May was a time of warmer weather, two Mother’s Days (one US and one Dominican), a little sickness, an ending, and a construction group. I had the chance to preach on a few occasions in May in the church and Christian school. On Sunday, May 1st, I continued a series on “My Reasonable Service” which began in April. On Wednesday, I shared with the high school students in chapel about the boldness of Phinehas and standing up for what is right. The next day, I began to feel weak, and in just a short time, it was apparent that I had contracted Zika. A few days in, Stephanie came down with it also. However, praise the Lord that it only lasted a week and that the children did not get it. On Sunday, May 15, I was able to return to the pulpit and finish the series from Romans 11 and 12.

While we celebrated US Mother’s Day with medicine and rest, we were able to have a second chance with Dominican Mother’s Day at the end of the month. Bro. Autrey shared a fantastic Bible message on our relationship with our mothers. I am thankful for Stephanie’s sacrifice and godly example to our children as she helps raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord!

May also brought the end to my formal Spanish classes. I am thankful for the past six months with our Spanish tutor Adones. He was able to offer tremendous help and instruction in a one-on-one environment. I will continue to work with different Spanish textbooks and programs throughout each week in order to increase my Spanish. Stephanie will continue with her classes for the foreseeable future.

At the end of the month, we were blessed with the help from a construction group with IBBI. There is still much to accomplish and renovate at the new property as we convert the buildings to school and church facilities. The men were able to focus on expanding the bathrooms, rewiring the church, constructing a church sound room and office, building a pulpit, and re-roofing part of the building. May the Lord bless them for the sacrifice and service. Please pray as the church raises more funds and moves forward with the work.

New Life Christian Academy is approaching its final days of the semester, and the season for mission’s trips is quickly approaching. Pray for the three groups that are coming this summer as there will be many different outreaches, not only here in the city, but also in different parts of the island.