And I will bless the Lord at all times…
June and July were full months with the academic reinforcement program wrapping up for summer break, lots of preperations, youth ministry, different workshops, hosting a SENT team, starting a new small group, preaching at IB Emaus, and IBAREDO’s annual summer camp.
| The second SENT team for this year visited the Ozama Region from June 20-30. This was a great week of visiting the different churches in this part of the country and joining in on what they were doing. There are too many photos to share every moment and too many details but here is an overview of what our time looked like:
At IB Esmirna, we visited their Academic Reinforcement program, which is one of the ways CBM is partnering with IBAREDO in 6 different churches. We were able to see what the program is like and then have a time to talk to the teachers and youth about their experience in the program At IB Emaus, we joined in on our monthly Youth Saturday event as well as their Sunday morning service. I got to see many of the youth step up in different ways such as translating for the first time or giving the youth group message. I love to see them continue to grow in their leadership. At IB Los Cocos, we attended and participated in 2 services, were able to work alongside the youth to be painting the church, see what the Academic Reinforcement program looks like in their context, and have some of their youth join us as we visited the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo and other cultural experiences. At IB Buen Pastor, we were able to attend a small group, Sunday service, youth group, and two mornings of VBS (with around 80 kids the second day). Some of their young adults also joined us for different cultural experiences or gave us a tour of the community to learn more. I love being able to spend quality time in so many different churches as I host SENT teams along with our partner IBAREDO. |
During June and July, multiple workshops were held in different regions on various topics.
I was able to lead and teach the workshop for the camp counsellors as we prepared for our annual summer camp. It is always great when we can gather together from all the different regions.
I was also able to attend 2 different workshops alongside the youth in the Ozama region. One workshop was hosted by Pastor Jamie about discipleship and the other was about Stewardship taught by a couple of people from a team from a church in Puerto Rico that was visited the area.
July 18-20 was IBAREDO’s annual camp. This was their 19th year of hosting a camp and our theme was Discovering the Promises of God. There were around 100 kids along with the counsellors, pastors, and other adults who were around helping.
Camping ministry is something I am passionate about and have experienced the impact in my life and faith and so I love that I get to be a part the team organizing this event. I wish I could show you all the photos (and seeing I was one of 2 responsible for taking photos, I have many haha) but these are quick snapshots of the fun.
Because of the partnership that CBM has with IBAREDO through their Kids at Risk project (the academic reinforcement), around 10 kids from each of the 6 different churches involved in the project are able to attend camp. This means that churches and individuals in Canada helped to make it possible for around 60 of the kids to attend camp this year. What a blessing! Thank you for your support.
In July, I had the privilege of being asked to preach at IB Emaus for 2 Sundays. We are in a series on identity and I was more than happy to be able to share, as it is a topic that I am passionate about. This was only the second and third time that I have preached in Spanish (not including the sermons I have translated for teams). I am thankful for opportunities like this to share and continue to improve my Spanish language abilities.
| As part of the Academic reinforcement program, there are different moments throughout the year when parent meetings are schedules. IB Emaus was able to host ours in July. It was a great moment to meet with many different parents, grandparents, or other family members to be able to talk about the importance of the program, about what is happening at this church, and get to know the families a little more. I hope that through this meeting, we will continue to make connections with these families (as many to not come to the church). |
During the months of July & August, the academic reinforcement program takes a break for the summer holidays. So I had the idea that during the same time we would typically meet for the program, that instead just the girls could gather together to have a small group where we can talk about our weeks, learn together, and do some arts and crafts. I have loved being able to spend quality time with these girls, their ages range from 6 to around 14 years old. We started with around 5 girls and now have about 10 girls that Maria I have have the privilege to work with.
I have been able to see a big difference in my relationship with these kids and teens in the last few months through the consistency of teaching in the reinforcement program and through this small group. I am thankful for this opportunity and I know God has big plans for these girls.
Prayer Requests
| – Be praying for JUBAREDO’s second young adult camp/conference that will be held August 22-24. Be praying for the preparations, for those who are coming to speak, and for the young adults that this would be an impactful experience for them.
– Be praying for the churches and leaders as they continue to be salt and light int their communities. – Be praying for my small group of girls. Pray that this would be great time of growing the relationships with these girls. – Be praying for the upcoming youth board (JUBAREDO) elections that will take place during their young adult camp. Be praying for discernment. |
