Happy New year

We had lots of family here to bring in the new year.  

Steve and family stayed longer.  Here Steve is teaching some boys a how the guitar works.

We wandered through the Colonia village where Spain  made its  first colony in the west.  Interesting old building and a big plaza.  Sophial, our granddaught, was delighted to feed the pigeons. Look at  the birds on  her  head and arms.

December 2013 Activities

December rolled in with a roar.

Bible school ended for the year with a Christmas meal at our home.  Over 60 students came and we had a Dominican feast.

What a Victory!!  Look at this!  We used our new church wing for the Christmas celebration.  It's wonderful to have more room.  Thank you for everyone who prayed ang gave and came to work on our church.  Lots of finishing yet to do, but the roof is on and  the floor is cement so we can use it now.  Praise God!!

Then our wonderful family came.  It's cold in Canada so, off course, the first thing they did was spend a few days at the beach.  They even went deep sea diving.

It was fun eating by the Caribbean Sea.  Joseph  enjoying the beauty with Robyn,  Amy and Steve. 

It's wonderful to have family around for Christmas.  We're enjoying our assignment in the Dominican Republic

Forging Ahead in November

November is flying by too quickly.  Dominicans love Christmas, so Christmas decorations start appearing before Hallow'en.  

The first week in November, a hard working team from Houston Pennsylvania came to help us.  It was led by the pastor's wife, Sophia Getchell.   A Christmas tree and decorations were there waiting to welcome them.  They worked hard on our church construction, ministering to the children and giving out food brought in by the Convoy of hope to the people in the neighbourhood.  

 Jeff and Becky Wiles worked along with the team.  Becky helped me feed the gang and their son David got in the action working hard with the men in the construction. 

Our building is progressing quickly, thanks to the financial investment of two generous churches,  Houston and Quakertown of Pennsylvania.  The roof is poured which is a huge blessing.  We're expecting a team, coming in January who will help us get into the church building.  Our folks are so grateful for the help they're recieving from all who have come.

Wonderful things are happening.

Life is interesting and busy around here.

Jeff, Beckie and David Wiles are welcomed by some of our missionaries

What a joy it is to have the Wiles family join us!  We're so glad they're here after studying Spanish in Costa Rica.  They live in the Missions house next door to us; we've had lots of fellowship.

Our car has been in the garage for almost two months.  They finally admitted that they can't find out what's wrong with it.   So we've been using taxis.  Joseph decided to try their motorcycle taxis and went bombing around on the back of a moto.  It's cheaper and he got around faster, but oh, so dangerous.  However he got a rash on his body and the doctor said it was from over-exposure to the sun because of the meds he's taking.  So back to taxis.

We had an interesting visit from Gerry Stoltfuz, a pastor in Gettysburg, PA and his sidekick Tommy Arnold.  Gerry is such a sold-out for God, inspirational guy.  He's out there to win as many souls as he can.  He has begun many churches in PA and now is holding campaigns plus teaching church-starters in the Dominican Republic.

Our missionarie, Jamie and Berly Bello put together a wonderful youth convention.  God showed up in a spectacular way. It was the highlight of the year for the youth. We were able to send some of our young people and they were ministered to and blessed.

Jeff and Becky joined right in to help us with the university gang.  We sure appreciate their support and encouragement. 

The University students celebrate Jeff's birthday with a cake.

Doings in the Dominican Republic

Here we are again with some news from the Dominican Republic.

Our missionary leader. Mitch,  arranged for us to get away into the mountains for a day of rest and recreation after our busy time with the teams.  So here's Joseph on hourseback.  They went up  to see a falls in Jarabacoa.  There they were able to swim under the falls.  We had a great time of fun and fellowship. 

A group of  interested University students come to our home on Sunday nights to learn about Christianity.We feed them and then use the Alpha videos to  share the Gospel with them.  A lively time of discussion follows.  They are so eager to discuss and learn.  Then we give them some dessert and play games.  They love coming and never want to miss.  We're thankful for this opportunity to reach these young people for the Lord.

The construction for the church is coming along.  Teams are a great help.  People here are so thankful for  the help. We're praying God will continue to supply the funds we need to finish our extention.  Come help us.  

A Blessing from the Peckville church in Blakely Pennsylvania.

They came to work, and work they did.  August is a very hot month  but no one complained as they joyfully served the Master.  We took them through the barrios, where the people live.  Our church people joined them to knock on people's doors, tell them the greatest news that Jesus loves them and is preparing

    a beautiful home for them in the future.                                                 We gave them bags of rice and beans  for which they were so happy.  One women said she got up in the morning and had nothing with which to make food for the family. When we gave her  the bag of beans and rice she cried and thanked God.   We were able to read the Word and pray with many of them.  Some have accepted the Lord and came to church on Sunday.  What wonderful news we have to share with people about the King of Kings who is our Father.

The children just kept  coming..  Over 150 came out for a wonderful time of story telling and crafts.   The
team came well prepared to share the love of Jesus with them.  They also brought welcome school supplies.

THANK YOU TEAM!

ii

What's happening in the DR

We are welcomed back with lots of hugs.

It's good to be back with our Dominican family again, although we miss our terribly our families at home.  We hope they will come to visit us for Christmas.

We barely unpacked our suitcases when we had a wonderful team from Pennsylvania come to help us build .  It's a wonderful to see  people sacrificing their vacations to come work hard in this heat.  May the Lord bless them.

Pedro and Victoria with their boys.

Pedro and Victoria were school teachers. One day Peter had a vision.  He saw a bright light shining above the Bible School.  The light connected with his house.  He felt God was calling him to study there, but was not sure how to start.  He visited the school with his wife, and Joseph said "Come to the chapel service!"

Childrens' cell group in a barrio

And then "We'll let you two study for the price of one!" Now both have graduated and are in the Lord's work together as "Christianteachers and pastors.

We are quickly surrounded by children whenever we have any activity.  Johnny has a cell group in a nearby barrio.  We want to help Johnny and his two helpers. Omyra and Katareen.  They are are very faithful.  We are looking for sponsors to help pay for Bible School for Johnny and Oymyra. The cost is $25 per month.  Soon they will be even better workers