Blessing...

What can I say?
It's been a long time since I've visited this blog site... been too busy having fun, I guess!
I can say that I feel blessed. No, I KNOW that I am blessed.
I feel blessed for many reasons: being saved by the blood of Jesus, living another day, having a wonderful wife, and being able to live in the Caribbean for 20 months to start!
I feel blessed knowing you guys, my church family in Dominica. Lauren and I only have 44 days left to hang out, laugh, serve, bless and be blessed by you guys. It's been a wild ride, short, but SO sweet! This community has not only given me hope, but it's given me a good grip on REAL church! Now that I have tasted the sweetness of really doing life with a body of believers, I know what I want out of life.
We started as a small group that met at our house over a year ago... only 5 of the original crew is still living in Dominica. When we began, we started talking a lot about "church," and going through our "dreams," solidifying our beliefs and just figuring out some of the basic questions which emerge out of nothing... We all knew this would be a transitional church body, always growing, ever changing, and moving to become more like Christ with every semester.
Currently, we are a family with many children, new faces, various denominational backgrounds, crazy stories and a passion to truly be LIKE JESUS!
I have been blessed to partner with you guys. I have been honored being your pastor, teacher and leader, but most importantly, I have enjoyed your friendship.
I am blessed to know that our elders will keep leading, and our body will keep growing with more and more servants reaching out to this community with the LIGHT of LOVE!
I am blessed that Lauren and I had to "lose our life" to truly find it here in Dominica. YOU have been a part of our shaping. We will miss you, indeed. And, we know that the work which started here will only stretch out throughout the globe as the future Christian doctors and spouses move in love while BEING the CHURCH of Jesus!
I am blessed. You are blessed.
Now, let's keep blessing our heavenly Father.
shalom
Ryan