AIM facilities here in the DR so that you can have a better picture of where we are and how we operate.  The next series of blogs will give you an inside look into life here.

This is the home of the Shaul's and the AIM base. The majority of our team time indoors is spent here.  We have class, worship the LORD, share meals as a team, have meetings, and hang out.  Also within the base is the AIM office representing the Dominican Republic. It is set up with internet connection and phonen lines so we can communicate with supporters, potential DR staff, and with the Gainesville base.

We got a call from our leader earlier this week.   It was God.   He wanted the 13 of us to know that He is well pleased with our work and how we are persevering in our work for Him.   Our group has been here for two months now.   The ministries are in full swing and the Holy Spirit is doing some great things in this city.   Relationships are building and through this people’s hearts’ are beginning to soften.   As Carrie stated earlier this week, “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.”   They are starting to know that we care.  

The other half of what God wanted to say to our group this week was that it is time to move out in boldness.   The ministries have formed and the relationships have developed.   It is time for the people of San Juan to not just see the Truth in our lives, but to also hear us proclaim it with our mouths.   A new push for evangelism, that is what the Lord has impressed upon our heart.   So, each day we are learning more and more about what it means to go out in boldness and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through words.

AIM’s primary objective in the Dominican Republic is to make disciples.   The second, is to start an indigenous church planting movement.   We have not swayed from these priorities, but the Holy Spirit has impressed it upon our hearts to boldly move forward with the following plan.   God has given us a goal of planting four churches and establishing eight discipleship relationships by May 15, 2007.   This is a God-sized goal and we believe we are the people He is going to use to carry it out.   We need your prayers!   Pray for continued boldness to heed this call.   Pray for increased empowerment  from the Holy Spirit.   From the beginning of time God knew that the 13 of us would be here for this time.   What an amazing opportunity God has given us to proclaim freedom to the captives in the Dominican Republic!

As I write this, Miguel’s voice is drifting down the hall and he is sharing with the team about a dream he had last night where he was ministering to the homeless. Sounds like nothing maybe, but to me this is a very significant thing. God has been doing something among our base staff and FYM team.

One of the girls had a similar dream a few nights ago in which our whole team was living as the poor and ministering to them with love and great joy. Last week, Miguel and I committed to making sure than no one in Las Canitas goes without food. Beth and Ali are memorizing and seeking to live Isaiah 61. Sarah has a huge vision in her heart to care for the poor and abused children of Guatchupita. Katrina is reaching out to the deaf of San Juan, precious souls that are constantly isolated and ridiculed due to a lack of awareness and education among the people surrounding them. Katie tirelessly ministers to the shoe shiner boys, a group of rough kids who are among San Juan’s poorest. Amber spends hours a week loving on the elderly and sharing with them the love of God. And there is more.

Individually and as a group the Lord is leading us to step up and care for the poor and the needy. He is calling us “to bind up the broken hearted” and “proclaim liberty to the captives.”

This is what we live for.

What is an FYM?

A FYM ( First Year Missionary) is a college aged youth that has decided to set aside 9 months of his or her time to serve the Lord in a different culture while being a disciple of the local base staff. The aim of the FYM program is to make disciples who make disciples. So through the discipleship and training they receive, they go and do likewise to the community they live in.

Meet the FYM team!

Left to Right: Katrina, Beth and Amber (both in back) then Sarah, Ali, and Katie, Christine is on the far right, and David is down in front.

Just a quick reminder for all of you...

We'll be heading out bright and early tomorrow morning to finish praying over the city of San Juan.  Consider this your formal invitation to join us in this march of intercession over our town.  The walk will begin at 10:00 EST (maybe not so much bright and early), so if you'd like to jump in, do so around that hour. 

Here's what we are lifting up in petition to the LORD:

First, that the heavens would shake with our declaration of CHRIST as KING, we are calling upon HIM to bring HIS Kingdom to earth.

Second, that the FATHER would mold our hearts to HIS for this place and the people in it.

Awesome!  We look foward to hitting the streets with your prayers backing us up.  Thanks for joining in!

PS  If JESUS presses anything on your hearts during prayer, we'd love to hear about it.  Please feel free to post them on the comments link to this article.