New Light

"I will never be the same again," Were Ruben's words as he walked into the house after his trip to Haiti.

Ruben and Jonathan spend a few days in earthquake damaged Haiti this month. Pictures of tent communities overwhelm their minds as they recanted their journey. They spent some time with the Christians of Port-au-Prince as they ministered in a church service there. The testimonies of those Christians brought a new light to their view of God's protection. Many testified of how they were led by God to leave the buildings they were in just a few minuted before the earthquake! They now feel that they have a new purpose and a new vision. They want to reach their nation for Christ more than ever. They feel that God saved them for that very purpose.

After some time in Port-au-Prince, they traveled into villages within the mountains of Haiti. It was a long 6 hour drive, but worth every single hard moment! In the villages, they ministered in churches and spent time talking with the people of the villages. Many have returned to their villages since the earthquake as they fear living near the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault zone.

Countless children survived their parents, which gives us more assurance as to why God placed us here now! We are still working with government officials in the Dominican Republic in order to legally house orphans. Once we complete this process, we will work with Haitian and Dominican officials to bring Haitian orphans into the Dominican Republic as well.

Thank you for your support and prayers as we work towards purchasing 52 acres of land to build homes for the orphans of the island of Hispaniola.

Family Update:
1. God has provided the necessary household help we needed so that we could dedicate more time on all of the necessary paperwork and interviews for our ministry.
2. Ruben and Vicki spent 3 days away for a time of marriage renewal and refreshment.
3. All of the kids are busy in school and working hard on their H.O.P.E. C.R.E.W presentations.
4. We had a great visit with Vick's mom and the Bray family in January.
5. Our house was almost broken into early one morning while we were asleep. Our landlord has not been reliable nor trustworthy. Please pray God's protection for us and wisdom on our part as we consider moving.

Ministry Update:
1. We are currently a legal ministry in the Dominican Republic, now we are working towards non-profit status here.
2. We are working with CONANI (the government's children's advocacy agency) to obtain permission to house orphans. This is a lengthy and tedious process, please pray for our patience!
3. Lots of children are still coming to our Kid's Klub. Please pray for complete household transformations!
4. Our church is growing slowly, but surely. Please pray for hearts to truly respond to Christ.
5. We continue to support a small church plant in a village near us. Please pray that each member will walk in encouragement.
6. More opportunities have opened for us in Haiti. Please pray for God's provision and wisdom.
7. Ruben and the boys are playing on an evangelistic basketball team. Pray for many to give their hearts to our Lord.
8. Our neighbors are now beginning to trust us. Please pray for God to use us in their lives.
9. Our children have invitations to perform (H.O.P.E. C.R.E.W) in different locations. Pray for their hearts to remain upright before the Lord.
10. We desperately need a vehicle. Please give towards a vehicle and pray!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Help Haiti

Pastor Jean Paulite, the founder of the first Haitian evangelical church here in Santiago, sat on my sofa cradling his head in his hands after the 6.0 aftershock hit his already rampaged Port-au-Prince. “First a 7.1 earthquake, now this,” he moaned as he tried his best to ‘be strong’.

Thankfully, he has communicated with his family in Haiti. His parents and siblings survived, but their homes are severely damaged. “Many of my cousins, aunts and uncles are buried amongst the dead of my city,” he lamented. “Those who have survived need help. They have no food, nor water! They medical assistance now.”

In light of Haiti’s disaster, we should all take an inward look at ourselves. I Samuel 15:23 tells us that rebellion is witchcraft. We can so easily point our fingers at Haiti and look at their ungodliness as a reason for this disaster.

It is true that at least 50% of Haitians practice Haitian Vodou, while most of the others use Roman Catholicism to cover their witchcraft. We recently learned that one of their ex-presidents even sacrificed an infant at their nations capital in order to please his god.

Many have gazed into their culture and have pointed their fingers at their blatant rebellion to God as a reason for this catastrophe. I personally don’t know why this has happened to Haiti, all I know is that each one of us should point a finger at our own hearts!

How many times have we dabbled in the occult by living in secret sin? How many times have we disobeyed God without any remorse? Look at your own life right now. I sure am these days!

Let us all take this wakeup call seriously. Let’s walk away from rebellion. Disaster may strike anyone, anywhere at anytime. Christ can return at any given moment. Are you ready?

Are you truly living for Him or are you just talking about Him or simply doing for Him? This is our opportunity to get right with our living God. Seek Him NOW while He may be found!

Please join us as we help Haiti:

Ruben and Jonathan will be going to Haiti the 2cd week of February to bring necessary goods to Pastor Jean’s family and to the churches under his supervision. They are also assisting other missionaries with a tent hospital at the border.

We so desperately need your help in order to accomplish this. Will you please make a financial donation today?

Rubén sitting in between Pastor Jean and his brother Moises.

An excerpt from my mom's blog

"God is... a present help in trouble, even when the earth moves and the mountains fall into the sea." Psalm 46

Traveling to the Dominican Republic took on a new sense of God as I awaited for the last flight of my trip to board. Looking at the TV in the waiting area, we learned that a 7.0 earthquake had hit Haiti! An earthquake of this magnitiude hasn't hit this land for 200 years. The number of people dead and/or missing is in the 100 thousands; totally incomprehensible! The after shocks continue. While I awaited the news regarding my now delayed flight, I learned that my daughter and son in law's house not only moved but throughout the Domincan Repiblic, which shares an island with Haiti, the land and buildings were shaking and moving, literally. As they each give their account of the earth moving, it seems like a movie. But, the Truth that God had already spoken to them early that morning when no one knew of the earthqauke coming, is that He is our refuge and strength and a very present help in trouble... no matter what is happenning, God is a Present to Help. He serves as a Refuge. He is the Strength that we need in order to make it. Many Haitians, as I write are disoriented, confused, grieving, in shock because they have lost family, friends, homes, communities, etc. The Domincan missionaries and others in the Christian community here are meeting and planning their strategy to go the 5-6 hour drive to Haiti to help, to provide food, water or whatever is God's purpose for them at the time they are released to go. Our prayer and intercession is of utmost importance for this country who had been for many years ravaged by all kinds of demonic influence. Now is the time to take back the land for God who created it and take back the souls of the people who God made in His image and likeness! Through prayer we can do powerful work! Let's send our money, send supplies, send the relief workers who are willing to go. maybe you will eventally go, because it will take years for the healing and restoration of this nation. But prayer and intercession is what will allow all of these acts to have anointed success. Let's not take our lives and our times lightly. God has given us Himself, His Word, and the ability to pray as tools to bring His will and ways to earth. Though the earth quake, we shall not be moved to fear, but to prayer! In the name of Jesus, who did the work which has enabled us to do even greater works...

PRAY FOR HAITI!

**OUR FAMILY IS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP HAITI. PLEASE KEEP US AND THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS!

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Is it Worth It?

I watched my boys walk our trash to the corner for trash pickup a few weeks ago with a heavy weight on my shoulders. Battling my little girls as they cry during their cold showers on these chilly mornings or evenings can be a bit cumbersome at times. Late nights, early mornings and busy days are the ingredients for cranky people.

I must admit that I spent the month of December asking God if all of this is worth it. Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New year; all without the ones that helped to make those events special throughout the years!

I am not complaining. All of this goes with the territory. We knew that we would have black outs while working on an important projects or water outages in the midst of a shower. We knew that we would terribly miss those who are reading this update and long to see you again. Yet, living it each day sure does take its toll on us.

So I ask, “Is it worth it?”

Let’s ponder that question. We came here on a mission. We came here to change this place. Right? We came here to bring H.O.P.E to the hopeless. Right? Even in light of that, is it worth it?

As I look at those I came here to serve through the eyes of my Father God, I must admit that it is worth it. You see, we thought that we came here to make a difference in the lives of others, yet this experience is making a difference in ours.

Those trash trips to the corner are keeping my boys humble. Those cold showers are making us strong! The busy schedule sure forces us to live orderly and causes us to choose to love one another.

Special days without those special people caused us to lean heavier on God and trust Him more. Missing you brings us closer together as a family and impels us to work out whatever issues that may come up.

Yes, it is worth it! It is so worth the change that is occurring in each of us. It is so worth the H.O.P.E that God brings to us each day. That same H.O.P.E that we came here to give is permeating throughout our home on a daily basis. Helping Others Pursue Eternity in our own home is worth more than we had ever realized!

Ministry Update:

1. The Children’s Conference was great! The pastor of the church where we hosted the conference tells us that he sees a dramatic change in the children and the teachers!

2. We received our non-profit status and name registration approval for the Dominican Republic!

3. Our children (H.O.P.E C.R.E.W) have several invitations to churches and ministries to share the gospel through pantomime, drama and worship.

4. God continually brings convicting messages to our church, Iglesia Vida en Cristo. Some have made major adjustments in their lives in order to uphold His standard.

5. The children who attend Kid’s Club are seriously learning God’s word. They are excited throughout the week about coming on Sundays and still wait at our gate an hour before we open.

6. Our pastor Brad and his son Adam were here with us for a few days in December. We were very blessed! Thank you City Church and Angela and Anna for letting us borrow them!

Family Update:

1. School has started again. We’re all trying to adjust to our new schedule.

2. We had a fun family day at the river where the boys jumped off a 50 ft. cliff into the river! Exciting for them…terrifying for mom!

3. God is dealing with each us individually as we seek Him early each morning to read through the Bible in a year. We are also growing closer to Him as a family as we go through Experiencing God together in the evenings.

4. We had a wonderful month long visit with Vicki’s grandmother in December! Her mom will be here in a few days for a 2 week visit!

Please pray:

1. Land in Monte Plata: Owner to finalize paper work for sale-Complete provision for purchase
2. Iglesia Vida en Cristo: True life changing transformations
3. Orphanage: Favor with government as we meet this week for permits
4. Our family: Continue to acclimate and see the Dominican Republic as home, Hedge of protection around each of us
5. H.O.P.E C.R.E.W: God’s anointing as the kids go out to evangelize through dramas, pantomimes and worship
6. Provision for our Judgment Day presentation
7. Complete healing for Vicki, Jonathan and Starr!

Matthew 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

I’m amazed by all of the Christmas décor here in the Dominican Republic. Some began putting up Christmas trees back in September! After a few days of being upset about everyone ignoring Thanksgiving, I remembered that it’s a U.S holiday!

But still, why a Christmas tree in September? Maybe because Christmas is something to look forward to. When you live in a country where despair encircles you daily, you anticipate something sweet. H.O.P.E-maybe?

Even the wealthiest here are faced with this overwhelming despair each time they walk outside of their gates. Beggars are too many to count! You can’t stop at a street light without someone running to your car to sell you something! News of dying children ring in your ears constantly and the pain of the non-insured ill takes your breath away!

So, some shiny Christmas lights bring in a new H.O.P.E. An expectation of an awaited Savior! A day for families to forget the despair as they feast on roasted pork, rice and beans!

We, the Dominguez family, have been asking God to give us a way to share Him during this upcoming season and we believe that we have an answer!

A church in a nearby city has asked us to host a 2 day Children’s program there. We’ll use drams, pantomimes, preaching, music and puppets to teach hurting children God’s truth! We will do this during the Christmas season! We’ll then take the same program to a nearby village for the children there, then we’ll do it again at our church, Iglesia Vida en Cristo.

You can be a part of bringing these children H.O.P.E too! We’d like to give each child a gift. Ruben recently met with the manager of a large toy store chain here to share our plans with him. He has agreed to give us a significant discount on anything we purchase at his store! After purchasing prizes there for our Kid’s Club, we’ve realized that $10 would be a perfect amount for each gift.

Most of the children that will see our program have never had a Christmas gift before! Imagine their joy as we hand them a wrapped gift after sharing the truth of our Savior with them!

Will you help us bring the H.O.P.E of our Lord Jesus Christ to nearly 600 children?

 The church that asked us to come has 500 children attending their Sunday School, including those attending the Haitian churches they oversee on this side of Hispaniola.

 Their will be 50 children in the village, then another 40 at our church!

Would you consider reaching 5 to 10 children with a $50 or $100 gift this month for this cause? We truly believe that as these children play with their new toy, they will continue to remember the truths that we share with them at our program! These truths will save their lives and give them a H.O.P.E and a future!

Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

UPDATE ON STARR: Thank you so much for your prayers. Starr is doing better. Her neurologist is working with her closely and has put her on a different type of medication. Her cardiologist took her off of the high blood pressure meds and her blood pressure has been stable for the past 2 weeks!

No More Comfort Zone

Relief, reassurance, consolation, encouragement, soothing and gladness are all synonyms of the word comfort. I must say that it feels good to be in any one of those places. Who wouldn’t want some relief in the midst of pain? Who would reject encouragement while in the face of despair? A little gladness would be nice while sadness reigns. Yet, God consistently moves us out of a place of comfort.

When I think of the word zone, I visualize a place. Usually it’s a place where only certain activities are allowed. Some people’s hearts may have different zones. To name a few, a loving zone, a bitter zone, a guilty zone, a forgiving zone, and the all so infamous comfort zone.

The comfort zone is not only a physically place, but a condition of our hearts as well. I really thought that when I emptied my house in the states and boarded the plane to the Dominican Republic that I was leaving my comfort zone. Little did I know that my heart had areas that needed to be re-zoned.

It is amazing how God has used this physical location to mold me more and more into the person He’s ordained for me to be. I’ve come to realize that when we focus on ourselves in any way, we are living in a comfort zone. When our gaze is not solely upon Him, we are in a comfort zone. Oh, how I long to only see Him. Beyond the circumstances that surround me, beyond my own unbelief, beyond the great needs that seem to plague me daily; I long to only see my Father.

As we, the Dominguez family, walk down this narrow road; God has given us victory. We are all growing and accepting the challenges that God places on our path. Just the other day, José asked Jonathan if he wanted him to pray with him for a birthday gift since Jonathan’s 18^thbirthday is coming up. Jonathan sincerely looked at his younger brother and said, “Jo, it is always easy for us to pray for things that we want, but we should instead pray for the lost souls around us. Instead, let’s pray for our church services to be filled with God’s power. Instead, let’s pray for those who are hurting.” José walked away amazed knowing how badly Jonathan wants a rather costly gift for his birthday.

One of our church members recently came over to tell us that her life has been so wonderful since she’s met us. She says that she has peace that she’s never had before. She has just made some difficult decisions in obedience to Christ, yet she is not hard pressed. She’s trusting Him.

Yesterday, we had children waiting at our gate an hour before Kid’s Club started. The neat thing about it is that their scripture memory books were in hand and they had memorized the verses therein! These children are memorizing new scriptures each week. What a joy to see God use His word to work in their lives to bring transformation within their hearts.

Please continue to pray for us. We need wisdom.

Thank you so much for your support,

Vicki-for the Dominguez family

Via Dolorosa

Christ walked down a long road, “La Via Dolorosa”. He walked down the way of grief to a deadly cross with a heavy piece of wood on his back. All of this for me and for you. Before this dramatic event took place, He wanted each one of His followers to know that we too would have to carry our own cross in order to follow Him. Reading those words sound so wonderful. Listening to a sermon about living a selfless life sounds so energizing. Watching others carry it out can often times be encouraging. Yet, doing it yourself is painful. It’s a pain that wells up deep within, yet we keep walking.

Walking down the road that leads to death of self is really the only way to obtain true life. Assimilating in a new culture is not easy. Adjusting a family of 10 to a completely new world is no simple task. Living out God’s word in the midst of naysayers is hard. But wasn’t that Via Dolorosa hard? Wasn’t that cross painful? Didn’t He say that we would have to carry ours as well?

This is an exciting death. This is the only type of death that truly produces resurrection. I must die so that He will live. I need Him to live through me in order to shed His light on those around me. I need Him to shine through me in order to offer love to the hurting by my side. We all do if we are truly His.

So we, the Domínguez family, which represent H.O.P.E 4 DR are happy to die for our Lord. We are thrilled to live out His word this way. Each day we respond to His call as we give to another in need. Each day we obey Him when we love those that despitefully use us. Each day we serve Him when we forgive those who have hurt us. No matter the cost, we’ve decided to follow Him.

A SPECIAL THANKS
Most of you reading this have given faithfully to H.O.P.E 4 DR and we are so grateful. You have helped us to reach over 100 children with consistent teaching from God’s word. You have helped us feed over 20 families. You’ve helped us pay the all so many bills for our home/ministry center. You’ve helped us to continue with our Sunday services and many are being transformed there. Just the other night one of our neighbors said that we were a light house to this neighborhood and he hopes that our light will reach his house.

UPDATES
•Our children are all studying hard each day. In addition to their regular studies, they create dramas for our Kid’s Club and other outreaches. They write and produce quality puppet shows. They work on videos and designs for our ministry and they reach out to those around us in love.
•We are still waiting on our non-profit paperwork and permit for orphans. Please pray for favor.
•We are still looking for land. Please pray for a miracle.
•Our meeting with the school’s superintendent was cancelled. We will start our classes in January. Please keep praying for prepared hearts in the schools.
•God is transforming lives at our church. Jonathan is working on a video of testimonies that we’ll soon share with you.
•Our Kid’s Club is growing strong. The children are learning new scriptures each week!
•Our house feels more like a home as we now have living room furniture.
•We had a wonderful visit with our Pastor Brad and his wife Angela and the team from Calvary Revival Church. What a breath of fresh air!


NEEDS
•A vehicle large enough for our family and for transporting people to and from church.
•Household furniture.
•A generator for our home and outreaches.
•A portable screen for the movies we show.
•A portable sound system.
•More puppets and a stage.
•Spanish Bibles.
•Small prizes for our Kid’s Club participants.