“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew28:19

Today we began the day with a devotional on the beach. On our walk there, we met two young men that work in the local beach area. They asked where we were from and what we were doing in Juan Dolio, so we explained it. They decided to join us for our group devotional.

After the devotional, we gathered for a time of baptism. Baptisms are always a great reminder of what the Lord has done for us. It is an outward symbol of an inward change. As we are submerged in the water, it is symbolic of the old man (before Christ) who was buried and emerging from the water is the new man…This is what the Lord has done for those who have trusted in Him as Lord and Savior.

We returned to SCORE and sorted out the donations we brought from New Jersey for the girl’s orphanage. We were amazed at the amount of clothes, school supplies and gifts that were given for this trip.  We also bagged the balloon pumps; nail paints, jump ropes and soccer balls for a great time of playing with the kids.

Visiting the orphanage is bitter sweet. On the one hand, these girls are confined in a walled-in complex that secludes them, but on the other hand it also protects them. Many of these girls come from an abused background and broken homes and some are even abandoned due to physical disabilities. 

In the Orphanage, they are being loved, cared and provided for in so many ways. The girls are bussed into school daily for their education. The orphanage also provides other educational materials to further encourage their learning.

As the team walked into the compound, the girls would walk over and grab their hands choosing who to spend time with.  We spent time painting nails, making balloon animals, singing worship songs, playing soccer and having a great time simply enjoying their company. This is what the girls cherish the most, not what they get, but the time they get to spend with the teams that come out.

The donated items were left to the director of the orphanage who will assign clothes, school supplies and other items as needed to the current 130 girls located at this facility. The director is always amazed at how the Lord provides for these girls through various teams and various means. We met one lady who was a volunteer from Denmark, who left her business just to spend three months serving at the orphanage.

After a few hours at the orphanage, it was time to say good-bye. Some of the girls hinted if they could leave with us, which made it very difficult to part. Many simply asked if we would ever return. Our response was “If it ‘s the Lord’s will, we would certainly love to!”

Tomorrow’s plans are to visit the boy’s orphanage and possibly one of the sugar cane villages if the time allows.

“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father isthis: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble…” James 1:27

Prayer Requests

• Pray for Jameson and Lucas, the two young men who joined usfor devotionals, for the Word to impact them for eternity!
  
• For the girls from the orphanage, for their continuedprovision and continued healing.