Constant Adventure

Since I left Wildman two and a half years ago to join 2nd Mile Missions in the Dominican Republic, it has been a constant adventure and God has kept me so far out of my comfort zone, I don’t even know what “normal” is anymore.

I left my comfortable life in Indiana in exchange for a new country, new culture, & new language to follow God’s plan for my life. Although scary, I had faith that as long as I kept my eyes on Him and His desire, He would keep me safe.

The last two and a half years of learning a new culture and a new language has not always been easy, but God has rewarded me in unbelievable ways. He has blessed me with an amazing opportunity to work at a school with great teachers, a pastor, and a church family who has helped me strengthen my faith through difficult times, and has most recently blessed me with my beautiful new wife Orlina, who is younger, smarter, tougher, and definitely better looking than me. And after standing by my side and helping me learn the language and culture for the last two years, much more patient, too! We began our new life together on May 6, and every day has been a blessing of its own.

With a new school year beginning this week, we teachers have spent the last two weeks preparing our classrooms and ourselves for another successful year. This year, I will continue to teach my 2nd and 3rd-grade remedial reading class alongside my teacher’s aide. We have a special curriculum, working in small groups with these children for 30 minutes a day to help them develop their reading and comprehension to the level necessary to pass the standardized third-grade test.

Thank you to the Wildman team for donating money to help build Pastor Elvis’ new home in Monte Verde. The pastor, his wife, and three children were previously living in a room in the back of the church. This new home allows him to continue serving the church.

Please pray for me and my new bride as we continue our lifelong journey of marriage together. We’re hoping she can come home with me at Christmas to meet my family and friends, pending visa approvals. Please pray that God would guide 2nd Mile Missions and our next steps for the school and the community development project(s).

Thank you all for your continued support! The Wildman team has been a huge influence in my life, and a large part of why I am serving here in the D.R. Without your support, neither 2nd Mile nor I would be where we are today.