We wanted to begin this year first by thanking you all for being such faithful supporters of ours---We left the US three years ago and we are humbled by what a large community of supporters God has given us---it is one thing to start a journey with enthusiasm, it is another to continue on in faith!! We believe God's design is for us to live out our faith and grow in His likeness through participation in community. It is amazing to realize how many people who God placed in our lives while we were living in the states, still form part of our "community" here!! We humbly say thank you and pray for your growth in Christ in 2010.
We also want to share with you the three main scriptures that our mission agency, Kingdom Seekers, is based on---we feel the Lord has written these passages on our hearts as well--we want to live them out here in the DR and we encourage you all to live them out in your communities as well.
1--PSALM 27:4--DWELL WITH THE LORD, GAZE UPON HIS BEAUTY, SAVOR THE SWEETNESS OF THE LORD AND SEEK HIM IN HIS TEMPLE
2--2 TIMOTHY 2:2--TEACH WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED TO RELIABLE PEOPLE (WHO WILL LATER DO THE SAME)
3--REVELATIONS 7:9-10--WITNESS THE RESULTS/REWARDS--A GREAT MULTITUDE FROM EVERY NATION STANDING BEFORE THE THRONE
We hope this gives you a brief summary or picture of the main focus of our time and ministry here--that we first dwell deeply with the Lord and savor his sweetness,then we pay attention to those "reliable people" He brings across our path and we teach to them what the Lord has taught us (through His power!!) with the expectation that we will see many familiar faces from many nations gathered around His throne!!!
Our property is full of places to "dwell with God" and enjoy His splendor--here are a few of our favorites...
The pathway up to one of the meditation areas...
A great area to "Dwell" and to "Teach"...
Our gazebo--Dave sharing with Chris, a young missionary here with his wife and son with Young Life Ministries--We have found that many of the young missionaries here really long for older mentors in their lives--We love sharing life with them too!! For those of you "over 40", remember mentoring is a great way to "go and make disciples"!!
MEN'S MINISTRY NEWS---
There are currently churches in four communities offering the Authentic Manhood discipleship classes--which means that 90-100 men are participating in this program!! For more information on this study, in English or Spanish, visit their website http://www.mensfraternity.com
Last week, one of the classes who had finished the chapter on The Father Wound, decided to hold a special ceremony for the men and their sons---a time to share from the heart, say "I love you and Will you forgive me?" It was a special moment that we pray glorified God (Sorry, no photos as we wanted to keep it intimate and private)
We have five more churches waiting to get started--would you please pray for more men whom we can mentor to become leaders of these groups--a great problem to have!!We will be hosting a small group leaders training in March at our home.
Our first guest house is finished!!!!!!! Cherry and the girls are having fun "decorating it" as we write this blog update---would you join us in praying for our first "official guest couple"---that God would use their stay here to "come face to face with Him", to grow closer to Him and to each other.
We are both listening to a tape series on "Spiritual Formation" by John Coe---we highly recommend it!!! Please pray that we can "teach what we are learning" to those reliable people God has placed in our lives!!
Many thanks again. Please look to the side column for prayer requests and hopefully a little "spiritual inspiration" to help you along your way.
By God's grace and for His glory,
The Dave Schwulst family
ps----here's some fun photos too...
Rachael's good friend, Raquel, turned 15 and celebrated her birthday at the beach right before we left for Illinois for Christmas...
Then on to a White Christmas at Grandma King's, Rachael and Beka enjoying the snow...
