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News: September 2003 | |
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The Martinez |
Your Missionary Outreach |
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Mitch and Debbie Martinez, Your Missionaries to the Dominican Republic |
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| A letter from Debby & Mitch Dear Friends of La Vega Christian School, God is so good to keep his promises to us. It has been an incredible spring and summer for us, and for the school. We hosted teams from South Carolina, New Jersey and Florida all summer long, and what a blessing they were to us. Many were touched as they preached, testified, prayed, conducted Vacation Bible Schools, medical clinics, two Ladies' Tea, and street meetings. We have many special memories, and I know each team member received more than he or she came to give. And give they did. What a bunch of hard-working short-term missionaries! Among the accomplishments are the distribution of over 1000 Books of Hope in the public schools and the detention home, where hundreds of school children raised their hands to accept Christ, the building of a house for Morena in Soto, the successful operation of a brother in the Arenoso church, the painting of the church sign in Soto, and the new roof and remodeling of the Antioquia church. At the school, the men, women and teens painted 14 classrooms, the bathrooms, the dining area and cafeteria. The S.C. Women's Ministries decorated the downstairs classrooms and offices with curtains, stencils and murals. The rooms are just precious. Some talented ladies from Calvary Lighthouse in NJ painted a huge mural on the outside wall in the preschool playground. The SC ladies also paid for all the tile in the hall, the dining area, and the upstairs classrooms. I only wish you could all come back and see the finished product! The school looks 1000% better. Teams also worked on completing 4 new classrooms on the third story. The Florida groups paid to equip the upstairs bathrooms, then used them when they stayed at the school for 2 weeks. Thank you, River Ridge and Christ Community Churches! Almost all the teams worked to surround the sides and front of the property with a cement wall, upon which we need to install cyclone fencing. The parking area was spread with stone and a ranchito area has been started, and only needs a roof, where the children can wait for their parents in safety. The library was organized, alphabetized, and later moved to its permanent home on the 2nd story, still in order. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, FOR ALL THIS AND MORE. We can only say as the Dominicans do, que Dios te pague - may God repay you. Only He can. Another special thank you to those who are sponsoring children at the school. The new students are so happy! They are adjusting quickly, have made friends, and are just thriving. A big thank you, (and you will be receiving letters), from Dionicio, Jose Miguel, Genesis, Madeline, Denny, Nairobi, Fifi, Evelyn, Solangi, Priscilla, Frarlin, Endry, Misael, Joel, Joelito, Esther, Daniel, Josue, Deivy, Raneida, Fernando, Carlos, Adaias, Betsaira, and Jamel. There are still students that need help to attend La Vega Christian School. If you are interested in funding a student with a full or partial scholarship, please let me know. You will be investing in the life of a child or teen who desires to serve God. Your family will be blessed to have folks in the DR praying for you. |
I will briefly tell you about what happened to us this week, which has been so hard for us. We need your prayers. Early Thursday morning I received a call from the lady who runs the cafeteria, telling me she had been broken into, the police were at the school, and the security guard was not around. I rushed over, to learn that the guard had been murdered on the 2nd floor. He fought valiently to protect the school, but was brutally attacked and murdered with his own weapon. Even now I shudder as I remember the sight of that dear man lying in a puddle of blood. A neighbor, who apparently was a witness to the crime, was also killed. Thankfully, the killer was apprehended by noon. I was detained at the police station for most of the day, until a report could be filed. On Friday morning, 30 from the school staff went to the funeral. What a sad time for us. The news media made a hubbub out of it, relating it to the kidnapping , trying to make the school look bad. We called for a parents' meeting on Friday night, where we were so pleased and encouraged by the outpouring of support and loyalty of our school families. They refuted the insinuations of the press, and pledged their commitment to Christian education for their children. During the meeting the question was raised as to when the outside fence would be completed. It is a very real need, and moreso in these uncertain times. The parents pledged to hold activities to raise funds, and one father gave $1000 pesos on the spot, then 5 more parents did the same, and others pledged a gift. The engineer estimates that we will need $100,000 pesos to finish, which is about $30,000 dollars, a large amount, so I will ask that you pray about that need, and that the Lord will give us much wisdom. We have about 310 students enrolled, down from 350 from last year. We are praying that more students will come, so that we can offer our teachers decent wages. We are hanging on to God's promises, and I know he will not fail us. The parents blessed us as they praised God for the school, for what Christian education means to their children and their families, and their belief that we are fighting a common enemy, Satan, but that we will see the fruits of our labors. It was a night of victory. We have to believe that God does work everything for good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose. Please continue to pray for us, and especially for me, as Mitch is out of the country right now for just 2 weeks, getting Paul and Sarah settled into college, and attending an important conference in Indiana. Josh is doing better, going to counselling once a week, and faithfully taking his medication. John is back to school, and enjoying it. Thank you for praying for them, too. In other news, we continue to pastor the church in Arenoso, and also in La Lima. The Bible Institute opened last week with 19 students, who are eager to be trained to share God's word. Mitch is the director as well as a professor. Four other pastors help teach the 5 classes that are offered this semester. Again, a special thank you to the teams from Good Shepherd, Faith Assembly, First Assemby Concord, Master's Commission, Calvary Academy and Lighthouse, SC AIMS, SC Men, and SC Women of the Assemblies of God, and all their churches, many of whom sent money and things (even curtains for our house, and clothes for the boys.) Thank you, Sharon and Trey, for bringing your teams. Thank you, Propes family, and Jellybean the clown. Thank you to those who faithfully pray for us, and give to our support. Even if you didn't come this year, you share in the victories and in the lives of those being won for the Lord. Be encouraged. Keep fighting the good fight of faith. Your co-laborers in the Dominican Republic, Debbie and Mitch |
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