THE NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERT...
As Dave has been discipling Jose Miguel and Jon, they have begun to ask what the Lord would have them do to bring the light and love of the gospel to this community--one idea they had was to put on a Christian concert for the community---and when our good friend and talented mulit-lingual musician, Josh Davis, contacted us about bringing his family to visit, this felt like God at work--the result was a beautiful evening in January---with more than 200 people from our community and some of the surrounding communities attending the concert!!
First, the worship band that our girls are a part of agreed to put on the concert--they came early in the afternoon to set everything up at our local basketball court---and to eat a nice spagetti dinner at our place first!!! Here are some of Cherry's girl friends helping with the meal...
and the group getting ready to eat!!
As usual, there were a few "technically difficulties" getting ready for the concert--here Dave helps "jump" the backup generator with our truck--(but look at that beautiful mountain scenery in the background!...
But as always, God was faithful, and the group was ready to begin the concert...
and a nice crowd had gathered...
our girls love being part of this group!...
and it was a special treat for them to sing with Josh Davis!!!...
Dave had fun with the audience during the "rifa" (raffle)
Pastor William gave an encouraging message..
and many came forward asking for prayer...
It is such a blessing to share this adventure as a couple--here we are at the end of the evening--muy contentos (content and happy)!!!...
GUEST HOUSE HAPPENINGS...
The first guests of the new year were Josh and Jen Davis and their sweet family--Josh was an MK here, then returned to live and work here as an adult--and now lives in Atlanta heading up a multi-cultural ministry--he had long dreamed of bringing his whole family to the island with him---so we served as "home base" for them for their two week visit in January.
It was a real blessing to spend time as families--encouraging one another...
and some sweet times for the kids too--here they all are cuddled up on Beka's bed watching a movie during their "sleepover"...
Then we had a sweet young couple celebrating their one year anniversary---Gregory and Gery---he is a worship leader (who also led the group for the neighborhood concert) and she is a church secretary---it was so fun to see them take time away for each other!!
Here they are at breakfast--pancakes and candles--later we had a sweet conversation (the four of us) on marriage---please keep these two in your prayers--that God be glorified in their marriage and ministry...
A very special guest in February was Dave's brother Tim...
He is such an encouragement to us in the faith as he quietly serves in so many ways, most of which go unrecognized (but not unrecognized by the Father!!!) We are especially grateful to Tim for being our personal administrator back in the states and for how he selflessly cared for their mom and dad in their last days so that Dave and his sister could continue their work in the DR and California--we love you Tim!! You bless us!! Please pray for Tim as he seeks to follow the Lord's will for him in his future.
And Tim did get to experience the beautiful Dominican beach--"brothers at the beach"
FROM DAVE'S HEART...
Hi—this is Dave writing this month—Cherry usually does it and I have to admit that God has really gifted her to be a great communicator.
“The place that God calls us is the place where our deep joy and the world’s deep hunger meet.” Frederick Buechner
There are so many beautiful things God is doing here that it’s difficult to capsulize it all without losing the spiritual and emotional impact that is occurring in the relationships we have. So my challenge here is –“How can I speak to your soul?” In this age of information and sensory overload, how can this blog be more than just information of activities and events in our life, but words that can penetrate to your soul?
Here in the Dominican Republic we live in a LOUD culture. Between the incessant horn honking of taxis and trucks to the muffler-less motorcycles coupled with the 30,000 watt sound systems in people’s cars, homes and businesses blaring at all hours, you can barely keep your sanity. I turn into an explosive beast if exposed to noise for too long a time (like 10 minutes)—ask my wife and daughters.
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) What is the “noise” in your life? What robs you of your peace and joy? Busyness…worry…people pleasing…self-righteousness or self-defensiveness, unresolved conflict, competitiveness, jealousy, free floating anxiety, shame, critical attitude, a “secret sin”, control of people or circumstances? Any of these strike a chord? Why is it we hold on to destructive attitudes and behaviors when they constantly lead to disillusion and pain? Why is it we (as Christians especially) try to hide behind a façade of constantly wanting everybody to think that we’re ok? By gosh we’re Christians and we’re supposed to have our “act together”. Don’t you get tired of putting on the “game face” everyday and rushing out the door to work, or this social activity or that school function, or this Bible study or that small group ore this sporting event or that meeting; the list goes on, thinking this is the Christian life---I need to be involved more, giving more, sacrificing more—to be a better parent, be a better husband (or wife), be a better neighbor, be a better employee, be a better Christian---hey, what’s the matter with you , you slacker? Pull yourself up by the bootstraps and move on. Get with the program. Read this book or that book, exercise more, get on a diet, pray more, read your Bible more, change this…change that…Somebody just shoot me and put me out of this misery. H-E-L-P!!
Anybody relating to me on this? Any of you reading this about ready to explode? In just writing this what’s going on inside me is like a tornado in my head. I just want to go out and punch somebody,. I’m exhausted, I’m frustrated, I’m mad, I’m depressed. Lord help me—Lord rescue me—Lord save me from myself!
“Be still and know that I am God.” I’m trying Lord, but my mind won’t quit spinning. There’s too much going on. I can’t do it all. When’s it going to end?
Anybody tracking with me yet or are all of you on better medication than me? Maybe this is sounding a bit negative, or depressing or self-deprecating and you don’t wrestle with any of what has been mentioned, but I do. Not all the time, but a lot of the time. I know I’m in the heat of a big spiritual battle down here. I know there’s an enemy trying to do me in, destroy my marriage, and tear apart my family. It’s so subtle at times, and yet so obvious. Do you see yourselves in this spiritual battle too? The tritest of things unnerve you. A comment from your wife that you take as a complaint. And expression on someone’s face that you presume is negative or critical. You go reeling into a self-defense mode as if a terrorist was going to detonate himself in front of you. I react like a trigger hypersensitive private in a mine field. Why do I get that way? Could it be Satan having a field day?
“Be still and know that I am God.” What’s the solution? Is there a solution? Anybody tracking with me? Am I the only one out in left-field? I do believe there is a solution--given to each of us by God himself. Some of you know that my two youngest daughters, Rachael and Rebekah, write music. I'd like to share one of their latest songs as I believe it expresses the solution beautifully--enjoy...(the song is attached to this month's update email---if you didn't receive the email, contact us and we will get it to you)
We thank you all for your love, prayers and support--please check the right-hand column for our prayers requests and some words to encourage you on your way.
BY GOD'S GRACE AND FOR HIS GLORY,
THE DAVE SCHWULST FAMILY