Hola from Equipo Despuerto, Round Two!
Although we are all sad to be leaving the Dominican today, we have all been greatly encouraged in our faith during our time here.
Before we came on the trip, Erik was praying to be able to meet up with two people that accepted Christ into their hearts last year. His prayer was answered! He was able to meet up with two Dominican friends from last year and encourage them in their faith.
This was Stephanie’s first trip to the Dominican, and she was able to meet many Christian friends from La Vid. She was greatly encouraged by their desire to follow Christ. She was able to spend some time reading the Bible with Dominican friends and it was awesome to see how Christ continues to work in their hearts even after the Iowa Teamleaves each year.
One thing that Ellie was encouraged by was God’s sovereignty throughout the trip. Even though many of the plans that Ellie made to meet up with new friends during the week fell through, she was still able to see God working through her. She was reminded that even though she may not see the fruit of her labor immediately, God’s word never goes out in vain. Isaiah 55:11 was a great reminder of this for all of us.
“So is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Mitch got to hang out with friends from last year. He was also able to make new friendships in Christ this year, and meet new friends from La Vid.
April spent most of her time this trip reading with her old friend Miguel who accepted Christ last year. Showing him how to journal and watching him learn how to read God’s word has been amazing. Other than that, we also met (probably) the only Malaysian out of the 180,000 studentsat UASD (that’s a 0.0005% odds), but really, what are odds when it comes to God? We (the Malaysians) have been mind-blown by how we have gotten to share the gospel in our own language in a country whose language we don’t speak. God is indeed the God of all nations. April was also really encouraged by the Cookies ‘N Cream Oreos in the Dominican (:
This year was Kodee’s fourth trip and she was excited to meet new friends and see old ones! God continues to be faithful in the lives of people here in the Dominican Republic. It’s awesome to be able to meet up with people from the very first trip and see how God continues to pursue their hearts.
Even though we are only here for one week each year, it’s awesome to see how God continues to work in the hearts of our brothers and sisters in the Dominican Republic.
Unfortunately, many of our group members got sick during our trip. Please keep them in your prayers as we return home. Please also pray that the people we met would live their lives for Jesus, even after we are gone. We also ask you to pray for those who we shared the Gospel with, that they may give their lives to the Lord. Pray that we will have safe travels home, and for comfort for those who have to travel while they are sick.
“16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18