Praise God the team arrived home safely - after a hectic day of travel where they weren't certain they would make the connecting flight in Miami - all is well and everyone is safe and sound.  When they arrived in Minneapolis, there appeared to be only one piece of missing luggage.  A few of the team members have colds, but everyone was just happy to be home and thankful for what God has done in them and through them during this trip. 

Thanks to all for your prayers for this team, and for all of our teams who served during this 2009 summer mission focus in the Dominican Republic. 

First up, Greg and Jenny were both able to join back with the group today which was so wonderful and a blessing on many levels. 

They had an excellent, rain-free day.  After finishing up with construction - the house is bright green now - very cool and another team went to Kilo 16 to do VBS with the kids.

In the afternoon, the entire team did clothing distribution at Kilo 16 - the clothes that WR attenders donated.  This was especially great because these people really, really needed clothing, as all WR ministry teams would concur.  The people were so appreciative and it went very well.  The teams also did food distribution which is greatly needed and appreciated, as well.

In the evening, Carlos hosted the traditional farewell dinner, thanking the teams, the translators, the drivers, etc.  They ordered pizza - a real treat! 

During circle time, Greg was able to serve communion to the team.  This was a very special time for everyone.  Each person is so thankful to God for the way He provided and used the team during this trip.

They are now preparing for the return flight - Saturday in the mid afternoon.  Please continue to pray for their safe, uneventful return and their re-entry into life back home. 

The report for Thursday was great!  One team began the day leading VBS at a church about 1/2 hour drive away - a sweet little church with about 30 well behaved, lovely children.  This event was held inside the church and the team enjoyed serving in a building for a change! 

Meanwhile, Pat's team was at Kilo 6 putting the finishing touches on the house they have built.

In the afternoon, they were blessed with a huge downpour and it rained the rest of the day!  This was very unusual and prevented them from their original ministry plans for the day.  Instead, one team went to the grocery store to shop for food distribution which will take place on Friday.  At Carlos' compound, some people took advantage of the down time to nap, read, visit or play games.  It was a great bonding time for many people on the team.

In the evening, they had a worship service, but because of the rain, there were very few in attendance, mostly children, but the Lord used that, of course!  Chris Kestly spoke which was very good and Rob Riesgraf and Katie Theisen shared their testimonies.  It was GREAT to have them use their gifts in this way! 

They finished the day with circle time which they had in the dining room because the rain was so loud they couldn't hear!

Greg is much, much, much better and everyone is so thankful to God for your prayers on Greg's behalf.  Jenny is also doing better and the team is believing that both Greg and Jenny will be feeling much better by Friday. 

Please continue to pray for everyone's health, and for the final full day of ministry on Friday; Saturday is travel day. They truly are having a wonderful time together as a team!

They did VBS at a new location today (Kilo 16) - about 25 kids - they were really great kids and the team had fun!  Another team did construction for a Haitian family in Kilo 6. 

After lunch, back to Kilo 16 to do sports camp which went very well, and Kurt and Cinda did some home visits.  The people were warm, open and enjoyed visiting. 

After dinner Cinda and Cathy did some StrengthsFinder coaching and then everyone had free time.

Thank you for your prayers for Greg Seeger's health.  He has responded well to the necessary treatment and is improving, which is an encouragement to everyone. Jenny Schemelin is also under medical care after showing some symptoms of dehydration and flu like symptoms. Please continue to pray for the health of the entire team and for a rapid recovery for both Greg & Jenny.

The weather has been wonderful during this entire trip, God is providing for every need and every situation.  This team is very connected - everyone is getting along so well and pitching in to make everything work out - serving God and serving others beautifully.

Your prayers are felt and greatly appreciated!

First up:  Pastor Greg Seeger has not been feeling well and has been unable to participate in all aspects of ministry.  Even in the midst of not feeling well, he's praising God and resting as he's recovering from what seems to a bacterial infection.  He is receiving antibiotics - and is now eating crackers and drinking liquids - so he's on the mend!  Everyone is grateful for his progress!  He's doing BETTER and he's in the right place and receiving the care he needs -praise GOD!  It's anticipated that he will be released from care tomorrow.

Ministry today included doing another VBS in Guayabal and finishing up a construction project.  Kurt's team painted a house - Cinda, Nicole and Kurt did the painting there and Darron & Greg Peterson went over to help get ready for our next house.  Pat's team did a sports camp; everyone came back for dinner, and then did a service in Guayabal which was a great opportunity.  Scott Columb preached and Ben Schemelin added his his testimony and Greg Peterson did a reading which was very powerful and then they had circle time and now everyone is off to bed!

Thanks for all of your prayers!!!   

They had phone issues last night, which is why the report for yesterday is late:

The team had a wonderful day on Monday.  They began their normal routine - one team did construction.  Kurt's team went to Guayabal and led VBS - a warm and successful morning - about 30 kids.  After lunch, Cathy's team did construction, Kurt's team did sports ministry and Pat's team did some ministry focus with local people in Guayabal. 

The building blocks are good - everyone is getting acclaimated to the routine.

In the evening, after dinner, they played basketball Carlos loves these competitions - and was quite impressed by the skills of our teams - specifically Ben Schemelin & Darren Lawson!

At the end of the evening, they had circle time and prayed & worshipped together.  It was a good connect time and the team is bonding and stepping up to leadership roles.

They are excited about the ministry ahead of them today and thank you for your prayers!

Had a good day helping with Carlos' church - especially the kids.  The  day didn't go as they thought it would - sometimes the best laid plans change rapidly in this environment - but it all worked out great.  Greg Peterson did a teaching time with the older kids, while a few other leaders spent time with the younger children.

They had a laid back afternoon, gearing up for tomorrow which will be their full day of ministry. Today was Liz Hultgren's 19th BD - they took her out for ice cream after lunch to celebrate - called her "Queen Elizabeth" all day to honor her! 

During the evening service at Carlos' church, Greg did a phenomenal job teaching on the Last Samurai movie - he presented a Samurai sword to Carlos as a symbol of what it means to follow Christ - the sword representing the Word of God as our only weapon we have in this battle.  Then Greg challenged the congregation regarding leading and obedience. Cathy shared during the service, too, and it went well.  Worship was great, too.

Tomorrow will include VBS and they will begin construction.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers - the pace so far has been slow but that has helped the team to solidify and be prepared for the week ahead.

Carlos' radio show was today - Melissa Norman, Marie Riley, Rick Loosbrock and Cathy participated in this show - including an interview!  Then they did the village tour, had lunch, and did some food distribution in Kilo 16, talked with many people.  Had a big dinner, prepared for tomorrow, had a wonderful worship service.  All is well, everyone is doing well.  Please pray for Greg as he prepares to speak tomorrow night at the evening service - and pray for Cathy as she prepares to give her testimony. 

Thanks to everyone for your prayers!

GREAT NEWS - the team has landed safely in the Dominican Republic, on time without incident.  Greg has not phoned in a detailed report, but was able to text me these exact words: 

all ok

all bags arrived

off to bed

more tomorrow

So... a little better than a telegram, but less than a voicemail! Thanks to everyone for your prayers for this final of our 2009 teams serving in the Dominican Republic.