Today was another tiring, but amazing day to see the glory of God as He declares His power in and through the Dominican people in the Jarabacoa region. I will make another attempt to let you be aware of the various sites and ministries that Students International is involved in here.
Last night the power was going to be turned off so I had to cut short the Medical site with a very short... its kinda self-explanatory. In actuality it is a very exciting ministry where outreach participants are allowed to be involved in a wide array of medical responsibilities. From assisting in basic medical care such as taking blood pressure and temperature... those who assist in this ministry are allowed to perform such delicate surgeries as open heart surgery and even brain transplants. This kind of skill set is normally not taught until medical school... ok I've taken this joke far enough... they don't perform surgeries but they are able to assist in handing tools to doctors performing surgeries.
Site 7 - Centro Preescolor Arcoitis (Rainbow School) - Preschool in El Callejon
Leaders - Angeli and Jahida
This ministry, located in El Callejon (Dead End Street), started in 2003 teaches 28 children who pay $2.00 per month for this specialized education. Most students are able to skip past 3 grades when they enter into the public or private school system after completing the four year program. The teachers and outreach participants seek to build relationships outside of the school with the parents of the children and since 2003 have led 12 sets of parents to Christ through these relationships.
Daily prayers over the children were often greeted with laughter the first year of the program. Children had no understanding of God or His ideas and the conviction of the Holy Spirit was slow in manifesting His presence among the children. One day during the prayer time the teacher looked up when she heard some children crying... two children had been touched by the Holy Spirit and their hearts had been softened... others started crying and little by little children gained a respect for the Lord and His ways.
Site 8 - Art - El Callejon
Leader - Francisco
This ministry in El Callejon is one which is definitely being used to redefine a community. Most people in El Callejon are not proud of where they live. The community is a squatter community in that the people just moved into a person's land and started building their homes which in most cases are nothing more than cinder block and chicken wire. It is not uncommon to pass by houses which are drying diapers that have been washed used... the Huggie/Pamper variety... not cloth ones. The alleys and roads are an endless stream of running water from the run-off from individual houses and trash which is strewn all over the place, especially in this community.
The art ministry has sought to paint murals throughout this community and help establish pride in the community. One landowner on the edge of town built a 1/3 mile concrete wall to keep squatters from building on his land. The art team has painted a mural that runs from one end of that wall to the other and the community is so excited to see beauty in a dilapidated place. Francisco has a dream that one day this community will be renamed from El Callejon to "The Murals." He said, "Nobody is proud to announce that they come from Dead End Street (El Callejon) They need to realize the power of redemption in their lives and eventually in this community."
Site 9 - Women's Center - El Callejon
Leaders - Caroline and Daisy
This women's ministry site is similar to the other women's ministry site. They also seek to teach women to make wise decisions in their future lives when it comes to marriage and dating. Unlike the other women's ministry site, the women of El Callejon often do not marry but still cohabitate with a male and have children out of wed lock. The men will often stay around for only a short period of time before they will begin seeking younger, often teenage girls, to begin a relationship with.
This community also has a lot of abuse... physical, emotional, and verbal... and while Students International does not seek to step into the middle of conflicts such as this, they do desire to teach the women that this is not something that is acceptable or is even something that should be tolerated. This ministry takes women's trips to places these women would never be able to do on their own and teach valuable skills such as sewing, cooking, knitting, etc.
Site 10 - Centro Preescolor Hogar Cristiana - Preschool - Matagorda Community
Leaders - Alberto and Katie
This school has the same principles and design as the other preschools that Students International has in the Dominican Republic. They have a total of 3 preschools but the need is great for more in this impoverished area.
Site 11 - Mobile Dental
Leader - Vanessa
The Mobile dental site travels from community to community in this region of the Dominican Republic offering free dental care to those who are willing and need it. Many dentists from the states come and give of their time and tools to offer these needed services. Outreach participants help clean teeth and perform many duties that a dental hygienist would perform in the states.
Site 12 - Centro de Terapia Fisica - Physical Therapy
Leader - Daniel
The physical therapy ministry offers a very low cost health need to those who can not afford to physically get better after a serious accident or surgery. This is a mercy ministry in that they interview those in need of therapy and charge them based on their income. Most patients pay a mere $1.00 (50 pesos) per visit but Students International believes that reciprocity is an action they need to take in order for the people with which they minister to be able to understand the value of the services they provide. Outreach participants are given a simple education in how to lead someone through a series of exercises and then perform those exercises with the patients under the care of the physical therapist.
Site 13 - Girls Sports - Volleyball/Baseball
Leader - Jessica
This ministry located in El Barrio Ilpolitio is booming. Approximately 50 11-18 year old girls are formed into teams where they have been taught the popular Dominican Republic sport of volleyball. Occasionally they will also teach baseball to the girls. These girls love being on the volleyball court (a very plain and scarred concrete slab with a meager volleyball net) and play very hard. Much like the boys who play baseball as their only form of entertainment, these girls outlet is on the volleyball court. People from all over the community gather on the sides of the court and under the shade trees to watch them play as they talk with their neighbors. Outreach participants help the girls develop skills in the sport they are practicing that day while they work to develop relationships with them by which they can talk about Christ. Each day the volleyball teams gather to hear a Bible study led by Jessica and for many of the girls who play volleyball, this is the highlight of their day.
Site 14 - Construction
Leader - Rudy
The construction site is shut down at this particular time as Rudy has recently had surgery. Those working on the construction team perform regular construction duties under the supervision of a skilled carpenter.
The truth in all of this is that there is an abundance of need in a very oppressed and poverty stricken society. The Students International staff has the tools in place for outreach participants to step in and be successful in building relationships that will last beyond a nine or thirteen day outreach. In watching the outreach participants this week I saw an interaction with the community that was welcome and often gave an invigorating charge to those with whom relationships had been built. Personally, I am moved by what I have seen and excited about the possibilities that are available to fbc marshall. In desiring to be a "go and be" church instead of a "come and see" one I am finding myself asking this simple question... How will you be involved? And that is the question I now want to turn to you...