Well, I've survived my first week on the field and decided I better keep you updated on this journey!
Let's see... what have I done?
Friday night we worshiped at a tent church at Playa Chaquita, which is a Dominican service. My bilingual bible became very useful at this point. But the most beautiful thing for me was singing praises to the Lord. Could I understand every word? No. I probably understood only a quarter of the lyrics. But that didn't matter.
There's something about praising the Lord with words your head doesn't comprehend, but your heart does.
My spirit was again moved during a prayer meeting at New Life church just last night. The region of the north coast that we live in is teeming with people from many nations. As we were praying for the future of the church, petitions were being made to God in German, Spanish, and English (some with British accents, too). Even though I had no idea what was being prayed, the presence of the Lord was surely in that place as the nations were truly calling upon Him.
We had our first homeschool co-op meeting with other missionary moms today. I am so excited for what God has planned! As it is now, it looks like we'll have some sort of rotation with Science experiments, Spanish lessons, Math help, Dance Worship, Mission-minded Geography, and Group Dynamics. The missionary kids range in age from 15 years to 4 years old, with possibly 20 kids involved! We have our first co-op set for next week, so keep us in your prayers!
This Thursday, a team arrives from my home church, UCUMC. It will be a week full of ministry, construction, and fun. I have been on the visiting side of mission teams before, but this will be my first experience hosting one. Rick and Barb are great examples and I can't wait to see how God moves this coming week.
Thank you for your prayers! I can feel your love miles away.
Let's see... what have I done?
Friday night we worshiped at a tent church at Playa Chaquita, which is a Dominican service. My bilingual bible became very useful at this point. But the most beautiful thing for me was singing praises to the Lord. Could I understand every word? No. I probably understood only a quarter of the lyrics. But that didn't matter.
There's something about praising the Lord with words your head doesn't comprehend, but your heart does.
My spirit was again moved during a prayer meeting at New Life church just last night. The region of the north coast that we live in is teeming with people from many nations. As we were praying for the future of the church, petitions were being made to God in German, Spanish, and English (some with British accents, too). Even though I had no idea what was being prayed, the presence of the Lord was surely in that place as the nations were truly calling upon Him.
We had our first homeschool co-op meeting with other missionary moms today. I am so excited for what God has planned! As it is now, it looks like we'll have some sort of rotation with Science experiments, Spanish lessons, Math help, Dance Worship, Mission-minded Geography, and Group Dynamics. The missionary kids range in age from 15 years to 4 years old, with possibly 20 kids involved! We have our first co-op set for next week, so keep us in your prayers!
This Thursday, a team arrives from my home church, UCUMC. It will be a week full of ministry, construction, and fun. I have been on the visiting side of mission teams before, but this will be my first experience hosting one. Rick and Barb are great examples and I can't wait to see how God moves this coming week.
Thank you for your prayers! I can feel your love miles away.
So excited for what is happening! I'm always checking for new blogs to hear how things are going. Sending prayers your way!! Love you girl
ReplyDeletelove you Marissa! Get with Catherine soon so we can talk :)
DeleteI use familyfun.com as a great resource for lots of things to do from fun activites to science experiments. Beautiful thing about the internet is you can get it in the DR too. You might not have all the exact items their activities call for, but I know you can improvise! :-) I am so excited that you will have a co-op of children and topics for a variety of activities. God doesn't ask us to do anything on our own, but always share with each other so that we can lift one another up and lighten our load. God is so good!
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy! I can't wait to catch up with you soon and hear your voice!
DeleteHI Lauren! I stumbled upon your blog and am so glad I did! You're a beautiful example of a woman seeking God's heart and it's so inspiring to read about your ministry in the DR! I am also a 20-something, hoping to one day also be involved in mission work in a foreign country. Till then, I'm hoping to serve God as a missionary right here in the States.
ReplyDeleteMay God continue to guide you, strengthen you, and teach you in this season. May you be His hands and feet to the broken souls in the DR, bringing them the Good News of Jesus!
elle-alice at beautiful feet of hope
Hi there! I'm so glad you did, too :) Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers. I pray that you, too, be strengthened by His embrace and His voice whispers in your ears with the plans He has for you to glorify His name. God bless you!
DeleteHi Lauren!!! Feeling a little more connected to you this week with the mission team there!!! Love getting a glimpse of you in the pictures!! I'm glad you also got a little taste of home! =) We miss ya and talk about you daily! You're in our thoughts and prayers! =)
ReplyDeleteI wanted to let you know there is a great site http://faithfulbloggers.com/ that you can get connected with. You'll be able to find other Missionaries as well as just other Christians who are stepping out in the world in many different ways. You can submit your blog to them and they'll list you so others can find and follow you. The world becomes such a tiny place when you link in blog world! =)
Love ya and can't wait to hear about everything going on with you!!!!!!
Love,Patti =)
Patti! I'll have to check it out :) Love you so much!!! You just made Janae's day with your sweet note thanking her for all her pictures this week. Thank you for being a beautiful, encouraging woman in my life and others!
DeleteHi Lauren. Patti pointed me to your blog. Sounds like you're off to a good start in DR. Hope all is well!
ReplyDeleteOwen
livinglifefuller.com
Thank you Owen! God bless you!
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