One of my favorite things about our life is watching God move. He is moving in people, in communities, in sports, in the country, in groups, and I have a front row seat. It's almost like a movie being played out seeing His hand reaching here and there and placing people in the right place at the right time. So many things happen that some may deem "coincidence" but I know it's God aligning the correct parts at the perfect time. In our time here we have seen different ministries coming together as one to complete the work. We went to Puerto Plata this morning to work with Juan Salazar (a basketball coach from Santo Domingo whose work is similar to AIM's- preaching and setting a Christian foundation for youth through the use of sport). In addition to the contacts we made through Juan Salazar, we met one of the most amazing people I have met on this island. He is a deaf mute and only speaks through signing and symbols. It started innocently enough with him encouraging us not to sit beneath the pigeons. He excitedly explained who he was and what his job was. He signed that he has 2 kids (1 that plays basketball and 1 that plays volleyball). When he understood what we do, he went to work. I believe we met 7 coaches, trainers, leaders and such within about 10 minutes. Every time J would sit down to watch the game, he came over with another person to meet. He has one of the biggest hearts and love for Christ. But what makes this love and passion even stronger is that he did not have to speak the words of his love for Christ, but rather his joy, his love for others, and his love for connecting people showed everything. As I was writing this up, I realized I want my life to be an example like this man's. I don't want to have to prove my love for Christ with my words. In fact more often than not I will get in His way. But I want to show my love for Him through everything I do. As cliché as it is, "actions speak louder than words," so my prayer is that my actions (whatever they may be), my joy, and my heart would show through to others to see without opening my mouth.
Here J is preaching with Juan Salazar and his team.
Inside the basketball court.
Ryann is pulling up on everything. I do believe we will have a "walker" soon.
This is our new friend with Ryann!
A picture of the soccer field outside of the basketball court. Puerto Plata has their first professional soccer league and their first game is today.
Oh that's right, we live on an island! :) (taken from the car as we left the basketball court)
As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19
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