We would like to share some of "the fruits of our labors" that we have seen blossoming this spring. Examples of God's faithfulness and goodness are abounding.
One story really reflects God's heart for his people here.
Pastor Felix Abreau faithfully attended the initial men's group, Authentic Manhood---actually he had perfect attendance!! He came to Dave toward the end of the 13 week group and shared his written testimony as well as "the plan" he was to put together as part of the course. His testimony was very transparent and moving. The last class of the course, Dave asked Pastor Felix to share his testimony with the whole group---being this transparent in front of a group of Dominican men was definitely an act of faith but Pastor Felix agreed to do it. Listening to him openly share himself, see the changes in him and see how that was impacting the other men in the group, was certainly a "fruit" for Dave and a big encouragement to move forward in encouraging and mentoring men, especially pastors, here. As a follow-up, part of Pastor Felix's plan was to make peace with his father. One week after Felix shared his plan with the group, his father had a medical issue and needed his son's help. This provided the opportunity for the two to be reconciled. How great is our God!!
Another huge highlight of our ministry here was the Second Annual Men's Conference, held the last weekend of April, and led by men from our home church, Eastview Christian Church and our good friend and very talented worship leader and teacher, Josue Davis. Thank you men for your sharing your hearts with the men here...
145 men attended and worshipped in three languages--Spanish, Creole and English!
The event ended with 9 baptisms!!
Here's a video of this Eastview Men's short term trip---enjoy...
Eastview Christian Church - Men's Conference from Lisa Romain on Vimeo.
For more pictures of this team's short term mission trip here, check out their website---http://www.eastviewmawdr09.blogspot.com/
We just finished attending our ministry's "Celebration of Partnership" where all of our Haitian and Dominican partners and spouses joined with many North American partners to celebrate God's faithfulness and goodness to our ministry here.
And...we had another wedding!!! Dave was privileged to co-officiate with Pastor Edward Gabriel the wedding of GO National partner Alan and GO missionary Jackie...a beautiful bilingual celebration!!!
What a blessing it has been to walk with this precious couple on their journey to this point!!
And for those of you who ask about our girls here, this is what they look like now as they get ready to enter high school and seventh grade!!!
As always we are deeply grateful for you all---your love, prayers, wisdom and encouragement help us "fight the good fight"!! Please look at our prayer requests and other information included to the right.
By God's grace and for His glory,
The Dave Schwulst family