So Today was another amazing day!!! As we traveled to our church this morning, we spent a great deal of time praying for you our family, that God would love and work in your life this morning. Then, we arrived at church and realized that it was the wrong church. The bus driver took us to a church sponsored by Score but not the right one, it was still a blessing because Rachel and Jenny K. were able to sing special music and then, Mark Scofill and Jen Ragonesse shared a testimony. God was amazing during this time because we were apart of a bi-lingual service. We all sang in Spanish and English together, and the pastor had a translator so we were able to grow and actually understand what was being taught.

After lunch we went to the beach and spent a great deal of time, making balloon animals for people, singing for people, and playing with kids. God used this time and allowed us to reach 20 or more people for Christ, who actually prayed with some of our team members. What a blessing!! An afternoon which we were unsure of what was going to take place used to glorify God, and draw people to His name.

Tomorrow we travel back. Be praying for us as we all go Through airport security, get on the plane and then make it through Customs. Our plane will arrive at 11:59 in the Buffalo airport from Atlanta. We are flying Delta, if that helps at all, and we will be the really tan ones. :) We look forward to seeing you all and sharing more stories of how God used us to help the church here in the Dominican!!!!!

I wish you could be there for our devotions each night. Most nights we have been at the pool here at the complex. Envision about half of us floating in the water and half of us dangling our feet from the side. I lightly strum mi guitarra and the songs soar from our hearts and mouths high into the Dominican sky and, I believe, all the way to God’s heart! It has been powerful. We just finished tonight. We were talking about some numbers and decided to make this your official day of numerical report!!!!

(By the way, we regret that the devotions from the last three days were not posted for you to read until this morning. We have been writing them each night but had some confusion in the posting process! We trust by now you are all caught up!!!!)

So, some UNBELIEVABLE GOD-SIZED numbers…

Ø $1300 dollars spent today at the Jumbo (Dominican Walmart) to buy food to feed the village of Los Montones (more than any team has ever spent to feed a village with Score International—from the funds God provided for this trip).

Ø 360 cans of tuna purchased.

Ø 120 bags of rice, bags of beans, bottles of oil, cans of salt, and packs of coffee purchased.

Ø 11 Dominican grocers it took to help us check out (including Ben Russell, who was sporting his newly acquired Jumbo tshirt!)

Ø 120 families who received a bag of groceries in Los Montones.

Ø 120 prayers prayed individually by our team over the people receiving the groceries.

Ø 6 days these groceries will last each family.

Ø 102 adults present for our adult program (many of which had never come to a ministry program yet in the village).

Ø 30 or so adults who responded to the gospel invitation given by our missionary Andres.

Ø 40 men who met in Los Montones for discipleship today with Andres (every Saturday he meets with 4 men each hour for 10 hours).

Ø 69 kids present for our children’s program in Los Montones—most of whom either responded to gospel or had already responded in the past.

Ø 6 innings of hardball baseball played by 18 players (mix of us and Dominicans!).

Ø 4 cows that passed through the baseball field during the game.

Ø .500—Pastor Mike’s official batting average in the Dominican Republic (I was 1 for 2 with a single over the centerfielder’s head that would have been a double if I could have found the piece of rubber that was first base).

Ø 10 months of ministry so far in Los Montones by Andres and Johanna.

Ø 2 weeks until the first church service in Los Montones!!!!!! (Our week of ministry there was so good that it confirmed for them it was time to launch the actual church!)

Ø 8 testimonies of salvation proclaimed by our team today (Jeanie, Jeff, Alex, Josh, Ben H, Felicia, Jenny W, Genie).

Ø 3 songs sung to the precious orphans of Jackie’s House.

Ø 6 songs sung to us by the precious orphans of Jackie’s House!

Ø 13—age in years of Israel, the orphan in the wheelchair at Jackie’s House who dreams of being an evangelist, who shared the gospel with our team today, who prayed for us as we left, who memorizes books of the Bible, and who inspired us greatly!

Ø 93 million—miles the heat from the sun travels before burning us badly (do pray!)

Ø 50—SPF of sunscreen recommended!

Ø 24—individuals from our team who didn’t faint today. (It was Alex. She is wonderful now!)

Ø 1 bag of goodies leftover from Los Montones that was not used…for 30 minutes…because on the way home we needed to make an emergency bathroom stop. The wife of our busdriver happened to be nearby! We went to their home, gave our last goodie bag to their daughter, and shared the gospel!

Ø 11:59—pm/et that our flight arrives in Buffalo on Monday—can’t wait to see you!

Ø 25—lives you will see that have changed!

Please pray for tomorrow…

Church in the morning—Jenee and Rachael will sing duet, Mark and Jen R will share testimonies of encouragement.

Afternoon of ministry at local beach—we’re taking all the tracts and resources we have left and praying for opportunities!

Celebration meal at evening—pray for a great time of praise!

We will miss being with you in church tomorrow!!!! God bless you!!!!!

God is good…all the time!

Posted by Pastor Mike

Dear Iglesia de Ridgewood—

We hope you enjoy your second game of the week. You must figure out which of the events described below actually happened today!!! Of the ten events described, only one actually happened! The answer is below, along with some other explanatory notes!!!!

(1) The cruise ship to get to the island was broken down, so we all piled into 3 different canoes and paddled through the Caribbean. God enabled us to fend off the hot sun and a few ugly pirates, and we arrived in Olympic record time.

(2) By the time we arrived at the island, five of us had already thrown up.

(3) While snorkeling, Ben Russell was getting bored and decided to do a couple of laps around the island, when all of a sudden, a shark started chasing him. So he sped up, lapped the shark around the island, and snuck up behind it. He jumped up on his back, dunked him all the way under the water, and swam down to the bottom of the ocean where he found a shipwreck. He then tied up the shark with some leftover rope from the mast of the ship. But while the shark was tied up, he kept trying to bite Ben. So Ben looked the shark in the eye and told him to stop, but the shark didn’t. So Ben swam to the surface to catch a quick breath of air (remember, he is only human), and shot back down to the bottom. He then plucked all of the shark’s teeth out one by one. He filled his pockets with the shark’s teeth, untied the rope, and led him to shore on a leash. He then traded all of the shark’s teeth to one of the Dominican shops for one authentic Dominican battery-powered blender, which he gave to the shark, so the shark could still eat. Ben then tapped the shark between the eyes and said “I hope you learned your lesson” and let him go.

(4) While snorkeling, Kristin Buhr noticed something shiny at the bottom of the ocean. She went down to get a better look and realized it was a gold coin. She went to “currency exchange” and learned the coin was valued at $3 million dollars. The Dominican at the counter then informed her that he had actually lost that same gold coin while snorkeling earlier in the week. Kristin gave him his coin back and praised God for using her in the man’s life.

(5) Joyce Wright leaped off of the second deck of our shuttle boat and did a somersault into the ocean over Jen Ragonese.

(6) Jeanie Sandolfini went into debt after buying presents at one of the island shops for all of her grandchildren. She is currently working for the islanders until she sells 1,000 necklaces and can split coconuts with her bare hands.

(7) A Kodiak bear fell off a nearby boat and swam to the island. Luckily, Taylorspeaks “bear.” She taught the bear how to climb palm trees and get coconuts for passing tourists and named the bear “pookie.”

(8) Ben Hand climbed a coconut tree and attempted to parachute down with a towel.

(9) Alex and Felicia went para-sailing and hung by their ankles 800 feet in the air for 2 hours.

(10) We felt bad about hanging out on the beach all day and prayerfully decided to hold a big tent revival. Despite Rich Jennings preaching a little on the Pentecostal side, when he gave the invitation there were 5,000 hands raised, not counting women and children. The Dominicans have since labeled our revival “The Second Pentecost.”

Before giving the answer…some prayer requests…

Tomorrow we are returning to the first village we went to—Los Montones. It has been our favorite village and is also the one in which our missionary couple is investing most of their energy at this time. In the morning we will use some of the money we raised to buy enough groceries to feed 100 families in this village for an entire week! As the adult comes to get their food, we will do an adult program for them. This is big because many of the older adults have not yet shown interest in the church being planted. We will then do a carnival with the kids, a full-blown baseball game with the teens and young adults, and finish with a full mime program for the whole village. Please pray as we are anticipating great things! Jeanie S and Jeff will be sharing testimony in adult program, while Alex, Josh, and Ben H will share testimonies and Rich will preach the gospel in the mime program.

Tomorrow afternoon we are off to Jackie’s House orphanage, a home for daughters of prostitutes. Felicia, Jenny W, and Genie T will be sharing testimonies.

THE ANSWER: #5 actually happened! Joyce leaped 25 feet off the railing on the second deck of the boat into the water (as did many of us). She actually didn’t do a somersault in mid-air, but when she hit the water, a wave swept over her and caused her to somersault of Jen!

OTHER NOTES:

#2—False, although Jen R did on the bumpy bus while trying to write and Sarah T did on the boat. Both are doing exceptionally well now!

#10—False, although we handed out many tracts today and had some rather amazing conversations with people from all over the world. In a rather amazing and almost surreal series of events (details later), Pastor Mike was able to lead a young Italian man (Mauro) and woman (Raffaella) to faith in Christ. We are praising God for that among MANY other things from today!!!! Thank you for praying! Today was also a day of “intentional encouragement” and our team grew closer to each other and the Lord as we creatively and intentionally spurred one another on toward love and good works!!!! Very special stuff!!!!

(PS—we have been trying to send pictures but it isn’t working very well! You’ll just have to wait and continue to use your imagination!)

Hola Amigos de Ridgewood Bible! Day number 4 was a Roller Coaster Ride. This morning we got the chance to visit a village called Christopher Columbus. There is a tremendous need for Christ in this village but we came in order to show them Christ-like love.

In the afternoon, we visited Orphanato Ninos de Cristo. A Christian orphanage for girls! From the age of 6 months to 18 years old! We all fell in love with the girls and wished we could’ve stayed longer. We’ve got some good pictures of boys to show you (particularly Ben and Ben!!!!) I hope you enjoy our random quotes and intellectual thoughts! We love you and miss you all and keep us in your prayers

XOXOXO -

Posted by Rachael Engert, Taylor Scofill, Jeanie Sandolfini, Genie Trombley, and Felicia “my testimony rocked today” Haag

Intellectual Quotes

“Praise to God for answered prayer today in the Columbus village for the specific right words to share in my testimony” - Susan Kennedy

“Praise God for it all” – Ben Russell

“It’s awesome to see those beautiful orphans today and to realize that we are the adopted in Christ. I loved Felicia’s testimony—she reminded us that we are all in God’s family.” - Joyce Wright

“Evellines became my little buddy at the Orphanato Ninos de Cristo.” Absey Crowe

“I praise the Lord for being part of the team that was used to plow the ground of the Christopher Columbus village. The sweet children were so accepting to us playing frisbee and sharing Christ. This afternoon the visit at the orphanage brought about a much unexpected event, unconditional acceptance by a teenage girl. She chose me out of twenty five others, her name was Yolinda what a blessing.” - Marlene

“It’s really exciting to see God work in Big ways and small ways and it’s great knowing that even if we may not be able to see what He’s doing we know that it’s something heavenly.” - Taylor

“Praise God for the faithful hearts that are back home praying us through and encouraging us.” - Jeanie Sandolfini

“At Christopher Columbus I was able to share my testimony (with translator help!) in back of parked pick-up truck with about ten men (after they made fun of me a lot!). I think one responded and prayed to trust Christ. They must have liked it because they then all showed me their big 18-wheelers (cost 1,000,000 pesos) and let me sit in their driver seats and honk the horn!” - Pastor Mike

“Today at the orphanage there were about 110 girls there. I had the opportunity to share my testimony. After I was done this girl came up to me and asked ‘I cried?’ I said yes because of the love of Christ. I was so happy to tell her that!!!” - Felicia Haag

“We were able to give out Bibles and share God’s word.” - Mark Scofill

“One little girl called me Father.” – Ben Hand (the crazy teenager that led two guys in the village to faith in Jesus today through our gospel tracts)

“I had a baby in my arms that is very cute. His name is Freddy.” – Jenna Woodburn

“No matter where we go, all the locals smile and wave and seem to have trust towards us Americans.” – Josh Alberter

“As sad as it was to see all of these kids with out any earthly family to love and take care of them, it is a blessing to constantly remember that there is a heavenly father that loves and cares, and longs for them to know His love!!!!” – Rich Jennings

“Before we arrived at the orphanage I prayed that God would give me one child. God answered my prayer. As soon as I walked through the gate I was greeted by Natalie. She gave me a tour of the orphanage and then she wanted to lay on my lap so I could play with her hair. She was such a sweetheart and I pray God watches over her.” – Genie Trombley

“Jesus you are the well of love we will pour you out.” – Rachael Engert

Random quotes:

“Pardoname” – Jenny Walker

“I lost myself on the bus” – Absey Crowe (describing how God worked to take control of Him at the orphanage—Galatians 2:20)

“Como se llama” – Kristin Buhr (trying to say “how are you” at start of her testimony but instead asking what everyone’s name is)

“Tengo Ongos” – Jeanie Sandolfini (spoken to many children, following the advice of our missionary, Andres, who told us that is how to say “you are beautiful” in Spanish. It actually means “I have fungus.”)

“Me llamo Alex Rodriguez” – Pastor Mike (his favorite opening line whenever he meets someone new).

“Me gusta Presidente” – Pastor Mike (loudly complimenting the hat someone was wearing on Tuesday that said “Presidente.” Presidente is a major beer company in the DR. “Me gusta” means “I like.”)

D-evotions Tuesday night a Dominican man named Jose, came to join us as we sang on the beach.

O-ooooH MY… we did not want to leave our first orphanage experience! (handicapped orphanage)

M-erialava was saved on the Conde, which is a road we walked on to pass out tracts.

I-ncredible Dominican lunch at an authentic DR restaurant.

N-OT a very good job by PM to hold a basket of food on his head, like the Dominican woman was as we were walking down the street.

I-ndependence for the DR was established February 27, 1844-we learned on tour.

C-uatro dollars was paid by PM to a random teenager on the street to help translate for Marlene as she led a lady to faith in Christ.

A-ngel, our tour guide through the old city, pointed out how the Bible on the Dominican flag is open to John 8:32.

N-o accidents happened yet on the crazy streets.



R-emarkable bartering done at the straw market today.

E-veryone waited outside the restaurant while Mark S. shared the gospel with a man named Jesus. (man in restaurant)

P-atricia was a blind little girl at the orphanage that Genie T. fell in love with.

U-nbelievable worship and devotion time on the beach under the stars and moon.

B-OO-YAH!!! (think: feeding 5,000)

L-OTS&LOTS&LOTS&LOTS&LOTS of tracts given out on the Conde.(we are told that the average tract in the Dominican Republic is read at least 50 times)

I-t’s great being here, wishing all of you were here with us.

C-hildren at orphanage received 60 t-shirts made by OUR VBS kids! The rest will be distributed at other orphanages.



PRAYER REQUESTS FOR TOMORROW:

1. We will be visiting a sugar cane village that has no established church or flock. Please pray for us to be effective in planting seeds.

2. We will also be visiting an all girl orphanage. Please be praying for open hearts.



THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND WE WILL TALK TO YOU SOON!!!



Posted by Jen Ragonese’s group (Jenny, Alex, Sarah, Donna, Jenee)

Your first game of the week…

Read each 20-word statement below and try to figure out who said it! Answers are at the bottom—no peeking until you’ve guessed!!!

[Also, praise God with us for a truly God-sized day of ministry. Yes, people came to faith in Christ (such as 5 ladies who came forward after a ladies' Bible study in one village). Yes, churches were strengthened (such as the church of Los Montones—7 weeks old and waiting for one of the 40 guys in discipleship to grow into a pastor). Yes, we are being changed by God for the glory of Christ!]

Check it out:

1) God is giving joy to all the children and strengthening the relationships between the people on the team and God.

2) What touched my heart today was painting the kids’ faces.

3) Mi Dios es tan GRANDE! I want these beautiful people to know their awesome creator that provided such a great salvation.

4) You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. It’s amazing how much we depend on back home.

5) I realize how loving the people are—playing kickball I befriended three guys and we talked about Jesus and baseball.

6) We came to share the love of Christ despite the language barrier and the love of Christ is flowing.

7) God has shown me how to see the hearts of those we reach and not all the poverty and I’m stoked to be here.

8) I met a guy named Rafiel. He wanted my sunglasses but I gave him a tract instead.

9) When we arrived at the second village I was wondering how to start interacting. I said “hola” to a kid and he immediately hugged me.

10) Wow it has been amazing how God closes the gap between people and allows us to love them.

11) God parted Moses’ sea, brought down Joshua’s walls, slew David’s goliath and He is breaking down barriers for us!

12) Today Ridel, a young man in a wheelchair, helped me to share the gospel of Jesucristo.

13) Will these people really see the love of Jesus in our actions, as our words are so few…I believe yes…

14) The people were just so friendly—one little girl never left my side the whole time we were at the one village.

15) God reminded me that even though I can’t do everything that He brought me here for a purpose.

16) Today a little boy came up to me. He just held my hand. He and I walked together.

17) God is showing me how beautiful all His children really are no matter where they are from or how they dress.

18) Praying that Chillo, the “coach” in Los Montones, will one day coach kids in Jesus as well as baseball.

19) What an incredible day being among young, growing flocks and having the privilege to be part of it all!

20) The people are so beautiful and appreciative. We can learn so much from them. God is AMAZING!! I want kids! (PM adds: first you need a husband.)

21) What struck me today was seeing contentment and happiness in the middle of poverty. I questioned myself as to why I ever complain about anything.

22) God has made me more comfortable around really small children.

23) It’s amazing people with hardly anything at all can be joyful and happy, especially with God. Dominican Republic is AMAZING!

24) Hola Amigos! God has really made me depend on Him for everything—even just to speak through me!

25) Although there are differences between the Dominican people and us, we are all His children and love is the way I can connect to them.



1. Ben H 2. Jenna 3. Joyce 4. Genie 5. Rich 6. Marlene 7. Sarah 8. Jeff 9. Absey 10. Donna 11. Mark 12. Jeanie 13. Sue 14. Kristin 15. Leslie 16. Felicia 17. Alex 18. PM 19. Jen Rags 20. Jenny W 21. Jenee K 22. Ben R 23. Josh 24. Taylor 25. Rachael

We had flown for about 2 hours over the most beautiful water many of us had ever seen—an impressive mix of blues and greens and turquoise that looked more like watercolor on canvas than actual water. We had begun descending over the country we started praying for six months ago that only now was beginning to seem real with its dirt roads and surprisingly hilly terrain below. We were finishing up conversations—some of us with Dominicans near us on the plane who were listening about Christ, and others with God Himself as we anticipated what He might do through us on the ground below.

Then, something happened that I believe was God’s special way of encouraging us today. Two hour’s earlier the stewardess had told us the movie they had picked out for the afternoon plane ride was “Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.” Now, our plane was getting ready to land just as the movie was finishing. So, as we roared through some turbulence toward the runway below, Aslan let out a great roar on the screens above and with one victorious roar, Aslan wrapped up the epic, two hour battle in about two easy minutes. There on the screen was our King of Kings, represented by Aslan, totally in control, all-powerful, delighted to work to give His children great victory as they trust in Him. Then, we landed in the Dominican Republic.

The King of Kings has been with us, Joyce lost a bag (it will arrive from Atlanta tomorrow), Rachael felt a little sick on the plane (we think it was from the airplane lunch more than anything else) and some of the transformers blew at the SCORE Complex so we only get air conditioning at night when we can turn the generators on. But, Jesus has been with us and everything has been remarkably fine! Right now, as I type this in the lounge, Josh and Ben R are biting into ice cream cones (available for purchase here at the complex), Mark and Rich talk about the Rockies/Nationals baseball game on TV, Genie is snapping some pictures, and Joyce just walked in and told us she just got off the phone with Nick and he wishes he had come!

We are anxious to get to work tomorrow! (Although we did have some great opportunities already today!)

Please pray for:

- Rest (it has been a LONG day and most of us didn’t sleep last night—for example, certain Sternins stayed up all night studying through ministry binders!)

- Endurance through the heat (highs of 95 w/ heat index 110 all week!)

- Impact in the two sugarcane villages we will be in tomorrow (Tuesday)

- For our missionary friends Andres and Joanna Jordan who will be leading us here (Andres is son of Joe Jordan who is the director of Word of Life in Schroon Lake!)

Dios te bendiga!!!!!!!!

Pastor Mike

(more updates coming soon from others!)