FBC of Palm Bay - Friday
Hola from the Dominican Republic for the last time!! We decided to spend our last day in the DR at Catalina Island with 2 other church groups and our SCORE Intern, Josh. After an hour bus ride and a forty-five minute boat ride and some snorkeling, we reached the island. We spent the afternoon sun bathing, jumping waves, cliff jumping, eating at an all-you-can-eat buffet, bartering in the shops and running from horseflies. The highlights of our afternoon were watching Caitlin and Katie work up the nerve to jump off the cliff, Aaron catching a sea urchant while snorkeling, being disappointed to find out the monkeys we hoped to find were really non-existent (false advertising), David getting excited when the salesman claimed that he was going to give our group alone a 40% discount today only (40% discount actually means a 50% raise in price) and the hike that came to an abrupt end due to the attack of cacti and horseflies.
Once we arrived back at the SCORE Complex this evening, most of us decided to take a quick dip in the pool before dinner and we actually convinced Danny to jump in with us for the first time all week. After dinner we decided to take a walk down the beach to watch the sun set, our last sunset in the DR. Mr. Roy stayed back and met up with Dan Weber, the youth pastor of Harbor City Baptist Church, who was actually born in the Dominican Republic and just arrived with his brother’s church group. He spoke very highly of Colonel and Miss Lee. A little bit later this evening, we will have our last night in the DR singing worship songs with some other believers staying at the Complex and of course singing our National Anthem.
During our first few days in the DR, it seemed as if time had slowed down and the day of our return to the U.S. was far in the distance, but as we are wrapping up our trip we are reminiscing on the time we have had and wishing we had more. More time to play with the children who captured our hearts, more time to love the people who taught us so well what a loving stranger really means, more time to learn to speak the language of our new-found friends, more time to share the Good News that we came to proclaim, more time to see the Harvest and more time to grow clsoer to each other and closer to God.
This was a week that will have a lasting impact on our lives. For some, it may have been the spark igniting a passion for the ministry work that God has planned for their lives. For others, it may simply have been the experience that opened our eyes to a hell-bound world in need of Christ’s love. But for all of us, in some way or another, it was life changing. Thank you all for all your prayers and support throughout this past week (and year, for that matter). God has been working and is continuing His work through SCORE and others being sent by Him (like Harbor City Baptist). So, please keep praying for the DR. This was our first time in the Dominican Republic but Lord willing it won’t be our last!! - Chappy
