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!