The roosters are still crowing, the Tropical Storms storming (our kids love the “natural” showers), and the Buehlers are back in Jarabacoa. The four of us have all safely arrived and are settled back in the Dominican Republic, ready to start another year serving the Lord.
Over the summer, we were blessed to spend some quality time in the United States. Our primary ministry, Doulos Discovery School, intentionally provides a summer break for its staff in order to mentally recharge and be ready to pour out and into the students for the next school year. This break provides enough time for North American staff to head to their sending communities to spend time reconnecting with their family, friends, and support team, which is exactly what we did.
It was so encouraging and affirming to be able to share about the Lord’s work in the D.R. with our loved ones and our home church (Creekside Community Church), as well as with Melissa’s parents’ church (Freedom House Dayton). We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support we received from so many of you, THANK YOU!! Additionally, our weeks stateside provided a platform for us to process the shock of moving to a new culture and the weight of the great need, both physically and spiritually, that is ever present on the island. Having time to process was a need that we did not even recognize until we arrived back in the states, so the time we had stateside was an incredible blessing.
All four of us had the mixed emotions of sadness when saying good-bye combined with great joy and excitement for the upcoming year here. During our first month back in Jarabacoa, we have loved reconnecting with our Dominican neighbors and friends, along with fellow missionaries, through meals and get togethers. We’ve also plugged back into our local church, had the joy of attending a baptismal service for a Dominican friend, and resumed life in our Jarabacoan community.
With school being in-person this year, our Spanish much stronger than it was 13 months ago (don’t worry, we still have a loooooong way), and a strong, foundational community, we are extremely excited for what God has in store for us this next year. Now that we are fully settled, both Melissa and I feel a burning fire for God’s work here and an even deeper passion within our hearts that is richer and more focused than before. We are frequently asking God, “Dame tus ojos…Dame tus manos…Dejame reflejar tu gloria!” Give me Your eyes. Give me your hands. Let me reflect Your glory!
Our Upcoming Time
Michael will be splitting his time between his role as Middle School English (See M.S. team below) and Academic Vice Principal. The dual roles will be a lot to undertake, but Michael’s efforts will aid in many areas across the Doulos campus and allow for greater immersion of the gospel throughout all subject matters. Ava will be in 5th grade and Brennan will be in 8th grade. Both children are excited for in-person learning, Outdoor Education, and spending time with their classmates instead of being with them over a zoom call. All students are starting the year on-campus, five days a week, which we are all truly grateful for.
Melissa was amazing last year, juggling at-home learning with relationship building and evangelism. With the kids being on campus, she looks forward to having more capacity to connect with local Jarabacoans in the marketplace, deepen the relationships she has formed with people here, and follow the discernment of the Lord for other opportunities to serve.
All of the good works that have been done have come completely due to the goodness of God, our Father. It has been so evident to us the blessings that He has provided throughout this entire journey. One of those ways is through the generosity of our support team. All of your prayers, care packages, words of encouragement, financial contributions, and kind notes have meant so much to the four of us. We love all of you and are constantly blessed by your faithfulness to the Lord and the ministry you make possible here in the DR.