Hola to all of You!
I hope you're doing well. This past month was full of memorable moments with God.
WE NOW HAVE A BUS FOR BARRIO GEORGE: This new bus, purchased by the generous donations from Covenant Church folks, has enabled us to transport 134 new, mostly Haitian, children from another barrio, to the Covenant-Compassion School at Isidro's church. Thanks for your wonderful contribution to this amazing school. You helped to make it possible for some kids without parents to experience the love of God and the love the folks at Isidro's school and church. How awesome!
STUDENT MISSIONARIES: Candace O'Quinn and Kristin Schoch are here through the "Mission Residency Program" and serving as Student Missionaries. They are involved in everything from teaching English Classes, to Food Distribution, to Mission Training, to serving in the batays.
PREPARING FOR A MEN'S MISSION TEAM TO WORK IN THE GARDEN WITH A MISSION: Scott Griffin is leading this team. They are here May 13-19.
SCHOOL OF MISSION: Teaching The 16 Mission Principles at Isidro's church in Spanish so that the people in Isidro's church can learn how to be missionaries too.
NEW BELIEVER'S CLASS AT ISIDRO'S CHURCH: I am teaching new believers about what it means to grow deep with and follow Jesus after they have given their lives to Him and recieved salvation.
UnCuerpo (ONE BODY), La Romana: Youth Unity project...met for the second time...really good event with 150 + students...full of fellowship and relationship building between three youth groups (Isidro's, Fermin Miguel's, and Santiago's churches). Candace has helped this project to start and move forward as part of her mission work here. This project has the goal of unifying the youth of La Romana to share the love of Jesus with the people of La Romana through local mission.
CONTINUING MISSION WITH THE "POOR": We are continuing to share groceries, clothes, medicine, etc. with those in need here in La Romana and the Haitian Batays in the middle of the sugar cane fields.
THANKS FOR BEING INVOLVED WITH US HERE THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS AND GENEROUS GIVING: We could not do the mission that we do here without YOU! If there are those of you who read this newsletter and would like to support us with your praryer and/or gifts please email me at marcosandmey@yahoo.com and email Amy Bissette at bissettea@ecu.edu and let her know...donations can be sent to her for Step By Step With Jesus. We love you all and treasure your prayers for us here. We are praying for you too. We would love to hear from you too. Please email us.
Marcos, Mey, John, Adrian, Perla, Candace, Kristin, and the rest of our family
Note from Kristin:
Hola, all my friends!
One can really get used to living here. Days are spent hanging out with Mark's awesome family. There's always people around. No time for loneliness. We spend time socializing out on the patio, listening to music, playing dominoes that the boys hand-made the playing table in one day. They are a talented bunch. You know what else is so beautiful, the Spirit of the Lord shining through the lives of some of these people. Such love there is.
A love I didn't know these children could have for a stranger. A love these adults have for this stranger (me) and those who have yet to be blessed when their paths cross theirs. The power of this love can only be from a God that lives within them. I had the honor of presenting 1 of the 4 mission styles in a mission conference at Isidro´s church to a mission team of 30 Dominicans from San Francisco de Macoris... in spanish of course. It was great! You don't have to travel thousands of miles away to be used by God. All you need is a willing heart. Any time to give or resource is better than no time.
There's a very sweet little girl named Carla, who I believe has cerebral palsy. She can't walk or talk, but boy, does she know how to love. I am looking forward to working with her and God has definitely placed some ideas in my mind on activities to do with her. (Update: Kristin did receive the opportunity to work with Carla and her family and took her on a special trip to play on the playground at the Dominican Burger King as a treat for her efforts.)
So God has been working in my heart with ideas and things I need to change when I get home. I can't run the rat race and I've never been one to keep up with the Jones'...to strive for more. Really, what does more bring you? The desire for more. Temporary joy. True joy comes from the Lord who lives within you as you love others. Loving others.... That's a whole other topic. What does that mean? I'm still trying to really take it into my heart. I can believe it with my mind and I can do nice and good things, but it is also the perseverance in loving. Just as important as being able to give love, you must also receive it. When you receive love, especially from God and then in turn are able to really love God, can you actually change.
Change. That's hard to do, but it's a work and gift to be received as one chooses. The main reason for being able to change is in love. And so to end on this note... May you all be able to give and receive love in a way that not only changes you, but the people around you.
Kristin
