Dominican Republic Mission
July 13, 2005
Hola! mi hermanos en Christo,
It is good to be home, though very difficult to leave. Gordon and I arrived
home Friday, July 8th. The time we were there went by very quickly. I'm sorry
to see that you didn't receive our first e-mail. So I will give you an update
on the first week we were there. We were able to go on medical missions with
MMI. We went to San Jose De Las Matas. It is up in the mountains on the opposite
side of the country from where we were staying. It was beautiful. It looked
like a post card. We have never seen anything like it. That project is surgical,
medical, dental, and eye. It was great to experience the differences in the
project. More than anything it's great to be apart of God's plan. MMI is about
reaching out to a world in need by providing medical care and sharing the
love of Christ and it is a privilege and honor to be a part of it. Gordon
fit right in, it was like he was there the entire two weeks. He made many
new friends and experienced some things I know he will never forget.
When we arrived at Irma Morenos' home, we discovered her and
her husband, who is a doctor, moved all their clothing out of their master
bedroom and installed a ceiling fan for Gordon and I while they moved up to
the top of their home and stayed in a half finished room. This was not easy
for me to except this kind of sacrifice. The longer we were there the more
we could see that there is no sacrifice to great for these wonderful people.
There lives are lived totally for the furtherance of God's kingdom. Needless
to say Gordon has two moms now and we have a second family that we love very
much.
While we were there we also were able to visit the homes of
all the children that attend the center. It is very sad. Some of the children
live in one, maybe two, room shacks with dirt floor and no beds, no water,
no stoves. They cooked on bricks in a room separate from the home, sort of
like a smoke shack. Some the other children in the home were sick, dirty and
a lot of times were running around without clothing because of the lack of
necessities to survive and lack of education. The need is much greater than
I could have even imagined. My heart was crushed at the sight of some of the
conditions we saw. There are 30 children in the center right now and that
does not even begin to touch the need there. There are children needlessly
dying daily. I have a hard time even writing this because it hurts my heart
when I think of all I have and how little they have. If I could, I would sell
my home and build the new center myself but I know that is not even a rational
idea. I have faith that God is going to meet the needs of these little children
through His Church. My heart's desire, if it be in the will of God, is to
be able to go back some day and live in the center. I am honored to be a part
of this ministry, to God be the glory! We have made a difference in the lives
of 30 children and with prayer and faith I know we will be able to help change
the lives of many more. Through the Dominican Project the children receive
medical care, two meals a day, basic education, spiritual education and the
hope to grow into Godly Christian men and women. The volunteers at the center
do not have much more than the children they are helping, receive meals as
payment for their efforts. I have never seen such dedication. While we were
there we were able to move the children into a larger building which is more
suitable to meet the needs of the children and will also be used to house
missionaries. Gordon and I are looking forward to leading teams down in the
future to do construction and evangelism. There are many other things we can
do until we raise the funds to build the center. If any one is interested
in being part of a future mission trip please call me at 330-830-0381. Thank
you and God bless you for your continued prayers and support of this ministry.
Te' queiro mucho,
We love you very much,
Ruth and Gordon Lewis
June 22, 2005
Hola! Mi amigos,
Things are very well here in the Dominican Republic. This week
Gordon and I are working in The Center for Aid to Children during the day
and in the evening we are doing Bible school in Bella Vista, one of the poorest
areas in the El Valle village. It is very sad. The children there are not
very nice and the families lack education and the means to obtain the necessities
to survive.
The first day we had 46 children and 20 accepted Christ. Yesterday
we had 72 children at Bible school. The children are very receptive to the
word and crave as much attention as you will give them. The desire of my heart
is to help them all, but it's in the hands of God and we will move to help
these children as He provides. May His Name be praised.
The children in the center receive two meals a day and a snack.
When they are able, the volunteers send food home with the children for an
evening meal or snack. In the morning they do Sunday school for about one
hour, then crafts, Christian music, and basic education. After lunch, there
is more devotion and a nap. The children help with clean up. Sarah is the
lady that teaches the children, she is in school to be an elementary teacher.
Irma Moreno is the woman that basically oversees the center.
She is there every day and helps with the care of the children. I have never
seen a person more devoted to the Lord than she is. After the center she ministers
to shut ins in the evening twice a week and she works midnights at the hospital.
She is always sharing Christ with someone, feeding people and/or giving them
money to meet there needs. I have been blessed to be privileged to be part
of her ministry.
I am about to lose the internet connection so I have to close.
Gordon and I are doing great. One more note please light the Christ candle
Irma's nephew excepted Christ with me yesterday, his name is Michael. I will
update you again when I can.
Today is Miercoles 22 de Junio 2005.
Bendiciones en Cristo,
Ruth and Gordon Lewis
