We hope you’re doing well this month. A lot is happening here for and with Jesus! One of the newest surprises happened about a month ago when Isidro’s daughter Karen and Isidro’s son-in-law Junior moved back to La Romana from Puerto Rico. They are both about 35 years old. Living in Costa Rica for seven years, they served as pastors with the Methodist Church in Puerto Rico. Through a series of “God-events,” they moved back to the DR to be with Isidro and Lucy before taking a church in Costa Rica. However, as God had already planned, the church in Cost Rica was unable to follow through with their plans to have them there. In fact, the day before they got news of this change in plans, during a time of prayer, Karen received a message from God that God wanted them to stay in the DR and work with Isidro at the church in Barrio George. Afterwards, they got the call from Cost Rica. Don’t we have an awesome God!
So, the current team working at the Church in Barrio George is: Isidro, Lucy, Pastor Junior, Pastora Karen, Fanny, Jorge, Candace, Daniel, and me & Mey! Awesome team, huh?! God is doing tremendous things here…and continues to do more and more! We look forward to seeing how God will use the gifting that He has placed here for His Kingdom!
Daniel Fisher is our current Mission Resident living here and learning about being a missionary through the Mission Residence Program of Step By Step With Jesus Mission.
Daniel is a 20-year-old fireball who reminds me of an Old Testament Prophet, in many ways, due to his quick willingness to risk himself for the love of God for those in need. Daniel came here on December 30 and will return to the US on July 6. He has been involved in many things while here. One of the most significant is that he, Isidro, Walter Strathy (Outreach Director at Covenant Church in Greenville, NC), and the board of Step By Step With Jesus, started a new program called The Kingdom Business Fund that has helped two members of the church in Barrio George to start their own businesses. Freman, a Dominican Sunday School teacher from Isidro’s church, has started his own small cafeteria through this fund and is selling everything from homemade juices to homemade “hot pockets” (empanadas), sandwiches and French fries. It is turning out to be a wonderful success for him. And, he is giving some of his profits that he borrowed, back to the Fund, in order to help others start new businesses. Daniel has also helped Norma start a new business where she makes and sells plastic bags of different kinds of condiments such as: ginger, pepper, paprika, garlic, etc. She sells them to corner markets at wholesale price and is able to make money for her family in this way. She is also giving some of her profits back to the Fund to help others start new businesses too. Daniel is doing much more than I can mention in this newsletter, but, suffice it to say that I am very proud to be a part of his growing knowledge and skills in him being a bright and shining star among missionaries…now and for the future!
Food, clothes, medicine, clean water, school supplies, and the love of God…..
…are continuing to be shared here in La Romana through Step By Step With Jesus Mission and through your kind and generous giving. Thank you so much and God bless you as you give. We couldn’t do this without you!
Candace O’Quinn is living here permanently and working in mission…..
…through Step By Step With Jesus Mission where she teaches English & Flute in the Compassion International School in Barrio George, leads a Bible Study for some girls at the school, is developing a Child Sponsorship Program for the poor kids in both Barrio George & in Batay Anon, and works with me in other areas of mission here. She is a real treasure and we are all thankful for her here.
Step By Step With Jesus Mission offers wonderful opportunities to share God’s Love:
Come along…& let your soul experience the freedom & grace to love a Dominican through God’s heart! It will change them & you forever! How can you be a part of this? Thru these ways:
1) Pray for us here
2) Share your generosity by giving to Step By Step With Jesus Mission by contacting Amy Bissette at bissettea@ecu.edu
3) Come on a mission team thru your church or thru Covenant Church in Greenville, NC by contacting Donna Sheets at donna@connect2covenant.com
4) Purchase one of the books that I’ve written by email: “Chinese Scientists In My ’54 Chevy: Mission Stories & Mission Principles of Mark Lykins”, “Planting A Culture of Mission In Your Church”, “Gifts of the Poor & Why We Don’t Want To Receive Them”, “Ten Things That Drive Me Crazy About Christians…And I’m One Of Them!”, “Comfortable In The Lap Of Our Papa God…And Why He Wants Us To Get Down Now”, or others that I’ve written, by contacting me at marcosandmey@yahoo.com .
5) Sponsor a needy child in Barrio George or Batay Anon by contacting Candace O’Quinn at Candace@onebodygreenville. org
6) Be a part of the Kingdom Business Fund by contacting Amy at: bissettea@ecu.edu and giving to this mission
We love you all. From Marcos, Mey, John, Adrian, Perla, Candace, Daniel, Isidro, & the rest of your Dominican family! And remember to walk…step by step with Jesus! When we give to those in need…we give to Jesus. He will remember. And, one day He will say to you, “When I was hungry you gave me food…”. And we will ask, “When did we see you hungry & give you food?” And He will say “When you gave to the least of these, my brothers & sisters, you gave it to Me”.
Grace & blessings in the name of THE missionary-Jesus-who sends us all out into mission!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
April 2011 Update
The Story of Little Christian, the Preacher, in Barrio George…
Like all other eleven-year-olds, Dominican boys in Barrio George, Christian likes to play with kites he makes out of torn plastic bags from trash piles here. He also enjoys playing baseball, and is OK at it, and enjoys playing jacks with the other boys. Little Christian has a smile that lights up a room and everyone in it when he enters. There’s just something so authentic, so loving, and so real about him. Christian comes from one of the very poor families in Barrio George. But, he doesn’t let that steal his positive attitude at all. Christian is one of those we work with (and his family) through our Step By Step With Jesus Mission. Little Christian enjoys going to church where he hears Isidro and others preaching and teaching about the Gospel of Jesus.
But, what is different about Christian is his amazing and mystifying ability to preach in a way that is bringing hundreds of young people to Jesus! Several years ago, Pastor Isidro recognized Little Christian’s ability to understand, at very deep levels, about the Word of God. Pastor Isidro, and I, and others have taken Little Christian under our wings because of this mystifying gift that he has with God’s Word. We desire to encourage and teach him about the spiritual gifts he has and how to use them.
On January 6th of this year (about 3 months), we launched a new church plant in Barrio Sabanita…about 3 miles from the church in Barrio George. We did this because of the children from that Barrio we actually pick up to come to the Compassion International School in Barrio George. You might remember that about a year and a half ago, Isidro fought for those kids (mostly Haitian) who had been dropped from another Compassion International School there in Barrio Sabanita when it closed. So, through the kind and generous hearts of people at Covenant Church in North Carolina, we bought a bus to bring them to our Compassion International School. For the last year, they have been picked up and taken back home by this bus after classes in Barrio George.
Since then, both the kids and some of their parents have wanted to come to worship in Barrio George, and we have bussed them there and back for worship, too. About 6 months ago, we were approached by many of the children and their parents with their desire to have a church, like the one in Barrio George, in their own neighborhood. So, we began to pray about this and to look for potential leaders in order to form a team for this new church plant.
One of those who we chose was…..you guessed it…..Little Christian. He was also feeling led by God to do this. So, along with a team of about 7 other people from our church, we began training Christian a little more about leading worship, leading them to Jesus, and preaching. This new church plant was opened on January 6th with Christian preaching, and he has been preaching many times there since. At present, there are between 100 to 200 people showing up for worship about 3-5 times a week there.
We call Little Christian’s preaching “mystifying” because it’s hard for any of us to believe two things about his preaching:
1) The depth and yet simplicity that he preaches with. (and we know that this depth comes directly from God because an 11-year-old could not preach the way that Little Christian does without it coming from God)
2) And the fruits of his preaching…the results that we see from him preaching.
There have been over a hundred people come to the Lord after Little Christian preaches and gives an invitation for people to give their lives to the Jesus. It’s just incredible! When people come forward and are prayed for by Christian many fall to the floor, by what some call “being slain in the Spirit”, and experiencing the closeness of God, a time of rest and restoration with God, visions from God, and healing from God. It’s just amazing! Little Christian’s way of preaching, inviting others to Jesus, and laying hands on people is not done in a “circus-y” kind of way…it is done in the simple faith of an 11-year-old who truly loves Jesus with all of his heart and with the simple faith that really believes that Jesus does what He promises when we believe Him and trust him.
What will God do with Little Christian in the future? God only knows. But, we’re trying to keep up with God doing so much through this little 11-year-old right now. About all of you who have come on mission teams to the DR, here, have already met Christian and know who he is. Those of you who will come will have the chance to come to know him and maybe hear him preach, too. And, I assure you, like the rest of us here, you'll watch and experience the power, the love, and the grace of God through this mighty and loving warrior for Christ…11-year-old Christian…too.
Other News:
Food, clothes, medicine, clean water, school supplies, and the love of God are continuing to be shared here in La Romana through Step By Step With Jesus Mission and through your kind and generous giving. Thank you so much and God bless you as you give. We couldn’t do this without you!
Daniel Fisher is our current Mission Resident living here in La Romana, and he's doing great things for Jesus. He will be here for 6 months, as he continues to learn how to be an authentic missionary for Jesus through our Step By Step With Jesus Missionary Residency Program.
Candace O’Quinn is living here permanently and working in mission through Step By Step With Jesus Mission where she teaches English & Flute in the Compassion International School in Barrio George, leads a Bible Study for some girls at the school, is developing a Child Sponsorship Program for the poor kids in both Barrio George 7 in Batay Anon, and works with me in other areas of mission here. She is a real treasure, and we are all thankful for her here.
Step By Step With Jesus Mission offers wonderful opportunities to share God’s Love:
Come along…& let your soul experience the freedom & grace to love a Dominican through God’s heart! It will change them & you forever! How can you be a part of this?
1) Pray for us.
2) Share your generosity by giving to Step By Step With Jesus Mission by contacting me here at marcosandmey@yahoo.com or Amy Bissette at bissettea@ecu.edu
3) Come on a mission team through your church or through Covenant Church in Greenville, NC, by contacting Donna Sheets at donna@connect2covenant.com
4) Purchase one of the books that I’ve written: “Chinese Scientists In My ’54 Chevy: Mission Stories & Mission Principles of Mark Lykins”, “Planting A Culture of Mission In Your Church”, “Gifts of the Poor & Why We Don’t Want To Receive Them”, “Ten Things That Drive Me Crazy About Christians…And I’m One Of Them!”, “Comfortable In The Lap Of Our Papa God…And Why He Wants Us To Get Down Now”, or others that I’ve written, by contacting me at marcosandmey@yahoo.com.
5) Sponsor a needy child in Barrio George or Batay Anon by contacting Candace O’Quinn at Candace@onebodygreenville.org
We love you all!
Marcos, Mey, John, Adrian, Perla, & the rest of your Dominican family!
And remember to walk…step by step with Jesus! When we give to those in need…we give to Jesus. He will remember. And, one day He will say to you, “When I was hungry you gave me food…” And we will ask, “When did we see you hungry & give you food?” And He will say “When you gave to the least of these, my brothers & sisters, you gave it to Me”.
Grace & blessings in the name of THE missionary-Jesus-who sends us all out into mission!
Like all other eleven-year-olds, Dominican boys in Barrio George, Christian likes to play with kites he makes out of torn plastic bags from trash piles here. He also enjoys playing baseball, and is OK at it, and enjoys playing jacks with the other boys. Little Christian has a smile that lights up a room and everyone in it when he enters. There’s just something so authentic, so loving, and so real about him. Christian comes from one of the very poor families in Barrio George. But, he doesn’t let that steal his positive attitude at all. Christian is one of those we work with (and his family) through our Step By Step With Jesus Mission. Little Christian enjoys going to church where he hears Isidro and others preaching and teaching about the Gospel of Jesus.
But, what is different about Christian is his amazing and mystifying ability to preach in a way that is bringing hundreds of young people to Jesus! Several years ago, Pastor Isidro recognized Little Christian’s ability to understand, at very deep levels, about the Word of God. Pastor Isidro, and I, and others have taken Little Christian under our wings because of this mystifying gift that he has with God’s Word. We desire to encourage and teach him about the spiritual gifts he has and how to use them.
On January 6th of this year (about 3 months), we launched a new church plant in Barrio Sabanita…about 3 miles from the church in Barrio George. We did this because of the children from that Barrio we actually pick up to come to the Compassion International School in Barrio George. You might remember that about a year and a half ago, Isidro fought for those kids (mostly Haitian) who had been dropped from another Compassion International School there in Barrio Sabanita when it closed. So, through the kind and generous hearts of people at Covenant Church in North Carolina, we bought a bus to bring them to our Compassion International School. For the last year, they have been picked up and taken back home by this bus after classes in Barrio George.
Since then, both the kids and some of their parents have wanted to come to worship in Barrio George, and we have bussed them there and back for worship, too. About 6 months ago, we were approached by many of the children and their parents with their desire to have a church, like the one in Barrio George, in their own neighborhood. So, we began to pray about this and to look for potential leaders in order to form a team for this new church plant.
One of those who we chose was…..you guessed it…..Little Christian. He was also feeling led by God to do this. So, along with a team of about 7 other people from our church, we began training Christian a little more about leading worship, leading them to Jesus, and preaching. This new church plant was opened on January 6th with Christian preaching, and he has been preaching many times there since. At present, there are between 100 to 200 people showing up for worship about 3-5 times a week there.
We call Little Christian’s preaching “mystifying” because it’s hard for any of us to believe two things about his preaching:
1) The depth and yet simplicity that he preaches with. (and we know that this depth comes directly from God because an 11-year-old could not preach the way that Little Christian does without it coming from God)
2) And the fruits of his preaching…the results that we see from him preaching.
There have been over a hundred people come to the Lord after Little Christian preaches and gives an invitation for people to give their lives to the Jesus. It’s just incredible! When people come forward and are prayed for by Christian many fall to the floor, by what some call “being slain in the Spirit”, and experiencing the closeness of God, a time of rest and restoration with God, visions from God, and healing from God. It’s just amazing! Little Christian’s way of preaching, inviting others to Jesus, and laying hands on people is not done in a “circus-y” kind of way…it is done in the simple faith of an 11-year-old who truly loves Jesus with all of his heart and with the simple faith that really believes that Jesus does what He promises when we believe Him and trust him.
What will God do with Little Christian in the future? God only knows. But, we’re trying to keep up with God doing so much through this little 11-year-old right now. About all of you who have come on mission teams to the DR, here, have already met Christian and know who he is. Those of you who will come will have the chance to come to know him and maybe hear him preach, too. And, I assure you, like the rest of us here, you'll watch and experience the power, the love, and the grace of God through this mighty and loving warrior for Christ…11-year-old Christian…too.
Other News:
Food, clothes, medicine, clean water, school supplies, and the love of God are continuing to be shared here in La Romana through Step By Step With Jesus Mission and through your kind and generous giving. Thank you so much and God bless you as you give. We couldn’t do this without you!
Daniel Fisher is our current Mission Resident living here in La Romana, and he's doing great things for Jesus. He will be here for 6 months, as he continues to learn how to be an authentic missionary for Jesus through our Step By Step With Jesus Missionary Residency Program.
Candace O’Quinn is living here permanently and working in mission through Step By Step With Jesus Mission where she teaches English & Flute in the Compassion International School in Barrio George, leads a Bible Study for some girls at the school, is developing a Child Sponsorship Program for the poor kids in both Barrio George 7 in Batay Anon, and works with me in other areas of mission here. She is a real treasure, and we are all thankful for her here.
Step By Step With Jesus Mission offers wonderful opportunities to share God’s Love:
Come along…& let your soul experience the freedom & grace to love a Dominican through God’s heart! It will change them & you forever! How can you be a part of this?
1) Pray for us.
2) Share your generosity by giving to Step By Step With Jesus Mission by contacting me here at marcosandmey@yahoo.com or Amy Bissette at bissettea@ecu.edu
3) Come on a mission team through your church or through Covenant Church in Greenville, NC, by contacting Donna Sheets at donna@connect2covenant.com
4) Purchase one of the books that I’ve written: “Chinese Scientists In My ’54 Chevy: Mission Stories & Mission Principles of Mark Lykins”, “Planting A Culture of Mission In Your Church”, “Gifts of the Poor & Why We Don’t Want To Receive Them”, “Ten Things That Drive Me Crazy About Christians…And I’m One Of Them!”, “Comfortable In The Lap Of Our Papa God…And Why He Wants Us To Get Down Now”, or others that I’ve written, by contacting me at marcosandmey@yahoo.com.
5) Sponsor a needy child in Barrio George or Batay Anon by contacting Candace O’Quinn at Candace@onebodygreenville.org
We love you all!
Marcos, Mey, John, Adrian, Perla, & the rest of your Dominican family!
And remember to walk…step by step with Jesus! When we give to those in need…we give to Jesus. He will remember. And, one day He will say to you, “When I was hungry you gave me food…” And we will ask, “When did we see you hungry & give you food?” And He will say “When you gave to the least of these, my brothers & sisters, you gave it to Me”.
Grace & blessings in the name of THE missionary-Jesus-who sends us all out into mission!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
December Update 2010
Young Life has come to Barrio George! During a mission team back in the summer Bethany Bradsher set up a meeting between our folks at the church in Barrio George and some Young Life leaders from Santo Domingo. Since then many of the youth of Barrio George have been going to their camps in the mountains, doing evangelism with them, and growing deeper in Jesus. Thanks, Bethany! We believe that this connection with Young Life will grow stronger as the years go by and bring many new people into the Kingdom of God!
Evangelism Crusades in Barrio George! We walked through Barrio George with a mega phone sharing the Gospel with all who would listen last month. We saw several people give their lives to Jesus through this crusade effort. And starting on Thursday, Dec. 16th we have an evangelist from Puerto Rico coming to the church in Barrio George to preach and lead another crusade for Jesus. We expect to see many new people give their lives to Jesus too!
Mission House Beginning Construction Now! Thanks to generous hearts at Covenant Church in Greenville, NC, we have cleared the land and measured it off for construction of the new mission house on the church’s property in Barrio George. This will house the continually growing number of mission teams coming to Barrio George to work with us there as well as many Mission Residents who are coming here to live & learn how to be an authentic missionary through Step By Step With Jesus Mission Residency Program. If interested in living here for 2-6 months through this program please email me.
Weddings Galore! The Restoration Zone (Isidro’s church in Barrio George) will celebrate three weddings during December where members of the church will marry: Geraldo & Lady, Juan Carlos & Joanna , and a new older couple to the church . We ask you to join us in praying blessings on them.
Sign Up For Mission Teams Coming To The Dominican Republic are happening now! Please sign up to come on a mission team to La Romana by contacting Donna Sheets at Covenant Church at www.donna@connect2covenant.com . We need you here to be in mission with us because the people in need here need you!
Batay Anon Sponsorship Program: New Program Approved by Step By Step With Jesus! In a few weeks we will be beginning to match needy children in the Hatian Batay Anon with sponsors from North Carolina who would like to give money to support some of the poorest children in the entire world. The money sent through this sponsorship program will provide food, clothes, medicine, shoes, and school classes for them where they never had these things before. Their parents work in the sugar cane fields outside of La Romana in batays (Haitian migrant camps in the middle of the sugar cane fields) for $5.00 per day. Please contact Candace O’Quinn at Candace@onebodygreenville.org and let her know of your willingness to help these poorest of the poor children.
Candace O’Quinn Returning To Barrio George! Candace will return to live here in La Romana on December 30, 2010 to work in the Compassion International School in Barrio George and with the new Batay Anon Sponsorship Program. She lived here for 6 months before and was trained in how to be an authentic missionary through Step By Step With Jesus Mission Residency Program. It will be wonderful to have her back!
Daniel Fisher: Our New Mission Resident in La Romana! Daniel will arrive on December 30, 2010 to live for 6 months learning how to be an authentic missionary through training and experiences here in La Romana through the Step By Step With Jesus Missionary Residence Program. Please pray for him.
We Need Your Help! There are so many people fighting to live here in La Romana and Step By Step With Jesus Misison is impacting their lives and their souls. You can help in these ways:
• Through generous giving to Step By Step With Jesus Mission. Please contact Amy Bissete at bissettea@ecu.edu
• Through sponsoring a child through the Compassion International program in Barrio George by contacting Karen Harrington at HarrinK@pitt.k12.nc.us
• Through sponsoring a child through the Batay Anon Child Sponsorship Program by contacting Candace O’Quinn at candace@onebodygreenville.org
• Through coming on a mission team by contacting Donna Sheets at Covenant Church at www.donna@connect2covenant.com
• Through your prayers for those of us who are in mission here in La Romana and your prayers for the Dominicans and Haitians here who are in such desperate need. And please contact me at macosandmey@yahoo.com and let me know that you’re praying.
If you are already giving to Step By Step With Jesus Mission…thanks so much and we pray more and more blessings on you. We love you!
Until next month , Marcos & Mey, and the rest of our family.
And remember to take your next right and faithful step with Jesus.
Evangelism Crusades in Barrio George! We walked through Barrio George with a mega phone sharing the Gospel with all who would listen last month. We saw several people give their lives to Jesus through this crusade effort. And starting on Thursday, Dec. 16th we have an evangelist from Puerto Rico coming to the church in Barrio George to preach and lead another crusade for Jesus. We expect to see many new people give their lives to Jesus too!
Mission House Beginning Construction Now! Thanks to generous hearts at Covenant Church in Greenville, NC, we have cleared the land and measured it off for construction of the new mission house on the church’s property in Barrio George. This will house the continually growing number of mission teams coming to Barrio George to work with us there as well as many Mission Residents who are coming here to live & learn how to be an authentic missionary through Step By Step With Jesus Mission Residency Program. If interested in living here for 2-6 months through this program please email me.
Weddings Galore! The Restoration Zone (Isidro’s church in Barrio George) will celebrate three weddings during December where members of the church will marry: Geraldo & Lady, Juan Carlos & Joanna , and a new older couple to the church . We ask you to join us in praying blessings on them.
Sign Up For Mission Teams Coming To The Dominican Republic are happening now! Please sign up to come on a mission team to La Romana by contacting Donna Sheets at Covenant Church at www.donna@connect2covenant.com . We need you here to be in mission with us because the people in need here need you!
Batay Anon Sponsorship Program: New Program Approved by Step By Step With Jesus! In a few weeks we will be beginning to match needy children in the Hatian Batay Anon with sponsors from North Carolina who would like to give money to support some of the poorest children in the entire world. The money sent through this sponsorship program will provide food, clothes, medicine, shoes, and school classes for them where they never had these things before. Their parents work in the sugar cane fields outside of La Romana in batays (Haitian migrant camps in the middle of the sugar cane fields) for $5.00 per day. Please contact Candace O’Quinn at Candace@onebodygreenville.org and let her know of your willingness to help these poorest of the poor children.
Candace O’Quinn Returning To Barrio George! Candace will return to live here in La Romana on December 30, 2010 to work in the Compassion International School in Barrio George and with the new Batay Anon Sponsorship Program. She lived here for 6 months before and was trained in how to be an authentic missionary through Step By Step With Jesus Mission Residency Program. It will be wonderful to have her back!
Daniel Fisher: Our New Mission Resident in La Romana! Daniel will arrive on December 30, 2010 to live for 6 months learning how to be an authentic missionary through training and experiences here in La Romana through the Step By Step With Jesus Missionary Residence Program. Please pray for him.
We Need Your Help! There are so many people fighting to live here in La Romana and Step By Step With Jesus Misison is impacting their lives and their souls. You can help in these ways:
• Through generous giving to Step By Step With Jesus Mission. Please contact Amy Bissete at bissettea@ecu.edu
• Through sponsoring a child through the Compassion International program in Barrio George by contacting Karen Harrington at HarrinK@pitt.k12.nc.us
• Through sponsoring a child through the Batay Anon Child Sponsorship Program by contacting Candace O’Quinn at candace@onebodygreenville.org
• Through coming on a mission team by contacting Donna Sheets at Covenant Church at www.donna@connect2covenant.com
• Through your prayers for those of us who are in mission here in La Romana and your prayers for the Dominicans and Haitians here who are in such desperate need. And please contact me at macosandmey@yahoo.com and let me know that you’re praying.
If you are already giving to Step By Step With Jesus Mission…thanks so much and we pray more and more blessings on you. We love you!
Until next month , Marcos & Mey, and the rest of our family.
And remember to take your next right and faithful step with Jesus.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
May/June Update
Hola & Dios Te Bendiga! Our prayer is that you are able to see & receive the blessings that God is pouring upon you during this month. See the handprints? They represent both the children in La Romana & YOUR handprints that are all over what we do through your support.
Thank You for your prayers, your presence here with us, & your gifts of financial support! We could not do what we do without you!
May Mission Team: Scott Griffin lead a Men’s Mission Team here to La Romana during May. We thank them for their hard work & fun while here. They got a lot accomplished & we are even closer to starting to plant the gardens! Yeah team & Yeah God!
Mission Residency Program: This is where student missionaries come to be taught on how to become authentic missionaries through our “28:18 School of Mission” here in La Romana. Currently, we have
Candace O’Quinn who will be finishing up her 6 months of training
& we just sent Kristin Schoch back after her 2 months with us. We are expecting Allie, another mission resident , to come & start in July.
Preparing for 2 June Mission Teams: Our first Medical Team is
Coming on June 12th followed by a Student Team also from
Covenant Church. Please pray God’s blessing on them!
New Step By Step Sponsorship Program: Now older children (ages: 10-18) will have the blessing of being sponsored by caring folks from Covenant & other churches. If interested please let me know. Sponsorships are for $32.00 per month.
A Haitian Batay Has Opened It’s Door To Us! We are very excited that Batay Onone has been the 1st Batay to invite us in to do whatever we want there. This opens up possibilities for Bible Schools, Bible Studies, school for the children, water purification, clinics, etc.
If Interested in Becoming One of Our Supporters: please contact
Amy Bissette at bissettea@ecu.edu we sure could use your support!
Adios from Marcos, Mey, John, Adrian, Perla, & the rest of the family here.
And remember...to walk...step by step with Jesus! Grace & Blessings to you all! We would LOVE to hear from you...please respond with a comment here or email me at marcosandmey@yahoo.com
Thursday, May 13, 2010
April/ May Update
Hola to all of You!
I hope you're doing well. This past month was full of memorable moments with God.
WE NOW HAVE A BUS FOR BARRIO GEORGE: This new bus, purchased by the generous donations from Covenant Church folks, has enabled us to transport 134 new, mostly Haitian, children from another barrio, to the Covenant-Compassion School at Isidro's church. Thanks for your wonderful contribution to this amazing school. You helped to make it possible for some kids without parents to experience the love of God and the love the folks at Isidro's school and church. How awesome!
STUDENT MISSIONARIES: Candace O'Quinn and Kristin Schoch are here through the "Mission Residency Program" and serving as Student Missionaries. They are involved in everything from teaching English Classes, to Food Distribution, to Mission Training, to serving in the batays.
PREPARING FOR A MEN'S MISSION TEAM TO WORK IN THE GARDEN WITH A MISSION: Scott Griffin is leading this team. They are here May 13-19.
SCHOOL OF MISSION: Teaching The 16 Mission Principles at Isidro's church in Spanish so that the people in Isidro's church can learn how to be missionaries too.
NEW BELIEVER'S CLASS AT ISIDRO'S CHURCH: I am teaching new believers about what it means to grow deep with and follow Jesus after they have given their lives to Him and recieved salvation.
UnCuerpo (ONE BODY), La Romana: Youth Unity project...met for the second time...really good event with 150 + students...full of fellowship and relationship building between three youth groups (Isidro's, Fermin Miguel's, and Santiago's churches). Candace has helped this project to start and move forward as part of her mission work here. This project has the goal of unifying the youth of La Romana to share the love of Jesus with the people of La Romana through local mission.
CONTINUING MISSION WITH THE "POOR": We are continuing to share groceries, clothes, medicine, etc. with those in need here in La Romana and the Haitian Batays in the middle of the sugar cane fields.
THANKS FOR BEING INVOLVED WITH US HERE THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS AND GENEROUS GIVING: We could not do the mission that we do here without YOU! If there are those of you who read this newsletter and would like to support us with your praryer and/or gifts please email me at marcosandmey@yahoo.com and email Amy Bissette at bissettea@ecu.edu and let her know...donations can be sent to her for Step By Step With Jesus. We love you all and treasure your prayers for us here. We are praying for you too. We would love to hear from you too. Please email us.
Marcos, Mey, John, Adrian, Perla, Candace, Kristin, and the rest of our family
Note from Kristin:
Hola, all my friends!
One can really get used to living here. Days are spent hanging out with Mark's awesome family. There's always people around. No time for loneliness. We spend time socializing out on the patio, listening to music, playing dominoes that the boys hand-made the playing table in one day. They are a talented bunch. You know what else is so beautiful, the Spirit of the Lord shining through the lives of some of these people. Such love there is.
A love I didn't know these children could have for a stranger. A love these adults have for this stranger (me) and those who have yet to be blessed when their paths cross theirs. The power of this love can only be from a God that lives within them. I had the honor of presenting 1 of the 4 mission styles in a mission conference at Isidro´s church to a mission team of 30 Dominicans from San Francisco de Macoris... in spanish of course. It was great! You don't have to travel thousands of miles away to be used by God. All you need is a willing heart. Any time to give or resource is better than no time.
There's a very sweet little girl named Carla, who I believe has cerebral palsy. She can't walk or talk, but boy, does she know how to love. I am looking forward to working with her and God has definitely placed some ideas in my mind on activities to do with her. (Update: Kristin did receive the opportunity to work with Carla and her family and took her on a special trip to play on the playground at the Dominican Burger King as a treat for her efforts.)
So God has been working in my heart with ideas and things I need to change when I get home. I can't run the rat race and I've never been one to keep up with the Jones'...to strive for more. Really, what does more bring you? The desire for more. Temporary joy. True joy comes from the Lord who lives within you as you love others. Loving others.... That's a whole other topic. What does that mean? I'm still trying to really take it into my heart. I can believe it with my mind and I can do nice and good things, but it is also the perseverance in loving. Just as important as being able to give love, you must also receive it. When you receive love, especially from God and then in turn are able to really love God, can you actually change.
Change. That's hard to do, but it's a work and gift to be received as one chooses. The main reason for being able to change is in love. And so to end on this note... May you all be able to give and receive love in a way that not only changes you, but the people around you.
Kristin
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
March DR Update
Little Andrew has a new job!
Some of you may remember Little Andrew…he’s about 10 years old and used to wash car windows at the street corners. He now has a wooden shoe shine box and is shining shoes in the park. This is much safer for him. He is also at every worship service at Isidro’s church. While he’s too old to enter the Compassion-Covenant School he is doing better because of the love of some of the folks from the previous Covenant Mission Teams who have helped him with clothes and other necessities. Even though Andrew can’t be sponsored through Compassion International, we are praying for some folks to “sponsor” him through Isidro’s church. Please pray for Andrew and his family.
March Mission Team was great!
Karen Harrington along with Trey Quinn and Janell Brockett lead a mission team from Covenant Church here to the DR. They helped complete the “New Upper Room” above Isidro’s school. They also loved on kids and adults through time at Isidro’s church, Prayer Walks, and a new way of being with the Haitians in one of the batays (Migrant Camps in the sugar cane fields) where we all took 2 big pots and cooked dumplings and salami along with some of the women at the batay. We stayed for most of the day singing, sharing testimonies, preaching, and loving on the folks there. Way to go team!
Candace O’Quinn & Kristin Schoch are really learning about and doing mission here!
Wow! To be able to have two wonderful young ladies like these here with us to teach about being missionaries is a real blessing from God. They are learning a lot and doing a lot to help those in need here. They will be awesome mission leaders upon return to the US! I’m so thankful to God for their interest, passion, and loving ways among the people here. I’m learning a lot from them, too! In my opinion, this “Mission Residency Program” is tremendous success! Praise God!
We’ve moved the mission team residence site to the “New Upper Room” above Isidro’s school!
After much talk with Pastors Santiago, Isidro and Fermin Miguel (District Superintendent) we have decided to move the mission team residence site (dorm style with bunk beds, separate male/female sleeping areas) to the “New Upper Room” above Isidro’s school. We will always be grateful to God for Santiago’s church being the “mother church” that launched the mission teams into La Romana. And we are excited all of the teams we will be able to be “on-site” at Isidro’s church from here on! That gives more time to be with and love on the kids and adults there. Plus, there will be less cost for transportation. Everyone seems to be very happy about this. Thanks be to God!
Mission to Barrio George & the Haitian Batays are showing wonderful results!
We are moving from the “Popcorn” mission style to the “Relational” mission style with the folks at the Batays. We are doing this by taking big pots and cooking meals there with them now. It is so fulfilling to see Dominicans from Isidro’s church, Haitians from the Batays, and folks from Covenant Church cooking, eating, singing, and sharing together at the Batays. We now stay for most of the day with them and share stories about who they are who we are…getting to know them better. And, the training that Isidro and I have been doing with some of the Haitians in the Batays is really working. Now, there are a handful of Haitians living in the Batays who walk for 1-2 hours to other Batays where they start Bible Studies, preach, and teach about Jesus as Lord and Savior! We are helping them to see themselves as missionaries, too…and they are living this out among their fellow Haitian brothers and sisters! God is good!
Please continue to support us with your prayers and generosity!
We could not fulfill the call of Jesus to be in mission here in the DR without you! If interested in supporting us financially, please contact Amy Bissette at bissettea@ecu.edu . If you’re interested in coming here on a mission team or living here with us to learn to become a missionary through our “Mission Residence Program” please contact Donna Sheets at donna@connect2covenant.com .
We love you all and are so thankful to God for you! Until next time…remember to follow Jesus…step by step. Marcos, Mey, John, Perla, Candace, Kristin, and the rest of your DR family.
Some of you may remember Little Andrew…he’s about 10 years old and used to wash car windows at the street corners. He now has a wooden shoe shine box and is shining shoes in the park. This is much safer for him. He is also at every worship service at Isidro’s church. While he’s too old to enter the Compassion-Covenant School he is doing better because of the love of some of the folks from the previous Covenant Mission Teams who have helped him with clothes and other necessities. Even though Andrew can’t be sponsored through Compassion International, we are praying for some folks to “sponsor” him through Isidro’s church. Please pray for Andrew and his family.
March Mission Team was great!
Karen Harrington along with Trey Quinn and Janell Brockett lead a mission team from Covenant Church here to the DR. They helped complete the “New Upper Room” above Isidro’s school. They also loved on kids and adults through time at Isidro’s church, Prayer Walks, and a new way of being with the Haitians in one of the batays (Migrant Camps in the sugar cane fields) where we all took 2 big pots and cooked dumplings and salami along with some of the women at the batay. We stayed for most of the day singing, sharing testimonies, preaching, and loving on the folks there. Way to go team!
Candace O’Quinn & Kristin Schoch are really learning about and doing mission here!
Wow! To be able to have two wonderful young ladies like these here with us to teach about being missionaries is a real blessing from God. They are learning a lot and doing a lot to help those in need here. They will be awesome mission leaders upon return to the US! I’m so thankful to God for their interest, passion, and loving ways among the people here. I’m learning a lot from them, too! In my opinion, this “Mission Residency Program” is tremendous success! Praise God!
We’ve moved the mission team residence site to the “New Upper Room” above Isidro’s school!
After much talk with Pastors Santiago, Isidro and Fermin Miguel (District Superintendent) we have decided to move the mission team residence site (dorm style with bunk beds, separate male/female sleeping areas) to the “New Upper Room” above Isidro’s school. We will always be grateful to God for Santiago’s church being the “mother church” that launched the mission teams into La Romana. And we are excited all of the teams we will be able to be “on-site” at Isidro’s church from here on! That gives more time to be with and love on the kids and adults there. Plus, there will be less cost for transportation. Everyone seems to be very happy about this. Thanks be to God!
Mission to Barrio George & the Haitian Batays are showing wonderful results!
We are moving from the “Popcorn” mission style to the “Relational” mission style with the folks at the Batays. We are doing this by taking big pots and cooking meals there with them now. It is so fulfilling to see Dominicans from Isidro’s church, Haitians from the Batays, and folks from Covenant Church cooking, eating, singing, and sharing together at the Batays. We now stay for most of the day with them and share stories about who they are who we are…getting to know them better. And, the training that Isidro and I have been doing with some of the Haitians in the Batays is really working. Now, there are a handful of Haitians living in the Batays who walk for 1-2 hours to other Batays where they start Bible Studies, preach, and teach about Jesus as Lord and Savior! We are helping them to see themselves as missionaries, too…and they are living this out among their fellow Haitian brothers and sisters! God is good!
Please continue to support us with your prayers and generosity!
We could not fulfill the call of Jesus to be in mission here in the DR without you! If interested in supporting us financially, please contact Amy Bissette at bissettea@ecu.edu . If you’re interested in coming here on a mission team or living here with us to learn to become a missionary through our “Mission Residence Program” please contact Donna Sheets at donna@connect2covenant.com .
We love you all and are so thankful to God for you! Until next time…remember to follow Jesus…step by step. Marcos, Mey, John, Perla, Candace, Kristin, and the rest of your DR family.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Thanks, from Marcos
Hola All,
I'm back in the DR. Man Oh Man, it is great to be home! The family is well and sends their thanks to you for taking care of me during my time in NC. I spent some time with Isidro and Lucy yesterday telling them about the time in NC...and...as you can imagine...Isidro was shouting "Halleluja". Candace and I will be going to Isidro's church today...trying to help get the new 100 mostly Haitian kids into the Compassion school. Thanks so much for all that all of you did for me while I was in NC and for all of the meals and transportation and so many other things that you helped me with when I was there. I love you all and miss you all already. Candace, Mey, Isidro, and I are planning for the next mission team to arrive in 3 days. Grace and Blessings to you all. And, thanks again.
Marcos
Want to see Mark's message delivered at Covenant Church this past weekend? Click here and choose Mark's video to find out what his mission in the DR is all about.
I'm back in the DR. Man Oh Man, it is great to be home! The family is well and sends their thanks to you for taking care of me during my time in NC. I spent some time with Isidro and Lucy yesterday telling them about the time in NC...and...as you can imagine...Isidro was shouting "Halleluja". Candace and I will be going to Isidro's church today...trying to help get the new 100 mostly Haitian kids into the Compassion school. Thanks so much for all that all of you did for me while I was in NC and for all of the meals and transportation and so many other things that you helped me with when I was there. I love you all and miss you all already. Candace, Mey, Isidro, and I are planning for the next mission team to arrive in 3 days. Grace and Blessings to you all. And, thanks again.
Marcos
Want to see Mark's message delivered at Covenant Church this past weekend? Click here and choose Mark's video to find out what his mission in the DR is all about.
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