MEFC DR Mission Trip - Day 3

Well day 3 is in the books!

We started our day early, leaving for Catalina at 7am. A lot of excitement from the team as we drove there as they have been waiting to see Catalina for quite some time. 

The first village we went to for our Isaiah 58 ministry was La Rigola. They were so happy to have us come and share with them! We did puppets and sang songs for the kids... and for the  adults we performed a drama and James gave a short sermon. After handing out food we played games with the kids! 

After lunch we headed out to another village called San Jose following the same routine. Kevin and Bill commented "how great it is to see our kids getting out of their comfort zones and really engaging with the people here".  What a great response from the people who have welcomed us with open arms!

After San Jose we packed meal bags for tomorrow's village and had dinner in Catalina. 

Back to hotel where the kids requested ICE CREAM! So we walked, just down the street from the hotel, to a great ice cream place called Bon. 

Overall a hot, but action-packed day! 

Our day 3 video is below! 

MEFC DR Mission Trip - Day 2

Hey everyone!

I'm writing this blog entry late because we have had a really long but exciting day!

After breakfast we went to IBI church here in the capital. The music was amazing and the sermon was impactful. We were given earpieces that translated to English for us! That was helpful! 

After church it was Pollo Victorino for lunch. (Best Chicken ever). We enjoyed laughing, eating and getting to know our HOH staff and interns a little better. (I feel really blessed to have them here)

After lunch was our trip to the Robert Reed children's hospital. Every group I go with always has a different experience but today I was very touched by how receptive the people were and the smiles on all of the kids faces when we sang for them. This group of Montgomery kids are awesome! Our visit was cut short because it was dinner time for patients there. 

After our visit it was a trip to Jumbo (supermarket) for snacks and dinner in the mall. 

We went right back to the hotel and begin prepping for our first day in Catalina tomorrow! We practiced puppets and put the finishing touches on our drama we will be performing in the villages! (there may have been coffee and Nutella donuts) 😊

Tomorrow is going to be an early start so I need to get some sleep! Please continue to pray that everyone stays healthy and safe and that God's light will shine through us to the people we will minister to! 

Attached is our day 2 slideshow.

MEFC DR Mission Trip - Day 1

I am Dave Barletta and, this week, I am privileged to be leading a wonderful team from Montgomery Evangelical Free Church on their DR Mission trip. Time permitting, we'll be posting a nightly update with a few highlights of the day as we minister together.

I'm always amazed at the way God works. How He gives us strength when we are weak. How He takes our humble offerings and uses them for His glory....

As I sit here in my hotel room, tired from a long day of travel...I am thankful for this group of teens and leaders who have come down here to serve the people of the DR. I'm thankful that God has chosen me to lead them on this journey and couldn't be more proud of the way these kids have handled themselves so far. 

I've attached a video that Bill (one of the Dads on the trip) put together of our first day. 

Tomorrow will be church at IBI in the capital followed by a trip to the Robert Reed children's hospital. 

Good night all!