Anthem Missions: May 2005

Day Eleven: we've had a fantastic time here in the DR...and we celebrated with a final team dinner tonight across from the beach in the heart of Santo Domingo. Thanks for your prayers as we head off to Chicago on Saturday morning.

Day Eleven: at the team dinner. Tomorrow we'll be saying goodbye to Rich as he flies back to Washington...we'll miss him in Chicago!

Day Eleven: at the team dinner.

Day Eleven: at the team dinner (looks like Ryan is dreaming of Deidra!).

Day Eleven: at the team dinner.

Nearing the End...

Today marked a special time on our journey, as we wrapped up the work and ministry portion of our time in the Dominican Republic. Tomorrow we plan to spend the day at a beach before moving on to Chicago on Saturday.

This evening, many people from the local Foursquare churches gathered for a "farewell party" in our team's honor. We ate together, played games (dominos is the local favorite), and shared about what it's meant for us to be here in the DR. There are precious people here...and it has been an honor to serve them and the Lord in this beautiful country.

Please pray for safety as our group will be traveling this weekend...and for the continued health and strength for each one. Some have struggled a bit with fatigue and upset stomachs...but nearly all have rebounded...and all have done well in spite of not feeling their best. You would be proud of this MC team!

I'll try to post once or twice while we're serving in Chicago...but not every day. We'll be busy, and I won't have the time or office space to make it happen on a daily basis!

God has been good to us here...and we're looking forward to more fruitful ministry in Chicago!

Pastor Tim

Day Ten: a fond farewell.

Day Ten: Pastor Daisy shared what a blessing the MC team had been to the Foursquare churches in the DR.

Day Ten: Keith finished off this evening by praying over all those gathered.

Day Ten: during tonight's gathering, a ministry team from Las Palmas performed a dance for our group.

Day Ten: our Tech MC team took time today and made a special media presentation for this evening's gathering.

Day Ten: Tristan playing dominos.

Day Ten: Ryan playing dominos.

Day Ten: Chantelle playing dominos.

Day Ten: a little girl at our farewell party.

Day Ten: Laura playing dominos.

Day Ten: Jeff playing dominos.

Day Ten: Keith playing dominos.

Day Ten: we picked up a poor migrant farm worker today...oh wait, that's just Adam.

Day Nine: Tisha & Kirsten. Tisha is a Mission Team Specialist with Foursquare serving here in the DR for a year; and Kirsten, of course, is our awesome MC Admin. Assistant who happens to be fluent in Spanish and has a passion for missions! Both of these ladies have been a great help to our team.

Day Nine: Luke painting the back of the house.

Day Nine: a giant lizard in the Finocchiaro's front yard...

Day Nine: actually...it's just a little guy...compared to Josh!

Day Nine: Ryan working on the roof.

Day Nine: Kara is painting the back fence.

Day Nine: Jim is painting the front gate.

Day Nine: Allison and Tristan pushing back bushes as they're painting a corner of our missionary's home.

Day Seven: Keith preached in Las Palmas...and did an excellent job...to a packed house! The church is small (probably 12' x 35') but there were over 60 people inside and pouring out onto the porch. After the message, people stayed for another 45 minutes for prayer with MC team members.

Day Seven: Kaylee assisted Keith in preaching at the Foursquare church in Las Palmas.

Day Seven: kids at VBS--thanks to the Turpins for the donation of the T-shirts!

Day Seven: Adam at the VBS.

Day Seven: Laura with kids at VBS.

Day Six: this picture of Tristan is ESPECIALLY for Chris!

Prayer Points for the Next Days...

On Sunday we were able to minister as a whole team at the main church in Santo Domingo. Today we rested, swam in a beautiful pool, did the team laundry (fun stuff!), and got in some shopping!

Tomorrow we begin our final three day blitz of work projects and ministry. We'll be...

...finishing painting projects at three of our missionary's homes.
...painting churches in two cities.
...building a fence at a new church property.
...conducting an afternoon kids' VBS on Tuesday.
...ministering in two different churches on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
...hosting a "farewell" gathering at the main church on Thursday night.

Please be praying for our team as we dive in to these assignments. Our desire is to complete everything God brought us here to do--so pray for fruitfulness of ministry, strength and safety for the team, and for unity and love throughout.

We'll keep you posted over the next days! Pastor Tim