We have safely returned to the DR after spending a month in the states. This is the longest time we have spent stateside since we moved here in 2007. Though we have been fortunate enough to return to Illinois every summer since our move here, we don't believe we have ever blogged about those visits. We normally blog about our life here so this month we've decided to blog about what life is like for us when we now "visit" the states.
One of our fears when we sold our home, vehicles, etc was what would we do when we returned to the states for a visit--and we are a family of six!! Where will we stay, etc.?? One of God's beautiful blessings to us is that EVERY year--for eight summers now!!-- someone has offered us their home and TWO vehicles to use while we are in town. Isn't that wonderful and so like what our God does when we follow Him---"more than we could ever hope for or imagine."
That is only one of the tangible ways God loves on us when we are stateside!!! When we return we always feel like we have experienced a "FIRE HOSE OF LOVE" from family, friends, church and ministry supporters. And to return to the mission field with "full hearts" is one of the best things we can give to those we minister to here!!
Our ministry work here in one sense can seem small and slow---"incarnational ministry" or "ministry of presence" means living among the people, learning from one another, seeking God's will together, walking alongside one another in daily life pointing each other to Christ, His reconciliation and purpose for each of us and encouraging one another in truth and hope. Many times what sustains us is our commitment to Christ to simply "stand", stand firm here and continue to point others to Him.
So...to do this we do need to be very "full" ourselves and that is why we have come to appreciate more and more those who have stood firm with us through the years---who pray for us, encourage us with God's words of truth and hope and who continue to financially support us living and ministering here.
Being back in Illinois this summer, we got to meet with so many of our supporters--not all of them unfortunately, but a lot of them. And we were again struck by the "quality" of people who are on our ministry support team--their deep faith, their commitment to God and family and to living lives that help give life to others!! Really words cannot describe what it was like to spend a block of time having lunches and dinners and ice cream with such quality people. It is so true that being in the presence of those who spend time in the presence of God is so truly life-giving!!!
SO A VERY VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO GAVE US THE GIFT OF THEIR "PRESENCE" THIS TRIP BACK!!! YOU CERTAINLY BLESSED US BIG!!!
We had two great visits with our home church's mission pastors, Tyler and Bill, and were left feeling very supported and encouraged. And worshiping at ECC was very very powerful as usual!!!
We also had such sweet times with both Dave and Cherry's families--something else one comes to appreciate the older one gets---the extreme value of family!! We got to see lots of siblings, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins and Cherry's precious mother!! As a bonus, our son Shane also came to the family farm on his way to Oregon and spent a couple of days with us.
We want to thank all of you who love on our daughters, Rachael and Beka, while we are stateside---even taking them on vacation with you!! They definitely feel super loved on when they are back!!
We ended the trip by taking our daughter, Rachael, to Taylor College for International Orientation and to begin her freshman year. We LOVED our time at Taylor and felt very loved and cared for there as well. We feel we are leaving Rachael in very good hands---another BIG answer to prayer!!!
And...lastly we returned to our work here to see that God is continuing to spread His truth and love here, through the ups and downs of daily life---He is so faithful and good.
Thank you again for following our journey and for your support--take a look at the right-hand panel for prayer requests, some words to hopefully encourage you along your way and two great books we have been reading that have also really affirmed and encouraged us in our ministry here.
BY GOD'S GRACE AND FOR HIS GLORY,
THE DAVE SCHWULST FAMILY
cjndj.schwulst@gmail.com