Bang!!!

I'll get to the "bang" in a minute, but first I wanted to talk a little about Celia. Actually, the whole post is centered around her.

Last night, we had a prayer "meeting" in our home for Celia, Arianna and myself. I felt the need to call the elders (Pastor Jose and Pastor Tony) to come pray for our family so that we (mainly Celia) could "raise" us up again (James 5:13-17). Ever since we arrived here, a bit over one month ago, things have been tough. Nothing is really, "easy" as you might expect it to be (and as we have grown to expect so many things to be because of our life in America). Most of this stems from not yet having a vehicle, and not speaking the language fluently (often times I am still "signing" to convey my points). I believe the stress of all this, and more, coupled with Celia catching a "bug" of some sorts, wiped her out the other week. Since that time, she has improved somewhat and I have made sure that I posted that on facebook a few times, as well as in our first newsletter. As time has marched on, however, I find myself continuing to say, "she is doing better", and never, "she's completely better." In fact, she has been relatively the same ever since the few days following the night she was hospitalized (over 2 weeks ago). What does, "the same" mean? It means that she sleeps most of the day, and when she does exert herself a little, she gets very tired, and needs to go back to sleep before long. The next question I'm sure your asking is, "How can you say she is doing better?" The reason I kept saying that is because I'm comparing everything to that night she became ill and literally could not move.

The time has approached, that serious decisions have to be made as to what we will do regarding Celia. I was leaning to taking her to a hospital in Santiago (a bigger city about 40 minutes away) so more tests could be done, but Pastor Jose (along with a few in Ocala of Hispanic decent) advised against that. Their reasoning was that there is a large possibility that the doctors will only see "dollar signs" when us Americans walk in. According to them, there is a good chance that we could be kept in the hospital for days for no reason, and have tests run on Celia that are unnecessary, which would only be done to raise up the bill. Jose said it was only by the grace of God that the doctor in Mao did not take advantage of us when we brought Celia in the first time. Their recommendation was to take Celia back to Ocala, FL to get a check-up, (along with Arianna, who got sick the other day, but is now getting back to normal).

However, that is plan B. Our first plan is to go to God and pray the "prayer of faith" (Jas. 5) over Celia if it so be that the Lord grant us that ability. So that is why I called the elders last night. Come to find out, Pastor Jose had already planned on doing that as well. The only difference, it turned out that 1/4 of the church came with Jose and Tony (as you can see in the pics)! Luckily, Celia had just made two loafs of bread (and then got tired) so we could feed everyone. We have no furniture yet, but I hardly think the Dominicans care-they just plop down on the ground as if that's normal! After eating and fellowshiping a bit, they formed a circle around us and prayed. Our hope and prayer is (and was) that the Lord heal Celia. That he restore her health, that a trip back to the States would not be necessary. After all, Jesus is the "Master Physician." While praying, many recognized (as Celia and I do) this to be spiritual warfare. Many prayed for our protection, and even for our safety in our new house.

This Saturday (the 15th), the annual Christmas dinner is planned at our home. We are going to keep an eye on Celia and see how she progresses. If she is not nearly 100% by then, we will most likely purchase tickets and come back to the States. As I mentioned, this is not what I want to do, and I am praying fervently for the Lord to provide a healing for Celia. Please join us in this prayer. Even more than I wish for Celia to be restored (and that is so much), I want the church here to witness the glory, majesty, grace, kindness, and power that is our Lord's. I want our ministry to start off with the visible manifestation of the power of God, and His blessing. That being said, if it turns out she does not heal by the 15th, I will praise God regardless. Why? Because He is worthy, and circumstances should not affect our praise towards Him. We will know that He is still working everything towards good to us who love Him...and who are called according to His purpose (Ro. 8:28).

And now to the "Bang!!!" and to more proof that we are battling the forces of evil (Eph. 6:12). This morning, the three of us were sitting on the floor against a wall (in a spot where no paint can fall on our heads), where we often do, and eating some of the remnants of Celia's bread. Celia also started to bake crackers in the kitchen. She put them in the gas (hint) stove and came to sit back down with us. 5 minutes later, she went back in as I continued to feed Arianna. All of a sudden, the loudest "Bang" that I have possibly ever heard (it sounded like being right next to a transformer that blew up) cracked out of the kitchen. It was followed immediately by glass flying everywhere and a blood-curdling scream from Celia. I literally froze and could not think straight, but soon came to my senses. I ran in with Arianna in my arms to check on Celia. The first thing I saw were shards (big 18" pieces) of glass laying all around Celia and our stoves insides and toppings laying everywhere. She continued to just stand there screaming. I thought for sure she was injured severely. Through the broken kitchen window I could see neighbors from all around filling the streets to come see what happened.

Walking all over the glass (that was EVERYWHERE) I rushed to Celia, and gasped as she was...not hurt at all. Scared, some roasty feet, singed hair, and a hot forehead, but not touched by glass or burnt. Celia had turned the stove on to preheat it some 7 minutes earlier (and forgot that she did that), and was in the kitchen to put the crackers in. However, she did not notice a flame, so she decided to relight it (she knows not to do that from now on). 7 minutes of gas had built up in the stove and exploded upon the lighting of it. According to Jose (who has seen this happen before), that powerful of an explosion should have burned 90% of Celia and thrown her across the kitchen (she was leaning into the explosion). This is what happened to a man he knew. Yet, Celia stood there unharmed. As I swept up glass, examined the stove (which somehow works-only thing needing to be fixed is the stretching out of the oven rack so it fits again), and raced to and fro doing things, I could not escape the pressing thoughts of the fact that at every turn, Satan is after us. Some might discard that thought and say it is foolish, but I would say it is foolishness to not realize that. Satan is roaring here folks. He is trying to kill us, he is trying to destroy us. He cares not for civility, for repose. Only to continuously, relentlessly harm...

...But in the other corner stands the Great I AM! The Almighty, the God of my heights (Mic. 6:6), God who is near (Jer. 23:23), God of my kindness (Ps. 59:10), God of my refuge (Ps. 43:2), God of my praise (Ps. 109:1), God of my salvation (Ps. 25:5)...and we thank Him this day- for I have seen my wife stand through an explosion untouched. I thought she was in the kitchen alone, but another walked through the fire with her (Dan. 3:25) and did protect her. A warm feeling of gratitude trandsends my whole body as I write this. I have been encouraged in knowing that our God is watching over us, and not only has protected Celia's life, but will see her through her illness as well. Perhaps your prayers, combined with those offered last night at our prayer meeting were heard by God!

I am sure many have questions regarding this event. Post me on facebook if you do.

Strongholds and Prayer

Well, we've been here a week-and-a-half already. Amazing, because it feels like we just got here. I talked to some of our family, and they feel like its been forever already. I guess that's because the adventure/newness part of it is on our side. I want to thank all those who have donated financially to us, and those who are currently donating. The only reason we are here is because of every last one of you. I mean that, because we are right at our financial goal, and that means every one of your dollars counts! I also want to thank every one of you who are praying for us. I imagine we'd still be in the States if not for all the prayers. (Within this post are prayer requests in bold. Many have asked for specific ones...here are SOME to start.)

Speaking of prayer, it is why I wrote this post and titled it "Strongholds and Prayer." This place is so dark. Satan has many, diverse strongholds. On the brochure I made, I listed that the evangelical percentage is somewhere around 5-18% (and that includes cults such as Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, along with all other Protestant denominations). Since being here, I'm learning that there are a lot more JW's and Mormons than anything else. Of course, Catholicism reigns. I'm also learning that many are more loyal to their Catholic roots than I thought. That is not saying that they know anything about what they say they believe though. They are just stubbornly against anything "different." Perhaps this is why at our last witnessing opportunity (the dad of a young lady who was recently saved), the man tried to suggest Christianity and Catholicism are the same. His intention was to give us the satisfaction that there was no reason we needed to be there and could therefore leave. I told him if that was true, then he should come to worship with us the upcoming Sunday. He agreed that he would but never showed up. But, many take the obvious route and just shut their ears after we mention we are Christians. Having ears, they do not hear, and having eyes, they do not see (Mark. 8:18). Mark 4:12, however (a difficult passage), says that Jesus spoke in parables, lest the people saw and perceived. I don't want to get into a theological discussion on that right now, other than to say that I see in this passage a hope that these who are deaf and blind can turn and repent if the Lord would grant them understanding. Please join us in praying that the Lord of the Harvest would open the eyes of the blind and deaf (upwards of 98% in my opinion) in this place. That is spiritually speaking of course.

So Satan has a stronghold of cultic following as well as false religious adherence that only can be defeated by prayer. And we know that the gates of Hades shall not prevail (Mark 16:18. Note: This verse is talking about the prevailing of the Kingdom of God, not hell as is commonly understood). Another stronghold Satan has is within the church. Now I must confess, that the Strong-man (Mark 3:27) in the body of Christ is the Holy Spirit, but there are areas within every believer's life that need to me more fully yielded to the Holy Spirit. Permit me to call these "footholds." There are many footholds within the churches here. Much of that stems from a lack of ability to read. Imagine trying to live the Christian life not being able to read the Bible! That is one reason we are discussing the implementation of a reading class, with the Bible being our text book. Though I cannot speak Spanish well yet (more on that in a minute), I can read it fairly well. If we accomplish nothing (in say 2-5 years) other than teaching the people to read the Bible, than I would have to realize that could pay off with eternal dividends. However, we are praying that God would give the churches here a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Christ, having the eyes of their hearts enlightened...(Eph. 1:17-19). We are praying for hunger and thirst for the Word to increase in their lives as Christ allows them to see more of Himself. Please join us in this prayer. I more than anyone, realize that many who call them self, "Christian" are no more saved than those in Matthew 7:21. We are praying Ephesians 1:17-19 for them as well, in order that the Lord may open the eyes of their heart to see Christ for the first time and in doing so, develop a craving for Him.

Personally, Celia and I need prayer as well. When you lift us up before the throne of grace, please remember Tony and Christen and their family as well as Pastor Jose and his family. We all need to grow spiritually in our discipline. Things were so hectic the couple of weeks before we arrived, that I confess my focus swerved. I kept hoping once I arrived, I would regain that immediately. Well, this past week-and-a-half has been just as crazy! Hopefully, we can move into our place tomorrow (Tony, Christen, and the kids have been so gracious in letting us crash at their place). One major concern that remains is that our water pressure has dropped a lot since the cleaning of our cistern. This is a short-term prayer request and insignificant compared to what I've stated prior, but please pray for the Lord to give wisdom to a plumber we choose in order to identify and fix the problem. In getting back to my point, I did want to mention that the Lord is pulling me to Himself. I feel it every minute of every day, and this gives me confidence our sweet fellowship is returning (even though He never went anywhere). What frightens me more than anything I can think of is that I just moved to another country to do the Lord's work and I've drifted somewhat in the process. I know it is has to be strange for some of you to read this, but I'm praying for the Lord to rejuvenate Celia and myself. I know we just got here, but we are flat worn out already. Pray the Lord leads us by His still waters and restores our soul (Psalms 23:2-3) as we drink from the spring of living water (Jeremiah 2:13) through our communion with Him in prayer and His Word (James 4:8). 

I started to mention spiritual discipline at the beginning of the last paragraph and then I got on to something slightly different but related. I want to get back on track. As you are praying for our close communion with the Lord (what I got slightly off track on) please lift us (and Tony and Jose with their families) up in asking the Lord to increase all of our discipline. To go to bed early, and rise early; to eat the word before we eat anything else-memorizing it to the amount the Lord will grant; to fast often and not forsake the closet (our secret prayer time). People need to see Christ for all the above significant prayer requests to be answered, and I so desire to let them see Him through my actions and words as I open the Bible to teach and witness. I know we all do. I would like to thank the Lord that He has used Tony and myself these past two Sundays in touching many with the preached Word. To what extent, I do not know. What I do know is that it can be to more of an extent and I believe God will allow us to come in a greater demonstration of the Spirit and of power (1 Cor. 2:4) as we know Him more, forsake the world more, and trust Him more through our closeness with Him.

Lastly, I want to learn Spanish! I'm learning alright, but I want to be fluent now! Ask the Lord to grant me and Celia and Christen and their kids the ability to grasp the language quickly. I can only follow bits and pieces when Tony teaches for a while and less than that when hearing a native speaker go on for a while. I get tired quick as well because I'm using so much "brain power" in trying to concentrate. It is literally exhausting. Thank God, Tony is here to translate so I can be used (and am being used) in bringing forth the Word already. However, I day dream of preaching in Spanish!

Lastly, please pray for Arianna's health and safety (she's doing good) along with the rest of us. A dangerous place we live in- no doubt- but we are at rest in the safest place of all...His hands! Nothing will reach us, unless it passes through them. There is comfort in that!

Thank you and God bless you for your prayers. Know that we pray for you as well.

Love,

Jared and Celia

We have arrived!

Written around noon: On November 9th around 8:45 PM Eastern time we touched down in Santiago, DR. Since that time, we have been staying with Tony Salgado and his family (the other missionary couple here). There are some things we need to do on our house before we can move in (plumbing work, paint work...which could be hazardous to Arianna, and the furnishing of the home as it is completely empty right now).

Arriving in Santiago

This morning (Sunday) I preached in Esperanza out of Ephesians 1:3-4. Tony translated. Of all the concerns I have, learning Spanish fluently is one of the top on the list (but not the top-that would be the spiritual growth of the body, and the salvation of lost souls). There is no way to be as effective as I'd like until I learn their beautiful language. But I imagine there is a thing or two the Lord will teach me in the meantime. 1 Corinthians 2:4 comes to mind: Paul says, "and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power."

Making sure I know what I'm going to say

Written around 7PM: We just got back from the church in Pierda Gorda (see pictures...Celia stayed home today because Arianna had a rough night). I preached again. Same sermon, totally different "feeling." This morning was powerful, and not only by my account. Many commented on the fact. However, this afternoon, I felt like gravel was coming out of my mouth. Hopefully, Tony did not feel the same way because He was speaking the Spanish! Pierda Gorda does need serious prayer though. I think it wise to be here more than just one day before I pronounce my verdict on the place though, so I'll say no more at this point.

Coming soon, I will publish a new post with some specific prayer requests. For the meantime, please pray for the Spirit of God to move upon this place and call to Himself those that are His own. The work of the missionary (along with all forms of ministry) is one of faith. We are reliant upon Him in every aspect. Please ask Him to move in this place for His glory!

Arianna and more...

Many of you know the scary weekend we had at the end of September, that ended up being less of a headliner than at first expected (Thank God). Perhaps, some of you do not, so read on. We had blood-work done on Arianna near the end of last month because she was not gaining weight as quickly as the doctors would like. Her alkaline phosphate numbers were high, so they scheduled another draw. We received the results the 28th of Friday.

Our pediatrician called us and started the conversation with the words, "I wish I had better news..." Immediately my heart sank, because they had mentioned to me these raised numbers can indicate kidney disease, liver disease, and cancer. She went on to let me know that it was probably not liver or kidney disease because no other numbers were raised that should have been if it were one of those conditions. She mentioned (at my asking) that it is probably tumor, and that Shands was expecting us.

We were pulling into Ocala Eye for an eye appointment scheduled for Celia and immediately turned around and jetted down the interstate to the pediatrics ward of Shands in Gainesville. The emotions of horror that followed can not be explained, so I won't try. I'll just say everything got surreal very fast. I was awakened out of my "stupor" at the sound of Celia crying in the back seat (she was feeding Arianna in the car seat). I don't recall that we had even said a word to each other...though I'm sure we did. But we were both so deep in thought, that I don't think we wanted to talk at the moment. However, when I heard her sniffing, my heart was so overcome within me that I could not contain my emotions, so we both had a little cry-fest there in the car. Then I called a few people to ask them to get prayer-chains started and probably cried my way through all that.

On I-75, we had our defining moment... I think. Looking back, I THINK this was what the Lord had in mind in purposing this all to happen. For a while (with our departure to the DR drawing near), I had been getting more anxious every day when considering the dangers that were about to become Arianna's on a daily basis. God, my Father, wanted to show me that she is in His hands. We lifted our hearts to the Lord in prayer, and though we had done this before, we offered Arianna to the Lord similar to Hannah in her dedication of Samuel (1 Sam. 1:11). We acknowledged our praise to the Lord despite the outcome of our hospital visit, which I honestly thought would go on for weeks and result in Arianna not leaving there alive. I know that sounds extreme, but cancer is extreme. But God used our prayer to fill us with His Spirit, which resulted in a confidence and peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:6). And that prayer, coupled with the whole event, assured us that dangers exist everywhere; and that our trust should not be in where we are or where we are living, but rather that it should be in the Lord all Mighty (Ps. 20:7). Look at where trusting in circumstances got us with Arianna- a trip to Shands!

Now, I don't think that our prayer of faith "cured" Arianna, but it is true that things went from "bad" to "better" pretty quick upon our arrival. At first it was, "probably tumor"; after initial tests and talking to us, it was, "might not be tumor"; then after further tests (10 tubes of blood, 2 x-rays, 1 ultra sound, and the usual things) it was, "probably not tumor." 2 days later we finally got the diagnosis: Benign Transient Alkaline Hyperphosphatesemia or something like that. It is a rare condition in under 5% of children with those raised numbers (the alkaline phosphatates), where they rise for "no apparent reason" as the doctors explained to us. There probably are reasons in some of those 5% cases where "minor" things cause the numbers to rise, but nothing could be found to be wrong with Arianna...nothing!

Wow, praise God! And with regards to the weight-gain issue, the dietician basically said we need to just out-feed her. No one thought anything was wrong or could at least identify it. So, sitting here on my dad's computer, with little Ari sleeping in the back room, I can say that there was nothing found to be wrong with Arianna. She was ordered blood tests to be done every month just to keep an eye on that particular number, however. Please keep her in your prayers though...and for that matter, please keep us all in your prayers! We hope to be leaving later this month! I just got back from Orlando where we mailed off our first round boxes of belongings to the DR. Kind of a good feeling. Thanks everyone. We love and appreciate you.

How could we bring Arianna to the D.R.?

Why are we bringing a 1 year old to the D.R.? I get that question a lot. Usually it is not directly asked like that, but Celia and I get the gist easily enough. And before I go on, we understand the concern people have. We're not offended at it either. We know of the higher risk of Malaria (or some other disease) that  mosquitoes may bring with them; we know that a blond hair, blue-eyed girl will catch the eye of some sick-o's; we know of the danger in eating foods or drinking water there; we know all that and more...more than most. And its not only Arianna, I know the risks placed on Celia as well.

So how can we do it? Do we not love our little one? Ha! I admit, that might offend me a little if you insinuate that, but I'd get over it- I would understand that there is just confusion as to why we are making this move. So here is the answer in one word: "Obedience." If the Lord were not leading us to go, then I might rightly be asked to sit down and consider the needless dangers I'm risking myself and my family with. However, we are very confident that God Almighty Himself placed within us the knowledge of His will through the reading of His Word over two years ago.

At that time, we did not have Arianna, and she was not even a thought to be quite honest. However, the Lord was not ignorant of the fact that on one crisp, late October morning Celia would wake me up and say those two words, and that upon hearing them, I'd almost pass out! No, my sovereign Lord was not surprised like his feeble child (me) was. So the fact of Him "calling" us to the foreign mission field before we had Arianna made no difference to us. If He called us then, He's calling us now. Some have tried to convince me He's not, but they have not succeeded, nor do I think they ever will.

I think its safer to be in the middle of God's will, than outside it, even if that place seems safer. I'd rather be sitting in a lion's den if the Lord is with me, than sitting on my couch in my comfy home if He is not. In fact, I'd rather be in the lion's den (if He is with me) than on my couch, even if He was with me. My point is, if God be with us, then who can be against us (Ro. 8:31)! I remember hearing a story of how a guy was in an airport in some other dangerous country and for some reason he had to leave his briefcase in the airport over night. He prayed to God for Him to keep it safe until the next day. Upon arriving, sure enough, he found it safe and secure right where He had left it. After he picked it up, he mumbled, "Thanks God, I got it from here." Shortly after a guy ran by him and yanked it out of his hands, disappearing into the crowd. That story demonstrates the point of us being safer with the Lord even in the midst of danger, compared to being without the Lord in a seemingly safe setting. Please do understand that I believe in taking precautions, I just don't believe in trusting in them over God. For example, the Lord has blessed us with a home that has bars all the way around it. We even have it set up to hire a night guard that will walk around our home all night with a shotgun (I can hear the groans now...he needs a night-guard...oh just don't tell me anymore!). I will try to never let Celia or Arianna out of my sight. My point in saying this is to assure everyone I will not be dumb. But rather, on the other hand, I will pray for wisdom.

I would like to finish this post by saying one final thing. And that is that we realize there is cost in serving the Lord. Sometimes, great cost. Sometimes, the greatest cost. Missionaries die all the time; so do their kids. If it seems fit for the Lord, the great God Who giveth and taketh (Job 1:21), to take His little one (notice I did not say our little one because before she is ours, she is His) home before we'd prefer, then may it be. Know this please, as I write these sentences, my eyes fill with tears and the thought of it punctures my heart. But I know that I have a Father Who lost His Son and can relate to me. I have an elder brother, Who gave His life, which separated Him from His Father. My God would know how to give me and Celia and my family and my friends grace to help in this time of need (Heb. 4:16) because He too has gone through the lowest of lows (and His was lower than all others) and can therefore sympathize with us (Heb. 2:17-18). Guys, we have got to develop an eternal perspective. This life is a vapor (Jas. 4:14); this life is not what we are living for! Oh most of us do (including myself more than I'd like), but why when eternity is around the corner!

Please, if you are reading this, and you consider yourself "Christian," life for your Christ! He who loses His life for Christ's sake will save it (Mat. 10:39). If you are reading this and you are not Christian, I urge you, find out who this Jesus is. The last question, the only question in the end will be: Who is this Jesus of Nazareth.

May it never be that these things happen oh Lord, nevertheless, thy will be done. I love you...thank you for Your Son.

Update from the D.R (2): Hind-sight is 20/20

God is good. I say this after a recent disappointment. I say this because God knows the beginning from the end, and even when circumstances do not go exactly the way we want, we (as His children) can rest assured that He loves us with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3). The main reason I had for going this summer for one week to the DR was to find a place for my family to live. When I say "place," I mean a home. On Tuesday, Jose drove me around and we found a place fairly shortly. It was a spacious 3 bedroom, two bath in nice condition and secure. A gentleman (not the owner) led us around and told us the monthly cost to rent. A whopping $179 per month! I was very pleased and thanked God. I got to the motel and skyped, facebooked, and emailed everyone back home the great news. The next morning, Jose called the owner to find out where to meet and pay the down-payment. Instantly, I saw the demeanor change in his face. After he hung up, he communicated to me that the owner had rented the house out three days ago. It had sat vacant for a year, and happened to be rented out 3 days before I could. A coincidence? I think not...hopefully we know there is no such thing. Though I knew this, it still discouraged me throughout the day. Satan's fiery darts of doubt were hurting a little.

The above was written on the Thursday of my trip to the D.R. I got interrupted in writing it, and saved it as a draft. Today, nearly a half month later, I continue this post. The day after I wrote the above, the rest of the gang on the trip was going to a Dominican beach to enjoy God's wonderful creation. I chose to stay back and go house hunting again. To be honest, I had little hope in securing a place. Pastor Jose had told me we combed the place quite well, and there was nothing available. Still, I did not want the thought to be while returning to the States that I could have tried harder. I set out with Fernando, Milli and Frank, and immediately struck disappointment. Another house we had missed previously appeared to be available. It was a spacious, nice place in a good part of town. Frank went out and asked a neighbor if it was available only to find out it had been rented a week earlier. It, too, had sat vacant a year!

To recap, the apartment Tony and his family were staying in (and where we wanted to live) had an opening. However, we found out the owner is in jail in America. A "no-go" there. The house mentioned in the first paragraph soon after fell through our grasp. Afterwards, the place I just mentioned. "Was it God's will for us to be here?" I thought. Many would say, "No, God's will is easy, and He wouldn't shut doors like that. He would remove all obstacles." However, when I look at the Apostle Paul's life, I immediately have to come to one of two decisions: Either, he was constantly out of God's will because he suffered so many hardships and difficulties, or God's will may in fact involve disappointment and the shutting of doors along the way. I doubt any of us would think Paul was outside the will of the Father quite often.

While these thoughts were running through my head, I heard Milli say, "Yes!" I had become so engrossed in thought, I failed to notice that she was in deep conversation with a woman. We had pulled into an apartment complex to check it out when Milli got out to talk to this woman who had just rode her bicycle into the gate. The lady mentioned to her that there was a place across the road that housed a pastor who was renting the house, yet was moving out next week. No one had contacted the owner yet. We jumped on it immediately, and to make a long story short, signed the contract on Tuesday of the following week. I was back in the States already but was in constant contact with Pastor Jose via skype. He told me afterwards, that the first home we looked at, unbeknownst to him, had a night club right behind it, and that you could play baseball in the living room of our newest place because of its size (that size will go to bible-studies, not baseball I assure you!). It was truly a more fitting place than any of the others.

As I look over my first paragraph, I smile, because hind-sight is 20/20. Going through things would be a lot easier if we knew the end ahead of time. All of us have wished for this knowledge at some point in our lives. But what if God gave it to us-would we need Him? Would we need faith? Could we please God? I think not because Hebrews 11:6 says without faith it is impossible to please Him. Thank God for our limited vision! It is only through this that we bring our God honor.

Update from La Republica Dominicana

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and the group heading to the Dominican Republic this week. Your prayers have been heard!!! Let me explain: It all started when my flight got delayed an hour in Orlando. I was doing the math and it was looking pretty scary in catching my connecting flight in Miami. I still had a little time, but everyone would be boarding before I even landed. That doesn't sound good does it? Well, I knew God was in control. If I missed the flight, I missed it, and God would want me sleeping in the Miami airport for a reason. I called my mom and let her know the situation. She suggested I talk to someone letting them know I would be cutting it close and for me to ask them to wait as long as possible in Miami. As I did this, the lady informed me I could go on stand-by for another flight leaving at the same time my current flight got delayed to. I was thinking, "what is the difference" and also, "at least I know I have a seat on this flight" but I did it anyway because she said my current flight's plane was not even in the airport yet. Well, I made it on the other flight...but it took forever also to depart. I prayed on my flight to Miami that things would work out, and took a nap. We landed at 5:30pm. The connecting flight left at 6:20. No problem right? Wrong! We got hung up on the runway. I have to admit, the peace that surpasses all understanding was fading a bit. But I took God at his word to be anxious for nothing (Phil. 4:6) and did so. By the way, I was prepared to miss the flight if it happened. Well, we finally got the clear and I was excusing myself through the aisle until a guy blocked the path as he held a bag for his son who was throwing up. I patiently waited...and waited...and waited. When I got off the plane it was 6pm. Remember, the connecting flight left in only 20 minutes. I started running, and I ran...and ran...and ran, and wondered how in the world the airport was that big. I ran up escalators, through trams (even though that didn't help me...you can only go so far in a tram!), the whole while dragging Tony's microwave (you heard me right) behind me. Thank God they gave me a bag with wheels on it. Still though, in the tram my legs got weak, and I felt like I was going to throw up. I seriously have to get back in shape! Well, to make a long story short, I made it. I was the last one on, but they held the doors for me. It was like 6:15 or something. I later found out that my original flight got delayed again...and then again (no joke). But the fun did not stop there. My suitcases never caught up with me, and as I write this, I have not brushed my teeth or put on deodorant since Saturday. It is Monday. A nice couple I met from FBC Dunnellon (John and Elizabeth) offered me some of John's clothes. That was great. It was like the early church! I was not the only one whose suitcases did not make it either. However, I am happy to now comment, that prayers have been answered and 4 out of the 5 (both of mine and the folks with me) have made it. That was a blessing, because I had a window A/C unit in one, and a printer in the other. These are things that I have heard like to be taken by others. But I again had taken this to the Lord and if another got to enjoy some nice cool weather in their home because of me, then I would have been fine with it. However, there is still one missing if you of remember. It is one of Tony and Christen's (the other couple becoming career missionaries with us in the D.R.). They sent some cases with us to take for them. Please be in prayer for this case to show up. Fernando and I are going to the airport tomorrow to see if we can find it. The Lord hears the crys of His children.