Teamwork!

2 containers were released from customs last week: one full of wood for building more homes.....and another contained a shipment of food, sewing machines,27 boxes of toys from the Toronto fire department and countless number of milk bag mats.....This container was delayed in shipping for 2 weeks due to hurricane Sandy but it finally arrived safe and sound.Two containers and 2 mission teams during the same week...wow.

Thank you to the York CRC team who instead of taking their last day off to see the sights...spent their time sanding and painting church pews, organizing the soup packaging room and lending a helping hand to unload the container. 

 

It was fun to race and see which row of volunteers working side by side with the local crew could unload by hand their skids of soup tins and buckets and barrels first.

 

This day was also the national day of Violence against Women in the Dominican Republic and the students from schools participated in a march through out the village.

 

 

Day by day

Fortunately for us Hurricane Sandy skirted our island. It has been an

extremely hot and dry summer and fall. The temperatures have been in the

30's consistently with humidex making it feel like the mid 40's. The teams

usually only do construction in the mornings when it is more bearable but

as John tells everyone who comes.... "shade is your best friend". We are

looking forward to the temperature change which generally occurs in mid

November to a more manageable 25 - 27 degrees Celcius. 

 Another container was loaded this past Thursday and is on its way now. There are 90 barrels of dehydrated soup mix from the Ontario Christian Gleaners on this load which will go a long way towards feeding the poor. Tourism is very low on the north coast here and so many people are unemployed because of this. These people are desperate to feed their families and the soup will go a long way to helping out.

Robberies are quite common especially now as it gets closer to Christmas. We lock our house securely each time we leave to go out. Even the police are asking for something to eat for dinner if you get stopped along the road. We need to be extra cautious as we travel about for you never know when someone will "accidentally" run into your car or person to try to get some money from you...after all...they look at it as we are white and have money and therefore can pay for everything. We are truly blessed compared to their situations and try to show the love of Christ in all our actions. We know the Lord is our protector and shield.

This past weekend..John brought someone to the hospital twice in less than 48 hours who desperately needed help. Thursday evening after dinner he took a dear Dominican friend and her 13 year old daughter who had a fever of 104 degrees....she received 3 treatments through an oxygen mask and was released 4 hours later with no follow up instructions. Friday the girl was at the clinic in villa Paraiso where they live to see the doctor and receive her medication free of charge. However.... Saturday afternoon she had a raging temperature again and after a desperate call to John, they went back to Puerto Plata (25 minutes away) and spent 8 hours waiting in the public hospital emergency room. No bed was given to the young girl...she just sat on the chair and waited along with about 25 other people. A few hours later she saw a doctor briefly...they took blood samples and then they waited for the analysis.

Repeatedly, the staff came into the room to report that the machine was broken and would be fixed soon. Each time this happened...all the other patients looked toward John as the only gringo in the room to see how he would react. During the next 5 hours of waiting the people just talked with each other....no one read a book....just chatted until finally the machine was fixed. They waited another 1 1/2 hours to get medication and finally were on their way back home. This is an example of everyday life and how the people don't sweat the little things....they just accept it and live one day at a time. Was this the way we had planned on spending our Saturday afternoon/evening, especially since it was supposed to be our date night for our wedding anniversary? No... but God calls us to help the widows and orphans not matter the circumstances. This lady has a special spot in our heart as she tries to raise 4 children on her own ....especially Nicole her 13 year old daughter who has chronic bronchitis and asthma and needs to go to the hospital often. The slightest weather change will compromise her health.

We are thankful that we can be a blessing and help in our work and daily lives here in the Dominican. 

Blessings, Jane

SPRUCELAND RETURNS

For the 6th year in a row…a team from Spruce land Millworks in Alberta has arrived in October not only to work hard putting the roofs on 18 more homes they sponsored….but also to share once again a delicious Thanksgiving dinner at the Morau Mai restaurant in Sosua with the local staff of the Samaritan Foundation. Thirty four people enjoyed a turkey dinner with all the trimmings….complete with pumpkin pie and real whipped cream on Monday, October 8th, 2012.

All week the tea has braved 33 degree plus humidity = 42 degree temperatures while working in the direct sun as they strapped and later installed the tin on roof tops. Others were able to find a sliver of shade alongside the new homes as they painted all the windows and doors which will be installed this week to finish off their homes.

During one body cooling break….“superman” passed by during a photo shoot with the team photographers. All in good fun….Vic….you are truly a “super” man.

At the thanksgiving dinner….a challenge was thrown down to John regarding his facial hair. $3000.00 has been pledged if john will shave his moustache and next month his goatee also with all monies going toward the costs of operating the soup repackaging program. 96 more barrels of soup are arriving from the Gleaners via a shipping container next month and we need sponsors to offset the costs of purchasing these additional items. Please make your generous donation payable to the Samaritan Foundation with the FEED A FAMILY noted in the memo to help us reach this goal. By the time all the barrels of soup will have been distributed….880, 000 bowls of soup will be available to the poor.

We need to raise $9000.00 in total to cover the additional costs of the packaging. Can you help to meet this goal? Thank you and may God bless you all this Thanksgiving season.

During week 1, Dori & Gail with the help of our interpreters interviewed many families to hear their stories of their previous situation and how their lives have been changed with the gift of their new home. Meanwhile… Christa and Lorel the official tea photographers took photographs of each family and their homes, gardens, schools etc. etc. to show in a beautiful way these lovely families.

Week 2 begins now and as they continue to finish these homes, we look forward to the house dedications for 18 new families in the village of lower Zion on Friday.

In the meantime….Lorel and Christa both accomplished seamstresses (and a quilter too… yaaaaay) along with our interpreter Stephanie…will work in the sewing trade school teaching the students how to make finished seams which makes their clothing articles look professionally done.

In Christ, John & Jane Huizinga

SOUP MIX = JOB CREATION

With grateful thanks for the numerous barrels and pails of dehydrated soup mix the Samaritan Foundation has received from the Ontario Christian Gleaners, not only will many hungry bellies receive a nourishing meal but 6 poor ladies have also received temporary employment. These ladies from the surrounding communities work 5 days a week on a morning or an afternoon shift breaking down the 100 portion bags into family sized portions of approximately 8 servings each. Rice and seasoning mix is also added to the mixture creating a one meal in each bag. Stephanie de la Rosa oversees the daily work and orders the supplies as needed.

Each day, 2 bags of rice @125 lbs each (250 lbs) and 1 large container of seasoning is used in packaging 1400 family sized meal portions which is the equivalent to more than 11,000 bowls of soup.

Where is this soup all going? Barrels of the finished product are being brought to local churches, orphanages, schools and ministry organizations that will distribute to needy families in their area or make pots of soup to feed the children.

This is truly a blessing to many, many families and needy individuals but we really need your help to support this program. It takes approximately $500.00 a week or $100.00 a day to cover the costs of the rice, seasoning and labor. With your help, prayers and financial support, think of how many meals can be provided and distributed because of your generous participation in this program.

Your participation gift can be sent with a note indicating “Feed a Family” to,

The Samaritan Foundation,

P.O. Box 21003, North town Postal Outlet, Welland, Ontario  L3C 7E6

May God continue to shower you with blessings as we celebrate Thanksgiving together and continue to praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Family time

What an incredible 3 weeks this has been. Between church visits and the thank you barbeque…we were able to spend some time with our family too.

The Recycle Hope jewelry has piqued a lot of interest at various functions and we look forward to our biggest event ever to be held. The Ontario Christian Gleaners is holding a World market place event on November 17th at their facility in Cambridge, ON and we have been invited to showcase the jewelry as one of the vendors. Our oldest son Bart has developed an online store in which the jewelry is available for purchase. Check it out at: www.esperanzafairtrade.com .

We were thankful to celebrate with Jane’s parents their 55th wedding anniversary.

Spending time with our children and granddaughters was such a blessing…and sharing special moments together with each of them was a thrill.

John & Raquelle share a moment at the African Lions Safari while watching the elephants take a swim.

Dan, Jeannette & Camryn

We visited historic Montreal with Lucy Conte and her family after speaking at Fabre St. Church in the morning during which the children presented a fabulous musical drama during the service about serving for kids called “God of this City” based on the song by Chris Tomlin.

It was a pleasure to show our guests from Mission Direct in the U.K. - Nigel, Susan & Susanna Hyde the wonders of the CN tower in Toronto and the magnificent Canadian Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls even if the men did occasionally discuss business.

Hard to believe….but John has left Canada to return to the Dominican this morning to resume his duties as Mission director for the Samaritan Foundation. Jane is spending a few more weeks in Canada connecting with family and friends.

Our health cards are renewed, drivers’ license updated, but we are still working out a few bugs with OHIP. The 5 year extension has run out for continuous health care and we were informed that it is necessary to wait an additional 2 years before reapplying and during which time we are required to spend 5 months of each year in Canada. Please pray that an exemption to this situation will be resolved soon so we may continue working faithfully in the Dominican with continued health coverage.

Church visits

Sunday morning we were thrilled to attend Marshall Memorial church in Ancaster to give a brief undate on the work that has happened since their last visit and to encourage them as they prepare to send another team down once again in February 2013. Pastor Robin and Mary Ella, we missed your presence but look forward to meeting you soon. Your congregation is like family to us. Thank you for supporting and upholding us in your prayers as we travel this journey together.

Last night we had an awesome visit with the Caledonia Congregational Church. We met the team members who are coming on their mission trip next February and were able to share about the work that is being done in the Dominican. We pray that your fundraising efforts are successful and not only raise awareness (& funds) but also create a tight knit bond between both new and returning team members.

Our team schedule calendar for 2013 is filling up fast....so if you are interested....please contact us now to reserve your slot.
Blessings to all!
John & Jane

Coming to a church near you!

Many of you have been asking where we will speaking while we are in Canada.
Hopefully we will be at a church near you.


Sunday, Aug. 12:
Marshall Memorial United Church, Ancaster, ON.

Wednesday, August 15:
Caledonia Congregational Church

Sunday, Aug. 19
Christian Baptist Church, Newmarket, ON.

Sunday, Aug. 26
Fabre St. Pentecostal Church, Montreal. QC.

Blessings and we look forward to meeting you all soon.

BBQ Social

You’re invited to a "BBQ SOCIAL” on August 22, 2012 while we are in Canada. Please join us in celebrating the 5th anniversary of our work serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic with The Samaritan Foundation.

To show our appreciation for your prayerful and financial support during the past 5 years, we would love to visit with each and every one of you. The BBQ will be fired up at 12:30 for lunch and we’ll keep cooking right through supper time for those who cannot make it earlier. Please bring a lawn chair and a smile, and we will take care of the rest!

Please RSVP to: jphuizinga@gmail.com so we can be prepared for your attendance and for directions to this event.

Thank you in advance!

Nest Of Love School Inaguration

Today marked the final chapter for fundraising efforts of Andy, Jon, Dale and Ian...4 men who committed themselves to raise the funds in partnership with Mission Direct so the the Nest of Love School could be built.

Today they witnessed the inauguration and dedication ceremony...along with many visitors. What started as a dream for Evely Peniche to help the neighbourhood children and began with an after school program for 8 children in the garage of their home, has grown and now become an accredited Christian School with 350 students attending on a daily basis. One woman with a dream...lots of prayer...and a great team of fundraisers....has made the Nest of Love School what it is today.

The teachers are wearing their new uniforms for the coming school year.

May God continue to bless the task set before you as director and the teachers as they instruct the students to grow in God's love.

Andy, Jon, John and Jaime take part in the official ribbon cutting ceremony at the close of the program.

Paraiso Gardens update

The garden area has been divided into individual plots of approx. 100 square meters which is sufficient size to grow enough food to feed ar family of 5 throughout the year. The homes which are on the interior roads and do not have much growing space were the first to receive a garden plot.

Classes were held to explain the concept of the garden project and the rules of the tool lending program.

Afterwards, gardens are allocated, contracts signed and the work has begun.

Each family has created a fence around their area and have begun to cultivate the ground.

 The ground needs to first be burned to get rid of the weeds and the fire ants. Early in the morning or after 5 pm when it is cooler outside. whole families will socialize as they work.

 

Augustine has been hired as a garden manager to translate & oversee the tool lending program. 

Ed is mending the fence where cows have been entering into the garden area.

 About 150 gardens have been allocated at this time. It is a joy to see them taking such pride and ownership in their work.

McKinney 1st Baptist Church Returns

A large team of 30 from 1st Baptist Church in McKinney, Texas enjoyed a return visit to the DR in July. For some of the team members...this was their 6th or 7th return trip while for many others it was not only their first time here but also their first time on a mission trip ever. The HOPE jewelry shop ladies gave a warm welcome to the entire team on Sunday morning by providing a refreshing snack and drinks after the church service.

 Pastor Kenneth and his wife Terry did an amazing job organizing and leading their team both prior to and while in country even the returning members who were eager to renew the friendships they made in the past years.  

Yes…it was hot out but that didn’t slow down the team from their various activities of construction, soup packaging, painting, rebar and moving blocks. John checked some of their muscles at the beginning of the week to ensure they were up to the task…and they proved it during the week.

A few of their highlights include their visit to a local rehab center for recovering alcohol and drug abusers who shared their testimonies and how these Christian brothers encourage each other to overcome their addictions.

Secondly, for the returnees a chance to see the changes that have taken place at the Nest of Love School in the past year especially since their team had painted the entire 1st set of classrooms last year in preparation for the school year beginning in their new location.

The team encircled the entire house as they prayer a blessing on it and their sponsored family during the dedication.

Thank you 1st Baptist McKinney for sharing in the joy of helping others in a foreign country and we hope you were blessed as much as you were a blessing to others.

Containers of blessings

Just a few days apart the Samaritan Foundation received 2 shipping containers filled with donated items to use in the ministry work. On June 23rd the container of wood donated by Spruce land Lumber was released from customs and delivered to villa Paraiso.

The entire shipment of wood was unloaded by hand, sorted by size and stored in 2 facilities…an old shipping container and a new storage building on site next to the wood shop. You may wonder at the unique shape of the building…but when the existing container is rusted out and no longer of use…the 2nd half of the building will be constructed on its site. The wood is used to build doors, windows and the roofs of all the homes that are constructed.

On June 26th the 2nd container was released and also brought to villa Paraiso. Well over half of the container was filled with the dried soup mix from the Ontario Christian Gleaners…too many barrels and pails to count. Ermis had a great time using the bobcat to unload this container.

It is a good thing because those 2 dental chairs are very heavy especially when Ramon and Juan hitched a ride. Lots of refurbished sewing machines, bolts of fabric & sewing supplies will be put to good use in the sewing school.

 Blankets and quilts made with love by the Busy Hand team from Wyoming, Ontario, shoes, children’s school packs, and even artificial limbs which will be donated to the Rehabilitation Centre in Puerto Plata will be a huge blessing to many.

Thank you to the many generous donors of these gifts and also to Cam Rothwell of Rotary for organizing the shipment of the food and other articles. Thank you also to Juan Ovalle who worked many hours with the custom officials in Puerto Plata to release the containers from the port as quickly as possible.  

the river

On a rare Saturday afternoon off....what better place is there to go to for a picnic on a hot and muggy day…. than the riverside? The beaches along the ocean are great but for a change of pace we decided to do like the locals and go to the river instead. Take the road through Maranatha, go past the Nest of Love school in villa Emmanuel and keep going for what seems like forever….but in reality it took us one hour to reach our destination. The river was wide and shallow enough to wade through but too deep to drive through….or so we thought…. even though the road continued on the other side.

It was a beautiful scenic spot to relax with a good book or take a nap but in reality we discovered there was a lot of activity in this place. We chatted with a local farmer & his 6 year old son who came on horseback…while the dad rinsed and filled his milk cans repeatedly to provide water for his animals the young boy enjoyed his swim.

Then around the corner we were amazed to see a tractor being driven down the river bed which eventually crossed over to the other side.

Another farmer came from the opposite shore….along with his cows for a drink….and then a family arrived in a pickup truck. They drove it right into the water so they could refill their load of water barrels. After the work was done….they jumped into the water for a swim to cool off and a shampoo while they were there.

Probably the most amazing thing we saw later on was when two men arrived on a motorcycle, dismounted…took off their pants and strung them around their necks….proceeded to cross the river in their underwear carrying the motorcycle….then after reaching the opposite shore….one put his pants back on and continued on his way while the other one walked back across to where he had come from.

Needless to say….I didn’t get too much reading done….but it was an interesting afternoon nonetheless.

It was now time to leave so we could return home before dark….down the winding and bumpy road through the hills once again. For those of you who have been to villa Esperanza….it was just like that experience on the back of Rob’s truck…..but for a whole hour. We were curious if this road would show up on the map so we googled it…. and discovered that it was and we went a grand total of 10 miles each way….so according to my math skills, this means we averaged 10 mph.

Kathy….this is the road Uncle John took you down last year on his bike….you guys were so close to it but unfortunately you decided to turn around just a bit too soon.

 This is the end of my story but the moral is…..I will never complain about the bad roads in Canada ever again. Nothing can beat this one…..but the scenery was absolutely fantastic as were the people we met. We love this country and their laidback social culture.