Friday, April 25, 2008, 8:41 p.m.
New Missions - Dominican Republic
It's hard to believe the week is coming to an end. Out time in the DR has been so full of blessings, it is hard to express in an E-mail.
We began the day with devotions on the subject of faith. We were reminded of the parable of the mustard seed and that our faith can be used by God in a powerful way. Our first activity this morning was at a large apartment complex near our hotel. We set up tables outside and made cross necklaces with the children. At the same time, Spanish bibles and invitations to church were passed out. This afternoon, we returned to Redemption Village, where we passed our crayons and pencils, sang in Spanish to the students. Many of our team members met with their sponsored child for the first time. It was a very joyous and noisy visit!
Once again we attended Spanish church service in the big tent. The music was wonderful, with melodies we recognize from the US. Jeanne DeTellis gave the message which focused on the role of the church to support each other in the storms of life. Her husband, George DeTellis, who founded New Missions 25 yrs ago in Haiti, is very ill and she expressed her appreciation for the family of God that has been lifting them up in prayer and with acts of service and support.
We head to the airport Sat at noon and will stay overnight in Miami again. Please pray for safe travel for ourselves and the teams from TN and WI who we have shared so much with this week. Check back on the web site at the end of next week as we will be posting pictures as soon as we get unpacked and back in a routine at home. Much love and gratitude, Team DR
Thursday, April 24, 8:56 p.m.
New Missions - Dominican Republic
Today was a different kind of day........in terms of our activities and the impact of what we observed. We went to a very congested retail area of town, basically the middle class of Sosua, where we passed out invitations to church and goodies for the children. There is an adjacent residential compound where the people are being evacuated because the government is turning the area into a tourist destination. The dirt road was crowded with families and trucks over-flowing with all their possessions. Thankfully, they do have a place to move into, however this is a very emotional time as you can imagine. As we traveled through these neighborhoods, we prayed for the people, and especially for peace and comfort for those having to move.
This afternoon included a visit to a school, more repair projects and health training for the New Mission health educators who are designated resource persons in their own neighborhood. They will eventually have supplies to provide basic first aid and the knowledge to educate others about hygiene and basic prevention. They have great potential to change the overall health of their community.
Tomorrow will be our last full day here in the DR. We will hopefully send one more update after the Spanish church service in the evening. Your prayers are cherished by each and every one of us.
Cristo te bendiga (God bless you), Team DR
Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 10:05 p.m.
New Missions - Dominican Republic
Buenos tardes ! (good evening) We had another incredible day today with New Missions and the people of Sosua. We are amazed at the way God is speaking to each of us in so many ways, no matter where we are in the village. Our devotions this morning focused on learning to listen to the Holy Spirit for ourselves only....not for our spouse or other family members ! We were reminded that God has a specific plan for each of our lives...no matter how we feel at this moment.
We visited Polyclinica which was originally built to be a hospital; unfortunately it was never completed, but instead converted to VERY small "houses" within the structure. We were once again greeted by enthusiastic children and many of them enjoyed making cross necklaces. We went door to door, distributing health care items (vitamins, Tylenol, etc) as well as food and the Spanish Bibles.
This afternoon was spent enjoying the sites of Sosua, relaxing a bit before the Spanish church service. There was a large gathering in one of the New Missions tents, complete with lots of music, scripture, a message about Joshua and the walls of Jericho, and prayer. We saw many of the same children from the schools we have visited already this week, and a group of them even came up front with us for our songs.
We hope that these messages are giving you a sense of what we are experiencing. It will become more real to those who attend church on Mission Sunday, which is May 18th. The gratitude we feel for your prayers and support is growing every day as we continue to be the hands and feet of Christ. Blessings and love, Team DR
Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 9:31 p.m.
New Missions - Dominican Republic
Hello to our church family and friends,
Once again it was a beautiful and blessed day here in the DR. We began the day with devotions with Charlie Detellis, George and Jeanne's son. Charlie focused on the importance of growing our faith throughout our lives and then described the impact of New Missions in Haiti, which began 25 years ago.
We visited another school in an area populated by Haitian refugees, which is called Redemption Village. This area is full of extreme poverty and at the same time we saw much joy on the faces of the children. They were so excited to see us and wanted to be loved on and have their pictures taken. We were particularly blessed to meet Maria Lopez who is sponsored by Christ the Savior and to deliver personal gifts including clothes, shoes, food and a Spanish Bible. She was shy at first, but very pleased with the presents when she showed them to her family later.
This afternoon there were various repair tasks and yard work done, also a prayer walk around Sosua. The health center was open and we were able to assist the doctor in the treatment of a serious wound on a young mother's leg. We organized the many donated medical supplies in the clinic as well. Again, we are so grateful for your prayers...please keep lifting us, New Missions and the people of the DR up to our awesome God! Be blessed, Team DR
Monday, April 21, 2008, 10:35 p.m.
New Missions - Dominican Republic
Today we had devotions led in the morning by Jeanne DeTellis at 9 a.m. We then visited a local school in an impoverished area. They generally have school inside a tent, but the tent has been damaged by recent storms. Today school was under the shade of a very large tree. The mission team had a special craft with the students that involved Polaroid pictures, a Bible verse, and Christian stickers. We also did our first version of Canta Hallelujah with our special percussion instruments. All the small children were glad to spend time with us.
In the afternoon, we attended a second school held on New Mission grounds and did our second round of Spanish songs. After our time with these students, part of the Mission team helped with repairs at the mission and the other part of the team delivered food, medical supplies, Bibles and toys to a very poor village. Families were given these gifts and then prayed over by team members and an interpreter. The children of the village followed our vehicle around the neighborhood pleading for one more piece of candy.
We were very touched this morning by the devotion and in particular the reminder that we need to trust God to be in control of every detail of our lives. The struggles that we all go through can be surrendered to Him and as Jeanne DeTellis put it ; " it only hurts until you give it all to God."
Thank you for supporting us on this trip! Stay tuned....
Sunday, April 20, 2008, 8:48 p.m.
New Missions - Dominican Republic
Hola, amigos......We are here in the Dominican Republic, enjoying God's beautiful creation and watching His plan unfold. We were unable to get on the Internet last night due to a power outage. :-) Our trip here was fairly smooth, with multiple blessings in the Miami airport (going to the head of the LONG line at the ticket counter and having baggage fees waived !). We met teams from TN and WI (23 of us total) and will be spending the week with them doing our projects, visiting the schools, attending church services and whatever God calls us to do.
Today we attended an open air church service (in English) and led part of the worship music. We were able to meet George and Jeanne DeTellis (founders of New Missions) and the local missionary team, led by John and Melissa Hanley. This afternoon we were busy organizing the generous amount of donated supplies from all 3 church families, such as hygiene items, school supplies, food and medical clinic needs.
Please continue to pray as we can feel the support and the love; blessings to all of you !
more updates to come (assuming the electricity is working !!!) Love, Team DR
Friday, April 18, 2:04 p.m.
Indianapolis airport
We had some extra boxes with medical and school supplies which they let us get on the plane. All nine of us made it…and are feeling good. We are taking toothpaste, vitamins, medical supplies, and school supplies. Items were donated through the Giving Tree at church, or purchased using mission trip funds. St. Vincent Hospital also generously donated numerous medical supplies.
Preparing for the mission trip began about 6 months ago….we’ve been trying to learn Spanish phrases and even a song or two (which is hilarious). While in the DR, we have some craft projects to do with the kids, we will be participating in at least three church services including personal testimony given by some of the team members (not in Spanish) and working with the missionaries to distribute supplies.
Our flight leaves Indy at 2:50……we will spend Friday night in Miami…and arrive in the DR on Saturday.