Ladies Day at the Beach

Sunday September 13Th was a special day. We celebrated 3 baptisms at the beach. We had a mother and daughter team of Leocadia and Maribel. Maribel does not hear or speak and there are no schools here to help her so she has never learned to read or write. In fact she has never attended any school. But, she has become part of our family in the time we have lived here. Every time we open the door to the church building (she lives across the street) she is there. Valerie and Maribel have their own special language and never fall short of conversation and fun together. The third lady baptized is Rosa Iris who is the Mom of Evenecer, one of our worship leaders and Derlin's wife. Sandy and Pastor Ignacio did the honors and it was a great celebration. As the ladies entered the waters, each taking their turn, the church family on the shore sang hymns. Many other folks who were at the beach that day for the normal swim and splash also came over to watch these three beautiful ladies follow their Lord in baptism.

"Hugs" for the Kids in Monte Cristi

The first summer that we were in Monte Cristi we met a youth from Mountain Christian Church named Kristen Brock. It doesn't take long for a person to see that this is a young lady that loves the Lord so much that it splashes on everyone she comes in contact with. Kristen was unable to return to Monte Cristi this summer with the team because of a chronic illness she has battled most of her life. But, the Lord gave her a project called "hugs" which is a small blanket wrap with a huge red heart on it. Here one of the preschool classes from Ciudad de Luz Christian School receives a "hug" from Kristen. She received donations and sewed 60 hugs! Sandy and I visited the school on her behalf on Monday to teach the kids how to wrap themselves in their "hug" and pray to Jesus each night in bed. In the morning when they get up they learned to fold their hug and put it on the pillow and thank God for a good nights sleep and ask for His help in the day ahead. Thanks so much to Kristen for making an impact in 60 little peoples lives for the Lord! Way to go -we are so proud of you!

Working Together

In the almost two years since we first came to Monte Cristi we have met and worked with many others who are also in this community trying to make a difference. Chris and Bonnie Peebles are missionaries who we met two years ago on our first trip to Monte Cristi. They began working here almost five years ago and worked at the orphanage in town for one year before deciding to build a new Christian School in the community called Ciudad de Luz. The Peebles were in town recently to hold a pastors conference to equip and encourage local pastors. We helped with registration and other minor tasks. One evening while they were here we were all invited to visit the orphanage in town for dinner. There are currently 44 kids there and they range in age from 3 years to 20 years. This is a picture of the new two story housing at the orphanage. They have a barn with animals, playground, crops they are growing, and classrooms and computers for the kids. It is a great facility and a great team of people who are making a difference here in town. The Peebles are back in Delaware now where they are starting a church.

Meet the Newest Ministry Team Member

Congratulations to Arismendy and Fior, leaders of the Los Maestros church who welcomed a brand new baby girl in to their family this past week. She came crying in to this world at about 7 lbs on Friday night, August 28th. Her name is Arileida, and she is now the youngest of four children in the family. She has two older brothers and an older sister. In this picture the oldest of the four, Pedro, keeps watch over his new baby sister. Please keep them all in your prayers.

Movies in the Neighborhood

We have been invited to use the public medical clinic in the Los Maestros neighborhood to show Christian movies on Friday nights. The first movie night we had almost 75 people which overflowed the clinic out to the land surrounding the building. Ladies from the Monte Cristi church sold popcorn and juice to help raise funds for their church and it was a great event. The community loved it and has invited us back for more. We have another event planned for this month.