Dear Ministry Friends, The joy of Christmas fills the air! Depending on where you live, you may be enjoying a beautiful white Christmas or watching palm trees twinkle with Christmas lights. This month, we celebrate 21 years in the Dominican Republic and have come to appreciate the beauty of a tropical Christmas.

Imagine waking up each morning knowing that your children must walk miles just to fill a bucket with water—water that’s often not clean but is all that’s available.

Our prayer is for God to guide us in our vision for the Hope Center. As we near completion, the reality of our mission becomes more tangible. We are committed to ensuring our programs meet the community’s diverse needs, and we are eager to learn how best to start.

For me, ministry began with volunteering in our local church's youth ministry, as I grew in my faith. When first asked to help, I doubted whether or not I could do it. Then the Lord grabbed hold of my heart. As I prepared lesson plans and illustrations, I found myself being more energized...