The social structure in this country has a contrast that is drastic and sometimes very hard to grasp. The outskirts of La Vega (our city) are riddled with poverty, and many areas are left without electricity and running water. If you have kept yourself updated via our blog, you know that these are the areas that Sandy and I have been the most passionate about since our arrival here in the D.R. We arrived on a Friday (Sept. 1st) and that Sunday (Sept. 3rd) we had an opportunity to visit one of these communities nicknamed The Rails. Sandy and I have spent much of our time these first three months visiting this community (and one other just like it nicknamed Arinoso) and the children have captured our hearts.
The needs are great in these communities and Sandy and I have struggled with how to go about making a difference. Well, I am excited to announce that we have brainstormed an exciting plan of action. Up to this point we have just been visiting the children and trying to get to know them, their families, and trying to become a familiar face. Don’t get me wrong, I am a firm believer that relationships are the perfect building blocks for any foundation of ministry, but we are desperate to do more for these kids. Many of them are wearing the same clothes every time we see them. Their living situations are horrible and we want to help. I hope you will be as excited as we are to see this plan start to come together.
We are going to bring home two empty suitcases this Christmas and fill them with things like: underwear, socks, shoes, clothes, notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers, folders, etc. Oh, and don’t forget candy. The idea is to start meeting some of the basic needs of the children. Here is how we’re going to get started. We have a list of about 35 memory verses that we are going to start challenging the kids with each week. Each child will have the opportunity to learn a simple, yet impacting verse from scripture every week. Each week we will give reward bucks for learning the memory verse. Finally, every few weeks, we will have a time when the kids can use their bucks to purchase things from our stash (remember the suitcases we want to fill up?). We are hoping that two suitcases full of stuff will only be the beginning. I hope that you will pray for us as we set this plan in motion.
The needs are great in these communities and Sandy and I have struggled with how to go about making a difference. Well, I am excited to announce that we have brainstormed an exciting plan of action. Up to this point we have just been visiting the children and trying to get to know them, their families, and trying to become a familiar face. Don’t get me wrong, I am a firm believer that relationships are the perfect building blocks for any foundation of ministry, but we are desperate to do more for these kids. Many of them are wearing the same clothes every time we see them. Their living situations are horrible and we want to help. I hope you will be as excited as we are to see this plan start to come together.
We are going to bring home two empty suitcases this Christmas and fill them with things like: underwear, socks, shoes, clothes, notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers, folders, etc. Oh, and don’t forget candy. The idea is to start meeting some of the basic needs of the children. Here is how we’re going to get started. We have a list of about 35 memory verses that we are going to start challenging the kids with each week. Each child will have the opportunity to learn a simple, yet impacting verse from scripture every week. Each week we will give reward bucks for learning the memory verse. Finally, every few weeks, we will have a time when the kids can use their bucks to purchase things from our stash (remember the suitcases we want to fill up?). We are hoping that two suitcases full of stuff will only be the beginning. I hope that you will pray for us as we set this plan in motion.
6 comments:
Oh don't you worry about those 2 suitcases being full. The question is: How MANY suitcases are you allowed to bring back? And when will you be back?
Dang. That last one was from Chris. Call me.
Dear Greg and Sandy,What do you want to eat on your way back? Five Points is having a picture, a Christmas party actually.The 15th. I just talked to Lois. They're having a Christmas party. Not the 15th, the 19th, duh. I kinda messed up.I'll be glad to see you guys.Thanks for talking to me on the phone. I got very excited of it.I know one word como esta. I hope it not a swear word. Oh my mom said its how are you. duh. I didn't hear from your mom in a while.Or your 'brudder'.If you need books I got lots of books I can get rid of. I have lots of wrestling books.How's the weather down there. Is it hot or cold. It's probably hot.How's your dad doing.I never hear of him.I got good stuff for Christmas for my party. I miss you guys.Tell Sandy I say hi. I can't wait to hang out with all of us.Thank you for writing me back.And tell those kids down there I've been praying for them, all of them.If you guys go back I hope you have a good time going back down there.Hope Sandy's taking her vitamins. I hope you do take your vitamins too.I take mine every day.I'm gonna make you a card on your way back as soon as you get back. It's for you and Sandy together. I hope you will like it.The Friend's Group is still praying for you guys.We're doing a Christmas play.I'm glad you got all your goodies. I'm glad the light works.Tell everybody I said hi down there and I hope they have a good Christmas and a Happy New Years too cuz I know New Years is gonna come up anyways.Actually aloha.If you guys need something from Hawaii let me know.I will play basketball with you after you get back if your wife lets you.If you talk to Tommy tell Tommy Hi and I hope he's having a good time next week in bowling.The pictures of my Christmas paty came out kindda crummy. I didn't know I had the piston pictures on the the party pictures. It looks crummy.Pickles got a new coat.Ethans still the same if you want to know about Ethan, he always drives me nuts but I love him.I'll talk to you next time. Love Pablo
What a great idea! I love it!
Hi guys, Only a couple of weeks and we will be together. Can not wait. The girls are excited to see you. Kim wants to play spoons!! Don't you just love hearing from Pabs? We will be sure to get those suitcases filled up. Talk to you again soon. Love, Mom McD
Hola.I didn't go to church this morning.My mom found Christmas coloring books in Spanish for your kids.Stop talking about food in front of your mom.Is Santa been done there too? How is Sandy? I can't wait to see you guys.The friends group is doing good without you guys.One of the people died. Judy Johnson.It made me so sad.But I know she is in heaven.Plus I have you guys being my best friends ever.If you come down here wear a heavy, heavy jacket. It's freezing down here.How is it down there. Is it cold where you guys are? We can't wait till you come down and help us sing. My butt's all healed. Now I can go swimming. If you guys wait to go swimming take me with you. I'll go swimming with you guys.I'm going to camp if you want to write me you can. I can't wait going to Hawaii. That's gonna be fun.Yea, my brother got an ice box early (x-box LOL). Me and my mom are making candy today.My mom has to go in the cold and buy the pretzels. I'll save you one.My dog sleeps with me all the times.Tommy's got a dog.I forgot his dogs name though.I never heard from Becca anymore.The Gems class is doing good. I'm in the Gems class.We are in the play. The Gems class play.I wonder if you and your wife wants to come see me sing at the Gems class. Aloha.Gracias. My mom saw Santa Claus and I got goodies from Santa Claus.I want you to write me back and tell me you're doing fine.Love Pablo
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