Let us share by photos what God is up to in this beautiful part of His world!
Constanza is a town within the Caribbean Alps. There are ~ 80,000 people who live in the region. It is highly agricultural. Kids Alive began a ministry site here in 2005.
Currently the missionary family are the Rowleys: Craig and Libby, Carter, Gabe, and Isaiah. They are originally from Wisconsin. Craig is a builder by profession and serves as the Project Director. Libby is overseeing child sponsorship. They visited us this December while home for the holidays. God is using them in a mighty way to establish His kingdom in Constanza!
Part of our task when we go is to help with construction of the facilites. Here we are creating a cinder block building for the future Plaza: a place to house clothing, school supply, and linen donations that the children will be able to earn points towards receiving for their families and themselves.
These are our construction partners. They are awesome Christian young men. Craig is discipling them.
They encouraged us greatly in the faith while working beside them and by spending time with us in the evenings!
Felipe! Felipe! was a common cry we heard from the kids. They love Phillip. He gave many piggyback rides, held their hands while walking down the street, and played with them daily.
A visit to the Barrios-neighborhoods gave us insight into the daily homes these children live. Many are wooden plank homes with a tin roof, dirt floors, a gas stove, but no running water. Families share outhouses.
What great joy this lady showed after we brought her family food and blankets. She sang praises to God with us in Spanish.
Work included making these rebar columns to support the structure of the Care Center. Thank God He can use ordinary people like us and teach us how to help His children.
There is always time out to play with the kids. Here is a game of "Rock, Paper, scissors" going on.
This summer we held a Mini-olympics for over 100 community kids. They loved all the crazy games.
We took GO (Gospel Outreach) soccer balls to share the Good news with the children. Then they were able to take them home. Most children do not have toys of their own.
We also hosted a Carnival for the Sponsored children. These children attend the Care center for half a day and attend the public school the other half. They receive a hot meal of rice and beans, tutoring, Bible teaching, and love from the teachers.
Our family sponsors two children. The young girl is Yokarina. We met her in 2006 and fell in love with her. Her father deserted her mother. Initially they lived with the grandmother, but she died in 2007. Now her mom struggles on her own with these 3 children.
This young boy to my left is our other child we sponsor, Juan Gabriel. He too is being raised by a single mom. He is very shy but loved the toys and coloring books I brought him. He stayed right by my side the whole afternoon of the carnival.
Just a group of ordinary people serving an extraordinary God in Constanza. Behind us is the Care center. Currently there are two classrooms complete and in use. PTL!
What a difference God has made in this rescued child's life. He arrived at the residential home in July 2007 with his sister. His mother had left them and the father is an alcoholic. He was forced to beg on the streets for his family. His face was so shell shocked in 2007. Now look at this happy and vibrant young boy. He kept pulling my arms around him in a tight hug the evening of our outdoor movie we showed the kids.
Radhania too is rescued. Her fraternal twin is at the home with her. They were starving when they arrived. Their mother would taunt them and feed the pet dog the last food in front of them. The twins in desperation killed the dog. Now she is such a lady singing God's praises and smiling all the time.
God is drawing the nation of the Dominican Republic to Himself!
Please pray for us as we continue to serve Him here developing and nurturing friendships we have made with the children and the community! To God be the glory!
