Be Joyful in Hope
March looked like visiting another Academic Reinforcement location, hosting a SENT team, and more…
I took a quick day trip to La Romana to visit the Academic Reinforcement program that happens at IB Bethel. It was such a blessing to see how God is at work through this program and the passion that the the teachers have. The Lord is at work and this location has so much wisdom to share. I am excited to go back and spend a couple of days with these teachers and students in the next couple of months.
We hosted our first SENT team for 2026 this month. A youth team from Immanuel Baptist in Truro Nova Scotia came to learn and serve alongside IBAREDO in the Ozama region.
They were able to see the Academic Reinforcement program in IB Los Cocos, spend time at the Preschool program at IB Buen Pastor, teach some english lessons at a local school, join in on JUBAREDO’s concert, participate in different services, have many different cultural experiences, and hear many testimonies.
One thing I love about having teams is getting to see the young adults from the DR step up in new ways. One young adult spent the whole week with us translating, another young adult translated her first sermon, and so on. I love that teams give opportunities for young adults to try new things and expand their leadership skills.
I also love to see how the youth and young adults engage with the teams. For example, this team was very impacted by meeting Gustavo, a youth from Los Cocos (who was recently baptized). The team didn’t get to spend a lot of time with him, but he challenged and encouraged them through his very thoughtful questions and answers when we would have intentional times to talk as a group.
In one of those conversations, he shared that he thinks that sharing your testimony is the best way to share the Gospel with others. This quick comment gave one of the team members the courage to decide to share their testimony at the next church service we could be taking part in. These interactions that can seem small and quick, can have such a big impact.
I also love seeing JUBAREDO step up into what they think the Lord is calling them and the ways they think will impact their generation. They held a concert at one of the local churches and the objective was to be inviting new people to the event. Trying something new can be difficult because you don’t know how it will turn out… but it was a great evening! I loved seeing some of the local youth from IB Emaus, that typically haven’t been a part of these events or don’t often leave the community, be able to come and take part.
I also loved hearing the stories from the SENT team about how it impacted them being able to worship together. One student said that this was the moment she felt the closest to God. What an incredible thing when we come together to worship. Even with different styles, different languages, etc., we have one God who is at work in it all.
I mentioned in my last update that a goal I have this year is to have more fun. So I thought I would share a few of the things that have brought joy this month:
- I celebrated my birthday with some of my favourite people. I went to coffee with my friend Stephanie, had cake with the kids from IB Emaus who are a part of the Academic Reinforcement program, and then I went out for tacos with some girls from church.
- I was able to go to the Zona Colonial here in Santo Domingo twice this month. One of the visits was with the SENT team and the youth from IB Emaus. For two of the girls who came with us (pictured above, who were also a part of the girls small group), it was their first time in this area and so it was fun to spend time with them and see them experience it.
- I love when I get to spend time with the young adults in different settings. I have loved to see how our relationships have grown over the last couple years.
- One of the young adults was singing in a choir as a part of a opera/concert and so I was able to go and see it at the National Theatre.
Prayer Requests
- Be praying for the academic reinforcement that takes place in several churches within IBAREDO.
- Be praying for Woodstock Baptist as they have a SENT team coming at the end of April. Be praying for me and that partner as we work on getting everything ready for this team.
- Be praying for me as I am able to attend a retreat this month for women serving overseas. Pray that it would be an encouraging and refreshing time.
- Be praying for the pastors and leaders in IBAREDO as they serve and walk alongside their communities.
