Quick trip takes a while

Obligatory travel sunrise shot.

From Lunch at the Cody Airport through sunrise at JFK in New York.  We have made the 24 hour journey once again to Sierra Prieta in the Dominican Republic.

We were blessed to enjoy lunch With DR. Bob Chandler before our departure and embarked with  a certainty that we really didn't know what was in store for us but that we know God has all things firmly in his grasp.  A "quick" 24 hours later we were seated in the familiar church in the familiar sticky heat, surrounded by members of a community we have come to call friends.  It  was a brief meeting where each of the community leaders present affirmed their desire to continue our partnership to join God in serving their community.

Holden and I have learned that there are significant strides in leadership and responsibility being transferred to the community.  Part of that was seen in the leaders speaking of partnering with us rather than assuming that we were doing the work, as may have been the case in the past.  There are new young people joining community leadership and familiar faces taking on more leadership. As we look towards about 4 more years in Sierra Prieta, it's exciting to see their independence shine through.

One of  the ways that the community is being thrust into self-dependence is the construction project this year.  Carlos, our Food for the Hungry host and good friend, shared that we will not be part of the building crew, but that the community is expected to compete the project with their own labor force as Cornerstone has provided funding for materials and a project manger.  The construction project we hope to see take shape is the expansion fo the community center, currently used for training and discipleship to add a medical clinic area for visiting medical staff to use on a regular basis.

These leaders of the community and FH staff gathered to welcome us to the community and than Cornerstone church for it's continued influence and support for Sierra Prieta.

We look forward to sharing with how God works this week as well as update what has been happening during the last year since we last visited.  Look forward to hearing about infrastructure project for drinking water and road improvement, expansion of the Elementary school, church development, and an exciting new education opportunity being built nearby.

We will have a brief time with local FH staff in the morning and head to the community for some church leader training.  Other tings we will do this week include meeting with community leaders, church ministry and speaking in the schools.  As well as praying for us and asking God to work through us this week, pray for Maximo.  He is the pastor of the newer church we have partnered with just recently.  We don't have all the details, but he just had some kind of head or brain surgery, we think related to cancer.  Word is he is recovering well.

God bless and know that many of you who have visited before were asked after and asked to share greeting with you.