"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."

Luke 15:20

This is a verse we need to read more often as it portrays the love that God has for his children, the unconditional kind. I love as the story continues in Luke when the prodigal son begins his speech about how he's not worthy to be called his father's son anymore because he's sinned against him and God, but his father isn't even listening because he's calling for his servants to bring clean clothes, food, sandals and the family ring to place on his son that has come home; his son that was "dead and now alive again."

How many times have we been ashamed to turn around and head back home to our Heavenly Father? Only to find that as we begin our journey back to Him, He's already running towards us to embrace us, kiss us, protect us, clothe us, feed us and clean us. This was the message that we shared at our first new worship service for the tigeres (tigers is what they call "street thugs") of Hoya del Caimito.

I was standing outside the church one day wondering why the kids from our camps weren't attending church when I realized that they didn't feel welcome. Someone along the way has planted in their head that they have to clean up before they go to church. So the new worship service alongside the basketball court is called, "Come as you are". 80 people did just that on Thursday night. Some soaking wet from playing basketball, some looking for the prize at the end of the service (we raffled off two tickets to a professional basketball game) and some a little tipsy after having a few drinks on the corner of the street. It was different.....it was church.

The praise band was made up of people who are passionate about music and sharing it with the people that surround them. All are young people from the community that have participated and led sports activities over the last few years. They did an incredible job and you could feel the energy as they worshipped God through playing and singing. We began a series on the Prodigal Son as we're trying to get these young men and women to understand that just like the father ran to his son in the story, God is wanting to do the same to us no matter what we're in the middle of. Something we can all remember daily.

Meet the band: Kerlyn, Isaias, Mike, Kendrix, Romano, Audrey and Goody

We recently had an incredible sports week as well. The Indiana Wesleyan Men's Basketball team came down for a week to do construction, basketball camp and compete in a tournament against teams from the Dominican Republic and Miami. They were outstanding as they were so excited to work in the Hole and dig a 15 x 15 x 15 ft. sistern at the land for our new central church. As far as the tournament was concerned, after a rough first game, they took home the gold by beating the Santiago all-stars in a rematch. They were a joy to watch as many of them have been transformed from young basketball players into true men of God. Thank you IWU for coming and serving here in the D.R. Check out the video below from their week.

http://www.vimeo.com/1509476

Please continue to pray for G.O. Ministries and all that is going on in the Dominican Republic. Pray for the new worship service that we'll have two thursdays a month. We love you all and pray that you experience God running to you as well!

Love,
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Will and Audrey

"And the parched land shall become a pool."

Isaiah 35:7

July 6, in My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers writes about visions and reality. He says, "we always have visions, before a thing is made real". After spending three years in the Dominican Republic working with sports ministry casting visions, God gave us a glimpse of reality this past week. In 1998, a group of 12 guys travelled to Santiago to put on a basketball camp for 40 kids with the hope that the community would catch on and the event would grow into an ongoing ministry opportunity. In 2008, a piece of reality arrived. Basketball camp week turned into an all sports week. We just finished an incredible 4 days of boys basketball, girls basketball, volleyball, baseball and women's fitness. Over 300 boys, girls, men and women participated in the clinics. Through out the week, we taught about the fundamentals of each sport, competition and what it means to use our entire body to glorify it's Creator. The response was outstanding.

Check out the video from the sports week below

http://www.vimeo.com/1371318

Later in the Chambers devotion, he says, "every vision will be made real if we have patience.......in the light of the glory of the vision we go forth to do things, but the vision is not real in us yet; and God has to take us into the valley, and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the place where He can trust us with the veritable reality." I'd like to say that the full reality has come to fruition, but the truth is only part of the parched land has become a pool, the vision is still out there, and as a sports ministry, we're still in the valley. We saw amazing potential this past week during the all sports clinics, but a Sports Complex, that is the vision. The ability to reach the entire island and beyond would be limitless if we had a place to host kids from all over for week long sports camps, bible studies, conferences, tournaments, etc... Please pray with us as we seek God's guidance in regards to the future of sports ministry. The visions are huge, so please walk with us hand in hand through the valley as we await the arrival of reality. God's timing is always perfect.

This summer has been incredible and we're only half way through it. Each group that has come to serve has gone off without a hitch and we're overflowed with blessings. Thank you to all that have come, prayed and given in order to help G.O. Ministries grow. We are so very grateful! We hope to hear from many of you as it's always nice to get updated on what's happening at home.

Love,

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Will and Audrey

What's goin on........

Hey everyone! We apologize for the delay in updating our blog. It has been a very busy and exciting winter/spring so we wanted to let you know about a few things that have taken place. Here is a run down of some of the latest activities in the Dominican.

2nd Annual Claude LaMaster Inter-church Basketball Tournament

Body of Christ Church

Assembly of God Church

Baptist Church

Hoya del Caimito

St. John United Methodist Mission Trip (Home Church in Louisville)

Click below for a video of the week
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ne31zd80GM

Men's Adventure Weekend (Conference for men of Dominican Republic and Haiti)

"Wild at Heart"

Recreation and Fellowship


Baptism

Communion

Prayer

Worship

Thank you all for being such a huge part of all of these events. God is doing HUGE things inside and through the people of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. We wish we could share EVERYTHING with you all...... He's incredible!

We are in the States until May 27th. We would love to set up meetings and visit. Please email me at will.partin@go-ministries.org with any requests, prayer concerns, information, questions or just to say hello. You are all very close to our hearts as we continue this journey. Please pray continuously!

Love,
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Will and Audrey

Online Giving

Hey Everyone! We just wanted to let you know that the ministry has provided an online giving option. As you can see in the right hand margin, a PayPal account has been set up and with a click of a button, you can donate to the ministry. You have the option of setting up a recurring donation or a one-time gift. Please note that if you choose to give online, there is a transaction fee that amounts to 3.2% of the donation that will go towards paying PayPal for allowing us to use their services. Example, if someone gives $100, $96.80 is what will actually be donated to us. Just wanted to let you know this is available to those who are interested.

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Will and Audrey

"The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season."

Psalm 145: 14-15

Like most jobs or new experiences, it usually takes a while to adjust and see results or "fruit". Because we are Americans and grew up in a culture where success is measured by immediate progress, it has been at times difficult to feel effective and useful in what God is doing down here on the island of Hispanola. In a study that we've been doing, we've spent time in the Scriptures that refer to waiting on God. For us, this has been difficult because our personality is to try and make things happen right now and without much help. In 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 it says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." We have experienced the teaching, rebuking, correcting and training of the Word of God.

Over the past year, our Dominican and Haitian sports staff has grown. We packed the 2007 calendar with sporting events (camps, clinics, tournaments, leagues) and had great success as far as numbers of kids who participated. But God placed it heavy on our hearts that we were still somewhat out of focus. Since January, 10 leaders have been meeting every monday to dive into God's word in hopes of being taught, rebuked, corrected and trained in order to be thoroughly equipped for the good work. Seeking to be equipped not for just an activity, but for the spiritual battle that everyone faces every day. Instead of trying to produce our own results, we have been taught to WAIT on HIM.

Simon and Alan

We met a man named Simon Abreu two years ago. Will was practicing with the professional basketball league and Simon played for Club Sameji. Although his 6'4" - 200 lbs. frame may appear intimidating, his heart proves to be gentle, humble and meek. Simon made the personal decision to get baptized over 6 months ago and since then has been struggling through the beginning of his walk. I say struggle because he's recognized the significance of being a Believer and that the path is narrow. Just last week, after 6 weeks of studying, praying and waiting on God to lead us to the next ministry opportunity, Simon started his own basketball ministry in his neighborhood. Because Simon played for Sameji, who won the professional league championship the last 4 years, he has earned a great deal of respect from the kids. 60 boys from the ages 8-20 came on the very first day. When Simon spoke, they listened. Two years after meeting Simon and spending time with him, the Holy Spirit has moved in him and placed him in ministry.

When we wait, God givest us our meat in due season.

Challenge for all of us: Slow down and wait on God.

As much as we'd love to have a sports complex, sports vehicle, 10 new leaders, 40 new camps, 90 more kids in church, the reality is.......it's not up to us. "They eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season." He is very aware of the desires of our hearts, if they are the same as His, in His time, He will provide.

Please pray for Simon and the rest of the sports crew. This new area we're working in is infested with drugs. Pray that basketball will be an attractive alternative. Also please join in praising God for His faithfulness to His word. He has given us our meat in due season.

We will pray the same for all of you.

Love,

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Will and Audrey

Just Ask!

This blog is a month late, and if you know the two of us well, you'll know that Will is the one responsible for writing the entries :) Not only is it late, but it is long overdue as we'd like to extend a HUGE THANK YOU for the year of 2007!!! God moved in incredible ways as He always does. One part we want to share with you is the way He worked through each and every person reading this blog. Provision.

Matthew 7:7-8 says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

We have spent a large amount of time asking, seeking and knocking over the past year and God has met those needs by using His faithful......you! Our last blog stated how much financial support was needed to finish out the year. "For everyone who asks receives." Praise God, we met our goal. Thank you so much for allowing God to work through you to make our ministry possible here in the Dominican. By having the financial resources, many doors have been opened and we will continue to knock and see where God will lead us for the coming months.

Not only has God provided through finances, but the prayers, encouragement and gifts have been abundant. We feel them, we need them and we ask that they continue. Each and every prayer and gift is being put to use here in the D.R. For example, Louisville Slugger sent a large quantity of their 2007 inventory to support our baseball ministry. In doing so, this allowed us to host our first sports camp of the year this past week. A group from Kansas City Baptist Temple came down to do a baseball clinic for 60 kids, play in a softball tournament and do discipleship training for our pastors and women of the church. It was an incredible week as they taught the kids about control. Control your mind, control your body, control the ball, control the play and control the game. The kids heard the message that if you allow Jesus to control your mind, then he will also control your body and your life. Many of them understood the parallel between the game of baseball and a Christian walk as around 40 came forward to learn more about a life with Jesus. Please pray for them as we meet tomorrow morning (Saturday) to aid them in their "next steps".

After a wonderful visit to the States, we have to say that it is nice to be back in the Dominican Republic. Aside from the beautiful weather, we missed our neighbors, friends and co-workers. We thank you for sending us back home. We will keep you updated as ministry happens. We love you and pray that this year will be even more amazing than the last!

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Will and Audrey

Dear Family and Friends. Please take some time to pray for the people of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Tropical Storm Olga has done quite a bit of damage. We spoke with some friends in Santiago today and they said they've never seen that much water before. One friend said, "there are people on top of their houses and in trees trying to survive". So as you look at the images below, please be intentional about praying for their safety and health. Thank you.

Merry Christmas!! As always, at this time of year, we are anxious to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who support us through your prayers, words of encouragement and finances. The ministry is moving forward in every direction and God is hard at work on the island of Hispaniola. During this time, we ask that you continue to keep the Dominicans and Haitians in your prayers as some have suffered from the storms that have passed through while others are searching for some small way to celebrate this Christmas season.

We are still in the States visiting with family and friends and moving forward on our ongoing fundraising journey. As of now, we are still $14,000 short of our 2007 budget. God has provided every step of the way and there's no doubt that He's going to continue to use His faithful givers to keep us strong on this narrow road. We are so grateful for what you do for this Ministry and we're really excited to see how God is going to continue to use ALL of us to further His Kingdom.

We wanted to capture some Christmas cheer in the faces of the Dominican children, so please enjoy the photos of kids from The Hole (Hoyo de Bartola) and La Mosca (Santa Lucia).

LOVE,
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Will and Audrey

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!

"Aqui Estoy. Enviame a mi."

Isaias 6:8

I want to introduce you to the 20 men from Santiago who felt the urge to go and serve in an area of their country where most Dominicans wouldn't choose to visit. This place is called Batey 9. In the southwestern part of the island, there are miles and miles of sugar cane fields. Within these fields are the communities known as the Bateys. There are 14 Bateys and they are mostly made up of Haitians who work in the sugar cane fields. These men, women and children are paid just enough to buy food to keep them energized for another day's work. Again, there is no reason to visit unless you have family living there.

G.O. Ministries has partnered with Pastor William Decena to bring The Word to a place where there isn't much hope. Because of the faithfulness to God and the testimony of Pastor William, Batey 9 is home to one of our ministry hubs. There we have a church, feeding center and dormitory to house short term mission teams. After a long summer filled with work for William and his family, we decided to take a group of young men from Santiago to do sports clinics for the kids of Batey 9 with the hope of encouraging the church. When we started planning this trip, our idea was to take Pedro (basketball ministry), Jose Luis (baseball ministry) and Romano (soccer ministry) in order to perform the best clinics possible. That's where our plans stopped and our pea-size faith was put to shame. As people started hearing about the trip, they came to me and asked if they could go and serve as well. I was floored. By the time the word had spread, there were 20 names on a list. I couldn't figure out why these guys would want to ask off work, leave their families and go somewhere knowing they wouldn't get paid and they'd be out of their comfort zone. Then I realized the effect that so many groups from the U.S. have had on these guys over a number of years. They've seen God send out His servants and they wanted to be sent out as well. It's working!

When we arrived in the Bateys, the mission team from Santiago was in a little bit of shock. Many questions were asked about why these people would want to live in a place like this rather than in a city like Santiago. The fathers in the group wore heavy hearts as they saw children running around with absolutely nothing to wear or nothing to eat. This was huge!!! As many of you know, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, although share the same island, don't get along. There is a strong dislike for one another that started many years ago. It's rare to see a Dominican respect a Haitian worker. These men didn't only come to respect the Haitian community in Batey 9, they came to SERVE them.

During the week, we did a basketball, baseball and soccer clinic and fed the kids of this community. In the evenings we played basketball and softball games against the adults. At night, before going to sleep, we challenged the men from Santiago to become true men of God in their homes, with their friends and in the streets. We also made sure there was time to hang out and goof off. We learned real fast that lockerroom talk/behavior doesn't change from country to country. The week was amazing! Watching these guys love on the Haitian kids was incredible. Please pray for them as we continue moving forward through Bible studies and other service projects. Here are their names:
Jose Luis, Pedro, Romano, Isaias, Kerlyn, Chaguito, Joel, Endry, Gabriel, Jon, Neno, Poton, Patico, Angelito, Alan, Wisaro, Simon, and Alex.
I know they would love your prayers.

As all of you know, a group of men can't make it a week without some sort of support from women somewhere, so we were smart enough to bring Audrey, Jackie and 3 women from our kitchen staff. The kitchen crew fed us and Audrey and Jackie encouraged us through taking pictures and putting together a video for the guys to enjoy. If you want to see this video, please click on the you tube link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANW2yU0k3cI

Other info:
With 3 months left, we still need to raise $20,000 to finish our budget for the end of the year.
We are still praying for the funds to come in for a new sports ministry minibus as well.
Please help us pray for God to provide through His faithful supporters.

We miss you all as usual and can't wait to see many of you over the holidays.

Que Dios les bendiga mucho,

<><
Will and Audrey

Please enjoy pics from the Bateys below

" For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God "

Ephesians 2:8

The main objective of G.O. Ministries is to empower the nationals to do ministry in their own country. For a long time now, we've been watching, working and observing to see how this can best be accomplished. In the meantime, we've really enjoyed getting to know everyone that we come in contact with. It wasn't until about 3 weeks ago that we realized there is nothing that we, alone, can do to make disciples of all nations. This took place as we watched two of our dear friends get baptized in the church. Simon is a professional basketball player and Alan grew up in the June basketball camp that we have every year. When they told us they were taking baptism classes with our Pastor, we were so pumped that we wanted to make sure that everything was "perfect" for them. Then it hit us, God has a hold of Alan and Simon and He wants to have His way with them, not our way. Wow, watching God move through two men who are seeking Him is a blessing! In the midst of trying to figure out the "best" way to empower the nationals, God showed us that we just need to have a relationship with them and He'll do the rest. Alan and Simon are now on the payroll doing Sports Outreach to kids and adults in their country. For it was by grace, not by works.

Simon, Alan and Pastor praying after their baptism

Well we have completed Summer '07 and it was a blast. We had the privilege of hosting 19 groups in 10 weeks which led to many ministry opportunities. We are so grateful for all of the people who came down to serve the Dominicans and Haitians and we pray that you will return to grow the relationships that you have established.

Last night, we closed out our 2nd annual summer basketball league. For five weeks, we grew to know 100 kids, 12 teams and 12 volunteer coaches. This year was a mighty blessing as all 12 coaches stepped up and took on the responsibility of coaching 8 or 9 kids. They practiced and led devotions with the kids during the week and competed in games on Saturdays. As you can imagine, as the weeks passed, the intensity grew and the tournament was as exciting as March Madness in the States :) We closed things out last night with the awards ceremony. The kids came dressed in their best as they all received medals, trophies and other gifts. At the end, we recapped the 5 weeks together by showing them a highlight film of the league. They went crazy!

It has been two years now that we have lived down here in the D.R. and we have seen God move in some pretty powerful ways. As we think back to the beginning, it's wild to see how some needs have changed and some have stayed the same. Because the kids are so reachable through sports, we've prayed quite a bit about where to go from here. It's growing, more kids are coming and we are excited about what God is going to do next. This leads us to a few prayer requests. We have explored different areas and found a couple pieces of land that would be great for a sports complex. This would allow amazing opportunities for kids all over the COUNTRY! This would be a huge project, but if we've learned anything since we've been down here, it's that we can't put God in a box. We really feel that He is taking us in this direction. Also, to go along with it, we are still praying for a vehicle to use to drive kids to the leagues, camps and clinics that we have. Also, we have finally put together our traveling men's basketball team.....now it's time to travel to other cities and share the Gospel. Please take some time to help us pray about the doors God is opening down here in the Dominican. We are thrilled to be a part of His ministry here.

Upon request, we have added a new section to our side bar of this blog. Many people have told us that they'll never know what we need unless we ask. So we've decided to add a budget update so everyone who is interested in supporting our ministry can see what is needed. Doors are being opened and we are anxious to see what's on the other side. Thank you all for playing such a huge role in this ministry.

Bendiciones,

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Will and Audrey