As we are preparing to depart in only a few weeks, we thought it would be good to take a look back on all the Lord has done to get us to this point.
Jared and I have both felt that one day we would be called to full time ministry even before we knew each other. The Lord has been teaching us and molding us and directing our steps, probably more ways than we even know.
I(Steph) had an opportunity to go on a short term missions trip with our church, Calvary Chapel of Delta, PA in January 2011. I was very nervous to go and don't know how I even signed up for the trip. I guess the Lord was working! During the first few days of the trip I felt out of place and did not see my purpose in being there. Then we began facilitating New Believer's Classes in the evening and I felt a passion to see these beautiful people grow in their faith and understand their Savior more.
The Lord gave me Romans 10:13-15
For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"
Unbeknownst to me, Jared was at home praying that the Lord would give me direction regarding our future. I returned home and shared with him what the Lord had shown me. The Lord had been working in Jared's heart and he was willing to pursue the idea. We began to pray and talk with our church leadership.
Our church facilitates a child sponsorship program, In Calvary's Care, with over 200 children currently in the program. The staff of In Calvary's Care began having weekly Bible studies which has grown into a small church, Calvary Chapel of Barahona. 
Our pastor and church leadership began to pray about the possibility of sending us to the Dominican Republic to join with the current staff and support the work they are already doing. After over a year, 100% of our elder board agreed that the Lord had prepared us and was sending us to the Dominican Republic. With their approval, we began to move forward.
We purposed in our heart to not force this to happen. We knew the Lord was/is capable of taking care of every obstacle. As we began to knock on doors, the Lord was faithful to open each one. Over the last 4 months He provided a renter for our house, we sold almost all our possessions. The Lord raised up leaders to take over the Junior High ministry we had been leading for two years. He enabled us to obtain all the paperwork we needed for Residency Visas and we received approved Visas in only two weeks!
We also knew that if this was a work of the Lord, He would provide for our financial needs as well. We didn't solicit funds, but just prayed that the Lord would provide. He was so faithful. We have over 100% of our monthly budget! We even have extra for ministry expenses.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesian 2:10
We are excited to see what the Lord is going to do over the next few weeks as we prepare to go and how He will use us once we arrive in Barahona. Thank you so much for your support and prayers! It means so much to us. We know the Lord loves for His people to come to Him in prayer and we know we have seen Him work so clearly and mightily over the last 1 1/2 years because of those who have been praying. Thank you!
Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." Matthew 9:37
