Hola everyone, from the team! We are here and everyone is doing well.
We arrived yesterday after a long, long, long ride in the gua gua. It was a memorable ride driving through the traffic, dodging motor bikes, people and large trucks. Obedience to road signs is optional and horn beeping is the way to communicate with other vehicles. ; ) The weather is very pleasant! No mosquitoes...yet.
The view from the church service last night was beautiful. The sounds of worship wafted outside of the church windows and into the town of Monte Cristi. It was a moving experience for all of us. The people are warm, welcoming and loving toward us. Even though most of us cannot speak the language, we felt the love of Christ through them, and we were able to share the love of Christ with them.
We ended our first night with team time together and worshiped our God by singing God of this City by Chris Tomlin. We then closed the night with the song by 33 Miles - The Arms that Hold the Universe. It was a very special time together and with our God.
We awoke this morning and began the day with Team Time. Wendy G shared her testimony with the team. This was a powerful time together. Her words were indeed hand picked by God for her sisters in Christ to hear. We sang a special song together which Wendy chose, Revelation Song. Many tears were shed, all because Christ was shared, and the Spirit was at work in each one of us.
We had cereal and fruit for breakfast, and then headed out in two teams to invite couples to a church event and women/children to other events scheduled throughout the week. The sites, the smells and the housing are new and different. This way of life is so different from ours. We were able to visit with people, enter their homes and even had occasion to pray with them. They are so friendly and hospitable. However, keep your eyes peeled for stray chickens, roosters, pigs and dogs!!! Oh, and of course, motor bikes too!
We returned to regroup and head off to the area hospital to deliver bags with toiletry items and to pray for patients. This was one of the hardest things encountered. People had to bring their own sheets, food, toiletries and toilet paper. As hot as it is here, there was a new mom and her newborn child lying on a black plastic mattress, with no sheet. This is hard to see. This is hard to digest and understand. We prayed for the sick, layed hands on them, and lifted them up to our awesome God. One patient had malaria, another young boy had his appendix removed, another man had pneumonia, and other illnesses. What a blessing to intercede with prayer on their behalf as a team. Part of our team also met a doctor at the hospital who encouraged them to continue to the mission you are doing and that a mansion is waiting for you in heaven. Wow...glimpses of God can be seen even in the darkest places.
We returned to the church for lunch! And, yes, God is good, and we enjoyed CHICHARRONES DE POLLO, rice, plantains and salad!! We all enjoyed this meal tremendously which was prepared by Chava and Nathy.
We just finished a great event for mothers and their children. Approximately 120 moms/kids attended!! We shared a creative Bible story about Noah, the team led stations for the kids and they enjoyed snack together. Juniper fell in love with a little boy who was 3 years old. It was so wonderful to see her connect with this little guy. A young girl connected with Susan and touched her blonde hair. She told Susan she was "muy bonita." She was so sweet. Samantha, Theresa and Lisa helped lead worship! They were so awesome and full of energy. Kylie and Jenny taught a creative Bible story in spanish together for the kids and their moms. Wendy served as greeter, police, guard, interpreter, protector, distributor of the animals among other things! NO KIDDING. Claudine led our craft time with the kids and did a great job teaching mom and their kids how to make an ark out of paper plates. Denise helped moms understand the importance of sharing the Bible story with their kids and gave each mom a Noah book. She too, served as police, guard, interpreter, etc. What a blessing. Our fearless leaders,Helen and Jill were the snack ladies (no hair nets). They were awesome to help coordinate this entire day for us.
We are hoping for some water today to shower. If not, well, we will bucket bath and be happy with that.
We are all of good spirit and relying upon God for all things. Tonight we will share in special time with the church leaders for games and ice cream. We hope that this will be a blessing to them.
Thanks for all your prayers and support. We couldn't do this without you. We love our families and we are praying for all of you.
Love and blessings,
THE FIRST EVER - ALL WOMEN - DR MISSION TEAM
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