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Debbie's Delightful Bread Pudding (Brindin de Pan)

Our missionary, Debbie, and wonderful cook, Morena, made the BEST bread pudding.  We just had to share the recipe with you.  

2 loaves French bread

4 eggs

1 c sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/3 c butter

1 qt milk

1 tsp cinnamon

Raisins

Optional: shredded coconut, chocolate chips

Let bread soak in milk for 1 hour

Add sugar

Beat eggs & add to mixture

Add vanilla & cinnamon

Melt butter in 9x13 pan

Add to milk mixture, leaving a coating on pan

Place in pan of hot water or put a pan of hot water on bottom of stove.

Cook at 350 F for one hour, until knife comes out clean

Turn off oven and let the pudding sit in the oven for 30 minutes

Cool before serving

Serves 24

Betsy

This wasn’t my first missions trip.  It wasn’t the longest one, or the farthest from home I’ve been.  It wasn’t the first time I’ve seen children run dusty dirt roads without shoes on.  It wasn’t the first time I’ve seen homes that I can’t imagine even spending one night in.  In so many ways, the Dominican Republic looks no different than places I’ve been in Zimbabwe.  It even, in some cases, resembles places in the US.  But there are so many things that will always make the DR stand out in my mind. 

            God is at work in a mighty way in this country.  The outpouring of His spirit is evident, from the smiles of children’s faces to the prayers and praise of adults during church services.  Amidst the children’s ministry and manual labor and dramas, it has hit me that I needed this country—it’s people, it’s passion—more than it needed me.  I’m not the first person, nor the last, to have come to the DR and danced and played with children.  I’m not the first person to have painted a house or moved some dirt.  I’m humbled by this experience in so many ways, and I have a feeling of smallness, of being a part of something much larger than myself. 

            I can’t say that God has shown me things I’ve never experienced before this week.  But I can say that He has used this week to speak to me.  Not in a loud, booming voice, but in a quiet whisper, heard in the moments that I step back and watch this team minister, or when I’m praying in the morning.  With murmurs that ask gently “come back to me, make more time for me, live a life completely devoted to me.”  And I can’t help but to respond and obey. 

            -Betsy Gettis

Alimar

God really changed the way I think of the world.  Before this trip, I would think everything is just there.  Now, after this trip, I feel like everything is put in place for a reason. 

-Alimar Evers 

Almost time to board our flight.

It's United #1473 for you parents who feel the need to track our speed, altitude, and how many clouds we pass on the way home. :)

Steve

“Please don’t send me to Africa, I don’t think I’ve got what it takes.”  This was a funny song my wife and I sang 20 years ago about not wanting to serve in missions.  I used to joke that I would rather serve in missions that to work with the youth group.  God has a sense of humor—I find myself on a missions trip with the youth group.

            This trip has changed me and my thoughts about both missions and youth ministry.,  I have been blessed to meet Mitch and Debbie Martinez and to see what missionaries do on a regular basis—running schools, planting churches, supplying needs, meeting with people in their communities.  I have been blessed to meet and serve the people these missionaries serve.  I have seen their poverty, but also their passion for Jesus Christ. 

            My view of teenagers has changed too.  I have laughed with them and heard what is on their minds and in their hearts.  They have demonstrated an intensely deep devotion for God.  They have given of their time and have put themselves out to be used by God.  They have connected with people, young and old, from a radically different culture.  I’m very proud of each one of them. 

            All-in-all, God has been amazing.  I hope to do this again.  It has been a great adventure. 

            -Steve McElwee

Justin

During my stay in the Dominican Republic I feel like I’ve grown closer to God.  Through the quiet whispers and the loud roars.  While we were painting Josefina’s house, a little 6-year-old boy named Jose came up to me.  He showed me how happy someone can be with the least amount of things.  I gave him a bracelet and it just put a smile on his face.  It was a great experience to paint Josefina’s house because I could see the joy in her eyes as she saw her new home. 

Before we went on TV, Pastor Eran challenged me to share my testimony, and I wasn’t sure if I could do it or not, but I felt that Pastor Eran’s voice was the voice of God speaking to me, and I decided to do it.  It was such a wonderful experience to share my feeling and experiences and how God had overcome my obstacles with everyone that was listening.

            I’ve learned on this trip that you shouldn’t regret anything because God has used me to do great things. 

            -Justin Bashore

Cassie

This trip was definitely eye-opening.  I noticed a lot of things about my team members and myself.  I also noticed a lot about my relationship with God, and I grew a lot.  I did my first altar call, and my second, spoke to a lot of people, and saw a lot of smiling children’s faces. 

This is definitely something I’ll never forget and I’m so blessed that I got to come.  The biggest thing that I realized was that missions trips aren’t just about you growing.  I think I did a lot more serving than I did personal work inside me.  And through doing work with other people, God did work in me.  And that’s why the Dominican Republic is awesome. 

            -Cassie Davis

Jess

On this trip to the DR, God has done and showed me a lot of things.  Even before this trip began, I had no idea how I was going to raise the money, but through prayer and support, God made it happen. 

Even on the first day, God showed me how powerful he really is.  On the first day, we went to a church called “The Rails.”  When we first arrived, a girl that was 15, named NaNa came out with excitement and gave us all hugs.  Now NaNa isn’t a typical 15-year-old girl.  She is disabled but despite all that, she kept on smiling and it was the most contagious smile ever.  After meeting her, we went inside the church and the presence of God was just so overwhelming, I couldn’t hold back my tears.  The people in the church were just so happy to be there and worship God.  It was honestly the most amazing sight I had ever seen. 

Not only did God show me how joyful all these people are, but also how thankful and willing to help they are.  I never really realized how good I have it back at home until seeing what little the people in the DR have.  God really showed me that I need to be more thankful for everything that I have. 

I am so thankful that I could come on this trip and minister to other people.  I pray that this won’t just stop here, but continue when I get back home.  I thank God for letting me experience this missions trip and opening up my eyes to what it really means to be a Christian.         

-Jess Koczot