Puerto Rico

On October 17th, I left the Dominican Republic to travel to Puerto Rico.  Pastor Carlos' home church was celebrating their annual "Mission Week," and I was invited to attend. 

 

The church was decorated for mission week with flags from each of the countries
where this church has sent missionaries.



This year's theme for all of the mission-week services at Iglesia Centro Cristiano Shalom in Puerto Rico was the "4/14 Window."  You may have heard of the 10/40 Window, which refers to the countries in Europe and Africa between 10 and 40 degrees North of the equator.  Many governments in this area are opposed to Christian work of any kind.  Dr. Luis Bush, a missionary strategist, started a movement in 1990 to help missionaries focus on an area of the world that most needs to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The 4/14 Window is a similar initiative.  Instead of focusing on a geographic region, however, the 4/14 Window movement focuses on a demographic group -- children ages 4 to 14.  The 4/14 Window strategy begs us to open our hearts and minds to the idea of reaching and raising up a new generation —a generation that can experience personal transformation and can be mobilized as agents for transformation throughout the world.

The resources I received about this movement emphasize the following:  

• Children are the most open and receptive to every form of spiritual and development input.
• There are approximately 1.2 billion children and youth in the world today.  The value and potential of this large group of people is often ignored and overlooked. 
• Our vision and hope is to maximize the transformational impact of children while they are young, and to mobilize them for continuing impact for the rest of their lives.
• Our enemy recongizes the importance of children.  While adults and churches are busy with "important things," children the most vulnerable members of society suffer in silence. 
• Children experience the effects of poverty, war, disease, sexual, physical and emotional abuse, exploitation and many other ploys of the enemy to rob, kill and destroy their joy and innocence.   

Because of our work here in the Dominican Republic with children living in poverty, I was asked to share at the opening service about what we are doing to reach and empower children and youth.   

 



The children of this church were very active in the service. 
Reminding us to include and engage them in all our ministry endeavors.

 



The opening ceremy included a special flag service.



It was a treat to spend quality time with Pastor Carlos, Teresa, Naty
and other friends from the Dominican Republic in another setting.

 



This is the home that Pastor Carlos grew up in!  It was neat to hear stories
as we traveled through the streets of his "old stomping grounds!"

 

Old San Juan

 

We didn't get to spend too much time site-seeing.  I've told people that I saw
just enough to know I'd like to see more!

The lovely Dominican ladies that I stayed with. 
Sandra and Isablle -- two new friends!

It was a great trip.  I'd go back any time!  I've especially been challenged and inspired to keep my eyes open, and  not overlook the opportunities I have to pour into children and empower them to use their gifts and talents NOW in the Kingdom of God.