Amazing to get off the plane this morning to 60 degree weather (2:00 a.m.) Haven't experienced anything below about 72 degrees in the last 10 days. So, yes, the pun in the subject line was intended!
Paula and I woke up around 9:00 a.m. and have had our own little "debrief" of the trip. What an amazing experience we had! Some of my most heart-warming reflections:
--God used our team to make a genuine impact on the lives of children and adults in Altagracia. They now have a stronger model of hygiene and the beginnings of a better infrastructure. Those five latrines are the best buildings in the village! And I wish all those at Southminster could have seen the enthusiastic response of the children to the teaching about hygiene. We built loving relationships with the people of Altagracia.
--Leadership of young men in Altagracia is an encouraging sign. Manuel, a teen we met three years ago, is now at the university and providing leadership in his batey. He's not going away. He's a young man of faith and conviction. Wilson is referred to as the "principal of the village." Not just principal of the school, but the entire village. That's how important COTN's school is to them. There's hope for the children there.
--COTN provides hope through resources, education and spiritual leadership --hope that otherwise would be missing, I suspect.
--Southminster has a new "sister church" in Altagracia. We can learn from each other. Exciting times are ahead.
--As always seems to be the case on mission trips, the camaraderie of the team is profound. Deepening relationships among wonderful people was a great outcome of this experience. What a fun and gracious group of folks SPC sent to the DR!
Paula and I both feel so blessed to have been part of this ministry and we thank all our friends at SPC and especially God for the opportunity.
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