Today, Wednesday, 24 September is a holiday in the Dominican Republic. It commemorates "The Day of our Lady of Mercedes", the patron of the Dominican Republic. The Virgin is honored for her role in protecting Spanish soldiers in a battle against Indians in La Vega.

Our local catholic church walked down our street, singing songs and holding a statue of Mercedes (Mary) in front. Then, they gather for food in nearby houses. It was much like this foto from Palm Sunday, only the group was not as large.

September 23rd, 2008

Rain again today....here we are, under the big 'glob' again.

I like to share a site that has been an encouragement to me.

http://www.keepbelieving.com/

May you be blessed too!

Abound in love,

siempre

Help.... One family at a time!

Bud looking from above

On Saturday we went to Sabana Perdida to help a family with three children.
Their home is in need of major repairs and we were able to fix some of the problems.

We took tools to dig around the house and caulking to seal leaks in the roof. It was like a sauna inside the house and you have to wonder how anyone could possibly sleep there. Working from the inside and sealing the tin (zinc) roof was 'no problemo'. With no electricity to interfere, it was easy to see all the holes in the roof.
After fixing those problems, we tackled the outside. We cleared a trench around the house to divert the water from the houses above and repaired some of the walls. Also, we built a temporary restraining wall just above the house to divert excess water. Just as we were finishing, the rains began. How grateful we were to God to allow us to complete the work before the next round of storms!

We plan to go back in several months (after hurricane season) to build a new house, this time, made of cement block! Extreme home makeover, Dominican style! The neighborhood church is helping also and has already donated some material, but we will need much more.

If you like hard work and little pay, well actually, no pay, we invite you to come and be a part of God's work here on the island. We are always looking for volunteers to help with the work. The people have many needs; medical aid, food, clothes and unconditional love. Your smile, that cup of water, that light of God's love.... might be the very thing that will most encourage them not to give up hope. Every day God gives each of us a chance to influence someone's life for Him.

Dios te bendiga!

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7

Take a HIKE.......... IKE!!!

Flooding and Landslide Warnings Continue

IKE displaces 43,000 in Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- In a statement issued 6 a.m. today the National Meteorological Office (ONAMET) said the flooding and landslide warning remains in effect around the country, with some southeast region communities still cut off as the downpours continue.
ONAMET said the climate in the country’s east region (Hato Mayor, La Romana, El Seibo and La Altagracia) is expected to improve as the cloud cover decreases.
Meteorology said today it will analyze a huge cloud cover and a small tropical disturbance left by Hurricane Ike.

Dominican convoy off to help Haiti’s storm victims

SANTO DOMINGO.- A convoy with food, drinking water, medecine and medical and paramedical personnel will leave Monday morning for Port-au-Prince, where humanitarian aid will be given to people affected by the storms Hanna and Ike.

Thank you for your many prayers as there is much work to be done.

"....for the people had a mind to work." Nehemiah 4:6

Help needed in Sabana Perdida

We are planning another trip to Sabana Perdida. This translates as 'lost delta' and that is exactly what it is. The government has continually promised help, but has not done anything here. There is no running water, very little electricity, and no sanitary sewers. The results are that the people live here expecting nothing and constantly face health issues. When flooding occurs, waste from the toilets float into the streets and people walk through the contaminated water. We will continue to help as we are able. First with food and clothes, thank you Old North Vacation Bible school! We have also taken mosquito nets, mattresses and school supplies for this very needy neighborhood on the northeast side of Santo Domingo.

We have projects planned for new bathrooms and rebuilding some of the damaged or destroyed homes. We just took measurements on a small house made of zinc. A woman and her three children live there and it's a wonder it is still standing after the winds and rain.

We need help, both financial and physical to continue helping here!

"He that hath pity on the poor lends to the Lord..." (Proverbs 19:17)

Pray, and ask God what He would have you to do. Abound in love!
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Our God rains...I mean, Our God REIGNS!

Hurricane Hanna

We went to Sabana Perdida to take our friend, Elmi, home with supplies, lots of clothes for the kids in her neighborhood. The river has not come back into her house as it did with "Fay", so we continue to pray for God's grace here in the Dominican Republic, as well as where the storms travel after here.

"We are powerless before this great multitude (of storms) who are coming against us;

nor do we know what to do, But our eyes are on THEE."

II Chronicles 20:12