July 16-24, 2015
Bondye bon.
Whatever God does is for the best. Whatever is, is good. – Haitian Creole Proverb
In the sugarcane camps (also called bateyes) of the Dominican Republic live hundreds of thousands of Haitians who have toiled in the sugarcane fields of large plantations for generations.
They live in squalid conditions with little money, no education and no place to worship. They have no one to speak for them in times of crisis and they live under constant fear of deportation to a country they do not know, and a language they do not speak. Most of the workers in the local batey are Haitians who have come to work the sugarcane fields since the 1930s and have since raised their families with no legal status. There are nearly a half a million migrant workers with no country.
In the little village of Villa Hermosa in the La Romana region of the Dominican Republic, there is a light shining in the darkness in the form of Pastor Carmela Gomez. She has long struggled with the issues of supporting a Christian flock in the midst of poverty and corruption in a poor, rural, and underdeveloped country, and without a church.
Carlos Silvestre, our Love A Child host in the Dominican Republic, has long been a friend and worked side-by-side with Pastor Gomez in many of the communities doing Love A Child Mission Outreaches.
Carlos, who is originally from the Dominican Republic, loves coming back throughout the year to help the people of his country. Together, he and Pastor Gomez started a Youth Outreach Program.
Carlos conducts many other Outreach Programs, including a Feeding Program for the people of the sugarcane camps.
The Feeding Program is essential for the impoverished Haitians and Dominicans that live in this very poor area.
Carlos and David George visit and minister in a prison every year. The team of over 30 volunteers passed out Bibles as well as new tennis shoes that were given to us by World Vision. They also gave all the prisoners a hot and delicious meal!
The spirit of God fell mightily as David George ministered in one of the prisons in the Dominican Republic.
Carlos has done a great job with the evangelistic teams that have been coming into the Dominican Republic. So much has been accomplished with the partnership of Love A Child and David George and his team in the Dominican Republic!
The Master touches many lives! And He now has spread His love and sponsorship to building a new church for Pastor Carmela Gomez.
First, we purchased the land. This was a momentous day for Pastor Gomez. She has been praying for a church for many years, and now with the help of Love A Child, Carlos, David George and his partners, her prayers have been answered.
This new church project is under the guidance of Randy Landis, our Dominican Republic Senior Field Director. This is the first Love A Child Church in the Dominican Republic.
The church construction went very quickly.
Pastor Gomez stopped by the building site often and watched her dream come true.
David George flew into the Dominican Republic periodically to check on our first church being built in La Romana! Carlos was there as well. The church is located in a very poor area comprised of both Dominicans and Haitians who live in the sugarcane camps.
As the church neared completion, we made plans for the dedication to celebrate what the Lord has done.
The past weekend was filled with youth and enthusiasm. We held a Youth Rally that included an 18-game Basketball Tournament, as well as other games for the smaller children, plus preaching and singing! Reaching the youth of this area for Christ! Wow! Thank you Carlos for putting this all together. Thank you David George and your friends for sponsoring this event!
Pastor Jim Hassel brought a powerful short message to the youth that were there.
We had some preaching, singing, and fun for the kids between games! We all had a blast! We also gave away gifts of clothes, backpacks and so much more! Before this evening was over, many came to Jesus! Love is something you do!
The basketball tournament finally ended, and here is the winning team with Bobby, David and Carlos.
On Sunday, July 12th we held a Dedication Ceremony at our new church. We worshiped in the new Love A Child Church in La Romana, Dominican Republic. We rocked for Jesus!
This was a wonderful Dedication Ceremony for the House of the Lord in the Dominican Republic. Afterwards we prayed and cut the ribbon, and everyone was given a delicious meal! To God is the glory! Thank you again David and Angie George and your friends for sponsoring everything! Wow, so many Haitians were there on Sunday! Probably half were Haitian and the other half Dominican. What a day!
Thank you David and your friends for funding this project! Pastor Gomez and Carlos Silvestre have a great burden for the youth of this poor area of town. By faith in the future, maybe the Lord will let us build a new youth outreach center there too!
When the Lord starts blessing, the devil starts running. We are so thankful for this light in the middle of the darkness. Please pray about joining a Love A Child Mission Team to the Dominican Republic. It will be a life-changing experience. May God bless you.
Sherry