Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
We are thankful for the privilege to minister to the marginalized here in the DR and the opportunity to take the gospel to those who have never heard. Daniela Dipre is one such person who began attending a class at Iglesia Bautista Nuevo Pacto (New Covenant Baptist Church) several years ago as an illiterate adult.
She tells her story to Mercedes in the accompanying video, and we hope you will take time to hear about her life which is subtitled in English. Daniela not only learned how to read and write in her native Spanish language, but also became confident enough to travel to Chile where she worked for a period of time to improve her life financially. Had she not known how to read basic signs in Spanish along the way - making such an arduous trek - by air from Santo Domingo to Lima, Peru and then into Chile on a 24-hour bus ride - may have never come to fruition!
Two years ago, Daniela began working for our family in Santo Domingo as a caregiver to Mercedes’ older brother Tomas. He needed a trustworthy, competent person who would take care of him while he awaited permission to enter the US to live with his daughter and her family. Daniela and another caregiver served and loved Tomas as if he were family and we credit these women with helping him heal after a period of intense anxiety just as COVID was starting.
Daniela’s soul passed from death to life when she made a commitment to follow Jesus last year after many telephone conversations with Mercedes. Know we are grateful for supporters like you who have enabled us to take the Good News to Daniela through Spanish literacy.
Even though I knew Daniela’s story already – since I filmed her interview - I wept when I saw the finished video. Those we serve often never catch a break - and that was Daniela’s saga from a very young age - which resulted in her not continuing with her elementary education. Fortunately, Daniela did get a chance later in life to learn to read and write thanks to her caring teachers at the New Covenant Baptist Church and is progressing today with the goal of becoming a nurse!
We have added another team member: Nehiel Carbrera Vasquez, who will help us use technology to reach “the least of these” from the coast to the mountains!
We appreciate your prayers as we continue to navigate the challenges of classes remaining closed due to COVID. We also ask you to join us in praying about additional ways to minister, including providing trauma healing to these men and women. Thank you once again for your support!
Yours in Christ,