A Little History…

In January 2008, Brad Cowger from Colorado brought a team to construct the first pavilion for The Cercadillo Project. Shortly thereafter a much-needed second pavilion was built by a team from New Hampshire to provide space for our growing ministry. Through the years a total of four wooden pavilions with tin roofs were added to our leased land by teams from Pennsylvania and Virginia. A team from Missouri made a little basketball court in the center of the pavilions. These pavilions have served us well but are now termite ridden and the crumbling cement floors are a tripping hazard. The bigger issue is that the lease terminates in August 2025 and is nonrenewable.

In Fall 2021, God miraculously provided the funds to buy a little over two acres of virgin land with a clear title. Did you catch the two miracles in the previous sentence? 1. I had been looking for land since 2007 and this was the first with a clear title. 2. At just the right time God provided the funds to buy the land!  

The ministry began in Cercadillo but has now expanded to the neighboring community of Vietnan. Our land is located between these two communities. Aren’t we glad we serve a God who can see the future?

My plans WERE…
I thought that by this fall we would be launching a capital campaign. I thought we would have a well-developed site plan with 3D renderings and a detailed proposed budget outlining various construction stages for our school building. However, that has not been finished due to the surprise death of the engineer/project manager.  

A new direction…
As I was praying and contemplating what we could possibly do, Brad Cowger (from 2008) called to ask about bringing a team in the spring to “help meet any need we might have.” As we talked, the suggestions of other advisors were confirmed. It was time to think about a different type of building.

We are now planning a large multi-purpose pavilion (40 ft X 72 ft) with cement poles, an Aluzinc roof and a cement floor. The roof will be high enough to allow for basketball and volleyball, thus meeting one of the requirements for a DR school. In the future the building can serve as the school cafeteria as well. In the meantime, it will be used for our ongoing activities: Kids’ Club, tutoring, summer camps, various community Bible studies and meetings, and the expansion of our current ministries to include church services, employment opportunities, ESL classes, sports outreach, etc.

How can you get involved?

• Join us in praying specifically for this first development on our land.
• Give to help us reach the goal of $58,000. We already have $35,000! Only $23,000 to go! Donate here.
• Bring a group this spring to help with the construction. There are still a couple of weeks open.  

How thankful I am for all of you who continue to journey with us!  May God richly bless you for your partnership.

-Ina

If you have ever heard me talk in depth about The Cercadillo Project, you have most likely have heard me speak of “My Maine Ladies”… friends from New England who traveled to the DR many times over the years. Their original visit in 2008 birthed our sewing and crafting initiative. Many times, they came to introduce a new product that our women could make. One time they came to prepare materials for tutoring and in January 2022 they came to make curtains for our mission base. Always they came to encourage. Always there was much laughter. 

There were four key ladies, with occasional others as well. We lost Janie Keith to cancer in 2022 and Jean Smith in 2023. Last night I received word that Susan Brindle passed. Three of “My Maine Ladies” are gone. I deeply feel the loss of those three today. Three ladies who supported me and our ministry here through the years with their praying, giving and serving. Three ladies who I am sure heard “Well done” as they entered eternity.

Today as I am processing this grief, I am also reminded of the how many, many others have supported this ministry through the years, and I am thankful. Today I am hopeful knowing that the same God who sent us “The Maine Ladies” at just the right time is calling and preparing others to fill their shoes. As we continue to pray for and plan for the development of our community campus, we know we need those who will come for short term trips, those who will help raise resources to build, and those who will come and plant their lives here. Might you be part of the exciting future that God has in store for our communities of Cercadillo and Vietnan?

Love to all,

Ina