How great has been God’s grace since we arrived in San Juan de La Maguana!  All the fears and doubts we might have had before the trip, God, not only has dissipated but has also opened doors to new horizons.  We came to serve 150 children and the number has increased to almost 500 which have absorbed from other churches.  Instead of one shift, we now cover three.  And the budget that we had has miraculously multiplied to accomplish this.  What more can we ask?  What better proof that for God nothing is impossible?  The entire team feels blessed to be God’s instrument for His plan because we certainly never envisioned this.

The first day we arrived at San Juan we met with the director of the school to become familiar with the school curriculum, with the students, and to share the activities that we planned to carry out.  Next day in the morning, we met the Pastor from the church next door and talked about their Sunday school program and about the needs of the neighborhood.  That evening we attended their service and it was impressive to see that many people gather in such a small place, in spite of the heavy rain, and the strong faith that was evident.  It was fabulous to feel so welcomed, to feel the presence of the Spirit and to feel the miracle of God that evening.

Our second day in San Juan was even more exciting and moving when we met Pastor Joel.  Not only he is a living testimony of God’s grace, but he lives totally committed to reach extremely poor children in the most undesirable neighborhoods.  We were so touched by what he described that the following day we decided to stop by unexpectedly at his VBS. What we saw was beyond what we had imagined.  At that moment there was not a single doubt in any of us that we wanted to participate in his ministry.  His tiny church consists of a bare floor, hot and humid 550 sq. ft. room.  Under the most furious rainstorm, there were about 80 children there that afternoon, barefooted and dirty, singing and praising God, and immediately we joined into the songs.  We had taken sandwiches and juice because we knew that most of these children would not have had anything to eat all day.  One little boy held on to his sandwich and when we asked him why he wasn’t eating it, he said that he wanted it to take to his mother who did not have any food.   Fortunately, there was enough not only for his mother but for everyone to have seconds as well.   We left drenched in water and covered in mud but filled with joy.

The following days were hectic preparing activities, helping the VBS and coordinating everything, but we felt blessed to see how God’s grace was guiding us and sending Angels our way to help achieve His plan and to give us the strength we needed. We used to spend the mornings with the kids at the school that was co-sponsored by Alfalit, in the afternoons we helped the church and after that, we went to the suburbs where Pastor Joel gather “his kids”. Without any doubt, these kids were really in need. It was admirable how the Pastor was able to keep the order and the peace among all the kids that some days were more than 100.

The coordination and the willingness to help between the Pastors and the school for the good of the kids was remarkable, and at the wend of the week, even though we felt running out of energy and sadness because of our departure,  we felt that God was planting seeds in each kid that will have its fruits.

-DR Team

Come to the Missions Celebration Dinner on September 11th to hear more stories!

Sorry for the lack of update, we didn’t have internet access until today. You would never believe how God is working and opening up doors. Everything is much better that we could ever anticipate, except for the strike tomorrow that has us sequestered in the hotel. We are going to work a second shift as well with the children from the church next door, so that we will be reaching 300 children this week.

We also met with another pastor from an ever poorer church that has Vacation Bible School for 200 children and we are helping him as well. Just AMAZING! And we are somehow staying under budget. God is stretching our funds to reach more children – GLORY TO HIM! Did I mention that the second shift will be in the school (which UBC built) as well? The principal has agreed to every one of our requests. Can’t wait to fill all of you in on more details.

Please pray that the strike will be over soon, so that we may proceed with all the plans.

- Gisela Moran

Most of the day consisted of color coordinating the school and painting. As the kids were cheering us on through the windows one of the girls started to sing and we all sang along and danced as we painted, this made is it so much fun! As the day progressed the electricity went out and the girl offered us her house for us to cook. It was a “fogon de carbon” (a metal drum with wood charcoal) and the food came out exquisite.

As our driver picked us up we noticed he had glasses on which he had forgotten to wear the night before, no wonder the almost close call accident! Our first stop was the school, we needed to figure out how much paint and material to buy, thank God that Luis came on the trip his expertise is invaluable. We felt very welcomed by the kids in the neighborhood; the all recognized us from last year. Some of us went to the paint store and the Soares’ family ventured out to shop for food and buy supplies to cook for the group. As most of the team was applying primer to the walls the Soares were figuring out how to cook since electricity comes in and out most of the day, they borrowed a gas burner. WOW can they cook! Can you imagine traveling on a mission trip with your personal cooks!!!! The day was great since we finished the primer, had an excellent meal and shared lots of time with the kids in the area.

The group left Miami on Friday with a surprised 40 minutes delay, our flight was very good. Milagros, Director of Alfali was waiting for us at the airport with a mini bus named “Arca De Noe III”, we certainly were not expecting a flood! Anna has important family in Santo Domingo that was able to get $6,000 exchanged for us in the middle of the highway, we felt a deal was going down especially with all the black bags piled up in the back of the bus. We stopped to pick up lunch, friend chicken of course it seems to be very popular around here since there are “Pollo something” signs everywhere. We ate on the run because it was late and we had a long road ahead, except for a stop at a road side fruit stand where a little boy was the sales person. The weather was rainy and the road was treacherous and dark, and our driver one of the many bright colored conspicuous road blocks that Luis was diligently watching for and let out a scream that pierced the night. Close call!!! Finally we arrived safely five hours later.