Day 10 | Thursday

May 31, 2007

Day 10 (Thursday)

7:30 AM eat breakfast

8:00 AM out to go site seeing.
First stop: things to buy [I bought nothing]

Second stop: the

Third stop: "Cathedral Basilica Santa Maria la Menor, pronounced the first cathedral in the New World by Pope Paul III in 1542."

Left view











Front view










Inside views






















Fourth stop: Bon!











Fifth stop: Faro a Colón, this is supposed to be the site where Christopher Columbus is buried. This place was built in commemoration of him. It is actually a cross shaped lighthouse. A pretty expensive one at that. It was awesome.












This is from inside.










5:30 PM We finally returned

6:10 PM meet in the front to leave

The message for tonight: "Memory Lapse and Monkey Business" (Sabbath)

Day 9 | Wednesday

Today we went to the internet cafe, but on our way there we saw this lady, and she wanted us to pay for this picture. So only Shane got it and gave it to me.












The sermon was entitled, "Whatever happened to Right and Wrong?" I remember preaching this sermon for Evangelistic Preaching, a class I took a few weeks ago. The sermon was on the law, and probably throughout the whole series this is the one that I knew the most. I think it went quite well.

Day 8 | Tuesday

May 29, 2007

Day 8

6:50 AM? Wake up
This would sound about right, but I’m not exactly sure at what time I woke up this morning

7:30 AM leave room to eat breakfast

9:10 AM give devotional
I went to the place where we usually meet, but there were other people there, so I wasn’t exactly sure on the location. Eventually Shane found me and brought me back to the fold.
I did the devotional this morning on Isaiah 6. I think it went well, so praise be to God.

10:15 AM went to the beach with Shane
I feel kind of bad. He got burned really bad. But it was so cool I actually got to see coral for the first time underwater in its natural habitat. It was just so cool. I really want a waterproof camera. Shane has one, so he’s going to give me some of his pictures and some video clips.





12:45 PM take a shower
After I took a shower I read a bit. I really want to finish reading this chapter on Wycliffe. Man there is just so much that I want to become an expert in. I really wouldn’t mind getting a Ph.D. in Church History. We’ll see, but I really wish the Lord would just reveal to me what to do.

1:30 PM eat lunch

2:10 PM go to the internet café and make some phone calls

3:30 PM get back to the room

Day 7 | Monday

May 28, 2007

Day 7

8:00 AM wake up

8:30 AM eat

9:00 AM devotional and meeting
This morning A.J. did the devotional. He did pretty good. I am very thankful for his presence on this trip.

10:40 AM went our separate ways
After the meeting I have a few notes that I asked Luis Leonor to hand to some people in the AUC group. I hope they get the notes. We’ll see what happens there.
Eventually we split at this point and some people went to this place where we could use the internet and phone. I call my mom, but no answer. We’ll see, hopefully tomorrow.
A.J. bought a picture. I think I might eventually get one. I found out that they just wrap it up. That’s pretty cool. We’ll see. He borrowed 200 pesos, but it was a good deal, we thought. Today I spent a lot of time talking to AJ. We discussed some theological things (women’s ordination) and he would like to talk about jewelry sometime. I was pretty excited.

12:30 PM arrive back at the Hotel
I started to study for the sermon tonight. It’s on the 2300 days. So we’ll see about tonight.

1:30 PM.Eat

2:15 PM Read Great Controversy
While trying to read Allison stopped by several times and I helped to explain parts of the 2300 days to her. Eventually I fall in and out of sleep. The music was too much for me to study in.

5:10 PM pray more about tonight

5:50 PM arrive at the front to be picked up

6:10 PM the rest of the people arrive and we pray and leave

7:15 PM arrive at the church
Maxwell, a church member, arrived at the same time. But he didn’t have a key so we went to another church members house that was just down the street. No one was there, so we went to another church members house. I had to use the bathroom so bad, eventually they gave me this drink called Tamarindo (like Tamarin). It was really bitter and sour, but it was alright. They could have added sugar to no objection by myself. We have something in the Philippines like it, but we eat it, not drink it.
We eventually went back to the church, I finished setting up and then I met with my translator. He’s a really good guy. I really like him. We were offered by one of the church members that they were assigned to give us a drink every night before the meetings. So we went to their house, it was pineapple juice. Oh man, now that was a really good drink.

The subject for this evening was the 2300 days. There was so much material, and I was getting worried, because we didn’t start until 8:45. So I was really pressed for time. So I started the sermon with this, “Tonight is the topic of the longest prophecy in the Bible, which means we might go a little longer tonight. You know, I actually paid $5000 to learn this material. And you guys are getting it for free. You are very privileged.”

We didn’t get out until 9:30. I felt so bad. I know that it was late, but we started really late, 15 minutes later then usual. I’m a little worried that certain people are not going to return. But I believe the sermon went well otherwise. There is no way to cut it anymore than I did. And I wasn’t going to cut the truth. It did get a little better toward the end, but some people were leaving and others were just not into it the further we got. But all in all, it went well.

11:00 PM get back to the room
I couldn’t sleep, so I read for as long as I could and then eventually went to sleep. Something was really on my mind. I really just couldn’t think about anything else, it was really weird. Did I love her?

Day 6 | Sunday

May 27, 2007

Day 6

8:15 AM wake up and eat breakfast.
I had Mongoo for the first time. It was really good. It tastes like buttered mashed potatoes, but its made out of Banana’s.


9:00 AM devotional and meetings
Tesha did the devotional this morning on Exodus 14, one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. It was good.
Luis Leonor was there too, and just to comment on what he said about me, he said that the computer was placed in a bad location on my site; BUT (he said it like that) I seemed to know the slides so well that he didn’t see me look at the notes. So praise the Lord for that. Thank God it was on the Second Coming.
We also got to look at some of the pictures and I looked really into it.

10:00 AM personal devotions
I read the chapter, “An Era of Spiritual Darkness.” It was good, but I’m really excited about the next one. So I might read more later on today.
I also took a little nap. I was so exhausted.

1:00 PM swim in the pool.
It’s raining a little today. But the swim was good. My roommate went with me, and he asked me where did I learn to swim? If I took classes at Southern or somewhere else? And at first I didn’t understand and I said, neither. And he was like, oh you have perfect form and then I told him that my father taught me how to swim. Thank God for dad.

1:45 PM eat

2:30 PM read some more and prepare for the sermon

6:10 PM pray and leave for the churches

7:30 PM arrive at the church
Today we have spent more time with the members before the service. Tonight was the most anticipated, “Move your hand.” It was on the gospel. Tonight was the night that we made an appeal. I went over this time, which meant that we picked up everyone late. But that’s because of the appeal. I am so thankful that my translator is a Pastor. His name is Pastor Aneury Vargas, and tonight he gave me his contact information. He really helped me on the appeal. I believe that there are 6 or 7 who would like to be baptized that came forward. We also were able to figure out the appeal song this evening. It just really went smooth tonight. We’ll see about tomorrow.
9:10 PM finish preaching and packed up to leave

10:40 PM arrive back at the Hotel

11:00 PM knocked out

Day 5 | Sabbath

May 26, 2007

Day 5 (Sabbath)

8:30 wake up

8:50 meet to leave for churches

9:45 arrive at church
This was interest. They were have joint Sabbath School when I arrived. Maxwell was trying to convince me to do his Sabbath School, which turned out to be quite fun (I didn’t do it).
As mentioned for yesterday, I wouldn’t have my translator for the service. Not only that, they forgot to bring the extension cord, so I was without my laptop and without my projector for the sermon. Luckily I had previously written down many of the verses that would be used for the sermon. And the sermon was entitled, “Why so much suffering?”
It went horrible. The translator got mixed up with my words, and I was kind of all over the place. But it was soon over. The whole sermon only lasted 20 minutes, with translation.
But the personal friendly contact with the people I think kept them there. But I am worried for tonight.

12:45 PM picked up from the church
I was invited to spend some time with the people, but I had felt bad that my driver came. So I just went back with him.

1:30 PM eat lunch with nearly everyone else.
Only Shane (my roommate) stayed with his church members

2:30 PM we walked around the beach for a Sabbath afternoon walk.
It didn’t seem so Sabbathy with the people and music, so we eventually came back.

4:00 PM took a nap and asked Lisa to call me at 5:50

5:50 PM I wake up not realizing that its 5:50, so I slowly get ready.

6:05PM Lisa comes to my door
I said “oh, is it 5:50?” and she says, “I forgot, and it’s 6:05.” So I get my tie on and we’re out the door as quick as possible.

6:07 PM we leave for the churches

7:15 PM arrive at my church
Nearly no one shows up. We eventually close the Sabbath together, that was interesting. My translator shows up at 8:00 PM, he’s such a Pastor, and a very good one at that.
It was good though, we were able to figure out the appeal song. So we had that one sung at the end. Number 277.
The sermon went really well. It was on the second coming. The only thing that bothered me is that I initially thought that this was going to be preached on Sunday, so I practiced the Sunday sermon for today, didn’t really look at this one, but thank God I had a quite a few of the verses memorized.
Luis Leonor was there today taking pictures, so we’ll see what he has to say tomorrow in our meeting.
We talked quite a bit afterwards and didn’t stop preaching until 9:10; but it was good.










Here's a picture of my new friend Maxwell and I.

9:15 PM Lisa and my driver are there to pick me up.
It was good, I was able to take some pictures of the people. Mainly the kids. Hopefully we’ll take more tomorrow. I figured out a wake to take some pictures without using my battery. I hope that this works out.

11:00 PM go on the roof for the first time

11:15 PM try to sleep, eventually fall asleep.

Day 4 | Friday

May 25, 2007

Day 4 (Friday)

6:00 AM try to wake up

8:00 AM actually wake up

8:30 AM eat breakfast

9:00 AM devotional and meeting
This morning we sung Happy Birthday for Alexandria.

10:00 AM personal devotions
I have decided to follow Jesus. I am reading through the Conflict of the Ages series, and am finally in The Great Controversy. Pp. 43-44 really hit me, and I would like to recommit my life to Christ right now. Thank you Lord, you knew I needed to do this today.
I am preaching my first sermon tonight. Prayers are greatly needed now more then ever before.

12:00 PM eat lunch

5:50 PM leave for churches

7:00 PM arrive at church
Everything seemed to be great, except my translator did not arrive until 8:25. We finally began, and it ran smooth. Praise the Lord. There was a Mrs. Karen Glassford there. She said that she was a representative from ShareHim and just happened to be visiting the area on vacation. After the service she wrote me this note on things that I did well.

‘Hey Douglas,
I work at time as an organizer or date block manager for Share Him. I wasn’t here with Share Him. My husband and I help to sponsor some college students here in D.R. (Dominican Republic) But I just have to comment on your sermon. You did a great job!!
Here are some great things you did
1. You smile a lot. That’s important when connecting with your audience
2. You sound sure of the turht you present i.e. you are convincing.
3. You keep saying the Bible can be trusted. Excellent.
4. You look relaxed
5. You do a good job of rephrasing something when your translator doesn’t know a word. (By the way, your translator is excellent.)
Keep up the good work! You are in my prayers!
Karen Glassford
PS Alter call was great – you knew it

Thought it wasn’t a real altar call, I did make an appeal to stand for Jesus like Daniel of old stood for Jesus. But the sermon seemed to go really well. I am so thankful for my translator; but he said that he would not be there in the morning because he himself is a pastor. I am a bit concerned about that, but everything seemed to go really well.
On another note, probably too well. Someone asked me if I was married and then asked if I liked Dominican women. LoL, funny Dominicans.
I have also met someone named Maxwell. Everyone else’s names I’ve forgotten.

10:40 arrive back, have a short meeting, go to sleep.

Day 3 | Thursday

May 24, 2007

Day 3 (Thursday)

8:00 AM wake up and eat

9:30 AM morning devotional and meeting

11:17 AM group picture

12:00 PM eat lunch

1:00 PM get serious, have personal devotions and memorize verses for E.S.
I am taking reading of The Great Controversy very seriously.

5:40 PM called to leave for churches

5:50 PM leave for churches
Mine was the second to the last church that we visited. I met Joseph, who I thought may be my translator because he spoke English, but he’s just visiting from Miami. He left the Dominican when he was 16 and has just recently returned to buy property here. He has offered for me to stay with him in Miami. I would love to visit some time.
I felt kind of at home at my church. It reminds me very much of the Philippines.
My church is also the largest. Talk about great expectations. I better be right with the Lord.

10:50 PM arrive back at the Hotel

11:11 PM eat Pizza
Can’t really be Vegan anymore. No more Pizza, the sauce was not my kind of sauce.
Spend time talking with Dr. Ramirez. He’s growing on me.

12:00 AM? Sleep

Day 2 | Wednesday

May 23, 2007

Day 2 (Wednesday)

7:30 AM wake up

7:50 AM eat

10:00 AM meeting (just like Boot Camp)

12:00 PM eat lunch with La Historian and others.
I was hoping that Nathan would sit with us, but then someone else took the seat I was trying to reserve for him.
La Historian calculated my age.

12:46 PM done eating lunch

12:48 PM have Nathan help La Historian with her things down the stairs
Then help Nathan with his things, check-out, and get a phone card

1:30 PM back in meetings

3:25 PM group picture












3:30 PM Goodbye AUC group (Nathan and La Historian)

4:00 PM go into the city
We went to the bank, got money to buy things.
Story: AJ and I were trying to find a few things to take back home and souvenirs for others, but this didn’t work out at planned. We eventually got post cards and went to the post offices. AJ asked how much something was, but we think that it was taken the wrong way and they thought “How much were they” (the prostitutes)? As I was filling out the card they began to feel AJ and I up and I quickly said, Pastora (I was eventually corrected to say, Pastor). But that didn’t really stop them, and then AJ was like, oh “We have to go.” Vamanos!
Oh Prostitutes, why would you?

6:00 PM group meeting

8:00 PM evening devotional

9:00 PM call home

9:15 PM get in touch with Mom

10:00 PM begin talking with my roommate Shane Fenton.

11:00 PM? Sleep

iLeave for Dominican | Day 1 | Tuesday

May 22, 2007

Day 1

3:00 AM Finish working at the Chung’s home on their family video, begin to burn the DVD while I quickly drive home.

3:30 AM arrive home to start packing for the trip

4:30 AM finish packing, no time to change.

4:35 AM arrive at the school to drop my things off and quickly return

4:40 AM arrive home and come back to the school

5:00 AM leave the school to go to ATL airport

8:50 AM check-in at the airport

9:00 AM go through security

9:10 AM arrive at Terminal T, Gate 36. DVD still not burned.

9:30 AM leave my computer at Wrap-a-bag for Mrs. Chung to pick up.

9:45 AM go through security again

10:15 AM get something to eat at Panda Express in Terminal T

10:12 AM back at Gate 36, board the plane











2:00 PM arrive in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

2:45 PM meet the AUC group and load the buses

3:00 PM drive to Boca Chica












4:00 PM check-in to Hotetuer Dominican Bay
Make a complete full of myself talking to the AUC group. Meet la historian.

4:37 PM see the beach near the hotel

4:40 PM at the beach























5:45 PM leave the beach and spend time with the AUC group

7:00 PM eat with the AUC group

9:00 PM meet with the Southern group

10:00 PM leave to pick up Nathan at the airport
Spend the rest of the night talking with Nathan
First time I was officially offered a prostitute. Thank God Nathan was there to say Pastor to the people. When we were returning we were trying to be persuaded to get a drink for someone. Boca Chica, my heart goes out to you.

11:00 PM sleep

iMiss Home

One can actually see the Four Peaks in the background. This is about 2 1/2 hours drive from my house, but you can see from there.


Today I spent some time with a friend at my house and they were showing me pictures of their home in Brazil & some pictures of Switzerland and it really made me miss home. So iMiss Home.

Happy Birthday Lance