Good Sunday!
Every group at the SCORE complex went to various churches today. We loaded the bus at 7:30 A.M. and traveled a little over an hour to the church at Consuelito. At 9:00 we had Sunday school. Nate took our group to explain what he would be saying in preparation for communion which is given on the first Sunday of the month. The Dominicans take this ordinance very seriously. After communion, the younger children went to children’s church while the adults had church. We were able to present 30 Spanish songbooks and a set of CDs for the sister church at Galluretta. At the end of the service we had all the people arrange themselves in front of the church and we took their picture and printed it off. I spent a few minutes taking individual pictures of the children (and many of the adults), and we were able to print them off too.
While the women went back to SCORE, the men stayed to finish the little house that we worked on this past Wednesday. They got in about 5:30, tired, but happy to have the job finished. While they were gone, we went down to the beach. Sunday is family day in the DR, so the water was full of children. It just took about an hour and we had given out all the tract packets that contained a wordless book bracelet, coloring tracts, and crayons. They were a big hit, but we were worn out from the bright sun.
We are supposed to fly back to the States tomorrow afternoon, but we understand there are some flights that got cancelled, so things could get a little chaotic. It would be a real shame to have to spend more time here in the DR. (can you feel the sarcasm?) We are having a wonderful time seeking opportunities to serve others in any way we can. Thanks so much for your prayers and support as we have taken this trip. Keep praying for us. The men are pretty tired, and everyone thinks additional days will definitely be needed to recover.
More from our group:
“This has been a great week with each day beginning with a time of devotions and fellowship at the beach, watching the power of God at work in creation and realizing that same power is at work in my life—an insignificant human being. It’s been neat to see how God has put together a group of people with varying abilities but willing hearts to step in and serve. I think the biggest challenge for me was the language barrier, being able only to communicate through smiles, hugs, and gestures. Each place we went was unique. It was great going to visit the pediatric floor of the hospital in San Pedro. There, using gestures to get permission, I was allowed to pray with some mothers—although they had no idea what I was saying. After praying with them, I had the privilege of giving them tracts that communicated the gospel in their own language.
Although I can speak very little Spanish, I can read it. So today at the church in Consuelito, it was great to use hymnbooks and be able to sing with the others in Spanish. With all these great changes to minister, my thoughts have been on how this can carry over to our own church and community once we’re back in the area of influence that God has given us.”
Bev Boniface
“The Lord has given us a great week. I especially enjoyed being able to minister in some small way to some orphaned handicapped children as we talked to them, touched them and saw peace come over their faces. Wednesday was different, trying to build benches, but what a blessing to see them being used by the children in Galluretta. On Thursday the Lord provided an opportunity for me to present my testimony to the village as we prepared to feed 78 families. Sunday was a blessing to sit outside the church on some benches—chickens walking around us—and talk about the Lord’s Supper and what it means to each one of us. It has been such a thrill to see my children and grandchildren being able to minister for the Lord here in the Dominican Republic.”
Bill Hohneisen
“I feel a little funny adding anything else to our mission trip journal since I’ve written every day, but I wanted to say something personal: most of you know this trip was borne out of Bills and my desire to expose our children and grandchildren to the mission field and to grow to love this ministry as we have over the years. Our fortieth anniversary was just an excuse to do it. God did not disappoint; we rejoiced to see all of them use their talents in so many ways. I wept to see our three grandchildren holding little babies and loving them. There is no language barrier in love. I praise God for the opportunity to have done this, and I recommend it highly to anyone.”
Sherri HohneisenPublished on July 7, 2008 at 8:31 am | Permalink | 0 Comments