Not the end but the Beginning

Nehemiah's Neighbors have all returned to Kentucky after a wonderful trip to the Dominican Republic to be the hands and feet of Jesus. While serving the missionaries and the local Dominicans, we learned a lot about each other and ourselves. The true focus of this trip was about relationship building: first with Christ and our journey to be more Christlike, then with each of the other 31 St. John missionaries, then the GO missionaries but especially Will & Audrey, the local Dominicans that are so integral to the GO mission in DR and the residents. I believe we touch all of those and some of the team grew more in one area than another as one might expect. Just as the rebar that we worked on will provide strength, stability and a foundation for the concrete of the roof of the Central Church, so does our Lord provide us the strength, stability and foundation for eternal life. Each piece is connected to the next, each adding a piece to the whole and only together, can it and we provide the basis for growth, both the evangelism of the Word in this community and in our world through the relationships we nurture and cultivate.


This is truely the beginning of the experience as we look to how has it changed our lives and what will we do with this fire burning within us? How long will the shadow of this trip extend into the future and will it be visible by putting our faith into action? As Will told the group during a reflection devotion on Sunday night, we are all bonded together as part of the GO team now...what an awesome blessing and responsibility that is.

This was a wonderful trip with a wonderful purpose- Full of Wonder; only God could touch so many in so many different ways.

last evening in DR

Hard to believe we're all packing up to go home. I could easily stay another week, I've been standing on the roof looking out over the neighborhood at all the people living below. It reminds me of my neighbor's stories of growing up in Brooklyn and how everybody knew everybody, and families stayed in the same neighborhood and developed a real sense of community. Now that our group has developed such a strong bond it is very hard to think of losing it. It is always such a challenge to "keep the fire" whether it is an Emmaus or Chrysalis walk, marriage, relationship with Christ, etc. I think one of the keys is intentionalily which often gets lost for whatever reason. My prayer for tonight is to try to be more intentional about relationships and to go beyond "friendly" and make an effort to let my guard down and be more open-hearted. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be here with my brothers and sisters in Christ and I look forward to bringing some of this back to St. John. It's hard to describe exactly what it is but it's what we all need. Shari

Rich experiences

I've gotta say, this experience so far has been one I won't soon forget. The hospitality is amazing, the GO building is refreshing, the food is excellent, and Will and Audry are awesome as always. But without a doubt, it is the people that have made this trip what it is.
You can't walk around the city, or enter a store to buy a Coke, without a local Dominican waving at you with a smile, and saying, "Hola!" And the workers we were with from Wednesday - Friday are among the sweetest people I've ever met. And their obvisouly the most patient and understanding for putting up with our broken Spanglish for three days. And the children brighten up my day like no other. There smiles and warm greetings make me want to get up every single morning. I remember just a few days ago, one of us jimmy rigged a jump rope with two pieces of electrical cord, and gave it to some chilren near the work site. You should have seen the excitement on their faces!!! They had never seen a jumprope before or ever used one, but they were fast learners and very soon started getting into mini-competitions with each other. By the time we left, I think the record was 15 or so.
Im just so glad and blessed to have been able to come on this trip and share God with those here. We claim we come down to the DR to teach the locals, but Ive started to realize it's them who are teaching us. God bless all those back in the States.

Harrison Fowler

God is Good All the Time!

Well all, this is Nina. I'm on trip number three with our son Christian and we are so blessed that Harlan was able to get off work to join us this year for the annual trek to the DR to be His hands and feet. I cannot express in words how God takes a hold of your heart in this place. It is primitive in many respects compared to our US sensibilities; but with that simplicity comes so much. The business of our American way of life fades away as you do and re-do the simple tasks required of us in construction. It's amazing how much one can reflect while tying re-bar. (What's that you ask...well we can tell you all about it when we come home....) Perhaps even more amazing is how all the kids are when they "unplug." No phones. No texting. NO iPods. NO TV. But there's chatting and laughing around the breakfast and dinner table as they play rousing games of "Egyptian Rat Slap" or "spoons." (Those are card games in case you don't know.) They all learned a new game (and I'm sure I will spell this incorrectly) called "bottilla" -- basically a bottle cap and a stick" palyed with baseball rules. They all played with great heart w/ Bienvo's crew after the last day of work....in the rain... I might add...Today it was three-on-three basket ball w/a group of boys from the afternnon children's ministry. What a wonderful thing to watch our children grow in self and in Christ. I could go on and on (but oh I already have...) It's just so wonderful and we thank each and every one of you for your prays and support in this Mission. I encourage one and all to step out of your comfort zone and join us sometime! Dios te Bendiga (did I spell that right Will and Audrey?)-- God loves you, Nina

Saturday morning

Hello from Santiago. This blog bite is from Joni Krohn. Last night we expected big partying in the streets but it wasn't bad at all. We went to the drug treatment center and had trouble making our way there because everyone was in the streets, but after that it all calmed down. We heard Darin's testimony and it was very powerful. He shared his story of how he used to be a drug user and manufacturer, but now he's clean. There were about 35 guys at the center. It is a 4-year program and they came from all over -- from the States, from the Dutch Antilles, from Aruba -- all to get clean. It was good to give them hope and let them know that it can be done. He was very honest about how hard it would be, but also about how much better his life is now. There were some very young guys there and that was sad. We met up with the rest of the team at the ice cream place. Today's morning run/walk was very nice as it was Saturday, there was a lot fewer people in the park. We saw some of the sports ministry guys on the way back to the dorm. The basketball court had just gotten repaved and the little kids (9 and 10 year olds) were waiting to get in to play. Today we are going to do our drama and bible school crafts, and stop by the place where they worked last year. We hope to get back up on the roof of our building to see the final product before they lay the concrete. The weather has been good. Yesterday it rained a little bit but the rest of the time it has been nice. Erik and Kris practiced their parts in the play. I can't believe they are going to do it. Erik liked the hole. He was right at home with those kids, picking them up and putting them on this shoulders. He is interacting well with the locals trying to speak their language. I'm surprised by how much he seems to like it here. It's nice that there are other boys his age. Gotta go for now. Kris may write more when we get back. All our love to St. John and please continue to pray for Darin. Adios.

Greetings from Santiago

This is darin ashley just wanting to let you know That I sope at the drug rehab place tonight and was a inter active session where i belive God wanted me to be. I get excited seeing all the work God is doing here and if you havent been then what are you waiting for????

Love you all

Darin

Hello Everyone!
This is my second trip to the D.R. and I am so glad I came! This is an amazing group of people we are with, but an even more amazing group of people we came to work along side!
Today was our third work day and you may think only three days of work is not much....but it is tiring, rewarding and the perfect number of days to work and get DIRTY!We have been tying rebar which I thought would be a breeze and easier than hauling concrette and concrete block like we did last year. NOT! This is tiring work, but so neat to see the progress we made in three days! Soon the second floor to the worship and feeding center for the Central Church will be ready to pour!!!
It was so wonderful to return to "the hole" this year and see that church completed! G.O. Ministiries has completed several projects this year and served so many Dominicans! This ministries is making such a difference in this country!
We had dinner with Bienvo and his family last night. For those of you who don't know, Bienvo is the NAtional that our church, ST. John UMC, supports. IF you could see how appreciative they are and how LITTLE they have, every memeber of our church would give to this ministry. If each family gave just $10 a month (a star bucks every other week), it would provide a house for this family where the parents and children would not have to sleep in the same room!
I cannot explain how thrilled I am to be a part of this team! The money it costs to come on this trip provides the supplies to build the church we are working on.
I encourage everyone who has a heart to serve to come to the D.R. and see God's work in progress!
I miss my family and pray all is well at home! KRisti sends her love too. She got tagged in the ear today and has a bit of a headache, but will be okay.

God blees you all,
PAtti Whonsetler

Beauty in Our Midst

The Dominican Republic. The D.R. La Republica Dominicana.

There are multiple names for the place in which St. John is living and working this week. There are multiple "missions" we, as a group, are accomplishing this week. Whether it be working to build a new church, meeting young children, or visiting with natives like Bienvo and his family, we are called to one mission....To spread the glory of God.

The primary job this week is to assist with the construction of a new church which will minister to hundreds of Dominicans. While the facade is still one of thick wire and used plywood, the will-be church is beautiful. With it brings the promise of many new believers and a permanent place where they can worship.

As we continue our work, please continue to pray for our team and those with whom we are working. A special thanks to the main construction crew for their support, direction, and hard work. Without the steadfast labor they provide, there would be no church.

For those who have served with Will and Audrey on past trips, you are sorely missed. And for those who have not yet traveled to the Dominican Republic I can assure you the cold showers, lack of air conditioning, and the peril that comes with working with Michael Belt are all worth enduring.

Pace,

Parker Lawson

Called To Be His Hands And Feet

I'll be perfectly honest, going on a mission trip during MY spring break as a high school senior was no where near the top of my list of destinations. My idea of spring break was sleeping 24/7 catching up on loss sleep. My eyes were not open to the mission God had assigned me. It has so far been an awsome experience. The work they have us doing on the church we are building is fun and enjoyable. It's great to know that the work I'm doing will enhance the ministry of the local pastors.
My favorite part is when we fed the kids in the "hole". The community is very poor and the meal we were serving the kids at noon was more than likely their only meal for the day. The older siblings would force feed the little ones after they declared they were full. It was important to make the little ones eat more than they wanted. They loved playing games and enjoyed our presence.
I'm glad I came, but I wish the roosters would shut their mouths at night. Some roosters must be blind because the sun won't come up for another 4 hours when they start telling the people in the neighborhood to get up.
Thank you for the prayers,
Lloyd Fowler

Day 2 on the work site.

Today was once again a blessing - anytime you can be serving God in such a powerful way is a wonderful and fulfilling experience. Surprise of the day is that we tied more rebar (and untied some). All of the staff and workers have been so friendly and helpful. The young kids on the trip have been amazing - even with the range in ages, they all have worked so well together. The team has continued on forming a special bond and have been so supportive. Thanks so much for all your continued prayers and support. God Bless!

Yes, We are Here

We are on our second day working at the Central Church within walking distance from our dorm. We are tieing rebar on the roof of the first floor to create the forms for concrete. As you would imagine, it is hot and sunscreen is flowing quite liberally.

Last night, all of the GO children sponsored by memebers of Nehemiah's Neighbors came with their families for dinner. With our 32 and another 45, we had a full house. This was such a blessing for all. The smiles, hugs and prayers are such a blessing. One little girl received a Spanish Bible as a gift from her sponsor and the father quickly said, through a translator, that she was recently asking for a Bible just like this. Sponsoring these children to attend a Christian school is an amazing opportunity. For about $1/day, the child gets to go to school, gets their books and a gift at Christmas and on their birthday. Without this support, the only option is a very challenged and inadequate public school system.

Luggage for six folks just arrived this morning after getting removed in Miami due to weight issues on the plane...I think we have used all the jokes we could think of for this. Today we learned why Dominicans make such great baseball players. There is a street game called Batilla similar to baseball but played with the lid from a 5-gallon water jug and hit with broom handles. Similar rules apply but they get 6 balls or 3 strikes; use two bases instead of three and have 9 to a team.

Isaiah, a local pastor's son turned pastor, started a neighborhood tournament and now the neighborhoods put teams together that are a mix of the less law abiding types with the church types. They even created a field to play on instead of in the street and the small field will pack 500 people during the tournament. The basis are labled; The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. How awesome is that?

All is well, our siesta is almost over and time to head back to the worksite. I will get some of the others from our team to blog tonight. Thank you all for all of your prayers. God Bless You!

We're all in Miami

God is so good! The Newman's were supposed to fly through Chicago but United was giving them a hard time about checking the bins for an extra $50 each. Harry spoke with American and they graciously put all the Newmans on our flight...worked out great, they just had a longer wait at the airport.

Once in Miami, Harry & Sheri escorted the Mother Superior for the Little Sisters of the Poor to her gate. She was scared, didn't speak much English and wasn't sure where she was going. We believe our mission will be well prayed over from Columbia!!! Met up with the Fowlers who came through Atlanta and now... we are 32 and boarding for Santiago!!!

Tomorrow is the DAY

The day to begin our mission trip is almost here. Yesterday was Easter and it is amazing how the overlap of Lent and our mission team formations has heightened our awareness of service and being the hands and feet of God. For many of us, the weekly fasting of three meals created a sense of sharing with each other but also drew us closer to Jesus and the fasting he and His disciples engaged in.

The Soles for Souls campaign was a huge success and far exceeded our goal of 500 pairs of shoes in 30 days. Nehemiah's Neighbors are taking 479 pairs down to Santiago with us. We sent 100 pair to Eastern Kentucky with the Methodist Mountain Mission. We have at least 300 more pair with a potential for another 250 pair that will be taken to both Wayside Mission and Henderson Settlement in Eastern Kentucky. For those of you counting along, that is over 1100 pairs of shoes. God is Good, All the Time!!!

I am running in the Kentucky Derby Festival FULL 26 Mile Marathon on April 24th. This year, I am raising money for GO ministies, specifically Will & Audrey. If you would like to donate, you can contact me directly or you can go to Will & Audrey's blog and pay by credit card. The link is: http://dominican-updates.blogspot.com/. If you donate there, just let me know!!! God Bless!

One Week Away

In just over seven days, the 2010 mission trip to the Dominican Republic will kick off. Nehemiah's Neighbors, as we have dubbed ourselves, consists of 32 missionaries. This is the largest mission team we have ever sent to the DR. What is especially cool is there are 17 new folks and 15 alumni participating. Of the 32, we have 10 youth.

We have been having formation meeting to prepare for this trip over the last couple of months and everyone is very excited. We are all looking forward to the opportunity to serve, encourage and to be bold in our faith. We plan to update this blog as frequently as possible, feel free to leave your comments as well!

Don't forget, without Easter- there would be no Christmas.