As the Missions Chairperson at CUMC I am still trying to build a team to share the vision and responsibilities for growing short-term and long-term missions. I continue to encourage other missionaries and participate in short-term missions myself.
Recently, March 15th-21st I accompanied a team of young adults to the Dominican Republic. The 40 or so children at Jackie’s House have been rescued from the streets of Santo Domingo. Some were rescued from abuse or neglect; others, from poverty. We painted 3 rooms in the house they are renting.
When not working we hugged, loved, and played games with all the kids. We also sealed the roof of the orphanage dormitory, poured cement for a patio, and cleared away wild shrubs and weeds from the backyard of their new house-to-be.
I enjoyed the construction and time spent with Jackie’s Kids but I was able to make a really strong connection with Wilkin, a 19 year-old Dominican, who is guarding the new house-under-construction.He lives there alone, for now, with his 3 year old niece Perla whom he raises as his own.
Every time I travel abroad God places young adults like Wilkin in my path. He draws us to one another and joins our hearts in friendship. This time in particular God really reminded me that the pain I feel when leaving new friends like Wilkin is really a reflection of His heart for those who have no one to disciple them.
My heart breaks for Wilkin because he has no Christian friends and no one to disciple him. That need, that lack of discipleship is at the heart of why I am a missionary.
At Christ United Methodist Church it is our desire to empower small groups to participate in Short Term Foreign Missions to meet the needs of women, children, and the poor in the Dominican Republic.
We commit to assist you in organizing your trip and to provide training beforehand and re-orientation afterwards to maximize your missions experience.
We strive to be like Jesus, who in announcing His ministry, quoted Isaiah 61 saying "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."
We take literally the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 "...Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..."
Our earnest desire is to stand at the judgment and see "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language..." knowing that we were among those Christ used to get them all there. Our commitment is not only to love them as Christ loved them but to disciple and teach them to love others in the same way!
Lastly we are commited to discovering, nurturing , and securing training for full-time missionaries to the Dominican Republic and to wherever else God may call.
In the Fall of 2008 we planted a full-time missionary in the capital of the Dominican Republic. She returned to the states at the end of March to receive more training while she continues to facilitate small group short term trips. Tasha's hard work led us into partnership with the International Sending Agency S.C.O.R.E.
http://scoreinternational.org/church-trips/
We also currently endorse and encourage full-time missionaries to Japan and France. Jason and Rachel Capp are currently raising their own support for ministry in Japan. Ricardo Walker is raising support for ministry in France.
For more information , to support these efforts, or to get involved contact The Missions Team at Missions@ChristIsLove.org
As the Missions Chairperson at CUMC I am still trying to build a team to share the vision and responsibilities for growing short-term and long-term missions. I continue to encourage other missionaries and participate in short-term missions myself.
ReplyDeleteRecently, March 15th-21st I accompanied a team of young adults to the Dominican Republic. The 40 or so children at Jackie’s House have been rescued from the streets of Santo Domingo. Some were rescued from abuse or neglect; others, from poverty. We painted 3 rooms in the house they are renting.
When not working we hugged, loved, and played games with all the kids. We also sealed the roof of the orphanage dormitory, poured cement for a patio, and cleared away wild shrubs and weeds from the backyard of their new house-to-be.
I enjoyed the construction and time spent with Jackie’s Kids but I was able to make a really strong connection with Wilkin, a 19 year-old Dominican, who is guarding the new house-under-construction.He lives there alone, for now, with his 3 year old niece Perla whom he raises as his own.
Every time I travel abroad God places young adults like Wilkin in my path. He draws us to one another and joins our hearts in friendship. This time in particular God really reminded me that the pain I feel when leaving new friends like Wilkin is really a reflection of His heart for those who have no one to disciple them.
My heart breaks for Wilkin because he has no Christian friends and no one to disciple him. That need, that lack of discipleship is at the heart of why I am a missionary.