Santiago de los Caballeros

Santiago is the 2nd largest city (population 1.4 million) of the Dominican Republic located in the Cibao valley, just 50 miles away from Sosua but on the other side of the Cordillera Central mountain range. Far from the lazy beach towns and all inclusive resorts, Santiago is the nearest large commercial center; the place to go shopping and to pick up the mail.
AGAPE makes weekly flights to 11 locations in the Caribbean, and this week it was our turn to run the Pony Express to Santiago for the mail pickup for all the members who live on the North Coast. It is always exciting to be able to receive a letter or parcel, but equaling disappointing when you know a box has arrived but no one went to get it. Argggh!

John & Lily Nakonechny arrived on Sunday, July 19th and joined us on this overnight excursion to the big city. Lily shopped for amber at a few of the local factory outlets along the mountain road while John patiently waited.
Wednesday afternoon after a bit of shopping, we went to tour the famous Centro Leon, the best museum of Dominican culture and history on the island only to discover that they were closing early and would be closed for the rest of the week because the founder of the museum had died the day before. Definitely worth making a return visit in the future.Beautiful sunset over the city skyline and the monument of the “Heroes of the Restoration” of this country.

Still smiling thanks to John's safe driving through the traffic chaos of Santiago and circumventing the numerous potholes and washed out areas of the winding mountain road and a mission accomplished.

Where 2 or 3 are gathered….

Over the course of the past 2 years we have attended several churches; a small house church started by some local missionary families, then later attending at El Buen Samaritano church first in their Spanish service and then in the English morning service that was added. Unfortunately, the local people didn’t embrace the idea that it would be an opportunity for them to learn or practice their English and after a time it was discontinued also.
So the idea of starting up a small church arose once again. Though our group is small, there is a genuine uplifting and encouraging of the saints through our weekly worship time. The numbers fluctuate as people come and go but we pray to become a growing and vibrant church in the booming area of Cabarete. Last week we were able to use a tiny church on the main street, just a perfect size for a small group but large enough to seat 100 people! It’s a great place for mission teams who want to join together on a Sunday morning with the local missionaries. Pray with us that the church will continue to grow and that the benches will be overflowing!

BREAKFAST IN ESPERANZA

Monday and Thursday mornings each week during summer vacation, breakfast is given to approximately 120 children in villa Esperanza thanks to the generosity of a few Mission Direct team members.

During the school year, each child usually receives a snack during recess and once in a while they receive either a hot lunch or a bagged lunch. But during the summer, there are many hungry children who go without a meal.
With dedicated volunteers like Tina, Jane and Kathy along with some of the local people, the food is prepared and the distribution runs like a well oiled machine.

Teaching the children to line up to enter the church and to sit quietly and respectfully has been achieved for the most part, especially when they realize there is enough food for all who come.
Kathy opens singing a few songs with the children and nurse Yany leads them in prayer. The clang of their metal cups when dropped adds to the noise but all goes well.

Tina and Jane distribute the buns, eggs and juice to the children who line up in groups of 10 and then are ushered outside by one of the helpers after receiving their meal.

COME ... & VOLUNTEER

Kathy Goodwin is a volunteer who came from England for 3 months with Mission Direct to work with The Samaritan Foundation. Kathy lives in the mission house in villa Esperanza giving her a first- hand opportunity to touch many lives.
She teaches the children the importance of a healthy diet and other fun things using both her English and Spanish. Wednesday afternoons she gathers up the children, says a prayer and then gives them a bag to collect rubbish around the church and town square of the village. Afterwards, the children wash their hands, and then Kathy gives them a cup of homemade soup for their efforts.

One day, her husband Francis showed up on a surprise visit from the U.K. and stayed a week to lend a helping hand.
Kathy likes working on her own program, visiting the houses, seeing what the need is and doing what she can to help.
There are many opportunities to come and spend a few weeks, a month, or an extended period of time volunteering to help the poor with the Samaritan Foundation. Knowing Spanish is a definite asset but even if you are just learning, come and see what you too can do!

CHILDREN’S EDUCATION CENTRE

The 8 members of the mission team from Lakemount Community Church spent their week working on a much needed structure in villa Paraiso (Paradise)….A CHILDREN’S EDUCATION CENTRE.

Their tireless work in some very hot weather certainly didn’t go unnoticed by the community. We are so thankful to Lakemount and all those who contributed to help make this education center possible. We cannot ever underestimate just how important teaching the children about Jesus Christ is and so we hope to complete the building and start with our first Bible classes for the children in villa Paraiso this fall.

THE SCHEDULE

During our stay in Canada the question we asked each other most often was, "Can we fit it into the schedule"? So many people to visit and how to do as much as possible. It's a good thing Jane arrived two weeks early to celebrate Mother's Day with our children and spend time with her parents and sisters. Because once John arrived.....the schedule played a very important part in our days.
CHURCH VISITS

Each of the 4 Sundays we were pleased to visit one or two churches and their members. Even though this entailed a huge amount of driving and many early risings, are very thankful for their support of “The Samaritan Foundation” and our work there. Thank you for allowing us to opportunity to participate and worship in Sarnia 1st CRC and Living Hope CRC, Community CRC in Kitchener, Lakemount Worship Centre in Grimsby and our home church Rehoboth URC in Hamilton.

Five days after visiting Lakemount, their team of 8 arrived in Sosua to begin another mission trip. They raised funds for the project by selling "bricks" and local handmade items from the Dominican ladies.
POTLUCK DINNERS

Friday, May 29, on our way back from Montreal we stopped to visit Pastor Marilyn at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Perth, ON. To our surprise, upon entering the church, the delicious aroma of a potluck lunch greeted our senses! Instead of a short visit with Pastor Marilyn, we were greeted by members of this vibrant, small community with a heart for missions. In response to God’s love, and challenged by Micah 6:8, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”, many fundraising events and a mission trip to the Dominican Republic have taken place. Recently they decided to sponsor the building of four homes for the poor and the balance towards the operating expenses of the school in Villa Esperanza. Thank you for your generous donation towards helping the poor and allowing us to meet and share a meal with you. Mission begins and ends with worship. It starts at home but doesn’t end there.

Dave & Sandy Chapman and members of the Runnymede Community Church in Toronto hosted a potluck dinner on Wednesday, June 2nd affording us the opportunity to share a time of fellowship and community.

“To love God, be committed to one another and engage in community” is their vision. Who is my neighbour? Those in need! Not only has Pastor Mike and members of Runnymede gone on 2 mission trips to the Dominican Republic, but Dave & Sandy have also lived in the community of Los Algodones for a year! It was a pleasure for us to reconnect with them and give updates on the building of homes and community life in this extremely poor Haitian batey.

FAMILY & FRIENDS

One of the things we miss the most in the Dominican is the time spent visiting family and friends. We were blessed to be able to connect with many people and each moment was truly treasured. Thank you for working within our busy schedule to allow us to fit so many of you in. Even though I didn't always remember to bring the camera...the visits with you are precious memories of our time together.

Kyung Ok, Corrie & her mom at "The Stream" tv studio in Orangeville. John had an opportunity to ride a Peruvian horse at Paradise Ranch in Vernon, B.C. Martin & Tina Schroeder took us on a southern Okagnogan valley tour with a visit to Osoyoos.

Thank you especially to our children who are such a blessing to us and were available for whenever mom & dad had a free moment to spend time with them. These brief times together are very precious to us!

MONTREAL, QUEBEC

During these 4 weeks of furlough, we plan to visit many churches and supporters in an almost cross country tour of Canada commencing in Montreal, moving on to southern Ontario and then on to the beautiful British Columbia.
In Montreal, we had the opportunity to speak at Emmanuel Pentecostal Assembly, met with three pastors, and enjoyed the hospitality of our gracious host Lucy Conte. She forewarned us that the Italian’s love their food….and we were not disappointed. Lucy and her friend Carla organized our schedule, and guided us through this city of francophone’s. A funny thing happened when someone spoke to us in French…. we switched from English to Spanish automatically instead of French. Ooops! One of the highlights was a visit to the Welcome Hall Mission in downtown Montreal, a rehabilitation and treatment center for homeless men with drug and/or alcohol addictions. Established in 1895, they offer a 12 step program for recovering addicts guided by Christian principles and the word of God. A social service network complete with counselors, a food bank, clothing boutique and distribution center provide opportunities for community service and their reintegration into normal society. Paolo, the director for the past 8 years also asked John to be the guest speaker at their daily chapel service that day.

In November 2008, Lucy and Paolo led a group of ladies from Montreal along with 5 members of the Mission Hall band, all recovering addicts to bless the poor in the Dominican through worship, song and service. What an amazing feat it was that these men were able to raise their own funds to go on this mission trip. Mathieu hopes to return again to the Dominican later this year, the Lord willing. Thank you Lucy and Carla for making our stay in Montreal a memorable experience and giving us the opportunity to meet with past and future members of their Dominican mission teams.