I’ve seen excellence come in all kinds of shapes and sizes.

From time to time church planters and pastors will visit Cross Point and walk away wishing they had as many volunteers as we have, or as many cool toys as we have, or as large of a staff as we have. In follow-up conversations I detect it. If we only had this or that we could do excellent ministry.

This summer while visiting our sister church in the Dominican Republic I was reminded of the excellence principle. Obviously this small Haitian church in the Dominican Republic, which is only half-way built, has few resources. But it doesn’t stop them from doing excellent ministry.

It was a big deal when we visited there earlier this summer. So big, they rolled out the red carpet. They used toilet paper to welcome us. Yes toilet paper. Now that’s excellence. Doing the best you can with what you have.

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,”

So what’s one area of your life, business, or church where you need to pursue excellence?

I took this picture on one of our last days. It’s the Dominican ice cream man…

I saw my co-worker asked this same question yesterday but let’s give it a try…What’s your favorite kind of ice cream?

Mine is chocolate chip. If I’m feeling crazy, maybe mint chocolate chip. I know, I know, I’m boring.

I know this poverty is hard to see. Imagine how I must feel not only seeing it in that one location but seeing it across the world at all times. Imagine how I feel as I look down not on strangers but individuals I have created to reflect my glory that are living in such conditions. It’s heart breaking.

You ask why. I think you know why. If you dig deeper you will find that what you’re really asking is why aren’t you doing more. Why aren’t you using the influence I’ve given you to more effectively stomp out such poverty? Why aren’t you using your resources more generously to put a dent in this epidemic problem?

Pete, just be my hands and feet. Love as I have loved. Give as I have given. For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ (Duet 15:11)

In Kindness,

God

After spending an afternoon in the Hole*, once again, I’m full of pain, confusions and tons of questions.

God, I just don’t get it. WHY?

Why are there so many kids that don’t have enough food to eat?

Why are families living in city dump and using trash to feed their kids and build their homes?

Why is their widespread incest and abuse here?

Why don’t you do something?

Why don’t you make this right?

Why?

your servant,

Pete

*The “hole” is a make shift community where hundreds of Dominican and Haitians live. The property was set aside as a city dump and place for sewage run off. It’s widespread with poverty, disease, and crime.

However, we still have a blast just hanging out. This trip we’ve spent some time at night just sitting around and making up songs. Thought you might want to check this out. Allow me to be the first to introduce this talent we’ve called “The Internationals”. This is like Menudo on steroids. You’ll notice our own Richard Hummel on guitar!

1) Pray for the church. Pray that we will continue to reach this community and that many Haitians will come to know Christ.

2) Pray for my desire to know God and study His Word.

3) Pray for a good wife (notice he says a good wife and not just a wife)

On a serious note, I know that Moise sometimes really battles with loneliness. Many of you know how lonely ministry can be, but imagine it as single man in a third world country.

So if you have a second go leave Moise a comment of encouragement or prayer and I’ll read them to him later this week.

Today I want to introduce you to some great friends of mine. If you’ve ever been on a CP mission trip to the D.R. then you’ve met them but if not….meet the Rogers. While in college Jeff was in a discipleship group I led. Brandi (my wife) was in a group with Vicki and so we set them up on a double date. The rest is just history.

They started dating.

They got married.
They felt the call to go into missions (I thought they were crazy)
They had twin daughters.

Jeff and Vicki are two of the most amazing people I know. Their faith stretches me every time I’m around. them. I still remember the first time they told me they wanted to move to the D.R. as missionaries. I thought, “You know they don’t speak English there don’t you? And they certainly don’t speak kentuckian!”

Following God’s bidding in their life, they have ruthlessly chased after God’s dream to change the spiritual climate of this island. Through bringing groups over, training pastors, and just loving the people they are doing just that! Changing an island for the Glory of God!

Check out their blog by clicking HERE (http://heartsinhispaniola.blogspot.com/) and if your interested it getting your youth group or church involved in missions you should DEFINITELY contact them! You can also support them directly from their blog if you’re interested!

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever felt God calling you to do?

Yes. Every day. Several times a day.

If you had to eat the same meal every day for a week what would it be?

*To read some other blogs from our trip visit www.crosspointmissions.tv