Sabado in the DR

Wow, what a day.  We traded in our construction gloves and manual labor for a day of evangelism and children’s ministry in another community where G.O. has worked very hard to establish a strong presence.  Hato del Yaque – the work sight of our very first trip – is now mature enough to host church services, children’s ministries, and serve meals.  To say the community is underserved is a major understatement.  G.O. has recognized the need and built a church hub there to reach out to those people so desperately in need of love and hope.  Initially, we broke into four groups with one staying at the church to interact and play with the children who flock to the church when a group of Americans arrive.   Most of the young boys gravitated to the field out back for a fun game of wiffle ball.  Rob Partin Sr. was pitching and Steve Detweiler was catching – likely the slowest moving but most experienced battery in the country on this beautiful Saturday.  The girls opted to stay inside for art and coloring with Catherine and Robin.  The remaining three groups took to the community house by house promoting the church, its new pastor, and the opportunities and hope it will provide them.  It was truly a beautiful thing as we were invited into homes to interact with the nationals and ultimately pray for them and their specific requested needs.  We had translators, of course, but the differences of Spanish and English didn’t exist for a few hours as we were speaking the language of the love of Christ.  Touch, expression, and emotion were enough to let everyone understand the truth we were excited to share. 

For lunch, we traveled to another community named Los Guandules to feed the children.  As always, the actual tactile rewards of helping feed hungry children are overwhelming.  Personally, this trip is my first one as a father and feeding these children took on a whole new meaning as we had a very small but important part of being the hands and feet of Christ.  After their lunch, we returned to Hato del Yaque for our lunch and the opportunity to execute our much anticipated children’s ministry.  Catherine did a fantastic job of translating and reading (in Spanish) the story of Abraham and Sarah and a handful of the group acted it out.  We were a hit – at least to our standards – as we received plenty of chuckles from the children and a hearty round of applause after it was complete.  Jennie Walz then led us in a craft project for the children where we were able to personally interact with each one of the 120 present.  They were ecstatic to receive love and we were even more appreciative to lend it .  We spent the next hour playing, taking pictures, hugging, holding, and loving on children who hopefully will be the future of that broken community.  We didn’t need a burning bush to hear God speaking to us through that opportunity.

The remainder of the day consisted of fun for the team – empanadas, ice cream (for the third consecutive evening) and devotional time.  Physically we’re weary, emotionally we’re drained, but spiritually we’re full and eager to share how this week is changing each one of our lives for the better of ourselves, our families, our church, and our community. 

We’ve had the pleasure of spending numerous occasions with Bienvo and his beautiful family and they can’t be more grateful for the support they receive from the St. John family.  This support has encouraged them in their daily lives and faiths, literally moved them into more realistic living conditions and even healed their three year old son Wilson through surgery that wouldn’t have otherwise been possible without our church.  We consider each other family and hope as many SJUMC members as possible get to experience the opportunity to find inspiration from their precious hearts. 

As a team we’re getting along beautifully and enjoying each other immensely.  Each group/trip takes on its own personality and this one has been smooth sailing from day one.  It is so rewarding to spend such quality and important time with brothers and sisters in the faith.  We’ve talked a lot about relationships and partnerships all week and those themes are running strong through our group. 

We’ll head back to Hato del Yaque for worship in the morning and then onto the beach for a day of debriefing and some much needed R&R.  We’re challenging each other to hold ourselves accountable to our experience this week and call on it to be more passionate believers.   We should all look the same upon our return Tuesday, but you’ll welcome home renewed hearts and spirits as we’ve learned so very much about who we are, who Christ is, and how we fit into His incredible plan of redemption. 

We’ll be praying and thinking of you Sunday morning as we worship miles apart for the same great Lord.

Dios le bendiga!

Little Rob