What unfolded over those days was spiritually renewing, deeply stretching, and profoundly transformative. Samaná has a way of capturing your heart—the warmth of the people, the beauty of the coastline, the openness of the communities—but this time, God did something even deeper in me. Every day was full. The kind of full that leaves you physically tired but spiritually alive. From early-morning team devotionals to late-evening debriefs, we poured ourselves out in neighborhoods, homes, parks, and street corners. And in every conversation, every prayer, every gospel presentation, God met us.
There were moments when the heat pressed down, when fatigue whispered, when language barriers slowed the pace—but then God would open a door, soften a heart, or bring someone to tears as they heard the hope of Jesus clearly for the first time. Those moments carried us. One of the greatest joys of missions is the relationships formed—both with the local believers and with the people we meet along the way. We laughed together, prayed together, shared meals together, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the work of the gospel.
And by His grace—His grace alone—over 700+ people made decisions to place their faith in Jesus Christ. Seven hundred souls. Seven hundred stories. Seven hundred eternities changed. I’m still trying to wrap my heart around that number, not as a statistic, but as a testimony of God’s power. I am humbled. I am grateful. And I am reminded that God is still drawing people to Himself in every corner of the world. I’m thankful for every member of our team—those who preached, those who prayed, those who served quietly, those who encouraged, those who translated, those who simply showed up with love in their hearts. God used each person uniquely, and together He wove a beautiful tapestry of ministry. This wasn’t just a trip. It was a move of God.
And now, with a full heart and renewed strength, I’m preparing for the next assignment—Honduras next month. If Samaná taught me anything, it’s that God is already there, already working, already preparing hearts. I’m simply stepping into what He has in store. I’m excited. I’m expectant. And I’m ready to see His glory revealed again.
-Pastor Joe
