Update on Monday morning activities

From Sandi - Thank you for your comments. I'll pass them on.
Now it's hot & humid! We encountered many muddy puddles as we walked down the streets in the neighborhoods. But we also encountered many prayer needs in the homes. Jobs, health, money, etc. which sounds a lot like the needs in the US, but so much greater. How thankful we are for what we have at home! These homes are barely standing, the men of the home are sitting outside with nothing to do, no jobs, no incentive, maybe babysitting a young child. Even the businesses in this neighborhood seem desperate. Rhonda pray with a mother whose child was in a shack, she was pouring water over him, he seemed handicapped or something. Franklin went back and they visited and prayed with them again. So sad. This is a culture shock for the girls, but they are loving the children anyway. We're very proud of them.

All I know about the baseball is that there were lots of kids there - even after the rain to play baseball in the mud. Then I saw Steve pass through the neighborhood on the back of a guy's motorcycle. Don't know where he was going yet.

Construction DID begin painting the inside of the dugout. It's a bright green. They also cleaned up around the outside so they can paint it this afternoon. The sun is shining now.

All I've heard about basketball is that they had lots of kids there too.

We've had a little rest at lunch - now for the afternoon activities.

Please pray that the ladies and kids will enjoy learning more about Jesus.

Sandi

The RAIN came down!

It is Monday morning in Barahona. But wait, some rain came too! It decided to interupt us during our morning group bible study. Luckily the constuction group is painting tommorow! The baseball and basketball groups have already left (we could not convince them to not play) and those that are about to prayer walk are waiting togther in the lobby as I type this out to you. Its funny that yesterday we over emphasized the rain in the story of Noah!

Sunday- A GREAT DAY!
Our group attended the first church service on the mountain with the blind community there. Suzanne drew their pictures, we sang with them and had a sermon. Next, we went to the lot next to the baseball field where Franklin's church services are held. It was a blessing to worship with their church and enjoy the cool breeze of the Lord's presence. I was involved in the children's time during the service. We sat in the dugout with the kids and acted out stories, games and pretended to be animals aboard Noah's ark!
** To those of you that may think that over seas mission trips are a way to eat less and loose weight, I am sorry. Our savory pork chops and fresh fish will only make you want to eat more.
Well, today is our first day of the start of our sports, childrens, womens and construction projects and clincs... Pray for lives to be changed. This morning we talked with Paul about making our lives' bridges. There are many bridges that we can be in leading those to Christ. If we do our part, there will be many bridges over all of Barahona!
Hasta luego =] Spanish word of the day- el perro (the dog)

Sunday Morning Baptisms

Franklin's church is growing--this morning three ladies and a young girls were baptized in the pool at the El Quemaito Hotel.

This past week at the El Quemaito Hotel while pastor Franklin was making reservations for the group, one of the workers wanted to know what was happening and what was it all about and pastor Franklin explained to her and in doing do she accepted the Lord as her Savior.

more later!!!

News from Barahona

This is Sandi. Our usual commentator, Kristin, is at another hotel so I'm not sure when she will be able to commentate. So here it goes...cute or not!

We did the medical clinic today. Lots of kids & adults that we've seen in previous years. They were so glad to see us. The baseball guys made a nice welcome back poster in English for us.

The doctors and dentists from Santo Domingo did another wonderful job meeting the medical needs of the Dominicans. We had to stop the clinic sooner than expected because we ran out of medicines & vitamins to distribute. If you want to see how socialized medicine works, come down with us next year!

AC was impressed with the doctors working with so many people and coming down from Santo Domingo bringing their medicines and dispensing it free. The response from the people was very good. It was a very good day!

Jim says that Benita is glows with her pregnancy!

Franklin says it was an awesome day for God! Thank God for commissioning us to do this mission. The heart was touched, the physical was touched, and the spiritual was touched.

Warren, says this doctor and his family is committed to the missions. They belong to a mother church that has branches and they are very commited - along with the commitment of Paul & Peggy. Paul's teaching is wonderful! He & his family are an inspiration to me!

We're going to dinner now!

Thurday night, minus the lights!....and air.

Buenos dias! It is Friday morning in Santo Domingo, and the first group has successfully survived the night at the Seminary. We kept “old school” and stayed where ARBC’s mission teams of the past have lived. Arriving late Thursday night, we faced an old circuit box that did not want to provide electricity (lights and air). By the glow of flashlights, we brushed our teeth and went to sleep! The aroma of bacon, toast and eggs awoke us this morning (cooked of course by A.C. and Mike). You may want to know what we are doing today, eh? Well, shortly we will be leaving to buy food for the week at a place described as a “Dominican version of Sam’s”! We are also picking up the rest of the groups from the air port in the early afternoon. Lastly we shall drive about 4 hours to Barahona to find our hotels! God is great as always, there was NO issue this year with luggage so far! As we pack on the deodorant and refill our water bottles with a smile, all in all I know everyone is so excited to be here. Please pray for the safety of those on airplanes as I type this. Much love to everyone! ….. And your Spanish word of the day is?????? El hueso- the bone.
<3!

2009 Mission Trip - July 17-25

The ARBC Mission Team will serving in Barahona, Dominican Republic again this year, July 17 - 25. Some will be traveling on the 16th to prepare for the group to arrive on the 17th. We will be on several different flights departing and returning and from Santo Domingo. Please pray for our flight connections and travel safety.

We still need some items to take with us for the medical clinic by July 5th: Gauze; disposable table pads; large bottles of multivitamins (such as those that Sam's sells) for children, adults & seniors; masks, tongue depressors; sample size toothpaste; Pepto Bismol and diarrhea medications individually wrapped; skin cleansers such as Phisohex; medications for skin infections such as Neosporin, Bacitracin and Polymyxin B; and if you have a source for sample medications from a doctor, please contact Sandi at swhisenant@hotmail.com for more information.

Our ministries for the week include: A medical clinic, church services in 2 locations, baseball clinic, basketball clinic, volleyball clinic, caricatures, repairing & painting projects, breakfast & Bible study with the firemen, lunch with businessmen, ladies Bible studies, kid's Bible studies, youth rally & games, and learning to fish the Dominican way and sharing Christ with the fishermen.

Our purpose for the week is to help the people we meet understand who Jesus is and that He loves and cares for them. Pray that God will help us communicate clearly and love selflessly.

We will try to have someone update this blog as often as we can while on the trip. Your posts of encouragement will be appreciated! Thank you for your prayers!

Sandi