Hey everyone! This post is long overdue! I really meant to send a wrap up post the week we got back but you know how it goes!! Anyway we had a DR alumni meeting on Thursday night to celebrate what God is doing in the DR and our opportunities to be a part of His great work. It was a fun night and thanks to those who were all able to make it. Reflecting on this last trip over the last month has left me with these 2 big take aways. First of all as the leader it was my greatest blessing to see my first time team members catch the fire. I can so clearly remember the bursting of my heart on my first trip and when I came home I vowed to God-this is what I will now live to do in your name. I think there are a few people from this team and the last few teams that are praying similar prayers!!! Its all so exciting. I was also able to see some of the 2nd and 3rd timers who have been before, but not for many years, witness all that God has done. It was so encouraging for me and the rest of the leadership to hear Wendy and Marie exclaiming how they could just feel the positive changes in the people and the relationships there. My second huge blessing was our youth. This was the first time I really had a chance to be part of the mentoring of youth on a trip and it truly was a blast. Our youth were amazing with the kids and fun to be around. Youth night was a highlight. I had a chance to share my testimony that night to our youth and our Dominican youth partners. I also told them that it was exciting for me to think of the upcoming years-not to far away when they would be taking over the leadership of this Ministry and Partnership. It is amazing to think that by the time they do that, they will have know these DR youth for many years. Youth-start your Spanish lessons NOW!!!!!! Special thanks to Emma for her translating help! Anyway, I just can't wait to see what God is going to do with all of us in the future! Please be vigilant in prayer for the Staff of ITB and the Compassion DR346 staff as the new kids begin in the project. Please pray for the youth group and the Sunday school-both kids and leaders. Here are just a mishmash of photos from different sources and different trips Thanks guys!
