By Angela Ramirez, Council of Twelve Apostles

Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it.

Recently we held several missionary activities in the areas of the Dominican Republic where we have established congregations. The entire mission center is involved in these events; people can travel from one place to another to participate. The central theme is sharing with the community, eating together, and above all, fostering healthy fellowships and a spiritual adventure. The activity coordinators begin organizing logistics well in advance, and we have been very blessed with what we have accomplished and how the community has embraced this practice.

A significant challenge we face in our communities is the irregular immigration of Haitians to the Dominican Republic. The last few years have been very sad for many of our Haitian brothers and sisters living in undocumented conditions in the Dominican Republic. When we went on our mission trip to the south of the country, we brought gently used clothing as well as essential medicines and medical personnel to support those in need. When we arrived at the home of one of our congregation leaders, we received news that one of our potential leaders from the eastern part of the country had been detained by immigration officials and that there was a possibility he would be deported to Haiti.

The person who helps us in these cases was with us in the south on the mission, which increased the tension among the group of brothers and sisters who were together, but more than six hours away from where our leader was detained.

Someone said that what we could do right then was pray. We held hands and formed a prayer chain. It wasn’t a long prayer; we simply presented the situation together before God. We rested in God.

About 30 minutes passed, and as we were about to leave for the community, we received a call from the leader: “I’m home now…thank you so much.”

That was our Pentecost.

We went out for the community mission day and did what needed to be done.

Prayer Phrase

“Let us work for the good of all” (Galatians 6:10).

Spiritual Hunger

Jesus discerned hungers of body and spirit, and he fed them through a physical, verbal, spiritual ministry of presence. In a time of listening prayer, ask God to help you discern physical or spiritual hungers of people in your congregation, community, and global family. Invite the Spirit to move you to one hospitable act that “feeds” someone’s hunger today.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.