May Family Update

Our new family van is now sitting in our driveway! Thank you so much for your faithful giving! We were able to purchase the van and have everything that needed adjustment repaired! It is such a blessing to now have a vehicle.

The end of this month will mark our family's first year here on this precious island. We are excited about the ministry that God allowed us to accomplish this past year, but we are even more thrilled about what is ahead!

Testimonies of those we've served:
"Now that I've learned how valuable I am to God, I cannot continue to live with my boyfriend. I asked him to move out and now I feel at peace with God."
"My sister has changed. I'm so glad that she attends your church. She does not live in bitterness anymore. What are you all doing over there?"
"I don't even have a desire to drink anymore. God has really set me free."
"Tia Selina, can we have the Kids Klub party every day? Sunday is not enough! Kids Klub is the best thing that I do each week!"
"Pastor Ruben, I really do see things different now. Thank you for showing me the truth."
"No one ever took the time to teach me the Bible. Thank you for coming each week to teach us these things."

Oh, we could go on and on with the testimonies! It encourages us to know that our lives here really are making a difference and we hope that you are encouraged to know that your financial gifts and prayers have allowed us the opportunity to pour into these lives!

Here are some of things we've done this past year:
1. Launched Iglesia Evangelica Vida en Cristo- Lives are being changed each week as we meet in our home each Sunday morning and go out into other homes during the week for Bible studies. Our member's neighbors are coming to Lord through these Bible studies and God is doing a great work in each of their lives.
2. Completed and translated our Let the Children Come Orphanage Manual! This was a great task, but praise God it is done! We met with the government agency CONANI and turned in our manual for their approval. We should hear something from them by the end of next month. Our meeting was extraordinary! We didn't even know what the government regulations were before our manual was written yet, after meeting with them we realized that all of their requirements were detailed in our manual! God literally spoke to us as we wrote and was sure that we included the things that they were looking for!
3. We found 52 precious acres of land. Our lawyer is now working on the title documents for this property. So far, he doesn't see any problems, but we will let you know what his results are once we have an answer from him.
4. New children attend Kids Klub each week and are learning more and more about Christ. Their parents have told us how their children have changed.
5. We helped a small outdoor village church with a few construction needs, school supplies and Christmas gifts for the children there and groceries for the orphans in that village.
6. We led a Children's conference where over 700 children learned God's truths.
7. We answered the call to serve the Haitians who were severely affected by the earthquake.
8. We hosted a basketball tournament in a neighborhood near our home.
9. We ministered our HOPE C.R.E.W dramas in various churches and outreaches.
10. We began Bible studies in two different neighborhoods.

In the next few months we plan to:
1. Start the orphanage in our city in a rented house.
2. Move our church into a facility near our home.
3. Continue with the building project and assisting the orphans and families in the village.
4. Expand our Kids Klub ministry.
5. Host short term missionaries.
6. Reach more youth through sports, dramas and mentoring programs.
7. Host a special dinner for married couples.
8. Present the Judgment Day program that we've worked on for months.
9. Create more puppet shows.

NONE of these things would be possible without you. God is able to do anything and we have definitely experienced His miracles, but He most times uses people to accomplish His will here on earth. Thank you so much for allowing Him to use you as you give into H.O.P.E4DR.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING:
1. Josiah's and Starr's school books have been stuck in customs for weeks now! Imagine how difficult it has been to educate two young children without the proper books! Please pray that God will move on the hearts of the Dominican government and release our packages and the other missionary's packages who have been detained.

2. For God to continue to move on the hearts of those who attend our church and Bible studies. Pray for true transformations that God can only accomplish.

3. That our family will remain strong and united as we so often MUST stand alone. Pray that our children will not become discouraged and that our marriage will be an example of Christ to everyone around us.

4. Continued provision for each of our ministries and for our family.

5. Divine protection from the attacks of the enemy.

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING THERE WHEN WE NEED YOU!!!!