Bienvenido a mi Casa

Llueve.... Ven Llueve Sobe Mi

Wow so these last couple of days have been very busy and very intense. It has been raining a lot here in Jarabacoa. On Friday it rained so much in such a short period of time that the entire church flooded. The entire school, bookstore and our new computer lab were about knee high in water. We spent all of Friday trying to drain out the water with buckets and brooms. Also during this time we realized that the main drains were plugged, and that in reality they are too small for the amount of rainfall we have been having. The entire street was literally under water, and it appeared as if there was a river that went by the church and even flooded into the church. The problem, however, is that we had a wedding that very next day. So the entire day we were trying to clean up the flood as well as get ready for the wedding. The next morning (Saturday) we continued cleaning up from the flood as well as try to fix the drain before the wedding. To say the least everyone was very much under a lot of pressure to make this wedding perfect for the couple from the church who were getting married (Nani and John). We actually managed to get everything cleaned up and prepared a couple hours before the wedding. Or so we thought… We got another torrential down pour and the church began to flood again. Thank God that we managed to clean out the drains a little bit because the water did eventually go down. It was definitely a God thing that we managed to get everything taken care of and ready for when the wedding began and it was definitely a success. During the wedding, all who were involved in the preparations were able to take their mind off of the exhausting two days that they had in preparations for this wedding and enjoy themselves. The wedding consisted of a very nice ceremony. It was really neat cause the bride actually sang to her fiancée as she was walking down the aisle. The ceremony was followed by a presentation of photos made by the groom to his wife, and a choreographed dance put on by my roommate Jerry with the bride and groom and some other students from the church. The time after the ceremony then involved some great Dominican food, some great conversations with some brothers and sisters in the church, and of course ended the night dancing some merengue and bachata. Definitely a great night after a couple of days of hard work.

I'm Here!!!

Hey Everyone so I am here in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, and it has been a little over a week now. It has been amazing to see God working and how quickly I have been able to get integrated into the culture and church here. A lot of trust is being formed in a very short time.

Just this last week I participated in a Training course for the curriculum that I will be using to teach English in the school that I will be teaching at; Colegio Timoteo. The curriculum is called ACE, which stands for Accelerated Christian Education. Our training was actually set up how things would be run in the classroom and the people being trained became the students for the week in order to get an idea of how the students would feel during a typical school week. Wow!! Let me tell you, it is INTENSE!!!! This program is very well organized and incorporates development of character and discipline with a Christian education. The program is designed for the students to be able to work individually and in the areas that they need help in specifically. There were 23 of us that took this course and only a few of us graduated on time. I graduated only by the grace of God, but many of the other professors will graduate within the next couple weeks or so. One thing I really like about this program is that it uses the Bible as its backbone. All of the content and all of the subjects are taught through the Bible. I can see how this program will work very well for the particular focus of the school that I will be teaching at, and how it will best accommodate our students who come from a variety of different backgrounds, experiences, education, and ages. In the class there was a lot of diversity, which made learning very interesting. We had people present from the Dominican Republic, Haiti and three of us from the United States. This made learning the material and communication very interesting and at times difficult. It required a lot of patience for the students and teachers. There were literally 4 languages present; Spanish, English, Creole, and French. What was really neat though was that by the grace of God we were all able to communicate in some way and we ended up developing some very quality relationships. It is so exciting to see other people who have the same calling from God, and the fact that we were able to come together and see that we are doing this together in different parts of the world is very encouraging and exciting. The heart is to make God’s love known wherever we are at and with the people we are with. God’s army is Big brothers and sisters, and we as the body of source, the church are an amazing force when we come together and are obedient to the direction that God is giving us.

I want to apologize to you all with regards to communication… I am finding it to be very difficult to communicate from here just because of the lack of internet access. But know that I will be trying to keep in as much contact as I can. I want to thank you all for your prayers… please continue to be praying for the relationships that are being formed and that God will guide me and continue set forth opportunities to share His love. Also, please be praying for the adjustment that I am currently going through into the culture. There is definitely a different mindset here of what is appropriate and what is not and these are areas I am still learning and trying to figure out. Just be praying that God can provide wisdom in those areas that I still don’t know or understand. Take care and I will talk to you soon. God Bless.

2 Weeks!!!

Wow everyone So I leave for the Dominican Republic just 2 weeks exactly from yesterday!!! Wow that is CrAzY!!! I gotta tell you all though that God has been doing some pretty amazing things in my life throughout this entire process and I have definitely been stretched and grown through this experience with my Faith and Trust in God... But to say the least His presence has been so intimate and He has definitely shown His faithfulness to HIS word. Hey Everyone please be praying for this ministry as God continues to make the preparations necessary to successfully move this ministry forward... Out of the $15,000 that is needed for the year... God has brought in about $6655. There is still a need for monthly supporters as well as special gifts. Just so you know if you are interested or someone you know who has a heart for international missions or children and would like to join this ministry through financial support, please send all check to:

College Park Missionary Church
2014 Liberty Drive
Mishawaka, IN 46545
Attn: Danny Hunter

All contributions are sent here in order for all supporters to receive a tax deduction. Also be sure that all checks are made out to College Park Missionary Church and include the memo: "Dominican Republic Ministry." Also, be sure to include a separate note saying who the contributions are to be directed to (Jim Ralstin). Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. Please continue to be praying for this ministry opportunity and the funds necessary to move this ministry forward. Also, Prayer warriors please be praying for the hearts of the boys and just for the relationship that will be formed there; that God will be moving and that He will make a genuine impact in their lives and that that relationship that will be formed will be glorifying to HIM. Thanks again all of you for all of your support and concern. I have been just so encouraged to see the massive number of people that have decided to team up in this ministry... So I just want to say thank you. Take Care and God Bless.

-Jim

Afuera... A True Conviction of the Church

So some time not too long ago, I came across this cartoon and I was definitely really convicted. For those of you that can't read Spanish let me translate it for you... So the Title is "Afuera" which means "Get Out/ Outside." Slide 1:"Christians Get Out!" Slide 2: "Listen up, why do you rise up against the Christians if they are such good people?" Slide 3: "No, we aren't against them, we already know that they are good people but we are here because we want them to leave and speak of what they have." Slide 4: (And notice that all of the Christians are inside the church and none are outside) "But they hang out inside when outside is where we need them the most." It is so easy to want to stay in our Christian huddles, but what is really interesting is that there really are people that live outside of out church's walls who see something that us as Christians have (which is Jesus Christ) and desire to know that.... I know I was once in that place before I became a Christian... In fact I remember quite clearly getting to know a Christian guy in my life and clearly seeing that there was something different about him than any other person that I had ever really met before. All I knew was that I wanted to know what it was that made him different, and I wanted whatever it was that he had. It is easy to get numb to Jesus working in us when we see it all the time, but know that it is very clear to those around us who are not used to seeing Jesus work. We have a responsibility as Christians to share Jesus with the people we come into contact with wherever we are... Also, can people see Jesus within you? I know that sometimes it is scary to get out of our comfort zones... (let me tell you I am talking to myself with this one as well and I do want to say that it is not a bad thing to fellowship because that is such an important piece of growing in the Body of Christ and maturing by sharpening each other) however, we have also been given the the great commission to "go and make disciples of Jesus Christ." We just need to be willing to go where God calls us to go when He calls us to go (and there is definitely a season for staying and going). "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do" (Acts 9:6.). This has been a conviction on my heart. I want to be willing to Go where and when God calls me to go. Come on Church let's share the awesome news and Hope that God has given each and every one of us.

The Ministry in the Dominican Republic

Dear Friends and Family:

I hope this letter finds you well and that God is working in your life in tangible ways. This year has been full of much personal growth in my life, both in my relationship with God, and through my experiences at school. I have just graduated from Bethel College and I must admit that I have learned quite a bit these last four years. God has been doing a fair share of showing me more and more how much I need Him in my life. I have been learning more and more about Humility, and how sometimes it is ok to ask for help from our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. This allows the Church to work and function as a Body. I have also recently been learning what it means to put all of your faith and trust in God, and I have been seeing first-hand how God is a provider to His servants.

I am writing to share with you a challenging ministry opportunity that God has presented to me. This July I will be leaving to work as a missionary in the Dominican Republic at a church called, Amor a Quisqueya. I will be working there teaching English as well as mentoring shoe shining boys. These boys range in age of 5 to mid-20’s. Many of these guys have dropped out of school because they need to support their families. Also, several of these boys can’t even read or write in their own language. This has created a vicious cycle in which they can’t escape from their jobs as shoe-shiners, which in reality is not a very respectful job in their society nor financially substantial, and are unable to obtain anything better.

About two years ago I lived down in the city of Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic for a semester abroad trip, where God first really began this passion in my heart for these boys. While I was down there I could feel God telling me just to love them. Many of these boys do not see themselves as valuable, and rarely receive the attention young boys need. I went back to Jarabacoa in May of 2009 where I discovered how much I take reading and writing in my own language for granted. I am really excited to step into this ministry because even the first time I was there for a semester abroad, I felt God telling me that I would be here working with these boys someday, and that day is now coming. I am excited to help these boys and their families, by giving them an education they can use to get out of the cycle they are trapped in. Also, I am excited to do that in a way that these boys feel valued (despite what society says around them) and that there is a God who loves them. Many of these boys lack positive role models, and their character is built on what they learn on the street. Through this ministry, our mission comes from 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” We want to raise up these young boys to be positive and godly men in the society in which they live.

I have currently committed for a year with hope of continuing as long as God calls me to this specific ministry.

My success this year will rest not only on my own prayer and hard work but also on the prayers and support of my family and friends! It would be a personal blessing to me if you would include me in your prayer over this next year. Please pray that God will equip me with the strength, endurance, and wisdom in order to be an effective servant/ leader in this position. I need prayer warriors who would be willing to be in consistent prayer for God’s ministry in the Dominican Republic. Pray for the boys and that we can build a solid relationship that can leave an everlasting impact for the cause of Christ.

Also, I need individuals that would be willing to join me in God’s mission in the DR, who would be willing to support the mission financially. This can be done in two different ways. There is a huge need for monthly supporters. The monthly expenses will be about $1100 a month to live in Jarabacoa. If I can find 11 individuals who would be willing to give $100 of their resources toward this mission or even 22 individuals who are willing to give $50 a month towards this mission or even 44 people who are willing to give $25 a month towards this mission, that is a tangible way someone may be able to join the ministry. Also, special gifts would also be a huge blessing as well, and is a way that God can use you in this ministry. I also need to raise about $4000 in one-time expenses. I am prayerfully asking you, my

# Individuals	Amount per Month
11	$100
22	$50
44	$25
Total	$1100/mo.

friends and family to consider being a part of what God will do in the city of Jarabacoa, by becoming a member of my financial support team.

Your tax deductible receipt will be mailed to you in a year end statement. Please make all checks payable to College Park Missionary Church and include in the memo: “Dominican Republic Ministry” and a note that it is to support me.

Another great need I have (for financial and prayer support) is to get connected to those who have a heart for children or international missions. So along with any contribution, please include contact information for those individuals on the response card.

To find out more about the ministry where I will be serving check out the website: http://www.proyectotimoteord.org/english/timothy.html . Also, if you would like updates from me about the ministry and what God is doing in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, through a newsletter, email me your contact information at jim.ralstin@gmail.com or call my cell: 574.298.0647. You can also contact me on Facebook. I look forward to being a tangible picture of God’s love in Jarabacoa and I am excited for you to join me in the exciting ministry that God has in Jarabacoa.

Take Care and God Bless,

Jim Ralstin