Back in San Diego, CA

As of Sunday, May 10th I am officially back home in San Diego, CA! It was a long and very fast drive across the country, but it was great to see my cousin Jen and family in Phoenix, AZ and everybody back at 7 SD church on Sunday morning.
Since I’ve been back, I began working at Panera Bread Co. in Eastlake, CA. My friend Tyler was gracious enough to hire me on to his team. It has been a great experience so far as our store is in the same community as my home church. I have already had more than one conversation with a customer or co-worker about Jesus and 7 SD church. The former was obviously the more important topic. Nonetheless, it has been a huge blessing and I plan on working here part-time until I make my way back to the Dominican Republic.
On June 22nd, Camp Able will begin again and I will be supervising this summer. I have been involved with this camp the past two years and am very excited to help run it this summer. Camp Able is a day camp on the beach at Coronado, CA specifically designed for the disabled community. Campers enjoy sailing, playing in the sand, playing in the waves, arts and crafts, nature hikes, canoeing, and a ton of energy! It’s by far one of my favorite places to be in San Diego, CA.
There has been no doubt in my mind that I feel God’s presence in the ministry I am pursuing here. Arriving back in San Diego has been a huge blessing. I can’t wait to see what connections and ministries God has in store for the Dominican Republic as I continue to network this summer. I will be posting more and more blogs as things get going. I am already meeting with people in the next week to discuss the possibilities. Thanks for all your prayers and support!

My Friend Simeon

On my way back to San Diego, California last week I decided to spend a few days in Panama City, Florida with my friends Chris Nowicki and Simeon Lohrmann. During this stay we decided to rent mo-peds and ride around the city and along the beach. Unfortunately, my friend Simeon lost control of his mo-ped and was rushed to the Emergency Room. Simeon suffered from a concusion, a broken collar bone, and a fractured rib. He just recently arrived back in California, but is still in a lot of pain as he heals.
After talking with the doctors and replaying the incident in our minds, we realize just how much worse it could have been. It was evident that God had protected us that day and that though Simeon is still in pain, he is loved by God and his friends.
I’d like to thank everyone who was praying for this incident as it happened and for those of you who are continuing to join us in prayer as we pray for Simeon’s quick healing.

Decision to work abroad and home

Dear family and friends,

During the months of September, 2008 to March of 2009, I found myself at work doing that which I feel God has specifically gifted me to do. I was serving in Sosúa, Dominican Republic with a Not for Profit group called New Missions as an on-site missionary. It was through this experience and the short time I had spent with friends and family back in the states after my trip that I feel allowed me to define my vocation more clearly. I use the term “vocation” as a place where my deepest passions meet the World’s greatest needs. Allow me to quickly describe how I came to discover my vocation through these recent experiences.

After leaving my term of six months in the Dominican Republic (DR), my goal was to begin my graduate studies in the field of School Psychology at San Diego State University (SDSU). On the plane back to the states however, I was already missing my ministry and friends in the Dominican Republic so much that I had nearly told myself that I would return if I was not accepted into the graduate program. As I visited my home back in San Diego, California and interviewed for entry into grad school however, God put a desire back in my heart to serve the people of southern California. One week later, I received notice that I was not accepted into the graduate program at SDSU. I was now faced with the decision of going back to the DR or moving back to San Diego (SD) and pursuing other opportunities.

Following this news, I sought the advice of a lot of close friends and family members trying to decide what to do with myself. While I was active in most all of my passions and desires in the DR, I found myself being called at the same time to SD to pursue very similar ministries and activities. Thus, after praying, fasting, and consulting with a lot of close friends and mentor figures in my life I was very torn in deciding which way to go. I knew for sure that I had a huge heart for both locations and both ministry opportunities. However, I also wanted to make sure that my decision was primarily based on where I felt God was calling me and also that this choice would ultimately bring the most glory to God. Therefore, I have decided to pursue living in both the DR and SD.

Vocationally, I find the most fulfillment when I am working to serve 2-3 months in SD and 2-3 months in the DR. I hope to work while advocating for New Missions when I am in SD and to continue and grow the ministries I was involved with previously when I am in the Dominican Republic. The more I pray and discuss this idea with friends and family, the more at peace I become with this decision. I do want to emphasize however, that I am doing this because I feel called to serve both locations, not because I do not feel I have the capability of raising funds for living in the DR solely. With that being said, I pray and hope you will find favor in me as I begin to pursue the calling that I feel God has placed upon my life.

With Love,

Dustin Miller