quest

Deanna ....

Before going on this trip my life in general was pretty good. But I was somewhat frustrated because I was doing all I was supposed to do (or at least I thought so) and I felt I was numb to God.

This time that I have spent in the DR has to be one of the best times in my life if not the best time in my life. I consider this trip amazing because of all the things God has opened my heart to and shown me who He is, in a new way.

One way that I saw how God's character works was through the people I met. Whether we worked with them or just meeting other Christians, each person I met has touched my life in some way. One thing I noticed about the missionaries and pastors was all of them have a burning desire to see people come to God and become Christ followers.

Seeing the way all these people live their lives is truly inspiring to me and through all their ministry I was able to catch a glimpse of God's glory and how he is working in this country.

Even though we weren't able to see "fruit" in every place we went it was still a blessing to be able to go to a school in the Hole or a basketball court and interact with the people through my actions. (1 John 3:18)

The kids I met all showed me how content they were with what they had and how they're creative in what they do. God has shown me that my relationship with him can be more than it is now. He can always show me something because His word says, "if we draw near to him He will draw near to us" and if we wait o Him he will show us what He wants!

Jon....

This trip has been a very good experience. We have been able to get to know each other while getting to know God better and growing in our relationship with him. He has taught us all many things that we will take with us for the rest of our lives.

Personally he has shown me the power of prayer. One night during in service the lighting was not working. People were working on it but we also prayed and it eventually worked. God also opened my eyes to see that people don't need a lot to be in love with God. The people that we saw who had next to nothing, however, they were happy and they loved God and praised him no matter what the circumstance. I just hope to be more like these people because I have so much more to be thankful for.

Elizabeth....

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present or the future, or any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 9:38-39

Wow! What an amazing opportunity I was given by being able to travel to La Republica Dominicana. I feel like this has been such and eye-opener and still the Lord continues to speak to me. My eyes are still somewhat shut I know that I'll never be able to really grasp who the Lord is, but his Spirit is alive and working within me.

Traveling to the DR really helped me realize that we are all the same. We all have to go through struggles, we all worship the same God. "Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist the him standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings" 1 Peter 5:8-9 God is the same as yesterday and will be the same God today, tomorrow and forever more! Satan is also the same and he's out to attack us.

Looking at these beautiful people and their beautiful country showed me what a beautiful and mighty God we serve. The Lord helped me to see things and look at them not with pity but with genuine and sincere love. God has his own schedule, but he is always on time. "God had planned" something better for us so that only together with us they would be made perfect." Hebrews 11:40

God knows all things and he knows my heart at this moment in time. God is moving in the Dominican Republic and I can't wait to see the outcomes of things that I had the blessing of being able to be a part of. As I sit on the plane and look out the window it is so real to me that the same God that created the universe in seven days - these beautiful clouds and celestial skies is the same God that cares for little ole me! I thank God for choosing me when I really don't deserve his love or his mercy. We serve a God that is simply indescribable.

One day every knee will bow; every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Stazi....

What I got out of this experience wasn't what I was expecting. When I started to get myself psyched up about Quest, I also kept in mind that my walk with God was very inconsistent. I kept telling myself that this trip would kinda be my chance to get back on track with God. It was always "once Quest is over, I'll be better with God "or" once Quest happens, then I'll clean up my act." Yeah right.

There were so many times during the last 10 days when I'd find myself noticing and thinking by no means was this trip the beginning or the end of anything. Susie challenged us daily to catch glimpses of the bigger picture. While this trip was and is a big thing in my life, it was simply a speck in God's amazing "bigger picture" for his children and his work. By noticing this it has really encouraged me to spend honest quality time with God everyday, and to be jealous of my time with God. As an ending thought I challenge you to get to be intimate with God and continue to have your heart ready and open to catch the glimpses of the bigger picture.

Stephanie....

That's right we finally made it, and it was amazing. The flights went smoothly and we arrived with good time. Our group over the past months has grown close as a whole, and this helped us to accomplish great things through God.

The thing that was said everyday more than once a day was "God open my eyes." Our goal was to see things more than on the surface level, and we all had at least one experience that God opened our eyes to. One big thing for me was I just really saw God's throughout the country. Everywhere we went people were so welcoming and loving. When we would go prayer walking people would ask us into their house and give up every chair they had, and keep in mind they were welcoming about five people into their home which is about the size of many living rooms. They were all just so giving and caring offering us whatever they had, which wasn't much.

More of God's love was shown to me during a time of worship. I was holding this young girl who fell asleep in my arms I just felt this overwhelming love for her, and I didn't even know her. And the biggest thing I will be bringing back with me from this trip is to love. To love those who love me, to love those I don't know, and to love the un-loveable. I thank God for this trip because it truly opened my eyes to great things and I will never forget it. Thanks you for your prayers.

Nicholas....

Going on the trip to the Dominican Republic was one of the most eye opening events I have seen. Going to all parts of the DR and seeing how all of the Dominicans live compared to how we live in the United States. The people there always showed a smile when they came up to you and wanted you always to hang out. Seeing their love for God when they have nothing was amazing. Some of the churches were just the foundation with just a roof. But when everyone was worshiping they praised God like I have never seen like in our church. Also it was meaningful to hear the people's testimonies of how they come to God and how they live their lives.

Lauren....

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you my  righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

This verse I kept close in my heart all week. This trip to the Dominican Republic was really an eye-opening, learning experience. The trip was my first time on an out of the country mission trip. Every moment was unique and could never be re-lived with the same impact. During our time in the DR my eyes were opened wide to so many new things. I was pushed to step out of my comfort zone by trying new things. I saw the eyes filled hearts ands spirits beaming with excitement for God from everyone we met. I have grown from the trip knowing that God is with me for every step I take. I pray that this Q8 team will go back home and keep the excitement and pure love for the Lord as we did there. Keep us all strong and bold! God bless! Que Dios le bendiga!

Devin...

The thing that brought my Dominican experience above and beyond every expectation was the time spent with Marsha. Immediately she welcomed us all with open arms and an open heart allowing us to come into her home and use it as a base for our work in Santiago. She had such joy and love for her work and toward us for our willingness to aid her. That feeling overflowed to the entire Quest team. Many of the best moments of the trip occurred in her home while stuffing our faces with the best Dominican food. She was very generous to everyone on the team and to all the people we were ministering to.

Marsha had a meekness like I have never seen. You could see the power and love of God coming from her every action. It is no wonder she has been so successful in her ministry. All the passion trickled down and made all of our efforts in various towns stronger and our own connections with God grow.

This trip to the Dominican Republic was amazing and eye-opening. There is so much that I have learned and it will definitely be a challenge to take it home and apply it. What I am really going to take back is being joyful. On this trip, I realized how joyful the people were. I really tried to be joyful during the trip and sometimes I succeeded, but sometimes I failed miserably. Also, I was thinking about the fruit of the Spirit and one of them is joy. But the joy comes from God. As I go back home, I will take back that same joy that I had on the trip so tat I can glorify God and set a good example because joy, comes a positive attitude.

Alison...

This trip has truly been an amazing experience. This was my first time out of the country and I am really glad that I was able to go to the Dominican Republic. I had heard a lot of things about this trip from all of my friends that went on it in the past, but it was still like nothing I could have imagined. One thing that I had heard a lot about was the community known as the Hole. It had always been made out to be so horrible, while it looked that way on the outside, the people we met were some of the happiest people I've ever seen.

That was how it was where ever we were. Our first day of ministry we went to a small village called Guya Canal. The church there had no walls, but when we had our service there, it was one of the most amazing thing I have ever seen. Everyone was worshiping whole heartedly and the sunset was visible over the hills. It really reminded me how amazing God is. And one thing I'll never forget is the woman sitting in the front row. To anyone that just saw her on the street she would have just looked like a poor woman with no shoes and not very clean. But when I saw her worshiping God with all of her heart, I realized that she is one of the most beautiful people in the entire world. It really made me think and challenge myself to be as childlike and as hungry for God as everyone I saw in the DR. I feel so blessed because I was given the opportunity to go.

Elysia...

The part of the trip that made the most impact on me was realizing that God is the same God in every country all the time. Sometimes I get so caught up in who God is at my church in America that I forget that he's the same God all over the world. This really struck me when we were singing "Alore , mis ojos." God doesn't care what language we worship Him in. He always understands our hearts. God is such a huge God and he is doing incredible work all over the world. I am so grateful that God chose me to be his messenger. It is an incredible experience to work alongside God.

Rebecca....

This was an amazing experience, filled with many memories that I will never forget. Besides from simply being a lot of fun, God also showed me some things.

Over the past few months I had been desiring to see God work in me. Through my life and the lives of those around me. Though I had been spending time in His word and in prayer, I still was not as close to Him as I had been. This week though, I saw amazing things that only God could do. And know that he was fulfilling his promise from James 4:8 that says, "Come near to God and He will come near to you."

Then on one of the last days when we were sharing our testimonies sitting in Chana's house in Rio San Juan, I realized that looking back on my life so far, the times where God and I were closest was when I was focused on sharing the Gospel with others, such as this week.

Over the past few months, this hasn't been something I'm focused on. Coming out of this trip, my goal is to continue to be salt and light for God, but now around the people I am with on a day to day basis. And to glorify Him in all I do, knowing that He said, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Thank you everyone who supported me on this trip through financial support,  encouraging words, and most of all praying for me and the rest of the Quest team.

We arrived back in Boston this afternoon (Friday) without incident. It was an early morning, waking up at 4:00 am and off to the airport at 5:00 am. We arrived at the BCNE Lodge just after 3:00 pm. The Quest 8 - South African team began arriving within a few minutes. The weather was cool but refreshing. The group had some snacks and down time. Later we had dinner together as a full Quest team. (Jen and Ken joined us for the evening, no baby yet!)

Each of the DR team members have written a few thoughts down and those will be added to this sight in the next few days. Please check back and read their personal accounts.

Well that day has come, our last day of ministry. We are actually just hours away from the end of our official ministry. We have one community celebration left tonight and we would ask that you pray with us and for us at 7pm EST. We will be sharing in the community of Rio San Juan. The Questies have had a great day of going door to door talking with people about their spiritual journey and have invited them to join us tonight.

The group will sing, share their drama, testimonies, stomp and a short message. Last night a youth group from a  neighboring community lead a service. There were maybe 150 or more there. It was rainy and it started late. I pray we have a larger group tonight. Thank you for partnering with us in this last effort. Pray for our new friends as the follow up here and seek to begin a new church here.

Some of you would love to be flies on the wall, especially parents--to watch your teenagers. Today we had the local fish for lunch, tonight roasted pig! As in roasted in the back of the casa!

Tomorrow we travel back to the Capitol for shopping and dinner out. We leave for the airport at 5am on Friday. There are many, many stories to share and much to process. How do we apply what we have seen and experienced to our daily lives and our faith journey.

We are looking forward to the Q8 South Africa team joining us Friday night for a full team debrief.

We continue to thank God for everyone remaining healthy and staying safe. We are tired at this point. Pray that with our resistance down we remain healthy.

This will be the last blog from the Dominican Republic. We will blog once we return to New England. Watch in the days ahead for the summary statements of the Q8DR students and hopefully more pictures (we have over 600). Please know we have thanked God for your partnership through support and prayer.

Adios! Q8DR

Today we awoke to a light rain that has continued all day. At times it is light and other times a downpour. So we have altered our plan throughout the day. Once we arrived at Antonio´s family home we had breakfast and then the two groups blended and shared back and forth our faith stories. The groups also sang together. Many of Antonio´s family shared there stories and several have had near death experiences. The group came away with an appreciation for life.

Afterwards we had lunch and then headed down the basketball court which is covered. There is a mixture of volleyball, basketball and hanging out with some of the local children and youth.

A group is coming from a nearby town to lead a service tonight. Our group will be leading tomorrow night. Tomorrow is our last full day of ministry her in the DR.  

We are learning to be thankful for small things. We are thankful we had our laundry done yesterday, everything is dried on the fence the wall or a line. We had quite the load of lanudry which is washed in a machine but not like the US. The women who helped worked all day. And we are thankful we were able to enjoy the beach yesterday since it was so rainy and cloudy today.

The group is aware of the shooting at VA Tech. We have read some of the accounts on the internet. We do not have access to a TV and haven´t most of our time here.

I hope all family members, mentors and youth leaders have let us know if you will be joining us for the Celebration on Saturday.

I wish you could see the internet cafe we are publishing from today. I have already made friends learning how to use this system, and we just had a blackout and everything I had written was erased. I am going to try to do this quickly. Please excuse any mistakes. We had a great wrap up in Santiago with SS and Worship in Villa de Yaque. Then we had lunch at a Domino´s Pizza where our bus driver´s wife is the manager. The we loaded up and headed to San Francisco. We spend some time with Gabriel and his family, had a great dinner prepared by his church and then worshiped with a full house. The new AMPS we brought work very, very well. The church is growing and exciting. The service lasted about 2 hours and with the heat we felt like we had run a race!

After the service we headed just over an hour north and west to the coast. Sharon and Rodney and two young guys from the Capital met us at our hotel. We had some fruit and a soda before we headed to bed.

Today we connected with Antonio´s family who is hosting us for all our meals. We spent the morning at a beautiful beach! The water was very refreshing and we enjoyed the break for a couple of hours. This afternoon we had an orientation and the group is playing a game of pick up baseball right now in the neighborhood where they hope to begin a church.

We will try to connect again now that I know about this place. But for now it is almost dinner time. A couple of shaky tummys but nothing major--thank God. The restful day has given us new energy. Thank you for your prayers and comments.

Q8DR

Sorry to blog so late.

I know some of you have been checking all day waiting for a word. It was a full day and we had to say good bye tonight to our friends who cook and Sankary and Kelvin who came for dinner.

This morning the team worked in The Hole helping kick off the church beginning Sunday School for children. We divided the students into two teams, one lead music, Bible story and a craft inside and the other played with children on the half basketball court outside.

The Questies really enjoyed this time of interaction. This community has many challenges but the Questies looked beyond that into the eyes of children and teenagers.

After lunch we drove about 30 minutes out of the city to a community where Marsha is beginning to plant a church. We broke into teams and went door to door for about an hour and then held a worship time under shade trees in someone's front yard. More than 50 joined our team for this time.

Beyond the obvious, playing with children, having conversations with teenagers, the group is beginning to see God around them. They are connecting personally with God and sensing His leadership as they go out.

It continues to be very hot and humid. And that's the last thing those of you in New England want to hear, but the heat can become a challenging factor. You would be so proud of the team, they are really hanging in there and staying focused. The STUDENTS are the ones asking for the sunscreen! We are keeping hydrated and learning that when you stand in the shade it is cooler than standing in the sun. Everyone continues to remain healthy and they are eating!

We transition tomorrow (Sunday). The morning will be spent wrapping up our time here in Santiago leading Sunday School with children and then leading worship with adults. We will have lunch with Marsha and then pack the van. Mid afternoon we are off to San Francisco(1 hour away) to worship with our good friend Pastor Gabriel and his congregation. We will have dinner with them around 5 and worship around 6. After a couple of hours of worship we will travel north to the coast to Rio San Juan(one hour away). We will meet the Colemans there and get settled in our hotel.

Part of Monday will bring down time. We are not sure if we will have internet access so if you do not hear from us we will blog as soon as possible. We continue to sense your prayer support in all we do!

Q8DR

Today ministry happened in three parts and at three locations. Each location the group shared their music, the stomp, and testimonies. But each location was different.

In the morning the group traveled down into ¨the hole¨ a neighborhood Quest teams have been working in for quite some time. The team share and sang at in a small two room school. Students, preschoolers and some parents listened in for the 40 minute program. Then we walked through another part of the neighborhood talking and praying with residents.

We headed back to Marsha´s for another amazing meal prepared by the sisters. Yes, everyone is eating and loving Dominican food.

After lunch the group worked on more songs in Spanish. I think we are up to six or more now and learned a drama.  Mid afternoon we went to a drug treatment center for men. The group shared including the new drama and songs. It was a wonderful time. Most of the 75 or so men expressed an interest in attending Bible study starting next week.

And finally from there we traveled to Los Santos a neighborhood next to the Hole. First we went in groups door to door inviting people to the service. The final service of the day was great. The church leaders were happy with the turn out and there was a great atmosphere among the two groups.

We just finished dinner, a Dominican stew and the group is about to return to their dorm for debrief and sleep!

Thanks for your comments and continued prayer support. 

We are all healthy, thank God. Oh, it is still hot! Q8