He told us he sent in his resignation letter and they're moving to Tampa in December. Not only have they been some of our best friends, but he's also been our boss as the director of FCA DR for the last year.
Yet another difficult aspect of the lives of missionaries - the many goodbyes.
And while we understand their decision, fully support them as they move forward in the ministry God has for them in this season, and know that our relationship does not end here, it's difficult to prepare to say goodbye to people who've become family to us.
Goodbyes are hard. Period.
We can come up with strategies. We can look at the positive side. We can become numb to people coming in and going out of our lives. But it's still hard. Because every time we invest in lives, a little bit of our hearts are given to those lives.
The first question that comes to mind for most people is how this will affect the ministry and what it means moving forward. To answer that, first of all, this is God's ministry. Period. So our first response is to trust that He knows where to guide us. Secondly, there has been prior preparation and strategies that we'll be implementing, such as handing more responsibility to the three regional directors (Miguel and two other staff members) and working more toward a Dominican run ministry. At the same time, our founder, who lives in the US, will continue with fundraising for the ministry as a whole. (We still fundraise for my personal salary and expenses.) So, as a whole, there isn't a lot that will change outwardly. My job in administration stays the same with a few additional responsibilities, as does Miguel's job as regional director with a few additional responsibilities. We'll continue expanding our role as group coordinators and will be the go-to for most international communications.
Miguel and I can't help wondering what the future will bring. We're excited to see this new model for mission trips take hold and see how God will use Americans and Dominicans working side by side to demonstrate His love to the coaches and communities we serve. At the same time, more than ever, we are realizing the utmost importance of staying tuned to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide, not only this ministry, but also us.
We ask ourselves, what does God have us here in this particular city for? We see the small local church we're a part of begin to grow and flourish and wonder, what part does God have for us in this body? We see the needs of a community of street children and wonder, how can we be Jesus to them?
And for now, the answer is one step at a time. Each day, asking our Father to show us who needs His love, today. To pour out through our conversations, our work, our presence in this town.
October has been a full month!
A generous donor gave enough to cover a weekend marriage retreat for all FCA DR staff and spouses, as well as several coaches and their wives, at a nearby resort. October 1 also marked 6 months since our wedding day, so it was the perfect way to celebrate! We thoroughly enjoyed getting away for a few days and relaxing while eating great food and participating in a wonderful couple's conference.
The first week of October brought FCA DR's fall camp. A group of Miguel's coaches and baseball players joined others to participate in the three day tournament, daily discipleship groups, and evening evangelical sessions that our staff worked hard to prepare.
October 11 marked ten months since my youngest brother died, which seemed more significant in some ways than any other month. It seems crazy how life can go on appearing unaltered while underneath, everything has changed.
October also brought with it new neighbors. Another Dominican-American couple joined the leadership staff of our local church and we are so thankful for a growing community. Cross cultural life and marriage brings its own challenges and joys and its already been a special blessing to share them with someone else.
And today marks two years since I first stepped foot on Dominican soil! So much has happened in two years that in many ways it seems much longer. Yet, I wonder how time can fly by so fast.
Daily happenings include daily discipleship and mentoring through baseball for Miguel, while he juggles the added responsibilities that mean supervising more staff in implementing long term ministry strategies. Please continue to pray for open hearts in the coaches and athletes we work with. So many don't realize how much influence they truly have in this country. The coaches spend more time with their athletes than any other adult and our prayer is to teach them how to use that influence for Jesus. Relationships and unconditional love is the key to bringing change to a culture where fatherlessness and abandoment run rampant.
I've personally been staying busy with a wide range of things including writing a ministry handbook to help steer the upcoming changes. Opportunities to translate and consult in legal and cultural topics for other ministries have been coming my way as well, and Miguel jokes that I could set up a small firm on the side! In reality, it's been a joy to be able to provide support for other members of the large body of Christ and assist in greater influential impact. This country has so many needs and I thank God for the priviledge of being used in whatever way possible. I've also loved being able to stay in touch with a few of the girls from the safe home who are now young adults and live close by. While it can be difficult to watch them make choices that aren't the wisest or the best, it's also a joy to be able to continue to invest in their lives and pray that Jesus becomes the center of the universe.
Through the many facets of ministry and missionary life, our main goal is always discipleship. And while goodbyes are tough we also know that investing in lives is the best use of our time.
Because it's what Jesus did.
Yet another difficult aspect of the lives of missionaries - the many goodbyes.
And while we understand their decision, fully support them as they move forward in the ministry God has for them in this season, and know that our relationship does not end here, it's difficult to prepare to say goodbye to people who've become family to us.
Goodbyes are hard. Period.
We can come up with strategies. We can look at the positive side. We can become numb to people coming in and going out of our lives. But it's still hard. Because every time we invest in lives, a little bit of our hearts are given to those lives.
 |
| FCA DR fall sports camp |
Miguel and I can't help wondering what the future will bring. We're excited to see this new model for mission trips take hold and see how God will use Americans and Dominicans working side by side to demonstrate His love to the coaches and communities we serve. At the same time, more than ever, we are realizing the utmost importance of staying tuned to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide, not only this ministry, but also us.
We ask ourselves, what does God have us here in this particular city for? We see the small local church we're a part of begin to grow and flourish and wonder, what part does God have for us in this body? We see the needs of a community of street children and wonder, how can we be Jesus to them?
And for now, the answer is one step at a time. Each day, asking our Father to show us who needs His love, today. To pour out through our conversations, our work, our presence in this town.
 |
| Marriage retreat |
A generous donor gave enough to cover a weekend marriage retreat for all FCA DR staff and spouses, as well as several coaches and their wives, at a nearby resort. October 1 also marked 6 months since our wedding day, so it was the perfect way to celebrate! We thoroughly enjoyed getting away for a few days and relaxing while eating great food and participating in a wonderful couple's conference.
The first week of October brought FCA DR's fall camp. A group of Miguel's coaches and baseball players joined others to participate in the three day tournament, daily discipleship groups, and evening evangelical sessions that our staff worked hard to prepare.
October 11 marked ten months since my youngest brother died, which seemed more significant in some ways than any other month. It seems crazy how life can go on appearing unaltered while underneath, everything has changed.
October also brought with it new neighbors. Another Dominican-American couple joined the leadership staff of our local church and we are so thankful for a growing community. Cross cultural life and marriage brings its own challenges and joys and its already been a special blessing to share them with someone else.
And today marks two years since I first stepped foot on Dominican soil! So much has happened in two years that in many ways it seems much longer. Yet, I wonder how time can fly by so fast.
Daily happenings include daily discipleship and mentoring through baseball for Miguel, while he juggles the added responsibilities that mean supervising more staff in implementing long term ministry strategies. Please continue to pray for open hearts in the coaches and athletes we work with. So many don't realize how much influence they truly have in this country. The coaches spend more time with their athletes than any other adult and our prayer is to teach them how to use that influence for Jesus. Relationships and unconditional love is the key to bringing change to a culture where fatherlessness and abandoment run rampant.
I've personally been staying busy with a wide range of things including writing a ministry handbook to help steer the upcoming changes. Opportunities to translate and consult in legal and cultural topics for other ministries have been coming my way as well, and Miguel jokes that I could set up a small firm on the side! In reality, it's been a joy to be able to provide support for other members of the large body of Christ and assist in greater influential impact. This country has so many needs and I thank God for the priviledge of being used in whatever way possible. I've also loved being able to stay in touch with a few of the girls from the safe home who are now young adults and live close by. While it can be difficult to watch them make choices that aren't the wisest or the best, it's also a joy to be able to continue to invest in their lives and pray that Jesus becomes the center of the universe.
Through the many facets of ministry and missionary life, our main goal is always discipleship. And while goodbyes are tough we also know that investing in lives is the best use of our time.
Because it's what Jesus did.
