Jan-March 2008!

2008 is going great!







Teams have been steadily coming to put on baseball camp, medical clinics, children's ministry etc...







But most of all they have been steadily working along side construction workers on the new building in Hato del Yaque that will serve as a church, feeding center and dormitory to house teams.







In June I will be moving into this building in order to facilitate teams from there.







Pastor Aristides is preparing the church for the opportunities for ministry that lay ahead. And if there is a community in need of ministry it is Hato del Yaque.







As we were doing children's ministry one day the pastor showed me a wound that one of the girls had on her leg. She said that it had been there for about a year without healing and she also had been bleeding form the gums. She just lives that way. The Pastor and I talked to her about going to our free clinic so hopefully she will get the care she needs.







That same day pastor Aristides introduced me to a mother carrying a child that looked no more than two. In reality the child is six years old and has some sort of cerebral handicap. The mother has been carrying him around for six years. I wondered with some therapy and education, what is this family capable of. But they are spending their time battling poverty. Anything else is a luxury.







Then I met a little boy on the job site who is deaf.







Not to change the subject, but as our offices are in Louisville Kentucky I often spend time there. When I am in Kentucky I get to stay with my good friends and fellow missionaries Jeff and Vicki Rogers. Over two years ago they found out their twin girls are profoundly deaf. Jeff and Vickie and the girls have all been learning sign language and the girls have gone through countless therapy sessions. When I am with them I am fortunate enough to get to sit in on some of Sophie and Raena's therapy sessions and try to learn a little bit of sign with them. I really enjoy them. You can read more about their story at http://www.blotter.com/profile/17641218804086086523

So I met this little deaf boy while doing construction. People here often call deaf people "mute" because they aren't typically taught how to speak. This little boy doesn't speak, sign, read or write. What opportunity does he have in this world? Like the girl with the wound, his family is battling poverty. "Opportunity" is a luxury. I tried to teach the boy some words by putting his hand to my throat and mouth and He did a pretty good job. We worked with the other kids saying "te amo" which means I love you. If you listen carefully he says " teh aaaah poh" Not bad for his first time eh?

Through Jeff and Vicki, we have contacted the deaf community here in Santiago. I attended a Church service entirely in sign. It was very fun. They accepted me with open arms. Hopefully we can get this boy connected with them and see about an education.

All of this, to say that there is a great need in Hato del Yaque. The Christians there are up for the challenge though.

The Montan family have been part of the church there for years. They have been pillars of the church since it began and continue to be a steady rock in the foundation of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Montan have raised 11 children and know what it is to battle poverty.

Pastor Aristides and his family moved out to Hato del Yaque this year to be the Pastor of the church. He has been in ministry for over thirty years and is ready to make impact.

Discovery Church of California partners with Aristides and the Church in Hato del Yaque. They came in March and worked on the building and encouraged everyone including myself.

I know God can change the lives of those living in Hato del Yaque through all of us working together.

En Cristo,

Jen

2 Corinthians 8:12-14

12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality,