Yesterday we had a full day off so after breakfast we changed into our bathingsuits and headed through the capital to Bocha Chica and the beach. It was another hot day and we arrived about a hour before lunch, rented lounge chairs and umbrellas and settled in for a wonderful day of warmth, sun and turquoise water.
Most of us spent the day laying around on our chairs, going for walks, in conversation and just being thankful for a day to see another part of God's amazing creation and his creativeness with colour, sound, sights and beauty.
In the evening we attended a youth service with Ezequiel. This church was very modern and sophisticated complete with powerpoint and amazing worship team - and.....it was air-conditioned! Which would have been really nice other than the fact most of us were rather sunburnt and tired.....time for those light jackets we brought along :) The pastor spent about an hour talking about LOVE as it is Valentine's weekend. We did not have a translator but the main points were placed on the overhead and Ezequiel helped us by translating - so we go the basic message. Toward the end of the service we were called up front where we were taught a great dance to the worship music....see the video link!! Not your typical service but the joy and the love of the Lord was evident in all the people there - Love does not need words to express itself.
After the service we were taken to the beautiful downtown core of Santo Domingo for ice-cream. There is nothing like sitting outside on the patio with an ice-cream in hand, hearing the Dominican music play, seeing people strolling along the ocean hand in hand, palm trees swaying in the ocean breezes and being able to enjoy the balmy temperatures in mid-February. Another one of God's provisions to us here in the DR.
This morning, we attended Mario's church in a batey very close to the Botanical Gardens. There was a guest preacher and Mario translated. God must have though we needed to hear more about what it means to sacrificially love one another as the sermon was almost the same as last nights! Though the preachers did not talk about the subject material, both sermons had almost identical points and so with Mario translating we were able to hear the Word of God. We were warmly greeted and welcomed by this congregation....truly we are brothers and sisters in the LORD!
We come back, had lunch and group devotions and now everyone is taking some time to rest, sleep, read and reflect. Devotions as a group have been open, real and honest and the Lord is working in our hearts. We will not be the same when we come back.....we have seen God here in the Dominican Republic.
Around 4pm, we will be going to the Colonial/Historic part of Santo Domingo for a tour - its a very hot day and we are hoping that at that time it will cool down some. Blessings to you all for a wonderful, restful Sunday. It will back to work tomorrow.
Our Dance in Church :)
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