Learning To Be Bold

This past week I have been praying for boldness and courage. Asking people to partner with us financially is outside of both of our comfort zones-however, we know we have been called to this ministry, and we know that the Lord will provide prayerful and financial partners. Relying on my own work ethic and abilities has been my M.O. ever since I got a part time job as a sophomore in High School against my dad's will. I wanted to feel like I was able to have money that I had earned, and didn't want to rely on him and my mom for all of my spending money. Carrying that strong-willed and determined attitude into adulthood, I am still very comfortable with working hard for the money that I earn. I am still very uncomfortable with asking people for money or accepting monetary gifts.

This is why my prayer has been that the Lord would give me boldness and courage to ask people to partner with us. This not only allows us to do what we feel we have been called to do, but it also gives others an opportunity to be part of our lives, and the lives of the students and families at Doulos. This understanding is becoming more and more real to me. 

I found this verse in Deuteronomy 31:6, and it has been my encouragement this week. It says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." 

It was this verse that played over in my head while we were at dinner last night. Krista Wallace (director at Doulos) had emailed us to let us know that she was in town this weekend, and was wondering if we were available to get together. Strangely enough, she invited us to get together with another new Doulos staff member, for dinner at a families home in Mahtomedi (where she was staying). Small world. :)

During dinner, our host asked us about how we heard about Doulos, why we decided to go, and what we were most excited about and most apprehensive about. After we had all shared he asked the other new staff member, "So are you going to ask me to partner with you?" She looked at Krista, and then looked back at him, and asked him to partner with her. He said, "Yes, I would love to.." Then he asked if anyone else was feeling bold (looking directly at Robbie). Robbie asked him if he would partner with us, and he replied, "Yes, I would love to.." Then he looked at me. And my heart started to race, and tears came to my eyes, because who was this man that I had never met wanting to be part of our team? I had never befriended him, or helped his family. He had only invited us to his home, fed us, and then asked us if we wanted him to partner with us. With a shaky and unconfident voice I asked him if he would be interested in joining our support team, and he said, "Yes, I would love to." I would be lying to you if I didn't admit that at this point I was so overwhelmed with his family's generosity that I was a crying mess! You see, I failed to mention that this man serves on the Doulos Board, and has a strong passion for Doulos. After we had all asked him to partner with us, he encouraged us not to be afraid of asking people to partner. He said that it gives them an opportunity that they otherwise would not have. What a lesson to be learned!

Through more dinner conversation, his oldest daughter expressed an interest in becoming more involved with Doulos. As she was expressing this, our eyes locked. I took a gulp, and thought of the verse in Deuteronomy. I got the feeling that this night was no ordinary night, and that I was truly learning what it means to be bold. I looked at her again, this time with many tears in my eyes (and even more as I type this) and asked her if she would be interested in becoming more involved at Doulos through partnering with us. She said, "Yes, I would love to." Her younger sister said that she would help make this commitment. These are two of the most amazing girls I have ever met-their courage and boldness surely taught me a lesson last night!

God is good, and He does provide. I hope that this story serves as encouragement for you this week!

With love,

Meghan

Monthly E-Newsletter

Hey Blog Followers!
Does anyone out there know how we can add an option to our blog that would allow people to "subscribe" to our e-newsletter? We are getting ready to send out a monthly update, but we don't have everyone's email address. Any and all ideas are welcome for trying to add this as an option to our blog!
Gracias,
Meghan and Robbie

Joining The Team

As many of you know, Rob and I are joining staff at Doulos, and will be moving to the DR this summer (July 2010). We couldn't be more excited about this adventure that the Lord is leading us on! Along with the excitement that we have for what we will be doing for the next 2 years, there also comes wonder, nervousness, and sadness.

We wonder about our new roles in the Jarabacoa community. We wonder about simple things, like what grocery shopping and cooking will be like and how we will wash our clothes. We also wonder about the climate and how long it will take Robbie to sweat through one of his t-shirts!

We are nervous about speaking Spanish (as neither of us are near fluent). We are nervous about our new roles at Doulos-I will be teaching Kindergarten and Rob will be a Guidance Counselor to Juniors and Seniors, and the Work Team Host. 

We are also sad to be leaving our families, friends, co-workers, and school communities. We are sad to be leaving the Young Life family that we have grown so close to through the years. We have so many loving and caring people in our lives that we are so blessed to know. Please know that many of you who are reading this blog have touched our lives in significant ways, and because of the significant role you have played in our lives we want to invite you on this journey.

Doulos Discovery School is unique in that one of its goals is to bridge the gap between the rich and poor of Jarabacoa. Many students who would otherwise not be able to afford a private school education are given this opportunity through the financial support of churches here in the U.S. Other families that can afford the tuition do so. However, to keep costs low for all families regardless of socioeconomic status, teachers are asked to raise their salaries.

Robbie and I are in the process of asking family and friends to prayerfully consider joining our prayer and financial team. If we haven't contacted you, but you know you would like to meet with us, or be added to our mailing list please let us know. We have listed below a few ways that you can join our financial support team. Most importantly, please keep us in your prayers as none of this is possible without God's provision.

With Love,

Meghan and Rob

"This is how we know what LOVE is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."  1 John 3:16

Ways to Donate:

• Monthly
• One Time Gift
• Direct Deposit 
• Pay Pal

Online Giving:

Pay Pal: http://www.doulosdiscovery.org 

There is a yellow button in the upper right corner. Make sure when making a donation to put our name in the "Donation For" line.

Direct Deposit:

If this is an option that you are interested in, we can email you the correct forms.

Mail Donations To:

Doulos Discovery Ministries

P.O. Box 3080

Burnsville, MN 55337

*Please make all checks out to Doulos Discovery Ministries and put our name in the memo line*