BLACK WATER (Agua Negras)

Agua Negras is a very poor community located on the shores of the shipping port in Puerto Plata. A few times a year when a storm surge drives the ocean waters inland and up the rivers, the sewage lagoons flood, dispelling up to 3 feet of its waste water into this community. Sandra Tineo, a pastor/teacher & administrator of children, teens & women’s programs is a beacon of light in this community. With a team from Thanks Living Lutheran Church in Nebraska, we visited Sandra to decipher where the greatest needs were in her community and how we can help. As we carefully watched our step to avoid stepping in the black (sewage) water, we followed Sandra on a tour, and saw the love of Christ in her to all the folks she encountered. Greeting each person by name, tousling the heads of children and even picking up a small boy who had fallen and scraped his knees….she gave a kind word of encouragement to each and everyone we met. Our eyes were opened to the reality of life for so many people who pay rent to live in these unsafe and sometimes uninhabitable places, but who also joyously attend the small churches to be filled with the love of Jesus. Together with the local people, she encourages & empowers them to work together to raise the floors by 3 feet & repair their homes using funds graciously donated by many different mission organizations. Can we say the same for ourselves? Where is our focus ... on pleasing our own self interests & desires ... or serving others? Jesus offers rather a fresh and much-needed invitation to our "me-first" generation. Jesus says, in effect, "Be a servant . . . give to others!" (Mark 10:45). But how? By regarding others as more important than yourself. Look for ways to support, encourage, build up, and stimulate the other person. This requires an attitude that would rather give than receive. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

As we begin 2011, we want to thank the Lord for all his provisions and blessings we have experienced this past year. We can only stand back amazed at how in His providence....great things had been accomplished all to glorify and honour His name.

And so the new year has begun....after ringing in the new year with friends....it was then time to say goodbye for a while. An early morning snowstorm in Buffalo couldn't hold back the plane as we made our way to visit supporters from 1st Baptist church in McKinney, Texas. They welcomed us with pure Texan hospitality and we want to thank Lois Jacobs for being our most gracious host there. We had an opportunity to meet with Mission Direct USA staff, a new church in Bryan that is sending their first team to the DR this March, and take part in the Wed. evening service and 2 services in all 3 of their venues at 1st Baptist, McKinney giving us an opportunity to thank them for their continued suppport & commitment to the ongoing work in the DR.
Lo and behold....after the services the area received a lot of heavy, wet snow. Is this really happening in TEXAS? Yes, indeed.
--------------------------------

And so....we have since returned to the Dominican Republic.....the land of no snow. Hooray!

Our first mission team of the busy winter season arrived from Edmonton just 3 days later and we are back in full swing once again. It is like coming home to our second family with all the hugs and warm greetings shared upon our return.

We look forward to many exciting things to happen in the next few months with the start of the new vocational school in villa Paraiso and the dedication of the 1,000th home to be completed by the Samaritan Foundation.

May God be glorified in all the work being accomplished with the upcoming mission teams.