Hola from Grupo Redimidos

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