Dominican Republic 12.30.20

Words can not express what today as like. Let me start with this though. During their Christmas musical presentation they used a donkey for Mary to ride in the ministry on, while Joseph led the donkey. 

I had an amazing time being able to sit with our sweet little girl here in the Dominican. Her name is Darianny, Please continue to pray for her and her family.

This was another awesome moment when they danced to Waymaker. The children in the program always work on artistic ways to worship their creator. I love the fact that they use their talents to worship.

Then there’s these two guys Miguel Angel and Claudio. We usually spend time playing music together and or studying the Word with each other. These guys will be used in a mighty way for the Lord. They seem to have a genuine commitment to the program and are always leading our in the Bible study and the worship time. They are gifted musicians as well.

Let me say a big thank you to all of you who helped support our Christmas Meal here. It was a huge blessing.

I will leave it with this, my son continues to amaze me with his love for the Word of God and his passion for it being taught with clarity. After, I presented the gospel to all the older children this afternoon, he stepped up and spoke with boldness about his spiritual journey, making sure to let them now the story doesn’t end (your journey doesn’t end) until He calls you home - and that the journey is one of progression. 

Dominican Republic 12.29.20

 Today was yet another beautiful day here in the Dominican Republic. Today was a day that reminded me of the fact that every tribe and every tongue will bring glory to His name.

All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.  - Psalm 86:9

There is something to be said about the universal language of music. It draws people together. A song, even in a language you don’t understand, can have an amazing impact on you. I used to travel as a worship leader and retreat speaker and I can honestly say that worship fuels me, feeds me, and refreshes me. I have some amazing memories of leading at camps and retreats when His people unashamedly worshipped. As a family, we are drawn together to worship our Creator for his truth, beauty, and goodness. He has always been, and will always be the constant for us. I realize that most of us equate worship to singing songs of praise and adoration, but it is so much more than that. It is literally a lifestyle that we are called to have.

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. - John 4:23

The understanding that I have is that to be a true worshipper, you must worship in spirit and truth. So apart from the spirit, it is impossible to be a true worshipper. This also leads us to believe that apart from the truth, it is impossible to be a true worshipper. 

Don’t hear me wrong. Don’t neglect that truth that we are all worshippers of something or someone. The question is what are you actually worshipping? Who are you actually worshipping? If it is not the King of kings, through the truth of who Jesus is and the spirit that leads and guides us for His name sake - than you are NOT a true worshipper. At least not the kind that is spoken about in the scriptures. 

Today was just a reassurance of the fact that His children are wired to worship Him. 

Dominican Republic - 12.28.20

 Well, I’m sitting here again, in a place that has a big portion of my heart, reflecting on the day so far. We have 27 students involved in our leadership retreat this week, and I am already excited about what HE is doing. This morning as we walked through the gospel I couldn’t help but be encouraged by how that gospel was being shared with clarity. Students, here in the program, who are learning and gleaning truth from the Word are not ashamed to share it. Miguel Angel and Claudio are always willing to share and present the gospel unashamedly to all of their peers. As a matter of act, as we were leaving this afternoon they asked if we were going to continue studying the Bible because they loved it. Those conversations are what makes all of this worth it. I also love the fact that my son, can come in behind the study and put a bow on it with his stories that help drive home the points. It is also very encouraging when the students here are asking where the rest of my family is. Natalie, Meaghan and Kellie (Watson) - please know that you are a blessing to them and that they miss you. 

We then took some time to walk through the village and pray for some of the families that are being supported through the @25project. One of the little girls, who is new to the program, asked that we pray for her Mom who is still in Haiti and for her Dad and step mom who she lives with here in the DR. She told us she wanted to be a doctor. Another precious girl, also new to the program, asked us to pray for her mom’s health  and she told us that she wanted to grow up to be a good mom. This was precious to hear out of her mouth. The fact that she desires to be a good mom is wonderful. It reminded me a lot about some of the things we strive to put in front of our students back home. We challenge them to become men of valor and women of virtue.