Safe trip to the Capital and back..!

I just wanted to say thanks to all who prayed for our trip to Santo Domingo yesterday.  We had to travel in and pick up our first guest (Courtney Gregory) to the Dominican.  Thank the Lord, there was hardly any traffic and everything went smoothly with the truck.  We are thankful for all that the Lord is doing and will do in the future.  Pray that we will have a good week, as we try to minister to the children and the people of the mountains.  Lord willing, we are going to have a feeding this week and also try to hand out some tracts and supplies that came in for the children.

We love you all dearly and thank you for your continued support in prayer and finances!

Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are heaven, and in the earth!  Psalm 113:5-6

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

What are you eating?

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments. Psalms 119:176

About a month ago, I took a trip to San Juan with Brother Darren, to take a group of people to a medical clinic.  While I was waiting for everyone to be seen, I saw the most ugly and tattered sheep.  I went to the van to grab my camera and when I came back the sheep was gone.  After searching for a few minutes, I found the sheep down near the main road.  As I walked to where the sheep was, I noticed that it was eating something.  When I got close enough, I noticed that the sheep was eating trash near the roadside.

My question to you this morning is this:  What are you feeding on?  If you claim to be saved this day, are you feeding on the things of God or of the world?  Are you consuming the trash that this world has to offer?

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1 John 2:15-17

I wonder how many "Christians" are no different then those goats of the world.  Could it be that so many who claim Christ are not known of the very One they claim?   On the other hand, how many Christians today have the testimony of the sheep I have pictured?  Their fleece is all tattered and dirty.  They waste most of their day consuming trash and are not eating from the pasture of God's word.

I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 34:15

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Luke 4:4
 
Are you spending time and fellowship with the Lord in his word or are you spending the majority of your time feeding on the things of this world?

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Acts 14:36



So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17


For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Peter 1:23


He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11

 

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalms 100:3

For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest. Psalms 95:7-11

Have you grieved the Lord by not spending any time with him?  Have you erred in your heart and turned from the truths contained in God's word? Spending time in God's word and prayer will give you peace and rest!

Have you been born-again?  Is Jesus Christ the shepherd of you life?  Are you one of God's sheep?  The Lord desires for you to be saved and to have fellowship with him.  Dear brethren, what does this world have to offer us?  The Lord God Almighty gave his precious life for us.  He died on the cross for you and I, that we may have eternal life and fellowship with the one who created us!  He became sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him!  He loves us, should we not therefore love him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength?


For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:8-9
Let us go to the word of God for the living bread of life!  Let us come to the great Shepherd for help and nourishment!


I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 34:15

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. John 10:11-16
 

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 1 Corinthians 3:11-17

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-14

May we make sure that are garments are pure and white at the great appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ! 

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17

Baseball and language...

Hope and pray everyone is doing well!

On Monday and Friday, we went with some kids from the area and played some baseball.  We all had a good time.   Lord willing, we are going to try and go again on Monday.  Pray that the kids will read the tracts that they were given and will come out to church.

On Tuesday and Thursday we had Kreyol lessons.  Wednesday we took a trip down to Barahona to get our propane tanks filled and also attended the mid week service at Mount Calvary Baptist Church.  On Thursday,  I took Melanie and the kids to El Peñon.  El Peñon is a small town located closely to Barahona.  The reason I took a trip there was to see what kind of churches were established.  We were only able to find three churches, none of which were Baptist.  There are so many small towns in the Dominican, especially in the southern half of the country, that do not have an Independent Baptist church.  I have been praying about trying to go to El Peñon to hand out some tracts.  I'm also praying about trying to get a message together in Spanish and Kreyol.  Pray that the Lord will lead and direct in these efforts.

This is the little ball field in Polo.

My wife gave up a double on this play! LOL

After we dropped the boys back off at their homes, we had a Haitian family ask us for a ride back up to their mountain batey.  They had been doing laundry down near a water supply.  If I had to guess, it would have been about a 5 to 6 mile walk one way.  They were very thankful and we were able to give them some tracts.  Pray for their salvation.

We have spent the majority of our time trying to learn both languages.  I have really been trying to set a lot of time aside for these studies.  Please pray that we will continue to absorb both languages.  We have also had a little problem with electrical power this past week.  Pray, that if it is the Lords will, that it will be able to get fixed.  Thank you all for your prayers and support!

Brother Chris and Family

Handing Out Some Tracts...

On Monday, Pastor Nathan, his son Jonathan, and myself went and handed out some tracts.  We went to a very small village, further up in the mountains near our house.  It took about 25-30 minutes to get up to the village.  There are two villages called Los Charquietos (I think that is how it is spelled) and and Las Tallota (not quite sure on this one either).  When we arrived, most of the people were out working, so we were not able to hand out to many tracts.  Lord willing, we will try to go back in the next week or two, near the end of the day when more people are at their homes.  There is no electric, nor is there any running water in these villages.

There is a person who has donated some land for a church building.  Please pray for us, that if it is the Lord's will, we will be able to put a church there!  Below are a few of the pictures I took:

I believe this is a Grandfather with is Granddaughter.

A lot of the people up in this area are Catholic.   The Chick tracts that my home church sent down were a blessing.

The slogan "Chick tracts get read!" is true.

The women have to take their laundry down the hill to wash it.

The children at the second home we stopped at.

This is the piece of property that we could build a church on.

This is the home of the individual that donated the property for a church.

This is the kitchen! 

This is a bathroom!

This woman was trying to explain to Pastor Nathan that I could drive my truck down to Las Tollota. 

Pastor Nathan talked to this man for around 45 minutes.  I later found out that he was Catholic.  I believe they had a good talk concerning the things found in God's Holy word.

A home up in the mountains.

Well I this all of the pictures I have for now.  It has take me four days now to try and get this up and posted.  The last two days our inverter has not been working, so we only have internet access when the electric from the city is on.  Please pray that we will be able to get this fixed quickly.  Hope you all have a great weekend!

In Christ our Lord,
Brother Chris and Family

This Week In Pictures #4

Hello from the Dominicna Republic!  Just wanted to post some pictures of last week.  Sorry to say, I did not get that many of them.  Last Monday, I spent most of the day in Barahona getting my truck fixed (no picutres).  Then on Tuesday, Brother Darren and I took a trip to the Capital to get our visas renewed (again no pictures).  On Wednesday, we traveled down to visit Brother Jewell's church and he asked me to preach, which was a blessing, but sorry to say I did not get any pictures of this either.  On Thursday, we attempted to take a box of food to a widow woman up in the mountains.  When we arrived at her home she was not there, so on the way back down we gave the box to a Haitian family (no pictures).  Friday and Saturday some of the children were sick.  On Sunday, Melanie, Eliana and I went to the market in Polo.  I then went up to La Lanza with Brother Darren, to hold church services.  I will try to do better this week, with getting some pictures of what is going on down here. 

Today Jonathan and I are going to try and go up into a village that is close by our home.  We are going to go up and hand out some tracks and just see the area.  I'm going to try and work this week on a sermon that is written down and then have it translated.  I will then try to go up to the village and read it to them.  Pray that the Lord will give wisdom and guidance.

Hope and pray everyone is doing well in the states!  Sorry again for the lack of pictures!



Benjamin caught a bird that had flown into our house!

When we let the bird loose, he was a little dazed and confused.

 

Eventually, he flew up into a near by tree.



This a mouse that the boys caught the other night!



This is the mouse before he was caught.  I was doing some work at my desk, when I noticed him in my trash can!


Hope and pray you all have a wonderful week!  To God be the Glory great things he has done!

In Christ our Lord,
Brother Chris and Family

Prayer Request

Good morning brethren!  Hope and pray all is well.  I would like to ask you to keep my family in prayer today.  Our son Joseph is sick.  He started yesterday morning with a fever around 103 and he still has a high fever this morning.  He is also now vomiting and has diarrhea.  Please pray that the rest of us do not come down with this bug and that Joey will feel better soon.  Thank you for all of your prayers!

Brother Chris and Family