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Dear Friends In Christ,
I just wanted to update you on the DR mission trip this past September. As most of you have heard the trip was a huge success. The Lord did some wonderful things while we were there. It was wonderful to have Jay and Gordon there with me this year. Two of the hardest things for me were when I watched Jay and Gordon's plane fly out of sight and when I had to leave the children. But all in all it was an awesome trip. I am so thankful God is in control.
First thing I'd like to do is praise God for
such a wonderful church family and for the way we all work together
to further God's kingdom and His call on our lives. I thank
God also that prayer is the backbone of our church and for the
many programs FCF has that help us to grow in the Lord.
The Lewis family would like to thank you, Pastor Dave, for your
heart and dedication to the Lord and we would like to say that
we appreciate that you are wonderful man of integrity that does
not add to or take away from the word of God. It is important
for us to know that we can always count on you directing us
in line with The Word and that you have the very best interest
of FCF at heart. Thanks for all your encouragement, love and
support
I'd like to echo Jay's words of thanks to you all for your prayers
and financial support of the Dominican Project; it's when the
body of Christ works together that we can make a difference
in the world.
Irma and I had so much fun buying things for the children. It
was good to see that when they purchase things for the center
that they are not out to buy the most expensive, but they are
more interested in getting the most for their money and what
is most beneficial for the care of the children. Because of
the amount of the giving we were able to buy much more than
tables, chairs and beds. We also bought a stove with an oven,
fans, kitchen utensils, a sink for the bathroom, high chairs,
sheets, tool box filled with tools, sewing machine to teach
the girls how to sew, material to sew and make uniforms, chalk
boards, books and Bibles for each class room, a ladder, material
to make repairs at the center and to extend the dinning area,
vitamins, storage containers for the teachers to keep their
class stuff in, and my favorite; three swing sets for the children
to play on. I can't even begin to tell you all the ways we have
made a difference in the lives of these children. Thank you
for giving to The Lord.
Jay and Gordon helped the pastor build tables
and make repairs at the center. They also cleaned up the yard,
helped with a Bible school and visited some homes. While I was
there I helped with the care of the children and accessed the
needs of the center on the weekdays. The dedication of these
people to help the children in their village is wonderful; they
definitely have the gift of service.
The children receive medicine, vitamins, baths, haircuts, fresh
water, and two meals a day. They learn about Jesus and are prepared
for school, more importantly they are loved. Without us they
have no hope.
The Dominican Project has partnered with a local church in El
Valle Dominican Republic and the people we are working with
are also established as a non- profit organization. The church
we are working with not only helps the children, they go into
the poorest sections of the village to minister. On Sunday mornings
we did Bible school and an adult service in a poor section of
the village where they rent a run down old shack to hold the
services, in the afternoon we would go to another section of
the village where we held the service outside, and in the evening
I attended their church service. We also ministered to the sick
and shut-ins, did a soup kitchen and taught health education.
I also helped Interview families whose children are possible
candidates for the center. Needless to say we were very busy
and I loved it.
The Friday before I left I had the privilege to be used by God to bring a recovering drug addict into his kingdom. May His name be praised.
We have gone from 32 to 38 children so we need your help more than ever. If you would like to volunteer your time or support The Dominican Project financially please check out our web site for more information. Please check out our web for a special thank you letter from Irma and the staff at The Center For Aid To Children. Thank you again for your love and support. It's not just our ministry it's yours too.
In His Service,
Ruth Lewis
To see pictures from the mission and more information
about the Dominican Republic mission, go to:
www.dominicanproject.org