Missions Report and Testimonies
Day 8: Reflections
It was a early start to the day as we got ready to be picked-up by our bus at 7:00am local time. Thanks be to God, we were able to pack sandwiches for the journey back to New York in the morning before departure. We arrived safely at the Santiago Airport at 8:00am local time - and it took a while to check-in, but afterwards, immigration and security was a breeze as we went through to our gate. By God’s grace, our flight departed on time, we had no issues, and we arrived back at JFK at approximately 1:20pm EST.
After picking up our bags, we all went our separate ways as the Long Island Team bid farewell to the Brooklyn Team.
We continued to repeat over and over again how beautiful it was to experience and encounter this Kingdom Collaboration! We look forward to sharing more in the days ahead with our highlight video and testimonies in our respective churches!
Gloria a Dios!
Thank you for praying and for your support!
Day 7: Reflections
On our last full day, we had the privilege to visit one of the daughter churches of La Vid, Iglesia Cristiana Nueva Almancer. It was in the neighborhood of Buenos Aire just outside of the city limits of Jarabacoa. We were able to walk around the church space and just pray over the La Vid Pastors who go above and beyond to minister to not only Buenos Aire but other areas.
Afterwards, we were able to spend the rest of the morning doing some sight seeing, buying some souvenirs AND COFFEE! We also stopped by a restaurant that specializes in natural juice!
A blessing we had was to meet with Jim, another local missionary here who specializes in prison ministry. It was a blessing to hear his story, vision, and call and his incredible testimony and challenges he has been going through.
Then afterwards we made our trek back to Crucero to have our final team worship with Kim! We had a chance to worship God, share in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, and share in testimony on how God worked throughout the week!
Afterwards, Ady one of the community leaders came to share their gratitude with gifts for the missions team. We were floored with how much gratitude that she was expressing! What a powerful moment of sharing and prayer with her as she bid her farewell to us.
Then Josie prepared a hearty Dominican-style Chicken noodle soup for us as we finished our last full day here.
If you’ve read up to this point… thank you! Thank you for your prayers! Thank you for your support! We ask for your prayers for travel mercies as we make our way home to New York tomorrow!
Day 6: Reflections
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! With all the battles that we have had with electricity, we didn’t want to lose any opportunities for work. So after a quick breakfast, the Community Center Team went to finish the shelving project and the conventional oven project. Mary and Elisa continued to love on our partner missionary Kim and went into town to pick up a few things while also connecting with Naty, a close friend of Kim.
After putting an hour’s worth of work, the conventional oven team turned the fire on at approximately 9:53am to preheat the oven and begin baking cakes! Mind you, when we first saw that conventional oven - it was a pile of sheet metal… and each team member had their doubts. But with the hard work of the team, and with a whole lot of grace, God did it! Our partner missionary Kimberley wanted to kick start this Community Bakery Project, and our missions team had the privilege to be just a little part of it!
The storage room in the Community Center was not being used well. So one of our projects was to complete shelving for that room so that the leaders of the community can use it more efficiently. Mel and Joy headed that project, but this past week was awfully tough with the sporadic power outages that continued. Seeing some city trucks drive by the Community Center, Joy was concerned that there would be another power outage - so both Mel and Joy pushed through past their lunch break to complete the shelving project!
At a little past 1:00pm, the first cakes began to come out of the oven! Praise the Lord! But in the middle of our lunch hour, we received a last minute cancellation of where Elisa was supposed to teach again at the local school. As frustrating and discouraging as it was, as we learned this past week - we just had to call an audible! So we decided to go up and down the Main Road to minister and share pieces of this cake! Residents asked in disbelief, “Is it free?” But it ended up becoming a ministry opportunity that Lord willing will help Kim and Carlos’ ministry.
At 4:00pm, Donnamarie and Elisa helped support Kim with her Exercise Class. And after the class, we were able to all gather together and call it a day! Once again at supper, we were blessed by Josie’s cooking- and we ended our night with a powerful time of worship! We have one more full day of ministry and fun tomorrow before we depart early Saturday morning! Thank you for continuing to pray!
Ps. We created a list of what our team was able to accomplish in FIVE full days of ministry. As we reflected on this list over our Team Worship, we were just in awe. To God be the glory!
Conventional Oven Project
Shelving Project
House Visits
Exercise Class
Health Seminar
Sunday Teaching
English Class
Encouragement Luncheon for La Vid Church Leaders
Street Evangelism
Prayer Ministry
Strategic Planning Sessions
Day 5: Reflections
Another day, another battle… something that we have been dealing with and experiencing is the rain that impacts the power supply in the village. After another hearty breakfast, where we learned to eat “yuca” most of the team headed on our walk to the Community Center to get more work done on the conventional oven for the Baking Project and the shelving in their storage room. While Elisa and Mary visited Mita, a senior saint in the community of Hatillo.
After reconvening at our villa for a lunch break, we began the trek back to the Community Center to finish the work. But unfortunately, there was no power. As frustrating as it was, by God’s grace, the Community Center Team kept doing as much as possible…
So as discouraging as it was, by God’s grace, we were able to push through… even amid the rain! Even amid no power! But we pray that we can get power tomorrow!
In the evening, we were able to hear from Pastor Fernando and Pastor Virgilio with their heart for ministry, and heart for La Vid Church. We had a special time of sharing, encouragement and blessing of one another. What a powerful time of prayer for these beloved Kingdom Leaders whom we were able to learn from.
Another day where we can give God all the glory!
Special Video Update
Day 4: Reflections
God blessed us this morning with a beautiful sunrise after a long day and evening with rain. Where we are - power supply is heavily affected and impacted based on the rain. In addition, the roads leading up to Kimberley and Carlos’ house as well. Our day began with some hearty pancakes and we were fueled up to go to! Some of us participated in the morning exercise class at 9:00am, while the others began with working on the conventional oven and shelves.
After a hard morning of working together, we had a quick lunch break before heading back to the Crucero Community Center. Now something that has been incredibly helpful is that we are staying strategically in Crucero so we have been able to walk back and forth from our villa.
Now let me pause there… 18months ago, after our previous missions trip here to the Dominican Republic, we had a surplus in offering that came in. So with much prayer and endorsement from Council, we designated that surplus to go into medical supplies. That offering then transformed into the seed money to launch a monthly health clinic hosted by Students International and Dr. Fernando, one of the pastors of La Vid Church. Now something that was incredibly powerful, was that Dr. Fernando began the clinic with a time of worship and shared God’s Word! How powerful is that? You come in to get a medical check-up, but you also get worship and God’s Word?! What a sight it was to visibly see our church’s offering come to fruition! Glory to God!
As the health clinic continued in the afternoon, the rest of our team was able to continue with work on the conventional oven for the Bakery Project that Kimberley is hoping to launch. And to be honest with you… many of us had our doubts when we first arrived to see how the conventional oven was… but boy do I have to you- God is faithful! It is coming together very quickly! Our team is working incredibly hard!
At 4:00pm, at the regular Mother’s Club that occurs here in Crucero, Elisa was able to reach a Health Seminar and teach about Women’s Health. Afterwards, we were able to attend the English Class that Kim teaches to support.
Afterwards, we were able to head back to the villa where are are staying again to be blessed by Josie’s cooking, Kim’s sister-in-law.
As we wrapped up our day and shared our “Jesus Moments,” we were once again blown away with how much our team has been accomplishing already this week. This is all thanks to the prayers of our church families at Flatlands Reformed Church and Christ Community Church. Indeed, “How Great Thou Art!”
Day 3: Reflections
Overnight, due to a heavy rain storm, we were out of power for a couple of hours, but thankfully it was toward the later part of the evening so we were able to call it a night. As we woke up in the morning, we were able to witness a beautiful sunrise as we began our day.
The morning started off with a hearty breakfast of eggs and “mangu” which is mashed plantains with butter! After a hearty breakfast, we walked a half-kilometer to the Crucero Community Center to get a tour of the space, the hope and plan for a Community Bakery, and Kimberley’s heart and vision for ministry there. Afterwards, we were able to walk up and down the main road of the community as we heard a bit more of the ministry context in Crucero. We were also able to spend some time at a “colmado,” which is like a storefront with a gentleman by the name of Emiliano and pray for him! There are so many needs! And a lack of resources… :(
We then made our way back to the Crucero Community Center where we split into teams! One team stayed behind to begin working on the conventional oven: cleaning, sanding, painting! Another team went back to our villa to help wash the dishes and baking pans in preparation for the Community Bakery.
During our lunch break, Mel and Carlos drove into the city to pick up wood and supplies for the shelves we are hoping to build. After lunch, Elisa, Donnamarie and Mary went to the local elementary school to lead a special hygiene presentation and give care packages for the students that they met. Everyone else went all hands on deck at the Community Center. Now unfortunately, we had multiple rainstorms that came through which caused a power outage. (Power supply is weak here). So we unfortunately, couldn’t get work done on the shelves with the power tools. But by the grace of God, we were able to live into a spirit of collaboration where we were able to pivot and focus on cleaning down, painting, and prepping the conventional oven.
By 4:00pm, we were able to call it a day, and came back home to the villa to wash up and rest up for the night. It was there where we were able to also spend some intentional time with Kimberley to hear more about the blessings and trials and tribulations that she has been through.
After an incredible dinner, by Josie, Kim’s sister-in-law, we ended our night with a time of worship and sharing together. Please continue to keep us in your prayers! We have A LOT on our plate tomorrow! :)
Day 2: Reflections
Our day began quite early thanks to the roosters! We’re also an “hour ahead,” because the Dominican Republic don’t have Daylight Savings and “fall back.” Thankfully, as the Lord’s Day began, we were in for pleasant weather and we were grateful to have the privilege to be here.
After an incredible breakfast of baked oatmeal and some awesome fruit (SO GOOD!), we split into two vehicles to head to church in Jarabacoa. Church is about 30-minutes from where we are staying. One team had an eventful ride which caused us to move vehicles, but by the grace of God we all made it to church safely.
What a powerful time of worship! Jarabacoa is one of the top cities in all of the Dominican Republic to have the most Western Missionaries. So we were not the only missions team in worship this morning at La Vid Church. Worship was led by a powerful team and one of the their lay leaders named Jehovah Nissi, and Pastor James and Jerfelis brought God’s Word together.
After worship, we made our way back to Crucero to help host and provide a luncheon for the pastors and church leaders of La Vid Church. The team made it a point and their conviction to bless the Kingdom leaders here- and boy, what an incredible lunch it was! Maria, one of the mothers here in Crucero and another mom to both Kimberley and Carlos did the cooking! The main dish was called “lo crio” which is sort of a Chicken-pot-stir-fry… but wow was it good!
Through that fellowship we were able to spend time with the pastors and church leaders and pray and encourage them. We also were able to do a quick surprise birthday party for Pastor Fernando, one of the La Vid pastors’ wife.
After the luncheon, we walked up the hill to Kimberly and Carlos’ home to hear from them, pray for them and enjoy the incredible view of the valley from their back porch.
Once we got back to our villa, our “care package” prep party began again as we prepared for tomorrow’s school presentation. Dinner was left overs because Maria had cooked SO MUCH FOOD! And afterwards we had a time of worship and reflections before we called it a night.
As we sat around the table, we shared “Jesus Moments,” and it is so powerful to witness God on the move already! Keep the prayers coming! Stay tuned…
Day 1: Reflections
Our day began at 5:00am as we met at our church campus with Ed to head to JFK. Our sisters-in-Christ from Flatlands Reformed Church and brother Jerfelis was scheduled to meet us at JFK. We loaded up Ed’s van with all our supplies and luggages and headed off!
Thanks be to God, even with a little hiccup, God was gracious and He helped us arrive in Santiago safely! The temperature was a nice whooping low 80s with high humidity, while back home in New York it was in the teens. :)
After going through multiple customs and bag checks, we were able to safely get out of the airport to where we met Pastor Eduardo from La Vid Church! He greeted us fondly as we loaded up the van and headed to Crucero, which is located just outside of Jarabacoa (about a 50 minute drive).
We arrived at our villa a little after 3:00pm local time. That’s 2:00pm EST because there’s no such thing as Daylight Savings here! Once we were settled in, we took in the view overlooking the valley behind the villa. (See Picture). Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Then we were able to spend some time with Kimberley and Carlos and were able to hear about how God has been working so far at the beginning of 2024! As we began to catch up, we began our work in preparing our care packages for ALL who we will be meeting in various projects throughout the week.
We then were able to hear an orientation session from Kimberley and we were able to spend some time in prayer for the week.
For supper, we had what’s called the “la bandera,” which is literally translated as “the flag.” Now “the flag” represents beans, rice, and chicken! It was an incredible treat where Kimberley’s sister-in-law, Josie blessed us with her cooking!
Due to the long travel day, we called it a night - as we prepare for the Lord’s Day and even more Kingdom Endeavors! Stay tuned…
Team Reflections
On the day before we are set to launch, I am in awe and wonder of God’s sovereignty. Back in July 2022, God moved in our hearts to go on our first-ever Short-Term Missions Trip ABROAD as a church family and we went to Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. After that trip, we continued to share and testify of God’s faithfulness and how awesome it was that our Lord would use our church for a global impact. Later on in November 2022, Pastor Virgilio Rosado from La Vid Church, the church we helped serve came to New York and served our pulpit. In essence, this wasn’t an “American church” going to go serve in a “third world country,” this had become two churches establishing a pulpit exchange and sister church relationship that went beyond borders and any language and culture barriers! Praise God! At the end of 2022, the Church Council discerned that doing a missions trip every-other-year would be a healthy way to maintain a good rhythm of life while living into the missional DNA that God had been working in our hearts!
Now over the years, our church has had the blessing to establish sister church relations with Massapequa Reformed Church and Flatlands Reformed Church. Flatlands Reformed Church is led by Pastor Paul Glover. In the summer of 2023, at the parsonage of Flatlands Reformed Church as our family was having a lunch fellowship with the Glover family, Pastor Paul’s wife Jill began to ask about our missions trip and if we were ever going to do another missions trip. I responded, saying that our church leadership is looking forward to doing another missions trip in 2024 - and with that she responded, “Put me down! I want to go!” As God continued to work in the heart of Jill and Pastor Paul, and amid continued conversations, I said “Let’s open it up to both churches! Let’s work together!” Praise God that He has done the rest!
After our first meeting via Zoom in the beginning of Fall, to our first in-person meeting this past Saturday, on January 13th, God has been on the move! Our Lord has been clearly showing his handprints all over this trip! And it’s with that, that I know that the devil will try to attack. So I covet your prayers! Don’t stop praying! FRC Family, CCCEI Family - we’re in this together! Gloria a Dios!
With love in Christ,
Pastor James
Missions Recap Video
A Message from our Missionaries
Missions Report & Testimonies
Day 8
July 23 (Saturday)
In the morning we had the opportunity to reflect, share and debrief our time together. We had the privilege to share in God’s Word, worship and take the time to bless one another on the team. We then helped clean-up, pack and get ready to go out for some souvenir shopping and more exploring of Jarabacoa!
While out-in-town we were able to learn about pearls that are only found in the Dominican Republic/Haiti island called Aquisera, it’s called larimar. We were also able to get a smoothie that’s a Dominican-favorite as well! While in town, we were also able to run into Pastor Fernando, pastor from La Vid Church! Small world! After picking up lunch at “ROASTY POLLO,” on the way back home to Carlos & Kim’s home, we were able to take the time in the afternoon to rest, and get ready for the one-hour drive back to the Santiago Airport.
Our flight left at 8:16pm local time and we arrived back in JFK right around 12:00am midnight. We praise God for getting home safely, and for an incredible trip!
Day 7
July 22 (Friday)
Overnight, we had a huge tropical storm that passed by where we are. That caused for a couple power outages - but thankfully the power came back at a later time. But as we awoke in the morning, we heard that some of the roads near the rural, mountainous communities that we had hoped to visit- were impassable. So we re-adjusted and decided to visit at least the communities that had paved roads. Mainly because this is the focal point of Carlos and Kim’s ministries - for the underserved and rural communities.
After touring some of the areas, we spent a few moments meeting with Mita, a dear family friend of Carlos and Kim’s. We were just overwhelmed with her hospitality and kindness! After the visit, we went back home to prepare to meet with the pastors from La Vid Church. We had an incredible time of fellowship with the pastors! It was great to hear how God is working through them. It was great to be encouraged and challenged for furthering God’s Kingdom. At the same time, we were able to help and assist in strategizing what are some of the best ways to accomplishing ministry goals. Pastor James and Mel lead the pastors in a strategic plan meeting thinking outside the box some ways in strategizing well and efficiently.
Afterwards, the team prepared to go over to La Vid Church to help prepare for the Marriage Retreat. Our church had the privilege to help sponsor this incredibly important event. One thing we learned this week - was that there was a serious need in strengthening the emphasis on biblical marriage. There were many broken marriages that have been a weak and struggle point for many in the area and community. With our help in sponsoring an incredibly phenomenal dinner - La Vid Church was able to host not only their members but also friends and visitors from outside in the neighboring communities. After a short time of worship and an incredible dinner, Pastor James, with a short testimony from Mel, and interpretation from Jerfelis was able to lead the Seminar for the Marriage Retreat. We praise God and pray that it was received well. Big thanks to all in our church family who helped contribute to the Missions Trip. We have been privileged to see God work in ways beyond imagination!
Day 6
July 21 (Thurs)
This morning, we spent some time cleaning the sanctuary of La Vid Church! Kim had taken some pictures from Sunday Worship - so we were able to compare and contrast the difference it made with the new paint! Afterwards, we had the opportunity to walk around the neighborhood of La Vid Church - inviting people to the Health Talk that Elisa would be leading in the afternoon. It was such a unique experience to see the disparity between certain homes all in one neighborhood. While visiting homes we were also able to visit with Lourdes, one of the senior saints of La Vid Church who has been battling cancer. It was incredibly humbling and powerful to pray for her.
While Elisa led her Health Talk at La Vid Church, Mel, Pastor James and Jerfelis with Pastor Eduardo, one of the pastors at La Vid Church - took us their daughter church in La Joya once again to spend some time in prayer as their church discerns and makes tough decisions. After the church visit, we visited with one of their church members Jalisa. Hearing her testimony and her heart for Christ with her recent baptism of her, her daughter and her husband were incredible! Amazing! Powerful!
Afterwards, we were able to pick-up some ice cream on the way back home and spend some more time in fellowship with Pastor Eduardo.
During our Team Worship in the evening, we heard that Pastor Eduardo had been hurt by North American missionaries so many times that he wanted absolutely nothing to do with missionaries ever again. But by God’s grace, we were told that God used us to redeem that hurt. He also told us that we are the first North American missionaries he wants to visit if and when he ever gets a chance to visit. Praise God!
Day 5
July 20 (Wed)
This morning, Elisa joined Mel and Jerfelis and went to La Vid Church to complete the Paint Project in the Sanctuary. Once they completed, they began work on the exterior of the church building too. One of the pastors on staff at La Vid Church - Pastor Fernando stopped by and was amazed at how it was turning out.
Pastor James spent the morning touring some of the underserved communities with Carlos. It was eye-opening to see the disparity and how many of these areas don’t have the basic necessities and resources that we would think of back home in the states. But my goodness, some of the views from these communities were incredible of the valley here.
For lunch we all gathered together at the church! We have been blessed by a lady in the church named Dolores who has been blessing us by cooking lunch for us! She owns a little food store front, fast-food location and we have been eating well!
Later on in the afternoon, Elisa gave a health talk in the community of Hatillo. Although the community was not as responsive as Crucero - they received and were incredibly appreciative of all the wealth of knowledge that was shared!
Mel, Pastor James and Jerfelis had scheduled house visits that were canceled due to a family emergency for Pastor Eduardo - so they went to visit a staple in the city center of Jarabacoa called Helado de Ivon - to try some local, homemade ice cream with flavors that are unique to the area: BATTATA and MANGO. And my goodness it was good!
After dinner, we gathered together as a team to have a brief time of worship, testimony, sharing and praying for many of our church family that are ill back home on Long Island.
Day 4
July 19 (Tuesday)
Today Mel, Pastor James and Jerfelis focused on the Paint Project with painting in the sanctuary of La Vid Church. Elisa focused on one of her key health talks in an underserved, rural community of Crucero. Crucero is strategic because that’s also the location of a key ministry center and site for Carlos and Kim.
For the Paint Project, we adjusted our schedule so we can focus on completing the interior of the sanctuary - which we almost did! 96%! All that’s left is portions of the Exterior now!
And wow! God is a God of miracles! The Health Talk went incredibly well! The women of Crucero wanted Elisa back as soon as next week! They weren’t expecting much - but by the power of prayer and God’s grace, they had a full-house while even going overtime! Praise God!
We ended the night with an invitation to one of the lay leaders of La Vid Church! My goodness did he have an incredible view! What a powerful night of fellowship and worship it was overlooking the valley. The Kingdom of God has no borders! Praise God for the incredible and immense blessings He has already shown us!