We have had about 25 teams here in the Dominican with us this summer for short-term mission trips. They have all come and gone being a blessing to the Nationals (Dominicans and Haitians) as well as being blessed themselves in unimaginable ways!
Another way that blessings have been poured out through groups this summer is to us as missionaries. This is exactly what happened last week. Let me explain.
This is River Valley, one of our supporting churches. What a blessing they are to us in so many ways. There is a small group from River Valley that has "adopted" us as missionaries. They weren't able to come on the trip, but they sent a bag down with one of the team members full of goodies. Thank you for the blessing!
One evening, we went to a dear friend's house to sing worship songs on his balcony. Kerlyn and his brother Kendrix led by singing and playing the keyboard. What a joyful sound it was! For us, this was one of the biggest blessings of the week...we were able to see Kerlyn using the gifts that God has given him for The Kingdom. Thank you River Valley for giving Kerlyn the opportnity to stretch himself and grow in his faith.
We have developed some precious relationships in the past 5 years since we have lived on the mission field. We see many of the Dominicans as "our family". It is such a sweet blessing to us when our family from the states comes to the DR and loves on our "family" from the Dominican. The picture below is a man named Felix who works on the construction team building churches and Nutrition Centers. The River Valley team surrounded him with prayer, love and encouragement this week.
It is truly such a blessing to have family here. We love our brother-in-law, Brian, and always feel encouraged by our time spent with him! We know that he prays continuously for us as we are here serving on the mission field. We feel those prayers and are grateful!
We are blessed to be a blessing to others......think about what that means. In God's covenant with Abram (Abraham) in Genesis 12, He says, "...and you will be a blessing.....and all people on earth will be blessed through you." Many times we think of the word "blessing" as us always being on the receiving end, but in God's covenant, He says that He will bless others through you. We have seen that covenant remain strong all over the island this summer. When teams are here, they truly are a blessing to us as missionaries, in turn, we are filled up and encouraged and can be a blessing to the Nationals. The Nationals are then filled up and encouraged as well, and are a blessing to the groups that come and serve. It's a beautiful cycle that happens and I have no doubt that it is pleasing to our Heavenly Father.
In all of the blessings being poured out, God is being glorified through the love that is being shown by His people.
How can you be a blessing today?
So blessed.....
No comments:
Post a Comment