Tours of the GO Ministries School and Medical Center….

Devotion:  Inheriting A Stake In the World
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

This morning after breakfast, we were blessed with a break from our previous day’s strenuous work - we toured the GO Ministries School and Medical Center.

Diane spoke about the history of the school and how God has continued to answer their prayers.  Because of donations, the students are enjoying a computer lab and the school recently covered the playground/gym area so it can be utilized on hot and/or rainy days.  Currently students attend half days (two different groups of students each day) and classes range from pre-school to 8th grade.  They have requested permission from the government to instruct up to 12th grade, but have not been granted it at this time.  Also, they have been advised that they will be required to extend the school day next year….. this means double the students in the same space even if they don’t expand the classes up to 12th grade!  Here is where the prayers start.  There is space ready to be improved and utilized to meet the school’s needs once funding is available.  Please pray for the school, the students and teachers, that their needs be met so ALL the children can continue their education there!  Also, if God lays it on your heart, donations can be sent to the Louisville GO Ministries office with “DR School” in the memo.  There were tears in our eyes as we heard of the at risk children that so desperately need this school - these children can be sponsored through the GO Ministries office in Louisville.  This is a unique opportunity to create a relationship with a DR family through a child who needs you.  Bonus - you can visit your child when you join us next Spring Break for the mission trip!  :-)

Next, Delores shared her vision and passion for the Medical Center where medical care can be provided to the locals for a charge of just over $1 per visit.  Our mission team last year helped prep the construction site of the new medical center just down the street from Calle 2 which will house facilities for a medical center, eye clinic, X-ray facilities and lodging for visiting doctors.  The basement structure has been completed because of a generous donation by an eye doctor willing to help serve the people of the DR.  There has been so much progress and prayers are being answered!  One “God Moment” of the day was when Delores told us of the desperate need for chewable vitamins for the children.  The government is planning to require that the feeding centers have a vitamin for each child served each day - for GO that means approximately 300,000 vitamins per year!  She gestured toward her shelf in the pharmacy where there were two bottles of vitamins left. At that point, Nina had the pleasure of letting her know that St. John had requested supplies from our congregation and that they had been especially generous with VITAMINS, more than anything else!  God is good!  The Medical Center has found another charitable organization that can provide the vitamins at a cost of $7,000/year, so if you are interested in helping this cause, donations can be sent to the GO Ministries office in Louisville with “ DR VITAMINS” in the memo line.

Apologies for the length of this blog, but our day was sooooo full of blessings and our hearts are so full of God’s love and we are so inspired by what we have seen, that we have to share!  Our afternoon consisted of the VBS team making popsicle airplanes with the children (they especially enjoyed the painting with brushes) and more construction/clean-up.  Shovels, brooms, jack-hammers (YES, we finally got to use power tools!), more mortar, chisels, picks, sledge hammers and, of course, sweat and blisters!

In the evening, we were all invited to Bienvo’s home for coffee and social time.  They spoke of how their lives have been blessed by God and their relationships with St. John and GO Ministries.  After asking if we had any questions, we were treated to stories of their first kiss and how they met.  Getting to know Bienvo and his family is one of the many reasons we love to serve in the DR.

Our evening ended with a trip to the DR “Wal-Mart” where we purchased local snacks, coffee and Skim-Ice (sweet frozen icees) to bring home.  Thank you for your continued prayers!