Happy Independence Day!

Today is February 27th or better known as Independence Day in the Dominican Republic. We celebrated by having an incredible program at Doulos Discovery School. The students all did great. There were many performances celebrating the history and culture of the DR. There were also performances speaking God's truth and sharing that we can have true independence in Christ.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 

John 8:36

 

If you want to read more about the history of the Dominican Republic, click here :http://www.lonelyplanet.com/dominican-republic/history

Feburary Recap

So the end of January and February was quite the time for our family. There were happy times and some bittersweet moments. As always we know and say "God is good."

Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God. He is the One Who made all light. He does not change. No shadow is made by His turning. 

James 1:17

Dave had a two week team at his site. It was a group from a program that spends a year focusing on learning more about God and becoming who He desires them to be. The students take classes, do missions work and commit to a very strict code of conduct. It was so neat to see young men of God being strong witnesses to the boys in Jarabacoa.

Dave and Moreno (Dave's Co-Coach) put the boys in a four day baseball tournament against teams from all over the country. The boys worked hard and ended up winning the tournament. 

Both of Dave's grandparents passed away in the span of three weeks. They met when they were young and were a strong example of what it means to have a Godly marriage. They were married for sixty years and these three weeks were the longest they had ever been apart.

We had family come to visit. Josh got to meet Uncle Steven and Aunt Kelsey for the first time. Steve went with Dave to his sites and got to see what he does down here. It was so much fun having them all here and we are blessed to be so loved.

                                

This month I have been doing a unit with my first graders on how they are unique. They were amazed to hear that God knew who they would become way before they were born. We talked about how God has a plan for each of their lives. It was easily one of the best moments of the month to hear my students scream in excitement over the fact that God planned for them to be on earth way before their parents or even their grandparents were born.

Guard Your Witness

This week I was reminded of this quote:

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently-Warren Buffet

The other day we were driving to the store and Dave pulled out into the street so he could see both ways before turning. A car came whizzing down the street, the driver started honking his horn and throwing his arms up at us. That person didn't recognize me, but I knew him. He is a missionary here.

Every time I have seen him this week I have judged him and thought don't you know that you can destroy your witness in a split second. It was wrong of him to be so angry with us, but at the same time it was just as wrong for me to judge him all week. How many times have I looked and been annoyed while waiting in line at the grocery store? How often do I get angry with other drivers? It is not my place to judge, but instead to learn from this experience. We are all called to be witnesses to those around us. It can take years to be seen as a good witness for Christ, yet one bad decision or one ill spoken word can destroy all that God has been doing through us. I am so grateful that God is a God who gives grace and second chances. He makes us strong when we are weak and is forever trying to grow us into the people He has called us to be.

 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

                                                                             2 Corinthians 12:8-9