Proverbs 16:24 Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body

This past weekend, we had a full staff retreat. We spent approximately 24 hours together at the Lighthouse Guesthouse in Santo Domingo. It was beautiful time filled with lots of conversation, fellowship, and fun together. Our theme was encouragement. I had the privilege of leading one of the sessions: Words as Encouragement. Here is some of what I shared with the staff:

Encouraging words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Encouraging words are sticky. When you encourage someone with your words, those words are caught and “stick” to a person. They stand out. They remain in one’s memory. The words join you together-they stick you together in a positive way. You are stuck together in encouragement. Like honey, encouraging word are sticky.

Encouraging words are thick. When you encourage someone with your words, those words are strong. They provide strength. Their thickness remains and continues to feed you over time. Like honey, encouraging words are thick.

Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. When you encourage someone it makes them feel important. They feel valuable. It unlocks their greatness. We need to be reminded how valuable we are to each other and to God. We need to be reminded how much we have to offer. Encouragement reinforces the right things. It helps us to remain positive. It inspires people in challenging times. Encouragement builds loyalty and trust.

I challenge each one of you to focus on encouraging someone with your words each day.

Life has felt a bit different since the dedication ceremony. Jason traveled to Santo Domingo with the outgoing dedication ceremony guests and flew back to Pennsylvania. He has been working long hours on the renovation project for our future home. It’s a large renovation project. The house has been completely gutted and both floors are getting a completely new layout. It’s in a beautiful location at the base of the mountain in the woods. I’ve always been a country girl and I am looking forward to the serenity of the location. Jason will return to the DR on May 5^th.

The kids and I continue in San Juan. They have 7 weeks of school left. It’s hard to imagine that it is soon going to be summer break and we will be emptying out the contents of our Dominican home and making our transition to the United States!

We will continue to help with spring teams until the end of June. Jason also has a list of projects that he wishes to accomplish before our transition.

I will leave you with several prayer requests:

1. Prayers for our family during this time of separation.
2. Prayers for endurance for the end of the school year.
3. Prayers for the ministry in general.
4. Prayers for our Dominican staff-that they would feel valued and loved by God.
5. Prayers for all of our Dominican family and friends as we all feel the transitional time approaching.

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!