Last week a prominent prosecuting attorney was gunned down in a hail of bullets by the police not far from the area we live in. He was shot over 40 times. There are many conflicting stories and rumors surrounding his death which has left areas of Sosua filled with tension, anger and frustration that has exploded into riots and strikes leaving two others dead and many more injured. During the riots we were confined to our homes as the streets were filled with burning debris and armed men with pistols and machetes for almost two days until the army arrived to restore some order. No matter what the truth may be, he was loved and respected by this community, and many people here find the only way they can express how they feel is by staging riots and strikes as they have no other avenue to express their anger and frustration. Although things are relatively calm right now, there is a feeling amongst many local Dominicans that at any time the anger and frustration here is going to explode into violence once again. Please pray that God will intervene in a supernatural way, and that He will replace the anger and frustration with His peace and rest.

PROJECT CLOSE TO COMPLETION…

The day the riots began a team from Canada arrived to help us finish the roof on the church/school in Arreyo Seco. I met with the team and explained the situation and that we would have to daily drive through the tensest area to reach the project in Arreyo Seco. After a time of discussion and prayer, we all felt strongly that we should proceed with the project taking it one day at a time. Even in the midst of all that is going on, we knew that God is in control, and that He has not given us a Spirit of fear, but has promised to be with us wherever we go. On Monday, we drove through the community silently praying for God’s protection and peace. The remnants of the riots were everywhere from the burning debris scattered on the streets and sidewalks to the tense looks of those we drove by. We made it safely to the project and began to work on the roof. Throughout the week, we bathed that community in prayer as we drove through it, and not only did God keep us safe, but we saw a marked difference within the community by the end of the week. Although we faced a number of difficult situations from the riots to the daily rain, the team almost finished the roof, ministered to over a 100 people in a medical clinic, supplied the school with material for at least a year, and ministered to many people within the community through friendship, fellowship and prayer. We thank God for a team that although they faced some very difficult circumstances, trusted God for his protection and provision, and were able to make a huge impact for God during the week they were here.

DOGS POISONED…

During the time the team was here, our two dogs, Hunter and Maxie, who were being looked after by some missionary friends at their house were poisoned to death during an attempted robbery. Both of these dogs were well-loved pets for our three children, and they have had a difficult time with the deaths of their pet dogs. Many tears were shed as we shared the heart breaking news. It is hard enough to explain to a child that their pet has died from natural causes or by an accident, but trying to explain to your children that someone deliberately killed their pets is extremely difficult. Also, dogs here in the Dominican Republic are considered working dogs as they help to protect your family and house. In losing these dogs we have also loss the security they provided our family. Please pray for our children as they deal with the deaths of their pets and the sense of security they have loss.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT…

This Christmas, we are raising money to bless Pastors and their families that we work with. We are very happy to say that the team that was working with us this past week left over 300 USD for our Christmas project for pastors. Many of our pastors barely make enough to meet their family’s basic needs, and we invite you to prayerfully consider giving so that we can bless these wonderful Pastors and their families with special gifts over the Christmas period.