Summer Fun

This summer the kids and I traveled to be with family. It was a time of laughter and renewal. We got to spend tons of time with grandparents, aunts, uncles and the new baby nephew/cousin. It allowed the kids to be poured into and loved. We are beyond thankful we have a family that loves our kids so well. Below are some of our adventures that Nana and Papa or Maga and Baba took us on. 

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Dave stayed through the summer. He has been having full days of practices and taking the boys to the river. He has seen some exciting things happen. Some of his former players who have grown up have started attending a Bible study with him once a week. 

           

Though it is amazing when we can see the fruits of our labors coming to fruition, we know that we are called to obedience. It is God who touches hearts. We can get discourgaed when things don't happen in our timing and yet, He is God. God is in control. 

1 Corinthians 3:5

5What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. 6I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose,a and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

We know that prayer is powerful. We are asking for prayer in the following ways over the next month:

-Healing for Indy-She is working hard, but it is a long process. 

-For the Department of Education-They are working on arragements so we can go back to school in person next month

-Church Community-Our church is in a small area called Corocito. Please pray that God will move hearts and the ones that are seeking will come to church. 

-Family Life- Our prayer is that God continues to put our family in the path of those that are seeking Him.

-Dave's Bible Study-We pray that fruit is planted and these young men grow in their faith.

Semana Santa

 Happy Semana Santa or Holy Week from the DR. 

While Dave is working, the kids and I are fully enjoying a week having fun and relaxing!

In a sad turn of events the Ministry of Education sent us back to virtual learning. While this news was heartbreaking and hard to accept, Doulos is committed to continuing to educate and disciple students throughout whatever means the Lord allows. We are hopeful that they will allow us to return to campus within the next few weeks. 

On a personal note, this change has been very hard for Josh. He loved being with peers and didn't want to go back to virtual. Dave and I decided that until school is back in person, I will host a small group of kindergarten students at our house. We turned our back bedroom into a classroom. Please pray for the three kiddos that will join my mini-class. (Carlos David, Jazmin and Alison) Cole will continue to go to Doulos for staff care. She is in a small class with other PreK3 kids. The Ministry of Education is allowing us to have preschool staff kids on campus. 

Please pray for energy for me as I will still continue to serve at Doulos while returning to the "classroom." I haven't taught in years. It's going to be a challenge, but will be good. 

God is good all the time and His plan is perfect. We trust that He is moving and working in us all. Have a wonderful Easter! 

Mathew 28:5-8 

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

School Opening

 These last three weeks have been a whirlwind. February 21st  we were told that we had permission to open school. We would move from fully virtual to semi-presencial. As happy as I was, part of me was absolutely terrified. We had all gotten into a great rhythm with virtual learning and now we would essentially have to do our annual two weeks of school prep for students in four days. We had to be ready by the 29th. 

As usual God’s amazing time was perfect. The week before we got permission we canceled school for two day to participate in a Christian conference where Doulos was being featured. I led a two day conference where we focused on being a crew. We did activities to explore our dream crew, weaknesses and things that are holding us back and how we can work together to accomplish the mission of Doulos. We ended the conference on Friday and Sunday we got the official call. Now it was time to work together to accomplish a long list of things to get school ready. 

It has been a really hard switch for our staff. The protocols are hard and time consuming. Students and staff are bone weary by the end of day. On Wednesday we had our first chapel of the year on campus and God moved. As I watched little ones raise their hands in worship and sing about how our God is stronger I was once again reminded why I love Doulos. This is why we do what we do. We are doing it to serve a mighty God and faithfully trust that He is planting seeds, breaking chains and changing lives through our discipleship with students. Please pray for our staff and that nothing will stop seeds from being planted. 

                                             

The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.[b] 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Big Changes

Last week the First Lady of the Dominican Republic opened up all the public fields. Dave was allowed to return to normal practices at the field. He had been doing small groups at the batting cage for the last few months, but this means that they can have full team practices. 

This week Doulos was told that we can have students who have internet issues at home or are really struggling to learn virtually on campus. This is huge! We have been allowed to have a few students on campus for different therapies, but this new decision will allow us to have up to 45 students a day on campus. We are going to make the most of this time to not only educate children, but care for their physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs using different programs like are shown in the photos.

                 

                               

As far as the country we are still under curfew, but it is far less restrictive than in January when we were under a 12 o'clock pm curfew on the weekends and a 5 o'clock pm curfew on weekdays. We are thankful for more freedom and the ability to go run errands without the stress of making curfew. 

While this season has been difficult, we have seen that God isn't limited by any earthly circumstances. God is still moving and using each of us to impact the kingdom. We are still working with children and families. We are still doing life with those around us and trying to be witnesses. We all need to use every opportunity given to us whether it is at the gas station or in line at a grocery store to be a light. 

Mathew 5:14

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

One way each of you could really support us is to pray for teachers and support staff to come to Doulos. We have several open positons for next school year. We are seeking teachers and administrators who love the Lord above all.  If you know of anyone who would be interested, please refer them to our website. (http://doulosdiscovery.org/) or feel free to contact me directly. (megan.adams@doulosdiscovery.org)