Hey there amigos. I was reminded by a good friend to be careful I don't always give the impression that everything is wonderfully peachy all the time, and thus become rather superfluous... amen. And so I will endeavor to make sure I give you a good picture of what is happening down here, good and bad. I suppose that would require me to be more open, eh? I definitely have had my times of difficulty (mostly inner struggles), mostly related to whether I am doing enough, making a good enough impact. Man, sometimes I feel like a blockhead – God's grace is bigger than that, and I need to learn (i am learning) to rest in Him and take it one moment at a time. We are not called to a works-based gospel, because that is not the gospel. Works are good... when we understand and rest in God's grace. Which is so absolutely wonderful and beyond anything our puny minds could ever fully grasp. Wow.
Ok – so I've had the case of “ok, I'm here. Now what do I do?” Since our ministry is new, there are not 500 things for us to be doing all the time. At least right now. If you know me, you know I love having 500 things to do. :) I thrive on business. And so I arrived excited about getting started.
When we arrived at the house – I was surprised. It was a larger house. Very nice, thank God for that. I thought to myself something like, “bummer. no mud hut. this is a big house.” Lol I think my attitude needed a little adjusting (I find that happens a lot with me... funny thing). But it is a huge blessing. Fits all 10 of us plus the cat (no I couldn't escape the cats... :) ), who almost became dog food to the Larsons' Rottweilers the other night. Jordan Larson and I are rooming together... and I think it was pity for the cat that drove us to get up at 5AM and rescue the cat from the dogs... and because they were making such a racket outside our window. We are quite close to the main road of Nagua, and within walking distance of most places in town in a reasonable time (15min – 30min). It is the rainy season here in the Dominican and Nagua is the wettest place in the country apparently. You can tell this because it rains quite regularly throughout the day. Two hours off, 1-2 hours on. However, today we have seen probably more blue sky than any day we have been here yet. Yay! Actually the rain is nice. But I cannot complain at this “cold winter weather” (i.e. 80 degrees, humid, rainy). I hear there is word of snow back in Brampton, Canada... if that happened here, it would be catastrophic. Society would come to a standstill if it ever snowed.
After meeting with several pastors and leaders in areas around us (Nagua, Río San Juan, La Jagua), we have continued to meet open doors, wonderful opportunities, and the words “you are an answer to our prayers”. The pastors are so excited to work together with us to see the cities and countryside reached for the sake of Christ. There are many needs... although we are not sure what they are yet. Tomorrow we are meeting with a group of 10-14 pastors who pastor churches in the Nagua area (I have since learned there are about 130,000 people in the one province here, and about 120,000 are non-believers, so there is a great need there, and the majority of people are poor. The average salary here is about 4000 pasos per month (that is just over US$130 per month). Wow. But it is pretty amazing, we are arriving in the midst of a city-wide time of fasting and praying among the evangelical churches, prayer for the Holy Spirit to move in mighty ways in their city to see souls saved. And we happen to show up here by God's calling us at around the same time? Coincidence? I think not. Nothing of our doing – all God. Can't wait to see what he will do.
Ya know... kind of weird: it is still registering that I have made the jump to overseas missions. We are praying together as a team for God to unite our hearts with common vision and direction. I think our ministry will be somewhat apostolic in nature... and I can't wait to start visiting the mountain churches. I should be getting some bike transportation this Friday – and then hopefully shortly thereafter we can head for the hills... and find out where all the villages are, meet the pastors, and find out what the needs are there. I love adventure! :)
I love the Dominican. I like the smell of motorcycle fumes and the noise of 2 stroke bike engines buzzing by all the time. Why? I don't know. Lol And I love dominican coffee. It is not just the coffee that is great, but they make it with a huge amount of sugar, so it is more like coffee-sugar syrup. :) Mmmm. And rice and beans? Absolutely yummy. Even when we got sick from them.
Ok – I shall close for now. Thanks everyone for your prayers and for your encouragement and support. Love you all.
God bless,
Ryan
PS – I will send you pictures soon... I promise. :) Keep fighting the good fight everyone!!
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