capernaum

I am sorry that I have not blogged. But they keep us busy.
Wow what a trip. It has been the most awesome trip I have ever been on.

it is getting kinda stired up over here. As most of u know.
So please continue to pray for Isreal. The prime minister
Was suppose to meet Kay and us for dinner in the most Jewish rest. There is in Isreal but
He called and told Kay to please pray.
he is asking for wisdom to know what to do to protect Isreal.
he said that our prayers to our God is more powerful than bombs.
he was on his way last night to meet with our president.
Please pray that he has wisdom from God. The war broke out in the area that we were in. To know what that looks like and the peace
You feel here in this land Is unreal.

Yesterday we sat on the hill where they think Jesus delivered the beatitudes.
We saw part of peters house and saw where Jesus stayed with him.
We saw a boat that was like Jesus boat, and we sailed the sea of Galilee.

I was over whelmed with the presence of god.
I also was over whelmed with hoe Jesus loves his land and the love for his people.

The bible is coming aive.

We are pretty safe and I am not afraid. So keep praying for these people.
We talk to Jews and they know Jesus is coming soon.
Of course they think for the fist time.

Love you'll. We are moving to Jerusalem today

W

isreal day 2

this has been an amazing day.
we started our day at 7 for an wonderful breakfast of bread and salad and fruit.
We then went to Chorazin. it is where the sermon on the Mount was preached by Jesus
Kay spoke for nearly 2 hours and it seemed like a very short time.
I was thinking it must of been like the people who was listening to Jesus. They were memorized by His teachings.
As I looked over the hills and thought about the 5000 plus people that were there I wondered what it would of been like.
And as I looked over the ruins of Chorazin I had to think why Chorazin was in ruins. Why were there no people living here.
And the. She answered my questions.

Chorazin was in ruins because they would not listen to Jesus and his teachings.
Jesus did a lot of his miracles in Chorazin along the sea of Galilee. but they did not listen.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:21-22 Woe to you Chorazin For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidom which
Occurred in you, they would have repented long time ago. nevertheless I say to you It will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day
Of Judgment than for you.

The judgment in Chorazin was there land was cursed and lay in ruin cause they did not listen to God.

my question for you. how many of the 66 books do you know?
Do not miss what God is doing in your life.
every thing we have or own is not worth missing our Savior.

We. Then went to Dan. Where the tribe of Dan lived. We saw a city gate where Abraham had entered.

we saw the boarders of Lebanon and the towers they watch each other at.
What a remarkable day.
back at the hotel at 7 ate dinner and walked down town.
now it's time to go to bed.

Isreal

Isreal is the center of the nations
Jerusalem is the center of Isreal
the dome of the Rock is the center of Jeresulam
How awesome is that.

We have arrived and we are staying right beside the Sea of Galilee.
Where Jesus said come and follow me.
it's where He chose His disciples
it is where he walked on water.

We have met some awesome Ladies....I
Some that will be friends forever....


The plane ride was great. We slept most of the time.
Eat dinner and breakfast.
As of right now we are ready to go to bed.
Up at 6:00 tomorrow and will have a full day of teaching.

I need to bring all you back next year!






Oh ladies by the way, I got hugged by Kay Author.

My trip to Isreal

I just want to thank you all for praying for me as I go to Isreal
I am excited to see what G od will show me as I go.
I am excited to bring back all he wants me to share with you all to.
I have always wanted to walk where Jesus walked.
I have always wanted to see where His beloved people lived and is still living.
I have always wanted to see why God always loved Isreal so much.
So as I go please pray that God will show me His heart.
Help me to retain all he has for me.
I am anxious to bring it back to you and share what God has shown me.
you all are precious to me and I thank you all.

I will be blogging and putting pictures on here as I have Internet.
love you all
Blessings Carolyn

John 14:26
But the counselor the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will
Teach you ALL things and will remind you of everything I have
Said to you.

The Greatest Marriage Proposal

Isn't it amazing how we ladies love great marriage proposals?
We can gather together and talk all evening about how great (or not) our husbands proposed to us. We laugh at how they tried there best, or we say have you heard about this guy who tried to propose in such and such a way..... We ladies love to go to a good movie that is all about marriage proposals.... Do you think that is why God did such an awesome job in proposing to us?
What? Yes, this proposal was not from a groom to his bride - at least not in a traditional sense. No, it is the greatest marriage proposal that was given to each of us from our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has invited every living soul into a relationship with him that is more meaningful and beautiful than any earthly marriage or relationship. Listen to his invitation.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light"
(Matt. 11:28-30)
Wow those are incredible words from Jesus!
Did you hear what he is offering us?
A relationship - "come to me"
A Spiritual provision - "I will give you rest"
A Partnership - "Take my yoke upon you"
A Comfort - "I am gentle and humble in heart"
A Relief - "My yoke is easy and my burden is light"
Jesus invites us into a union with Him that requires our purest love and becomes our most important relationship. I believe Jesus is saying that all other relationships including our marriage must come after our relationship with him.
So maybe just maybe, that is why we have problems with our relationships and marriages because we do not have our first and most important relationship in order?
I want my husband and my friends to love Our Lord Jesus more than me.
I want to love Jesus Christ more than anyone or anything else.
SO this is my prayer:
Jesus help me to love you more than any other person.
I pray that my husband loves you more than me or anyone else.
I pray that my relationship with you Jesus will be my highest priority.

Are you ready to say this prayer?
Are you ready to say Jesus Christ has to be First?
If you are tell me about it..blog it to me...
I am excited to see what God is doing in your life!
Blessings to you!

The Lord is our banner

Ex. 17: 15 "The Lord is my Banner"
I think that it is time for us to celebrate what God has done in our lives.
After the Victory Moses built an alter to celebrate the Victory God had given them and he Called it
BANNER OF VICTORY
JEHOVAH NISSI

The Ladies retreat was God's work. As Ladies shared their lives with us, God spoke to our hearts. My Sister (Rosella) called and said you must listen to a sermon.It was a sermon that her Son in law preached in Calif. on why to go on short term mission trips. So I went on line and listened to it. It was on Acts 8.

Some of us and others want to know why we would need to go on a short term mission trip. They say..."we have so much to do here why go" Lets take a look at Acts 8
Please read it....In this chapter we see God at work.
Notice how the Christians were scattered, but when they were scattered they preached the word, an there was great Joy in those city's.
Each time the Christians were scattered they took the message to a new group of people. Now lets take a look at Phillip and the Ethiopian. verses 26-34
Now the Lord told Phillip to "GO" If you look at a map, you will see that Phillip was from Samaria, and God told him to go to the dessert road that goes between Jerusalem and Gaza. It was a long way from where Phillip lived. Why didn't God use someone closer to the Ethiopian? Why did God choose to use Phillip and make Him go that far?
Notice when God told Phillip to go get near the chariot he "RAN" to it.
So Why did God ask 23 ladies to go to the DR? Why did we have to go thousands of miles, should of it not been done here in the US? Maybe, but God said GO. He choose the group to go, he choose to put the ladies together. He choose who was to share and put people in our paths to love. He choose those whose lives would be forever changed. He choose to humble us and use us and break us, he choose to break our hearts for Him and return us never to be the same again.

But God was not done with those ladies yet. NO, it was only a beginning. At the Ladies retreat God once again used ladies that have been on a missions trip somewhere to be used by Him.
Ladies that were carrying guilt and pain from there past, are now beginning to be free-ed . One lady gave her heart to the Lord and will spend eternity with us and our Lord. Ladies saw how little time is left and want to begin walking with our Lord like never before. One lady said "DO NOT HESITATE GO" One lady said God is working on me to forgive this week end...one said I felt God cleanse and purify my heart this week end and given a fresh touch and direction ...one said God has asked me to step out of my comfort zone and not to be afraid of it...one said Pray is where I need to be....one said wow God wants to use me just where I am...One said God loves me so much that he does not want me to stay where I am....One said wow God wants to use me...One said Time wasting "DO, GO now...One said I see how awesome God is this week end and he has spoken to me.....one said I am excited to find where my gifts are and to GET BUSY.....One said I need to have the eyes of Jesus to see people he wants me to share with....One said I have a mission sent here for a purpose....and One said GOD has opened my heart this week end and SAVED ME TODAY!

Why did God send 23 ladies to the DR? IT is called "Ripples of Redemption"
When you go to the ocean and see the waves come in it is a Rippling effect.

You see Maybe God sent Phillip on this short term mission trip to help save one man, but I am sure he returned to he is land and told others what happened to him. God is the one who saves and He will use who he wants to use to do his work.

So I end by saying what did God do with a team of 23 ladies sent to the DR?
He is still working, it is not stopping, it is a rippling effect and I pray it will continue.... God is at work.... If you are called to go on a short tern missions trip...listen and GO. God is not done with us yet. I am so excited to see how God uses us all in the coming weeks..
If God is calling you to go with us to Lima, Peru this summer do not delay, let me know soon....
Love you all and God be with you all!

Retreat

This is Molly's take of the ladies retreat.
Thanks Molly for sharing with us!


It is so good to hear from other women to whom God is speaking to, teaching, stretching and using for His glory! The Women's Retreat was amazing. It's so cool that when you share what God is doing in your life, it can have such meaning to someone else. "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
I have been so blessed to get to know all of the women here at New Life. It has been my prayer to have good Christian friends in my life...but I didn't know He would give me so many! God is good! "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
Micah 6:8 says, "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." This is my desire. How great it is to link arms with my Girlfriends!
Molly Ryall

Fat for Jesus

There were 12 men who walked with Jesus in sandals and robes.
It was not until they has a real understanding of Jesus and the body of Christ
that they begun to make disciples of Christ. They followed, watched and taught.
I like to call them the FAT guys.
F - Faithful
A - Available
T - Teachable
For once it is great to be fat for Jesus. I want to be fat for Jesus.
Jesus wants people to be fat for Jesus.
I wonder as a woman if you think you can make a difference for Jesus?

Are you a received of the word? Always taking in Gods word but never telling others
what you have read? So you always receive and not reproduce?
God wants us to be reproducers of the word. Matthew 28:19-20 says
Therefore GO and make disciples of All Nations......And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always. To the end of the age.
To be reproducers we must "GO" It is an action word.
Are you ready to leave your circle of comfort and follow Gods lead?
Exciting thinks are about to happen when we as ladies of God believe the word of God is worth spending our lives reaching our families, our husbands, our sisters.....

Do you believe God gives you just enough time to do what he has called you to do?
If this is true, what are we doing right now that we should not be doing so we have the time to do what God is called us to do?

Are we ready to be reproducers of the word?
Or are we at least ready to be made ready to be reproducers of the word?
DO you need a Titus 2 friend?
More tomorrow on our Titus 2 friends.
What a joy it is to serve a mighty GOD!

retreat March 25-26

Tonight starts our retreat.
I am excited to spend some time with all of you.
I know that God has some wonderful things planned for each of us.
We have so much to be thankful for I just have to tell you all about it.

First of all Donna's Head aches are better and plans to attend the retreat.
(praise the Lord)
Jasmine and Dawn are better (very bad colds)
I am feeling 99% better Praise God!
Patti's daughter accepted the Lord this week and her and her husband are attending church in Ohio....Praise the Lord
And our dear friend Joyce is ok. She and her husband flew their plane to Florida and at landing the right engine stalled.. God was not finished with them yet and they landed ok. she said she thought she was going to see God face to face last night. Praise God she is ok!!

We have so much to be thankful for. I am in awe of our gracious God who loves us and shows His love for us, that even while we were sinners He died for us and gave us hope!

One of our verses for Friday night at the retreat is
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached to the whole world as a testimony to all the nations and Than the end will come.

We must go, we must work, we must do what God has called us to do..
and then someday our struggles will be over here on earth and we will enter our Saviors presence forevermore!! Oh what a day this will be!

Lets praise our Father today, cause he is worthy of our praise!
Love you all ladies, see you tonight!
Carolyn

Great memory! I don't think so!

"Great Memory" do you have it or not?

Your friends says to you "I’ve got to look up the Miller’s number."

You say “Oh, I know it. It’s 333-36 . . ."

Don't we memorize all the time, don't we memorize every single day?
Don't we say to our friends “So if you take I-69 to exit 41, then turn left at Dippy Burgers . . .'You'll find a great new store"

For some reason we can remember information that we use or think about a lot.
If someone asks us about a movie "Oh yea that movie was directed by Frank Capra. It came before It’s a Wonderful Life."

So, My question is why does it seem so hard to memorize the most important things?
I hear this all the time and I am right there with you; “Oh, I’m so bad at memorizing Scripture." “Yeah, I just can’t remember it.”

Memorizing the Word of God will cleanse and renew my mind. It’ll help keep me from sin. It’ll help me say NO to My flesh, and it will protect me from wrong thinking patterns. I think I can memorize more than I think I can.

“Okay, I’ll quiz you first. Let me hear it.” next time you see me quiz me Ok?
“Psalm 119:97. Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day

If I truly believed this verse I don't think it would be hard for me to memorize the word of God. If I truly believed that I loved the word so much that I need to meditate on it all day and all night I would be memorizing it today.

My pray of confession: Lord I confess to you today that I am not where I should be in memorizing your word. I do want to know your word and tuck it in my heart, so that everyday as I need your word, your words will speak to me. Lord help me to put this first in my life. Help me to truly love your words like never before. In Jesus name: amen......

Are you with me to? If you are let me know...post how you feel
Love you all
Carolyn

Chad's surgery today

Please pray for Chad today as he goes into surgery to mend that foot.
Please pray God will move in a mighty way in the family and they will see the
power of God working.
Cindy said she they have real peace since they have arrived at Mao Clinic so continue to pray for that also.
Thank you all I will keep you undated....
Thanks for praying!



Chad's surgery is over and Terry and Cindy are feeling real good about the surgery.
Please pray that God will begin the healing process on his leg. That he will be able to walk and use his leg normally. Praise you God!

Mission Trip Feb.2011

Mission Trip Feb.2011



( push on Mission trip 2011 in small print. The video will come up)


Ladies this is a great song that Donna Bontrager did for the retreat.
I refuse to not do what God has called me to do.... This is my heart.
When I heard this song I thought this is what we as followers of our Lord want.

I am reminded of the passage in Isaiah 6 where it says
Woe to me! I cried, "I am ruined! For I am a man with unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips and my eyes have seen the King the Lord Almighty.
Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the alter. With is he touched my mouth and said "see this has touched your lips, your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying "whom shall I send? Who will go for us?
and I said "Here am I Send Me!"

Are you ready when God calls to say "Here am I send me"?
If you are tell me about it!
See you all this week end.
Carolyn

retreat March 25-26

Hello Ladies!

I am so excited about this years retreat.
We are going to take a trip around the world and getting ready to step
out for Jesus! If you are not signed up, please do so this week.
This Sunday is the deadline to sign up.
I am amazed at the verse in Matthew 28:19-20.
I have read, memorized this verse all my life and now God has showed me
some new things about this verse I did not think about before.
The question I am going to leave you with is this....Have you ever thought
about the fact that God has a radical global purpose for your life?
How might God be asking you to impact All the world. To spend all of your life for the sake of All of God's glory in ALL the world.

Come and join us it is going to be an exciting journey!
You even get to ride on an airplane!!
Can't wait to see you at the retreat.
We are having some special guests joining us on Sat. you are going to love them!!
Have a blessed day!
Carolyn

Post from Lowell Toyer from the DR

This was an note from Lowell (Missionary that is in the DR).
If this is something you would be interested in please let me know.
I think it is an awesome thing to do....OR we could do this as a group from the
ladies group. As you can see ladies, sometimes we do not know who we impact on short term missions trip, but notice Lowells opening remarks....


Lowell writes

Wow I am so amazed how God has used your group to impact so many. It seems like everyday your group gets talked about in some way and it is all positive. Thanks for taking time out to extend the Kingdom.

I am sending you a copy of this so that you can take a look at it and maybe it is something you could get your church (ladies group) involved in. This is something that could really revolutionize our finances here and yet is not a big burden on anyone person. I would like you take a look at this and give me your feedback.

I am sending you a link for a new website that we have put together for our Child Sponsorship Program. The link is: WWW.SIDR.WEEBLY.COM It is not a totally finished product but it is usable. We would really like to see if a group of churches would partner with us to really help us get to a place that we are much more sustainable. We would ultimately like to find about 75 total sponsors but what we are asking is if a church (Ladies group) could help us find 10. It is $35 a month to sponsor a child and the money goes for the child's education. We do not give money to families but we do supply three meals a week. So it does help the family as well. We feel it is such a good investment in the child to give them education and at the same time instill the Word of God in them for three years minimum.

Let me know if that that is something the church may be able to help with. I am not asking the church to sponsor the kids but if we could find 10 individuals that would be willing.

Pat's take on the DR

This is Pat Kauffman's take on the DR. Pat is the 2nd lady on the left of the truck.


This trip was a dream come true for me. It was such an amazing journey. I had no idea what to expect or what would be expected of me but the Lord guided me through this trip every step of the way. The group of ladies was a most awesome group and even though I knew very few of them it was such a comfortable group to share, pray and work with. The devotions in the morning, as a group and as individuals, and the team meetings were such wonderful times. I felt such a peace during all this time.
The power of prayer spoke so loudly to me and what a difference it can make in our lives. Starting the day with the Lord also made an impact with me. Even though I already knew these things I needed to be reminded of it in a new way. I knew early on what I needed to do differently when I got home. I have picked up a Bible study book and guide to help me get started and am studying in the book of John.

At the work site, even though we could not communicate language wise our people understood the smiles, hugs, and holding their hand when the going got tough. And they beamed from ear to ear when they were presented with new baby clothes. Such simple things to do. A smile, even with people we can talk to, can make such a difference in their day. Simplifying my life is important.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to join this group of ladies and for the friendships I have made. I am making changes in my life and I know we made changes in the lives of people in the DR even though me may never see it.

Dawns take on the DR

I have been wanting to write on this blog for a long time. But, I had to wait until the words could come. I don't know about a top 10 list but here are my thoughts. God showed me He is God and I am not. He is always in control. Just as it should be. I went to the DR with such anticipation to go to the hospital and see how things were done in other countries. Meeting Fernando was a blessing. He and his family so young and with the commitment to serve the Lord. The sacrifice that he has made. The humble home and office that he has. If he was a Dr in the United State how his life would be so different. Different but not better. I saw the "politics" of the hospital there that drove him crazy just like we have here in the US. This is a man who God has given a gift to and he uses it everyday to serve others. It was awesome when Fernando would have a short time of scripture reading and prayer with his patients at the clinic before he treated them. What a comfort to his patients. Consider what our healthcare system would be different if we used this as our model. Being a doctor because you want to help and heal and not because you want to be some sort of social elite or make an enormous amount of money.(I know a lot of doctors here that are doctors because they do love people and using their gifts.)

I loved being with Pat, Pam, and Mary (from the dentist group) We all got along very well and learned from each other. Praying over a baby of 16 year old girl, giving clothes to the women at the hospital for their new babies were all blessings to us. Loving the Hatian woman who was not treated so kindly at the hospital because she was Hatian. I hope that even with the language barrier she could see the love of Jesus in us. (Even though I tried to steal her baby everyday!! HAHA)

Many of you know that Maria, my birthmother died just two months before we left for the DR. This has been hard for me. I thought I would have so many more years with her. When we went to the waterfall I kept thinking "Oh how I wish I could share this experience with Maria." Maria loved hiking and being outdoors she would have loved hearing about that experience. I guess my comment to that is never take for granted how long you will have with someone. You never know when they will not be with us any longer. Maria taught me a very important lesson, don't ever judge people. Some people are at different points in their life spiritually. We as Christians need to remember that as not to push others away from our goal, leading them to Christ our Savior.

I know you all thought I hated mornings. I really didn't I just like to stay in bed a little longer! God was good He gave us perfect lessons each day to learn more about Him. I was thankful for our quite time and starting my day with Jesus. We have had a struggle in our life for a couple of years with our son Dylan. He is trying to find his way and some of his ways are not what we would have chosen for him. Dylan and I can fight. It never used to be like that between us. I have the desperation of a mother who wants to never see him struggle. He has the desperation of a young man who just needs to figure things out. For a very long time before we left for our trip the Lord kept whispering to me, wash his feet. I am embarrassed to say I didn't. I was disobedient. When we got our packets for our early morning bible reading one of the lessons was to be on washing feet. We never did that lesson as a group.....what a lesson that was to me though. I really felt like God was confirming to me wash my sons feet. I talked with Maggie about this one night and she felt as I did, I needed to humble myself and do this to show my son forgiveness. Saturday night I told Dylan of this. He took it like I was afraid he would and he said you are not going to wash my feet. What I told him was, ok I won't physically do it but, I want you to hear that the fighting needs to stop. I want you to understand in telling you what I felt the Lord wanted me to do I am doing it with my words. I explained to him there is nothing he could or will ever do that will ever make me stop loving him. He is my child and I love him with every ounce of my soul. Isn't it funny that we do the same to Jesus? Sometimes we fight and try to do things our way. Our Lord sometimes has to sit back and be patient with us. Watch us mess up. He never stops loving us though no matter what. He loves us with His unconditional love.

Jesus has taught me from the trip that He can strip us down to look at ourselves and our lives to see what is really important. Things are just things. We can do with much less. We need to be obedient to Him. He never forgets us. He is faithful wherever we are. Jesus put some people in my life that shared their stories with me about their lives. They gave me hope that my son will find his way back to the Lord too. Now they have a story to share with a mama to give her hope.Their bumps and bruises along the way were not in vain. I am so thankful for their openness with me. I love you all.

Dawn Sturdivan

Joyce's Browns take on the DR

So you are my dear friends....here is my blog:

What an amazing journey. A journey that started out with 22 other women I didn't know but now I call my girlfriends and I love dearly.

A journey that took me to the Dominican Republic where all of us prayed together, laughted together, worked together, cried together, sang together, and worshiped our dear Lord together.

A journey where I watched God work mircacles, bring healing, and weave a group of 23 women's hearts into one with His.

A journey that allowed me to be God's hands and feet to serve His precious Dominican people and touch their lives in some small way...and in return they touched my heart.

For this journey I am humbled and my life will never be the same again.

Thank You Jesus for Such a Time as This.
----- Original Message -----

Brooke's take on the DR

This is Brooke's take on the DR. The Lord did a wonderful work in her life while she was there. I am excited to see what the Lord does next!


My trip to the DR! What an awesome group I went with, 22 ladies who love the Lord, and were willing to serve the Lord all week.

10 Things that have made major impact on me:

1. God's Love
2. Humbled
3. The simplicity of DR
4. Friendships made and friendships grew stronger
5. God worked out everything in His timing not ours
6. Praying (Thanks Donna) :)
7. Team time each night- 23 Ladies praying, crying, laughing & sharing!
8. Kids at the school-even though there was a language barrier-they loved on us and we loved on them!
9. Missionaries - Their love for DR and what they are doing everyday is AWESOME!
10. Urgency to share the gospel

Going on a missions trip you think you are going to help them, when really they are blessing us. The simplicity of DR is refreshing in a way....they have no schedules, they have no busyness. Like we do here in United States. We are so wrapped up in our daily lives that we forget to sit back and relax and reach out to our neighbors and friends. What is important to us....Are we letting God's light shine through us daily...or are we so busy that we don't even let Him shine? I know for me personally it was a check in my life, where are my priorities are they on check with what God wants for me and my family.

Luke 14:34- Salt is good but if it loses it saltiness how can it be made salty again.
Have we lost our saltiness?

The power of prayer was evident all week. From the plane in Chicago to the rain on Friday for our Fiesta. But God had HIS plans and we had our plan....Gods plan was MUCH better
than any of ours!

Mark 10:45- For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.

We are not here to be served, but to be servants for the Lord. I need to reach out and take the next step to see where God wants my family to be.

I am so thankful that the Lord took me to the DR! I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for my family and I! The Lord is Good...

Kris's thoughts on the DR

Kris is was an inspiration to us all. Thanks Kris for the wonderful shirts! What a blessing they were!



Kris's thoughts on the DR


I'm not sure where to start. This trip was so different than I expected in so many ways. All the other times I have been to the DR we have always built something. So we saw results right away. I don't know if I will ever see result in the DR from this trip. I hope so. I think I see more results in me personally than I expected. I really struggled in the beginning of the week. I felt like I was doing nothing but standing around. I was placed in the Physical Therapy site by the lady in California. She had never met me and why in the world would she put me there. I tried to have an open mind but that was really hard for me. Tuesday night at team time I expressed my feelings and we had a special prayer for Marcia, Tara, and I. Wednesday morning the three of us prayed before we started our day. It was more like what I expected and I really enjoyed the day. We got to do more hands on therapies and I found that I really liked being able to do that. Thursday I heard God screaming at me. I think He put me there because He wants me to pursue being a Physical Therapy aide. I have really struggled with that because I have felt for years that Fritz and I would go into missions at some point in our life. I'm not sure how the two will fit together but God knows. I am praying for a willing heart to do whatever He wants me to. I would love to be able to do both and maybe even in the DR. The people of the DR have stolen my heart.



I have also learned that what my plan is, is not necessarily Gods plan. We learned that God is in control of every detail. All the way down to the smallest detail, like the cross in the sky from the exhaust of two planes crossing each other. That was a conformation to all of us that God is ALWAYS in control.



I have never gone on a mission trip that was all women. I have to admit I was scared, but God was in control of that as well. I feel very blessed to have come away from the trip with 22 special sisters. I have known some of them for a long time, others only for a few years, and still others not at all. God couldn't have chosen a better group of women for this trip. We had some really funny times, lots of tears, and lots of talking. Some of us talked longer into the night(Cabin 3)

than others, but I had a great time with my cabin pals. I guess to boil it down the biggest thing I learned again is GOD IS IN CONTROL.



If you ever get the chance to go on a mission trip and God is nudging you to go, follow His call. You will be truly blessed.

Love you all,

Kris Bontrager

Rachel's take on the DR

Rachel is so fun see How God is working in her life. It is so fun to see how her love for God gets stronger and stronger. I want all of you to hear her testimony. You will be encouraged!



After re-reading Matthew 28:18-20, I really feel that my reason of going to the DR was for the fellowship of 22 wonderful women. I feel that through all I have seen and learned, they have all had a hand in making me even more of a disciple than I was before leaving. The DR has left me hungry, and I don't mean food hungry(DR food is amazing!). I mean I'm hungry for God's word. I'm eager to learn more books of the bible through bible studies, I want to be able to name off a verse to someone in need (thank you Mari Bowers:), and I want to learn how to have an obedient heart.



When people ask me how my trip went it really seems like a personal question. This trip to me was a getaway for me & God. God even allowed me to walk around with his heart, and wow, what an amazing heart he has! It didn't matter what language you spoke, the people and children loved you! Acts 10:34-35 says, Then Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right."



We left our comforts of our homes, left our families all to spread God's Good News. I consider it such a blessing to have recieved such a calling and to have obeyed it. I have learned so much from this mission trip, and I am praying that it stays inside of my heart forever.



10 things that impacted me:

1. Power of Prayer

2. God's love for his children

3. Humility

4. Tears, Hugs, Laughter

5. God speaking through me

6. Team Time/Morning Chapel

7. God shows his mercy & love no matter what country we are in.

8. Healing of my sinful heart

9. New Relationships{I have so many new friends}

10. God allowing me to love on his children



The number one thing that impacted me was building new relationships. There have been times in my life where I have literally went weeks without talking to a friend, and its not healthy. I know I have 22 women I can call up anytime (you can call me too:) and I can speak to them about whatever is on my mind. The beauty of it is that it will always stay between us. I feel that this trip is special, with a lot of special women. I truley feel God has led me to all of you for reasons, and the future will show me why. But, until those moments come, lets live, laugh, and love one another often.



The number two thing that impacted me was God allowing me to love his children. It made me miss my son like crazy, but it made me stronger in the end. Some of the stories I learned of some of the children were horrifying, but I just think that I had to have made some kind-of difference. I didn't need them to physically tell me, I could see it in their little eyes, and feel it in their warm hugs. I know that it takes very special people to handle God's children, and I deeply appreciate Amy Green(SI Site Leader) for her hard work and compassion she has. Amy has been a blessing in these children's lives and in mine.

Annie's take on the DR

What am amazing wonderful work he did in our lives and Annie was one of those that God worked in amazing ways. Thanks Annie for going with us! We love you!!


What an amazing trip! It has actually been quite hard adjusting to "normal" life again. I miss the morning mini-sermons, the daily fellowship, the constant hugs and smiles, and the Spanish music. I was so changed by this trip. The biggest thing to me was simply love, in all it's forms.

The love God has for us became so real to me while I was gone. I have never heard Him so loudly as I did while I was in the DR. During morning Bible study, I could just feel His presence. I absolutely loved it! Watching prayer after prayer get answered and watching everyone grow was just amazing to witness. God proved so faithful during this entire trip. Even things that from the outside appeared to be a problem, He just turned them around and used them for good! They caused us to learn lessons about ourselves and to grow closer to each other.

I never expected to come home with such an amazing group of friends. I absolutely love everyone that was with me on the trip. I miss seeing them all every day! We had such fun together, crying, laughing, listening, learning, and praying. I gained a whole new family on this trip! Even since we have been home, my phone has been filled with texts just checking to see how I am doing. Texts requesting prayer and texts letting me know that my family and I are being prayed for. What a priceless, unexpected gift!

Also, the love of the Dominican people. Not just the missionaries, but the people in the villages as well. I worked with the kids at one of the schools. These kids were full of love and joy. They were so affectionate and always wanted us to play with them, hold their hands, and sit with them. I got to help them with reading and math, and I even got to play hangman! When they were asked to pray, every hand in the room went up because they all wanted to pray. Very different from Bible study at home, where most of us look all around the room and down at our hands when the leader asks who wants to pray!

The other thing that meant so much to me was the simplicity of life in the DR. It was actually refreshing to not worry about a phone, an alarm clock, or what was on tv. The entire focus was on God and people, and we as a country have lost that. One little girl carried a small purse with her everywhere, the only thing in that purse was a Bible. We carry around so much useless baggage, and this little girl carried with her the only thing that really matters. I left America expecting to help these "poor" people, and came home realizing that those people helped me more than they know. I also now believe that we are more poor than they are in what really matters. They have a dependance on God that we just rarely see in America.

Donna Bontragers view of the DR

This is Donna's take on the DR. She is a blessing to me. She did not know anything about sewing, but never once did she say anything about not going to her site, she would just laugh. It was clearly not about Donna. She found out why she was placed at that site. Its cool how God works!


Donna says:
When asked to name my top 2 things that had a major impact...after narrowing it down from 10...were meeting & spending time with Celi - and - seeing the power of prayer.

When asked what this had done to my thinking/world view of missions...It reminded me that I need to spend more time in prayer for all those who have heard God call them into missions, whether long term or short term. Also, to pray for the people they are coming in contact with, that they may have an open heart to hear and receive God's gift of Mercy & Grace.

The last question was Why did God bring me on this mission trip...and I think it was answered in the 2 previous questions. Meeting a lot of special kids and giving lots of hugs...seeing God move thru prayer...meeting some incredible mission field workers...and getting to build special relationships with 22 other women was such a blessing I can't really put it into words.

The main thing I want to tell you is that "YOU CAN'T OUT-GIVE GOD". I went down to the Dominican Republic hopeing God could use me to make an impact...and returned with blessings overflowing. New relationships with sisters...new relationships with SI workers...new relationships with the girls in Los Higos...and a new appreciation for "air travel"...hahaha

Prayer is so powerful...we need to approach the throne with our thanks and petitions and then listen to hear his voice leading and moving us to action.

Thank you Lord for an experience that can only be described as AMAZING!
Donna Bontrager

Kims take on the DR

Carolyn has asked us to list at least 10 things that have impacted us on our trip to the DR and then to write about what impacted us the most. Though I don't think I needed to go on the mission trip to discover what I learned, I think that God used the Mission trip so that it made a commanding impact on me.

My 10 major impacts would be:

1. The Power of Prayer
2. Humility
3. Simplicity and the joy these people have
4. Friendships - created there and deeper with those prior
5. Missionaries - their commitment to God and the people they serve
6. Time - we, Americanos, put to much value on it and it dictates us to often
7. God's timing
8. Beauty - in the people and the country side
9. God's provisions
10. The children

What impacted me the most, for my very 1st mission trip, has been the Power of Prayer. I have always believed in prayer, pray every day and have tried to be a faithful prayer warrior, BUT and do i mean BUT, the week prior to our departure, the day of our departure and the week at the DR has revealed to me how small I am and how HUGE GOD IS. God is in and wants to be in, every detail and aspect of our lives. (by minute, hourly, daily, weekly and forever) To hear the DR story, and there are many, will reveal a God of Power, Unity, Timing, Faithfulness, Healing, Strength, Adjustment (on our part) and most of all Love. Prayer is not just a tool to seek, praise, and ask but a way to listen to God's will and an understanding. Through prayer we learn to know our Father.

Friday, the day of the Fiesta for the children, it had been raining all night. It actually was a very peaceful rain that patted on the roof and lulled me to sleep. There were many concerns as to how we would carry out the days activities. Anyway, all week I heard from the Missionaries that we were with, that the rain was much needed and very much wanted. How could I pray for it to stop, so that we could have a Fiesta. My heart was torn. It continued to rain through TAWG time and early morning. Tara, the gal from TX, praised and thanked God for the rain and my heart just leaped, "yes let it rain". I then knew that if we would adjust and take a step in faith, God would provide for the day. And boy did He. It rained and He reined. The sun shone and the Son shone.

That morning I sang a song out loud and it went like this: Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day, I have a wonderful feeling everything's going GOD'S way. AMEN

The power of prayer. . .

Carolyns take on the DR

While I wait for some of the other ladies to send me there takes on the DR. I will write my take on it.

Last week was a very hard week for me. I was feeling very much like I could not adjust to coming back from the DR. I just wanted to go back and live there.

The 10 things I saw God do the week we were in the DR. was the following.
1) God answering prayers as soon as we left the church
2) God smiling and showing us he was in control
3) Ladies uniting our hearts together on the first day.
4) Ladies stepping up to help, Willing to step out of their box.
5) Ladies beginning to seek God as to why they were called to the DR.
6) Ladies sharing from their hearts and telling God what ever you want
7) Ladies beginning to be healed from there past
8) Ladies waiting on God in prayer
9) Ladies enjoying each other in laughter, love and praying together
10)God continuing to answering prayers and healing as we return home
11)Ladies stepping out of there boxes after we are home to do what God has asked

ok I know I did more than 10 and I think I could go on.
My role was different this year than last year where I was able to be with Daisy each day and fell in love with her and the people in the village.
This year I visited different sites each day, which was a real blessing seeing the ladies ministering. But the most rewarding thing during the day was the afternoon I spent with Milli. Milli is the head cook and last year after we returned home she accepted Jesus as her Savior after we sent her a bible in spanish and this year I felt God did a work in her life as I just shared to word with her. She was so worried about her 15 year old daughter.
As I left to go be with her I asked Jasmin to pray. God did a miracle in her life as the word was spoken she felt like God poured warm water over her starting from her head to her feet. She said she would begin that day to pray the word of God for her daughter. The day after we returned to the US Milli's 14 year old daughter accepted Jesus into her heart.. wow God is good!
After I was home I asked the Lord to help me not loose what he showed me in the DR
This is what God gave me this morning and this is what i believe happened to me in the DR. He said
. "I can not live for today, for today is to short. Today is only important in the light of what we do for God. The things on this earth is growing very dim. I must not waste a single day. I must live with eternity in my mind."
I just got home from getting groceries . I have been think about this all day. As I entered the store I asked God to show me who I was to love on. Would you believe an old renter walked in the door right after me. This person owed us quite a lot. she avoided me. I walked up to her and said its ok. I don't need it God supplies all my needs...she began to laugh out loud..almost jumping up and down .she left my best friend. Eternity set in my mind!!

It was a real privilege to be the leader of these 23 ladies and I want to thank Dawn Christner for helping with lots of behind the scene things. What a great friend she is. I love you all and hope that the experiences you have had are life changing experiences.

Jasmin's trip to the DR

This is Jasmin's take on the DR. I am so thankful that God allowed Jasmin to be in our group. She blessed me so much and her heart in all for what God wants.....awesome!



DR TRIP 2011

I am so thankful for the opportunity to go to the DR. Someone shared on our trip that you can’t out give God. I feel God blessed me and worked in my heart far more than I was able to give. Even though we have been home almost a week, I am still trying to “process” my experience in the DR. This trip impacted me in many ways and opened my eyes to so much more.
1. I need to be disciplined in praying for our missionaries. They are amazing. It may take years for missionaries to see the harvest of the seeds they have planted. They may never see the harvest this side of heaven, but they are faithful to the call that God has placed in their hearts. Lord, help me to be faithful in prayer and with whatever resources you have given me to serve you.

2. The language barrier is not an obstacle when you are sharing the love of Christ. I sensed God working through hugs, smiles, laughter, and tears.


3. God continues to expand my circle of friends. He not only introduced me to brothers and sisters in the Dominican, but he deepened relationships with the women on the trip.


4. It was amazing to see 23 women – all coming from various walks of life and different personalities – connect so beautifully, together. I believe God called each of us to this DR trip and God worked a spirit of unity in each of us. We prayed together, shared together, cried together, laughed together – oh did we LAUGH together! Thank-you , Lord, for the way you worked in our relationships with each other.

5. I loved worshipping with my DR brothers and sisters. I was glad to have the morning devotions translated into English, but it was beautiful to hear scripture and their words in Spanish, too. Many times I could somewhat understand what was being shared just by the joy on their faces. Also, when we sang our worship songs in English and those same songs were also sung in Spanish – it was BEAUTIFUL. I imagined God hearing praises lifted to Him – in many different languages – as a sweet offering to Him.

6. God is in all the details. God worked out which areas we would serve in and with whom; He worked out all of the flight details to get us there; He worked it out so all of our luggage finally arrived. He worked in each of our hearts – healing hurts, healing relationships, giving insight, answering prayer, offering forgiveness. He also worked out the rain on Friday – allowing the much needed rain to fall while we were inside with the children and stopping the rain long enough to allow us time to play games and do the Bible story. God is truly AMAZING!

7. God did a work in my heart while we were there. I don’t want to lose that. I met a young man who has many physical struggles. His home is very “humble.” They do not have much, BUT, he has so much joy in his heart. He doesn’t dwell on his struggles but concentrates on his relationship with Christ. Melvin shared that he prays for all of us who come to visit him. Melvin completely rests in His Savior. Jesus is all he needs. His passion for Christ and his “resting” in the Lord were beautiful to behold. Oh Lord, forgive me for those times when I do not look to you and you alone.

8. We are not so different from those who live in the DR. We all have a need to be loved and cared for. We all need our Savior.

9. The people of the Dominican are much more relational than we are. They take the time to visit and develop relationships. At home, we seem to be caught up in busyness and schedules.

This experience has been a powerful one. I know that God has me here in Indiana, at this place, at this time, for a purpose. I desire to seek Him and be obedient to what He has for me here. The biggest thing I take away from this trip is that God does AMAZING things through a willing and obedient heart and He is ALL WE NEED. God “broke” my heart this week and I am thankful for it. He showed me, through the testimony of a man struggling with poverty and Cerebral Palsy, that when we have Christ, we have everything! “I said to the Lord, You are my Lord, APART FROM YOU I HAVE NO GOOD THING.” Psalm 16:2

In His Love, Jasmin

This is Dawn Christners words on her trip to the DR>
She is behind me in the picture. She was such a help to me before and during the
trip to the DR> She does a lot of behind the scenes work most of you do not know about. Thanks Dawn for all you do!






My thinking and understanding has not really changed as much as reinforced. This was not my first mission trip so it was more of a reminder. I have always had a passion to serve but going on trips like this makes it even more of a passion. It also reminds me of how blessed I am. Life in the US is easy and we take so much for granted, and because it is easy we sometimes forget that we need to leave everything in God’s hands! God is in control and it is His will not mine!

10 Things in no particular order! J

1. Gods timing is perfect!
2. All women on a mission-the stories that cannot be repeated!
3. Humility
4. Watching how the trip affected other women. Tears & Laughter!
5. The passion the missionaries feel for the country.
6. The fact that Rita could see changes in the country in the past 10 years means something is working.
7. Team Time
8. Power of Prayer
9. God’s will not mine.
10. God’s hand in everything!



This mission trip was really different for me. I think that it affected me differently because I had to deal with some physical restrictions. Humility was one of the big things God wanted me to learn this week. I am use to taking care of everything on my own. I don’t like to ask for help. In the DR I was unable to do some of the things that I wanted to do because of my foot. I prayed and prayed for healing before we left because I knew how difficult the trip would be if it didn’t heal. He didn’t heal it! Humility is not something you think of learning when you go on a mission trip but I did. I had to learn to accept the help of others. The day I had to stay at the SI base was extremely difficult for me, but I truly believe it was because Marcia needed to have that experience. I’m so glad that she was able to go in my place! God’s hand is in everything! I know that I don’t have to do things on my own and I am thankful to everyone for their help and for blessing me!

The great thing about a women’s mission trip is all the tear and laughter! It was such a blessing to me to listen to the women share about what God is doing in their lives, how they were affected by this trip and what it took to get them there. They had such an openness and desire to change things in their lives and follow where God is leading them. These ladies are amazing and I am so blessed to be able to call them my friends and thankful for the way that they touched my life!

Impack the DR had on my sister ; Rosella

My sister Rosella is on the far right of this picture.
She lives in Texas and she joined us on this trip.
I am so thankful she got to come with us. This was her blessings in the DR

Rosella's Blessing:

HOW DID THE DR IMPACK MY LIFE! GOD IS SO GOOD!

The power of Prayer and God's faithfulness!

Hunger for God's Word among the teenagers, just wanting to hear and talk more.

God's creation in so many beauitful women and girls, faces I will never forget, Personalities so so different each displaying who they are.

Contenment among ladies who love God , Satisfied with God alone. Simple, simple life, sharing their simple pleasures.

Daisy, her dedication to the ladies and children, Her quite spirit, her love for God, Her love to teach them Gods Word, Her patience, Her love for teaching obedience to God.

DR people putting visiting and relationships before work and enjoying each other

A little girl waving good-bye with both arms as our truck left the work site, her waving good-bye never stopped as long as we could see her. What a precious girl, I wonder what a in that heart.

Unity among the American ladies, my sisters in the Lord. The caring and sharing with one another what a sweet fellowship, and great leadership of my little sister. Carolyn you loved and served well. Was so encouraged by your heart to serve and love for God. Thank you so much. God is Blessing you!
How smiles and hugs can bring great encouragment.

The amazing SI staff, The morning Prayer and worship! The encouraging thoughts spoken, The challenges spoken through God's Word. Each missionary hand picked by God for such a time as this in the DR. Cheryl and Maggie , the great care and food prepared was awesome, The bedtime chats we had were precious, even the echo's of the next cabin.

All in All my prayer is that I will daily pray eternally for souls in the DR. I will live for eternal purpose more and not for this world. I am more aware that the needs in the DR are no different than here in the USA. There are broken hearts, hungry children, abused children,Pain,suffering and a real need to be loved and encouraged. As one of the ladies gave her testimony she said when I obey God and stay in his word my life is easier. A life of purity is easier to live than a life full of sin. Jesus is the answer for this world, To be satisfied in Christ alone brings much Glory to God. With Jesus our struggles are cared for by God.
The DR women taught me so much, They do not need our life style we need more of theirs. Trusting God day by day for daily need in every way of life. Focusing more on Jesus and less on us. My sisters from NLF thank for sharing your week with me and blessing all of us with a termendous week we will never forget the team God put together. See Ya'll next year.

Jeanie is the one on the left. The gal in the middle has been a real blessing to Jeanie and Donna this week, You will have to ask them questions about her.
We learned to know Jeanie in the DR and know God has a plan for her life!
Thanks Jeanie for sharing!


The power of prayer came in so real on this trip. Sometimes I feel like God is not listening to prayers when I pray and pray and nothing happens. God used this trip to show me in a POWERFUL way that He hears EVERYTHING.
No matter how big or small it is, He knows and cares what we are going through.
We had so many things that we had to lean on Him to change. Anything from flights to get there, to stopping the rain. GOD TOOK CARE OF IT ALL!!!!
It is amazing how much one little miracle can change out view of things. All the stresses of the week, and conflicts that could have tore the group down, it built us up. My mind goes back to the first meeting we had about the trip and I remember Carolyn saying she is amazed at the group God brought together and she prayed for unity in the group. THAT PRAYER WAS ANSWERED. I went on this trip, not really knowing any of the people and came out of it with a awesome group of friends.

God also showed me a lot of self-worth through this trip. He gave me some talents in sewing that I don't use often here. I about forgot about them and don't think of them as gifts from God. Well, He showed me the first day at the site I was at, that the gifts he gave me are HUGE!!!! I am thankful for the things He gave me and for the things I take for granted. Just because I find things easy that comes natural to me, doesn't mean everyone does. I am thankful for who He placed me with at the site. What came natural for me, didn't come natural for others, but what I have a hard time doing yet, came very natural for her. GOD IS AMAZING!!!!

Why did God take me on this mission trip? Wow, where do I start. God had to take me thousands of miles away to make me face the facts of what he wanted me to do without any distractions. It is to easy here in the my comfort zone to do things out of habit and push aside what I don't really want to do or to scared to do. It is scary sometimes to venture out and do something different, but how much better it feels when you do things that God is asking you to do and not hide from it. God can continue to take me on this journey now. There is no block wall there to hide behind. I also realized that I am not walking this journey alone. There are others that are walking with me and are dealing with the same issues as I am. Praise God for His faithfulness!!!

Pam Cross how God spoke to me in the DR

Pam is on the far left side of this picture
She is a blessing to me. She hears when God speaks and is always there to help
in her quite meek ways. Thanks Pam for these words.



A big thanks to Carolyn and all for their hard work before and during our trip. the verses, etc. before and the team mtg. during were a big help to prepare us for our "mission". Thank you!
My 10 major impacts from our trip:
1) power of prayer
2) reward for obedience
3) power of prayer
4) God's answers to prayer
5) Building and enhancing relationships
6) power of prayer
7) mission workers willingness to serve
8) our many blessings as servers/servees
9) opportunity for building a deeper relationship w/God through our worship time and interaction w/our site leaders
10) As Mari so well stated: Many times we are called to do something for our Lord and He reveals to us a reason for our own experience is something totally different from what we were expecting.
As you can probably tell, the major impact to me was the power of prayer and
God's perfect timing in answering it.
We had many answers to prayer before and during our trip. I personally had one and I just thank the Lord for his answer because it allowed me to have a good week and drew me closer to Him.
The other major impact was the strengthening of my relationship with God which is why I feel I was lead/pushed to be on this trip.
Mission trips are to me more of a blessing and growth for the ones going than for the ones we are ministering to. Because of the language barrier and the short termness of the trips it is hard to see the long term impact we may have on the people. Just from the time spent w/22 other sisters and seeing some of the things God accomplished in their lives in one week has done a lot of work in my life.
The worship times in the mornings got us ready for the day and the Team time in the evenings helped us to assimilate all we had seen and felt into our own lives.
The time spent helps us to be better sisters and disciples for God which is what He calls us to be.
God did some amazing things for us, with us, and through us because of our obedience to His call and our stepping into the water, in faith as his disciples.
God overcame the persistence of the enemy in His own time and way due to our obedience and faithfulness in Him.
It is awesome obedience and a big leap of faith to be a missionary. To surrender all the "comforts" to surrender to God's call to be a disciple. I just hope we were an encouragement to them as they shared their "hearts" with us.
One final thought, just shortly after we left the airport, someone noticed what looked like a cross in the sky from the exhaust for 2 planes crossing each other's path. I had this thought come to me that God was thanking us for our willingness to pick up the cross and spread its symbol of Good News to others as God's disciples.

The thing that blessed Rita the most in the DR

Here is Rita Lewis's greatest joys in the DR.(Rita is the first lady on the left on the truck) We enjoyed her being with us! Rita worked with the little kids all week.
It is a very difficult place to work because you are giving our all week and no giving back to you. You love on the Kids all week and it is so important but can not talk to them. Thank you Rita for being obedient!!

Rita says: The thing that made the most impression on me was Mari's lesson to the teenage girls and how much things have changed in the ten years since I have been there.
I can see progress; children are cleaner, schools are bigger and better, the community looks better. The mission is doing a work for the Lord!
It happens so slowly that those that are there don't really see it until they look back to what it was like when they first arrived on the Field. With me not seeing it for ten years, I seen a big change!
I thought about the mission through the night last night and prayed for the people.
My heart is still with them. Thank you for letting me go with the team. I enjoyed it very much. I have many new friends because of it.
Blessings to you all. Rita

10 things that made a major impact on Mari Bowers in the DR

I have asked the ladies to answer the following questions and i will blog it for them. This is the response I received from Mari. (Mari is the person on the back of the banana branch second picture)

1) question: If you remember we went over the verses in Matthew 28:18-20 since you first read these verses in the DR what has changed your thinking, your understanding and your passion?

Mari: It is deeper, fuller and I’m feeling more urgent in getting the Gospel spread to the lost. It isn’t an option, it is a commandment for every single Christian and my excuses just don’t hold up anymore. I am compelled to work the fields both here and abroad as God leads me.

question 2) I would like for you to write at least 10 things that have made a major impact on you.

Mari: 10 things that have made a major impact on me.
1) Fulltime missionaries give so much of themselves.
2) Prayer works in every situation ( with air pressure and ears on a jet, with stopping rain during outdoor games at festivals, and opening seats on flights when necessary!

3) Tradition is hard to break through and bring change but with time, commitment and God’s love it can happen.
4) Teenagers in the DR have the same active hormones as teenagers in the USA!
5) Mission workers need constant support and help
6) Many times we are called to do something for the Lord and He reveals to us a reason for our experience is something totally different from what we were expecting.
7) 23 Christian women loosed in the DR can cause deep laughter and cleansing tears.
8) Sisters-in-Christ can move mountains and cannot be stopped when they are walking in faith and obedience!!!
9) Love can cross language barriers and make new friends.
10) God can and will use anyone in amazing ways for His kingdom, if they are willing to step into the water, go through the fire to be purified and completely surrender to Him!

Question 3:Then take the top 2 and write why you were so impacted. What has it done to your thinking, your world view of missions, and why did God bring you on this missions trip?

Mari's answer: Fulltime missionaries give so much of themselves.

Acts 13:22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him; ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.

Ps. 16:2, I said to the LORD, ‘You are my LORD, apart from you I have no good thing.’


As I think about Daisy, (DAISY is the lady in the first picture clear at the end of the table) my mind has a hard time wrapping around all that she does in ministering to the women in El Callejon. Monday through Friday she faithfully makes the trip there to share Jesus with the women of all ages. She is prayer warrior, Bible teacher, craft teacher, tutor to students, menotor, peace-maker, encourager, friend and her list of the hats she wears goes on and on. This is all above and beyond her role at home as wife and mother.

She has many lives that she feels called to make adifference in. It would be completely different if these women fit in the nice little box of one of our churches where everyone was a Christian.
We have homes, electricity, indoor bathrooms with flushing toilets and warm showers. We have marriage and commitment and respect that makes sense to us albeit that even in Christian homes we have some hidden sins YET, we KNOW that sin is wrong because we have relationship with Jesus.
The women in El Callejon are living in the steeped and accepted traditions of living with a man, bearing his children and knowing that the father of their children has other women he sleeps with and fathers children to them. Physical and emotional abuse are part of their whole “Macho” man culture and very little is done to change this… It is an accepted way of life among those in the village.

Along comes SI and Daisy. Daise is a breath of fresh air, a flower planted where too many thorns grow up. Daisy offers unconditional love to these women, teens and little girls and through the Holy Spirit’s power she is making a huge difference. I believe God says of Daisy, “I have found a women after my own heart. She will do everything I want her to.” And I believe Daisy says to God, “You are my Lord, apart from You I have no good thing.”

I admire Daisy and other missionaries through out the world and I praise God for the example they are to me!

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1) Many times we are called to do something for the Lord and He reveals to us the reason for our experience is something totally different from what we were expecting.

11) God can and will use anyone in amazing ways for His kingdom, if they are willing to step into the water, go through the fire to be purified and completely surrender to Him!

These two go hand in hand for me. What we saw each evening as we sat around together sharing our day was revealing of the work the Holy Spirit. I know we each knew we would be blessed by our experience on this mission trip.
What I don’t think we expected was the way that God worked in our lives to dig deep and cleanse and purify our past and bring us to the throne to fully serve Him in the present. Blessings came in the form of healing and freedom from so many things we were carrying.
Being in a group of women that have hearts to serve the Lord with whatever task He asked us was impossible to do while carrying excess baggage. Tears of cleansing and healing poured freely and God then used clean vessels eager to serve Him. Also, the calling of hearts for work at home will be fun to see come to fruition.
Onward Christian soldiers!!!
Mari Bowers

Milli's daughter in the DR

Hello everyone
I have some exciting news! The young lady in the middle of this picture is Karine, from the DR. She is Milli's daughter age 15. (Milli is the head cook at the base) She has been worried about her daughter and she told me how she was so worried that she would not walk with God, and she was so afraid that she would run to her dad and live with him if she told her how she should live. I got the privilege to go and share the word with Milli and encourage her to take a radical stand for Jesus. DO what he commands and God will do the rest.
We gave Milli a bible to give to her daughter and today she accepted Christ as her Savior.
Please pray with me for Karine. She is so beautiful.
Also life up her Milli's mother sitting beside Karine. She is catholic and is not saved. Milli wants all her family to know Jesus! She is now praying the word of God for her family. Please join me in praying for Precious Milli's family!
Thanks all

Dominican Republic

We are back in the United States and are glad to be home, but oh what a great Missions trip we have had. I am always so amazed that even though we went to bless others but God blessed us and spoke to us more that we blessed others.
God answered so many prayers this week and he answered them on his timing.
I hope that you continue to check this blog and see how God has blessed our ladies.
They are going to be blogging on here and telling you all about their trip.
Please ask the ladies how God spoke to them.
Thank you all for praying!!

chicken business the DR way

Hello all
Sorry that I have not blogged in a few days.
We have had some busy days. Working from sun-up to sun-down.
It is beautiful here and the weather has been nice. It has rained a lot here, but no one cares if they get wet, we just cool off that way.

Tues. I went to the micro-finance site and you all can click on the video and see the way this lady makes her living. She butchers 50 to 200 chickens per day.
Depends on her orders, 6 days a week.

Then I went to a social site and visited the site I was at last year. Mari Bowers gave a talk to the young ladies on sexual purity. It was really good and if you want to know more see Mari and ask her.

Tue evening we all divided up in groups, jumped on the truck and headed out to town to shop and eat dinner. The lady at the base that does all the cooking (Millie) is a much better cook that the rest. was up town. She is an awesome cook.

We then came back for team time to talk about how the day had affected you and how God was speaking to you. Many ladies have opened up there hearts in unbelievable ways. They are so wanting to be used by God and as God continues to break our hearts we then can be humbled by him and fall on our faces before Him and be used by God as he wants to use us.

After finally getting the middle room of ladies to quite down we all got to sleep. They are the rowdy bunch of ladies.... I wonder who is in that cabin. Like Jasmine, Kim, Brooke, Donna, oh my lists goes on.....

On wed we went to our sites and saw God work in awesome ways. Babies were born and
Kids were loved on and Ladies were fed the word of God.
We had team night again, crying and laughing and giving God the glory for the day.

Wed night we went to eat in the Dominican homes.
We were divided up into 9 groups and we ate in there homes.
Many of the Ladies returned, never to be the same ever again. God showed us hoe little they have and how happy and they were to be Gods children, and God showed us how we have so much and how unhappy we are. God broke the hearts of these ladies once again never to be the same!

Thur. already and we only have one more day to be in the DR. and be at the sites.
Today we left awoke with Gods heart in us and left ours in the room. How will it be different with the heart of God instead of our heart? I will be excited to find out tonight in our team time. We have to make Kettle Corn tonight for there snack for the Festive.

Tomorrow we have a Festive with lots of children. The first group is from 10-12 and the 2nd group will be 2-4 at 2 locations. Pray for us as we continue to serve in the DR. I am excited to see how you will see a difference in us.
Sorry the internet is not strong enough to upload video. Will do it when we get home

Monday

What an amazing day.
We were all at our ministry sites today.
A new baby was born at the Hospital site.
Ministry was done at the ladies social site, Kids were hugged at schools, a gal got a new shirt made from one of our ladies that took a news paper and made a pattern.
Some of the ladies wondered why they were placed at there ministry site, but all a amazed at what God is doing in there lives. My goodness, not one of these 23 ladies will ever be the same again.
What an amazing work God is doing in our group, unity and sharing our lives in ways that can only be Gods leading. One lady said it is amazing that we had to go 1000's of miles to hear and listen to God.

Tomorrow we go back out to the ministry sites and work again.
Some of the lades get to give there testimonies, some of the ladies get to go to a ladies house and butcher 100 chickens.....lol I'm going to take pictures!! some are going to love on some more kids and the medical group have lots of babies scheduled for delivery tomorrow (c-sections) and then there are those that don't know what they well be doing, but please pray that God will again do am amazing things among us.

Tomorrow night we go into town and eat and get to have some Dominican Ice Cream...yum
Oh and do a little shoppng....

Thanks for praying!

Church in the Domincian

We all headed out to the Dominican church service this morning.
It is a beautiful morning and the sun was shinning beautiful.
As we arrived they were singing and praising God is such a beautiful way. Yes we could sing along with them....of course in English
The sermon was on praying for others and praying the word for others, unsaved and saved people.
Thank you all for praying

Hiking in the DR

There were a few ladies who decided to hike to the top the mountain today. All the way up we were vigorously assured that we were only trekking the easy trail and that the advance course was yet to come. So as we were huffing and puffing and walking up an incline so steep we could reach out and touch our toes without the least inconvenience, we were praying and preparing ourselves for some serious rock climbing. Little did we know that the severity of this hike was greatly exaggerated by our dear Kathy. We were encouraging one another and talking about what we would do when we got to the top when she graciously informed us that we were in fact at the top already.
The view was definitely worth hike. As we stood at the pinnacle the city was lain out before us. It was a stunning reminder of how small we really are and how big a God we serve that holds the world in His hands.

Posted by Kathy Stienbarger

Sharing EVERYTHING

Last evening we still one piece of personal luggage that did not arrive. Seeing as how we are Sisters...we are willing to share everything...including ..... One sister came to the rescue and offered her an extra new pair she had brought along. At the idea of clean & new ...she was overcome with joy. Altho in all the excitement she forgot where they were suppose go.

Posted by someone other then Carolyn

domician republic

Hello once again from the DR.
We have had an amazing day. God has shown up and has showed off!
What fun it is to see God work in amazing ways.
We visited the ministry sites today and went for fun to a water fall.
4 of our young beautiful gals climbed over rocks, fell in the water and was determined to get to the water falls the hard way. But they made it.
One of our gals just fell in the water...that same gal has yet to received her luggage. She is an amazing lady our Kathy is. She has borrowed everything and she is doing fine. God has supplied all her needs and ours.
One lady knew her carry on luggage that she was made to check was gone, the air port knew nothing of this luggage. She said I think it is gone and I know God wants to show me something but what ever he wants is ok. Some of our ladies got together and said lets pray and ask God to let that luggage just show up.. When Nate went to the airport to get the rest of the luggage the guy says to Nate this is your luggage. He said no I don't think that is,,,the guy said JUST TAKE IT - ITS YOURS. When he got to the base. it was the first suit case that was pulled off the truck.
It was an amazing story. All of us ladies were screaming, yelling and praising God!

Off to the Dominican church tomorrow. Miss all our family's, but God has called these ladies to be here. Thank you for praying for us and continue as we begin our sites on Monday!

Blessings