2006 Third Annual Ladies Conference
 "I never knew there was an opportunity like this out there just for ladies!

Every year our church hosts a ladies conference for the ladies in the community here in San Pedro. The time has been marked by sweet fellowship among our ladies and ladies from other local churches and even ladies from the capital. The conference is structured in a way that allows ladies to learn skills and crafts as well as valuable lessons in health, Marriage and Family and Inductive Bible Study Methods.

As a part of our ladies conference, we invite ladies from the States to come and join us as a part of a ladies-only missions trip. The American ladies help during our ladies conference by teaching workshops such as: card making, divorce care, gardening, etc.; and they help in cooking, serving food, providing childcare, etc. This gives American ladies the opportunities to use their gifts and talents on the mission field and to build friendships with ladies from another country! In fact, one lady last year exclaimed, "I never knew there was an opportunity like this out there just for ladies!

After the ladies conference is over, the American ladies retreat for a special time of enrichment. During this time, not only do they see and participate in our ministry, but there is time for sightseeing, shopping, and relaxation. We really strive for the time to be a time of spiritual renewal and refreshment.

The date of this year's trip is September 7-13, 2006. If you are interested in coming down for this trip or need more information, please email Alli Hale at a.hale@daystarbaptistmissions.org. If you don't feel like you have a specific talent to use, but would like to come down and be a part of an exciting ladies ministry outreach, we need you, too!! We need friendly faces willing to serve the Dominican ladies during the conference, then open hearts willing to pray!! Pictured above, ladies enjoy a flower arrangement workshop during the annual ladies conference.

 

 'That prayer stuff must really work'
 Church softball team surprises local team

Perhaps it was because our team was newly formed or perhaps it was because our team was from a church with two pastors starting - whatever the case, few thought our church stood a chance on our opening double header of softball. Two games later any critics were silenced as the IBEM (our church) swept a double header from a pretty solid team. One of the players from the other team frustratingly remarked, "That prayer stuff must really work." The starting of our church softball team is a great way to offer a fellowship time for our men. We are a scrappy bunch, but we are united in our love and passion for God, the local church and the game. The softball team is a great outlet, win or lose, and it gives our team an opportunity to be a witness to the teams that we play.

Marco and Miguel pause just long enough for a photo during a recent practice in the batting cage at the church. Marco is sporting the team's new softball uniform, supplied by a church member and fellow softball player in the church.

 

 Book Worms in a Book Ship
 Donation of books help launch libraries

Have you ever seen a ship filled with books? We hadn't either until just the other day when our ship came in. Well, not ours, but the Logos II. It is a travelling missionary ship filled with deeply discounted books that travels to various countries around the world for the purpose of providing quality resources at discounted prices. Thanks to former intern Sarah Ward's strong suggestion that we check it out, the Logos II ministry team donated books for the orphanage ministry and the coffee shop library. The Logos II staff, including Mehni, Priscila, and Ginny were a tremendous blessing to our team and provided what turned out to be hundreds of dollars worth (in retail) of books. These books will help start the older boys personal library at the home and will add to the books we have just received in for the coffee shop library. As monies are designated for these purposes, we can continue to add much needed Christian resources that will be a spiritual help to our people and the public.

Gary and Allison are all smiles as the camera finally catches up to them at the registers. After that, Gary had to walk the plank... well, not exactly.