June 10,
Here we are entering the sixth month of our stay in the D.R..
This is the halfway point. Is the glass half full or half empty?
At the moment we are spending a lot of thought evaluating what we have been doing, praying and asking God to direct us. Our time has been spent helping at Dr. Bobs and visiting the village with our first aid kit and basic drugs for colds, flu, scabies, parasites, fungus, headaches and fever. We have helped villagers get to clinics and hospitals and paid for tests and medications that they could not afford. As well we have tried to target those in the most need of food and nutritional supplements and discretely give them packages.
I feel that I need to explain the reason for the need to be discrete, it is not to protect the identity of those receiving assistance but rather to protect ourselves from being mobbed. When others in the village find out that we have packages of food they ask for food too (as they are all hungry) .
We also need to assist without creating a dependance on assistance, for this we need Gods help to show us the way. We would ask for your prayers about this.
To our shame the one need lacking in the village that is not being addressed is the need to know Jesus Christ. Please pray also that God will provide a way for us to share the knowledge of Jesus with the people of Los Algodones, and that God will make our last months here profitable for His Kingdom.
The village needs your prayers as we do also.
God Bless you all...
Dave and Sandy Chapman
1 comment:
Dear Dave and Sandy; I read your latest blog and I feel the tuggings of your hearts.You have asked for prayer for the town and i find myself at least once a week or more praying for the people and for your minstry amongst them.
As for the real need i remember a time back in the mid eighties when the big controversy in certain church circles was the debate over what is more important when it comes to evangelism.
I believe that was when i first heard the term social gospel.At first my repsonse saving people was the most important.
I still believe their spirit's are vitally important. However I am also seeing that an individual isn't just made up of their spiritual side. I find it curious that if we reflect over Jesus ministry more than enough it was meet the felt needs. I think that as you continue to pray and ask Holy Spirit for guidance as you are he will lead you.
You are doing really well and the fact that you went is huge!!!!. If you doubt this take a look around and see how many other people are there helping to try and make life better for these treasured people.
I applaud your faith and your courage and continue to watch in awe and fascination at the depth and level of himself that Father is both pouring in and then pouring out through you.
Thank you for your example of what occurs when vulnerabilitly and passion are blended the results are truly beautiful.
Love
Martin
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