The Cercadillo Project

We strive to do many different projects to better the lives of the people in the communities we serve. Every once in a while we do things “just for funzies,” just to say, “Hey you’re important to us. We care about you!” Our family picture project was one of those.

Our leaders went into their communities with a digital camera to capture family units. I then printed and laminated the photos that are being delivered to the families as I write this. Will it dramatically change the trajectory of lives? Probably not, but we’re hoping it brings some smiles and a sense of being seen.

Today we incorporated a Paint Party into our Bible Study time as part of our Semana Santa (Holy Week) activities.

As she was painting, one of the ladies said with her tears streaming down her face, “Jesus suffered all of this for me. How can I not live for Him?”

A few updates . . .

We are still waiting for the last piece of paperwork for the Mission Base to pass through the DR system. As soon as that happens we are ready to purchase the property and begin some renovations. You will most likely hear my shouts of excitement and won’t need to wait for a blog update when that happens. 🙂

I’m continuing to recover from two cataract surgeries I had here in Santo Domingo at the beginning of March. My surgeon assures me that all is well and that my sight will most likely continue to improve in the next few weeks.

Stay tuned . . .

In April I’m participating in a virtual class to become certified in the Parents as Teachers program. This will allow us access to a curriculum that we believe will have a great impact for many of our families. I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about this in the months to come.

We are also working on another HUGE initiative that we hope to begin at the end of April. For those of you who just can’t wait to know more about it, check out www.smartbox.net. 🙂

May we all live like people who know that Good Friday wasn’t the end of the story.

An absolutely beautiful day . . . a cool breeze . . . representatives from approximately thirty families all working together to clean up our ministry site . . . How could this past Wednesday morning have been any better?

As some pulled weeds, others macheted, picked up trash, raked, swept, mopped, scrubbed tables and benches and cleaned the bathrooms. And Carmencita . . .

It was the first time we have tried to gather as a community since last March. Very few wore masks, or wore them correctly. Even fewer tried to be socially distant. There is a mistaken belief in many poor communities that they can’t contract COVID from family or neighbors. They are much more careful if they go into the city. (Perhaps partially because people without masks can be fined.) We won’t be able to have other similar times again soon since so many were directly disobeying the government mandated COVID restrictions, but it was SO GOOD to see and hear our people together. It took everything within me not to run up and hug them all!

My friend gave me Sawyer water filters that were extras from their ministry here in the DR. A surprise raffle finished out the day and ten families went home with a water purification system that has been known to last for ten years! Thank you Terri Nelson!

But not to worry! All the other families left with bananas from my yard. (I’ve become a banana farmer during the pandemic. ). Our people like to cook with green bananas, so I’ve learned that I don’t have to wait for them all to be yellow to give them away.

Keep praying with us for creative ways to reach out to our community during these tough times. We continue to distribute food to our most vulnerable families and to produce Sunday School type activities for home use. Facing another camp-less summer is hard for our kiddos. Pray for creativity!