Every Day Ministries

We had a very interesting day, Jim and I, when we went to the capital last week. we are taking out residency here in the country, and had to go to the capital to get some documents stamped and to get letters from the National Police saying that we are not bad people. And this can only be done in the capital. So our thinking was: get there early, avoid some of the traffic (which is akin to that of Miami, but with worse drivers… much, much worse). The trip down was going fine up until the point 30 minutes north of Santo Domingo near a town called Villa Altagracia. We were stopped by a huge roadblock. Almost a thousand people had blocked the highway (both ways) protesting the fact that many people had died trying to cross the highway because their was no pedestrian bridge. The protest (called a “huelga” here in the DR) lasted for over two hours, until a mini-battalion of military and police started to shoot off their machine guns and fire smoke grenades. It was not pretty. We were praying that no one got hurt.

We finally made it to the capital, and after two failed attempts, finally located the building we needed to get our letters of good conduct. After a good half-hour, we made it in, got our letters paid for, and then had to wait another hour to pick up the letters. Once we got them, we discovered that two off them had printing errors, so we had to wait another half-hour to get them redone. Finally, praise the Lord, we got all the letters, except for Jim and Renee’s two boys’ letters. Since they were minors, we were told that we had to go to another building for this. Upon arriving at that building we were rejected entry because we were wearing sandals. But praise the Lord, the manager came and escorted us to the appropriate office. We discovered that we needed to find color pictures of the two boys (who were not with us), and with some quick thinking and praying, managed to get some color copies of their passport photos, which worked out in the end.

After a long day, Jim and I, the two sandal-shod gringos, headed home tired, but thankful to the Lord that we got all the residency document stamps and letters done. God granted us entry into all the buildings we needed to be in, and favour with the people we met. Please continue to pray for us as we finish up the residency process in the next few days and will need to make one final trip to Santo Domingo to deposit all of our documents.

~Ryan

Hello all! Check out our updated photo album – we have just downloaded a fresh batch of images from the last few months of ministry here in the DR. God bless!

~Ryan

Recently, Jim, Ryan, and I (Jordan), headed out to play a game of baseball in Helechal. Upon arrival, we met several young guys eagerly waiting to play some ball! We pulled out all of our equipment and started a game.

Something as simple as playing a game of baseball brought joy to all of us. It was truly a blessing to be throwing, catching, and batting. We all enjoyed ourselves whether ahead or behind in runs. Winners were not exalted; losers not picked out. Our sole mission-have fun!

Afterwards, we distributed a portion of the equipment that we had used. They were extremely grateful for not only the gear, but to have played a few games of ball with us who, by NO means, played phenomenally.

Before our departure, I shared a quick word about keeping our eyes on the Lord. Just like we are supposed to focus on the baseball when batting, we must focus on the Lord and not let any distractions get in the way!

The Lord had blessed us with a wonderful afternoon and an enjoyable game.

~Jordan M. Larson

We had been invited to share a message with a group of women from Pastor Rita’s congregation in Nagua. It is always a privilege to share the Word of God.

On the afternoon of the evening set aside for the women, we visited various homes to invite the women of the church’s neighborhood. Pastor Rita was with us and led the visitation.

Throughout our visit we were aware of God’s divine appointment of our time there. In fact, there was a woman that I met whom I will never forget. When we met at her front door, she immediately invited us in. She appeared to be in her mid-twenties. After introducing ourselves and inviting her to the night’s event, we sat down. We began explaining why we were there in her country and why we believed that it was so important that everyone have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Her eyes began to well up with tears and we asked if she knew Jesus as her Savior. She shook her head, “no.” We then asked if she would like to receive Christ as her Savior at the time. She said, “Of course!” In that moment, as we prayed with her, she received a new life in Christ. To paraphrase, 2 Corinthians 5:17…If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away and everything has become new…In that moment, one could feel the incredible breakthrough that was taking place!

After we prayed, I sensed that she was still quite burdened and that the Lord wanted her to hand her burdens to Him. I asked her if she was carrying burdens and shared what I sensed. She said, “Yes, it is true. I have problems in my marriage. And I need prayer for my son.” Tears fell down her face. We asked if we could pray for her and these burdens. She was eager to accept it. We then prayed for her and she received the Lord’s grace, love and provision for the situation.

In the following moment, Pastor Rita ministered to her as well and invited the young lady to her church; not only that night but any opportunity she would have. She wasn’t sure if she could make it to the night’s event, however; Pastor Rita just smiled and said she would come back to visit again.

We encouraged her to read Isaiah 61. It is all about how Jesus came to restore, to rebuild and trade our sorrows for praise and gladness. As we left, I embraced her and reminded her that she is now a member of a grand family–the family of God. She is not alone.

As I reflect on this time, I can’t help but thank God for divine appointments such as those. Sometimes we can set out upon a day and think it to be quite ordinary and then suddenly you see God’s plan unfold before your very eyes. It is always a privilege to be in the middle of the unfolding. All praise and glory goes to the King of Kings!

~Renée