First Day!!!!!1

We have had a restful first day here/ We did arrive late last night in Santiago, DR, and were met by Brad and our new friend Harry.

We took a bus an hour and a half to Puerta Plata area. See the photo above. Lots of awesome team bonding!

I need to tell you about Harry, the Canadian missionary. He was born in Uganda and lived there with his family for 20 years (we think as he did not have an age until immigration). His father was muslim, other relatives other religions. He was led to Jesus at the age of "20" on May 29, 1972 (anniversary last night) by a man who enetered his house, ate lunch with them, and started talking about Jesus. No one knew him but they all assumed that the others did. When he started talking more about Jesus, everyone but Harry left the room. The man said that he was directed there by God for a specific person ... and it was Harry. At the time, they were living in Uganda under the tyranny and demonic rule of Idi Amin. His last time at gunpoint, Harry thought he would quickly meet Jesus. He prayed to either be shot and die quickly, or spare his life for working for the Lord. Praise God that harry is here in D.R. He shared with us the hour and a half bus ride to the hotel, and it felt like minutes. Share Jesus with all, any, inclduding telemarketers, the hotel maid, patients in the public hospital!

Harry sought and was given diplomatic immunity in Canada along with several family members. Upon arrival in Canada, Harry and 3 new friends thought they had just circled the airport in Uganda and would simply be executed as there were military vehicles, uniforms, etc. They were afraid to leave their room in the military barracks as they thought that the soldiers would kill them. Harry laughs about the preposterousness of it all now, but how would you think differently? He prayed for safety and protection, but was also joyous to meet the Lord soon.

He bagan coming to D.R. years ago, and has taken probably 40+ trips here, alone as God led and with groups. He was called last year to move here and serve the Dominicans. He talks about how hungry the people are and willing to listen, to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Brad and Harry hooked up last year on one of Brad's trips when Brad and Brooke were praying about moving here. It has been a blessed relationship. Harry sees all though eternal eyes and what can be done to serve those around them and lead them to knwing and loving Jesus. He is the man in the photo on the bus standing up and with the Haitian kids in another.

Today everyone slept in a little and enjoyed some rest. Later in the day we went to the opn air market, then saw a historic fort on the water. There is a photot of young boys who sell peanut brittle for their family. Ususally these are Haitian refugees, who live in Haitian villages outside the city with no support except from churches serving them. Also note the gentleman wearing the Birmingham shirt, selling banana chips outside the D.R. "WalMart".

Pray for the team tomorrow as we will go to the orphanage and the slum. Many have not seen living conditions like this. Pray for their hearts, for seeing through the eyes of Jesus, for a burden for the lost, for desire to meet the needs of widows and orphans, for compassion. Pray that our world will be revived, that our hearts will be redeemed, as we look to Jesus and Jesus only.

Please note one of the photos ........ Lee Ellen is on a donkey! At one of the tourist stops, a gentleman has a donkey that one can ride. She was lifted onto the donkey who was quite well-behaved!

God Bless, and thank you for praying for us ...........