Die to Self, Live for Christ!

How many times do we sing songs like, "Lord, I want to be more like you"? Or pray prayers like, "Father, let me decrease so you may increase." Such prayers flow with such passion and desire to see them fulfilled. Tears may even flow as we fall to our knees in an earnest quest of His likeness to overcome our flesh. Little do we know that God uses everyday circumstances to answer such requests. For us, His response was a lifetime transition. It was for us to make disciples in a different nations. Disciples big and small. God has given us the opportunity to die to ourselves and to live for Him in a way that defies reason.

We thought that we had been givers when we lived in the States, none of us realized that God was calling us to give in a greater way. He constantly calls us to a higher place in Him. He will not stop streching us until we meet Him in the sky! Our attitudes and hearts must joyfully obey. So here, we give more. We give food out of our pantry. We give to orphans out of our family's monthly support. We give our time, literally all day, to those in need. Ruben gives with just one working leg! All of this is done out of our hearts as we respond to His call.

In addition to helping other missionaries with their initiaves, getting our family used to this change and keeping ourselves strong in the Lord, we've begun church services on Sunday mornings. Our living room has been full to its max, so some sit on the porch and others on the floor! We've prayed for God to give us a larger home that is not far away from those we've begun to reach and He has answered that prayer. After looking at many homes throughout Santiago, we've finally found one that works well for us. 6 bedrooms, 5 living areas, a closed in yard and only $475/month. Yes, half the price of the house we almost signed a contract for. Now, we'll have space for our family, the church services, mission groups and a few orphans. It is only 5 minutes away from the neighborhood that we've been reaching and a few minutes away from the others that attend our service who don't live in this neighborhood.

We also travel to the village of Moca each Sunday afternoon. What a joy its been to see the lives of the children in that village changed as they learn truths about our Savior! Yet, it has been difficult to get our family there each week since we don't have a vehicle. We usually pay someone to take us and this has become expensive.

Yesterday, Ruben had to ride on the back of a motorcycle in the rain with his cast sticking straight out! As I watched him ride down the hill, (the rest of us walked in the rain) I prayed for his safety and asked God again if this was really His will! As we walked into our host's small home, I was amazed at God's quick response as I saw the faces of the children who had walked for miles in the rain to hear us share His truth with them. Afterwards, we walked to the house where the sweet, precious orphans live. I was humbled even more when I saw chickens walking throughout their home and old curtians hanging in the doorways in place of doors. These children don't walk around crying because their parents died, they sang lots of praises to God during our service and smiled the entire time. It didn't seem like a big deal to them that their clothes were too small and that they didn't have much to eat. They were just happy to be alive.

We will begin a summer camp in a few weeks for the children in the barrio of Los Cerritos. We have enjoyed getting to know them and are excited about ministering to them this way. We'll keep you posted as we move forward with this.

So friends, today I sincerely ask for your help. Would you please join our team of monthly Kingodom Investors? A gift of $50 or more per month would enable us to provide consistent service to those seeking truth here in the Dominican Republic. Perhaps you'd like to help with a special gift towards a vehicle, our down payment of $1500 for the house, money towards new furniture (the kids are sleeping on air mattresses) or money for supplies for our upcoming camp ($1000). When you give, please specify what the gift is for.

Please know that whatever you give will not only bless us, but many on this island.

Prayer points:
1. Continued healing for Ruben's achilles tendon. Provision for the physically therapy and wisdom for the doctors.
2. Wisdom for the ministry in Moca and provision for the orphans there.
3. Hearts of those who attend our service each Sunday will continue to transform.
4. Wisdom for the internet cafe.
5. Grace with the government as we legalize our ministry and orphanage.
6. Peace for our children as we move into another home.

Giving information: For tax deductible gifts send and write checks to CCI, PO Box 721191, Dallas, TX 75372-1191. Please DO NOT write our name anywhere on the check (not even in the memo section), but attach a note stating, H.O.P.E Dominican Republic.
For non-tax deductible gifts, please click on the donate button on our blog.

Our mailing address is Dominguez, Agape Flights STI 22437, 100 Airport Avenue, Venice, FL 34285. When mailing packages, please send a check to the CCI address to cover the $1.50 per pound that we are charged for cargo. Please DO NOT send us checks as it has been difficult to cash them here. Call us anytime at 214-810-7333, just leave a message if we don't pick up and we'll return your call ASAP!

Thank you very much! Pictures are coming soon and please call, email or send letters...we miss you!

Cold Water and Toilet Seats

Our pastor, his family, other friends and my parents met us at the airport to say goodbye at 3 a.m. last Thursday morning! What a departure! As we walked away, the tears in my heart burned my eyes. As the plane took off, the reality of what we were really doing hit me. We left it all and are on our way into the unknown.

Our flight to the Carribbean was good in spite of the wheel chair, crutches, 22 checked containers, and 20 carry on bags. We were not able to sit together on the plane. A nice elderly woman switched seats with Soli so she could sit with me and another gentleman swithced with Starr. The rest however, were scattered on both flights! The flight attendants were amazed at our children's behavior, they said that they'd never seen such well behaved children before. One could not understand why we would want to have so many children-I took it as an opportunity to share God's word about them being blessings. She was amazed at my attitude and beliefs, too bad I didn't have more time to share with her.

We arrived in Santiago right after 1p.m. As we approached customs, one of the airport directors came to us and led us throughout the entire process. We did not pay anything for our luggage and none of our bags were checked! Praise God!

As we walked outside, there were lots of family members cheering. I forgot that this was a dream come true for them. Now they would have the chance to love on Ruben's children. Many cried, for God had answered their prayers. Many laughed as they realized that they could now visit with Ruben face to face after 18 years of separation!

Starr and Soli were afraid since they had recently left an airport of friends and family crying. They didn't understand why so many people cry at airports! Ruben held them both tight to help them feel secure, but Starr said that she misses her grandma and she won't love this place because then she might stop loving her grandma in the U.S. She said it so many times that day that we had to sit her down to help her understand that her heart was big enough to love her grandma in the U.S. and her grandma in the D.R. We told her that Jesus lives in her heart so He makes her heart big like His and He loves everyone in the whole world. After that conversation, she's embraced everyone.

Later that evening, Ruben called a meeting for the family members that live around us. They all filled into our small living/dining area. He told them that he was very happy to be back home again and that he loves them very much, but he was here on a mission. He told them that God sent him here to work with hurting children and to plant churches. He didn't want any of them to distract him from his purpose. They all wonderfully agreed to participate in whatever way they could.

As I showered that evening, I shivered in the cold water (we don't have hot water)! I almost complained until I remebered the little boy trying to sell me something on the street that day. Then I thought about the other little boy who really wanted to wash our car windows. Were they the only breadwinners for their families? Did their parents force them to sell on the street? Were they street children? Were they part of the child slave trade? More so, do they know our Savior? How could I complain about a cold shower when they probably have none at all?

The toilets in our house don't have seats. Imagine the shock to our backsides when nature called! We knew all of this before we came, but the daily encounter with the toilet seat takes some getting used to when you know that you're staying here forever! Yet, we endure with joy. We've decided to follow Jesus wherever He leads, with or without toilet seats!

Now that Ruben's surgery is behind us, we are working on making our little house a home and taking advantage of every opportunity that God gives us to share His love with others. Our boys went to the village in Moca Sunday afternoon to give gifts to the children and moms there. Jose participated in a drama while Josue and Jonathan prayed for and shared God's love with the people there. We are excited about the chance to work with the orphans there.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Ruben's achilles tendon: a. Complete healing. b. Continued provision for physical therapy. c. No more swelling. d. No more pain.

2. 38 acres of land: Provision and favor as we have not yet met our goal.

3. Continued family untiy: We are all doing great. Let's pray that it stays this way!

4. Provision: a. Bedroom furniture b. A vehicle c. Living and dining room furniture

5. Peace

6. Favor with customs as will pick up our shipment of some household items on Friday the 12th. Pray that they won't overcharge us for anything.

7. Wisdom for the Internet Cafe.

WE STILL NEED MONTHY SUPPORTERS. PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING A PART OF OUR TEAM BY GIVING TOWARDS H.O.P.E'S INITIATIVES!

Blessings to you all,

Vicki