Reflections from our translator

Rick Mackey invited Biohanny and I to translate for a group from Rochester, Minnesota. So I was like, "Yeah, I'll translate!" We have American groups come to Boma and I have translated for them so I was ready to translate for this group. The first day I was introduced to the group but I did not have a chance to really get to know people very well. I shared my story with some girls but there were still a lot of new faces in the crowd. And as the days went on I got to talk and play with the girls, bonding over free time and ministry opportunities in different villages. To the people of the villages we were just one group so I felt more bonded to the American group, a real part of them. As more time passed, I felt like the group became like family. Even though I was a translator we planned out together how we were going to do the services to the kids or youth in the villages. The first girl that I talked to was Christina. And on the last night with the group Darin told us to share one person that was a real encouragement throughout the week. Christina chose me first but I had already planned on sharing how she too had been an encouragement to me as a friend. So at first this group felt like just another group I was translating for and one in which I wasn't part of but at the end of the week I felt very differently. In the end, I felt like this group from Minnesota was like family! This is a testimony to the special bond that we have as brothers and sisters in Christ. I was going to share this with the group on the last day, the celebration day, but I didn't want to because I knew that I was going to cry so hard. Rick said that it was hard for his kids, Ben and Elena, to have groups come down, make friends with them and then leave. I started to think about the groups that would come up to Boma and all the friends that I have made throughout the years and it being so difficult because they would come, have a great week, and then they would have to leave. It is very hard for me after groups leave because in Boma there is not many Christian youth in church that I can share with so it makes life harder. Having more brothers and sisters and Christ and making new friends and sharing with them makes it very difficult to let them go. In particular, Darin was encouraging in the way he taught the youth how to be Christ's disciples and it seemed so easy for him to exemplify simple demonstrations to help even me understand more what it means to follow Christ. I just want everyone to know that I had a great time with you all and thank you for welcoming me into your group (familia). I love you all and I hope that you come back in two years or less!

Alexandra T.

Almost done.

Nearly home to our mission field.  On the bus.  It is quiet.  Lots of tired travelers after a week serving and equiping students in another culture. God be praised.

Just landed

In Miami.  Now for customs.

Santiago airport!

We successfully got through customs and are now seated at Gate B5 as a sea of blue shirts waiting for our flight. We are tired, but we are overflowing with the joy that we experienced last evening as we shared how we have been encouraged by each other and exchanged bittersweet goodbyes with our wonderful translators and the Mackeys.

Yesterday was an exercise in flexibility as we arrived at Salto (swinging bridges waterfall) Jimenoa and it began to rain. Our original plan was to sit on rocks and reflect, pray, and journal, but God had other plans. Instead we left our Bibles on the van and just enjoyed being in nature-crossing wood plank bridges, splashing in the eddies, and gazing in awe at the waterfall and cloud-cloaked mountains. I think we have all enjoyed the little paradise that we have experienced this week.

Ephesians 3:20-21: "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

By now you all should know who Roger loves...(and the team too) :p
Christie can't wait to see her family!
Gail loves Gary. 
Connor can't wait to see Renee because he loves her :)
Darin misses his family

On our way...

Early start and we are on our way.  Breakfast was at 4:45 this morning and now I am sitting in the passenger seat of the little bus next to Giovanni as we head to the airport.  Much to say and much has been accomplished.  Praise the Lord!

Darin

Getting ready...

Today we spent the morning doing a little excursion to a waterfall and then spent an hour in silence and solitude to hear from God and how He would lead us once we got home.  Then after lunch a quick trip to get souvenirs and then to clean up and pack our stuff for the early morning trip to the airport.  The bus will leave at 5am for Santiago so we will be tired.  I will get a few students to type in some thoughts later tonight or in the morning.

Darin

Update from Mitchell

Well...
Today was totally awesome.
During the morning our Calvary team split into two teams: one team in Buenos Aires, another in El Montana.
In El Montana, the team helped the moms/leaders there put on a VBS. We opened in songs led by the four moms, with one led by our Karin Canakes. Then the children recited their verses very remarkably. After that we played games in the sanctuary, due to the rain. Another consequence of the rain, we lost 8 kids compared to yesterday. From Lower Montana, we brought up 7 kids, plus a Bible story teller.

In Buenos Aires the team put on our own VBS again. We had fewer kids than yesterday, but still a good number. Again, there were three stations. The Drama/ Music station re-enacted "Daniel and the Lion's Den", then invited the kids to join in and act out the story themselves. They were very convincing as lions. The Game station played some games with balloons, and were thoroughly sweaty and winded by the end.  Crafts today were small booklets with coloring pages inside. (Hint: they all had Jesus on them.) The little ones needed help with glue, but the older kids informed us that they did indeed know exactly what to do and dove in with gusto. John delivered a great message at the beginning, Nick at the end, and all in all, the kids and leaders had lots of fun.

~Buenos Aires info courtesy of Elizabeth Homme. (That's why it's so long)

And you all know by now that Roger loves Sue and Connor loves Renee. And
Caleb loves his family.

And now, to finish, a poem.

Thirty-some Kids- Mitchell Barnhart.

Thirty-some kids sit in a line
put on a smile to convince that they're fine
Those same thirty kids learning the Bible.
But how much will stick, or bounce off, sitting idle.
Thirty USA kids flying around,
They know their mission before they touch down.
Living at camp, traveling in vans,
All the while knowing that our God sure can.
People watching, youth rallying
VBS-ing, team tallying
Spreading the Gospel, sharing the story.
Not being prideful 'cuz God gets the glory.
To sum up the trip, it's testimonies and songs
Here's a coconut, take a sip. It's different, not right or wrong.
Thirty-some kids that God changed immensly.
We'll bring the message home for our counrty, friends and family.
Worn out and tired, but willing all the same.
To God be the Glory, Honor, Power and Fame.

Thanks,
Mitchell B. onbehalf of team.

our injured leader

OK, no alarms but Connor did get a small fracture on his foot while playing in the yard here at camp.  He went to get an x-ray and found the small fracture.  He is fine and in good spirits as he eats chinese takeout resting his foot on John's head.  He is still planning to preach tonight at the prayer rally so pray for him.

db

Wed. update

More to come soon.  Pray for our team.  Having some team time then hopefully head out to the plaza to hang with some locals and share the Gospel if the rain holds back.  Pray for sick tummies and one leader who got a little injured.  God is good and greatly to be praised.

Darin

in boma

listening to Enrique's story in Boma

update from Bethany

Right now I am seated in the breezeway at La Salle, the retreat center where we are staying. It is a beautiful Dominican evening, and the high schoolers are swing dancing under the overhang.

This has been a great week. On Monday we got to go to Los Calabazos. We gathered the children, shared the Evangicube with them, and made prayer rocks as reminders to pray. Los Calabazos is a beautiful and innovative pueblo lying next to a river and boasting a 13-room hotel in the middle of the abundant foliage. In the evening we went to Nueva Vida church and hosted a youth rally. We invited youth from 3 different communities. Mikayla and Karen shared their testimonies, and we had great group discussions.

This morning we divided into 2 groups. I can't speak for the Buenos Aires group, but I really enjoyed helping with the VBS at El Montana! I narrated the story of the Good Samaritan, and we accompanied the children as they moved to different stations. It is neat because this church has figured out how to put on their own VBS programs, so we just facilitated their efforts.

Rick surprised us with the news that we would be able to go to Boma today! Two of the translators, Alex and Biohanny, are from Boma. We hiked down to the city entrance and were greeted with a pueblo where you say the fruit and they pick it off a nearby tree! We sat in the gazebo eating passion fruit and listened to Biohanny's father tell about the history of the pueblo. After years of visits from church group, there is now a church and a group of believers in Boma. We went up the hill to see the church, and Biohanny climbed up the coconut tree and cut off 8 coconuts for us to drink! Pray for the people of Boma, that they would come to know Christ as Biohanny and his family have.

We are all full from a delicious Dominican dinner and are now singing "Nothing But the Blood of Jesus" before we continue hearing about spiritual disciplines from Gail Peterson.

Important messages:
Roger loves Sue super duper great big bunches of a whole lot!
Connor loves Renee. (Despite his iced foot twisted during an energetic round of Kaboomball, he is delighted with everything about life right now because he got to talk with Renee for 20 minutes. :))
Mitchell Barnhardt loves his family.
and Darin misses his family!
                                 

--
Darin Brown

High School Pastor

Calvary Evangelical Free Church

www.calvaryefc.org/students

Click here to follow us on Facebook

@darinbrown on twitter

finally another update!!

It has been hard to keep you all updated with the limited access to the internet.  I will try to get one of our students to write an update in the next day or so from their perspective.  All is going well.  Amazing youth rallies!  Your kids are doing great!

Thanks for praying!

db

Sunday summary

Sunday was a great day.  We were invited to share in the Sunday morning services at the Church in Jarabacoa and some of us played in the worship team.  our Drama brought tears to many including the pastor who was able to use it in his message.  Ben M. was able to share his testimony and it was really raw and precious that he was so open with the change God is doing in his life.

Today is Monday and we will head  up to Los Calabasos for an afternoon with the people there and then an evening in Jarabacoa doing our second rally with the youth.

We have had a few down for stomach illness, most were short lived, yet one is currently down in her bed so pray for health as we continue the second half of our trip.
db

Day 4 Update From Karin!

Hello America! Yesterday we worked construction at El Montana to make a play area for Awana for the church there. We were all exhausted pretty quick but the real workers were the children! Every chance they got they would jump in and work 'til they got kicked out. Rick explained that they had the same experience when the church was built. The kids want that church built because it is THEIR church and this concrete is going to be THEIR place to play. So we ask all of you guys at home, while we are laying this cement we need you guys to pray. PRAY that this slab of concrete would be more than a place to play; more than a hangout spot. But that our God would use this spot as a place where children can share their love for Christ, where teenagers can start talking about the Bible, and most of all where anyone can experience that incredible love that only our Father in heaven has for us. All it takes is prayer.

Ohh and Roger loves Sue :)

...and Connor loves Renee! <3

Last night we had the first youth group in El Montana. IT WAS AWESOME. We helped them experience something they had never done before; as youth we helped them read and study scripture together. We played a few games, heard an AMAZING testimony from our own Lauren Tebben, we did 2 skits, and listened to them study the word. We did our best to equip them to be able to study and discus the word on their own. That way, this ministry will continue long after we leave. Its important its not all us teaching because then when we leave it will all go back to normal.

Today was our beach day and tomorrow is our day to serve in the local churches.  We were invited to play in the worship team too.

Thanks for Praying...

Oh and, Connor Loves Renee and he giggles every time we say RENEE.

Day 3: From the girls :)

Today has been an awesome day! After breakfast and devotionals, we went as a team to downtown Jarabacoa to "people watch" and pray for the city. We ended up doing more than just watching, as many of us had the opportunity to speak and sing with the locals in the town square and share the Gospel with some of them. I think we all have been struck by how relaxed and welcoming the Dominicans are; the majority of them are very willing to strike up a conversation on a street corner with a random "americano"!

After a brief lunch back at La Salle (the retreat center where we are staying), we headed out to the church in Buenos Aires. There we were greeted by a courtyard of smiling children, and we walked through the surrounding neighborhoods to gather other children and teens to play with us in the churchyard. For the next three hours, the church property was transformed into a playcenter, with teen guys playing dominos by the side of church, younger children singing "I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart" in a hut out back, kids of all ages playing volleyball in the frontyard, and Calvary girls giving piggy back rides to the little Dominican girls. It was a joyful time for everyone.

For dinner, we enjoyed a traditional Dominican meal of rice, meat, and beans with fresh papaya and avocado...yum! Afterwards, we prepared for our first youth rally and headed off at 6:30 p.m. to Buenos Aires. One of the lessons that we as a team have learned regarding culture is, "It isn't right or wrong; it's just different." We got to put this saying into practice today when the youth rally started 45 minutes late, a drama and praise team from another church showed up to perform unexpectedly, and the music for our own drama had technical difficulties. However, none of it mattered. We still got our message across and had lots of fun doing it.

One experience during the day we will never forget. It had been raining buckets for the past two days. The river was muddy and high. Puddles were everywhere. When we arrived at the outside lot for the church service, we saw huge rain clouds rolling in our direction. Immediately, we prayed that God would keep us dry and move the rain storm away from us. When we finished, Mitchell said, "Hey, guys! Did you see that? The clouds just changed directions!" During the entire service, we stayed completely dry. God is amazing!

-Bethany and Lauren :)

Lauren says she misses you, mom, dad, and Allison

Roger says hi to Sue.

Darin says hi to his kids too....

DAY 3 SUMMARY FROM THE GIRLS

Today has been an awesome day! After breakfast and devotionals, we went as a team to downtown Jarabacoa to "people watch" and pray for the city. We ended up doing more than just watching, as many of us had the opportunity to speak and sing with the locals in the town square and share the Gospel with some of them. I think we all have been struck by how relaxed and welcoming the Dominicans are; the majority of them are very willing to strike up a conversation on a street corner with a random "americano"!

After a brief lunch back at La Salle (the retreat center where we are staying), we headed out to the church in Buenos Aires. There we were greeted by a courtyard of smiling children, and we walked through the surrounding neighborhoods to gather other children and teens to play with us in the churchyard. For the next three hours, the church property was transformed into a playcenter, with teen guys playing dominos by the side of church, younger children singing "I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart" in a hut out back, kids of all ages playing volleyball in the frontyard, and Calvary girls giving piggy back rides to the little Dominican girls. It was a joyful time for everyone.

For dinner, we enjoyed a traditional Dominican meal of rice, meat, and beans with fresh papaya and avocado...yum! Afterwards, we prepared for our first youth rally and headed off at 6:30 p.m. to Buenos Aires. One of the lessons that we as a team have learned regarding culture is, "It isn't right or wrong; it's just different." We got to put this saying into practice today when the youth rally started 45 minutes late, a drama and praise team from another church showed up to perform unexpectedly, and the music for our own drama had technical difficulties. However, none of it mattered. We still got our message across and had lots of fun doing it.

One experience during the day we will never forget. It had been raining buckets for the past two days. The river was muddy and high. Puddles were everywhere. When we arrived at the outside lot for the church service, we saw huge rain clouds rolling in our direction. Immediately, we prayed that God would keep us dry and move the rain storm away from us. When we finished, Mitchell said, "Hey, guys! Did you see that? The clouds just changed directions!" During the entire service, we stayed completely dry. God is amazing!

-Bethany and Lauren :)

Lauren says she misses you, mom, dad, and Allison

Roger says hi to Sue.

Darin says hi to his kids too....

Day three, thursday

Wow, what a day so far.  This morning after our devotions we headed into the city square to do more prayer walking and interacting with the culture.  Two of our girls took their evangecube and shared the gospel with a couple of Dominicans and lead them to Christ.  Then we brought out a guitar and sang some songs in the same area and several Dominicans joined in as well.  Then two more students shared the evengecube with some kids who joined in.  PRAISE GOD for the opportunity.

After lunch we headed out to Buenos Aires to play some games with the youth and build some relationships before our rally tonight.  Nick spontaneously decided to gather everyone up before we left to share a quick gospel story. 

We are now back at camp for dinner and to get ready for our rally in Buenos Aires tonight.  We will be doing our drama, music, testimonies and teaching outside in a big lot overlooking the valley below.  Pray for good weather and effective ministry.

Darin

First day in Jarabacoa

This morning came early after a full day of travel we started with breakfast at 7:45 and then devos (Thanks for the amazing prep for this Gail) and then some culture and history teaching from Rick and Becky. 

Then after lunch we met our translators and headed out to El Montana to prayer walk and meet with people to invite them to our youth rallies.  It has been raining all day but let up a little bit for this prayer walk around the town.  Many of us were invited into homes and we visited and prayed with the  people.

After a while we headed to our next community called Buenos Aires to do the same as well as meet the Pastor.  It was beginning to rain a little harder but we went out and prayed with and  invited the people to attend our youth rallies. 

It is now 5:00 and we are back for dinner and then some prep for our dramas and other stuff so we are ready for our ministry day tomorrow. 

thanks for your prayers. 

Darin

We made it!

We got in late last night.  No problems. No lost bags.  No security issues.  Thanks for praying. 

Today we will all be very tired. Pray for energy and patience as we learn a new culture. 

As for tropical storm worries, not up here.  Just makes more rain.

Our internet is real slow and I'm not sure this will even post but will do my best to keep you all updated.

Darin

Devos in the airport

Learning what it means to be a disciple at gate D30.

Who is tired?

Everyone.

An update from Karin Canakes

We've been flying for about 2 1/2 hours now, and i got the exciting "privilege" or sitting next to Darin.. which apparently means I'm writing in this thing! As an update Conner hasn't been able to stay awake for more than 2 seconds where as the rest of us seem to have the opposite problem.. Nick has some big book out as usual. And the rest of us have been slowly slipping in and out of tunes from our "headsets" (Darin) and a pretty uncomfortable sleep! Be grateful in your bed tonight:) and HERE WE COME MIAMI!!

On plane

We made it.

Ready to board

On time and ready to go.

We are off....

We made it to departure day.  Luggage is on the bus and after some prayer with the parents who were able to stay we are on our way to the airport.

Today is our commissioning service

Today our church here in Rochester (Calvaryefc.org) will be commissioning us as a team for our missions trip to the D.R.  Our other team going to Milwaukee will be commissioned today as well.  Please plan to pray for us as we go.  You can join our daily text reminder to pray by subscribing to our daily text message reminder page at trunc.us/a61BcB and you will get a reminder each morning to pray for us as a team during our trip.

Thanks

--
Darin Brown

High School Pastor

Calvary Evangelical Free Church

www.calvaryefc.org/students

Click here to follow us on Facebook

@darinbrown on twitter

8 days to go

We are getting close to our departure and many are getting nervous.  The bills are paid, tickets are purchased, insurance is paid, all documents are accounted for and we are ready to go.  If you missed it you can scroll to the previous post and use your smart phone to scan the code to subscribe to our daily text message reminder to pray for our team.  Each day you will be given a different idea of how you can pray for us according to what we will be doing that day. 

We will need a lot of prayer for safety, unity, focus and an ongoing dependence on God as we go.  Of all of our students going on this trip only 2 have done a missions trip before and of all of our adults only 3 have done a missions trip before so this is a really raw and fresh team. 

thanks for praying

Darin

Prayer Text message service

Wanna pray for us?  Scan this code to get daily updates on how you can pray for our DR missions team.  or follow this link trunc.us/a61BcB.

Creative Packing.....

Wow, we have some packing to do.  Our VBS kids raised money to buy books for the DR.  They raised over $1700 for books!  Now to figure out how to pack this blessing in our luggage without going over weight on each bag.  I will likely have to pay a bit for each additional bag so if you feel like chipping in let me know and I can give you the info on how you can help.

We leave in 15 days!!

The bags are here....

We are getting geared up to depart on our trip soon.  Be praying for our team as we prepare our hearts for ministry in the Dominican Republic July 9-19.

--
Darin Brown

High School Pastor

Calvary Evangelical Free Church

www.calvaryefc.org/students

Click here to follow us on Facebook

@darinbrown on twitter

Disciplemaking, Kavanah and prayer rocks

We are getting closer to our trip departure.  Passports are arriving.  Shots are received.  Funds are coming in (still time to donate funds to our trip by the way!!).  We have our airline Etickets and our seats on the plane have been assigned.  And lately we have been learning about D1, D2 and D3 disciplemaking and how we can implement this into our trip as we prepare to go to Jarabacoa.  For now please pray for us to BE disciples so we can over flow into each other and others.

Last night we had a team meeting and we did a little craft.  We made Prayer rocks.  This will be a craft we will use to illustrate the presence of prayer in a disciples life.  Thanks to Connor for also leading us on a short study of Philippians 2 and the great need for humility among a team on a mission.

Pray for unity for our team.

Some fund raiser information.....

Our D.R. team will be having a garage sale to help raise some funds for our trip this summer.  If you would like to help by bringing some stuff for us to sell or by giving some time to help set up, sell or clean that would be great.

The details are:  Drop off of items to sell begins Thursday  May 9th from 8am to 6pm in the gym at Calvary. If you would want to buy it, bring it.  Household items, clothing, even good used furniture.  Bake sale items are also being considered.  If you have any questions contact Bonnie at 356-8557.

If you are unable to donate time or items, we would gladly accept a monetary donation as well.  If that is an interest to you just call the church office at 507-282-4612 and ask for John or Darin.

Thanks!!!

Our Team is set...

We are getting ready to train the team.  We have 25 members of our team heading south in July.  Please pray for the team.  Pray for funds to come in, health before and during, and for an increased desire to share the Gospel and do what we can to make disciples.  Our team:

Rachel Anderson           Bradley Ansell              Ingrid Ansell                 Mitchell Barnhart
Darin Brown                 Connor Cabalka           Karin Canakes              Molly Doda
Rose Doda                   Mikayla Engle                Kaylyn Hildebrandt       Elizabeth Homme
Brent Johson                 Caleb Kopp                  Hannah Kosmicki         John Limkeman
Ben Mannenbach          Christie Moeckly           Gail Peterson                Kristen Peterson
Sarah Peterson              Lauren Tebben              Roger Warndahl          Christina Westburg
Nic Wesburg

Summer 2013 is coming

I know, the fresh blanket of snow that just fell is not a really good sign that summer is on its way but as I continue to prep and plan for our Summer Missions trip to the Dominican Republic I am getting excited for what God might do through our small team of students as we head south.  At this point we are still assembling our team and will have an informational meeting on Feb. 17 to finalize the team and chat about the funds and plans.  Please begin to pray for our team as we move forward in our plan to serve the Dominicans.  We all know we can make plans about what we will do and how we will serve and God will change them if he so desires and we are to be flexible in the event of a re-direction.

Pray for unity in the team.  Pray for health of our team, both spiritually and physically.  Pray for finances as we raise awareness and funds for our trip.  And pray for the planning.  The preferred trip dates are July 8-19 but the airline might make us go 9-19.

Darin