January 7, 2009

Happy New Year from the Dominican Republic!!

I returned to the DR on December 9, after what felt like a whirlwind tour of the US, travelling from GA to KY to VA and back to GA – all within the four weeks I was states! During this time, I was blessed to be able to spend time with family and friends, and I am so grateful for the time I had with each person, and I am sorry that I was not able to see everyone!

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year – mostly because it is a time we so easily dedicate to family and friends. However, since Amaury was not granted his tourist visa, I returned to the DR to spend Christmas here, and this was the first time in nearly 15 years that I was not with my immediate family for Christmas. While there were moments when I was saddened by this, I clearly felt God giving me His peace, knowing that this was only a temporary separation. More than this, though, I felt God’s love surrounding me, through the time Amaury and I were able to spend together during the holidays and the time we were able to spend with his family. So, while I missed by parents, my sister and her family, and my brother and his family, I felt blessed to be with my husband and his family, celebrating Christ’s birth and the New Year He has given to us!

As this New Year begins, please be praying for us and our ministry goals. In 2009, Amaury and I will be working together in ministry, focusing on two main areas – Teaching Ministry and Team Support.

For the Teaching Ministry …

* Together, we will create a Drama Ministry team of young adults who have a desire to evangelize through Drama Ministry from at least five churches in the Santiago area. We will then work to refine and support a Drama program in those churches through Drama Camps hosted by teams or by our Drama Ministry team – our plan is to hold two camps in the spring, two in the summer, and one in the fall.
* Amaury will begin teaching classes in Business and in Etiquette and Protocol in area churches whose pastors have requested these classes.
* I will continue offering English classes in churches supported by G.O. in Santiago and will train and support nationals who are beginning an English ministry in their churches.
* I will continue advising the administration of Colegio Evangélico Isaías Emmanuel and facilitating teacher training in order to assist in creating an effective learning environment for students and supportive working environment for teachers. As well, I will continue to work to help facilitate funding for the remaining 202 children at Colegio Evangélico Isaías Emmanuel who need sponsors.

For Team Support …

* Together, we will work with G.O. Ministries team facilitators to support the work of short-term missions teams to the Dominican Republic and Haiti doing construction, offering medical and dental clinics, children’s ministry, sports ministry, as well as any other ministry focus a team may have. We will do this through, translating for groups, driving for groups, and assisting in facilitating teams in whatever ways we are needed.
* Together, we will continue working to recruit groups to come to the Dominican for short-term mission experiences!

May God bless you in this New Year, and may you feel His love surrounding you and your family!

Thank you for your continued prayers for and support of our ministry!

With love in Christ,
Catherine