Day three and everybody is still accounted for (including Kim). Early breakfast this morning at 7:00 followed by team devotional. After devotionals the team broke off into different sections for the morning and afternoon. Becky, Kim, and Mary K. were given the task of organizing the clinics pharmaceutical room (it was in shambles). Jin, Becky, and Tammy worked in the medical clinic helping with general consults and health issues. Glen, Will, Bob, Mike, Dan, Josiah, Nathan, and Phil worked on adding another five layers of cement block onto the guesthouse wall. Mary E. and Peter were sent to the market to help buy fresh produce for the guesthouse. Felicia, Crystal, Jacki, Tonia, Stephanie, Sarah and Barb all helped prepare vitamin packets and organize the donated clothing items. Claire was overseer of organizing the medical supply attic, along with Crystal, Felicia, Dan, Mary, Peter, Sarah and Mike. Finally, Jim coordinated puppet skits with the translators.

Around 4:30 the team piled into the back of two pick-up trucks and headed out for the "old peoples home" which was like a third world nursing home. While there we sang songs, mingled, performed puppets & mimes, and handed out gifts to the residents. Before we left we were able to lay hands on each of the residents and pray for them in English. What a blessing! While we were at the home one of the local Dominican missionary couples who had organized the trip to the home expressed how moved they were through the mimes and dramas. They told us that they would love to see us perform our mimes and puppets throughout the week.

We loaded up the whole team into one pick-up truck (17 people) and one car (7 people) and headed back to the guesthouse. We arrived at the guesthouse around 8:00 and ate diner. As we were finishing diner we received a phone call from the missionary couple explaining that there was a church assembly meeting that evening and they wanted to have us share the mimes. During the same time Jim and Will were taken to a near by church to present puppets. After scurrying to collect our props the mime team headed out 15 minutes later to the church. When we arrived there were over 250 young people attending the service. The leaders escorted us to the front of the church and explained that they wanted us to wrap up their service with our three mimes. During the performance the audience was enthralled by the mimes and absolutely captivated. Later, after the performance eight people came to the front of the church and asked Christ to be their Savior. Gloria a Dios (Glory to God)! Looking out into the audience many of the young people were moved to tears and deeply touched. many people came forward and thanked us for our efforts with the mimes and explained how it impacted them.

We arrived back at the guest house around 10:00 and spent an 1 & 1/2 hours talking, sharing stories of the evening, and praising God. What an encouraging time! Jim and Will told us about their adventure with the church they attended. How they were able to fellowship in two Dominican homes and how they were asked to share during the church service. The whole team noted how passionate the Christians in the DR are toward fellowship and evangelism. They don't just practice religious traditions and obligations but have a deep desire to learn and grow in their faith. What an attitude!

PRAISES:

• Good health
• Great weather
• Genuine servant-like attitude amongst team members during work projects
• Team strengthened and gown closer through the last minute events of the evening
• Translators arrived at the clinic
• Fantastic response from the nursing home residents and church congregation

PRAYER:

• Tammy has lost her voice somewhere
• Claire twisted her ankle during a mime
• Safe travel around town tomorrow
• Continued energy, strength, and a renewed spirit
• Successful outreach in marketplace, hospital and park
• Continue to grow and emerge ourselves in the Dominican culture
• God would be glorified in all we say and do

More to come later. I'll try to post some photos tomorrow.

Blessings,

Peter (for the whole team)