punta cana.



Glorious day at the beach...I got to check surfing off my bucket list that day :)

I don't really even know where to start about our 2 weeks out in Punta Cana. First I'll tell you a little bit about Punta Cana in general. It is in the southeast part of the island and is absolutely gorgeous! It almost did not even feel like the Dominican Republic, because it is literally its own community. Very wealthy people live there and there are many resorts.  For example people who live there go on weekend shopping sprees to Miami and stuff like that. Two missionary couples moved out there about 2 years ago to start the first evangelical church in the area (there is one Catholic church, but other than that no churches in the city). They started the church last April and God has blessed it so much thus far.

We visited some Russians in the community. We all had a great time of fellowship with food, conversation, and singing.

Alyssa and I had the opportunity to observe and serve with the Climies and Stutlers with their busy lives in Punta Cana (plus see some of God's gorgeous creation!). The first week we stayed with the Jeff and Deborah, who have 2 children, AJ (6 years old) and Olivia (3 years old) and second week with Julie and Zach Stutler. We participated in many random ministries, including Bible studies, small group discipleships, helped prepare crafts for children's church, helped out with kids, hung out with the "AlliTeens" the youth group at church, washed lights at the church, helped at the Christimas show rehearsals the children are going to do, participated in a community fundraiser and met MANY people from the church and in the community. Because it is in the early stages of this church, relationship building is crucial. So we had the opportunity to meet people, eat meals with them, go to parties, etc. The church also put on an early Thanksgiving dinner for the community. Many non-churched people attended along with people from the church, but it was a great outreach to the community.

Early Thanksgiving dinner at the church, Allianza.

Sunday school...Julie does a great job!

Christmas baking/decorating with AlliTeens :)

I really enjoyed seeing much of what goes into starting a church and the beginning stages of it; I also really loved experiencing how some missionaries live life! I have got to experience how vital building relationships is, especially in such a warm culture like in the Dominican Republic. God is showing me more and more that with His grace, He can help me serve cross-culturally long term one day. He is also showing me the reality of how difficult it can be! I praise God for this experiance and all He has and is teaching me. Please pray for our last week and a half as we finish up the semester with school and everything else.



give.live.love.