Team Time

Many of you are already aware the we are currently with a team out at Restoration Ranch. This update was preposted to appear today. We've actually been at ther farm since last Saturday. The team will be putting on a movie production tonight in an area near the farm. We'll be setting up a huge screen and showing the animated version of the Jesus film. Please join us in prayer for this to be a successful event. When we arrive back home next Sunday I'll try to get everything updated and some pictures on line for you. We truly appreciate each one of you and we pray regularly for you.

Bunk Beds

A few years ago the Burge family bought bunk beds for the Agape mission house, and we really liked the style. They weren't too bulky and heavy, yet they were sturdy and held up well. Last year we started looking for these beds because we wanted to show some of our friends and supporters the style of bed we were planning to use. Wouldn't you know that they were totally out of stock. And they have remained out of stock, 'but on the way' for an entire year! Just recently we stopped in again and found they finally had them. That was perfect timing for us since we had a team arriving, and four of the team members wanted to sleep on Restoration Ranch property. The last time that happened they had to sleep on cots or pads on the floor. We really wanted to upgrade their room situation this time around! So we negotiated a price and bought two sets of bunks, took them to the farm in the back of our Durango, then returned to the store to negotiate and buy the four mattresses. Believe it or not, we hauled all four of those in the back of the Durango as well!




SWEET DREAMS "FELLAS"!

Casa de Dios

There is no telling how many years have passed since the day we met Pastor Mike Santos, but from that day until just recently we had not seen or spoken with him. Then we were suddenly reconnected, and that inspired an invitation for us to be in the 3rd year celebration of their church in Santiago. The church is called Casa de Dios (House of God), and is a thriving growing church in the second largest city of this country. (At least I think it's the second largest city, but this is my disclaimer if I'm wrong!)


We had such a wonderful time with them, and since the pastor is totally bilingual he translated for Danny. That gave me the chance to just enjoy the service after greeting the congregation. Danny's message was terrific, and the translation was excellent so it really was a treat for me.

Valentine's Day is for ... Preachers?

St. Valentine's Day has become a popular holiday here in the Dominican Republic. This year we were invited to minister in a church in Santiago, a city about two hours from the capital. They had planned a Saturday night meeting and the regular Sunday morning service. We were, as always, excited about going in spite of the fact that we wouldn't be 'celebrating' the holiday. But what a nice surprise, when after checking into our modest room, we went down to a quick dinner befor supper and found a beautifully decorated holiday-themed dining area. It's really cool the way God seems to take pleasure in taking care of little things that would be a blessing to his children.

Cornerstone Crew

We love having people come visit us here. We get excited about showing them Restoration Ranch and introducing them to our adopted nation. You can imagine, then, how much we enjoy having our own family or our own church family here. The Solid Rock team had three of our Cornerstone family as part of the group, and it was really special for us to be able to show them Restoration Ranch and what we are doing here in the Dominican Republic. We can't wait for them to come again - or at least send us some others! These are all Cornerstone folks! (Okay, we have to share the Burge family with their other home church in Columbia, but they'll always be part Cornerstone too.)

That's my barber

One of the more amusing things that happened while the Solid Rock medical group visited us was when one lady stepped off the bus and saw our newest staff member. I think I wrote that Shay, besides being a general fix-it guy, is a master barber. He cut hair for 10 years back in SC. Now he's here at Restoration Ranch, working in both capacities. He is being a great blessing fixing the mountain of things that always need repairs. And when we finally house children he will be their barber.

We never knew Shay in his role as barber, but others did. It was a funny moment for us when this pastor took her first steps from the bus, looked up, and exclaimed, "That's my barber!"

It seems that he had cut her kids' hair for ten years, then they lost track. She didn't know he was here, and he didn't know she was coming. Funny how things work.

Still Solid Rock

After the Medical Team had enjoyed the refreshments we went out to the construction site, and gave them a little tour. Like most of our visitors, the beauty of the place captured them. God truly did set apart a gorgeous place to be designated as a home for his littlest ones.

Solid Rock Visit

We love hosting teams and we love it when people come to visit. We recently had the privilege of a short visit with a medical team that had come to work in the San Juan de la Maguana area of the country. Among this team were three ladies from our home church in Greenville, SC, Cornerstone Church. Through them it was arranged for the group of 31 to spend a little time with us at Restoration Ranch. It worked out that it was a travel day for them, and the farm is approximately half way from where they started to where they were going. I offered to provide refreshments, snacks, and two bathrooms so the team wouldn't need to stop again.
What a treat it was for us! Although I must admit I was a little concerned when the first person Ruth introduced me to was a neurosurgeon. He and I both agreed that it doesn't usually bode well!

Women's Retreat

For many years a local missionary family therapist and her psychologist friend have hosted a women's retreat. Having no idea what an excellent spritual treat was in store, I never took the time out of my schedule to spend the weekend with them. This year another missionary friend who has been in the country many more years than we have told me that this is the one retreat she tries to make every year. That was enough for me, and I signed up. Within just a short time one of the leaders called me and asked if I would be willing to lead a small group during the retreat. Of course I was. What a blessing for me to have done so. The schedule was beautifully crafted, designed to provide alone time with God, time with your small group, and time all together in worship. My group was a delight for me, and I realize just what all I've been voluntarily missing all these years! After expressing those sentiments to one of the hosts and offering to help if needed, I now find myself as a general coordinator for next year's retreat. One year to soak it all in was all I got! And I'm already looking forward to next year with all the ladies again.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Changing Bulbs

How many of us does it take to change a lightbulb? It depends!

Dad's Tools

Many of you know that Danny's father passed away two years ago. He would have loved working outside at the Ranch I think. He was always working in his yard with his John Deere riding mower or his DR trimmer and brush remover. (Or whatever that thing is called!) When Shay and Gwyn were loading their container of furniture and appliances to be shipped down here, they asked if we needed anything placed on there. We had thought many times that the afore mentioned DR trimmer would be a wonderful tool down here on the 20 acres of grass and trees so Shay made his way to Williamston, where he met Danny's mother, Polly, and she entrusted the soon to be miracle machine to him. Now that the Griffin's container is out of customs and all is unloaded we have been able to take the machine out, replace the oil, and do all the other neccesary things to make it work. Apparently Shay ran it for about three hours the other day, and our caretaker, Fran, was super impressed. He said it would have taken him at least a week with his machete to cut that much. Even today when I talked to him he was going on and on about that 'cool machine'. I think Dad Stone would have enjoyed seeing the excitement on Fran's face, and I think he would be happy knowing that his machine is being put to such good use in his absence.

Two Weeks Gone By

It's hard to believe two weeks have slipped by and I haven't taken the time to update this page. We've actually had a lot happening. I think I'll try to catch you up a little bit today and then go from there. The last post showed pictures from the first day of our two day toy give. I'll include some photos of day two in today's post. Our second day was just as successful as the first day, with one tiny little problem. I managed to fall that morning before we left for the ministry. So many people, not to mention the little children, were depending on me that day that it never occurred to me to not go. We had a wonderful day, and I did my best to coddle my left leg and my right ankle. I didn't even know how to hobble! I just leaned less on whatever was hurting most at the moment. I'm sure that Melynda's prayer for me helped get me through the day. When I didn't seem much better a week later we finally saw a doctor. What a blessing that I had not broken anything. The doctor said I should 'continue' staying off my feet for another couple weeks. He obviously doesn't know me! In case you're wondering, I am doing much better although there is still some stiffness and soreness. That is probably from the heavy bruising, but I'm good to go again. Some of our more exciting news is that we were finally able to get Shay and Gwyn's container out of port. They had basically been camping indoors for the previous two months. I know they were happy to have furniture, towels, books, etc. It took all of us and friends to get their things out of customs. The Burge family went with them to the port several times. We had a friend with 'connections' helping from his end, and then Danny and I spent a couple of full days along with all of the people above. Our reward was not only that the Griffin family finally had their belongings. They had put a new gas clothes dryer on their container for us since our electric one had quit working back in October. After having clothes hanging all over the house for four months I was just about as happy to get their container as they were!


Okay, that's enough for one post. Don't want to make it so long you get tired of reading it! More tomorrow. Seriously, I really will write more for tomorrow.