There certainly is a rhythm and flow to disciple making that crosses cultural boundaries, different lifestyles, and theological backgrounds.
No matter where you are, discipleship involves time spend together, vulnerability, and loving investment.
As one of my spiritual fathers told me, “the methods may change, but the principles always stay the same.”
Now I find myself discovering what methods are effective in the DR.
Psalm 44:3 is a good description of how I came upon Raúl and Ántwan: GOD did it.
“For by their own sword they did not possess the land, and their own arm did not save them, but Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence, for You favored them.”
When two guys I don’t know too well show up at the door and asked to be trained in the LORD, I can be certain it’s a move from HIM.
I didn’t plan it, I just prayed for it and it happen.
Thank you JESUS.
I had to ask HIM what direction to take, “What do you want me to with this LORD?”
“When do you want me to start?”
“Disciple them,” HE answered, “now.”
The dream HE gave me seven years ago has started to take very real shape through Raúl and Ántwan; a dream to make disciples in the Dominican Republic.
And so it has begun.
Dominican culture is one that embraces the ‘free flow’ of life.
Commitment, punctuality, and consistency are considered to be values held by folks from the USA.
An entry from my journal relays some thoughts: “
both work full time and are involved in ministry at their churches.
i am being very cautious in asking too much time of them.
if they see the LORD in it, if they connect with the SPIRIT on a new level, they’ll want more, they’ll choose to get together
instead of doing other things.”
You have got to trust GOD, let it develop, and really build up those relationships.
Demanding too much too soon can cause someone to walk away.
Another issue I’m working through is the ability to exercise spiritual authority smoothly and smartly.
In this country it’s not hard to find people abused by power hungry ‘leaders’.
People are fed up with it.
They don’t want anything to do with it.
It’s all around them, people telling them what to do, how to do it, and answering questions they never asked.
With this in mind, I find it important to navigate the waters of trust building with wisdom.
Make growth an invitation that if not accepted doesn’t leave them feeling condemned.
These are just two of the many lessons we are going to have to learn as we adopt disciple making methods to the tune of the
Caribbean
.
We are excited to share in the joy of these two guys coming to know their LORD more intimately, as walk as HE intended.
Please pray with us as HE is raising up disciples of JESUS CHRIST in the DR.
