He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

¡Hola amigos y familia! (Hello friends and family!)

Our time here in Jarabacoa is coming to a close as students and leaders alike are debriefing and reflecting on the ministry we’ve been involved in for the past two weeks. It is truly incredible to see how the Lord has worked in each one of our lives, both American and Dominican. The missionaries we have worked alongside with taught each student just how much sacrifice is required for fulltime ministry and how the Lord blesses obedience to His calling. We are blessed to have had the opportunity to experience a little taste of cross cultural occupational missions.

Matt Calcaterra and I had the opportunity to work with Physical Therapist, Silvio Martinez. We are both perusing a career in physical therapy and were elated to spend two weeks learning from Silvio, having hands-on experience working with patients, and seeing how God uses physical therapy to heal people physically and spiritually. During our time working in PT, we visited a special education site called Genesis, a nursing home, and worked with patients in the clinic. We would often give patients massage therapy, electro-stimulation, ultrasounds, and exercise for the physical ailments. It was very surreal for me to work with PT in the DR because as an undergrad, I would never have the opportunity to have hands on experience like this in America.

I worked with one patient named Maria. She is a Haitian woman with three young children; ages 3, 5, and 8. Her first husband divorced her and her second husband abruptly left her one day and she has never seen him since. Her family is currently living on the street due to the inability to keep her job of cleaning houses because she has severe lower back pain. She was telling me her story as I was applying electro-stimulation and ultrasound gel to her lower back. I was trying my very best to listen and understand what she was saying because my knowledge of Spanish is limited. Although she is without a home, job, and husband, she had the most radiant smile in the clinic. She exuded joy and laughter although she was struggling emotionally, financially, and physically. Her joy through her circumstances touched my heart and made me realize how blessed I am to have my health and family. While working on her lower back I had the opportunity to pray for her. I prayed that the Lord would heal her body, bring restoration to her family, and sustain them in their circumstances. I believe that the Lord will continue to work in her life, and although I am flying back to America tomorrow, Silvio Martinez and his clinic will remain in Jarabacoa to minister to her and others in situations like her.

I continually thank God for giving us this opportunity to serve in Jarabacoa. I also thank each and every one of our supporters, whether you supported our team financially or through prayer. God’s hand was on our trip each and every step of the way.

Here are some things you can continue to partner with us:

1) Financial provision for every full time missionary and ministry site

2) Spiritual breakthrough for every Dominican involved in the lives of the fulltime missionaries

3) A safe and complication-free flight home J

God bless!

Becky Boyle

for pictures and videos of LIFT 32 in the DR please visit our website:

https://www.facebook.com/liftdiscipleshipprogram

The Power of Prayer

¡Buenos Dias Amigos!

We as a LIFT community are experiencing hands-on what it looks like to reflect the character of Jesus cross-culturally.  For some of us it has been out of our comfort zone but God makes us uncomfortable in order to draw us closer to Him. My dream is to live in a world where there is no pain, suffering, and brokenness and to see it completely transformed by the Gospel.  Unfortunately the reality is that we live in a broken and perverted world shattered by sin; temporarily in the reins of the enemy.  God has called each and every one of us to go! (Matthew 28:19)  What a privilege it is to partner with our Creator; to be His hands and feet - a light shining in a dark world. Part of that calling is recognizing that the world is broken and is in need of a Savior.

Yesterday we had the opportunity to go on a “prayer walk” with our site leaders.  This included walking around the city of Jarabacoa and physically touching buildings, praying against darkness, and if led, praying with the people of the city.  The day was followed by a “poverty meal” where we each had two pieces of fried salami, two pieces of yuka, a piece of bread, and hot chocolate.  Through this we were able to relate with many of the people here because this is a typical meal for them.  The night was followed by worship; and for many of us this was a powerful and rich time, sharing with each other what God had been doing in our hearts. 

The groups from community health and the media site were walking in a Haitian community where two little boys set out chairs for everyone.  Nestor, a visiting pastor, was able to present the Gospel and led them into a salvation prayer. One Haitian translated the Spanish to Creole so everyone could understand and some rededicated their lives to Christ! (CAN I GET AN AMEN?!!)  Later on, as the group was praying for the Haitian community, a handful of Haitians walked up and joined the prayer. A funeral was going on within the community and the group went up to a relative of the person who had passed away and prayed with her.  Joe Girard was able to share with them from the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” 

Sondra Bryan and myself were walking and were invited into a very run-down home.  They offered us water and we didn’t want to be rude so we took it and drank. (Jesus protect our stomachs!)  Even though there was a bit of a language barrier, we were able to pray with this family.  Through this experience my heart was touched.  I was blown away by their compassion and their giving hearts.  They had practically nothing and they shared with us what they had!  The poverty in this city is daunting but a very real scenario.  There are people we see throughout the streets trying to get by; needing Jesus to be true to what the Scriptures say “Give us today our daily Bread.”  This poverty has opened up my eyes to show me how privileged I am to be born and raised in a country with a multitude of opportunities.

I am privileged to be serving with a Students International missionary, Karen, at Genesis, a school for mental and physically challenged children.  It is the only school of its kind in the area… It’s the “happiest place on earth!” It is truly amazing how I could feel such a rush of emotions for the children at the Special Education site.  It has been a roller coaster of passion and immense love.  Through the kicking, the arm flaps, and screams, I see something more than meets the eye.   Behind it all I see a light.  I see Jesus shining through disability. God has been working in my heart, stirring up all kinds of emotions.  Since God radically saved me a couple years ago I struggled with the question why.  “Why do you allow us to go through hard things, why do you allow disabilities?”  Jesus was quick to answer me in that “who am I to question him?”  He is the Creator I am not.  Through my experience so far God has given me the ability to see children with disabilities in a new perspective.  A parent said, “I wonder what my child will look like in heaven as perfect.  I wonder if they’ll look ‘normal’ or if they’ll look exactly the same because Jesus sees no fault in my child.”  This hit me really hard as I began to think how perverse our thinking is in our culture as we allow the world’s definition of ‘beauty’ and ‘normal’ affect the way we see and perceive others.  God is an amazing artist and He says we are His masterpiece!             

Today two other LIFT students, Matt Calcaterra and Becky Boyle came to our Genesis site to work with Silvio in physical therapy with the special education students.  It is so encouraging to see the progress these children have made.  Two years ago a boy could not walk and now he is able to! We went to Vanessa’s house, a former student of Genesis with Cerebral Palsy.  She loves to dance; so we helped come up with a dance to ‘The Nut Cracker’.  It brought Vanessa so much joy! When she would laugh my heart melted and I began to laugh too. 

Words cannot express how thankful we are for your support. May God bless you as you invest in the LIFT community for the Kingdom’s sake.  Please don’t stop praying!!! There is so much power in prayer and through it God is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever think or imagine!!!       

Continue to pray for a shielding from a world of corruption, evil, and temptation.  (Sexual perversion, immorality, alcohol, abuse, gambling).  Pray for the staff here and the LIFT community that we would not fall to any attack of the enemy; but instead be led by the Spirit at all times. 

My heart is literally broken for the people here at Jarabacoa and the lost condition some of them are in.  I am so thankful that I serve a God who hears and answers our prayers! God is doing a special work in the hearts here.  The small things we do have such an impact for the Kingdom of God.  Love shines in the least expected of places and just when we think we’ve seen the best of our God, He takes it to a higher level. 

Remember that there is power in the words we communicate with our Father. Your prayers are so greatly appreciated! 

Your sister in Christ,

Lauren Vroegindewey


For pictures and videos of LIFT in the DR click on either of these Facebook pages:


https://www.facebook.com/liftdiscipleshipprogram?ref=bookmarks


https://www.facebook.com/stintdr

New Blessings and Adventures

The time seems to be passing by so swiftly, as we engage in our sixth day here in the Dominican Republic. With each day brings many new adventures, and around each corner something new to learn about the Dominican culture. Since the last post, myself and my site partner(Lindsey) continued to work with the students in the preschool at Mata Gorda teaching them simple English words and trying to keep up with all the energy the precious little ones have.

      As the weekend came upon us, we were all given the amazing opportunity to go white water rafting. LIFT students and staff joyfully geared up for the seven mile journey down river. It was a blast and not a single person got away dry that day! Praise God our weather was absolutely perfect yesterday, bright hot shining sun and not a single cloud in the sky. 

     Later, that night we all had the privilege to go downtown for some shopping and continued fellowship with our team. Each of the stores carried their own uniqueness. I was able to check out some local clothing stores, produce markets, homemade jewelry stores, coffee shops and restaurants. I see God’s beauty everywhere I turn here, whether it’s in the landscape or the hearts of the people each day has been such a blessing.

     This morning I attended a local church with other LIFTers and staff. The worship was  powerful and moving. I felt vibrant and alive and excited to see what the Lord would be doing next. The message brought forth was spoken in Spanish and then was translated to English. It was on forgiveness and giving grace, just like Christ forgives, and extends grace towards us. With only nine days left in the Dominican Republic my heart is to continue to see God move in great and mighty ways and to take in every moment I have here.

     Thank you all again for your prayers, we all certainly feel them here and are blessed by them. Please pray that:

1. The LIFTers and staff would remain in perfect health and have the energy we need in order to serve the best that we possibly can.
2. God would maximize our time here with each other and the Dominican people so we can truly build great relationships and draw deeper with Christ.
3. God would bless and anoint everything we do and lives would be forever changed!

What a blessing to be part of HIS kingdom.

Moving forward in Him: Nicole

You can see pictures and videos of the LIFT students experience in the Dominican Republic on the “LIFT Discipleship Program” Facebook page.  Also be sure to check out the interviews of LIFTers that will soon be posted by the SI media staff (Clint and Amy) on the “SI-Republica Dominicana” Facebook page.

Week 1 in the DR

¡Hola Amigos de LIFT! (Hello friends of LIFT!)

Today was our second full day of serving at our ministry sites in the Dominican Republic. Even though we’ve only been here for four days, it feels like we’re getting the hang of things. We have been learning so much here, silly things like how point with your lips in order to indicate where an object is, and serious things as well, like how deeply God loves the people of the Domincan.

In our Missions Practicum Class last night we discussed some of our observations of the culture and our responses to it. We see a lot of brokenness, and it reminds us that the D.R, just like the United States, needs Jesus. We are amazed by the men and women who serve here full-time as missionaries and are lights for Jesus in the communities of Jarabacoa. They are fathers, mothers, and wise-counselors to the people who live here. We are honored to watch them work, and to serve and encourage them in any way possible.

One way that I have been able to serve my site leader is to help teach lessons at the Preschool in Mata Gorda. We have helped with homework, math, English, and Spanish lessons. Today I taught students a song that helped them learn the names of four colors in Spanish and in English! Later in the day, we were invited to eat dinner in the home of one of our students. After the delicious meal, I overheard the preschooler singing the color song while she played! I think that we are learning just as much as the preschoolers are.

            Thank you so much for all of the prayers you are sending our way. In addition to the previous prayer requests, please pray that:

1. We would learn to value ALL people more and more, because people are the nearest and dearest thing to God’s heart. We are made in his likeness!
2. Our love of others would proclaim the name of Jesus to the people we interact with in the Dominican, that HE would receive all the glory.
3. Our understanding of what it means to be a servant would deepen as we serve with joy at our ministry sites.
    

You can keep up with things through this blog which will be updated by LIFT students every other day as well as on the “LIFT Discipleship Program” Facebook page.  Also be sure to check out the interviews of LIFTers that will soon be posted by the SI media staff (Clint and Amy) on the “SI-Republica Dominicana” Facebook page.

With joy,

Lindsey

 

           

Republica Dominicana

The 29 students and 6 staff from the 32^nd semester of LIFT arrived yesterday, Monday afternoon (11/3/2014), in the Dominican Republic to partner with the missionaries from Students International (SI) (www.stint.com) in the small city and surrounding mountain villages of Jarabacoa.

It has been raining a lot since we arrived and looks to be more of the same for the upcoming days, but the students are beaming with joy and enthusiasm after all their preparation for being here.  It is good to be reunited with the missionaries that LIFT staff has developed a strong relationship with over the past three years.

We had orientation sessions this morning to help us prepare how to more effectively serve in this culture.  This afternoon all the students and staff visited their site with the missionary they will be working with for the duration of their time here.  Even though our main focus is the missional work here with SI, the LIFT program continues with classes, spiritual and physical training, and a weekly excursion and leadership experience.  Tyler Nelson will be teaching a Bible and Theology class this afternoon and Tim and Liam will co-teach the Missions Practicum class tomorrow evening.  Everyone will be studying Philippians each morning during their quiet time and continue to memorize the book of James.

The following items are things you can support us in prayer over the next two weeks:

1. Humility to learn from the missionaries and Dominican people with a balance of boldly and lovingly sharing their faith.
2. Health for the team members, especially from gastrointestinal illness which is common.  One student already is not feeling well.
3. That LIFT students and staff can be an encouragement to the SI staff working long term in ministry here.

You can keep up with things through this blog which will be updated by LIFT students every other day as well as on the “LIFT Discipleship Program” Facebook page.  Also be sure to check out the interviews of LIFTers that will soon be posted by the SI media staff (Clint and Amy) on the “SI-Republica Dominicana” Facebook page.

Tim