Dominican Republic Missions Trip Update - Day 3
UPDATE: The phone isn't working right now. We'll try again in one hour (9pm) - if it doesn't work just call us and leave voicemails (see Day 1 for #) - we are getting them and loving them - the emails too to ignitedrteam@yahoo.com.
Our third day was fantastic. It started with morning devotions with Frank in Ephesians 2 and some worship. After breakfast we headed to Santo Domingo for our ministry. We passed out Spanish tracts, Spanish Scripture bracelets, and Spanish Gideon Bibles. We probably passed out about 100 of those Bibles to people. They were really excited and received them gladly.
We paused to do some shopping in a gift shop that was owned by some Christians that SCORE trusts. They gave us 50% off all the marked prices, and sometimes even lower than that. The students honed their bargaining skills. Everyone bought really cool gifts for themselves and their families/friends. Afterwards a shop nearby that we gave a Bible too started to give all of us free soda to our whole team. He was very friendly and really wanted nothing in return. Another man told one of our students that if we gave him a second Bible for his son that we could have a free gift for it - but we gladly responded that the Gospel is free and we would accept nothing for it.
After that we headed down a main tourist street to hand out the rest of our tracts and stuff and had some cool ministry. It was so encouraging to see 14 of our Jr. High students in a different country all excited about sharing Jesus with people. Everyone would say, "Jesus te ama!" as they passed out their supplies. It was awesome!
Next we stopped at the first church that was built in Latin America for some sightseeing. Outside of that church was a million pigeons that we tried to feed with corn. They started landing all over us on our arms and heads - it was so funny. We were all laughing and we got some great photos. We were hungry and our guide Wilkins and Shadrack brought us to a great Dominican restaurant for some local food. We fed 23 people for only $170 and the food was amazing! We all were satisfied. We gave the waitress two Bibles when we left.
Next we got some coconuts chopped open by a machete. It was cool - the guy almost lost his fingers, but he was a pro. We all got to taste the coconut juice that was inside and sipped it out with a straw directly from the coconut. Fun stuff.
After getting back on the bus we headed to the handicap orphanage in town. This was a different mood for all of us as we saw some really serious handicaps here. We spent time playing with the children, giving them stickers, picking them up, holding them, and talking with them. Most of them couldn't talk back, but you could see it in their eyes when you were getting through to them. It was a great priveledge to help make these precious children smile for a few moments while we were there. It was also very hard for us to see the difficult state that they were in. We are glad that there are people there caring for them. Photos aren't allowed in this orphanage. We'll be buying some clothing and diapers tomorrow to bring back to help out these kids.
Most of the students left with tears in their eyes. Some because they didn't want to leave the children who were growing attached to them, some because of wondering that it seemed so unfair that they were given bodies like this, and some because they just felt helpless to make a difference. The only thing we knew to do with all these emotions was to bring them to the God who can make a difference and who will make a difference one day when He gives them all new bodies in heaven. We can't wait for that day for these children! We spent time praying and talking over our emotions. We know that God is good and we'll be praying for them.
We got back to SCORE and decided to go to the beach. We loaded up with Scripture bracelets and Bibles again and started our 5-10 minute walk. We handed them out along the way and made it to a beautiful beach. We hopped in and swam for about 45 minutes. Afterwards we saw some boys playing baseball and we walked over to talk with them. Wouldn't you believe it - two of these boys were boys we met last year on the beach! One of them was still wearing a Scripture bracelet that we gave him last year! They both remembered us. One of the boys prayed with Frank last year to receive the Lord and was so excited to see him!
We told them to meet us at 7:15pm tomorrow night and we'd bring them back some new baseball equipment. They were using this really old stuff - the ball was falling apart and it will be sweet to give them some new stuff. God is so good to lead us so specifically like this! How cool is that.
We hopped into the pool to get the sand off and then had dinner. Tonight we'll have some worship and a Bible study on "Rewards for Believers" before we go to bed. Thanks for your prayers! All is going well. 
CHECK OUT OUR PHOTOS:
thats so that people were saying i think (if im translating this correctly) i love jesus! i see lucas was communing with the pigeons there. again. i guess any where he goes hes loved. hehehe anyways immm checking this site everyday and love the pics esp. of mikeducane and him in the water with the log lol. and how everyones receiving the Bibles and things. thats AWEMAZING. hands down. ok peacee love and hope you guys dont die before you guys get back... IM KIDDING IM KIDDING LOL.
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Hey guys,
Me again...its cool how so much happens in a day. lol the coconuts look good. its cool how you guys saw the same kids from last year, sounds like some lucky kids. nice job.
andy, good job keeping everything safe and under control...those are words you will never hear me say (or type) again.
okay, nice pics keep em coming
---Billy
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Thanks for the updates. I appreciate all the details. We are enjoying the pictures. Keep them coming.
We are praying continually for you all.
Give our love to Joshua.
God bless you,
Jeannie and family
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Hey guys, I'm so glad that the Lord is really using all of you in a mighty way. We miss you and can't wait to see you all
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You guys are doing a great work in the D.R. We are praying for all of you.
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Pastor Andy - you are the best. We feel like we are there with you. The way you describe each day so vividly and such awesome pictures too. We are truly blessed to have you and Shannon help guide our children in the way that they should go. Thanks for all you do. PS- Would you be able to photo Thomas with some of the children since we would like to copy them and send them along with his thank you cards to family and friends. Only if the opportunity arises. Thanks again.
John and Gloria Azzinaro
Please tell Tom we love him and we are so proud of him.
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You are doing a wonderful thing for the less fortunate of God's children and I am sure He is pleased. Keep His Word in your heart and be safe throughout your remarkable journey. Special "hi" to Tina and Becky. i know your mom and dad are very proud of you.
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Hi Lauren & ignite team
We miss you! Keep up the good work team! Thanks to all the leaders for giving the kids a special experience! Lauren we love you and hope you are having a blessed experience. Thank you for all the pictures that are being posted.
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Hi Lauren & Ignite Group
We miss you & Love you! Hope you are having a blessed experience. Thank you Pastor Andy and the rest of the Leaders for all the wonderful work you are doing with our kids! The pictures are great! Lauren, sorry for the mix up we had with the cell phone, but we were waiting for your call on the house phone. I have the cell and the house phone ready to receive your call! Love you always!!
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Pastor Andy- you're the best. We feel like we are there with you guys. We really appreciate the way you're explain each step of this trip and the pictures that go along with the stories are amazing. The children are so blessed to have you and Shannon as their pastor. Thank you for helping us teach our children the ways of the Lord. Safe trip and continue to have fun........
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Hello DR mission team, these were great pictures and a beautiful testimony of you day. Thank you Andy for sharing the pictures which are great but also for your words and describing your daily work for the Lord. It helps give a real understanding of all that the Lord is doing for the people in the DR using the team.
Can't wait to see what God had planned for today.
Be Blessed
Cindi Terranova
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Jared writes to Liz- I Love you Mama I really want to come next year and really really really want to see you when you come back. Jonathan writes- I love you see you soon. Kristina writes-Hi Jared is so much bigger than the last time I saw him. Liza writes-Jared is eating VERY well and they are both having a blast. They are VERY well behaved and lovely to have as guests (Can I keep them longer
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hm...kinda reminded me of the nyc hangout, with all those birds and everything, lol
yeah...i miss you guys!
but your doing and amazing job in the DR!
God bless you guys =]
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Tina, I just love you guys.... you look like you're having such a wonderful time... God bless you.. I pray that God grows you and Rebecca even deeper spritiually... mwa.. daniela
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