Predicando (preaching)

Well, J survived his first preaching in Spanish (thanks in large part to all of your prayers).  And although I could not understand everything, I think he did great!  J, however, felt frustrated because he could not speak with the same passion, humor, or vocabulary as he does in English.  According to him, he felt like he sounded like an 8 year old.  But, one of the true blessings is that God can take even an "8 year olds" words and reach somebody for His glory. 

For me, one of the best parts was J's discussion on an insight into heaven (I read the transcript in English before the preaching).  Sometimes at church, we sing songs that were first written in English (most of these you might be familiar with such as Revelation Song or Stronger).  When they sing these songs in Spanish, J and I are often following along but in English.  As it states in Revelation 7:9-10,

"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.  They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 
And they cried out in a loud voice:

'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'"

For us, this is one of those rare moments when we get to be a part of that "every nation, tribe, people and language."  And yet we are only singing in 2 languages!  Can you imagine what it will be like to stand before the throne praising God with brothers and sisters from everywhere (and I mean literally everywhere) with all types of languages?!!  You cannot help but smile throughout Worship especially when God gives you visions such as this. 

 

Our Daddy God continues to lay the path for our feet in the Dominican.  Through His working, we have met several other American missionaries, and we are actually meeting up with one of the couples (who have been here 8 years and have a local school) tomorrow.  God is moving so quickly that I feel like we are sprinting to keep up.  I cannot wait to continue to watch His story unfold and see what He has in store for us.  Thanks again for your prayers and love.  Although we are getting settled and feeling more and more comfortable, we still miss home and each of you! 

 

p.s.  Please keep praying as J has been asked by Mercedes (one of our beloved Haitian sisters in Christ) to preach at her church this Sunday.  I know J is honored to be asked but nervous at the same time.