Next we enjoyed time with each other as a couple---prayer times and fun "date" times!! and time with our children here and by phone with our children in the states.
And we spent time renewing some relationships with nationals that we were not able to spend as much time with as we would have liked this past summer.
One of the things we treasure here is the opportunity to minister together as a couple---Here we are during a visit to encourage one our our local pastors--Dave is sharing a message and I'm helping translate as needed.
Here we are "cooking for the cooks" and pampering them a bit after their great job of serving our teams this summer. Thank you Marisol, Yesica and Carmen!
We got together with friends and ministry partners, Generoso and Yesica to discuss the book "Love and Respect" with them---they are marrying this month!!
So by the last week of September we were feeling very "filled up" with the goodness that God offers us through relationship with himself first and then with others.
Then we topped the month off with a team from our home church, Eastview, which included many close friends of ours as well as friends from Florida and a small group from Kentucky. This provided us with more time to enjoy relationship with new and old friends.
Here are some of my closest friends after an early morning prayer time in my back patio area---we did this every morning of the trip---it was a sweet gift from the Lord!! There is something very precious about having friends visit and minister together side by side.
This group helped with construction--building a tabernacle for the Lord as one team member reminded us!!--worked at two of our feeding centers, did a teacher training at one of our schools and ended their week by helping put on a three day women's conference for 200 Dominican women!!! We were all blessed by their service and we trust that they returned to the states blessed and changed as well. Enjoy the video of their trip below...
Eastview Christian Church from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
Lastly, we enjoyed a beautiful beach day to celebrate Beka's 12th birthday--She invited a few friends, including Pastor Wilby and wife, Lisa--to give them a day of rest and refreshment!! It touches us that our children love those we work with here as much as we do and they are learning how God wants us to lift one another up, encourage one another and help carry one another's burdens--day by day!!
So....it was a very good month!!! Thank you again for all the prayer, encouragement and support you send our way. We are blessed by you!! Take a look below for trip dates for 2009 and our prayer requests on the side.
By God's grace and for His glory,
Dave, Cherry, Rachael and Beka Schwulst