Dominican Missions News: November 2006

Your Missionaries to the Dominican Republic

The Latin Media Center Opens

After three years of gathering leftover materials, labor and donations we are finally done with the ground floor of the Latin Media Center. This building will house Latin Media Ministries. LMM will be the springboard to taking the message of Christ to the airwaves in La Vega, to the Dominican Republic, and to all the Spanish speaking world. The Latin Media Center, which is what we are calling this building, has three main rooms. We have a 25’ by 25’ TV production studio, a 15’ by 15’ editing room, and a 10’ by 15’ office. By the time you read this the last tiles for the production room floor should be in place and we will begin constructing our first TV program set. We have three pilot programs that we are being asked to produce: 1) a youth program,	2) a family issues program, and 3) a simple Bible Study program. Most of the needed equipment is in place to start. We have two decent entry level professional studio cameras, mikes, video mixer, video editor, a recording machine, monitors, amplifier, computers, and yes, even a technician. Elias Castillo, who has been helping us with past video projects, is joining us part time. The building is on the school campus. We are hoping to use interested LVCS high school volunteers, and provide them with valuable communications experience. This is a first step towards vocational training at LVCS. We thank the many who contributed to make this dream a reality and covet your prayers as we commit this ministry to God and His kingdom!	Latin Media Center Ready For Producing!

Wishing you a very special Thanksgiving! AGAPE Flights International has once again organized sponsors to provide turkey and fixings for missionary families in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. We certainly appreciate these gifts, yum!			Our oldest son, Joshua Martinez is developing his missionary call. During the summer he painted and helped in preparations at La Vega Christian School. Currently he teaches English, and also works with ministry outreaches to children in Los Rieles and the Arenoso area. In October he made a first outreach into the mountain area near Jarabacoa. He has a burden for the poor mountain villages. Last week he was encouraged by the visit of Calvin Fortner, who is a sectional Royal Ranger Commander from the South Carolina District. Josh has started a scouting program for boys ages 8-14 in Arenoso. They had 15 boys out last week.
		Joshua and Cdr. Calvin Fortner start a Christian scouting program

Debbie and Aracelys	The Rieles Church Needs Much Prayer!
	We have been reaching out to the Los Rieles church since we arrived back in the country at the end of July. Greg and Sandy McDonough, Earl and Shirley Featsent, Jessica Turner, and Josh, all missionary volunteers, have been ministering to the children there every Sunday afternoon. They gather 30-50 children weekly.	Unfortunately the worker who had been taking care of the church is ill and had not been able to do anything there since last May. She was diagnosed with a rare stomach disorder that can lead to cancer. Aracelys has lost much weight and her treatment has been costly. Please remember her in your prayers. In spite of her condition in her spirit she remains strong.

Missionary Jessica Turner from Summerville, South Carolina

The Ruthie Martinez Children’s Fund is looking for more sponsors to help needy children in the Dominican Republic receive a private Christian school education. For as little as $40.00 a month tuition is covered for one child. Currently we have an immediate need of sponsors for two sons of a poor rural pastor. We accepted them in faith believing we would find sponsors for them. If you, your church, or anyone you know is interested in sponsoring a child, please let us know. Your donation is tax deductible. Contact Debbie at her current email address: lavegaschool@gmail.com of click here. Thank you! Home ph. is 1-809-573-1533 or 1-863-248-1119.

Please Pray For Our Missionaries

Our missionary volunteers all work with La Vega Christian School in some capacity. They are also involved in reaching out in poor communities. They are doing a great job, and have sacrificed so much to come and give us a hand. Their financial budgets are tight yet they do their work as unto the Lord.

1. Please pray for the health of our volunteers. Sandy and Greg McDonough, a young couple, they have really been hit hard with health issues. Greg recently recovered from a bout of Dengue fever (very similar to West Nile virus). Sandy as of the writing of this letter has had to be hospitalized because of severe migraine headaches.

2. Pray for Jessica Turner, who has struggled with concerns for her family in the States. It is hard to be so far away.

3. Pray for Earl and Shirley Featsent as they work through the process of adopting little Gabriel. The red tape is discouraging. May they be able to get his travel visa soon.

4. Judy Medsker, who also helps in our school is adopting Gabriel’s little sister Noelle. This baby would most certainly have died had Judy not intervened and taken it upon herself to do all possible to save the child… this includes numerous trips to the hospital and to specialists, with just a very small financial budget. She also needs help with obtaining adoption papers as well as finances to provide for her and her expanded family. She is a single mom now. If you think you can help with some financial support for her please let us know.

5. Please remember Jerry Durr, who directs the English program at the school. He has been with us since the school started in 1998.
We consider each one of these missionaries as special gifts from the Lord to help carry on the many ministries here in La Vega.

Multipurpose Building Needed

As the attendance at La Vega Christian School hovers just below four hundred students, space becomes a necessity. Currently the chapel area consists of a two-classroom area that barely can accommodate 80 students. The school is conducting four different chapels to be able to accommodate everyone. It is rough on class scheduling. Another problem we have is that we live in the most fertile valley in the country, which also means some of the highest yearly rainfall. Can you guess how rain affects P.E. (the physical education department)? You got it! No P.E., that means no break for the teachers or students as they must remain in their

classes. How about our graduations or dramas and plays, where can we meet? We normally have to rent a meeting hall. How can these problems be resolved? We need a multi-purpose building to meet all these needs. The easiest solution is to cover our basketball court. Estimates run at least $65,000.00 US. But the foundation should cost about $18,000.00. That is our first target goal. Will you pray and ask your church to help us? Perhaps they could send a work construction team. Tuition covers our staff salaries and operating costs, but for our construction needs we depend on the help of God and his children.

News: November 2006

Wishing you a very special Thanksgiving! AGAPE Flights International has once again organized sponsors to provide turkey and fixings for missionary families in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. We certainly appreciate these gifts, yum!

Wishing you a very special Thanksgiving!
AGAPE Flights International has once again organized sponsors to provide turkey and fixings for missionary families in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. We certainly appreciate these gifts, yum!