Leadership Retreat 9/06

Less than a week before eight First Year Missionaries arrived at the AIM DR base Miguel, Kristen, Corey, Carrie, and I got together for a leadership retreat. The purpose of the retreat was to draw near to the Lord, to cast some vision for this coming year, and to define roles.

The weekend started on Friday night September 16^th. The five of us had dinner and spent the evening hanging out and getting to know each other better. The night was capped off by me telling my life story and by all of us praying for the year ahead.

Saturday morning we arose to roosters crowing at 5:30 am. After an early breakfast we set off to Las Canitas, a small mountain village, one hour north of San Juan. Las Canitas has been a great site for ministry for one year and that will be no different this year.

While in Las Canitas we spent time meeting families, helping them carry water to their homes, and playing with children. After the time of games and coloring with the children I shared a five minute message about how God loves them and knows each of their names. The children listened intently as I stumbled over my Spanish words. We also had a chance to connect with some of the men by playing dominos with them. The trip to Las Canitas was a meaningful one. We got a glimpse into the lives’ of the people and we began to discuss what ministry might look like in this small quiet village.

We returned to San Juan and had a traditional Dominican meal of rice and beans, pork and goat. It was delicious and filling. We spend the rest of the day resting and relaxing. That night we spent time learning more about each other through our “Leading From Our Strengths” personality tests. We went though each assessment as a group so we can learn how to love each other, serve each other and work well as a team this coming year.

Our time of worship on Sunday morning was different than it had been before. After breakfast the house was quiet as some of us were cleaning while other’s of us were reading and praying. Slowly we gathered in the den and began worshipping together. It was an incredible time where the Holy Spirit fell on us and we were taken back by His glory and majesty. There is something about worship not being forced, but just coming naturally out of a heart of thankfulness for God.

Sunday afternoon we walked through the community of Guachupita, a neighborhood on the Southwest edge of San Juan that is very poor, hard, and bitter

It is AIM DR’s desire to share Christ with the people of Guachupita and to start cell groups in this community that will become house churches. We got acquainted with the neighborhood and prayed for it as a team. This will be a place of ministry for years to come.

Our night was spent eating dinner, sharing with each other, and watching a movie.

Monday was filled with spending more time with each other and learning about each other’s strengths and weaknesses. It was also a time to define roles and responsibilities.

The weekend was capped off by a surprise from Miguel and Kristen. They took us to an Italian restaurant with a pool. We had a great time swimming and then ate pizza.

Our leadership weekend was filled with learning more about the vision of AIM DR, fellowship, team building, and praising God. It was truly a great time that united us as a leadership team and prepared us for the year to come.