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Interview with Mitch & Debbie

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Dear Friends and Supporters:

We recently did this interview for our TMCI supporters. It’s a little bit of history, some family stories, a report on what we are doing now, and a way for you to get to know us better. We are thankful for all our prayer partners, financial supporters, mission team members and of course, our family. Thanks for taking the time to listen!

Yours in Christ, Mitch & Debbie Martinez

God Moving in the DR: Bishop Mitch and Debbie Martinez Interview

Please feel free to reach out to us using our contact us page.

Haitian School Update Spring 2019

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Dear Haitian School Sponsors,

Haitian Student working diligently!
MORE PHOTOS BELOW!

I wish you were here to see the joy and excitement on the faces of these children! In spite of difficult circumstances, crowded classrooms, hard benches, and long walks, the kids love to be in school. They are happy to have friends and a safe place to learn. And they love to eat, too!

At one school we visited this week I saw a lady with one leg, on crutches, with a basket on her head. The director told me she lost her leg in the earthquake in Haiti. She brings snacks for the kids to buy, and then cleans up the playground afterwards. I wish I had taken her photo, but I was too choked up. My ankle is still bothering me, and it’s hard to walk, so I can understand her discomfort and admire her initiative. That school does not have a sponsor. We are praying about helping the director with $480 a month to pay the teachers.

When the Calvary Academy students were here last month we visited several schools, where the students performed skits and songs, and did crafts with the kids. They loved it! They also painted Alex’s school and church in Sabaneta, and came for an evening service. They were so moved when the Haitian congregation prayed for them. They couldn’t understand all the words but they knew the Spirit was there.

In Barranca the students painted decorations that Pastor Frantz wanted. The new computer lab is finished and the new classrooms are painted. The students there were so happy with the toys the Calvary students brought. Such joy all around!

We hadn’t visited the Ciudad Universitaria school in a while. They meet in the afternoons. The students did a program on the basketball court and then they did their crafts. It just takes a little bit to make a huge impact in the lives of these children.

We had a big disappointment last week when we went to fence in the new property in Cutupu. A lawyer was waiting for us, claiming that the property belonged to her grandfather’s inheritors, and she was going to bring a lawsuit against the people selling to us. That was a shock! We spent more days looking, and God willing, will close this week on a much bigger property with space for the church, school, a soccer field and garden. Please pray for the funds needed to complete the building.

Thank you for your sponsorship, which makes it possible for over 800 children to receive a Christian education and nutritious food. We are honored to be your missionaries.

See below for photos.

God bless,

Debbie and Mitch Martinez

100% of donations go directly to pay school expenses for the children. Your tax-deductible offering may be sent to:

TMCI

PO BOX 1761

Columbia, SC 29202-1761

or call about automatic drafts. 803-799-0502

Sunday School in Rose of Sharon – Dominican Republic

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Today was a fantastic day for our Sunday school class, which usually runs from 6-12 children ages 5-13. The children did everything in the service today. Laysa, 12, opened the service in prayer. Arvelis, 13, prepared a worship song for us, and then Laysa had another powerful song. Little Alvin, 5, sang along with a soundtrack, Jesus is my Superhero. Then Arvelis asked for the prayer requests and prayed. Afterwards Mario, 5, prayed for the offering and sang Hay Libertad en la Casa de Dios, There’s Liberty in the House of God. Those kids are anointed! Three boys didn’t show today; I think they were afraid to participate.

Right before we broke for Sunday School 4 new children came in with their grandmother. I found out after the service that these kids, plus two more of her grandkids who showed up a little later, go to a Compassion program in town and they are required to go to church. She asked me to write a letter next week certifying that the children are attending. As these kids were new to our Sunday School, it was a little hectic getting them to sit and listen to the story, but soon they were mesmerized by the flannel graph figures of Peter in prison. They retreated to the corner to play as soon as the story ended, but the older kids had good Biblical principles to derive from the lesson based on Acts 12. “This lesson teaches us to have faith!” It shows that God answers prayer!” “It proves that God listens to us when we pray and gets us out of trouble.” When I announced that we were going to draw a picture with markers and crayons the kids in the corner jumped up and ran to the tables. Such enthusiasm!

As soon as their interest waned I brought out the crackers and peanut butter. The older girls agreed that we should serve the visitors first and while two of them worked on their drawings, one of the newer girls helped me serve the snack. Although I had forgotten to bring the juice no one complained. They were hungry.

On the way out, one of the new boys, Ramoncito, 8, gave me a big hug when I invited him to come again. Outside I opened the van for my Sunday School bags and to load up the wheelbarrow, shovels and rake we had brought over earlier in the week to spread gravel on the playground. Ramoncito jumped in and told me he wanted to go home with me!

After they left, one of the moms told me Ramoncito’s family lives near her. “We have to pray for that family. They are always yelling and screaming bad words and hitting the kids.” I suggested a cell group in her house but she thinks we should pray about that first. Apparently the men in the household don’t approve of church.

One of the girls expressed concern about them coming to Sunday School. I assured her that we want them there, and that God can change their lives. I have seen it happen over and over again. I am blessed to be a missionary!

:: Debbie Martinez, Missionary to La Vega Dominican Republic

Meet Mitch & Debbie in this short video…

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