Well, as the title implies, I'm counting down the days! lol! In a good way though! I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. but it's still not over yet. Still have time left. Tonight we have the small community church. We'll go back to the foothill of the Mountains to have services... Last night we had the meeting of leaders here. This meeting is held every Wednesday night. And it's purpose is to help the leaders of the church in Santiago.There are like 5 to 7 couples who make up this leadership team. This team is a network. It works like a spider web. They are all connected as ONE but they all are on a different part of the Ministry here. It's Amazing! So last night I sat in the meeting with them! I, of course, couldn't understand what they were saying. lol... But Ignacio was translating a little bit for me. The had a Bible study for a little bit. they were in 2 Chronicles chapter 29 and 29. I read it this morning. Very awesome! this applies to the leaders here and at home. Please, if you get a chance read it!!! Here is a run down of it: King Ahaz is ruling! and he is NOT following God or His commands. He turns the Temple into an 'idol house' instead of God's house. Their Armies are captured and defeated. the land is just in trouble times. then King Ahaz dies. Then Hezekiah comes along! God spoke to him! He wants to follow God's law now. He brings all the leaders together and tells them in 2 Chron. 29:5 "...Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of the Lord , the God of your fathers, and carry out the filth from the Holy Place...." He says, clean yourselves up! And the Temple too! So they do, they take their leadership duties seriously, and clean up their act. They follow Gods commands! It's awesome, and a ton to write out. You'll have to read it! lol!
Well, With this next Sunday the church here is starting 2 services. They cannot hold anyone else in just 1 service. so Sunday they will have an early service at 5 and then the regular service at 7. Different communities will meet at different times. They just couldn't hold anymore people in the building. running out of seats, running out of standing room... JUST NO ROOM! It blows my mind. Why, in America, aren't our churches seeing this 'problem'?! Why don't the people fill God's house when we have services? What are we missing? I'm not saying the church here is 'perfect' or that they have it all together. I am just wondering why they are seeing so many changed, transformed, Spirit thirsty people here who are spilling out of the building just to hear the Word spoken. While we at home sit in our A/C buildings sweeping up dust off of the chairs (oops.. I mean pews lol) with no new lives being changed?! Makes me sad. What do we need? What are we doing 'wrong'? Are we? Are these people here nuts? I hardly think so... I think they have something we are missing. Or maybe we have more than they have, and that is the problem. These are just thoughts.. not complaints or criticism.
Well, pray for the rest of my trip here.Pray God show me His will! I'm praying for ya as well! Love and miss you all!
Grace and Peace!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Well, it's been a few days since I've blogged. It's Tuesday now. lol! The resort was awesome! But I like Santiago. Tonight we are going to one of the first small groups starting up tonight in a home, as well as a Disciple group. What they do here are small groups during the week, and big church on Sunday night. but their small a different too. They have one small group for anyone. Believers, non-believers, on-the-fencers. This ia a place for new people to come in a small setting and get to know more people from the church and get involved in a small way. It allows them to get to know one of the leaders from the church, they are able to give prayer request. this is designed for people to know that the church isn't "selling" God to people. Just a place for them to know how much we care for them and for them to experience God's love and acceptance. Pretty awesome stuff. Then the second small group they have is just for "Disciples". This group is designed for the believer. They teach them to study the Word, how to be a witness, how to live life as a believer according to God's word. They teach them to be able to go out and be a help to others. They truly are BEING taught and trained for the Kingdom. They are excelling at this! So tonight, hopefully I'll get to see both of these groups meeting.
For me personally, this week has been the most trying week here. The Lord was revealing some of myself to me that wasn't in the best condition and I want it changed. So, also had a great time of worship with the Saints Sunday night. And Monday was a brewing pot for the Enemy. He was pulling me down. It was just a rough Monday. I was not content. Not happy. Not wanting to be nice. I was pointed to Philippians chapter 4 yesterday by a friend. That is a great chapter. Php 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Php 4:12-13 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
This verse I read yesterday.. Then again this morning was pointed to it again by another friend. I love it! I must LEARN how to be content in EVERY season of life. It is a process. A constant lesson to be learned. So, I'm learning!
I found this Psalm like poem in the book "Fearless" by Max Lucado. A 7 year old boy recited this as his home in West Africa was burning down. Later his mother had him write it down for her this is what it said:
"Through wind and rain Through fire and lava
The Lord will never leave you.
Through earthquakes and floods Through changing sea levels and
burning ash
The Lord will never leave you.
If you love Him, He will bless you
and He will give you many things...." It continues on.. but too much to post!
Well, I'll post in a few days. Love you guys! Keep me in prayer as I pray for you!
Grace and Peace,
Justin
For me personally, this week has been the most trying week here. The Lord was revealing some of myself to me that wasn't in the best condition and I want it changed. So, also had a great time of worship with the Saints Sunday night. And Monday was a brewing pot for the Enemy. He was pulling me down. It was just a rough Monday. I was not content. Not happy. Not wanting to be nice. I was pointed to Philippians chapter 4 yesterday by a friend. That is a great chapter. Php 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Php 4:12-13 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
This verse I read yesterday.. Then again this morning was pointed to it again by another friend. I love it! I must LEARN how to be content in EVERY season of life. It is a process. A constant lesson to be learned. So, I'm learning!
I found this Psalm like poem in the book "Fearless" by Max Lucado. A 7 year old boy recited this as his home in West Africa was burning down. Later his mother had him write it down for her this is what it said:
"Through wind and rain Through fire and lava
The Lord will never leave you.
Through earthquakes and floods Through changing sea levels and
burning ash
The Lord will never leave you.
If you love Him, He will bless you
and He will give you many things...." It continues on.. but too much to post!
Well, I'll post in a few days. Love you guys! Keep me in prayer as I pray for you!
Grace and Peace,
Justin
Friday, June 25, 2010
Resort time?!?
Good morning! Today through Sunday we will be in Pourta Plota. That is a city on the North East Coast of the island. We are going for Floria's work. They allow the family of the workers to get together once a year at the beach. So, we are going! Going to be fun! Last night we had services in a little community in the foothills of the Mountains. As we were driving I realized we were driving at a slight angle, and I could see in the dark the outline of the mountains. the way Thursday services work are like this. There are a couple of different communities in Santiago. The have leaders for each community. And they meet in houses or garages or carport on Thursday nights. Then on Sunday night they ALL come together for 1 big church service. It's a pretty cool thing! So last night we were in the community of Palmar Arriba, in a homemade carport. It was light with one single light bulb in the middle. There were probably 20 to 30 people there by the end of services. We sang to Ignacio playing the guitar, and the hand clapping of the congregation. It was really cool!
Well, now As I type I'm sitting right by the Ocean on the North side of the island at a Resort called "Coral Sol De Plata". I knew we were coming here.. But just didn't know that we were being put up in a Resort! Pretty flippin awesome! All you can eat buffet till 10 p.m.... Games and huge pool. The Caribbean ocean outside 50 steps from me! Awww... Suffering for the Lord! Lol! Naw, this is only for the weekend then back to Santiago (or reality) lol! Today on the 2 hour drive here We were driving, of course, but got to thinking. there aren't any boundaries for driving here. Like at home we have lines that are laws, pass here, no passing here, go this fast, go this slow, Do this, do that, go here, go there.. You get my point?. Well, here IT'S NOT LIKE THAT! It's almost a free-for-all! But anyways, earlier this morning I was reading with Maxy in his book fearless and we were talking about us putting God in a box (or boundary) and how He doesn't work inside the box we put Him in. So as we were driving I felt the Lord speaking to me about how I put Him in my box. I think that the lines and signs, and speed limits are how we drive, but God, God isn't like that. He take the rough roads, the bumpy roads, the "long" way, to us, but to Him, it's the perfect way. but how we (I) pay a little too much attention to the road and not enough time of WHERE God has taken me. Or what god has right outside my window. I grip about the rough time I'm having and not looking at the Dominican Mountains outside my window. I grip that that the road is horrible and I miss who I can help at that moment. I miss so much cause I'm focused on the road and not Christ, who has taken me to a whole new place in my life right now. Am I making since? I hope so.... Her it is in a nut shell. We focus too much on the bumps, bruises, no limits, no signs, no lines, no boundaries and not enough on where God has allowed us to be. Or what He wants to teach or show us in that place on that road. I hope this makes since. Jeremiah 29:11---"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. "
So I hope that you understand what I'm saying. Lol.. if not please e-mail me and I'll try and make it understandable!
So, we'll be here till Sunday afternoon. I'll be updating... after I swim in the ocean and pools! ;) Love you guys!
Grace and Peace,
Justin
Well, now As I type I'm sitting right by the Ocean on the North side of the island at a Resort called "Coral Sol De Plata". I knew we were coming here.. But just didn't know that we were being put up in a Resort! Pretty flippin awesome! All you can eat buffet till 10 p.m.... Games and huge pool. The Caribbean ocean outside 50 steps from me! Awww... Suffering for the Lord! Lol! Naw, this is only for the weekend then back to Santiago (or reality) lol! Today on the 2 hour drive here We were driving, of course, but got to thinking. there aren't any boundaries for driving here. Like at home we have lines that are laws, pass here, no passing here, go this fast, go this slow, Do this, do that, go here, go there.. You get my point?. Well, here IT'S NOT LIKE THAT! It's almost a free-for-all! But anyways, earlier this morning I was reading with Maxy in his book fearless and we were talking about us putting God in a box (or boundary) and how He doesn't work inside the box we put Him in. So as we were driving I felt the Lord speaking to me about how I put Him in my box. I think that the lines and signs, and speed limits are how we drive, but God, God isn't like that. He take the rough roads, the bumpy roads, the "long" way, to us, but to Him, it's the perfect way. but how we (I) pay a little too much attention to the road and not enough time of WHERE God has taken me. Or what god has right outside my window. I grip about the rough time I'm having and not looking at the Dominican Mountains outside my window. I grip that that the road is horrible and I miss who I can help at that moment. I miss so much cause I'm focused on the road and not Christ, who has taken me to a whole new place in my life right now. Am I making since? I hope so.... Her it is in a nut shell. We focus too much on the bumps, bruises, no limits, no signs, no lines, no boundaries and not enough on where God has allowed us to be. Or what He wants to teach or show us in that place on that road. I hope this makes since. Jeremiah 29:11---"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. "
So I hope that you understand what I'm saying. Lol.. if not please e-mail me and I'll try and make it understandable!
So, we'll be here till Sunday afternoon. I'll be updating... after I swim in the ocean and pools! ;) Love you guys!
Grace and Peace,
Justin
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
"There is no room for division in the Dominican Republic."
Well, we made it back home (Santiago) from the Capital city of Santo Domingo this morning. We left here Monday afternoon and arrived to the walled in camp on the Coast of the South East side of the Island of the Dominican Republic. It was a beautiful 3 hour drive through the Mountains of the island and then on down to the Coast. We arrived there around 6 or so that evening. they walked me past the pool, and ping pong table then past the in-ground pool up the stairs to the 2 story cement building to our little room where we would call home for the next 48 hours. While other pastors from the Dominican were arriving we could smell the wonderful smell of something cooking from the kitchen area. Around 8 they called us all to the eating area which was a huge covered patio with tables and chairs all sat up waiting for us. Rice and beans and some kind of meat was on the menu. It wasn't bad at all! Then the pastors that was there all went into the church for a little while. Praysin and myself went up to the room! We went to bed around 12 or so. Tuesday morning came and we got up at 9 that morning and went town to breakfast. for breakfast it was a sandwich with some kind of cheese in it with a chocolate drink that was warmed with a hint of cinnamon taste to it. It was really different but really good.
By 10 that morning it had started raining! the kids were all in the pool while it was thundering and lighting. Lol! It was so funny cause when we normally at home are getting out, they were all heading in to swim! While they swam all the pastors were meeting and praying for and with each other! We heard them singing to a guitar. Later Ignacio and I were able to talk. He asked me if I understood what we were doing there that day. He said that at least once a year all the pastors in the Dominican would come together to chill and hang out together. they are able to come and fellowship, pray, and just enjoy their time with each other. They are very open with each other he says. He says they are able to help each other out with Ministry stuff. Like if someone is struggling with something in the church a pastor who has already done that is able to say" Well, we did this and it worked" or something like that. It is amazing to see pastor's who are so close knit together able to work and help each other out. The pastors here TRULY work together to reach the Dominican people. I believe that if the American would take this approach and really work together instead of against each other we might see more Revival in the American church! It was an amazing thing to see. Ignacio made a comment as we talked that I'll never forget. He said "There is no room for division in the Dominican Republic." If only in America we would realize that together, as ONE body of Christ, we would be able to reach more people for Christ! Makes me think of a scripture: Romans 12:4-5 "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others."
As we were there at the camp it is right next to the airport and so every time a plane would land or take off we knew it. that just got me to thinking when I was going home(USA) and got me down. But I remembered how Oswald Chamber's said we should take those things to God. when we are down and out that when we life our family or friends up to god He would life us up too! He did! It was great! When I got my focus off of being here and being so far from home. And how I miss my family and friends... I started praying for them and God lifted my spirit! He has proven himself faithful time and time again!
No plans for tonight.... they are having a meeting here of the leaders in Santiago, but that is all. I'll keep ya updated! Love you all! Keep pray for me and the Dominican church!
Grace and Peace,
Justin
By 10 that morning it had started raining! the kids were all in the pool while it was thundering and lighting. Lol! It was so funny cause when we normally at home are getting out, they were all heading in to swim! While they swam all the pastors were meeting and praying for and with each other! We heard them singing to a guitar. Later Ignacio and I were able to talk. He asked me if I understood what we were doing there that day. He said that at least once a year all the pastors in the Dominican would come together to chill and hang out together. they are able to come and fellowship, pray, and just enjoy their time with each other. They are very open with each other he says. He says they are able to help each other out with Ministry stuff. Like if someone is struggling with something in the church a pastor who has already done that is able to say" Well, we did this and it worked" or something like that. It is amazing to see pastor's who are so close knit together able to work and help each other out. The pastors here TRULY work together to reach the Dominican people. I believe that if the American would take this approach and really work together instead of against each other we might see more Revival in the American church! It was an amazing thing to see. Ignacio made a comment as we talked that I'll never forget. He said "There is no room for division in the Dominican Republic." If only in America we would realize that together, as ONE body of Christ, we would be able to reach more people for Christ! Makes me think of a scripture: Romans 12:4-5 "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others."
As we were there at the camp it is right next to the airport and so every time a plane would land or take off we knew it. that just got me to thinking when I was going home(USA) and got me down. But I remembered how Oswald Chamber's said we should take those things to God. when we are down and out that when we life our family or friends up to god He would life us up too! He did! It was great! When I got my focus off of being here and being so far from home. And how I miss my family and friends... I started praying for them and God lifted my spirit! He has proven himself faithful time and time again!
No plans for tonight.... they are having a meeting here of the leaders in Santiago, but that is all. I'll keep ya updated! Love you all! Keep pray for me and the Dominican church!
Grace and Peace,
Justin
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday June 21, 2010
Good morning.... Services last night were just about 3 hours long.! Wow! Different from home... But they were amazing! The worship from the people here was like no other I've ever seen! They are true worshipers! They hold nothing back... there was this one person who was singing and dancing, but they didn't have the best voice... But right after I thought that God reminded me that it wasn't about how "in tune" everyone was or if they were singing in the "right pitch" but it was about the true worship of Christ Jesus! and that is all that matters! It was a good reminder. Something else that God reminded me of last night was how Beautiful His word really is! the pastor's from Santo Domingo was looking at my Bible, and he said "it is beautiful". He was only talking about the leather cover of the Bible, but it reminded me how Beautiful God's Word truly is, and how we don't remember that enough! So, even though the services were in Spanish God still spoke to me on a few items. He is like that! lol!
Today we are going to Santo Domingo for 1 night. We are meeting with all the Pastor's in the D.R. at a camp. This should be interesting. I'll get to see what they do when they are all together! I'll have to take good notes! I've never been to Santo Domingo so this is new! So be praying for a good trip and back! I can't take my laptop cause there is no internet there so it'll be tomorrow before I can update. So... Be praying for us! Love you all!
Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for GOOD and NOT FOR DISASTER, to give you a
FUTURE AND A HOPE".
Grace and Peace,
Justin
Today we are going to Santo Domingo for 1 night. We are meeting with all the Pastor's in the D.R. at a camp. This should be interesting. I'll get to see what they do when they are all together! I'll have to take good notes! I've never been to Santo Domingo so this is new! So be praying for a good trip and back! I can't take my laptop cause there is no internet there so it'll be tomorrow before I can update. So... Be praying for us! Love you all!
Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for GOOD and NOT FOR DISASTER, to give you a
FUTURE AND A HOPE".
Grace and Peace,
Justin
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Sunday June 10, 2010
2Ch 16:9--"The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."
Don't you just love this verse?! I've heard this a lot, but a friend from Maryland pointed it out to me this morning! And it has such a promise in these words! My God WILL strengthen those who are committed to Him! He WILL! There is no maybe He will or He might! God must Honor His promises, because He is God! And He is Amazing! Today is Sunday. The day we set aside for church, worship, and to gather with other believers! We don't have morning services here, but they have night services. I'll update tonight on how services went!
Grace and Peace,
Justin
Don't you just love this verse?! I've heard this a lot, but a friend from Maryland pointed it out to me this morning! And it has such a promise in these words! My God WILL strengthen those who are committed to Him! He WILL! There is no maybe He will or He might! God must Honor His promises, because He is God! And He is Amazing! Today is Sunday. The day we set aside for church, worship, and to gather with other believers! We don't have morning services here, but they have night services. I'll update tonight on how services went!
Grace and Peace,
Justin
Saturday, June 19, 2010
4:30 A.M
Well, been up since 4:30 a.m. to take the Maryland group to the airport. Saw them off this day. Kinda sad watching them leave and me still here, but I know God still has me here. There is alot for me to do here... It's going to be a roller coaster I think! There is a group from Virginia come in about 2 weeks that I may be traveling around the D.R. with... Not sure yet though. I should be going to Santo Domingo sometime for a few day sometime soon.... Gonna go take a nap. Pray for me! Love ya!
Grace and Peace,
Justin
Grace and Peace,
Justin
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