EDM is in the process of planning a major pastor’s conference for the month of June.  It will be a time for the pastors and their spouses to really seek the Lord.  Part of the planning process is to get invitations out to all the pastors.  Here in the Dominican Republic there isn’t UPS, Fed Ex, or postal service; you have to go out and hand deliver each invitation to each pastor.  After three full days of phone calling and asking directions to each of the pastor’s home, all the invitations are out and each of the pastors are very excited about the upcoming event.  Without the modern conveniences of a delivery service, it really gives inviting a personal touch.  It not only gave us the chance to see where each pastor lives but also the opportunity to reconnect. Delivery D.R. style has its benefits. We thank the Lord for each day He gives us here in this beautiful country.

EDM, along with some of the pastors of Nagua and a few of their church members, drove out to the community of Pajita to support the pastors of that community for a one night evangelistic meeting.  The EDM mission truck was filled to capacity with people singing and playing drums as we drove the 19 kilometers to Pajita.  The service was held right next to one of the main streets, and soon spilled out onto the street as the crowd grew.  The worship was great, and the preaching was powerful.  Two people came forward to surrender their lives to Christ admist much rejoicing.  During the service, all the pastors were called up to the front.  It was amazing to see such a large group of pastors from all different denominations and churches united together in the common goal to reach their cities and communities.  That night, EDM had the wonderful privilege of praying for this large group of pastors, who we know and love, that God would continue to unite them, protect and provide for them, and encourage, equip and empower them.  It was an exhausted group of people who drove back in the mission truck later on that night, but they still filled the truck with singing and playing drums as they rejoiced in God for another great night in His presence.       

For five nights the basketball court in Las Quinientas was filled with praise and the preaching of God’s Word, as EDM and the pastors of Nagua came together to reach out to this community. Over the course of those five nights many people, young and old, came forward to surrender their lives to Christ.  It was exciting to see so many people from the community come out night after night to hear the preaching of God’s Word. One of the local churches was filled to capacity the following Sunday, as many of those who came forward during the crusade visited his church for the first time.  It was exciting to be part of another great outreach, and to see God move through the power of the Holy Spirit changing and transforming lives for eternity. 

An energetic group from the great state of Minnesota visited us this past month.  They worked on a church in the community of Puerto Rico el Pie. One of their assignments was to “panete” the walls of the church. What is it to panete? I am glad you asked.  To panete is to put together a very loose cement/fine sand/water mix and then trowel it to the walls.  After troweling it to the walls you go back over it with a rubber trowel to smooth it out.  It may sound easy but it is not, there is a real art to doing it correctly.  When the week was done every team member was an expert in the art of panete.  The church looks great and is now ready for paint.  So “Twins’ hats off” to the team from Minnesota.

What a week! A team from Minnesota just left and we had an amazing time ministering together and building for the Kingdom of God. The community of Puerto Rico a Pie was strengthened in many ways. We partnered with Pastor Jaime and his wife Deysi. They have a heart and vision for the children of the village. It was a blessing to witness their genuine love for them. The children were also very responsive to this Pastoral couple. One night we showed a children’s movie in the Pastor’s home. At first there were 30 children and the Pastor told them they had 15 minutes to round up all their friends…over 100 children and many parents showed up. Pastor Jaime and Deysi managed to squeeze all of the children in their home! It was very impressive to see how this Pastoral couple opened their home for ministry of the children. There wasn’t a concern for what might get dirty, but the concern was that no one would be left out. We held another event in the public school. As we pulled up in the mission truck, the children’s faces lit up with excitement. The team had put a puppet show together for the children. They shared a message of the “Good News” we have in Jesus. Then they shared another skit about God’s incredible love for each of us.  In between skits, the puppets and children together sang songs of God’s hope and love for each of us. The children’s faces were lit up with joy as they clapped and sang along with the puppets wholeheartedly. Afterwards Pastor Jaime spoke with them and it was such a blessing to see many hands eagerly go up in response to the opportunity to receive Christ as their Savior! All heads bowed and together they all prayed a beautiful prayer. It was a prayer of commitment and acceptance of the Lord’s love for them. Seeing those precious children and their precious faces lit up with joy and hope…brought a joy to our hearts as well. The team from Minnesota had a hard time saying “good-bye” that day. They had made an investment for eternity in the hearts of those children…it was something to never be forgotten.

Just a few nights ago, many of the churches of Nagua gathered in one of the neighborhood intersections for two nights of celebration and proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They closed off the intersection, set up a stage and sound equipment, and began each night with prayer and praise.  As well, youth drama and dance teams presented powerful messages of freedom and deliverance, and the EDM team had the great joy and privilege of presenting the message from the Word of God both nights. People filled the streets, balconies, sidewalks, and many sat on their motorcycles listening to the songs, watching the dramas and hearing the Word of God preached. Praise the Lord, around 10 people accepted the Lord as their Savior, and the whole neighborhood was rocked by the power of God. A store owner that was observing the services commented that although he was not a believer, he enjoyed it so much that he wants to be invited out to every evangelistic event the churches do, no matter where it is in the city! Wow!

We have been so hungry to see the Lord’s hand heal, train, liberate and restore His people to Himself. It was such a blessing to witness the outpouring of this as God moved during our Pastor’s Conference and City-wide Healing Crusade with RAIN Ministries. The city of Nagua and its area Pastors were blessed and so were we. People still continue to tell of their testimonies of healing and how their faith has increased. A local Pastor said that we need to do this again but on an even larger scale. He and his family were empowered–including his son. It was especially encouraging to see the Lord pour Himself out on the Youth of Nagua. They eagerly came forward and received a mandate to make a spiritual difference in their community, in their country and for eternity. Wow! We at EDM want to praise the Lord for this outpouring. We want to thank our King of Kings for allowing us to be a part of His plan for the country of the Dominican Republic. And we know it has only just begun! Alleluia!

Goooooooooooooood Morrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrning Nagua.  “The Rockin’ Rev’ and the Messenger Show” is alive and well.  It is broadcast live throughout the north coast of the Dominican Republic and worldwide on the internet. We have been told it is the only program that is broadcast in English in the entire country.  You can listen to us live every Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. Central Time. Just tune in to www.nitidorayo.com.  We play the best of both new and old Christian rock as well as some worship music and take requests.  We discuss a Biblical topic each week.  It is a real privilege, to have a radio program here when we are not even from this country.  The radio show seems to be quite popular with the Dominicans.  So if you are not busy on Sunday mornings, please tune in and give us a call if you have any requests.

This past week we spent delivering mattresses and mosquito nets to the area of Los Guayabos de los yayales.  It is in the community of Rincon.  This is the area that we have been focusing on since the floods.  The joy on the faces of the people that were receiving things as simple as a bed and a mosquito net really pulled on your heart strings.  We will continue to work in this area getting the needed supplies to the residents.  Thank you all for your prayers and your flood relief financial aid.  We will keep you posted as the relief continues.

Over the past several weeks, we have been working with the local pastors to help with the flood relief work in areas near Nagua. As you probably know, the Dominican Republic received a huge amount of rain, and several of the main rivers of the country overflowed their banks and caused an incredible amount of damage. In fact, the flood waters reached areas that they had never before reached in past floods. So far we have taken three truckloads full of clothes, food, toys, matresses, mosquito nets, and medical supplies to areas of great need. Just yesterday, Adrian and I, along with some brothers from a local church, went to some very poor areas in the country called Jobo and Molenillo. After having to push the truck out of a very deep mud pit, we finally arrived and went house to house giving out water, clothes, matresses, and toys to those who needed. The donations were sent from a church in Santo Domingo. We were amazed and saddened at the need that is present there. Many people lost just about everything in the floods over two weeks ago, and some are still sleeping on the concrete floor. It is amazing how giving a little toy car can make a child so happy. There were many smiling people, and many thank-yous when we left. One man even chased after us on his bike to say that he was brewing some coffee for us. It was delicious! Please continue pray for the people that have been affected by the rains and floods, that God would provide food, clothing, health, and most importantly a relationship with Jesus. Please also pray for us as we help the hurting, and pray about how you can be involved in the relief effort.

~Ryan