work in Vijia

We are continuing our work in an area east of Santo Domingo, called Vijea, pronounced, Bee-he-a.  We started here over two years ago with Eliseo and Leyani.  They are both pastors and have been working in the Dominican Republic after coming here from Cuba. 
We have now completed a house for using as a center for many activities.  First, we are working with over 100 children in the area.  They were very unruly when we began to work with them, with no discipline or at least very little.  Now they are beginning to respond to the lessons and some are beginning to see benefits in their homes.  Some of the parents are now coming to the youth meetings and so we have begun a class for the women in the area. This class has really begun to grow rapidly and we are excited about the opportunities this presents.

A team from Florida helped build a pavilion next to the house.  This is now where we work with the children, while the mothers have bible class in the house.  Also we have a new Dominican couple, Pastor Franklin and his wife Lavi, and their 3 yr.old son, Franyorkis.  They are living  in the house now and oversee the ministries that were started years ago, along with the new projects.

Just last month we worked along side a team from Kentucky that installed a water purification system in the house.  This new project is a water ministry for an area that services over 1000 families.  Until now they were drinking water from a river that is close by, but it is polluted and unsafe, it has been a leading cause of all the parasites and illness that has plagued the area.  Even when they could get clean water, most could not afford to pay for it.  A five gallon bottle was over $100 pesos. (approx. $2.50)   Now we can give them clean water at a cost $25 pesos. (approx. 60 cents)

We have also opened up a computer room to teach those who are interested. Currently we have classes
5 days a week.  In the morning the children come, in the afternoon the teens (youth), and in the evening adult classes are held.

We look forward to medical teams to come as we have set a room aside for medical/dental work.
God has abundantly blessed us and we are so excited to see all He is doing.  We are believing God for a vocational school to begin next year.  Lord willing we will be able to work with over 500 youth and hope to give them a vision of different future than they have ever had.
We thank God daily for all he is doing here and are so excited to see the changes in the lives of those we work with daily. 

Karen is proceeding with the complicated process of getting into the local women's prison.  The prison hosts many foreign women who speak english and were used as 'drug mules'.  Many are there with no charges or court dates.  It's a very dark place to be, but the LIGHT of the LORD brings hope and restoration.

In the evenings here in the city there are young christian men who come to the house for counsel and teaching. We have some that have started businesses and some who have started churches and bible classes.
Today we went to a small Haitian church here in the city, and shared with them.  We have been invited back to preach again and to work with the pastor and his wife privately.

God is so gracious.
Blessings for now,
Bud