Feb 7

 The weather is slightly different in New Jersey where I got to spend the night during my layover from Puerto Plata to California, with my good friend Nestor Wagner.  He is also raising support to go on staff with CSUS but as the East Coast regional coach. Our Regional Coaches are some of the most important positions in CS, because they are the pastor and shepherd for the local chapters directors.

 

Feb1-6

While in the Dominican Republic last week we were blessed with many different opportunities to serve the Lord through building relationships with local surfers and providing assistance to Dustin Miller (CSDR National Director) and his crew with the events leading up to and during their first CS surf contest.


About 50 people came to the party on the night before the contest where there was a band and a local restaurant provided food for sale.  The guys (and girls) from CSUS took care of the parking, worked the sign up table, cut out and handed out flyers for the movie premier scheduled the next night, as well as judged both days of the contest.  I saw and got to be a part of many conversations with local surfers that were very productive in building a good testimony and reputation for Christians in general and for CSDR.

we got to push some kids from the inner city into some waves for a few hours and Cal took some time to share a little about Jesus with them before we surfed.  Everyone had fun loving on those kids and judging by the smiles on their faces they had a blast.  The best thing about the surf camp is that the people who regularly work with these kids were able to continue to build relationships with them and share the gospel in the process.

I'm looking forward to going back to DR in the future and serving along side Dustin to help with whatever he needs to continue the work of spreading the love of Christ among these people.

Republica Dominica

We (Cal, Nick, Brad, Matt, Becka, Justin, Billy, Paul and I) have all made it to DR safely and we are having a great time hanging out with CSDR Director Dustin Miller.  We got to surf some small but kind of fun waves, it was a little small but at least it was choppy and crowded.  We've had  good Bible study, and planning for the contest this weekend has been good too.

Feb 1

We had a great day yesterday saying goodbye for now to our new friends in Costa Rica.  Had a great meeting with Dennis Leon, the National Director of Christian Surfers also.  After talking with Dennis and meeting with April, the Missions Coordinator here, several times I can see that bringing groups of missionaries to Costa Rica would be a great way to support the ministries in Jaco and Esterillos.  There are many opportunities to serve in ways that will not only support a long term movement in the local community, but will also make a difference in the lives of those that come.  I am thankful for the opportunity to partner with these missionaries here and look forward to how the Lord will allow us to serve in DR this week as well as in the future.

The other day we also got to hang out at the Nika Surfboards factory.  Fabio, the shaper, showed us his shop and we got to talk about surfboard design and materials.  Brad learned a little more about ding repair, and I learned about how we will be able to be a blessing to local shapers by bringing materials and tools that are either not available here or are very expensive.  A lot of things are almost double the price of what they are in the states.  I'm planning on bringing him a few gifts next time the Lord brings me back, and I'm excited to see how He will use them to bring glory to His name.

Feb. 1

Right now Brad and I are in the airport blogging that we are leaving San Jose, Costa Rica in an hour headed for Santiago, Dominican Republic.

Jan 25

Sorry, I haven’t been keeping up with this; it’s been pretty busy around here.  Last week I had a fever and a headache that lasted about four days straight.  I didn’t eat very much during that time, and couldn’t get comfortable enough to sleep for more than an hour here and there.  It started Monday night the 17^th and it wasn’t until Friday the 21^st that I finally felt better.

Brad made it here Friday night, the day after he was originally supposed to get here.  His flight was cancelled on the runway but he’s here now enjoying the non-wetsuit, non-long sleeve, non-pants wearing weather.

We’ve surfed a few fun waves and got to hang out with some local guys, still looking for an opportunity to share the gospel with some guys in Hermosa, definitely built a few friendships and they know where we stand but I’m praying the Lord will give me boldness along with the words to say.

 Thanks for praying and I’ll try to post some more updates and pictures soon.

Costa Rican Coffee Maker