Day 3

July 18 (Monday)

Our day once again started off with devotions and some awesome breakfast by Kim! Then afterwards we split into two teams: Kim and Elisa was one team. Pastor James, Mel and Jerfelis was the other team.

Pastor James, Mel and Jerfelis headed off to La Vid Church in the morning to work on painting the sanctuary. They were joined by Pastor Eduardo from the church.

Kim and Elisa spent the morning doing a special house visit and preparing for Elisa’s Health Talks that she will be leading this week - before they joined the others at the church for a traditional Dominican lunch!

Chicken, rice and beans are often a staple of a Dominican dish nicknamed, “La Bandera.”

After an incredibly good lunch, we headed off together to visit one of the lay leaders in the church and their family. What a beautiful drive that was, heading into the mountains.

Once we arrived at Santo’s house, we were blown away with an incredibly powerful testimony. Hearing how God was working in his life, hearing how God transformed his life challenged us.

We also spent the time to pray over their family - before heading back to the home base.

After dinner, we ended our time in worship together.

Day 2

July 17 (Sunday)

After a short night, the team awoke to the roosters, chickens and birds outside of our window. With hot coffee ready for us, the team had the opportunity to enjoy the fresh morning breeze here in the mountainside on the front steps of Kim and Carlos’s home. Because we arrived so late, we weren’t able to really connect with Kim until this morning. Kim went above and beyond to prepare a hearty breakfast for us with incredible fruits! Fruits are a must when you are here!

Afterwards, we went to go worship at the local church here in Jarabacoa. Carlos and Kim are members and serve as leaders at the church as well. The church leadership was gracious enough to let Pastor James serve the pulpit. Jerfelis did a great job in simultaneous interpretation.

After an incredible welcome from the local church, the team went to eat at a new restaurant that just opened near Carlos and Kim’s home. Pastor James wanted to make sure we were taking care of Carlos and Kim by eating at a nice restaurant - that was nearly HALF the price of what we would’ve paid in New York!

After the incredible lunch, we spent the afternoon being led on a tour of Jarabacoa from Kim. We had the opportunity to listen to her experience here as well as the cultural dynamics and see the ins and outs of the area and the community. We also had the chance to eat some excellent ice cream! That never hurts!

We also had the chance to spend time with a missionary who serves in this area from Indiana. Hearing from Brother Jim was also a blessing to be able to witness God work in ways that we would never have even imagined!

In the late afternoon, we created an assembly line and created over 75 goodie bags and care packages for some of the folks we will be ministering to this week!

After supper, we gathered as a team to worship and hear testimonies. We are humbled and excited to see how the Lord will work this week!

Here are some of our prayer points for the week:

1. Pray for the THREE Health Seminars that Elisa will be teaching at this week. Please pray for strength and for the Lord to speak through Elisa mightily.

2. Pray for the Paint Project that we will be doing for the local church.

3. Pray for the physical health and well-being for our Team and the safe travels for our team- especially pray for the underserved, poor, rural communities we will be visiting.

4. Pray that the Team can be an encouragement to our missionaries, Carlos and Kim.

5. Pray for the Marriage Seminar that I will be teaching with Jerfelis interpreting. We have over FORTY SEVEN COUPLES signed up.

Day 1

July 16 (Saturday)

Our team arrived at the Santiago Airport a little before 11:00pm. It was quite a ride as John F. Kennedy Airport was incredibly backed-up on a Saturday evening. But by God’s grace we arrived safely and were able to process through customs and immigration. After we were greeted by Carlos, we made the journey all the way to their home in Jarabacoa which was about a 45-minute drive. We praise God for the safe arrival, and look forward to what the Lord will do this week!

Team Reflections 2

As I sit back on the night before our departure, I sit in disbelief that we are actually departing tomorrow. My wife asked if I was excited. My response to her was that I think it’ll hit me hard once I’m finally on the plane en route.

Many of you know that this trip has been in the works for nearly a year. Upon much conversation with Carlos and Kim, and with much prayer, it made so much sense for us to select the Dominican Republic as our first-ever missions trip location. So with much excitement last year, we decided to target the February Break to go. But as many of you know, last winter, the COVID-19 omicron wave took a huge toll on so many friends and loved ones in our community. So without much hesitation the Council decided to postpone the trip until further notice.

But as time went on, the Lord pressed on my heart to set a date and go. With God’s grace, the Council in conversation with Carlos & Kim set this July 16-23 date early on in the Spring. As the sign-ups began to be advertised, I honestly had no clue what to expect. There were days where I was even talking to myself, thinking that I might end up going by myself. But now we are finally here!

The team met briefly together to pray and finish packing some of our supplies and gifts that we are bringing. We stand amazed at the financial support that went in for our trip from within our church family and as well as our friends outside of our church family who have contributed to this endeavor. I know many near and far are praying as well. By the grace of God, our church family has committed to pray and/or fast during a Prayer Relay for each meal time throughout the duration of this trip!

Many of you know that the COVID-19 BA5 wave is picking up in many places including within our community. I ask that you pray for protection as we get ready to go love the Lord, expand our vision for the Kingdom, and help serve in ways we can’t even imagine.

Thank you to all who have prayed and supported. And a big thank you to all of you will keep up to date with what will happen on the scenes while we’re there.

With love in Christ,

Pastor James

Team Reflections

One year ago as I was praying for our church and reflecting on how God was leading our church throughout this pandemic, God led me to these two passages:

1 Peter 4:10 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace”

Romans 10:13-14 “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”

I knew that our church was called to be stewards of our gifts beyond our four walls of our church building. But how did that look? One way was to get out of our comfort zone and to visit one of our missionaries to see how God was at work beyond our own comfortable context. COVID-19’s Omicron wave pushed our trip back from February to July, but by the grace of God, the itinerary has been set! The plane tickets have been purchased! And we just had our first team meeting together last night! Our team of five is filled with experience, wisdom, and many spiritual gifts. I cannot wait to see and witness how God will use each and every one of us!

This is a very meaningful trip because this will be our first missions trip abroad in the 64 years of our church! This is also a trip where we will be able to visit with our missionaries Carlos and Kimberley. Many of you know that Kimberley’s father, Pastor Ken Verhulst was our long-time pastor from 1985-2006! To get a chance to personally experience the power of a legacy of faith, will truly be an incredible experience! Please keep us in your prayers!

Blessings,

Pastor James