Lost and Found Children

Our October Mission Focus is Lost and Found Children of Dominican Republic under the direction of Ardell Graner.   Earlier this month Ardell greeted us in worship and in small group settings to share a tiny bit about the new ministry in DR.   They barely got started with their work in DR, when they were brought back to the US to being their itineration with supporting churches in the US.   They expect to be back in DR in January.  

We learned that there are about 100 churches that are connected to the United Methodist Church in Dominican Republic.  It is more of an ecumenical church with ties to the Presbyterian Church and Moravians as well as United Methodists. 

Vacation Bible School is very important in Dominican Republic but with this being generally a one week event for about 5,000 children and youth, the church in DR would like for Christian Education to be expanded.  Ardell has equipped and empowered local church leaders to write curriculum and train leaders for this very important way to impact the church in Dominican Republic.

Our offering will be given to the Advance Project "Lost and Found Children: Dominican Republic" and will be used for the Christian Education projects.  Future projects will expand to include issues around child sex trafficking which is a serious concern for the church.  Most of those coming to DR for prostitution come from the United States and often it is the young girls the men are looking for.  
It is interesting to note that the budget for the project also includes a hefty amount that is expected by the local church in DR.  This way they take ownership of the project... it is their project with a bit of help of the churches in the US and the leadership training that our missionaries provide.  

At this time the National/International Mission Team is planning to take a team of 15 to Dominican Republic on June 13-21, 2015.   The exact mission of the journey has not become clear just yet.   Our goal is to become acquainted with a congregation in Dominican Republic and discover ways that we might partner in ministry with them.   If you or someone you know might be interested in this journey, please contact Bonnie Albert (bonnie@albertmail.com ) or Mike Strayer (jstrayer@netnitco.net).  

 

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