April 2007

April has been a very interesting month,

It started off with the team from Simi Vally California working with their partner church in Hato del Yaque. I loved the way they served and enjoyed the community despite the many road blocks that came up during the work week. Road blocks such as having to wait two hours for a load of rebar before being able to continue, and so on. There are often unexpected happenings but it seems like the week with Discovery Church from CA had more than usual, but it didn't deter them from the goal of encouraging and supporting the nationals they worked along side.

Something unexpected that I don't consider a road block is when several of the team members were able to meet the kids that they support through the GO kids program. It was alot of fun watching people be united in person to a child that they have committed to support financially, through prayer and encouragement. One little girl that was there that day is Lisette. She is supported by children in a sunday school class at Discovery Church. Earlier this year her mom stopped me in the street with some seemingly important news to tell me. She happily told me that both of her small children were supported through GO kids. She was almost in tears so I hugged her and simply said "Felicidades!" I didn't know that it was Discovery Church who is supporting her, so it was a lovely surprise to get to translate for that reunion.

There is a link on this page to our GO kids blog. I encourage you to take a look and see what you can do.

The following week we had a staff retreat where we were joined by the GO board of directors, John Kohlor who is our missionary to Mongolia, and Pastor Ernest Tate who we will be working with in Belize.

John Kohlor lives in Mongolia, ministering to alcoholics and prostitutes. He was our guest speaker for our retreat and encouraged us greatly.

Pastor Ernest and Barbara Tate are Belizians who have been ministering there for over thirty years through Belize Faith Missions. They run an orphanage for abused and neglected children. Belize is a fascinating place. It is considered part of the Caribbean and the main language is English. There are alot of refugees from Guatemala in Belize leaving a large population of people without homes and provisions. GO Ministries is planning to start sending teams to Belize next year.

After our staff retreat we held a national conference with special guests Pastor Ruben Ramirez and Jhon Dario. The great part is that most of the Dominican Pastors and their wives were able to come and be encouraged through Pastor Ramirez. Jhon Dario (yes that's how his name is spelled) taught a wonderful worship training session that I attended myself. It was incredibly inspiring and I learned alot. We are excited about continuing to share in ministry with our friends in Columbia. What I especially like about this friendship is that they give and share so much with the Dominican Republic.

The sad part is that all of the Haitian Pastors were stopped at the border and unable to attend. Please pray that in 2008 they will be able to attend our celebration of partnerships. I know they would be greatly encouraged. But I also know that God has a good plan and will take care of every situation

Needless to say, GO Ministries is growing at an alarming rate.
I am honored to be a part of it.