The Sunday Report
Yesterday was a great day- lots of sweating and walking, but it makes for a great missionary day. We started off in search of a bed for Hector’s sister-in-law. We got one fairly cheap and loaded it on the “jeep” and off we went to Tamboril, a small town outside of Santiago. It was amazing to see how high the water had gotten in the town and also how quickly they had cleaned up! The woman was thrilled with her bed. Hector’s wife pointed out a picture of Jesus on the wall and told me that was her sister’s idol and saint. It reminded me of how much spiritual confusion there is here and how sincere people are in a misguided faith. Please continue to pray for the spiritual confusion to lift.
Jose was brimming with excitement from his weekend experience at a leaders’ retreat. He is refreshed and full of energy to continue in his mission! I was thankful for his sharing and seeing him so excited and refreshed made me feel better. We had a good group at Villa de Yaque- over 14 adults with several of our regulars away. I must confess we have been amiss in not always spending as much time in prayer with them as we should but yesterday I felt led to have us pray and to ask them to pray- more than 5 or 6 prayed out loud which is a huge accomplishment. They are dealing with a big disappointment in that their transformer is not functioning which has left them without electricity. I don’t know how they are handling the heat with no fans! It is a tough situation to say the least, but I came away so pleased to see how they are growing and responding!
As I arrived in the Hole, it was raining and I was pretty sure we would have a hard time with the service- it is a diffucult place to move around in when it is rainy and wet due to the mud. But also word arrived just after my arrival that one of the men in the community had died- someone I knew. He had been shot 5 times three days earlier in an attempt to steal his motorcycle. We went to visit with them family and were there as they arrived from the hospital. It is so sad to be with people who have lost a loved one! It reminded me of how fragile life is, and how much people need hope and a faith in something that will last.
Please be in prayer for these ministry areas in the situations they are dealing with. I didn’t visit Los Santos yesterday but they are continuing a healthy path- they have begun 1st aid classes on Saturdays at 9 and had over 25 this weekend!
Thanks for your faithful prayers and for responding to me in email and though the comments. I value not only your prayers, but your ideas and suggestions about how to deal with different issues! May God bless you!
