Roots Grow Deep

Street Ministry with the Prostitutes

2012-02-03T11:45:00.000-04:00

So, Wednesday night, I made dinner for about 30 prostitutes, some drug dealers, police men that hang around there, taxi drivers and some random men, that I am assuming are pimps. It was actually really cool! My two Dominican friends, Rich, myself and the three gals living at our community center all made soup and brought it down to the ocean blvd called the Malecón. We left our house at about 11:30pm and didn't get home to 3am. I can honestly say I don't know if I have ever been out driving around that late! It was so weird to see our always busy, packed streets completely empty, except for others similar to those we served soup to.
What was most impressing to both Rich and myself was the surprising normalcy of the women. What I mean by that is, I have always had an image, as I am assuming most do, of what a prostitute looked like/acted like.
Of course I have seen them at a distance, but never this close and personal. These ladies were a variety of ages with different stories. Most of them, you would not know were prostitutes if standing next to them at the grocery store. Talking with one named Isabel, I found out she had three kids just like me, and the same ages as well. I asked if someone made her work the streets, and she said no. She does it to support her Grandma with cancer and her kids. There were hugs, kisses, we laughed, sang and prayed. It is amazing how utterly simple it can be to practically show the love of Jesus to a rejected people.

Erin, Amber and Josiah at our apt. cutting veggies for the soup.

Since we obtained our community center in May my eyes have been opened in a new way to prostitution happening in our city. I knew as in every big city that this was going on, but I actually never saw prostitutes. I guess I assumed it was something that was more hidden. I have had my eyes opened because on any given night driving home from the community center, we drive past scores of them standing on the ocean blvd. called the Malecón.
So, I have had a heavy heart not knowing what I could do or how to reach out to them. It is something that I had a feeling God would lead me to get involved with at some point, but I knew as we were opening the center, it was not the right time. Well God never ceases to amaze me at His ability to network. It was not too long after that a friend of my approached me with the same desire. Hmm. I said, let's keep praying. Well, to spare you all the little details, and fast forword a bit,I have been meeting more and more people involved in different aspects of this type of ministry.
What it boils down to, is it seems that God has given two friends of mine, Veronica, Soraya and I very similar hearts and visions. Our dream at this point is to be able to offer them a place to go/training in a trade if they want to leave the life of the streets. This is just the very beginning and it will be exciting to see how God continues to lead us.

2012-01-19T17:21:00.001-04:00

Mark 1:41 "Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched the man."

What happens to your heart after being on the mission field for more than five years? Many, many things can happen. Does it become calloused to the poverty and brokenness all around? Does it become tired, fighting battles trying to rescue so many people from what's been trying to destroy them for generations? Does it become more and more faith-filled, seeing God come through in so many situations that are beyond us? Does the passion grow or diminish with time? It could be any of these, but I ask the question because some recent experiences caused me to reflect on how much our hearts are broken as we simply step out to love God and love people, and really let Him channel his compassion for people through us, day after day...

Last week we received a team of young adults who spent a week with us, building relationships with our Dominican university students and sharing God's Word together, serving in places of need, praying for God's move in this country, and working hard to help get the community center ready for the new semester which has now started.

One evening we had the opportunity to take the team to love people in a children's hospital near us. Dominican and American young people side by side nervously stepped into hospital rooms, with backpacks full of toys, there to find a dozen beds in a room, little boys and girls quietly resting, attached to IVs, some with a tired mother or aunt by their side. Some had been there for several days or more. Though they didn't know us, they were evidently grateful to see us, as we gingerly approached the beds, offering a toy, and a word of comfort and prayer. It's amazing how open people can be to the presence of Jesus in moments like this. The first room I walked in to was a waiting-room for just parents--parents with kids in intensive care. About a dozen people sat pensively in a small room. They didn't all know each other, but all seemed interconnected by their common pain. As I came through the door with some bibles in hand, all eyes were on me, and I realized that I had nothing prepared to say to these precious people. Yet as I opened my mouth, unplanned words of comfort, encouragement, and hope began to pour out. My heart just went out to them. I told them how I identity with their situation, having spent days in the hospital with our son Josiah at different times. I asked the names and ages of their children. We went around the room, and they way they said their names, you realized that they were sharing the name of their most valued treasure--I repeated their names, trying to pronounce them with the same care and tendereness as these heavy-hearted parents. My heart was knit to theirs, and it broke with them, but I swallowed hard and continued to share the huge love that Jesus has for us and the hope that we have in Him. His presence was felt in that room in a way I can't describe. I think that's why the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter. God continued to pour through me words of love and hope. As I offered to pray for the group, the response was incredible. We stood, took hands and formed a circle in that hospital waiting-room, again connected by our common need for God's compassionate love and comfort...and as I began to pray, people also began to pour out thier hearts to God. Everyone just sensed that He was there, there for them in their moment of need. As we finished praying, bright eyes, moist with tears, stared at me, with soft smiles showing evidence of a supernatural peace. I didn't quite know what to say next, so I said, "If anyone needs a hug, I have a hug for you." Everyone stood motionless for a moment...until the first person stepped forward...a grandma who appeared to be in her 70's at least, and took the hug. Then the people lined up, and we shared hugs all around, with people I'd just met a few minutes before, as if we were close family. I walked over to the one male in the room, a man who appeared to be around 50, and extended my hand. He didn't shake it. By-passing my hand extended, he grabbed me and took a hug as well.

After leading them in a prayer of salvation, with several responding, I carefully asked who needed a Bible, apologizing that I only had four with me, not enough for everyone. I was relieved when exactly four ladies raised their hands. What I heard next, I hope that I never forget: holding her new Bible up, one lady looked at me and said gently but with conviction, "This is the greatest gift that I have received."

My heart had been broken, but now was full of joy at God's goodness in this special moment. My heart was to break yet again that evening.

In another room in the children's hospital lay about a dozen little boys, around the ages of 8-12, the same age as as my son. Enter 4 young guys from the mission team, a Dominican college student, and I. We're frozen for a second, noticing these boys, the one young nurse, a couple of moms sitting by their boys, and even one young mother curled up asleep at the foot of her sons bed, trying to get some much needed rest. We passed out the toys and prayed for each mom and child...I was there as a bridge in a sense, along with Gilbert, our Dominican student, helping to communicate God's love from the hearts of these short-term missions guys who didn't speak spanish and were totally out of thier comfort zone, yet with hearts wide open.

As we prepared to leave, we noticed an 11 year-old boy shyly holding onto the corner of a hospital bed, next to where a young man who appeared to have down's syndrome lay sleeping. The little boy struggled to make eye contact as I asked him his name and age. "Daniel," he repeated, until I could hear what he said. He appeared to have scars on his face. I continued talking to him, trying to find out if he was with someone, when the mom of another little boy in the bed behind me explained, "He was abandoned here by his parents."

Looking down at his little face, I was overwhelmed by emotion and threw my arms around the boy. "Dios te ama," I told him. By then, the rest of the guys were there, wondering about the boy. It was hard for me to talk...I had a lump in my throat, but I had to be the translator. So I tried to swallow the lump and let them know what little I knew about Daniel's situation. I later found out that he had been left there on Dec. 22. We prayed for Daniel. Funny how offering a prayer can at times feel like giving nothing, but at the same time be the greatest thing we have to give. I asked Daniel if he knew about prayer. He said no, but he knew who God was. I just told him we were going to talk to God together with him. "Do you want that?" He immediately agreed. One of the young men from the team was also named Dan...As we surrounded the boy, Dan placed his hands on the little boy and began to pour out his heart, in heart-felt words of blessing, hope and promise for Daniel. I was surprised at how well Dan was able to hold it together in spite of being visibly moved, until he finished the prayer. Turning to his team leader, Matt, he buried his face into this chest and broke down weeping.

I just don't think there are words to describe the emotion when you let God break your heart for people like that. God broke all of our hearts that night...For the suffering kids, moms and dads who would have spent another evening alone without us showing up with simple gifts and prayers. For the boys and girls who have no family to love them. For so many people who don't know the comfort of the Savior in their darkest moments.

As I drove towards home that evening, my heart was still broken inside of my chest as I whispered prayers to God, and nearing home, asked Him to hold me together so that I could swallow the lump still residing in my throat and be a normal dad for my kids.

I think my heart breaks every week...for the 5 year old kids forced out to the streets to ask for pesos from strangers; for the fatherless young women at the university who are being used by college guys who don't respect themselves either; for the dozens of women who lose their lives each month at the hands of abusive spouses; for God's kids who give into discouragement and desperately need an encouraging word and someone to believe in them; and for a generation of young leaders filled with potential, but not seeing it in themselves.

As I write, I feel guilty that I haven't been a better communicator, that I haven't shared so much of what's in my heart with so many who pray for us and believe in this work during the last 5 years. I'm truly sorry, but the only thing I can say in my defense is that it's hard to find words when you have a lump in your throat.

Thank you so much for always standing with us, even from miles away. Love you!

!Dios te bendiga!

Rich

2011-12-16T11:46:00.000-04:00


Many people were very willing to receive prayer with open hearts

Dr. Francisco Sabado consulting

Lunch with the Med students. Francisco shared his heart and passion with them

FIRST MEDICAL CLINIC Dec. 6th, 2011 el Puente community center

Medical students check blood pressure

What a special day! Over 100 people came in for a free medical clinic we offered at the community center near the university of Santo Domingo. We invited a dozen medical students who volunteered a day to come and collect data, check blood pressure, height and weight, and give recommendations about diet and health to the community. Dr. Francisco Sabado, a medical missionary with years of experience here also colaborated, consulting with patients throughout the day. Each of the patients who visited were offered prayer. Our faithful students didn't just prayer for people; they truly took time to listen, share and care for each person who came through. As a result, 15 people opened their lives to Christ! Everyone who came through the center felt cared for and at peace as both med students and our young leaders took the time to get to know them and let them know that they are important to us and to God.
Kirsten prepared a great lunch which we shared with the medical students, most of whom we had met for the first time. Dr. Fransisco shared his heart and passion for serving through medicine with the students, and spoke of the miracles he's experienced during his time on the field. All were impacted.
The clinic resumed and even as we wrapped up the afternoon, young people who had come through were receiving prayer ministry through tears.
We can't wait to serve the community in this way in the upcoming year. For now, we are continuing to pray for the people by name and working to stay in contact with those who were most touched that day. We had a taste of God's heart for them, and we know they felt some of His heart and care for them as well.

Steven, far right, a christian student we mentor, had the vision for this clinic

This is just one of the ways that we hope to serve the many people of this community in next year. Can't wait to see what God will do. Thank you for your prayers!

2011-11-30T15:06:00.001-04:00

We pray that youthoroughly enjoyed your Thanksgiving week! There is so much to be thankful for whenyou’re a child of the King. We’re so thankful to be doing what we aredoing because we get see lives changed through Jesus love where there is somuch need of it.

We get to see peoplelike Eduardo’s life being transformed before our eyes. Eduardo is a young man who made the decisionto follow Jesus about 5 months ago. Whenhe first came to the church, he was quiet and sullen. He kept to himself and rarely smiled. As we took the time to sit, talk and listen,we found that he was willing to talk about his past: about his father, a formermafia member, who abused him and his mom, spent time in prison, and was laterkilled by other gang members. He’s livedin different foster homes. He shared about his fears, his belief in God,and that he wasn’t going to decide to follow Him until it was a sinceredecision to give all. He was baptized inSeptember, and has given all. I rarelysee him now without a smile. He hasintegrated into the youth ministry and is joining the worship team. He always talks to me after the service,telling me that each night he takes time to read “the book” (that’s what hecalls the New Testament we gave him) and thanks God for everything in his life. He says “I feel Him right there withme!” l

Last week God providedhim with a job. He will never be thesame.

We thank God for you! Becauseof your love and sacrifice, testimonies like this are possible.

“³ Every time I think of you, Igive thanks to my God. ⁴ Whenever I pray, I make my requests for allof you with joy, ⁵ for you have been my partners in spreading theGood News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. ⁶And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continuehis work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:3-6

God is so good.

OPPORTUNITIES!

As we finish 2011, weask you to join us in praying that God would prepare hearts as we have theopportunity to share the Good News that Jesus saves any some special ways.

Sewing ministry

This week Kirstenlaunched a sewing ministry, with the help of Laura Collazo, training some ofour faithful young ladies to create projects that can be sold to help support the center and help those in need. (See the handbands, pic below) We hope to train a core group that can eventuallytrain women from the streets near the community center, giving them anopportunity to earn income and escape the dangerous and degrading lifestyle of prostitution. Huge thanks to those who invested to helplaunch this project!

English Christmas party

Since launchingenglish classes in the community center this September, our faithful teachersLisa, Caleb and Kirsten have spent hours teaching english and buildingrelationships with the 24 students who take classes here each week. On December 2^nd we will celebratean “American Christmas party”—fun music, treats and games, but most importantlywe will take the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus love that they’vebeen observing in our lives these past months, that they too may receive Hisgift. Please pray that hearts will bewide open that evening.

Medical Clinic

On December 6^thwe will host our first medical clinic here in the community center, lead by oneof the young medical students from our church. He is inviting many fellow med students to help run the clinic, and weare inviting an experienced medical missionary to help supervise and share histestimony with the students over lunch. We will also offer prayer for all those who come to the clinic to havevital signs checked and received medical advice. As you can see there will be manyopportunities to bring Good News and hope to people’s lives that day. Again, please join us in praying that heartswill be open.

Dinner Theater

On December 11^thour youth here will be dancing, acting and serving dinner for all who come to aspecial Christmas play at the church. They have worked very hard and pressed through challenges, because theywant their friends and family to know the One who has brought hope to theirlives. We would particularly ask prayerfor some of the parents of these young people—that God would reach into theirhearts and free them to receive His love and goodness, that families would findwholeness in Him.

Next semester at the university

We are alreadybeginning to pray and plan for students to be reached out to next semester,through the ministry of the Bridge community center here at the university ofSanto Domingo. January is the time whenthe largest number of students come to study for the first time, arriving tothe capital from every province of the country. We want to serve them, invite them into a community of love andacceptance, and offer them God’s Word through different student-led cell groups,and other activities. Again, please joinus in praying for God to prepare hearts, and for creativity and compassion tomeet these wide-eyes young people where they’re at.

“May God bless you and keep you, cause His faceto shine upon you, and give you peace” As we finish 2011 and looktowards 2012. Thank you for your on-goingprayers. Much love!

2011-11-28T11:43:00.001-04:00

This year we shared Thanksgiving in the university community center with some wonderful people who serve in different ministries here in the Dominican Republic. We enjoyed a great meal with turkey, trimmings, and plenty of desserts. We are so thankful to our God. Before we prayed and thanked Him, we took a few minutes to read Psalm 103 together, reflecting on just a few of the ways that God shows His goodness to us. See if you can read this a not feel thankful!

Psalm 103

¹ Let all that I am praise the Lord;with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

² Let all that I am praise the Lord;
      may I never forget the good things he does for me.
³ He forgives all my sins
      and heals all my diseases.
⁴ He redeems me from death
      and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
⁵ He fills my life with good things.
      My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! ⁶ The Lord gives righteousness
      and justice to all who are treated unfairly.
⁷ He revealed his character to Moses
      and his deeds to the people of Israel.
⁸ The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
      slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
⁹ He will not constantly accuse us,
      nor remain angry forever.
¹⁰ He does not punish us for all our sins;
      he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
¹¹ For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
      is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
¹² He has removed our sins as far from us
      as the east is from the west.
¹³ The Lord is like a father to his children,
      tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
¹⁴ For he knows how weak we are;
      he remembers we are only dust.
¹⁵ Our days on earth are like grass;
      like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
¹⁶ The wind blows, and we are gone—
      as though we had never been here.
¹⁷ But the love of the Lord remains forever
      with those who fear him.
   His salvation extends to the children’s children
    ¹⁸ of those who are faithful to his covenant,
      of those who obey his commandments!
¹⁹ The Lord has made the heavens his throne;
      from there he rules over everything.
²⁰ Praise the Lord, you angels,
      you mighty ones who carry out his plans,
      listening for each of his commands.
²¹ Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels
      who serve him and do his will!
²² Praise the Lord, everything he has created,
      everything in all his kingdom.
   Let all that I am praise the Lord.

PRAYER ROOM University of Santo Domingo

2011-10-18T17:12:00.000-04:00

PRAYER ROOM University of Santo Domingo

We are currently inour second week of a special call to prayer here at the Bridge communitycenter, a block from the major university in the Dominican Republic, unitingthe christian community (and beyond) to come and pray at the prayer room. We’ve called it promesa 33/3 (the 33/3 promise), which comes from God’s words inJeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.” University students are coming and calling onGod in the prayer room in shifts 9am-6pm…many from different campus ministries,some alone, some in groups, some curious, some “unchurched”,some desperate for help, some desperate to see a change in their generation. The hunger as well as the unity is abeautiful thing to see and be a part of.

One young lady fromour church had signed up to take an hour in the prayer room the first morning,but strangely her car wouldn’t start, so she said she couldn’t make it. She called her mechanic, also a Christian—he toldher “Don’t let that stop you; go anyway.” So she arrived in public transportation and prayed her hour. I was there at the community center with anotheryoung man. When she came out, she wasfull of His Spirit and His presence was so strong—the three of us began topray together, and spontaneous worship flowed for almost another hour. A week later, she told me since that day shehas felt a greater fullness of His spirit.

Later that same day, ayoung lady from another church came to pray, bringing 10 friends from herschool, some Christians, some not. Shetook them to the prayer room, asked them their needs, and began to pray. Soon tears began to form in their eyes, somewere on their face, and I was there praying quietly and watching. I felt led to share about the shepherd whowent to search for the one lost sheep, and then gave an invitation for anyonewho wanted to come to Jesus. Allresponded.

The next morning I wasthere worshipping and praying there with another guy from the university, and Iwent to the basket where people are writing their prayer requests to God, makingthem available for others to agree with them. I started to realize how deep the cry is from many hearts as they cometo the prayer room when I pulled out the first hand-written request I touched. It said in Spanish “God, help me to forgive thosewho murdered my father.” I caught mybreath…I began to intercede. We began topull out other requests from the basket… “God, bring peace and restoration tomy home.” “Provide a job so that I canhelp support my family.” “God, pleaseheal my marriage, and let your peace and harmony come to it.” “Please help the young people of ourgeneration get free from sin and violence.” We were nearly in tears; at that moment we started to feel what God mustfeel for His kids who are hurting and in need as they cry out to Him.

There is now an entire wall filled withprayers written to God, and we’re not done yet. These are just a few testimonies…and more are yet to come. Here at this campus of over 120,000 students,there are many more hungry, hurting hearts waiting for an encounter with Jesus. Join us in seeking and desiring arevival here, one heart at a time.

2011-09-11T21:39:00.002-04:00

One day earlier this week I found myself kneeling in the prayer room in the new Christian community center. The center is located in a part of Santo Domingo known for parties and prostitution, but most importantly located just a block from the largest university in the country, where thousands of typically low-income potential young leaders gather from around the country every day. But as I prayed for God to move in the Dominican Republic, I wasn’t alone. Alongside me was a dedicated college student from our church, and two un-churched law students I’m getting to know. I can see that they are anxious to make a difference in the world around them. We each wrote prayers on a 3x5 cards, shared them, and then pinned them to the wall next to maps of the Dominican Republic and the world, expressing our desire for real change. We prayed that the change would start in our own hearts. I plan to invite them to one of several new Bible studies we will be starting over the next couple of weeks here.

We are just at the beginning of seeing what God will do as we seek Him and love people in this strategic spot. Thank you so much for being a part of His move.

2011-08-29T15:40:00.002-04:00

Hi friend!

"I thank my God every time I remember you..." Phil. 1:3

How are you? Just wanted to take a moment to thank you sharing this adventure with us here in the Dominican Republic, and let you know more about what God is doing in our lives and in this country...what an opportunity.

we love and miss you,

Rich and Kirsten

(to see more pics of the newly dedicated university minisry center, check out our FB paga: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Centro-Comunitario-Cristiano-el-Puente/270120342999122)

Wow, this summer has been an adventure in many ways…Most recently, we’re so thankful that once again we were saved from the storm here on the south coast of the Dominican Republic. It’s really amazing to see the hurricane passed both north and south of us, actually splitting up and just sprinkling us with some light rain and wind. Last Sunday at church we prayed fervently, as the trajectory of the cyclone seemed to be heading straight for us, promising chaos and endangered lives. Thank you for joining with us…God is faithful!

With the opening of the new community center at the university (more on that below) we were able to receive our first missions team there, 14 YWAMers from Montana. It was amazing to share that time with them here, as they filled the center and university campus with, worship and intercession, formed relationships with the people here, and shared Jesus’ strong love in very needy communities. During their time here, they touched the lives of many; including a young man we met on the campus that joined us for lunch at the center. That day he gave His life to Jesus—the first person to receive Jesus in the new ministry center!

We also launched our first english classes here this summer, under the capable direction of Lisa Rodgers. (Keep here covered in prayer as she plays a key role in this new ministry adventure.) We are working to launch the second round in September, offering more levels and even adding new teachers (including Kirsten and Caleb)—Lives are already being touched, and we pray that through the classes many more lives will be touched.

Speaking of new teachers, we welcomed the Backholm family to the Dominican Republic (Caleb, Abby, Keilani, Malachi and Amelia) on August 12! Following God’s lead they took the leap of faith and plan to live and serve here with us for the next year. Keep them in your prayers as they continue to transition to a very different life. It’s fun to have old friends here, and we look forward to seeing all that God has planned for them here!

Along with the many other firsts, Faith started 7^th grade at a new school called Genesis (appropriate named for a new experience). We had prayed as parents for months over God’s direction for her schooling. We had intended to investigate Genesis but before we could…This summer Faith attended an amazing, life-changing, YWAM summer camp, where she made some new friends who really love Jesus. And guess where they go to school…yep, Genesis. Josiah will continue homeschooling, and Esther moves on to pre-premario (kindergarten phase 2). Keep them in prayer during this transition time also. Thanks!

This past Sunday we had a beautiful time of dedication in the new Christian community center located here at the University of Santo Domingo. Pastor Charlie and other faithful leaders and members of the first Foursquare church lifted up their hearts together with ours, thanking God for what He has done and will do here. We filled the building with prayers and praise, and each one wrote a scripture or specific word of blessing to post on the wall of the prayer room, the special room that we hope will serve as a catalyst for a might movement of prayer in this community. As we now head into the fall semester, we are praying and preparing our Christian college students to make a real impact on this super-strategic place, where students gather from every province of the island, and various nations of the world.

We’ve had so many wonderful words about God healing broken hearts, setting people free, raising up and sending out leaders, and about His presence and light here at the newly opened Christian community center and prayer room. But along with those words have come words, also from the Lord, about opposition and battles. That’s no surprise by now, since we’ve already faced opposition, but knowing how difficult that can be at times--it’s a little unnerving. So this week I nervously asked the Lord, “How do we respond to the opposition and the battles?” The answer was simple. “Stay close to Me.”

It came to mind what David wrote in Psalm 63:8 “My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” He understood battles and opposition. And he also understood real intimacy. I’m sure that’s what God wants, above all.

So I guess it’s safe to say that we’re headed for greater times of intimacy than ever, in the midst of battles. He promised He would be with us.

Thank you for always holding up our hands in prayer.

Please pray specifically for:

-Wisdom and direction as we dive head-first into this new ministry and all that it entails

-covering over our family

-For our young leaders here from the campus to have the strength and focus to serve first as ministers on their campus, and then students. That they would have the vision and conviction that God wants to use them, that they may press through any obstacles.

- Prayer for unity among His people who will benefit from the center and salvation for those don’t yet know Him.

-God’s wisdom and provision: To know God’s plan to continue to sustain the university community center beyond next year.

We pray that God will bring peace to any storms that you may be facing as well.

Blessings!

Rich and Kirsten

2011-07-22T11:39:00.001-04:00

³ In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,⁴ because we have heard about the faith you have in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all of God's people…Everywhere in the world that Good News is bringing blessings and is growing. Colossians 1:3-4 NCV

Just wanted to thank you for praying for us, and for the people here in the Dominican Republic. Jesus truly is the hope of the nations. I was reminded that once again this week as we watched God bring hope to people who would otherwise feel forgotten and forsaken. Here are a couple of recent experiences that are lingering in our hearts:

-Nicholas is an adolescent who grew up in foster care. I can’t imagine how broken his life has been until now… He’s got a great smile… many simple things in life are more challenging for him then for most, yet for the last several weeks he’s come with his older brother to youth group and Sunday services, and has made his way into many of our hearts. Last Sunday after church he was wanting to ask us something as we were trying to finishing closing up the church building. “Some time, maybe next Saturday or Sunday, when we’re here again, I’ve been thinking I want to accept Jesus into my heart. I’ve done a lot of bad things, but I want to change and put my whole life in His hands.” Yes! We sat down right then, I asked him to pray in his own words first. It was one of the best prayers of salvation I’ve ever heard—from the heart. Since then he can’t stop telling us how glad he is that he made that decision. So are we!

-We met Juan on the university campus last week playing basketball, with a ywam youth team working here with us. He’s lost both parents and life is difficult…he spends most of his days on campus. The day we met him he had nothing for lunch so we invited him to eat with us back at the new community center. I had to run an errand and when I returned, one of the team members was sharing Jesus with him. He believed and understood, then Steven, one of the university students from our church prayed with him and led Him to Christ. The smile on his face when we finished praying together is unforgettable. Since then, he’s spent hours with the team and is reading the Bible. We’re praying for him to find work and asking about jobs.

- We got to serve with Pastor Jerry Poppe and the Haitians from his church this week, reaching into a new community where they acquired a small church building. The community is extremely poor. Most people are living in homes made of pieced-together metal supported by sticks, water comes only twice a week, and there is little employment, yet people are holding onto hope. We got to paint the wood and metal church building, put on a really fun kid’s program for a bunch of kids from the neighborhood and pray for people’s needs. Many children asked Jesus into their life. At the end of one of the kid’s programs, we asked if anyone had needs they would like prayer for. An 11 year old boy Jose was the first to step forward. He quietly shared that his family was in need right now…they had no money. That afternoon the team split up to go to people’s homes to pray, and we went to Jose’s home first. We picked up a ripe avocado and a bag of rice. There we met Patricia his mom, a young lady with a strong faith in spite of hurt and deep challenges. As we shared encouragement with them and gave them the food, she shared that her husband has had problems and had left the family 3 days before. We saw a framed picture of the couple on the wall of their little home. As we prayed together, you could sense God’s presence there with us so strong. Before we prayed, she wasn’t sure if she wanted him to come back. Afterwards, she asked if we would take a picture of the photo of her and her husband so that we would remember to pray that God would free him from his problems, and put him on the right path. She was able to forgive and keep believing.

Our heart continues to be broken for these people…yet, there is nothing like seeing the presence of Jesus infuse authentic hope into people, even when the needs are overwhelming. Thanks for continuing to pray for us and the people here.

Praise reports!

-the new community center by the University of Santo Domingo is up and running! We are currently hosting a YWAM team there, reaching out to the campus, and prayfully looking towards the fall semester.

-English classes started in the community center this week. We are blessed to have Lisa Rodgers teaching.

-As mentioned above, there is now a second Haitian church that was birthed out of the first, led by Haitian leaders! Another "lighthouse" shining hope in a place where the need is great.

Blessings!

Rich and Kirsten

2011-07-03T23:19:00.001-04:00

Reclamando Mi Generacion (Claiming my Generation) Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic july1 2011

Friday, july 1 was the start of something. It was deep and God's presence was real. Many of you there, and here, have been praying with us as we took the step of obedience and invited people with like hearts to the university of Santo Domingo to declare that this generation of young people in the DR will find their hope in God and change history. July is not the most strategic month to gather students since many less are on campus, but we knew that God had ordained that day. Tropical rains hindered many people from coming who wanted to be there. The worship team, a bus full of gifted, anointed young people, got a flat tire on the way, arriving 2.5 hours late. But they made it. Looking just at the numbers in attendence, compared to what it could have been, wasn't all that impressive...I don't know maybe 150 gathered in the university gymnasium. A handful of people received Christ. But it was powerful. Honestly, the sense of God's pleasure over this continues to be so strong. It felt like Gideon's army...I don't say that to "spiritualize" a smaller turnout then we had anticipated. The general consensus was that it felt like the beginning of something. The worship was electric. College students shared their passion for God to move and led us in prayer, confessing the sins of their nation and generation. Many different ministries were represented, many we didn't even know about before, who share the same passion for seeing a move of God birthed in prayer through young people. And there was unity that is not often seen. Students are looking forward to "next time"...If we had been one congregation worshipping together in a church, maybe it would have been no big deal. But we were a diverse representation of the Body of Christ gathered not inside a church building, but on the campus that is at the heart of the nation, lifting up a declaration of praise and revival. Like I said, it felt like the start of something. So thank you for praying and believing with us. God is pleased, and so are we.

2011-06-17T12:48:00.000-04:00

It is hard to believe how time is flying by! So since my last attempt at posting...(let's see there is one sad picture of the new community center...) Pat Bergford and Linda Rodgers came down and we worked them/ they worked us like crazy! We made some good progress while they were here.

Picked out some new paint colors, and some of our awesome youth came down and painted...

Yomaira and Stephen taking a deserved break!

Josiah helping out, and he worked hard!

Ahhh the fan!

Of course our weather went from mild to incredibly hot and humid the moment Pat and Linda landed, which always make everything seem harder and take longer.
We did a marathon shop at Ikea...like no joke 7 hours or something crazy, but got all sorts of great stuff picked out, like everything and the kitchen sink. No kidding, we really got a kitchen sink. =)
It was our responsibility to put in a kitchen at the center...I will post pics asap. It has turned out really great! I think I may like it better than my own!

Lisa and her mom Linda building the buffet from IKEA!

We got some landscaping done as well. It was so fun to go to the garden shop with Pat, who is an expert gardener. Her and the owner became fast friends, because they both spoke "plants and flowers"


Pat and Esther getting ready to put in flowers!

Some of our new flowers!

NOW --we jump June 17th...We have been in the last month, continuing to get things in order down there. Our prayer room is getting close..and we will have to post pictures of that as well, cause it is probably not what you are picturing in your mind. ..
Rich has been very busy putting together an event we are calling "Reclamando mi generacion"..
This will be held on the campus of the UASD. It is July 1st. And we could use all sorts of prayer as we prepare for that...(ahh 14 days away!). The goal is to get a bunch of different groups and churches united in prayer and worship for the students and campus.

And update on the Root kiddos...

As of June 13th, we have a 12 yr old, 9 yr old and 5 yr old.

Josiah celebrated his bday with some great friends down at our new center...

Bud and Karen Simon were there, the Tichenor kids, The Tucker kids, and Gabriel Peterson. The boys had a sleep over or lack of sleep over with Rich staying to monitor. There was lots of Wii playing, some nerf wars, and movies.

I can't believe how quick they are growing up, in fact Rich and I feel the same way about ourselves. I am going to be 37 tomorrow! ahh. That is getting really stinking close to 40. Does it make anyone else just feel weird the older they get?

Esther just 'graduated' from Kinder, which is like Kindergarten, now will go into Pre-first grade.
It's like Kindergarten phase I and II. =)
She is getting REALLY close to being able to read in Spanish and she can't wait to get that down to start in on English.

Faith just keeps getting older and TALLER!
She will be going into 7th grade this year (shudder)!
Has really started to take up the piano again, and I wouldn't be surprised if she is helping Rich with worship by next year! She is a huge blessing with helping out with her brother and sister as well.

2011-05-18T09:44:00.000-04:00

This is the front room of the center, looking at where you enter.

My Best home made brownies !

2011-05-14T22:00:00.001-04:00

Ok, here is my recipe that I just found and made from the back of the Hershey Chocolate chip bag...

"Ultimate Chocolate Brownies"

3/4 cup Cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda
2/3 cup butter or margarine melted and divided
1/2 cup boiling water
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 -1/3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup semi sweet choco chips

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13x 9 inch baking pan or 2 8 inch square baking pans
2. Stir together cocoa and baking soda in large bowl; stir in 1/3 cup butter. Add boiling water; stir until mixture
thickens. Stir in sugar, eggs, and remaining 1/3 cup melted butter, stir until smooth.. Add flour, vanilla, and salt, blend
completely. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pans.
3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes for rectangular pan or 30 to 35 minutes for square pans or until brownies begin to pull away
from sides of pan. I did a little less that 35 minutes, cause my oven cooks a bit warm and I do not like dry brownies,
I love fudgy type.
Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

(And the frosting was good, but they are just as good with out the frosting.)

Frost with One Bowl Buttercream Frosting.

One bowl buttercream frosting :
6 tbls butter or margarine softened
2 2/3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/3 milk
1 tsp vanilla

Beat butter in medium bowl.
Add powdered sugar and cocoa alternately with milk, beating to spreading consistency. Stir in vanilla.
About 2 cups frosting.

Rich and Kirsten Root
Agape Flights #18736
100 Airport Ave
Venice, Florida 34285
www.rootsgrowdeep.blogspot.com

2011-05-14T02:15:00.000-04:00

Hola!!

Please check out the attached document, that tells about all the good stuff going on down here!
I don't think I have been this excited since first stepping on to the mission field.
Thank you for being a part of our lives.

I also attached a photo album of recent pics from different ministry stuff that we have gotten to be involved in.

Love you all~!

Kirsten and Rich

Rich and Kirsten Root
www.rootsgrowdeep.blogspot.com

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2011-05-14T02:13:00.002-04:00

I don’t even know exactly how to start this ‘cause we are so excited! So let me just dive in and tell you about all the good things, no, no, no,- GREAT things that are happening here! If you are reading this, then you gotta know, YOU are a part of this, so I hope by the end of this little update, you will be excited too!

As of today we have the keys!! To what?, .you may ask.. well, let me give you our incredible miracle in a nut shell…

As we’ve talked about before we’ve had the desire for nearly the past year to open a ministry center near the UASD university here in Santo Domingo. Though the building/money was not appearing, we couldn’t shake the vision and desire that God put on our hearts to place ourselves physically as close as possible to the campus where over 100,000 (that is not a typo!) young people from all over the island gather constantly. You only have to go on this campus once to see the potential and understand how strategic it is to be here! Well, God has opened the door! He has confirmed it by doing what we could not do. He led us to the building, just a block and a half from the primary entrance to the campus, then in just 3 days time, without us asking people, provided offerings to cover rent for a year! The day before we were going to meet with the owners of the building, out of the blue we received a text from a lady from the church, (who knew nothing) and wrote the following word from the Lord: “Buen dia amigo! Esta semana, se te abrirán puertas…Y recibirás con gozo lo prometido!” (uh, let me translate that for you non-spanish speakers…) “Good day friend! This week, the doors will be opened and you will receive with joy what was promised.”

The following day we negotiated a price (agreeing on the exact amount we had in mind, which was $400/month LESS than what they had in mind!) and that afternoon signed the contract. Can I just tell you that nothing happens that quick in this country?!?

We have paid the building for a year, and this week we will begin to prepare the building to create an atmosphere of Christian community to meet the needs of university students, open a prayer room, disciple young leaders, offer classes, and do whatever else God may lead…and we will even have space to host teams or other missionaries and interns.

And hot off the press, we have two very special people coming next week (Pat Bergford and Linda Rodgers) to help us get it all set up! (Lisa, Linda’s daughter has been living with us since September and has been a huge blessing for us, helping lay the foundation of prayer and helping build relationships with students at the UASD and with other Christian groups on campus.)

Another thing that we are very excited about is the girls group we started a few months ago. This is a group for girls from about 11 to 16 yrs.old. Every Friday they come to our house, have a ton of fun, hear an encouraging-relevent word and eat some good food. I (Kirsten) have had a group like this in my mind for years, but knew I wasn’t the one to lead it and the timing just never seemed right. A few months ago, two of our college students and a high school senior stepped up to the plate. I thought I was going to have to ‘sell them’ on my vision, but they took it and RAN with it. On an average we have been having about 12 girls and I wish you could hear how much fun they have! I absolutely love cooking all sorts of ‘American’ stuff for them to try. I have also loved getting to be in the background listing to the college girls lead them WAY better than I could! It makes me so happy/proud/blessed.

Lastly, will we want to ask you to pray for a few things.

· We need you to pray that God will direct us specifically in using this new space to touch many lives deeply. We need a ton of wisdom.

· We are also planning a worship and prayer event for July 1st, uniting many young people on the UASD campus to worship and cry out to God together on behalf on their generation. It’s called Reclamando Mi Generacion. (Reclaiming my Generation.)

· Please pray for the near future of Legado, the immersion discipleship school of ministry we started here a couple of years ago. We have greatly modified the program to make it more accessible to more young leaders, but at this point we’re still uncertain of the specific form it will take and how many students will respond, hopefully to start again in September.

· Please pray for Lisa, who is just waiting on the Lord to direct her for her next steps. (To stay? To leave?) She has also been struggling with some health stuff, and we want to see her healed!

· And last but not least, we started homeschooling in January. It has been going great, but we don’t want to assume this is what we need to do forever, so please pray that we will make the right choice for the coming year.

It’s a constant walk of faith, but God is moving, and we believe He’s preparing to move greatly here. Thank you so much for being on our team. We love you!

We are praying for you all during these tough times that God multiplies all you give, pressed down, shaken together and running over.

God bless!!!

Rich and Kirsten

Dominican Republic update

2011-03-30T19:24:00.000-04:00

³ Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. ⁴ Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, ⁵ for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. ⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Phil.1: 3-6

Hi Friend! We are so thankful for you, and hope that you are doing well in every way…

These verses really express our heart. We're convinced that nothing compares to knowing that people's lives will be forever different because they had a chance to hear the Good News… and that only was made possible because you believed in the cause and partnered with us—we want you to know that it's all worth it. So rejoice with us!

NW District Missions Conference

I, Rich, had the privilege of speaking and teaching on the west and east sides of Washington earlier this month, where many pastors, and other missions-hearted people gathered to connect, learn, and see how they can be used by God to help take the Good News around the world. It was so encouraging to meet and hear from so many wonderful people, some of which are themselves preparing to go to other nations, and others who are already missionaries and shared the many exciting things that God is doing around the world. There were also great times of worship, and prayers lifted up for the nations. We have such a wonderful family of faith; it was a huge honor to be able to speak to such great people. The main message that God stirred in my heart was a call to prayer: when Jesus' heart broke over the needs of the people "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" he said to His disciples, and continues to say to us today, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; ³⁸therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

(It was a great experience, but a bit sad being away from my wonderful wife and kids for a couple of weeks. Kirsten is working hard, into her second month of home schooling our two oldest kids, and I know missed my support--as husband, dad, and "principal." Though in the past she vowed never to home school, she is doing a great job--of course. We were blessed to spend a few days of family fun together after Esther played flower girl in Noah Wimberly's wedding in San Antonio, Texas--congrats Noah and Afton!)

University of Santo Domingo

For the last several months, we have been pursuing the opportunity to reach out to the thousands of potential young leaders at the university of Santo Domingo—one campus where half of all college students in the nation attend. I have no doubt it is one of the most, if not the most important place we could be investing our prayers and energies, on this campus where over 100,000 students gather daily from literally all over the island—students searching for love, truth, acceptance and direction. Most come from broken families and face many challenges. Their hope for the future is fragile. Much prayer has gone into this pursuit, and much time spent on campus, seeking to see what God is doing and wants to do.

Most recently, we have started meeting weekly to share God's Word and pray with interested students. Just yesterday at the small group that meets under a tree on campus, we shared from God's Word, and we were able to encourage and pray for several students. At least two made a commitment to follow Christ, and others visited who recently have been touched by God. Thanks to a recent gift, we were able get new believer's Bibles into their hands. Debbie Kitterman was with us, and she spoke words from the Lord over many young people. That made a great impact, and we are thankful for her partnership, just as we are for yours. Pray that the momentum continues to build!

Young ladies group!

The young people of the DR and Haiti desperately need the guidance and love of fathers and mothers and role models. One group that often gets overlooked is the 11-14 year olds—an important age that can really shape a person's future, especially in the fast-paced world we live in. We are excited, because now, every Friday evening, our home is filled with young ladies (one of them being our own 12 year old daughter Faith!) These girls, many of whom have not been connected with a family of faith, and may not have a secure place to open up, are sharing their lives, learning, laughing, eating, and having such a good time that they're inviting their friends. Faith has done a great job inviting, Kirsten is doing a great job hosting, as well as providing guidance for the 3 high school/college age Dominican girls who are leading and teaching the younger girls. We all need someone to look up to, and it's so cool to see that as these young women love and teach the younger girls, Kirsten is leading and loving these young women leaders. We pass on what we've been given, and lives are changed!

-praise report! Our good friends and co-workers John and Diana Martinez from Columbia moved to Santiago, the second largest city in DR, earlier this year to plant a new church. Though we really miss them, they are close to our hearts and we know that God will make them a blessing there. Moving to a new city, and starting a church plant is never easy. 3 weeks ago when we visited, their Sunday evening Bible study hit a low spot with just one visitor. Just heard today that for the past two weeks, the group has been at 20-25 people. Yeah! Keep them in your prayers...thanks!

Other praises and prayer requests:

· Debbie Kitterman joined us last week, teaching and equipping people here in Santo Domingo to hear from God and minister to others. She also spoke at a small conference in Santiago (the newest 4sq. work here) for un-churched ladies about "a life with purpose." As a result of her time here in the DR, many people were encouraged and equipped, and at least 6 university students received Christ and received personal words from the Lord. Please pray for 1. These students to stay strong and get grounded in their faith 2. That the believers would use the equipping they received and 3. About the possibility of translating Debbie's books in to Spanish in order to be able to expand the impact she's having here in the DR

· The university: For open doors, direction, and for lots of young people to come to know Jesus and find new hope for their generation. We also would love it if God gave us a place to use as a ministry center right near the campus.

· Please pray for Legado, the school of ministry for young leaders. 1. For our graduates, all of which are leading different ministries and facing many new challenges. 2. For new students this Fall, and discernment and direction about the future of the program.

- For our annual Foursquare DR national convention, April 8-9th. That leaders will be equipped and empowered to multiply many new small groups and churches in their homes. So many families still urgently need the hope that only His love can bring.

What we do to take the Good News of God's love to the nations truly is a partnership…Thank you for working alongside us to help the nation of the Dominican Republic find a new hope.

We love you! Please let us know how you and your family are doing, and we would love to pray for you for the opportunities and challenges you are facing.

Rich and Kirsten

Dominican Republic

Rich and Kirsten Root
Agape Flights #18736
100 Airport Ave
Venice, Florida 34285
www.rootsgrowdeep.blogspot.com

Prayer for the DR

2011-01-18T18:37:00.001-04:00

Prayer for the DR (2)

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Yesterday on the front page of the newspapers here were articles highlighting the fact that the United

States is threatening sanctions against the Dominican Republic if something isn't done about the human trafficking problems here. Haitian children are being forced to beg or work on the streets. Others are forced into prostitution. Knowing a little bit about the vulnerability of these people because of their extreme poverty, our sense of justice, yours and ours, rises up. And of course it's not just here. Sometimes as you look around with eyes wide open to the needs in the world, it just feels like there is no end in sight.

Before I ask you to join us in prayer about this, I want to share a word of hope about people that we know. Colossians 1:6 says it so well. "⁶ This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace."

A few short years ago our Dominican friends Juan Carlos and Licelot were a young couple, casually attending church, running their business, and just trying to keep their head above water in this often money-hungry city of Santo Domingo. But as God's Word and His call captured their hearts, they responded. They have come to really put God first in everything. In addition to all the demands in their everyday lives and family, they now dedicate all of their free moments to directing the children's ministries and serving the youth in one of the main Foursquare churches here. Last year they were officially named the pastors of children and youth. They work tirelessly because of their genuine heart for God.

Through their influence Soraya came to church a couple of years ago—a hurting single mom, managing an up-scale salon, caught in an unstable and damaging relationship. In the last couple of years, in spite of ups and downs, we have watched Jesus completely transform her life. As she has fallen in love with Jesus, her salon has turned into a place where she shares God's love with the women who come there.

Recently she has been sharing with us about the burden God has put in her heart for hurting women... she just has to share the healing that God has done in her with others. We've been able to encourage here and pray with her. Today, for the very first time, she launches a Bible study in her apartment for a group of hurting women that God has placed in her life.

-Please join us in covering Soraya in prayer as she takes this step of faith, that God will protect her, that the women will come, and that lives will be changes.

-Please join us in praying for the Dominican Republic and Haiti, that the enemy's influence that brings injustice and abuse through things like human trafficking and domestic violence would be broken, as the Good News changes one life at a time, and as we seek God for revival.

-Please join us in asking God for many more dedicated leaders: the "harvest is great and the workers are few."

Thank you for all that you do to help changes lives here! We and the people receiving new hope are so grateful. We love you!

Rich and Kirsten

Prayer for the DR

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2010-11-14T18:07:00.001-04:00

CELEBRATION! The newly married couples from the Las Palmas Foursquare Church!

2010-10-28T17:29:00.002-04:00

AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY OF SANTO DOMINGO

FOUNDED 28 OF OCTOBER, 1538

Today, Oct. 28th, marks 472 years since the founding of the UASD university in Santo Domingo, the first in the Americas. Please join us in praying for a spiritual awakening to begin here, and to sweep the nation, and the nations!

2010-10-13T16:58:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been to a wedding where eight couples got married? That would be amazing. It’s amazing for us to know that eight couples from one church are preparing for their wedding day in November. Even more amazing if you understand where they’ve come from.

One of the churches I’ve had the honor of ministering in frequently in my time here in the DR is located in a poor, urban neighborhood called Las Palmas. Typically in these neighborhoods, a hopeless, poverty mentally dominates peoples’ minds, unemployment is high, as is drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence and other types of abuse. And people don’t get married. Young couples will get together, move in together and have kids together, but it is very rare to find anyone who is actually married. That is the pattern they’ve known.

New Hope (Nueva Esperanza), pastored by a Dominican woman, Micaela, in the past few years has grown, right there on a dead-end street in the middle of the Las Palmas neighborhood, into a healthy, thriving congregation. In spite of the intense challenges they face daily, you will find a church full of dedicated people, mostly young adults, passionate about worship and hungry for God’s Word. This year God put the vision on pastor Micaela’s heart to believe God for marriages and families. I believe it was a bold and God-given vision. Unmarried couples from the church caught the vision and are now receiving pre-marital counseling. The church began to rally behind women of the church in prayer, believing God to save their unsaved men, and to so touch their lives that they would be willing to get married. It’s happening! These couples are also receiving pre-marital counseling (Michaela is busy!).

November of this year we will witness what I believe is a miracle. It’s so powerful for me to know that these couple are breaking the old patterns of generations and really pioneering a household of faith that goes counter-culture to everything they knew before.

The gospel—the Good News!—should truly rebuild our lives and our legacies. I think of the words of Is. 61. God promises to give us… a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

But it doesn’t stop there…then…4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

In this case, God is rebuilding the families that have been devastated for generations. He is good! He is the God is hope.
We invite you to pray for these couples and the Nueva Esperanza congregation as they take a step of faith, and set an example for so many others. Pray that they will stay strong and press through. I know for some of the men, they are facing some of their biggest fears right now Pray for provision for their big day. And pray for the pastor Michaela, and for Kirsten and I and others as we get to speak into the lives of these couples about the beauty of a marriage and family built on Jesus.
*Today, Micaela is calling the church to a season of fasting, to pray through this time as they spiritually face opposition to this God-given vision. We invite you to join your prayers to the New Hope congregation also.
blessings!

Rich & Kirsten

2010-10-04T17:03:00.001-04:00

University of SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC October 2010

I don't think we've ever been more expectant and prayerfully passionate about any ministry opportunity, as we think about the things we see God leading us into right now. We know that God has called us to reach and raise up young leaders here in the Dominican Republic. When we're doing that, we feel fully alive, and we really believe that is the most effective way to leave a lasting impact on the nation. We thank God for the amazing transformations in the lives of young leaders around us up to this point.

As we have continued to seek God about his perfect plans, we feel God strongly directing our hearts and minds to reach out to the university students, where the greatest concentration of young leaders is found, all together, in one single location in the country. The university of Santo Domingo (la UASD), founded in 1538, is the oldest and largest university in the Caribbean. As the only government-funded university, it is attended by over 170,000 young people from across the island! Along with Legado, we have become convinced that that is the most strategic place we could focus our prayers and energies in the time God allows us here.

Stepping into the world of college as a young adult is daunting for almost anyone. Imagine that you are from a low-income family who probably has just enough income to pay for your public transportation and lunch each day. You come from a rough urban neighborhood where there often is no electricity or peace and quiet. You most likely don't have a father actively present in your life (or wish you didn't!) Maybe you're not sure exactly why you're there at the university, but your family is pressuring you to go to "become somebody."
In spite of these challenges these students are intelligent, creative, and full of promise and potential. They want to see change. Yet their sense of personal identity is very frail at best. Most are deeply broken. Imagine being just one among multiple tens of thousands of students like yourself. You feel like a number. That's a description of most of the thousands of university students at the UASD. In that environment, most often the blind lead the blind into choices that leave more pain and confusion. But it doesn't have to be that way.

God deeply loves these young potential leaders. They are the future of the country. We sense God's heart strongly stirring us and other believers on campus to seek God for an awakening of this generation, especially on the campus. And we feel a sense of urgency that the opportunity is now. The average age of a Dominican is currently 25 years—very young! There is still time—a small window of opportunity to see God capture the young hearts of this generation while they are still open and searching.

God has given us a strategy to reach out to these students. We believe that God is calling us to position ourselves as physically close as possible to the campus, opening a Christian community center right across the street. The center will be a great place for students, with a café, a stage for music, tables, computers, and a prayer room. It will be a place where students can study, build relationships, find out about God and learn to connect with Him. In the center, we will be able to host nights of worship, host Bibles studies, receive guest speakers and offer english and other classes.

This community center will be…

· A place of prayer: to unite the Christian students and others in prayer as they lift up the needs of their fellow students and ask God for revival

· A place for fellowship and discipleship where the students can be strengthened in their faith and equipped to be light on their campus

· A place where all students, especially those not yet believers, can find a refuge, be loved and accepted, and find the truth they're seeking

· A place to mobilize college students to serve: on campus and in the many needy communities here

As we've spent hours on the campus and talking with students we know personally, the response to this idea has been extremely positive—it will meet a genuine need and serve the student body with Christ's love. We also have no doubt that if there is a strong move of God at the UASD, it will impact the nation and the nations. That is what we are asking God for.

Honestly, this vision is beyond us, and will be a big step of faith. We are currently saturating each step with prayer, and we want to ask you to join us. We have no doubt that we will need special prayer covering as we literally invade enemy territory in a new and fresh way.

We hope to very soon rent the building: please be praying that God will guide us to the perfect place close to campus. We are believing God for funds for projects such as...

- building a stage and installing a sound system, enabling us to host nights of worship and concerts

-We would like to build a prayer room, and initiate constant prayer over the campus

-We want to furnish the center with tables, chairs, and a sofa, and install a small café

-We want to install a few computers, a big need among students

I know that you are praying with us. This quote says it best: "I believe it will only be known on the last day how much has been accomplished [overseas] by the prayers of earnest believers at home" – J.O. Fraser

If you feel led to give to this project, or want more information, feel free to talk to us. We are filled with expectancy about what God is doing, and we know that He is positioning us like a lighthouse with far-reaching impact. Thank you for being a part. None of it would be possible without faithful, Kingdom-people like you.

Blessings!

Rich and Kirsten

Rich and Kirsten Root
Agape Flights #18736
100 Airport Ave
Venice, Florida 34285
http://www.rootsgrowdeep.blogspot.com/

2010-10-04T16:27:00.002-04:00

STUDENTS at the University of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

VISIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY received summer 2010

In the last few months, it seems that we have seen God communicating things and confirming more than we’ve seen in a long time. Here are a couple of examples of things that I (Rich) have experienced recently:

As I was falling asleep, July 25th, I had a vision…

On the street Correa y Cidron, the street that runs along the main entrance to the UASD (university of Santo Domingo), were laying the lifeless bodies of young people, strewn all along the side of the street. I saw Jesus walk over to one and gently pick up their lifeless body in His arms. (At that moment it struck me how much He cares about each individual) Then He crossed the street and carried the person into a building. There Kirsten and I were. Jesus put the young person in my arms, upright, their heart next to my heart. A red liquid, a substance like liquid light came out of my heart and into theirs.

Jesus picked up another young person and brought them over, and laid them on the floor. I just remember Kirsten caring for this one, gently dabbing the sweat from their face with a damp cloth, like a nurse might.

Jesus picked up another and brought them over. He again laid them on the floor, and this time we had a basin of water that Kirsten and I together began to wash the person with the water, (although they were fully clothed).

Next, these people stood up in a line next to each other, but now they were completely covered in shiny silver and gold-trimmed armor.

About a week later, as I began my devotion time one morning…

I saw the Lord (He just looked like light) and he handed me a huge book. In it I saw that many of the pages were full of words, but the rest of the pages were blank. I felt that it had to do with the university ministry, so I found myself wondering what this book was. Was it the Book of Life? Was it a call to evangelism? I then realized the book was a history book. At that moment, Dominican young people began to surround me. They all had pens in their hands, and they began to write in the blank pages of the history book.

Rich's Dad's memorial

2010-09-17T01:30:00.001-04:00

From: faithandjosiah@hotmail.com
To: richroot@live.com
Subject: Rich's Dad's memorial
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2010 23:23:27 -0600

Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers. We have felt so loved and supported thru this.
I wanted to send out a reminder for those who can attend the memorial service for Rich's dad, Larry Root. It will be held
at 2:00pm tomorrow at the Church of Living Water.
I think it is going to be a beautiful service.
Thank you again for being a part of our lives, even through the tough stuff.
Love, Kirsten

Rich and Kirsten Root
Agape Flights #18736
100 Airport Ave
Venice, Florida 34285
www.rootsgrowdeep.blogspot.com

2010-05-23T15:52:00.001-04:00

Graduation day!

We are back from Pedrenales! We arrived late Saturday night after a great day of ministry with the youth of Pedrenales and a quick 7 hour bud ride. What is one of the coolest things in my opionion, is how the two teams (legado and anthem) have melded together. Rich was so wise to have us travel together in the beginning rather then the end. It is amazing what being confined in a small space and do for relationships. =)
Today Pastor Tim preached a GREAT word, and a ton of people were really moved. Before the service he felt like he had a word from the Lord, and apparently he did, cause there were tears everywhere. =) It was about not looking back on your past and just getting rid of stuff in your life that could be holding you back. Good stuff.
I don't have a ton of pictures to post but check out http://www.findyouranthem.blogspot.com/ and you can see what we are doing.
Tonight we will be having a special service to graduate our first Legado class. It should be awesome. We will have 3 generations represented...Pastor Tim, who was Rich's director and Pastor when he was in MC his dicipleship program, and now Rich and our students. It is awesome to see a physical representation of a Legacy/Legado being passed on.

Anthem!!

2010-05-19T12:05:00.000-04:00

Anthem arrives in about an hour and we are rushing around doing last minute things!

Tomorrow we leave for the border town of Pedrenales at 8:30 EST (only 5:30am for the poor northwesterners!)

We will have a "short" 7 hour bus ride and arrive late afternoon.
We hit the ground running and have our first street evangelism time Thursday evening!
Please pray for health and energy! for all of us. We are going to need it!

Friday we will paint a park and Friday evening we start the first of a two day youth retreat!
We have 30 kids already signed up, so should be fun!

Thanks for all the prayers!

kirsten

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FW: Prayer for Legado

2010-03-24T22:52:00.001-04:00

From: richroot@live.com
To: faithandjosiah@hotmail.com
Subject: prayer for Legado
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:33:08 -0400

Hi! We are now in our seventh month of the Legado school of ministry for young leaders. Wow! So much has happened this year…We are in a time of transition, and a lot of very good things are happening. We are also looking ahead to next year as we begin to put the vision into the hearts of other young adults who are considering taking this leap of faith. I quickly want to tell you some ways you can be praying for us and all that's going on with Legado…thanks!! Please pray for:

Next steps Our current young people (Wilkins, Ana, Joelia and Julieanne) are catching fireJ , believing God for the impossible, and praying about God's vision for their lives. 2 of them want to return for a second year of training, and Ana has a growing passion to launch a ministry in her neighborhood of Los Alcarrizos, a strange mix of youth violence, drugs, poverty and legalistic churches. The students continue to fast and pray for the salvation and restoration of their families, and for God to transform their generation.

New students Saturday we had our first meeting for students who would enter the program in September. We currently have 6-8 students seriously interested. Each of them have a real desire to serve God with all that they are, and all of them face big challenges. Sometimes the biggest obstacle for them are their parents who are at first resistant to them stepping outside of the box, taking time away from college, home and family to be in Legado. These young people need encouragement and their faith to rise up to believe that God will make a way if He is calling them. Another challenge is often to believe God for the money to participate, but as last year's students shared Saturday, God provides, and I sense faith rising. Pray for confirmation for those who are supposed to be a part, and for God to move their mountains as they believe!

(Also for next year, we're praying for other teachers, as a key couple that taught this year will be moving away to plant a church—Also we will be needing direction for housing for the students/classrooms.)

Mission trip The end of May we will launch out on our mission trip, partnering together with Anthem from Living Water, and we are believing God for great things! For one, we want to impact the Los Alcarrizos neighborhood of Ana's with a worship-concert, dramas, and simple passionate faith, believing that God will do miracles and impact that entire community. Please pray that God will continue to guide our steps as we pray and plan this and the other outreaches, for protection, unity, provision, and most of that all will have a God-encounter that will change them forever.

Wilkins Finally, please pray specifically for one of our students whose mother died in September, and whose father is an alcoholic. He continues to face major challenges at home with his dad's frequent problems, and much drama. Thanks for lifting him up.

For us! We continue to cry out to God for wisdom as we move ahead with His vision, pioneering this school here in the DR. I feel so dependent on God, and that's good, just not usually comfortable. So thanks for being a part, and I know that your prayers make a big difference in what God wants to do, transforming these diamonds in the rough into "Disciples who make disciples; servants who lead"

God bless you!

Rich

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Roots Grow Deep

Street Ministry with the Prostitutes

Psalm 103

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

PRAYER ROOM University of Santo Domingo

My Best home made brownies !

Dominican Republic update

Prayer for the DR

Rich's Dad's memorial

Anthem!!

FW: Prayer for Legado

¹ Let all that I am praise the Lord;with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.