This month we highlight Pastor William Gomez and his family---Pastor William has ministered here on the island for over 25 years and is very respected by many. He has attended both of the past men's conferences where God worked in his life to give him a passion for men's ministry and the strength to face some of the sin and brokenness in his own life. As William says, he spent many years listening and ministering to others but not allowing God to minister to his own heart. William also participated in the first Authentic Manhood class offered in our old neighborhood and found it a great source of comfort and healing. From those early "seeds planted", God has given William a boldness to be transparent with his own continuing healing process and struggles and to reach out to men to encourage them to do the same. He has been instrumental in starting the four classes that are in process now as well as the four new communities that are waiting to begin classes. This part of our ministry is much further along than we ever dreamed it would be at this point due to God bringing Dave and William together in a partnership of their mutual passion to bring change to this island through emotional and spiritual healing of the men. Please join us in praying for Pastor William, his personal healing, his marriage and family and this ongoing ministry. Also, pray as William and Dave are training men in the current classes to lead future classes.
Marriage and family ministry update...
Many of the communities offering the men's classes are wanting something similar for their women, saying the women are "celosas" (jealous)--Cherry is now offering a marriage and family seminar centered on "Guarding our hearts and the hearts of our children"--Above, Cherry is working with the women on a second floor patio of the church at the same time William and Dave offer their class to the men on the first floor and there was an activity for the children on the third floor organized by the church---A beautiful evening for these families!!
The first guest house is officially completed!!! Here are photos of the inside...
Guests can also enjoy our fresh water pool which is fed by a small river on the property...
Mending Broken Hearts Ministry update...
This month when we think of broken hearts, we think of Haiti---we have met so many here who have lost family there as well as those who have housed family "refugees" who fled Haiti and are living with family in the DR until they can return home. One of Cherry's women's group members, Bijou, is Haitian and was housing 19 family members as they waiting to return home. The women's group raised money to help with caring for the family and visited to offer some encouragement and prayer---below is some of the group with family members who were returning home to Haiti the next day---it was a very powerful and precious time of Christian fellowship...
Our girls school, Santiago Christian School, also joined in to help Haiti---they sponsored a basketball game with another Dominican school with proceeds going to help some of the Haitian families and ministries that the school is connected with--it is always so encouraging to see Dominicans reaching out to their Haitian brothers and sisters...
Our family is doing well---Dave continues to go to physical therapy five days a week and is making good progress--we are developing more friendships in our neighborhood--we love the Dominican sense of humor--it is so good to laugh!! The girls are both doing so well in school and enjoying playing soccer too!! Rachael will turn 15 this month--that is a very special birthday in Latin America with some very elaborate celebrations--below are Rachael and her three best friends at one of these parties...pray for Dave especially as his daughters are growing up too fast!!!
We love you all and thank you for your faithful prayer support--please continue!! You are in our prayers as well--our refrigerator is covered with your photos!! For our current prayer requests and "word of the month", please look at the righthand side panel.
By His grace and for His glory,
La familia Schwulst