August was the last of the summer rush of teams.
The first week included a trip to the Bateyes. The Bateyes are camps where People who work in the sugar cane fields live. Haitians often cross the border to the Dominican Republic in order to find work and a better life. instead, their papers are often destroyed and they become a people who don't exist. A people that no one cares about. But God sees their suffering and is raising up people among them.
Wiliam Desenes grew up in the Bateyes. Voodoo was his family's religion and He can attest to the painful and detrimental ceremonies that accompany voodoo. Over the course of time Wiliam came to know Jesus Christ and is now a Pastor in Batey Nueve.
Christian Church of Clarendon Hills is partnering with Pastor Desenes. A team from Clarendon Hills joined Pastor Desenes in pouring the foundation for the new church and nutrition center. There is a nutrition center in effect now, but with the new building Pastor Desenes will have an increased impact on the community.
Pastor Desenes and his wife Alexandra are already prominant figures in the Bateyes. When I am passing time at their home there is a constant stream of people coming to them asking for basic needs ranging from a glass of water to an injection for their hogs to stay healthy. I had the opportunity to accompany Alexandra as she injected some pigs to keep them healthy and parasite free. Healthy pigs mean healthy meals for the people living in Batey Nueve.
Pastor Desenes went to the local government pleading for access to clean water. The community was using water from the canal for everything. They bathed and even cooked in the same water the pigs swam in.
To every ones surprise the government has built a water tower in Batey Nueve. Pastor Desenes recognizes the pump that keeps fresh water flowing as "the most valuable item in the Bateys"
Thank you Clarendon for partnering with Pastor Wiliam Desenes so that he can be available to be the hands and feet and voice of Jesus.
Also in August we had a fresh new team from The Ridge Community Church. The Ridge moved block, rock, and sand with gusto! The team moved materials down into "the Hole" where a church/nutrition center is under construction. They did a fabulous job of caring for Pastors Felix and Yeni and listened intently to his testimony.
Felix shared how he came to the Hole almost seven years ago and for several years there were only about five people coming to church every week, but they continued to serve. He saw that the children were often going to school without eating breakfast and then coming home to an empty house with no one to cook lunch. In short, they were hungry. When Brook Brotzman, the president of GO Ministries, asked Pastor Felix what he might need help with, Pastor Felix knew the answer right away. the Children need food and clothes.
Over 80 children now receive a meal six days a week in the Hole.
Thanks to the Ridge for a job well done.
I flew to the US on August 28. I spent some time with my friends and family. I had the opportunity visit Discovery Church in Simi Valley California who faithfully partner with the community of Hato del Yaque. A team from Discovery will be coming again October 27-November 3. They are building yet Another church/nutrition center in Hato del Yaque!
God is doing Great things!
While stateside I was honored to be in the wedding of a friend that I met while on the field. One of my first, fast friends here in the Dominican was Viviana. Viviana worked as a translator for GO Ministries for over 5 years. She was married September 29 in Mesa Arizona where she now lives. Because it is hard for people to enter the US her family was unable to attend except her Uncle who gave her away. The Syler family that partnered with Viviana stepped in for her family as well as another missionary and I. So Vicki, Brittney and I stood in as the bride's maids and Lisa Syler stood in as Mother of the Bride since Viviana's mother could not be there.
Congratulations Viviana!
The Sylers also partner with Amaury Gresesqui who is a fantastic asset to our work team. The Sylers belong to Crosspoint Community in Nashville who partner with Pastor Moises (I spoke of them last month) and the story GOes on and on and on.
It is incredible. from California to Illinois to Nashville to the Dominican Republic, we are all connected.
Thank you to my friends and family and those who partner with me. You have allowed me to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
En Cristo,
Jen
"I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints."
~Philemon 1:4-7
1 comment:
hey, sister! thanks for all you do! it was great spending time with you at the wedding...by the way, i didn't notice any "wrinkles" in the dress material. what type of material was that anyway?
peace,
vic
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