April Post (Sorry for the delay)

So I had this post ready to publish April 13, but the internet wasn't working... and then I had a baby that same day (2 weeks early) so I didn't get a chance to post it! So, better late than never!

3rd ANNUAL PURITY RETREAT

“I realized how much God really does love me. If others could really understand that, I think other lives would be changed.” ~Naomy

“I learned that God can fight for me. We try to fight our own battles, yet we have a God would can carry my burden for me.” ~Ileana

These were just a few of the many great testimonies shared after our third annual purity retreat. We had over 60 youth involved in this retreat and God moved in huge ways. In addition, a couple of the youth leaders shared how, since the last retreat, God has really helped them to have victory in things they struggled with in the past. This year, we used a boxing theme to portray the message that, if we let him, God can be in the ring with us. We often try to fight our battles alone, yet find ourselves always coming up short. We invited the youth to let God come into their lives and fight with HIS power. It was a great lesson for leaders and youth alike.

We had over 60 youth attend the retreat!

In other news, just two more weeks until baby Jaylene will be making her way into this world! Mabelis and Esther are prepared to take over the site while I am on maternity leave. Please pray for them as they balance the full-time job of running the site, as well as their college studies. This summer, we will continue to run volleyball teams and graduate a group of 8 seniors.

Our college girls are excelling in so many areas. We are finishing “When I Don’t Desire God” by Timothy Keller. They will be starting a bible study based on the movie “War Room” and will do that throughout the summer. Last month, three of them also played in a 3v3 beach volleyball tournament and got second place! There were teams from all over the country, including two teams that had players who play for the Dominican National Volleyball Team! So overall, a huge success for those girls.

Winning team and their very round coach! 

Thank you so much for your support and prayers of this ministry. I feel so blessed to be a part of what God is doing here in Jarabacoa through Students International.

Prayer Requests • Energy and wisdom for Mabelis and Esther as they take over the site and work with summer teams. • Healthy birth for Jaylene (and that she will be a baby that likes to sleep!) • College Sponsor for Ashley Cheyenne. We still need 3 sponsors for her to continue to attend college. We need a $100, $60 and $40/month sponsors. • Especially after making life-changing decisions at the retreat, please join us in prayer that these girls can continue to stay firm in their faith and resist temptations that they face daily