Extremely Blessed!

I've always felt very blessed, but tonight, I was reminded of the passage in Matthew 6:25-34.  God has once again revealed to me that He has everything in control and how much He loves me.  I am overwhelmed by the amount support, in many forms, that friends and family have provided before and since I've made the decision to go to the DR.  This is only the beginning....and I have a feeling that I cannot even fathom what God is going to do during the next year and a half!  Stay tuned!

It's Official!!!

I’ll finally be setting up a classroom…only this one will be in Barahona, Dominican Republic (DR) instead of Pennsylvania, like I had always thought.  Currently, the school construction has started and we’re hoping to be able to start school the first week of September.  A lot of work and fundraising still has to happen, but we know that God provides!
You might wonder how this even became reality, so I’ll start from the beginning…October 2007.  This was my first trip to the DR and I knew from the beginning that I would return.  The missionaries I worked with said that when I finished my teaching degree that I should come back…SO…here I come!   I’ve been back to the DR twice after the first trip and formed some lifelong friendships and a love for the people that I never imagined possible!  It’s going to be so hard to leave family, friends, and the comfort of home, but I realized that I had to be willing to give up everything and go.  I didn’t want to be the rich man that went away sorrowful because he had so many possessions in Matthew 19. 
Now I’m praying about the when and the how.  I do know a few details and will share more when I figure them out myself! 

• The Rineholt’s have graciously said I could stay with them while they are serving in the same area. 
• The elementary school with be in Batey Central.
• Right now, myself and Wilkyns, a local who is starting the school, will be teaching.  Two other locals are also interested.  We are all volunteers and will not be paid.
• Money still needs to be raised to finish the school and provide materials.
• I have committed to stay one school year unless God points me in another direction.

Everything else is still up in the air.  Please pray for the following:

• The future teachers and students of the school and that we can teach them on a spiritual and intellectual level.
• That the funds will be provided for the completion of the school and materials.
• That I can raise enough money to support myself for at least 10 months in the DR.
• For the Rineholt’s as they raise support and finish business in the US to go back to the DR.
• That we can speak and understand Spanish well enough!

Thanks for your prayers and support!  Can’t wait to see how God is going to work everything out!