Feliz Navidad - 2008

Merry Christmas, the Son has come!

Our Redeemer was born, but born to die. God sent His Son to be the Holy and Perfect Sacrifice for our Sin. He is the Truth, the Life, and the Way, no man can come to the Father except through Jesus Christ!

The Prince of Peace.....What would one have to pay to find peace? The people of the world spend millions of dollars looking for "peace", and yet reject the only One who can give it to them, and He gives it freely!

Blessed be the Name, Jesus Christ, the Lord! He gave me that peace when I received Him as Lord and Savior over 38 years ago. I have never regretted that decision for even a "nano-second". God has never failed me nor forsaken me. Through problems, sickness, frustrations, disappointments and heartaches, Jesus has been faithful!

As I reflect on His love and faithfulness and the "things" He has brought me through, my heart is filled with joy and thankfulness. Thank you Jesus.....You came.....You died......You rose from the dead......and You live in me now. To do Your will is my delight!

May Jesus love and peace be in you each and every day of the year.

Praise God for His Faithfulness

Hello Friends & Family,
I marvel at the Goodness and Faithfulness of our Great God! When I think that I cannot go one more day, His strength and ability is always here for me. I have been ill for the past five weeks with "the gripe". Head and chest congestion with fever and cough. Most of it ,except the cough, are now gone. Every day God helped me to teach and direct the school for the Deaf here in the D.R.
I am awed and humbled as I witness the growth and progress of these Deaf children. They are blooming like a beautiful flower garden. My little Alber, who was so withdrawn and shy, is now signing and outgoing and so smart and quick that it amazes me. He is a "perfectionist" and wants all of his work to be the best. Our two little "street boys, who stories break out hearts, are progressing. Bladimir was so serious for so many weeks and is now smiling all the time. Eduardo whose life is so sad and miserable is also improving. He is a challenge but we love him and give him lots of "grace". A recent visit to his house found him with a chain and lock around his ankle. His mother's excuse was that when she left him alone he would run away, so she locks him up. In the states it would be called gross child abuse, but here it is very different. We are trying to get an intervention without causing the child more harm. He has a very abusive step-dad who has beat him in the past. We just rejoice everyday that he shows up for school.
All of the children are happy and growing. Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day at home. While the family feasted on Turkey all of the trimmings, we were having school as usual and eating rice and beans. As I prayed and thanked the Lord for all of His provision, including the rice and beans, I began to cry with thoughts of home and family. God reminded me that missing a holiday dinner was well worth the lives of 14 Deaf children. Their ultimate salvation is our primary goal. Today I taught the Bible class and has the opportunity to pray with all of them to open their hearts to Jesus Christ. It is a beginning as God opens their understanding. It was beautiful to see all of them on their knees praying for Jesus to come into their hearts!
Vivian is a joy! She is one of the most upbeat and positive people I have ever met! She is willing and ready to do whatever I ask of her. I gave her full charge of our three year old. He is learning so fast that eveyone is amazed!
Thank you each and everyone who has prayed and held me up to the Lord. He has answered those prayers! I have changed me plans a little and decided to return home for the Christmas break. I will fly out on Dec. 11 and return on Jan. 8. Hope to see many of you while I am home.
God bless you all!

GETTING INTO THE ROUTINE

HELLO TO THOSE WHO READ THIS BLOG,

THINGS HAVE GOTTEN INTO A "ROUTINE" HERE NOW. IT IS A BLESSING TO HAVE RUNNING WATER EXCEPT NOW THE ELECTRICITIY WANTS TO GO OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS AT A TIME! PRAISE THE LORD ANYWAY! HAVING VIVIAN HERE HAS BEEN SUCH A BLESSING. SHE IS A NATURE TEACHER AND IS WILLING TO DO WHATEVER TASK IS GIVEN TO HER.

WE NOW HAVE A WATER COOLER FOR THE CHILDREN TO HAVE COLD WATER DURING THE DAY. IT IS SO HOT AND HUMID AND THEY DRINK LOTS OF WATER, WHICH IS GOOD FOR THEM. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SICK CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL, WITH WHAT THEY CALL "THE GRIPE". IT IS A COLD AND COUGH. WELL, THEY FINALLY PASSED IT ON TO ME. I HAVE BEEN COUGHING FOR A WEEK. WE NOW HAVE A LADY COOKING FOR US AND SHE MADE ME A "TEA" OF DIFFERENT HERBS, SO.......WE WILL SEE.

GOD IS MOVING IN A WONDERFUL WAY AMONG THE DEAF CHILDRENI . THEY ARE JUST LIKE SPONGES, ABSORBING EVERYTHING SO QUICKLY. THEY ARE SIGNING WITH ME AND WITH EACH OTHER NOW. I TEACH BIBLE CLASS ON FRIDAYS AND ONE LITTLE BOY WAS JUST ENRAPTURED WITH THE STORY OF GOD'S CREATION. AS I TAUGHT THEM THE SIGNS FOR THINGS LIKE "THE TRINITY OF GOD", I BEGAN TO WEEP AS I COULD ENVISION THESE SAME CHILDREN ONE DAY BEING PASTORS AND TEACHERS OF GOD'S WORD AND USING THESE BIBLICAL SIGNS TO TEACH.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE TWO LITTLE "STREET" BOYS THAT I HAVE. EDUARDO IS VERY HYPER AND HAS LITTLE DISCIPLINE AND BLADIME HAS BEEN VERY SICK. HE IS LEFT ALONE ALL DAY WITH A HIGH FEVER. WE SENT SOMEONE TO CHECK ON HIM AND THEY COULD SEE HIM SLEEPING THROUGH THE CRACKS IN THE BOARDS OF THE HOUSE, BUT THE DOOR WAS LOCKEDAND WE COULD NOT GET IN AND OF COURSE HE COULDN'T HEAR US TO OPEN. HOPEFULLY HE IS BETTER THROUGH OUR PRAYERS AND RETURNS TO SCHOOL.

THE TEACHERS THAT I AM TRAINING ARE DOING WELL AND LEARNING QUICKLY. PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM ALSO: CATI AND ELIZABETH. THEY ARE BOTH OLDER AND I FEEL THEY WILL STAY WITH ME. VIVIAN WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH HER FEET SWELLING BUT IS DOING MUCH BETTER.

ALL IN ALL, EVERYTHING IS GREAT! WE ARE REJOICING IN OUR GOD! HE NEVER FAILS US AND NEVER WILL!

TALK MORE LATER

Miracles!

God is so good! The worst of the test has passed and now I have entered into the blessing! God has been doing some wonderful and miraculous things for the Deaf school.
People are always coming to the house. Sometimes I understand them and sometimes not. Pastor Carlos Reyes was here painting the room for Vivian and a couple of men showed up. I had already gotten ready for bed and told them I couldn't come out to talk so Pastor Carlos talked with them. I found out the next day that it was the Govenor of the state of Hato Mayor. He was so impressed with the school and the work with the Deaf children that the next day he came with shoes, backpacks, vitamins and more tables and chairs for the children!!! He had people with him taking pictures and video taping. He asked me to explain about the school and they video taped it. I didn't know it at the time but the tape was for the television program. They have played that tape over and over again. This has stirred up more interest in the school. A few days later two psychologists from the Dept. of Education showed up offering any help that they could give to us and also asking if three of their people could come and train. They are very interested in helping Deaf children get an education in Hato Mayor. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
I KNOW THAT THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING BECAUSE OF THOSE WHO ARE PRAYING FOR ME!
Vivian is now here and I put her to work already. Thank God that I have someone to share with in English and she is such a willing servant of God. She brought tons of materials for the school as well as some funds from her ministry in Canada, "Hearing Hearts".
I am doing well physically and eating better now. I have made lots of Dominican friends and the people of the church are very kind and caring. I thank God each and every day for sending me here.
I now have twelve children and they are learning sooooooo fast! We are only one month into the school and they are signing already and just absorbing everything they can!
I have two little boys that have both been almost literally living on the street. One little guy lives with his grandmother but she goes to work everyday and just leaves him to himself. No food and not supervision. He has been wandering the streets looking for food and getting into trouble. He is now in the school and he loves it! The other boy's mom could not control him so she just turned him out to the street each day. He is here and also very happy to be with us and learning very fast. Without this school what would happen to these children? I am also teaching them about God and His wonderful love for them.
God bless you all and please continue to pray!

THE TEST

Dear Prayer Warriors and Family,

I am finally able to be online long enough to write something of what is happening. Well, my last blog said I was going into the "unknown".....well, thank God it was unknown to me or I may have changed my ticket and flown home!! I arrived to the biggest mess you ever saw! The house was filthy, unpainted, and filled with mold. The backyard full of junk and trash. No water and very HOT and humid! I stayed at the Pastor's house for two nights and on the second day of trying to help get it cleaned up, I broke down into tears and shut myself into the bathroom and let it all out meanwhile crying out to the Lord for strength! HE GAVE IT TO ME! God is so good!!! I felt new strength flow into me and was able to actually sleep in the house the third night. I bought a bed and some other things to help me just survive. I had thought the first time I entered this house that living here would be impossible but here I am and really getting into a routine, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes etc (well, praise God I now have water!) Have you ever thought what it would be like without any water in the house? It still stops everyday but I have an electric cord that I plug in and the tank fills up again. Cold showers actually feel really good here!
The best and most wonderful thing of all is that I started the school last Thursday. Today was my fourth day and the kids are learning and getting into their routine. I ended up with ten children and possible two more coming. They are sooooo precious and eager to learn. God has given me two "teachers in training" and they are great and so willing to help me. I am eagerly awaiting Vivian Spencer to join me on October 22. Please pray for her also as she will be learning Sign Language, Spanish and this new culture.
I feel like Paul who said they he knew how to have plenty and also how to have little. My test was maybe not so hard to go through for some people, but for me it was difficult but in all things I know my God reigns and He will provide and strength in all situations! I am so thankful that God chose me to come here and love these kids and work with them.
Thank you so much for your prayers and love. I know that God heard those prayers because He is answering them. Hope to share more soon.

Waiting

Hello Everyone,
I am here in the D.R. and have been waiting for one week to be able to go to Hato Mayor. There were some problems with the house being ready and the schedules of the folks who are taking me there so I am being patient which is essential if one wants to live in a third world country!
It has been HOT! All I seem to do it drink liquids and sweat! As I type this blog our electricity is out and I am on battery with a small candle burning. It goes out every day for several hours morning and afternoon. That means there are no lights and no power for running water so a bath must be taken by pouring water from a large container over oneself. Fun no but at least there is water that we have filled up beforehand. I have been shopping for supplies to take to Hato Mayor as things are a bit cheaper here in the Capital.....I say "cheaper" with tongue in cheek as things are so expensive here that I am just amazed. The prices are actually double from what we pay in the United States. I feel so sorry for the poor people who earn so little and then even basic things like rice and beans are out of sight! Never complain about what you have to pay as most of you have no idea what it is like in other countries and we are so BLESSED and SPOILED in the U.S.
Pray for me as I journey tomorrow into the unknown but not unknown to God. He is with me and I feel wrapped in His everlasting arms.

Today I received some pictures of the Deaf children who will be in our school. As I looked at their faces I was overwhelmed with the great responsibility that God has intrusted me with. Most of these children will not know formal sign language, neither how to read or write and almost nothing about their Wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ. It will be my great joy and honor to teach them and lead them to Christ.

These precious souls are so valuable to God. He cares so much that He sent His Son to die for their sins also!

I love Romans 10:13-15 "For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet (hands) of those who preach (sign) the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!

I am so excited to learn that our Director of the Deaf Ministries in the D.R. has found me a house in Hato Mayor and that the group of Deaf children has grown to 16.
A wonderful gal, Vivian Spencer, from Canada has agreed to join me in the D.R. in October. I had planned to be alone while teaching and training national workers and I had been praying alot about this and I was ready to do it with the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. This is an added blessing to know that she will be there for those times when I need that fellowship in English, a prayer partner, and someone to give me feed-back and to be able bounce ideas off. God is so good!
Today my children gave me a "going away get together". I have great kids! They are of course all grown up and married to great people! I have one awesome grandaughter and one super-awesome great-grandaughter. I thank God for them everyday and I am so proud of each one of them. My prayer is that each one in their own way finds out how very much God loves them. The God who hears our prayers will also answer each one in His time.
Please keep praying for me!

GOD'S LIFE GIVING WORD

I had the opportunity to preach/teach at my Deaf church today. I prayed much about it, as I have preached/taught in the same church for almost 25 years and have covered quite a bit of the Word of God including teaching lots of basic Doctrine. I love teaching Foundational Doctrine which I am convinced, when received by the student, causes deep roots to grow in the spiritual life and gives the strength to the Believer when the "world" tries to put pressure to conform.
As I leave for the Dominican Republic (D.R as I will refer to it from now on) I wanted to reinforce one more time the "whole picture" for our Deaf church. Hopefully there were those that were able to fill in some missing concepts. Many Christians only know a part or portion of the Truth. Because of lack of study of the Word of God they are floundering through their spiritual life without all of the power they need to overcome. There are many churches that do not encourage people to read, study and meditate upon God's Word. Praise God that those in leadership have always encouraged this in our Deaf Church. Sadly to say, some apply this and other do not.
As I go to the D.R. I will have to begin all over again in brand new baby Christians. I am thrilled and excited to have this opportunity to teach not only education but God's precious Word.
I have received a report from our National Director of Deaf Ministries, Rev. Carlos Reyes, that there are 12 Deaf children ready to begin school!
Please! Please! keep on praying for me and those precious children who would never have a chance if God didn't love them so much that He is sending someone to them.

MISSION ASSIGHMENT FOR 2008-2009

God has called me to return to the Dominican Republic from Sept. 2008 until May of 2009. The goal is to set up a new school and ministry for the Deaf in the town of Hato Mayor. At present, there is absolutely nothing for the Deaf there.
I have been planning this trip for over 6 months and I cannot wait to get there and start the work! Another goal is to try to develop a standard curriculum for all of the Christian Deaf schools in the Assemblies of God. It is a big challenge and will take lots of trial and error. Hopefully I will not be doing this alone but having the help of other missionaries and teachers of the Deaf in the D.R.
God is so good to choose me and send me to work for Him and I am amazed at His Power and Ability to do the ministry.
On this blog, my goal is to give an ongoing dialogue/diary of what is going on. You who have "tuned in" to this blog will see how it all works out. Those who are praying for me will see where I need your prayers.
I leave on Sept. 22 and my first prayer need is for a safe journey and that I have the wisdom choosing a house to rent in Hato Mayor. Also, keep up the prayer for the Deaf of the D.R. and especially Hato Mayor.