Sabbath Rest by Sandy Murphy

Convincing 30 teens and 12 adults to arise at 5:45 to watch the sun come up is no easy feat. This morning however…. mission accomplished! (ok, perhaps it helped that sleeping in was not an option) By 5:55 our not so quiet bunch paraded through the sleepy streets of Juan Dolio. Destination: BEACH. Soon we were taking in the sand between our toes and the rhythmic sound of the rolling waves. The sound of strumming guitar joined the majestic moment followed by our voices:

 
"The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning.
It’s time to sing your song again.
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before us,
Let me be singing when the evening comes.
Bless the Lord oh my soul, oh my soul
Worship His Holy name.
Sing like never before, oh my soul
I’ll worship His holy name."

Singing this together with our crew of 42 was a memorable way to usher in Easter morning on the coast of the Dominican Republic. As we watched the sun rise we contemplated the truth that the SON did indeed RISE! This is what gives our trip meaning. This is why we painted nails and faces. This is why we played baseball, London Bridge and Duck – Duck – Goose. This is why we made handprint paper lilies. This is why we shared the story of the gospel in a remote sugar cane village.




After a short time of worship we spread out on the sand for a time of solitude to journal and reflect. We were blessed by a glorious sky as the sun began to glow through the clouds.



Soon we returned for breakfast and then headed down the dirt road to the church in Juan Dolio to celebrate Easter. The service was full of worship, the Word, communion, and a short drama. Celebrating Easter in two languages – one God, one story - was a sneak preview of heaven.


 Following the service we proceeded back to SCORE to witness the baptism of 2 beautiful women who have put their faith in the risen savior. One of them was from Lily House, a place of refuge for women coming out of prostitution. This has certainly been an unforgettable Easter as we wholeheartedly embraced the rich meaning of the celebration. Honestly I don’t think the Easter Bunny was missed.



 Our afternoon was one of sabbath rest. Naps, more journaling, and leisure time has given our team time to recharge and reflect after a day of travel and full day of ministry yesterday. Our team is ready and eager to take on a full week of ministry ahead. We are giving thanks for safety, good health, and rest as we enter these coming days.

 As I’m writing this I am listening to our team meeting in the background. Listen in with me: hear them singing passionately as the evening comes, hear the story of the wordless bracelet as each student makes one to share when we return to the villages tomorrow, hear several students sharing the ways they are seeing God show up here in the DR, hear the challenge given students to live lives that point others to Christ. This is truly an amazing group of teens. We as leaders are so blessed to share this week with them.

Thanks for following our story in the Dominican Republic. We feel all of your prayers and love.
For the team, Sandy Murphy