BECKY

Life on the mission field comes with emotional ups and down especially concerning relationships with friends and co-workers. God calls us at different times and for different seasons to serve in the mission field. It is always difficult when the time comes to say good-bye. Earlier this month, Dave and Sandy Chapman returned home to Toronto, Canada and now it was time to say good-bye to a dear friend, Becky Garwood.

It was only 8 months ago that we met, when she decided to make the 40 minute drive from Gaspar Hernandez to attend El Buen Samaritano Church in Sosua Abajo where most of us attended also, but it seems like a lifetime ago. Memories of the rustic, Dominican house Becky lived in, and then to the beach house rental, the walks along the beach looking for shells and sea beads and especially her commitment to God will remain with us always. Family circumstances have dictated her return to Texas sooner than anticipated and she will certainly be missed by us all.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

On their 5th mission trip to the Dominican since January 2007, Martin and Tina Schroeder decided to make it a family affair and invited 3 sisters, 2 brothers, their spouses and a friend to join them. The experience was awesome and the hearts of family members were also impacted with a desire to return again. Whether it was installing roofs, painting windows & doors, or doing crafts with the women and children, a bond was formed with the families in villa Paraiso.
Tina holding a 23 day old baby of one of the moms while she was working on her craft project.

This family was in desperate need due to unemployment and were unable to pay their rent and were evicted, so they were forced to live in the stairwell of a building. The gift of a new home by these sponsors was a blessing indeed. Lisa offered a prayer of blessing, read scripture and gave the family some food and an illustrated children’s bible during the dedication ceremony.
“Gracias a Dios” was their grateful response. Thank you to our God and Heavenly Father.

THE HOMETOWN CONNECTION

Visitors are always an occasion to celebrate especially when they are from your home town and home church.

Tony and Jenny deWeerd have been involved in mission work since their retirement with most recently helping to rebuild homes damaged by hurricane Katrina. They will soon be heading south again to Slidell, LA., but first enjoyed a vacation in the Dominican Republic giving them an opportunity to see mission work being done here by the Samaritan Foundation.

Thank you for your prayers, words of encouragement and for giving us the chance to show you the neighbourhood.

THANK YOU, DAVID AND SANDY CHAPMAN

Looking back on 2008, it will be remembered as a year that saw many new and exciting things happen in the village of Los Algodones. A school was built and began operation in September, a medical clinic opened, a larger church building was nearing completion, and permission was granted to build homes in the new villa, Esperanza.

Throughout the year David and Sandy were first hand witnesses to all these events while living in the mission house in this community. Life can be both challenging and rewarding ministering to the needs of others who assume that you are available 24/7. Privacy and personal space were rare and moments to be treasured.

David and Lucknee enjoying a chat while working.

A consultation with Sandy

From bringing people to the hospital for tests, therapy, or medical emergencies at all hours day and night, delivering a baby in the car on the way to the hospital, teaching art to the children, crafts to some ladies, and the constant stream of visitors to their door for coffee or a chat, they will certainly be missed by all.

Thank you for shining your light and showing your love here for the past year.

Dave and Sandy returned home to Toronto, Canada on January 6, 2009 where they will live a more “normal” life with Sandy returning to her job and Dave undergoing the struggle of finding a new job, since the company he worked for previously has ceased operation.

Please continue to uphold their needs in prayer that the adjustments will go smoothly even though their hearts are still with the people in Los Algodones.

MORE ARRIVALS

The New Year began with more visitors and the arrival of Lily who, with her husband John and their 3 children, worked with the Samaritan Foundation for 8 months prior to returning home to Toronto, Canada in June 2008. Our friendship is a treasured gift which we renewed and strengthened during her stay.

After visiting the villages to greet acquaintances and friends there was still time later in the week for a little rest and relaxation on the beach.

We almost made it to Las Terrenas one day, but after a 3 hour scenic, coastal drive, the road trip was aborted just 17 kilometres from our destination due to car problems. The entire afternoon was spent in a repair shop in the small town of Sanchez instead of on the beach!!!!!!! We returned home and the next morning since we were still on holidays, went to the Sosua beach instead.

Another arrival to our home came in the form of a new puppy....only 4 weeks old. She was rejected by her mother and needed a new home, so........ What’s one more guard dog­­ for the house? Any name suggestions......?

Pastor Darren and family visit

Yesterday we welcomed Pastor Darren and his family from Community CRC in Kitchener, Ontario. They are spending the week chaperoning a mission team from Ontario who are working in the Santo Domingo area.

Their family took a 4 ½ hour bus ride from Santo Domingo to Sosua to see our work with the Samaritan Foundation

and were treated to a real Dominican lunch.....rice, beans, chicken and fried plantains.

We are now getting ready for the many mission teams that will be arriving in the new year to continue the work of the Samaritan Foundation building homes for the poor and impacting many lives in the name of Jesus.

Merry Christmas to all

Christmas is a time for family and friends to share in the wonder and joy of our Saviour’s birth. We were blessed to have many visitors during this time. Our son Dan arrived on the 23rd along with the entire Wildschut family (John’s sister Betty and family) who all received the VIP treatment at the Puerto Plata airport thanks to a good friend here who arranged everything.

The Wildschut’s stayed at a resort in Playa Dorada which was a good thing because the next day we unexpectedly welcomed the Polanco family from villa Ascension to stay with us for a few days. Tension and turmoil in the village on the 24th caused many families to seek shelter elsewhere until things settled down.

Christmas day with Dan and the Polanco family

Please continue to pray for those families that are enduring hardships and trials and that peace may be fully restored to villa Ascension.

Dan spent time with his cousins at the beach, played games with us and became a real team player when help was needed. Together we toured the villages, explored the countryside by mottos and enjoyed the beaches including snorkelling.

Bryan, Eric, Julie, Jodi, Michael with Aaron and Hannah, Betty and Arnie

the Wildschut family

We enjoyed a time of fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation for all 12 of us but it was too short!