MCC-DC 2007 DR Mission Comes to an End

It is with hearts full of satisfaction, sadness to leave new friends, and joy in serving our Lord that the 2007 Mission Team prepares to leave the DR and make the journey home. Walls have been painted, children have been taught the Word of God, and hearts and minds have been changed forever. As is almost always the case, we feel as though we are taking so much more than we have left. The entire Mission Team, on behalf of the children of El Tamarindo, is deeply grateful to God for this chance to serve Him, and to our Sending Partners who helped make it all possible. There’s still work to be done, next summer is just 11 months away…

Week 2 has arrived!

Nine eager missionaries arrived on Sunday to a steamy, rainy day in the DR. After our van broke down on the way to the hotel from the airport (these things happen in the mission field!), we made it to the hotel and everyone got settled

Then came Monday, Day One for the new team…this group gives new meaning to the phrase "hit the ground running!". We took El Tamarindo by storm! Michael's construction team seamlessly took over where Gin's left off, and after some initial prayer and song time, the children broke off into their groups with their MCC-DC teachers. What a wonderful day!

Our first day with the kids opened with morning assembly which included a prayer and songs

Week One ends, Week Two begins…

Week One of the 2007 DR Mission trip has sadly but joyfully come to a close. The team kept on working hard right up to the end: on Friday we stayed at El Tamarindo until 9:30 PM finishing things up. The week has gone by quickly, though much has happened. This small but feisty team has done amazing things at the El Tamarindo school to make Rev. Barrera’s ministry more effective, and to make life a little brighter for these beautiful children of God. The photos speak for themselves: lots has been done, but there’s much left to be completed during the second week of our Mission.
The team has spent an intense week together full of laughter, sweat, tears and hugs. The Lord’s presence has been among us at every turn. Thanks to the spiritual reflection process created by our Chaplain Rev. Lance, the team grew closer to one another and to God by taking time to reflect on our experiences. As a group we shared our thoughts, feelings and emotions, which helped each Missionary keep in mind that we are doing God’s work, each one of us is called to be His hands, His feet, and His mouth as we serve Him by helping “the least of these.” As the first group prepares to leave the mission field, preparations are underway to receive the next group of Missionaries chosen by God to serve him in the DR. Please stay tuned to the blog for updates and photos from Week Two, and continue to keep the team in your thoughts and prayers.

Construction Team Still Going Strong On Day 5

Linda Hardy returns to her favorite mission job from last summer - repairing the children's chairs

Today was a rough day: torrential downpours did their best to water down our spirit. Our team kept on working, at times without power but we continue to tick things off our (growing) list! Gin is doing a fantastic job coordinating everyone's tasks with her expert skills: JB has found a new passion for plumbing, assistant Carlos has emerged as the best of the bunch at cutting wall corners for painting, and Linda is the best bench painter around!

Day 2 - Construction Team Unstoppable!

By the end of day 2 the construction team has already finished painting the interior walls and ceiling of the school at El Tamarindo. They are unstoppable!

Linda, JB, Brian, Daniel (cultural liaison), Gin, and Carlos (cultural liaison) after work on day 2 at the hotel

Brian Reports On Construction Teams First Day

We've arrived and have hit the ground running! It's UNBELIEVABLY hot down here but we're working hard. We haven't had a chance to get to the beach yet, if you can believe it. Sunday was a tiring travel day, between getting up at 3am and coming into the heat, we were beat! We got straight to work on Monday painting at El Tamarindo. Although school's not in session there are neighborhood kids running around and through our legs as we paint the ceiling! It's wonderful!


JB, Brian and Linda's first meal on Sunday

Brian and a new friend

Linda the "bubble lady" with some of the neighborhood kids

Gin after a hard day's work

Gin, Gayle (friend of MCC) and JB take a break

Prayers For The Mission

On Sunday, July 22nd, Rev Dr. Shultis introduced the mission team to the MCC-DC congregation. She explained the objectives of the Construction and Children's Ministry Teams. She then lead the congregation in prayer, praying for a safe and successful mission trip and praying for the children of El Tamarindo. Through God's Grace, our mission trip is about to begin!

Children's Ministry Team Selects Theme For Bible Camp

The theme of our Children's Ministry this year is the story of Jonah and the Whale. Our classroom activities will convey and reinforce the message of Obedience to God, and that God wants all of us to be saved, no matter who we are or what we do or where we come from, and that God through His Holy Spirit gives us the power to obey.

The Story of Jonah and the Whale
Adapted from Jonah, Chapters 1-4

Illustration by Nalini Jaysauwiya

God told Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach.

But Jonah ran away and took a boat in the opposite direction.

Jonah thought that he could hide from God.

God sent a big storm that threw Jonah into the sea.

God stopped the storm and sent a whale to swallow Jonah.

Jonah prayed and lived in the whale for three days and nights.

Then God forgave Jonah and told the whale to set him free.

Jonah obeyed God and went to Nineveh.

He told the people there about God’s love.

Jonah prayed, “You are a kind God, slow to anger, and full of love.”

Construction Team Finalizes An Ambitious "To Do" List

The Missions Committee has identified maintenance work at El Tamarindo as a priority for 2007. During the 2007 Mission Trip, the Mission Team will:

1. Install 8 ceiling fans with light fixtures
2. Paint the entire building inside and out
3. Install an accordion-style partition in the downstairs classroom/sanctuary and the upstairs classrooms
4. Purchase and Install new individual classroom desks
5. Refinish and Repaint church pews/children’s tables
6. Repair two bathrooms
7. Apply acrylic/lacquer finish to the bare concrete floors
8. Other miscellaneous repairs
   

An Exciting Opportunity Has Come Our Way

Dear Friends and Family,

We have exciting news! We've been given the opportunity to take part in a short-term mission trip to the Dominican Republic with a team from the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, DC (MCC-DC).

Our 2-week mission trip will go from July 29th to August 12th; team members can go for one week or two. We'll be working at an orphanage school located in the town of El Tamarindo with a long history of serving those in need in the community around it. We will be presenting a Summer Bible Camp for students from pre-K to 8th grade, distributing much-needed school supplies and cash contributions, as well as performing major renovations and repairs to the school building. MCC-DC sent a group of 25 people in 2006 on a similar mission and experienced overwhelming success. We are confident this year we will be even more effective in touching the lives of those less fortunate than us.

We'd like to ask you to be a part of this wonderful experience by participating as a Sending Partner. Financially, each mission team member needs to raise $1,500. This will cover transportation and lodging, as well as school supplies, paint and construction materials, and a donation to the school's operating funds.

To partner with us, please fill out the response form below with your tax deductible check, payable to MCC-DC. Please note DR Missions on your check, and please remember to pray for safety, effective ministry, health, and changed hearts.

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DR Missions Sending Partner Response Form

___ Yes, I will support you with a gift of $__________ to help with this mission.

Name_____________________________________________________

Email or telephone__________________________________________

Address___________________________________________________

Please make checks payable to MCC-DC. All contributions are tax deductible. Thank you for your support!