The Lord Brings Joy

God has been doing many things here in Santo Domingo and He is in control.
Here are some praises:
1. Last week we built two chapels. My group built a chapel in a neighborhood in the mountains called Pica Pica. My favorite part was the end when we had a ceremony with the Pastor and we prayed and dedicated the chapel to God.
2. God has enabled me to build some great friendships here! I feel like the interns and TIME staff are like my second family and I have enjoyed getting to know the groups that have come. Last week the ladies were so sweet and they left many things for the interns to keep like: bugspray, medicine, and clothes and they kept saying "you might need this sometime this summer." I felt very thankful to them!
3. Last week I went to a doctor named Dr. Fabion and he gave me medicine for my mouth and my leg because I had an allergic reaction to a bug bite. This week a stomach virus has been going around and many people, including me, got very sick. Tuesday night was tough. I have been taking it easy since then, and Praise God I am getting better quickly! Please pray for a continued recovery.

Prayer Requests:
1. That we would be able to eliminate the virus from spreading to any more people. For energy and good health among our team.
2. The group I am working with from Providence Church in Ohio is building their chapel tomorrow. Please pray that all the logistics would go well and that God would be in control.
3. Please pray for continued unity among the team, that we could be patient with each other and spur each other on towards Christ.

Hopefully I will get to post pictures next week! And I hope that everyone is doing well!
In His Love,
Marjorie

Pictures!!!

Left to Right: Andrea, Me and Jenna. Two of my fellow interns. This picture was taken on top of the old fort near the downtown. As a part of orientation week we all got to take a tour of the colonial city. As you can see it was a beautiful day.

Los Tres Ojos. A large cave in Santo Domingo with three natural springs.One day last week we explored this cave with all the interns. It was beautiful!

Me sitting in the Time Center with the sweet Figueroa children. Their parents Noe and Anyoly are the site directors here in Santo Domingo. William, Meagan, and Elda are so much fun to be around!

Jesus es la luz del mundo

The first groups have arrived! Last Saturday, two church groups came from Orlando, FL. Now we have approximately 70 people staying at the TIME center. It's a full house, but praise God everyone has a bed. So far, God has done some great things! Yesterday, I went with the group from Northland church to a local neighborhood park. The youth performed a skit about Jesus being the light of the world. Many kids came to watch their performance and some chose to believe in Jesus for the first time! Also, they enjoyed singing songs like "This little light of mine" and playing games like tug of war, etc. It was exciting!

The rest of the week we will be doing more ministry in parks and churches. In the mornings we will be constructing the pieces for the chapel. God willing, by Friday afternoon it will be completed!

Here are some praises:
-God has given me confidence in Him as I get to know the youth from Orlando
- God has helped me communicate better in Spanish and understand more

Here are some prayer requests:
-That the kids that chose to believe in Jesus would come to know Him more and understand God's love for them. That hearts would be transformed.
-For endurance.Today is my day off, which has been nice. The rest of the week please pray that I would have energy.
-That I would be overflowing with the fruits of the Spirit. (Galations 5:22-24) That way, I can really connect with the youth that are here on a personal level.
-That the cold sores on my mouth would heal. Sorry if this is TMI. I know that God is a God who can heal though. :)

Orientation Week

This morning we listened to the song "You're the God of this City" and it reminded me how God is working in Santo Domingo. He did some great things this first week and I am excited about what is to come. This week we explored the city, went to the beach, learned communication and servant leader skills, and talked about the Sovereignty of God as well as other things. Today we took apart an old chapel in a neighborhood called Hatillo so that a playground can be put in its place. We saved the pieces of the chapel so that we can build it again in a different location nearby. Working hard felt wonderful and it was nice to get the job done. Also, I learned new drilling skills.:) With God's help we got it done.

Praises-
1. Everyone is healthy and we have kept safe as we explore the city
2. God has helped me to trust in Him more. We had one incident where we thought a team member was lost for a period of time, but luckily we found them and God helped me to be at peace.

Prayers-
1. That the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart would be pleasing to God.
2. For our team to be prepared for the first group that is coming to work next week from a church in Orlando.

I made it!

I made it to the DR. Things are going so well! I know that God has a plan for this summer and I am excited!
A couple of highlights-
 God helped all the interns and our luggage arrive safely. My flights went well.
 I loved going to the church service today and seeing the people's passion for God.
God has helped our team be unified as we get to know each other.
The food is delicious. :)

Prayer requests-
That I would be able to communicate effectively in Spanish.
That I would trust in God's Sovereignty and be flexible.

More updates to come...

My bags are packed, I'm ready!

After packing one huge suitcase, a stuffed backpack and my purse, I am ready to go. Tomorrow, I fly out of Austin. God willing, I will arrive in Santo Domingo in the evening at 7pm.
Here is one of my favorite verses:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 

If you have time, please pray that God's power would be made perfect in my weaknesses and worries.  

Two Days Left!

My flight to Santo Domingo is in two days on Friday, June 4th at 9:55am! As I prepare to go, I thank God for all the things He's helped me with these past few weeks. He has given me sweet time with my family and friends, and time to pack and get all the things I need. I am trusting in Him that He will do great things in the DR this summer! Thank you to everyone who has supported me financially! I will try to be faithful and post updates on this blog at least once a week. Please keep me and my team in your prayers this summer. Prayer is so powerful!