Summer of 2010 is just days away from being gone, at least from our perspective
in the Dominican Republic, and I wish I had the words to describe the incredible
experiences we have had.
I have to say, first of all, how faithful and amazing God has been. By His
grace and mercy, we have seen some amazing things in the people that visited
this summer, those that we serve here with, and those we serve as nationals of
the DR. I'm so thankful the summer was not based on my lack of faithfulness,
but rather based on God's unfailing love. He was the Deliverer!
We had seven groups participate in our program, and I can honestly say they were
each a pleasure to have. I also have to confess I was not expecting this summer
to be this way. Those close to our program understand the difficulty and
challenge the summer program brings in terms of balancing our on-going
ministries, and hosting almost 160 visitors from the US. Not an easy task to
say the least, but one that God directed and provided incredible people to join
in on in 2010 and serve together.
In summers past we were blessed to have the team of Brian and Tammie Wallace,
with over 25 years of missionary experience, to lead our teams; they made a
tough job seem seamless. But, this year it was very different. Our most
"senior" missionary team members barely had 3 years of experience, and some
barely 3 weeks of experience before we started the summer. On paper, it looked
like we were in for a great challenge, if not impossible. BUT, we had a secret
weapon.... Okay, not so secret, but a strong weapon nonetheless. Your prayers
and support and love for us here, and a Spirit ready for battle. And with those
prayers lifted up so many times and through so many people and a Spirit of
power, God choose to bless us unbelievably.
Our missionary team, including Chad, Ronald, Rosi, Porfi, Carla, Rachel, Evan
and myself are doing so well, again I believe, solely based on your prayers and
God's grace. Sure, we're looking forward to a rest period, but on the whole,
doing amazingly well. Before the summer started, we purposed to work as a team
together, focus on our mission together, and support one another through the
summer. And that's just what happened. We're a motley crew. If you looked at
our resumes you'd say there's no way we could have done what we did, and frankly
you'd be right. But again, your prayers and God's power changed everything.
Then there were these 6 (seven if you include Luckson) interns that poured every
ounce of love and passion into the summer. Jill, Audrey, Nikki, Jordan, Glenn,
Carter, and Luckson were predestined and prepared to love deeply. And that's
exactly what they did. Each week they poured their heart and soul both into the
group visitors and the nationals of the DR. Each week they prayed and pointed
people to the Savior. Each week they served and had ton of laughs. And, in the
blink of an eye, the summer has come to an end. But what a summer it has been.
There's tons of details to share, if we had the time, and so so many stories of
God's goodness. But, this is really about how God showed up and changed
everything. Again, not because of anything we did, but because of His Goodness
and Mercy.
So, if you were wondering how the summer went, it was truly spectacular, and I
have to confess, much to my surprise. It was not our plans or our team or our
methods, but God's power. If there's a testimony to be said, it's God's ability
to take what seems small, insignificant, and very lacking, and create something
that is special, and warm, and pure, through Christ.
Thank you all. Thank you for believing in God's ability to take even this team,
and make something special. God did. Thank you for not giving up on us or this
work. Thank you for coming and being a part of God's work here in the DR.
Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your desires to let this be the
beginning, not the end, of how we can work together. Thank you for your support
of our focus on evangelizing Rio San Juan. Thank you for loving Ronald and Rosi
and Porfi and Carla as we love them. Thank you for sharing in our dream of a
Disciplining Program in the DR. Thank you for your prayers, please continue
lifting us up. God does hear and does answer. That was the summer of 2010.
Now, we look forward.
On behalf of all the MannaDR team,
Norm
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