As we shared in our last update, this home assignment is to be a time of spiritual renewal for us so that we can continue to minister with Holy Spirit power and hear God's voice clearly. We were given wise counsel to focus on things which are "life-giving" to us. For both of us, nature and people rank high on that list.
We had the privilege of taking our two youngest daughters to Taylor University in August and we've been blessed to visit them often and watch Beka play college soccer.
After dropping the girls off at college, we spent three days in Indianapolis on a private retreat as a couple. It was a very good experience, one we would highly recommend to anyone in ministry. Check out their website www.sustainablefaithindy.com
The month of September we spent 25 days and traveled 7000 miles on a fabulous "road trip". We traveled to Little Rock, Arkansas, through the southern states to San Diego, then up the breathtaking Pacific Coast Highway to Washington and then returned to Illinois -spending special time with special people--close friends and family.
Here are just a "very few" of the wonderful people and sights we experienced...
It was a real treat to have so much time "on the road" together to reflect together, pray together and enjoy some breathtaking scenery!!
The Grand Canyon
San Diego with our daughter Blythe
San Bernardino with Dave's sister Debbie and her family.
The gorgeous Pacific Coast
The Redwoods
Washington with Dave's cousins
Mt. Rushmore
But by far the best blessing of this Stateside time for me (Cherry) has been spending time with my mother. She loves having me here and I love being a part of making this "season" of her life beautiful, rich and meaningful. I can't thank God enough for this precious gift.
Dave is keeping himself busy doing what he loves best---ministering to men. He has started a new men's group in Bloomington with men from a number of different churches. And he regularly meets one on one with a number of men for mentoring and encouragement.
And we continue to get good reports about the ministry back in the DR. Prison ministry is going strong. Pastor Jose Miguel is partnering with a Dominican pastor from a nearby community and ministering in both communities. Pray that the young believers continue to hunger after God and His ways. And a couple that we have mentored since the early days of living in Lajas,
Leonel and Carolina, continue to receive further ministry training and have started ministering from their home to the community, meeting for small groups, prayer and worship times weekly. Pray for them as well.
We thank you for your continued prayers and support which allow us to do what we are doing. We feel so blessed by this time and we feel confident that we will return to the DR better able to reflect Christ's image and love and wisely hear His voice and follow His leading.
Check out the side panel for our prayer requests and some words of encouragement.
By God's grace and for His glory,
Dave and Cherry Schwulst