October 2010
Dear Sponsors:
This is my favorite time of year! School starts, which for many means new shoes and socks, new clothes or uniforms, new books, a new teacher, old and new friends, the excitement of learning, new hopes and dreams. Thanks to you, a child in the Rails (Los Rieles) is receiving a quality education at the Garden of Life Learning Center at the Center of Life church. Don’t you love those names Pastor Gemuel and the congregation picked? We have 3 teachers this year: Ramona and Elcira, who teach at La Vega Christian School in the morning. Raneida graduated from our school 2 years ago, and is now able to go to the university thanks to the small salary she receives for teaching in the morning at the church.
We recently sent t-shirts so all the kids could come in a little uniform to the Learning Center. You can see pictures on my facebook or at Gemuel’s blog. I asked the pastor for a comment for this letter. He said: Digales que estamos muy agradecidos con ellos, porque esta comunidad esta cambiando gracias al apoyo que ellos nos dan para trabajar con los niños.Y que siempre oramos por ellos, que cada carta que envian es una gran bendicion para estos niños. I’ll translate: Tell them that we are very grateful to them, because this community is changing thanks to the support they send to work with the children. And we always pray for them. Every letter they send is a great blessing to the children.
This week I’m translating letters the kids wrote to their sponsors. I see so much improvement in their handwriting and communication skills. It is exciting! But not only are they learning to read and write; they are learning about the Lord and what it means to be a Christian. Many are joining the Sunday school, the weekly outreaches and cell groups. New people are coming to church all the time. I’m hoping someone will volunteer to buy 50 more chairs for the church! (The price is $278 US dollars.)
Please be in prayer for the completion of the educational wing of the church. Lord willing, we’ll have a team there in late February. I pray they will be able to raise the finances and manpower for the trip and the project. We are also praying for funds to set up a kitchen, bathrooms, and the furnishings for the classrooms. You know how much I love those kids in the Rails, and I know you do, too. They are the treasures of Jesus! They are very grateful and happy for all the Lord has given them.
Your tax-deductible donations can be sent to TMCI, PO BOX 1761, Columbia, SC 29202. If you would like to write your child a letter, please send it to me at: 224 S. Saluda Ave, Columbia, SC 29205. Packages can be sent to: Debbie Martinez, c/o Agape-SGO-12479, 100 Airport Ave, Venice, FL 32485. Remember that it costs us $1.50 a pound to receive packages via Agape, so please send a donation to meet the shipping costs to TMCI. Thank you so much!
Praying the Lord is blessing you and your family. We know the Lord is faithful.
With much love from your missionaries, Mitch and Debbie Martinez
Visit the Ruthie Martinez Children's Fund Page HERE
|
