THE GRADUATING CLASS--26 graduated from the 24 week course...
THE MEN FILING IN WHILE THEIR WIVES AND FAMILIES PROUDLY LOOK ON---PRECIOUS MOMENT!!
DAVE "KNIGHTING" CLASS MEMBER WHO HAS ALREADY STARTED A NEW MEN'S CLASS IN HIS HOME CHURCH IN SANTIAGO...
THE TESTIMONY...
Each class includes at least one testimony where a class member comes forward with his wife and children and they all share how God has shown himself, his grace and his redeeming power to begin a process of transformation in their family---a priceless moment---please join us in praying for all these families.
TAKING IT ALL IN---WHO KNOWS WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR THESE TWO YOUNG MEN...
Our young workers, Jon and Jose Miguel usually ask to attend these graduations with us---please pray that they stay hungry to draw close to God, learn his ways, his great love for them and his "proposito" (purpose) for their lives.
MEN'S CLASS IN SANTIAGO PRISON...
We are over halfway through the men's class at the prison--65 men are attending.
For more information about this class, look at the sidepanel to the right, The Quest for Authentic Manhood.
CELEBRATING FATHER'S DAY...
Father's Day in the Dominican Republic is celebrated in July---here is Dave celebrating with our family and a few of his "Dominican sons"!!!
MARRIAGE MINISTRY...
We were blessed to attend the one year wedding anniversary celebration of a young couple, Brian and Carolina, who we became friends with and counseled a bit before they married. They now live in California but returned to the island to celebrate with their Dominican family and friends who were not able to attend their wedding last year in the states. And we got to dress up too!!!! Please keep the Bermans in your prayers...
And Dave had the honor of toasting the couple with a few words of encouragement...
Here are Rachael and Beka helping me babysit the Perez twins--we'd like to think that these little beauties are some fruit of our marriage ministry!! Aren't they all adorable---please keep the Perez family in your prayers as well...
GUESTHOUSE HAPPENINGS...
Pastor Jose Rodriquez and his wife, Alba joined us for a weekend getaway at our guesthouse. He pastors the church in Villa Gonzalez that just completed the men's class. He will be offering the class to a group of pastors and church leaders from his community beginning this month. He and his wife enjoyed a time away to be refreshed and renewed in their marriage and their ministy. And...we had a lot of fun and laughs with them---including playing dominos late into the evening!! And it must be said that Pastor Jose was the champion!!! Sorry, Dave!!
We also offer our guest house for individual retreats for those in ministry---Here are Cherry with her friend, Bielka, who spent a day and evening with us. A special note---Cherry has prayed for a good Dominican girlfriend to walk alongside one another as prayer and accountability partners--Bielka is an answer to that prayer!!
Visitors from the States...
We want to end with a visit we just had from friends and ministry supporters, Brent and Cheryl Nussbaum---we spent a long weekend together and we praise God for the encouragement they were to us and the great counsel they provided as well. We are so grateful and we love you--Brent and Cheryl!!
Our girls were also so blessed by this visit as the Nussbaums also have teenage daughters and they included Rachael and Beka in many of our conversations!!
And Rach and Beka treated our guests to some of their music as well---on the gazebo.
Thanks to you all for walking alongside us as we continue to seek God's face and to know, love and serve Him better day by day, moment by moment. Please take a moment to look at the side panel on the right for prayer requests and a little encouragement and inspiration for you.
By God's grace and for His glory,
The Dave Schwulst family