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Project Update!
Project 1 – “The Hole”
Located in Hoya Del Bartola, “The Hole” is one of the poorest communities in Santiago. This makeshift community is actually located in the lowest part of the city, inside the city trash dumb. Many families are unable to afford housing, so the government declared squatter’s rights in the trash dumb and more than 600 families now live there.
G.O. Ministries saw the need to help with the spiritual and physical poverty in this area and is building a two-story structure. The first floor will house a feeding center for 150-200 kids and the second is a multi-purpose room for worship, community outreach, teaching, drama, education, etc.
Thanks to many generous supporters, this building is half finished and the first floor is open and serving hot meals six days per week (although, the room has not been completely finished).
Project 2 – Hato De Yaque
This work site is one of our largest and is located in one of the most rural and remote communities. Similar to the facility in “The Hole”, this building will be two-stories and offer the same amenities; however it will also feature dormitory facilities for short-term teams, offices, a kitchen, and community volleyball and basketball courts.
Thanks to many generous supporters, this building is almost half finished and the first floor is scheduled to open in May 2008, with the first team arriving in June.
Project 3 – Batey 9
Located Barahona is a series of Haitian work camps. These camps were originally home to Haitian slaves brought to the Dominican Republic to harvest sugar cane. When the Dominican government deemed slavery unconstitutional, these camps began paying their workers a very minimal salary (although they were still virtually slaves).
This project (like “The Hole” and Hato De Yache) is a two-story structure and will serve in the poorest areas of Haitian communities in Barahona, Dominican Republic. The first floor will house a feeding center for 150-200 kids and the second is a multi-purpose room for worship, community outreach, teaching, drama, education, etc.
Thanks to many generous supporters, the foundation and floor have been poored on the first floor.
After a long journey, I've finally arrived in the Dominican Republic! (*deep breath*) I can't believe I'm finally here and ready to begin working alongside my Dominican and Haitian friends.
I arrived in the Dominican on the night of 12/30/07, where I was greeted by a large group of nationals with open arms. There were about 15 people waiting at the airport for us and they couldn't wait to give us hugs. There were so many people that we had to use the G.O. Ministries 30-passenger bus to transport us to the city. I traveled with Brook Brotzman (president of G.O. Ministries) and his family. When we arrived in the city, we were greeted by a second wave of nationals who had prepared a feast of chicken and rice for our arrival. After much food and fellowship, I retired to a spare bed in the house of Ramon Gabriel (president of G.O. Ministries, Dominican location).
After just a couple hours of restless sleep (how could I possibly sleep at a time like this...I’m soooo excited), I was greeted by a wonderful guest, Jennifer Goodenough (a fellow missionary who’s lived in the Dominican for 2 years). Jen brought an amazing gift…my apartment keys!!!! We rushed over and she introduced me to the land lady (Martha) and translated as Martha showed us around the place. I spent most of the day cleaning and moving in my 2 suitcases. I know…2 suitcases doesn’t seem like much, but things just run slower here and take longer to accomplish.
As I prepared for my first night alone in my apartment, I knew it would be special…as it was New Year’s Eve!!! In the Dominican, New Years is a very big deal and there is a lot going on. People put on their best clothes, open their houses and fill the streets. Tons of REALLY loud music and dancing take everyone into the new year. The party lasts from 5:00PM on Dec. 30 to about 7:00AM on Jan. 1.
I was a real trooper (even though I was tired from working all day) and stayed up until almost 3:30AM (for those that really know me...they know that's amazing...lol). When I retired to my apartment at 2:00AM, I realized that there were no light bulbs (Dominicans will take everything that is not bolted down when they move)...so, it was another adventure finding candles and bulbs. At nearly 3:30AM, I finally hit the pillow (no, I didn't brush my teeth...there was no running water...haha). The party was still going very strong and the center of it was right outside my window. The music was so loud it sounded like it was playing inside my apartment (there are no windows...only slats), I tried to sleep, but that wasn't happening.
This morning I awoke to roosters again, and realized that I survived my first night alone in the Dominican (which also happened to be New Year's Eve)!!!
About My Apartment
The Bateys
These slaves had (and still have) very hard lives. They work from about 5am-5pm (sometimes later if there’s light) harvesting, planting, and maintaining the sugar cane crops. At night, when they return to their Batey (which is located in the middle of the sugar cane fields and miles from the nearest town), they suffer with no electricity or running water. Their houses are nothing more than shacks, built of scrap wood. The “hard working” slaves get to sleep in concert bunkers that look like jail cells. These bunkers have nothing in them and the floors are usually wet and stink. There are no sewers in the Bateys, so people dig a hole in the field and use that as their toilet.
Eventually the Dominican government outlawed slavery. This made the sugar cane landowners very angry because they were now forced to pay the Haitian workers. As a result, the landowners began paying the Haitian workers less than a dollar a day (this continues today). So, according to the law, the Haitians are now “paid employees”, however in reality they are still slaves. Most people are born, live, and die without ever leaving their Batey and the sugar cane field they work in each day. Most Haitians living in the Bateys have no education, dreams, or knowledge of the rest of the world.
While I was there, I couldn’t help but watch an old lady. It was early in the morning and her husband had gone to the fields. She was outside her shack and was sweeping her “front yard”. There are no paved streets in the Bateys, so it’s all dirt. And when it rains (which is often on a tropical island), everything turns to massive amounts of mud. Well, this lady was using a broom that she made out of palm leaves to sweep the leaves off her area of dirt. She spent hours cleaning that dirt.
So, what’s the lesson here?
No matter how poor you are, or how little you have, no one wants to believe they are poor. This lady showed an excellent example of “pride of ownership”. That was her home and she lived there her whole life. She wanted to keep it as clean as she could and prepare a nice home for her family. Every day, she sweeps that dirt without complaint. She never gives up and keeps a smile on her face.
Is there any hope?
YES! G.O. Ministries has partnered with Pastor William, a native to the Bateys. Through strategic partnerships with Americans, G.O. Ministries and Pastor William have built a church, small community center (currently used as a feeding center), and a dormitory hub for short-term mission trips. Construction is now underway for a larger two-story structure. The first floor will serve as the feeding center offering a warm meal to local children six days per week and the second floor will have a large room for teaching, preaching, community meetings, drama, education, and as a place for refuge in times of crisis.
While there is still much work to be done, it's awesome to see that simple acts of generosity have helped to change a community for generations! Way to go!
In The Spotlight...Patricia Gonzalez!
As I build relationships with the people of the Dominican Republic, there are certain stories that stand out. One (among many) of these stories is told by a woman named Patricia.
I've had the pleasure of getting to know Patricia over the past several weeks. She can be found walking through the neighborhood and her children are often playing outside my apartment. After many days of walking past her and simply saying "hi", I finally dediced to strike a conversation with her. Eventually, we became friends (she knows many of the American missionaries with G.O. Ministries) and she shared her story with me.
Although Patricia and her family (like many Dominicans) live below the poverty line, she’ll be the first to tell you how blessed her family is. However, her faith was tested in 2007 when Puro fell extremely ill and passed away. This left Patricia alone to provide for her family.
With no education, Patricia began pampering her neighbors with manicures and pedicures, as well as, cleaning their homes and doing their laundry.
Today, Patricia still faces many challenges, but her smile is bigger than ever. Ashley, her only daughter, has a severe case of epilepsy and requires constant medical attention; however Patricia doesn’t let this slow the family down! She knows that everything is in God’s hands.
Patricia's story is an excellent example of hope and what perseverance. She knew that she couldn't make ends meet on her own, but trusted that God will provide and never gave up. When you see Patricia's smile, you know that she feels a sense of peace and accomplishment. We should all learn from Patricia and NEVER GIVE UP...God has a plan!
Construction
I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work at both of these locations. A typical day consists of moving heavy block (usually to the second floor), mixing cement (by hand!), moving dirt, painting, or just helping where needed. By the end of the day, we’re covered in sweat, cement, and dirt…ahhh…how awesome!
Each time I work at a construction site, I’m reminded of one thing: “I went to four years of college for this?!?!” And, the answer is, YES! You see, thanks to my past and opportunities through education, I understand the importance of a global focus. We all share the same world and it’s important to understand that the needs spread far and wide.
I’ve chosen to work and live in the Dominican Republic, where the need is great. I challenge you to look around your community and to stretch yourself to consider other communities in need. If you start each day by saying, “How can I bless someone today”, this world would look radically different!
Children’s Ministry & Feeding
It’s with great honor and excitement that I get to participate at a couple of our feeding centers. A typical day starts with me watching the children enter the building. They’re laughing, excited, and usually try to bring a friend. I sit and reflect on what an honor it is to know that because of faithful people like you, these children won’t go hungry. THANK YOU!
Once the kids are patiently sitting at their table, I make my rounds and play with them. They love this! You see, most of the children don’t have someone to give them a hug, talk to them, or just smile at them. So, I make it a point to be YOUR ambassador and do these simple things.
The kids know me as the “painted man” because of my tattoos. I guess the bright side is that something helpful came out of getting tattooed. When the kids see me, they love to pull up my sleeves and talk about the picture. I’ve created a “find the object” game that they LOVE to play. I say, ‘find the red flower”…and they search my arm for it. Once we play in Spanish, we switch to English. This helps them practice their English skills!
Youth Ministry
Each week I co-host a bible study with a Dominican national, Isaias Gabriel. We spend time reading the bible and discussing the topic at hand. The youth really enjoy this and get very passionate with the discussions. On Saturday evenings, we have a youth worship service. This gives us the opportunity to invite other youth from the community. Currently, our group has about 30 people, and each week, we see new faces.
Sundays are one of my favorite days here. After church, we load up youth from surrounding communities and head to a field to play flag football. We usually squeeze 20-25 people in a 12-passenger van and fill the bed of a pick-up truck with another 15 people.
To Dominicans, American football is new and unknown. Throwing, catching, and playing are quite amusing. After playing for several weeks, some of the guys are getting pretty good!
PROJECT UPDATE
Hato del Yaque
Currently, the first floor is 90% complete. Walls have been textured, paint has been applied, and cement floors have been poured. Last week we went shopping for tile and some finishing items. We hope to install these within the next week.
With the first floor almost complete, construction on the second floor has begun. The G.O. Ministries team spent a few days helping to move heavy block to the second floor and bring in other supplies. Two American teams have also worked on the second floor. Currently, we are working on the walls. Stacking block and adding cement. From there, a tin roof will be installed and tile will be put on the floor.
Hoya del Bartola (“The Hole”)
Currently, the first floor is 80% complete. Concrete floors and textured walls are done. A steel door has been installed on the front of the building and the office is now useable with a lockable door and window. We’re in the process of purchasing tile and will soon have the finishing touches on the first floor.
Like Hato de Yaque, the second floor is now under construction. Cement block walls have been installed and are waiting for texture. The top floor is starting to take shape and will soon need a tin roof.
In The Spotlight...Jessica Rodriguez!
This month I’d like to highlight a woman that bares a story that is all too common in the Dominican Republic. However, this story is not a story of sadness, but of hope. Jessica is truly an amazing woman.
For the past four years, Jessica has worked in the kitchen of G.O. Ministries' main dorm located in Hoya del Caimito. Faithfully, each day, she arrives at 6:00 AM or early to prepare breakfast and will work the entire day (preparing lunch, dinner, and cleaning the kitchen) until 9:00 PM or later. Many times, Jessica works seven days a week to ensure the American teams have an excellent experience while visiting her country. She truly enjoys her job!
When Jessica goes home, she always makes time for her two young boys (ages 7 and 9). As a single mom, she is responsible to not only provide financially for her family, but offer education, domestic duties, and to just be a mommy. I can only imagine how tough this must be.
Jessica’s story doesn’t end with her hard work. That’s just the beginning…
When her youngest son was just a baby, he fell very ill. Jessica rushed him to the doctor only to be told that they couldn’t help him. She then went to the hospital for more tests. There too, she was told that her son could not be helped and would not live. Distraught and desperate, Jessica arrived one morning on the front porch of the church. There she was greeted with open arms and invited inside.
The church began to pray for her son and the prayers lasted for days. Many of the women in the church visited Jessica’s house to offer help and comfort her. Many people thought that this comfort would soon be for the loss of her son, but Jessica NEVER gave up faith.
Jessica was not a strong Christian and really didn’t understand a relationship with God, however she feel to her knees and pleaded for God to spare her son. She faithfully said that she would follow God if he would just grant her this one request.
After a few weeks, miraculously, Jessica’s son began to get stronger and seemed to be getting better. She again rushed her son to the hospital and they ran tests. Stunned, the entire hospital staff looked at Jessica and said, “your son has been healed, but we don’t know how.” From that day forward, Jessica’s faith has grown and strengthened. She rarely misses a church service and her two boys can be seen playing in the community.
Today, her son is not only healthy, but is one of the best students in his private school. He reads proficiently, has been classified as “highly intelligent”, helps around the house, and encourages his mother…all at the age of 7. In other words, he is a miracle baby!
When I asked Jessica if I could write about her story, she gave me “the look”. She knows and understands that her prayer was answered and that her son is VERY special, however she is simple and humble and doesn’t like to be in the spotlight. She agreed to let me write about her story in hopes it touches the life of someone else and gives them hope.
Youth from Hoya del Caimito "Strike" back
We packed about 20 youth from Hoya del Caimito (the neighborhood where I live) into a 15-passenger van and headed to a “surprise” youth activity. On the ride there, the youth were guessing where we were going and were anxious to get there.
After driving for a short time, we pulled into the parking lot of the Santiago bowling alley as screams of excitement rang out from inside the van! You see, most of the Dominican youth pass by this bowling alley on a daily basis, however few have ever entered. Bowling in the Dominican is a luxury and aimed at the upper-class and tourists. So, many of the students in the youth group can’t afford to go.
We recently started a new series at our bible study and the youth have been strengthening their relationships with each other. It's been awesome to see how they interact and build each other up. They are trying to be an example for others in their community and, I think, have a genuine love for one another.
When we arrived in the bowling alley, we split into three different teams and the competition began. Dominicans are very competative and words like “nice try” or “better luck next time” are just not in their vocabulary. Instead, the game is cut-throat and everyone is fighting for bragging rights.
The theme for the evening was “team work”. Those who were fortunate enough to bowl in the past helped the new bowlers with technique and each team had to work together to build their score. Teams were also specially divided to give people the opportunity to get to know someone they may not usually spend time with...and I think deeper friendships will come out of the night.
So why bowling?
By taking the youth out of their normal surroundings and placing them in an environment that is unfamiliar, they are forced to work together to figure things out. They also know that bowling in the Dominican is a luxury (something they don’t have money to afford) and are taught the value of appreciation when someone goes out of their way to give them a night to remember.
So who one?
Surprisingly, one of the youngest players (who had never bowled in his life) named Angel bowled an amazing 160 for his first game…and only got better from there!
Bubble Gum Brings Smiles To Children
This month has been an emotional roller coaster for me. Each night when I lay my head on my soft pillow in my little apartment here in the Dominican Republic, I can only think of all the children that are just a couple blocks away. Most don’t have a pillow, probably didn’t eat dinner, and are most likely shivering from being cold (yes, the Dominican gets colder at night). These thoughts (and the images I’ve seen) often keep me up at night thinking of how I can help.
One story that came to my mind was the story of a little boy with a big heart. This boy (like many Dominicans) comes from a very poor family and often doesn't have food to eat. One day he did something that may have seemed simple to him, but was deeply profound...he shared his chiclet.
For those of you that aren’t familiar with a chiclet, it’s a small piece of chewing gum that is about the size of a kernel of corn (yes, one little kernel). Well, this little boy was given a chiclet by an American visiting the Dominican Republic and what he did with it was the part that amazed me. He took the chiclet, bit it in half, and shared it with his friend.
What causes a poor child, with no food, to give up his little piece of gum? I’ll let you…true friendship and love. With that in mind, I set out to help give as many children as possible a WHOLE piece of their very own gum (and show them the love that Jesus has for them).
That night I shared the story of the little boy with my father, who in-turn, shared the story with some people from my church (Discovery Church) who were coming down to the Dominican for a week-long mission trip. When the team arrived, I was given a BIG yellow bag FILLED with enough gum (the awesome bubble gum kind) to share with 400 children…and that’s just what I did!
Carolina Baez, a Dominican, joined me in Hoya del Bartola (“The Hole”), which is one of the poorest communities in Santiago, and together we passed out grande chiclets de burbuja (big bubble gum) to children after they finished their meal in the G.O. Ministries nutrition center. That day, I saw smiles, tears, and BIG bubbles…enough to remind me that God calls us to love even the littlest children!
A special THANK YOU to Discovery Church and my Pa (Kerry Berman) for providing the gum!
Chiclet or Chocolate?
That was the question as 60 children piled into the G.O. Ministries bus for a surprise outing to the Bon Ice Cream Shop (Dominican Republic).
Fellow G.O. Ministries missionary (John Martinez), Dominican local (Carolina Baez), and I were accompanied by other G.O. Ministries missionaries as we had the pleasure of taking 60 children (and a few adults) from Hoya del Bartola ("The Hole"), a local community living in the middle of a trash dump, out for an afternoon of fellowship and ice cream. The children selected for this activity came from the feeding program that G.O. Ministries sponsors. At the feeding center, more than 100 children are given a warm meal six days per week. Pastor Flex and his wife Jenny administer the program and have seen notable progress in the health of the community. For most of the children, this is their only meal and without the program they would go hungry. With their stomachs full, these children are able to take the focus off of finding food and put it on other things…like education.
One the bus ride to the Bon Ice Cream Shop (the Dominican version of Baskin-Robbins), the children sang songs and laughed the whole time. When we finally got to the ice cream shop, it was a mad dash for the spiral slide and the electric rides (although the kids didn’t have money to turn them on, they loved pretending). For nearly two hours, it was organized chaos in the playground with children dart every direction! IT WAS AWESOME!!
When it came time to serving the ice cream, the children piled on top of each other as they got in line to receive their serving of ice cream. They were able to choose from chiclet (bubble gum) or chocolate. Once all the children (and adults) received their first serving of ice cream, the line was opened for seconds, thirds, fourths, and in some cases…fifths!
Loaded with sugar and energy for running around, we jumped back onto the bus and head back home. This was bitter/sweet as many children knew they would probably go home to an empty dinner plate. However, at least for one afternoon, each and every child felt loved and received a special treat!
THANK YOU to all my financial partners who made it possible for these children to feel special!
My First Wedding!
This past month has been VERY special for me. I had the opportunity to return to the States for two events. The first (and most important in my mind) was my father’s wedding. That’s right…on April 26th, my father married a lovely woman named Linda. The ceremony was beautiful and the bride and groom had smiles from ear-to-ear.
After my mother suddenly passed away in 2003 from leukemia, times were a bit tough for my father. He was (and still is) a dedicated family man and missed having someone to share life with. After spending some time focusing on his faith in God and re-establishing his life, he met Linda while dancing at a local casino. For those of you that know my father (or Pa, as I call him)…you know he LOVES to dance.
Pa and Linda dated for a while and soon I received the most exciting invitation of my life. At the end of 2007, Pa and Linda asked me if I would perform the wedding ceremony. Immediately I said “yes”, but was a bit nervous since this would be my first wedding as an ordained pastor.
At the wedding reception, I was greeted by the guests who had very encouraging and warm things to say about the ceremony that I preformed. This was a huge relief as I wanted only the best for Pa!
Exponential Church Planting Conference
The second event that I attended while in the States was the Exponential Conference in Orlando, Florida.
The Exponential Conference is an annual gathering of 3,000 people who are focused on planting new churches. As a missionary, I am VERY passionate about planting churches and think it’s important to meet with these “church planters” to help them understand the bigger picture of a global focus.
This conference gave me an opportunity to pull out some of my marketing and event skills from my previous life in the corporate world. I had the opportunity to create signage, commercials, promotional materials, and an exhibit booth. (wow…guess I just can't get away from my marketing roots…haha).
All-in-all, attending this conference was very productive and I made a lot of new connections. Hopefully, by the grace of God, we will see new faces in the Dominican as these new church planters bring teams of people to help the local people.
Here are some of the promotional materials we created:
Brochures
Booth Signage
Every Young Man's/Woman's Battle
No matter what culture you're in, the topic of sex and sexuality is prevalent among teenagers. The Dominican Republic is no exception, and in fact, teens (and pre-teens as young as 11) are faced with making decisions about sex at a very young age.
This month, we introduced a new small group study into the youth group in Hoya del Caimito. This study focuses on sexual identity and how to grow up "pure" in an "impure" society.
To help with the study, we divided the youth into two groups (men & women) and are reading through the books "Every Young Man's Battle" and "Every Young Woman's Battle".
Culturally, this is a HUGE step forward as sexuality and sex is just not discussed in the conservative Dominican church. Already, we've seen positive interest, feedback, and hopefully results.
Twenty (20) books have been purchased, but we are in need of more. If you would like to make a donation to help purchase books, please click here. (Please be sure to indicate "battle books" in the comments section). Each book costs about $7.00.
6 Year Old Kylee Has A Golden Heart
Recently, I received a call from a good friend and long-time partner, Scot Irwin. Just hearing from Scot was great in itself, but when he told me why he called, I broke into tears. I was inspired and refreshed…and most of all it reminded me that the innocence of a child can teach us “grown-ups” a thing or two.
It was coming up on Kylee’s 6th birthday and Scot and his wife Rian were busy planning for their daughter’s birthday party. Preparations were being made for decorations, cake tasting had commenced, and Kylee was thinking about the theme of this year’s big bash…after all, it was her BIG 6th Birthday!
With all the excitement in planning her party, I can only image that, as a soon-to-be six year old, Kylee would be excited to receive a mountain of presents. All the pretty bows, ribbons, and TOYS! However, this is where the story took a surprise turn. When asked by her parents what she would like for presents, Kylee just smiled and looked up at them and said…I really don’t need any more toys. With such a bold statement from a child, I’m sure that her parents were taken back and at a loss for words.
You see, Kylee remembered the little Dominican girl, Arlette, who her family sponsors. Arlette is 5 years old and very poor. The Irwin family keeps her picture on the refrigerator and prays for her daily. So, Kylee decided that rather than receive presents at her birthday party, she would ask her parents, family, and friends to bring donations for Arlette…and that’s exactly what happened.
Kylee collected so many donations that she was able to buy Arlette enough clothes for a YEAR…dresses, shorts, shirts, sandals, shoes, and even a nightgown!
I hope that Kylee’s story and golden heart inspire you as they did me. If we all just took a couple minutes to help others like Kylee did, this world would look radically different. Thanks for setting a great example, Kylee!
Bart Davidson Visits The Dominican Republic
This month I was reunited with a long-time friend and former business associate, Bart Davidson. For years, Bart and I worked together on many direct mail marketing programs. Bart is the president and founder of BR Direct Marketing, a world-class mail house located in Santa Ana, California.
When I made the decision to resign from my corporate life and transition into ministry, Bart was one of the first people to encourage me. While I could tell that he was sad that our professional relationship would soon end, I could tell that Bart was excited to start a more personal friendship…and that’s just what we did.
Despite his extremely busy work and travel schedule, Bart’s curiosity of G.O. Ministries and the work that we do led him to ask if he could spend some time in the Dominican Republic with me. Well, I don’t have to tell you that without hesitation I said, “Absolutely!” During Bart’s time in the Dominican Republic, we had the opportunity to tour many of our construction projects, nutrition centers, churches, private schools…and yes, even sneak in a couple rounds of golf.
Having Bart down to the island was not only a blessing for him, but for me as well. It gave me an opportunity to step back from doing ministry and allowed me to look at what’s being done from a different angle. It reminded me that no matter how successful you are, no matter how hard you work, no matter how good your intentions are, God is only concerned with how you love others.
When I walk through the streets (many of them are simply dirt roads) in the Dominican Republic, I’m constantly stopped by people who want to say hello and children who need their daily “Berman Hug.” It's because of moments like these that I am honored to serve as a representative to many people who care enough about others to extend love and blessings.
I want to say a special THANK YOU to Bart Davidson for leaving his comfort zone to spend a selfless week serving others in the Dominican Republic. From the day I met you, Bart, your generosity and kindness have astounded me!
3 Years, Thousands of Bricks, And Countless Man-Hours Pays Off
In 2006, G.O. Ministries launched its vision to build a community center in the heart of Hato del Yaque, a small rural community in the Dominican Republic. However this project was to be the largest G.O. Ministries had ever taken on. In fact, the building was to be more than 4x the size of other G.O. Ministries' structures. When Discovery Church of Simi Valley, California heard about the project, they quickly stepped up to the challenge and partnered with G.O. Ministries to begin construction.
Now, almost three years later, this building (which has dormitory facilities, a nutrition center, staff housing, clean showers, and a community meeting room) is ready to be inaugurated. On June 25, 2008, G.O. Ministries will host a celebration ceremony and Pastor Aristides Pimental will “cut the ribbon”, opening the building for its first use. Pastor Mark McKinney of Discovery Church will also be onsite in Hato del Yaque to represent the church congregation that has helped to build this building over the last three years.
While the building is magnificent, the story behind its construction is the real focus. It was built by the hands of short-term team members over the last three years (with virtually no construction equipment). Each person has left their own distinct mark and life story in the walls of this building. Now, this beckon of light will shine in the community and be a safe haven for all.
Construction on the second floor is now underway and the community is more excited than ever!
Please visit my Newsletters section for this month's entry.
Please visit my Newsletters section for this month's entry.
Please visit my Newsletters section for this month's entry.
Please visit my Newsletters section for this month's entry.
Please visit my Newsletters section for this month's entry.
Please visit my Newsletters section for this month's entry.
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