MEN'S MINISTRY---ANOTHER PRISON GRADUATION...
Presenting the third group of men to graduate from the prison ministry class--56 graduates...
Some special moments---Dave sharing with one of the graduates...
Prison administration once again allowed family members to come for the ceremony...
Marriages were recognized...
The prison director shares how he has personally been impacted by this course...
Examples of God "multipying" this work--here is the pastor of a church in Moca that has completed this study and now he along with some of the graduates have started two more groups in their community and were on hand to help with this prison graduation as well...
Pastor William recognized his wife, Jacqueline, thanking her for staying by his side as God does his work in their marriage as well..
WOMEN'S RETREAT---We hosted fifty women for a day retreat...
Here are the women at the end of their day--"muy contentas todas"...
Our gazebo out front was filled during the worship and teaching times...
Our daughter, Rachael, was a part of the worship team for the day...
We enjoyed some great food thanks to Cheyla(she and her family moved to the DR from Honduras) who was in charge of the kitchen...
Women "filled" our property enjoying good food and fellowship...
and time alone with our Creator...
We even offered a water aerobics class in the afternoon:)!!...
MENTORING---here are a few photos of the special people we feel so blessed to "do life with--for such a time as this"...
Although Dave meets regularly with Jon and Jose Miguel for more formal discipling/mentoring sessions, so much of what God is doing in these lives happens as they work side by side together---they recently finished a new bathroom outside so we can better accomodate day retreats and seminars...
We also have the privilege of mentoring some of the young North Americans in ministry here on the island---our friend Chris is with Young Life Ministries...
Cherry also is blessed to mentor both Dominican and North American women ministering here--here are just a few of the women that bless her life here...
And she also has helped lead a women's growth group of English speakers serving here...
OUR COMMUNITY--LAJAS DE YAROA...
We are so excited to see God's hand in our neighborhood--the new men's group is growing in numbers and depth--they have just completed lesson seven of the Authentic Manhood study...
It is a joy to watch Dave's two disciples here serving as small group leaders now...
The last Sunday in May Mother's Day is celebrated here in the DR and it is a very BIG occasion---this is a picture of the group from our neighborhood who came to church with us that Sunday--some of the young men invited their mothers and their younger sisters!!!
A FEW WORDS FROM DAVE...
Wow! Time is flying by and we're now heading into the summer months. School for our girls is out now and we are preparing to come back to the states for a short three week visit in July. We are extremely excited to see as many of our family, friends and supporters as we can during that brief time.
I can't tell you how many times Cherry and I will be sitting down here overwhelmed by God's goodness in our lives--for providing the continual support, love and encouragement by you folks back in the states. You all have been so faithful to God's call to support us here in the DR whether it be financially, prayerfully or calling and writing to encourage us. Words cannot express our heartfelt gratitude for each one of you. We could not be here ministering to the myriad of broken hearts and broken lives without you.
It is hard to convey the impact that the "Quest for Authentic Manhood" study has had on the men here in the DR. Pastor William and I have had the priviledge of presenting this program to twelve groups of men from the men's prison in Santiago to a number of different churches, different denominations and different communities. Close to 300 men have completed this 24 week series. The transformation and healing we have witnessed has been miraculous. There are now over ten churches and two more prisons and drug/alcohol rehabilitation centers that want us to present this study. And many of those communities who have completed the study are now reaching out to offer it again to others--so the discipleship continues.
Our biggest challenge is training leaders from those who have graduated to invest their time and energy in the lives of other men so all of us can grow deeper in our relationship with God.
I thank God for this challenge and the many opportunities we have because I wholeheartedly believe that His ultimate purpose for each of us is to be disciples and make disciples through the transforming power of His Holy Spirit.
Again, thanks to each one of you that make it possible for us to carry on in this endeavor. Please take a look at the right-hand panel for our prayer requests, some words of encouragement and recommendations for some "good reads".
Dios les bendiga.
By His grace and for His glory,
The Dave Schwulst family