Where you go, we'll go!

“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 (4^th grade), Levi (3^rd grade) and Sarah (1^st 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 9^th/10^th 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