A letter to Runnymede Community Church.

Hi Runnymede.

Sorry it has taken so long to write.   Hit the ground running here and it feels like I haven't stopped running since.   Learning sponsorship details,  (helping with groups) lots of driving and participating in building projects.  We had 40 plus heat (but I hear you had that too) and what seemed to me like monsoon rains .  Soaked through and through and so hot and humid that you never dry off.  

I think of you guys often and miss you like crazy every Sunday.  There is no church like Runnymede.

I have attached a short newsletter for July.

Lots of love

from Dave in D.R.

Saturday July 20, 2013.

Did housecleaning. motoconcho-ed to the Supermarcado.  Walked back along the main road dodging bikes, cars, and whatever.  Cooked pasta sauce and froze it.  The apartment freezer is very reliable thanks to a generator that kicks in whenever the local power goes out.  Last week I soaked in the pool for the first time. ( felt like I’d gone to heaven.)  Made coffee this morning in an espresso machine,  mixed it with a little honey and shelf milk.  (I’m really roughing it!)   There are  new sheets on the bed and a pillow.  Sprayed for ants and mosquitoes and only have one cockroach left but he is so big and slow that I have decided to keep him as a pet and call him Picaso.  (He sort of has the same body shape)  I have been working full time trying to get up to speed on the child sponsorship responsibilities and also helping where I can with visiting groups.  

This afternoon got a lift on Luckny’s motorbike up to Esperanza,  (that hill is a little more physical on a bike)  Met up with many people and they always ask the same question.  ¿cómo es Sandy?  How is Sandy?  Being in the village was like a cool breeze to my soul.    Saw the work that had been done on the library and listened to Luckny’s dreams of how it could help the community.  It would make a good resource centre where people could find and post information on jobs and opportunities, a good “Community Centre” where groups could get together.   Luckny told of his concerns about a political situation that seems to be brewing trouble for the Haitians in the DR again. To see the happy and unconcerned kids playing around us in the village only underlines the vulnerability of this little community. Luckny offered a village laundry service to me (Probably Lena, his mother in law, she is very industrious). So now I have only 2 pairs of underwear, (I hope they don’t take too long. I know, T.M.I.)

Took a Gwa Gwa back to Sosua,  bouncing along to Dominican music and swaying from side to side, the horn playing a new tune with every stop.  Went all the way from Grand Parada to Sosua for 30 pesos (and entertainment too).  Gwa Gwa drivers have a lot of fun.  

As I lay in bed during the night I feel as though God wakes me up and pours into me all that I need for the day to come.    The Spirit just seems to bubble up inside of me.  Yet when I wake I can’t put my finger on any one thing.  I feel God here with me in a way I have never experienced anywhere else.  I certainly need Him here as I feel totally inadequate, and yet, isn’t that the way we are?  We are only truly Whole in Him.  (I miss Sandy though).  

I want to thank you for helping me to be here through your emails, advice, prayers and support.  I’m praying for my family, Runnymede Community Church.  I love you guys.

Dave Chapman

Returning to the Dominican Republic

The Fire That Won’t Go Out

Returning to the Dominican Republic to work with Phil and Donna Williams of Servant’s Heart Ministries.  

Going Alone.  One of the difficult aspects is that I am going to be apart from my wife Sandy for most of the year.  To say I will miss her  does not begin to describe what I anticipate,  she really is the best part of me so I wonder if the DR is getting much of a bargain. I will be counting on the faithful prayer and support of family and friends, along with leaning on the Holy Spirit.

In Preparation. I am currently in training with The STM Network.  I have been approved by the Missions Operations Committee for a year mobilization in the Dominican Republic working with the Williams of Servant’s Heart Ministries. I will be going out once I have raise my missions budget which I hope will be by the end of May 2013.  God willing.

My duties as Sponsorship Coordinator Include:

• Communication facilitation between, the home office, sponsors, children.
• Create and maintain data base on children and their sponsors.
• Keep track of students in all three schools. Drop outs and new.
• Coordinate information with home office.
• Manage sponsorship email.
• Meet with teams to promote sponsorship. Explain how to sponsor, etc.
• Receive letters from sponsors, print off, translate and deliver.
• Send random pictures to sponsors of their children -
• take school pictures and write profiles in September for new students
• Coordinate sponsor/child visits.
• Coordinate buying/ distribution of gifts or money sent for children.
• Work with kids on thank you notes for special gifts and get them to the sponsors
• Year end reports for sponsor in June.
• Art work or thank you notes and report cards.

Earnestly Seeking Your Support: Through Prayer,

• Please pray that while Sandy and I will be apart, the relationship we have with God and each other will be blessed and even enriched. Bring us back safely to each other.
• for success in my ministry and Gods blessing on the youngsters blessed through Servants Heart Ministries.
• for Gods blessing on the Dominican Republic and on the entire island of Hispaniola.    

Through donations.  monthly commitments or one time donations:

• by internet-   http://www.paoc.org/donate/DavidChapman

I thank God for your support, and rest in the knowledge that I am covered and upheld by your prayers.

Not in our own power -- only with Jesus Christ in us can we truly make a difference.

Though we make our own plans and hone our skills, they are woefully inadequate and naive but we serve a God who uses our shortcomings.

"My only boast, my only confidence, my only hope, is in Christ."

                          Dave Chapman