Visit to the Dominican Republic

Well its been just a few weeks since my pastors and I went to the Dominican Republic in hopes of finding a VisionTrust ministry to partner with as a church for the next 10 years! No decisions have been made or finalized, but I know that God has orchestrated each and every step! From the timing of Eric and I joining this church to the timing of their search for an orphan ministry to partner with overseas, it has had God’s name written all over it and its been such a privilege to be a part of!

Two ministries in particular that touched both my pastors’ hearts as well as my own heart were the Deaf Ministry and a Learning Center in a community called “La Represa” or “The Reservoir”. So, without further delay, please allow me to introduce them to you!

MINISTERIO DE LOS SORDOS (Deaf Ministry)

Can you imagine being 16 years old and never having learned your own name? Can you imagine being one of 10 siblings and never having been able to talk about your favorite game or song on the radio? Can you imagine not ever knowing the name of God, or Jesus? Can you imagine not being able to ask your parents questions about who created the birds and the trees, or what happens to people when they die?

One of the most sensitive ministries VisionTrust partners with is the Deaf Ministry in the Dominican Republic. Many children are born deaf and/or mute in this country do to malnourishment or substance-addicted mothers. These children are rejected by society as mentally handicapped or disabled, when in all reality, most of them are not disabled in any way other than their inability to hear and/or speak. Unfortunately, lack of education causes family members and neighbors to mistreat these deaf children and in most cases, physically and sexually abuse them.

VisionTrust supports 1 of 3 deaf schools in Santo Domingo, a city of 3 million people. Through child sponsorship, deaf children come from communities an hour away to learn how to sign, read and write. Here the children join a “family” of other deaf children like them and Christian teachers who help them learn life skills, and most importantly, the Word of God!

LA REPRESA (The Reservoir)
For those of you who don’t know what a Reservoir is, it’s a place with a lot of water!!! This remote village is surrounded and divided by several winding rivers and lots of beautiful banana, pineapple and mango trees. It has one public school, one church, and thousands of people struggling to survive. The public school I mentioned is overcrowded and does not accept children until age 7. This means that many children do not see a crayon, pencil or sheet of paper until 1st grade!

About 2 years ago, 2 women by the names of Marisol and Sonia began a ministry for children between the ages of 3-6 in a one-room wood shack. They began teaching the children their numbers, colors, alphabet, and many, many Bible stories! Since Sonia is the wife of the one pastor in the community, many families began to attend church because of the ministry to their children.

God has done much already through the small but significant offerings of love, resources and time that Pastor Thomas, Sonia and teacher Marisol have given to Him through their ministry, but there is much more to be done! Pastor Thomas has many dreams for the community such as building up and expanding the VisionTrust sponsored school through 4th grade, building a medical clinic, and starting a direct trade between the grocers in the city and their agricultural workers in La Represa. Child sponsorship and mission teams are and will continue to grow this ministry and the Kingdom of God in La Represa with the help of people here in the U.S.

Please join me in praying for my church, as well as other churches who are seeking the Lord’s face to get involved in caring for the orphan and the fatherless. May His will be done and may His children be cared for in Jesus’ name.