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Dominican Happenings Winter 2021

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Relief Efforts

THANK YOU!

A Total of over 3200 Care Packages distributed since November

Debbie and her faithful team of missionaries have delivered over 3200 care packages of food to the 800 students and teaching staff in the last three months. She was accompanied by missionaries Sandy Poe, Chris and Doug Wilson, and Leomar Sirit. They also gift wrapped and delivered over 400 presents to students in the Haitian school programs as part of the Three Kings Day Christmas celebration. Families were given rice, beans, oil, sardines, etc.

 

This would not have been possible without generous donations from our friends in the States. The need for food during COVID continues. If you would like to help please call Debbie at our home phone 863-248-1119. Or email: lavegaschool@gmail.com.

Various Project Needs Met in the Past Year

It was amazing to see how the Lord provided for the Cutupu project (below). This is probably one of the most ambitious school projects to date (besides La Vega Christian School). This was built for the neediest school among the fourteen schools we are helping. 130 Haitian children were meeting in a dilapidated wood and tin structure, no more than 20 by 60 foot long. Seven classrooms were crowded into this building with their separate blackboards. Actually, if the weather permitted it, two classes would meet outdoors. There was no bathroom for the children or the staff. Permission to use the bathroom was asked of the neighbors in the tenement building next door.

The purchase of the property itself was a challenge costing $32,000.00 dollars. It is over an acre of land and was purchased planted with rows of banana and plantain stalks. As soon as a section was cleared for the building, we poured the footer and the columns for the foundation. Two teams came and helped with this, one from Colorado, and the other from Florida. As funds were provided we began to raise the walls for the sanctuary and the classrooms. By the end of January 2020 rumors of the virus began to filter in. Again finances came in and the walls, the roof and the floor were finished. Then in March everything was stopped by the government as a complete nation-wide shut down was put in place. No work could be done. Only pharmacies and grocery stores could be open. Finally, months later businesses were allowed to function again. From February 2020 until now no teams have been able to come and help and yet God used churches and individuals with a burden for this project to provide the finances to finish. $50,000 dollars later, it is ready to go. Nice clean bathrooms in place, and a nice kitchen setup only lacking for stoves and a refrigerator. Praise the Lord!

In Villa Altagracia teams came in late 2019 and early 2020 to help work on the second story area which would serve for the offices of the different ministries and staff. Recently I was able to visit and see the finished product. Our US teams worked extremely hard carrying materials to the 2d floor and digging footers under very difficult conditions. It was exciting to see this area come to fruition. You can see by the photos how nice everything was finished. In spite of the current living situation God is still on the throne and His kingdom advances!

Church offices and stairwell (above) completed in Villa Altagracia Project

On the Home Front:

We are doing fine, PTL! Our kids are fine and our 11 grandchildren are fine. We are a little nervous as it seems the virus is getting closer to us all the time. Our daughter-in-law Karina just got over it.

Watch our brand new video on our home page.

 

Summer 2019 – News from Your Missionaries Mitch & Debbie Martinez

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Summer short term missions teams continue to have a great impact in local churches with outreaches and construction help.  Special thanks to Living Water Fellowship, Kissimmee, FL, Greenville First, SC, and to New LIfe AG, Grand Ledge, MI.  Also in May, a team from the Univ. of Maine (Augusta Campus) kicked off our summer.

Health Awareness Talks.  The University team from Augusta, Maine, did an outstanding job helping children in various schools understand the importance of dental hygiene and other health issues.  They were well received by the parents and school staff attending. It was their first visit to the Dominican Republic, we hope they will visit again.

 

New Life A/G worked in Villa Altagracia where they dedicated their time to the construction needs of the House of Prayer Church.  They were responsible for adding the 2d story to the administrative wing of this church. They did some heavy work under very hot conditions.

Crew hard at work

They also teamed up with a  Dominican construction crew to put in all the divisions in cement block for the office and bathroom areas of the church on the 2nd story.  We so appreciated New Life’s positive attitude and strong work ethic.  It was great to see the results after a hard week of work.  And they also ministered in area churches while in the country.

 

The Living Water Fellowship Team was on here for the end of the year party for the 14 Haitian education programs.  There were 700 children at this event.   Debbie was so happy to have this team with their servant attitude assist her. They also ministered in area churches, and put on work gloves and helped with the foundation work of the Cutupu church mentioned on our header above. It was hot grueling work and they never complained.  Thank you Living Water!

 

Greenville First conducted Vacation Bible School at various local churches and also helped with construction needs.   There are many churches in this country that cannot afford a special summer program for the children.It is a great blessing to help the kids learn the Bible lessons that they can apply in their own lives.  We encourage churches to come and host the VBS programs here in the Dominican Republic. The team also poured the floor for the Good News Haitian Church in Sabaneta, and helped with the foundation work of the Cutupu church.

Volunteers will be missed!
The Palmer family returned to the United States after serving the Haitian Schools and the International Church for two years.  They will be greatly missed.

We will also miss Sallie Wham who faithfully worked with the English program at La Vega Christian School, and also worked with the Children’s program at Rose of Sharon Church in Barrio Inco.  Debbie will surely miss her help in that program.

La Vega Christian School (LVCS) is always on the look out for volunteers willing to give a year or more of their life teaching English in a Christian environment. At  LVCS they have freedom to impart spiritual truth as they teach.  Our volunteers don’t have to speak Spanish to teach here.  If you are interested in applying for a short term mission at LVCS contact us today.

Short term missions teams are encouraged to network with us to impact local churches, schools, and communities! We cannot overemphasize the impact that church teams have had on our ministry here in La Vega.  There are more than 40 building projects over the years that could not have been accomplished without the help of these gracious US teams.  The Cutupu project above needs help today.  If you or your church would like to help, visit our Dominican Republic short-term missions trip webpage  for practical guidelines to prepare for your visit.

 

Congrats to Pastor Aaron Rios
Aaron Rios was installed as Lead Pastor at Garden City Church in Beverly, Mass.  He is our daughter Sarah’s husband. It was great to be on hand for this event during our summer visit to the U.S.  Previously he was an associate pastor for 4 years at New Life Church in Leominster, Mass.

 

 

 

1,800 Missionaries Attending  
We found ourselves attending a world missions event in Orlando with 1,800 other missionaries.  The Assemblies of God World Missions organization said history was made as missionaries from 160 nations gathered for encouragement and edification.  Outstanding speakers such as Dick Eastman from Every Home for Christ challenged us to prayer.

Meet Mitch & Debbie in this short video…