We have a group of men and women from our church who are going/gone to the Dominican to help build a church there. The first of two teams arrived today, the remainder are set to leave early Thrusday morning. Our senior pastor is one of those who is set to leave on Thursday PENDING his health status. He is extremely sick right now and had to have chest x-rays done today and still feeling horrible. He is one of three pastors playing a very key role in the pastors conference in the Dominican... teaching the pastors there to teach their people. PLEASE be praying for his health that it would improve enough in the next couple days to allow him to go. Satan will do anything and everything he can to make sure this doesn't happen, let's rebuke him in Jesus' name and allow God's kingdom to multiply and grow.
This is the sixth time they've taken teams down there to build churches and other things, the stories they come back with are absolutely amazing. They went down with a budget of $19K to do the wok they set out to do and then the (local) pastor's vehicle started to have issues (he uses the vehicle to transport people to services, etc) so after praying about it, another $19K was 'found' in December alone which is being used to purchase a new vehicle for the pastor to use. The vehicle will be something that if a part breaks down or needs repair can be readily found locally and sent down to have the work done on maintaining the vehicle. Good things are already happening (and have been for many years). I'll tell you more as they come back home and share more with us. No word on our pastor yet and the results of the x-ray... God is in control !!
I opened up my facebook this morning to read this message posted on our church page... Update on Pastor <name> who has been quite sick lately. I was talking with <his wife> who told me that he has viral meningitis. He is hooked up to IV's and in 48 hour isolation (no visitors for now, please). I asked <his wife> if I could let you know this way so you can keep the family in your prayer. They are certainly relieved to have a diagnosis, as it is hard to treat what you don't know. Blessings.
Dominican Progress News from the Dominican. Just spoke with <name>. He is very encouraged and excited at the work of God and the answers to prayer there. The team is working together very well; a couple of people sick for short periods but they are both healthy again; the work on the Haitian Church facility is progressing very well- the local believers are very grateful! The pastors conference is a big success- <Pastor 1 and pastor 2) have adapted their format in light of (our senior pastor) absence due to illness (see post below for an update). The Dominican Pastors are receiving their teaching enthusiastically. They are commenting that they have never heard this teaching before. Isn't it wonderful how God is building His Church globally!! Keep praying. Part of the team leaves tomorrow (Thursday) evening to arrive back home mid to late Friday morning. Pray for a safe flight and safe driving from Quebec City. Dios es buenos! Todo el tiempo! Left out the best part... The movie "Courageous" was well received in the Dominican and there have been several decisions to follow Jesus as Master and Savior!
Updates from our pastor's wife and our pastor himself (as found on facebook) (wife) Thank you. Some improvement today, still a ways to go. At this point we're a little unsure of the timing of being in isolation and length of hospital stay. We are thankful to God for the way many things have worked out. (Pastor) Update. 19th slept quite well 4 nasty drugs and sleeping pill and agreement by nurses just to look to see if I was breathing. Told them specifically not to wake me up ever hour to see how I was doing
