DR Support Letter

Dear Friends and Family in Christ,

I want to start this letter with my sincerest apology for not sending follow-up letters explaining what happened in the DR last year. So I'd also like to begin with that. In the Dominican Republic, in 2009, it was amazing to see fellow church members grow in compassion towards the poor and the needy. We witnessed people who had so little and in a heartbreaking way, saw the phrase, "One man's trash is another man's treasure," as a daily reality in some regions. Some people lived in the garbage dumps so that they would find little bits and pieces of whatever they could use. Truly, we are rich.
However, it was a MAJOR blessing to see the passion and love for Christ that we saw in some of the folks in the DR. Pastor Manny, the pastor of the village we worked with was an amazing man of God who was super well known in all of the villages he pastored to. But not only that, he knew everybody in his villages just as well (how often does that happen?). We also saw the passion for the Lord and worship in a man named Mendula. Mendula was a very elderly man who was a true blessing to us and the trip. He belonged to the nursing home we visited and was able to help us with language barriers, as he spoke Spanish and Creole (and we had no translators for Creole). To be able to witness his joy when he asked for my guitar and began to worship was one of the most awe-filled moments I can recall. How Great is our God!
It was also pretty crazy to hear about the blessings upon our group. The strengthened and renewed relationships with Christ -- and even newborn babies in the family struck my heart and the hearts of others with encouragement and awe. All of us were struck with the affection of Christ and grew in love and tenderness. To see the suffering of many healed was truly a work of God. Nobody is without suffering in this world. But we have Christ. (John 16:33)
This year, I have the awesome opportunity to take on the Great Commission in the Dominican and go again. And what I humbly ask for is prayer. PLEASE BE PRAYING for us! That we may clearly and humbly share the Gospel so that lives may be saved! That God would have us be a blessing unto the people and that we would be effectively used. I do not want to ask for any monetary support (although if you feel called to support in that way, it would help). We will be in the DR from August 1st through the 7th.
This year, I hope to do things differently. I will be taking a camera and a laptop so that I can update you while I'm in the Dominican -- so that I wouldn't clumsily inform you so long after the trip. You can see the pictures and updates on my blog @ http://www.SimonDR.blogspot.com/.
I am so humbled and excited to see what God will do in the Dominican this year. Thank you so much for reading this. God Bless.

-Simon
"All that is within me cries for You alone be glorified. Emmanuel, God with us." -[MercyMe]