“Where you go, we'll
go”
This is what one of our supporters
wrote to us as we shared we were going to be moving to Doulos
Discovery School in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. The change was
very quick and I wasn't sure how folks would respond. This response
was one of the beautiful things the Lord gave us to help carry us
through this past month and a half of transition. We were asking a
lot for supporters to continue to support our family as we moved from
Makarios to Doulos Ministries. This response and the many like it
have been our peace—a true gift from the Lord.
It very much reminded me of faithful
Ruth's life changing decision to follow Naomi back to the land of
Judah. We need to have the same quick response to our God when He
asks, 'Will you go with me?' This 'go' has been difficult. Sooooo,
how ARE we doing? I love that you asked. :) Shockingly (just
kidding), God's faithful has been overwhelming. Less than a month
and a half ago we were sitting on the north coast making certain
plans and now we have our apartment all set up and are a month into
our new classes at Doulos in the mountains. WOW. And, every one of
you is invited to visit. :)
Some PRAISES:
--Sam (4th
grade), Levi (3rd grade) and Sarah (1st
grade) LOVE their classes. They have adjusted well to their new
surroundings. One of Sarah's first assessments was, 'Mama, they ALL
speak English ALL day.' This is the first time the kids are in an
English-speaking school! :) The assessment of many people at Doulos
is said with surprise, 'Your kids know A LOT of Spanish!' Yes, yes,
they do. :)
I also had a First Day of School
Culture Shock when we remembered that this school like a normal
school. I needed to send pencils with my kids....AND lunch, and, oh
my goodness, my kids needed breakfast! Luckily, we got it squared
away and the kids didn't need to fast on their first day!
--The kids have made some fun new
friends while being thankful for their friends back on the north
coast.
--Joe has had some wonderful
experiences exploring the mountains in our area and has jumped into
Spanish classes. He is still considering more university classes to
complete his bachelor's degree, but we are waiting on that until our
family can settle in a bit more.
--I, Laurie, am getting used to
my new surroundings. I enjoy the challenge of helping students who
are struggling and I have a 9th/10th grade art
class that I am loving!! We very much enjoy our apartment and we've
got outstanding neighbors—am I right, Jon and Rachel Sawyer!!?? :)
I have two very important prayer
requests:
--Please pray for our wounded hearts as
we are still transitioning. We have heard the 'go', we have 'gone',
now we desire to healthily grow and blossom with the ministry of
Doulos.
--We really need your prayer support
for supporters. In the transition, we have lost a few supporters and
need to replace them. Please join us in prayer for this need we are
facing. If you'd like to join our support team, we'd be so thankful.
Here's where to find our giving page:
https://give.doulosministries.us/?donateTo=79032
Thank you to all of you who take the
time to read this and pray for us. Your prayers are powerful and we
feel them. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of financial
support and thank you for the support that y'all have and do send in.
We are unable to work toward the valuable mission of Doulos
(doulosdiscovery.org) without your faithfulness and sacrifice. We
are incredibly thankful!!
Doulos'
Mission Statement
Educating
and equipping servant leaders
through Christian
discipleship and expeditionary learning
to impact the
Dominican Republic
Grace and peace,
Joe, Laurie, Sam (who goes by his first
name of 'Joseph' at school!), Levi and Sarah
