Homeless

Saturday December 29th 2007

Today we packed and moved out of our house in Toronto. We are staying at Ed and Gord's place for the next few days. After that we are on our way to the Dominican Republic for the next 365 days. (this was written by Ed)

Thanks to Ed for installing notebook on my laptop I can now make a journal of our trip from start to finish.
Tonight we enjoy a relaxing evening tapping away on our laptops as we digest a beautiful roast beef dinner that Gordon cooked. Quite a contrast to earlier in the day and the frantic scramble to pack up our house and leave with everything we will need for the next year packed in two large hockey bags.
My friends Ed and Gord have graciously offered us the hospitality of their home while we wait for our departure to the D.R. on Friday Jan. 4. As well as being a great friend, Ed is the co-owner of Storycity along with Dave Beatty.
As many of you know I have been working for the animation company "Storycity" going on 6 years now.
Work with this great group of guys and being a small part of Storycity's birth and development has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Together we have shared both business and personal struggles, traveled, gained weight, lost hair, grown older and hopefully wiser. I have been most grateful for their continuing encouragement and support as Sandy and I prepare to go to the Dominican Republic. Ed, Gord and Dave have helped to make this trip a possibility. Thanks guys.


Sunday December 30th 2007

Ahhh. here I sit, it's Sunday evening. We said our last goodbye's to our church family today. Sandy was stoic and I broke down and cried as usual. (how embarrassing) God really wants to keep me humble, that's fine with me if it does good for his kingdom I'll be a fool, a clown or an idiot, whatever he wants me to be, (just make use of me, I pray). Friends gathered around and prayed for us at church and Pastor Mike and Pam fed us a delicious quiet lunch after church for which we are very grateful.

I am also grateful for those who continue to pray in the quiet or clutter of their day's, faithfully calling out to God on behalf of those who will never know that someone is praying for them. How many have come into Gods kingdom through the faithful prayerful petitioning of some Saint crying out to God in their behalf? Someday we will meet God and see just how important all those seemingly forgotten prayers are and how important and treasured are the humble quiet souls.
Thank God for those faithful Saints.

I'm reminded now of the friends and family who have partnered with us financially. Sandy and I probably could not live for a year in the D.R. and be a help to anyone else without your help. I'm so grateful that you listened to the call of the Holy Spirit to sow seeds into the Dominican Republic and Los Algodonas. We feel it's an awesome privilege and responsibility to carry your love offering. We will prayerfully consider where it should be best spent and we ask for your prayers for wisdom and leading of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you.

our little house in winter

Sunday, December 16, 2007
A Letter To Runnymede Community Church

Dear Runnymede,
Well here we are with only 9 days until Christmas and 19 until we leave for a year in Dominican Republic. Sandy and I are frantically scrambling to pack up the house, wrap up work, make Christmas preparations and quiet our hearts for what awaits us in the new year. Sometimes I forget about God in all the mad rush but then remember that he is the one who tapped me on the shoulder and said “Just Go”. Two small words that kept coming back to me whenever I would doubt and wonder what an old unknown artist could possibly do for anyone in the D.R. .I thank God that he is in charge and trust he will use us if we are willing to follow his leading. My prayer life increases each day that we get closer to DR day. Both Sandy and I are anxious to go and yet I still feel a slight panic every time the Dominican Republic jumps into my mind while I’m distracted at work. Speaking of work, both Sandy and I have been overwhelmed by a sudden and unexpectedly heavy work load just as we are trying to get all of our affairs in order. It seems God isn’t going to give us too much time to worry and fret before we leave, (Probably a good thing). Though, at night the little village of Los Algondonas and the needs of it’s people seem to haunt me because I have no idea what I can do for them. My heart breaks and cries out to God, selfishly I want to do something myself but I know that the answer is with Him.
We are both so grateful to you our Church Family at Runnymede. You provided the good teaching, discipling, support, encouragement and prayers that have made it possible for Sandy and I to step out in faith.
Thank you, have a Merry Christmas, and God Bless.

Yours in Christ,


Sandy and Dave Chapman

As the time is getting closer for us to leave for the Dominican
Republic,we are really getting antsy.
The Group (Fundacion Samaritano) whom we will be working with in the Dominican
has gone out of their way to help us in so many ways.
A large shipping container of school equipment was donated and we
have been given some room in the box for some stuff. Now we have to
figure out very quickly what we really need down there that can go now!
I'm sending art supplies and my bike, Sandy has rounded up some sewing
supplies, fabric and first aid stuff, books, kitchen stuff as well as
a camp stove and lantern (as the electricity is very undependable).
Along with numerous donated items for us to take.
Elio Madonia has received a donation, and has found a small 4-Wheel
drive Suzuki for our use. A friend of his is providing an apartment for
our first three months, and a lady (from Switzerland no less) has
donated money to furnish the apartment. The scope of impact our
decision is having is continually stunning us, and we are overwhelmed by
the warm support we have received from family, friends and also complete
strangers.
Thank You To All who have become involved in supporting us with prayer,
funding and verbal encouragement, it really means a lot as we enter this
unfamiliar and adventurous stage of our lives.
Please continue to pray for us...

Yours in Christ
Sandy and Dave Chapman