Dominican Missions News: June 2002

	News: June 2002

Write us at:
228 Olmstead Drive
Titusville, FL 32780

Send Contributions to:
Your Missionary Outreach
PO Box 1761
Columbia, SC 29202-1761

The Further Adventures
of the Martinez Family

Summer Schedule (subject to changes)

May 7-21: Debbie travels to the Dom. Rep. to oversee school and to host a team from Calvary Academy, Lakewood, NJ.
May 11: Mitch ministers at Hispanic Missions Conference in SC.
May 14-16: Mitch participates in Ministers Conference in SC.
May 19: Mitch ministers in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
May 26: Mitch and Debbie minister in 3 services in Fort Meyers, FL.
May 29: Service in Florence, SC.
May 30: Mitch & Debbie's 25th. Wedding Anniversary.
June 1: Missions Banquet in Greenville, SC.
June 2: AM service in Greenville and PM service in Charleston, SC.
June 9: AM service in Irmo, SC.
June 15-July 8: Pre-field Missions Orientation in Springfield, MO.
July 9-18: School of Missions.
July 23-Sept 5: Mitch leaves for the Dom. Rep. to add the third story to the La Vega Christian School.
July 27: Debbie ministers in NJ.
Target date for the family is August, finances permitting.

Email: dominicanmissions@hotmail.com Website: www.dominicanmissions.com Ph: 321-230-0232

Our Commitment Continues!

1. We are committed to building the best Christian school in La Vega. We have already outgrown our building with classrooms for preschool through high school. This summer we push to add the third story. Nearly half of the funds needed have come in. If you or your church would like to help this summer please let us know. Current enrollment is at 330!

Preparing educators is
part of Debbie's vision

2. We are committed to producing a television program that will address the hurting needs of people, with wisdom and advice from the Word of God. Our excitement builds with word of Heidi and David Snead (both Media specialists) coming in August to help upgrade our previous program La Biblia Para Hoy.

3. We are committed to training leaders for the 6000+ towns and villages that have no church. We will be teaching at the Central Bible Institute in Santo Domingo.

4. We are committed to help plant churches in the La Vega area. In this city, population 250,000, there are less than 2,000 evangelicals. We will be networking with area pastors, encouraging them to begin new congregations in the neglected areas of La Vega.

On a more personal note:

As of the writing of this letter we are two-thirds of the way towards reaching the budget goals set by our mission. Our ministry work expenses have been met and now we are raising final personal support. Our time of sharing in churches is winding down.

Pledges are slow in coming and we are finding ourselves looking to the Lord to do the difficult (not the impossible). Whatever He does, He will do in answer to prayer. Please join with us in praying that our pledge goals will be met and we can return soon to the Dominican Republic.

Needed:
beginning September 2002

Missionary Teachers

Call Debbie at
321-230-0232

dominicanmissions@hotmail.com

Josh and Paul bring in the big one!

Family Happenings

We were happy to have Sarah with us for a week. She finished her second year at Southeastern College, Lakeland, FL. She traveled to Maine this month to help at her grandma Wini's gallery. She'll tackle matting and framing this summer, as well as selling paintings.

Joshua continues his ministry training at The River Bible Institute in Tampa, FL. He enjoys sharing his faith in the streets of the city with his friends.

He is giving his Spanish a workout by translating for Pastor Rodney Howard Browne in services there. He also works 30-40 hours weekly with a company that erects patio enclosures.

Paul has had outstanding grades this year as a junior in High School. He enjoyed playing with the Titusville High JV soccer team. He is looking forward to returning to the Dominican this July to help with the 3rd floor construction of the La Vega Christian School.

He hopes to graduate next year with his schoolmates in the Dominican Republic.

John (14) has also made soccer his number one sport this year. His team was undefeated their first season of play. He has really enjoyed having his cousin Jeff in 8th grade with him. Please pray for him as it will be hard for him to return to the Dominican Republic this year. He has had a great time in the U.S.

"We want to express our appreciation and thanks to the many teams that have come and had an impact in the Dominican Republic"

Calvary Academy Senior Class in La Vega

By the time this newsletter gets to you, the Calvary Academy Senior High Class from Lakewood, NJ will have arrived in the Dominican Republic. They will be ministering and working for 10 days in the country. Work days are scheduled when they will put on gloves and help with various projects at the school. They will be building benches for the cafeteria, and adding stone around the area to fill in low spots. They have planned a trip to an orphanage as well.

They will spend time ministering and sharing their faith with the La Vega Christian School children and youth. In the evening they will visit area churches to preach and minister. This team has come before with different senior high youth. They were involved in the construction of the school two summers in a row. This will be the first time they see the finished project. What a wonderful example of Christian love from a Senior class!

Debbie will have arrived a week earlier to make preparations for the team while Mitch attends an important conference in SC. We want to express our appreciation and thanks to the many teams that have come and made an impact in the Dominican Republic.

Interesting itinerary statistics:
1. Since February we have ministered in more than 45 services.
2. By the end of May we will have added 60,000 miles to our vehicle since last July.
3. We have eaten in at least 25 different fast food restaurants and are still alive to tell about it.
(Top ten list coming out soon!)

Why do Missionaries Itinerate?

I tin' er ant: n. -- person who goes from place to place (American Dictionary)

As the statistics to the left show, we have definitely been learning the meaning of what an itinerant missionary is. This frenzy of activity is necessary. After four years in a foreign country, support levels begin to drop off as people lose touch with the missionary and his vision.

The missionary's budget is based on faith pledges made by individuals and churches who voluntarily send monthly offerings. Missions organizations ask their missionaries to visit these churches and supporters upon returning from overseas. Congregations are encouraged by hearing of God's faithfulness and blessing on the field. This is also a time of renewing friendships, and strengthening family ties. It helps re-establish that special bond between the missionary and his faithful partners.

Without this lifeline of friends we could accomplish nothing. Our goal is to return in August to the Dominican Republic for a 3-year term. Will you consider being a supporter of our ministry? The enclosed pledge form is for this purpose. We need to hear from you soon if we are to meet our deadline.

Thank you!

Mitch and Debbie Martinez, Your Missionaries to the Dominican Republic