Several days ago I returned from my first ever missions trip, to Nagua, Dominican Republic. The trip was absolutely tremendous. So much happened that I hardly know where to start. But for 3 days we walked through the streets of Nagua and shared the gospel with people in their homes and businesses. We did not have one single instance of someone refusing to listen. And many, many people received Christ. We went into the prison and 2 ladies (of the 15 that are incarcerated) received Christ, with tears. We went into the hospital and the Lord healed a man who had some type of palsy and people got saved there too. We held church services each night and they were packed, with people standing outside in the streets to hear.
As much of a creature of habit as I am, and as much as I am accustomed to American comforts, I found myself adjusting to Nagua very quickly. It was hard to come back home and I still cry when I think about the time in Nagua.
Personally, this has affected me greatly. Sitting at a desk doing accounting for 8-10 hours a day doesn’t make sense anymore. Everybody said this would be a life changing experience. They were right.
He is my Delight 
It is hard to comprehend that many people being that open and hungry for God; but . . . I know it happens. It has a way of making the hard years worth it.
Glad you’re doing well. I joined a friend of mine a couple of weeks ago in a jail ministry. We go weekly. It is a great attention getter. They all of a sudden have ears for God. It has been pretty cool.
Mike, I’d love to hear more about what you’re doing in the prison
It would be good to hear more about your trip as well.
I’m sure over time some of my posts will be about or at include things from our visiting. But in a nutshell, we go every Tuesday night. There are 6 ‘pods’ of men and one or two of women. A varied number of people go. So far there have been enough people to cover all the pods, so my friend and I have been able to go in together. If we’re ever short, I’ll go in by myself.
Each pod will have 20-30 people in them. Only those who want to come attend. The others remain locked in their room. So far, which is only twice, it seems our role has been more to encourage, as God seems to already have their attention. But as with any group, as you well know, He has more of somes attention than others.
It is cool to be put in a situation where you know He is already at work – to think you might play a role in their keeping with it or maybe their getting with it to start with.
First night there, I met a guy who loves to write. That was pretty cool. A lot of these guys read and study their Bibles all week. I always had in mind that it would be trying to reach guys that didn’t want to be reached. I was wrong.
It might interest you to read my post from a few weeks ago called ‘The Lost’ (sorry I don’t know how to do a link) that tells how it all came about.
All for now, Mike
Oops: I left out the word ‘least’ in the second line.
I am only 15 but I just returned from my first missions trip to Nauga, Dominican Republic as well.. It was the most amazing experience of my life. We built a cement floor of a church, helped with children’s ministries and ran many outreach programs. God worked in my life as well as our team’s lives. i completely agree, it is a life changing opportunity and I am already saving money for another trip.