Blog entry from Team Ciclon

Today was our last full day in the Dominican. Most of the groups who did not return today had a free day and headed to the Old Market or the beach to relax after a wild 8 days. We started the day by heading down to Guibia to watch the sunrise. It was very beautiful and was a great reminder of the amazing creation works of Jesus. After slamming down a quick breakfast, we hopped on a van with another group and went to a Hatian Batey. The Batey was a small, impoverished town outside of San Pedro, about an hour car ride from our hostel.

When we arrived, we went door-to-door inviting families to a children’s Bible Study at the church there. There were around 100 kids, and probably 40 adults. Sabino, the pastor of the San Pedro church, gave a children’s message. When he was finished, they sang a song for us. The next 30 minutes were very chaotic with things escalating rather quickly. We had brought 3 suitcases of items people from our church had donated, including toothbrushes, soap, toys and candy. When we first began to hand things out to the kids, they were fairly calm and patient. However, things escalated quickly as we started to hand out toothbrushes and hygiene items. It was humbling to see their desperation for items that we take for granted at home. Even though we were meeting physical needs through handing these items out it was important for us to remember that each of these people also has a soul and a need for Christ. We are excited about the weekly bible study and children’s church that will begin there soon, led by people of Sabino’s church. Our prayer is that Jesus will use those times to draw people to himself and meet an eternal need that we are unable to provide materially.

We are leaving our hostel around 5 AM tomorrow, so please pray for safe flights and good conversations with people we come across in the airport and on our flights. Living in this country for the past week among the people has been a great blessing for us and we greatly cherish the relationships that we have made with the Dominicans.

Emily, Greg, Liz, Katie & Taylor

God is so good! We have see His faithfulness day after day. Our group (Adam Bourland, Carrie Torbert, Jeff Mallams, Danette Cobalt, and Carla Regalado) has been camping out in front of the English Immersion building this week. We were passed a couple of contacts from the first group named Joan and Jean Carlo. They have come out with us every day that we have been on campus and have wholeheartedly joined us in sharing truth with their fellow students. It has been exciting getting them connected to the other students at La Vid.

Both of those guys have also been excited to come join us in sharing the gospel with their fellow students. Yesterday, Adam started sharing with a young man that we had met earlier named Alex. After getting about half way through, he turned to Joan and asked him what the solution to our sin was, Joan then proceeded to share the truth of the gospel and answer other questions for the next hour or so. It has been such a blessing to see both Joan and Jean Carlo excited to join us in sharing the gospel with other students on campus. They have even asked for stacks of tracks that they can pass out to others.

Carrie and Carla met a girl named Victoria and a guy named Michel. What started off as an interest to improve their English soon turned into a deeper conversation that led into the Gospel. Both Victoria and Michel have Catholic backgrounds, but had many questions regarding religion. When asked the question how sure they were if they died today if they would be going to heaven, both lacked confidence in knowing with certainty where they would spend all of eternity. We (Carla and Carrie) we're encouraged by the verse in Romans 10:17: "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ". We proceeded to look at various verses in the Bible that walked through the gospel and allowed Michel and Victoria to explain the verses in their own words in order to gage their understanding of the Truth, which then even answered the questions that they had. Both clearly understood that they deserved Hell and were not going to heaven based on anything they could do in this life. At this point both students needed to leave, but we stayed in prayer for their return in order to finish going through the Gospel. Michel returned that same day and we proceeded to finish sharing with him. His words and facial expressions demonstrated that he was distraught upon realizing the consequence of his sin. When he heard about what Christ had done for him, he expressed a huge relief and stated he wanted to receive Christ as his Lord and Savior. He prayed and wanted to meet up with Adam and Jeff for a Bible study as well.

Erik Nielsen's group gave us contact information for people that they talked to last week. Two of these contacts, Phillipe and Carlos, have been faithful in meeting up with us. Phillipe became a Christian in 2008 and Carlos just accepted Christ last week! We started going over the Primeros Pasos book with both of them, and we have plans to meet up with them later in the week.

God has provided us with people who are hungry for the Gospel and we have had encouraging conversations. Seeds are being planted, and we are seeing the Holy Spirit work in the hearts of so many people.

God has been faithful in reconnecting us with people from past years, it has provided us with the opportunity to follow-up with them. It has been encouraging to see how they have grown. One of the women named Solange gave an update on her life and she told us about how she is sharing the Gospel. We have been gifted with the ability to see God's work in these peoples life.

Please pray that:

• Phillippe and Carlos will get connected with La Vid
• We will meet up with Smerlyn
• 40 more people to share the Gospel with
• Work through the discipleship workbook with 4 more people

On the university’s campus, there are meeting spots that the locals call Embajadas. Translated, the word means embassies. Each one of these embajadas is a designated space for students hailing from a certain parts of the country, a social embassy for students’ hometowns. They consist of stone benches, tables, and any number of students from none to twenty as students come and go. This is not to say that the Dominicans are segregated, that they dislike talking with strangers. In fact, they are very warm and welcoming. They are willing to take time from their day to talk to perfect strangers and, when approached, not a single person will turn away from discussion. As today being our first day on campus, this was a pleasant surprise. And, as our first day on campus, it was our mission to meet students while they were passing time between classes in these embajadas.

It is difficult speaking with a person that does not know your language. Thankfully many Dominicans relish the chance to test their English skills, especially with Americans. For example, one bright, young, amiable student named Carlos traveled an expensive bus ride from home just to meet us on campus. He greatly wished to speak English with native speakers. Carlos knows of the Gospel but does not yet know the Gospel. He will be the recipient of many thoughts and prayers, much invested time. Like our talk with Carlos, some conversations with the students are deep and take up the time of an hour while others, as a result of the language barrier, are made up of talk of small things. Yet, with each conversation, we approach them as though they are opportunities to impact eternity.

Fortunately, God has also blessed us with impeccable timing. Just as our group was enjoying a few nice slices of cheese, a girl excitedly ran up asking for some cheese that we had just pulled out. It was for her pregnant friend. Immediately following the provolone exchange, the girl asks what our purpose in the Dominican is. It’s hard to ask for a better opportunity to share what we came down here to share.

As we meet new friends and as we reunite with old friends we find that the work God is doing in the Dominican Republic is meaningful and lasting. We pray that we can lead our new friends into their walks with Christ by giving them a good example of what Christ’s love looks like in action. We ask that you pray for soft hearts and souls yearning for the love of Christ. Each day, with the strength God gives us, we will show that love in words and in action.

El Equipo de Suenos (Shaly, Kim, Lindsey, Amelia, David, Jake)

Hello!

Hola from Grupo Redimidos (The Redeemed)!

Our group claimed Psalm 107:2-3 for the trip: "Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story, those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands from east and west, from north and south." We have been redeemed by Christ, and we prayed that we would share with the Dominicans our redemption stories. The Gospel is the best news, that Christ died for each person to bring them into relationship with God.

Throughout the week, we met many new Dominican friends. Even though we had just met them, these people became very dear to us. Our group headed to the campus cafeteria each day at 11:30, ate lunch and shared the Gospel for a few hours before Intercambio, the English/Spanish conversation time. We talked for hours each day with students about religion, God, truth, culture and the Gospel. Our group saw nine people make professions of faith, and many others weighed the cost of following Jesus and giving Him their lives. We were all so amazed at God's power and how He answered prayer. We prayed specific things each day, and God always answered. We kept track of His blessings, writing them down each night.

Our group spent a lot of time with a 21-year-old violin student named Abraham. On Tuesday evening we randomly invited him to dinner with us because he was sitting alone. Abraham shared his beautiful testimony with us, and we have been encouraged by his faith and desire to preach the word of God. We challenged Abraham to share the Gospel with fellow students, and he helped us translate and share the Gospel throughout the week. Abraham ate dinner with us every night, loved people, and made us laugh with his crazy humor. God is working in the hearts of these students, and we were so humbled that God let us be part of their lives.

Colossians 1:28-29 says: "He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me." This verse reminded us that our strength comes from God and that the Holy Spirit inside of us gives us power. In ourselves, we are nothing. In Christ, we have everything. Please pray that the students in La Vid raise up fellow students to really live for the Gospel on their campus. Pray that they share the love of Christ and disciple each other in real fellowship.

Our group had an amazing week in Santo Domingo. We are in awe of God's goodness and love.
Grupo Redimidos, Mitch Post, Blake Martin, April Tan, Elena Clark & Jackie Wallentin

Hola, como esta? We are having a great week. We have many encouraging stories, but for now, we are going to focus on a couple of them.

On the first day, we were hanging out in front of the English Immersion building. We were handing out fliers for English/Spanish intercambios (spanish for exchange). Dustin handed some fliers to two people who knew both Spanish and English. Their names were JanCarlos and Joan. Dustin was able to speak a bit with them. After finishing talking with them, he went on handing out more fliers, but he kept running into people who didn't know any English. So, three different times, he ran over to Jan and Joan and brought them over to translate the information about the intercombios. Later JanCarlos came to the intercombios, then we brought him with us to help translate with people. After talking with them for a while, it turns out that they are both Christians and were super pumped to help us share the Gospel with people. Both of them have been faithful with showing up everyday to help us out. After a couple of days, Joan started to have Gospel conversations with people on his own. We decided to give him some of our tracts to help him out. The significance of these two people is that they were an answer to prayer. Last year when Dustin was in the Dominican, he did not have a very good experience communicating with Spanish speakers. So this year we were really praying for a way to clearly communicate with people and God gave us two people right away. Praise God!

While Bible study was finishing later on in the afternoon, Holly, Heather, and Emily met Leandro. He wanted to practice his English, so we spent time sharing the Gospel and talking to him about what he believed. He was really engaged in the conversation and wanted to meet with us again. We told him where we would be the next day so if he wanted to talk we could. We were running late that evening and arrived at Guibia an hour later than we had planned. The next day, Leandro was at campus and told us he had gone to Guibia and left because we were not there after he had waited for half an hour. After apologizing, we continued our conversation about Jesus. We ran out of time at the university so we encouraged him to come back to Guibia that night. He came again and we had a great conversation. He shared how he had accepted Christ a few years ago. He also shared some struggles he had and we were able to encourage him and get him connected to La Vid. On Thursday he was able to come to Bible study and afterwards took initiative to meet the leaders of La Vid and is planning on continuing to go. We are very encouraged by his life and the enthusiasm he has to continue to learn about God and be an example to others through the way his life has changed.

John 15:7-8

Hola from Grupo Gringos!

Noticias del El Uno-Uno-Seis Brigade:

In Romans 10:15, God says “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” Our feet may appear smelly and dusty, but according to God, they are super beautiful this week! As we’ve labored alongside faithful members of La Vid (the Bible Study on campus), many students have heard the best news in the world—Jesus Christ reaches down and offers free redemption to all. We have seen TEN souls go from death to life by the power of God through our group. God is so great!

On Wednesday, we “accidentally” ran into two friends Antony and Engles as we walked to lunch. Both heard the Gospel through others on Tuesday and were eager to continue discussing. As we sat in a chaotic, loud pizza place, we had separate conversations with each. They realized their need for a Savior and wanted to accept Jesus as Lord, putting their trust in Him. Each prayed to receive Him!

We’ve all had some funny blunders with the language, but Sam’s tops them all. He was so excited to learn “Mucho gusto,” meaning “Nice to meet you.” After learning it, he saw an opportunity to practice! We gave someone a purse and Sam wanted to tell her that he liked her purse (“Me gusta!”). Pointing at the purse, he said “Mucho gusto!” Yes, he told a purse “Nice to meet you.” Our adventures in La Republica Dominicana have been memorable to say the least.

Please pray that (1) new believers will be connected to La Vid and will mature in Christ (2) La Vid will place a high value on fellowship and discipleship and (3) each of us will bring our excitement and boldness for the Gospel back to the States.

-Sam (Pollo Gringo), Josh, Ellie, Kendall, y Michaeline (Manopla)

Hola Mis Amigos de Americanas,

Today, on the 19th of March, we hit the campus around 11:30am. Immediately we were able to meet up with three Dominicans that we met on Tuesday. We went through part of a discipleship book with one of them, and shared the Gospel with the other two. It was a great way to start the day.

In the evening, we went to Guibia (the beach). T.J. and Logan began playing volleyball with the local teenagers. After an extensive amount of volleyball, they were able to share and sow the Gospel. Only one of six Dominicans spoke english fairly well. It was difficult to communicate with them, but the Dominican who spoke english decided to be the translator. The conversation lasted well over an hour. At the end of the conversation, three of the Dominicans said they understood the Gospel and wanted to count the cost before making a decision to follow Christ.

As we were getting ready to leave, we ran into a family who we shared the Gospel with the night before. Reese and Logan talked with the dad about the hardships in his life—he lost his daughter, as well as his wife in a matter of six years, but he still found joy in the Lord. His son, Dusdin, however, did not know the Lord. T.J. was able to share with him, but he was not ready to repent. When we talked with him the next night it was evident that God had been working. Ernesto talked with him more in Spanish, and Dusdin decided to give his life to the Lord.

What to pray for:

• Unity in the group so that people would see Jesus in us.
• For grace with the language barrier and that God would continue to provide translators.
• The salvation of: Henry, Freddy, Gregory, Adderlin, Adderlin's brother, and Robinson.

Much love,
Los Ninos

Group Name: Los Mensajeros (The Messengers)
Erik Nielsen, Tiffany McCarthy, Kodee, Wright, Colleen Bragg, Jeff Johannsen

Monday March 17th

Today our group went to the campus of the Universidad Autonomo de Santo Domingo and we were there for most of the day. Our group made a lot of new friends and met up with old friends. 

Hola!

Even though we have only been here for a couple of days, God is already working in a great way. We spend every day on campus sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the students and spending time with them.

It is so amazing how God can work through us. In our group, Mensajeros de Luz (Messengers of Light), one group member, Ernesto Escobar, speaks Spanish fluently. I (Kassie Brown) and Kristin Johnson speak Spanish a little bit, we like to call it Spanglish. Then there is Jocelyn Kleinschmidt and Reese Kling and they don't speak Spanish at all. Even though it's hard for most of our group to communicate with the people here, God has been working through it and has destroyed the language barrier. He has answered our prayers time and time again. We prayed to run into old friends, meet people who spoke English, and that people would be saved, etc. and God has answered all these prayers and more! We have just a couple of specific stories we want to share about how God has answered our prayers and has worked in people's lives.

On Tuesday, as we were about to leave campus to eat dinner, two girls approached us and asked why were here and if we would teach them English. I said we are practicing English and Spanish using the Bible. Libni was excited and said she would hang out with us later. After dinner our group went to La Guibia, which is a beach near our hostel, to meet with people we have met throughout the day. Libni came along with a few of her friends and her cousin. We started to read Ephesians 2 in English and Spanish. Eventually we learned that all four girls were Christians! Then we started to share what God has been teaching us, and sang worship songs together. We are looking forward to hanging out with them again on Thursday! --Kristin


God is good and is doing great things here in the Dominican Republic! The people here are great and very open to listen to what we have to say about Jesus. As for me, I know spanish but it is very different from the Dominicans because they have their own twist to it. Nonetheless I have been able to communicate with them. On Monday, we had our first intercambios which are conversations where we encourage students to speak in English and we share the Gospel with them. There was a Haitian guy who was standing around and so I came up to him and he began to speak in English, which he knew fairly well. But the best part was that towards the end of our long conversation he recognized that he had accepted Christ as his savior but didn't know how to live for him. The rest of the week we will be meeting together to learn and go through how to follow Jesus! --Ernesto


Here are some things we would like to ask you to pray for:

• People that speak English.
• That God would use us effectively to impact the Kingdom of God. 
• We would be able to follow up and begin the discipleship process with the people we have already met. 
• That people would be saved.
• That everyone would stay safe and healthy.

Hasta Luego,
Reese Kling, Ernesto Escobar, Kristin Johnson, Kassie Brown, Jocelyn Kleinschmidt

On our first full day in the Dominican Republic, Fuego del Cielo had quite the adventure. We spent a majority of the time at UASD. UASD stands for Universidad Autonomica Santo Domingo. We were touring with our group and a girl named Yuri Valenzuela. Our first stop was at the library and as we were leaving someone said, "I think it is going to rain," and all of a sudden it started thundering and raining and we had to run back to the library. As we were sprinting back to the library there was this random man who was just staring at us in shock. Little did we realize that it was Wilfrey De La Cruz, one of Hillary and Jason's friends from last year. While they were talking, Yuri and I met a man named Luis who we shared the gospel with. He understood that he was a sinner and needed Jesus and understood what it meant to repent. So many amazing stories that happened at the library, it was as if the Lord literally was telling us to go back and He had to create the most spontaneous storm to force us to go back to the library! We spent the rest of the day talking with people and reconnecting. We ended our evening at Adrian Tropical for some delicious Dominican food.

On Sunday we went to San Pedro to visit Sabino's farm. Sabino is the pastor of the church we are connected with in the Dominican. We sung music in Spanish and English which was wonderful to know that there are people all over the world praising Jesus. He shared about how whenever anyone shares the gospel we win. It was a good reminder to just keep sowing. After the sermon, the group made us dinner and we spent time walking around the farm and playing baseball.

The mission 2014 blog is starting now! This year, we will be returning to the Dominican Republic in an effort to bolster la Vid (a small church that we support) and share the love of Christ throughout the community.

There will be 3 separate trips this year:

• March 14-24 (Collegiate)
• March 23-30
• May 9-17