God is doing exciting things in the Dominican Republic through Work & Witness! A Work & Witness team from Fairview Village Church of the Nazarene in Eagleville, PA, arrived in the Dominican Republic on Friday, August 8th. The team consisted of 15 members, both youth and adults. After flying into Santo Domingo, the team immediately traveled to Rancho Arriba, a rural community located in the beautiful mountains in the central part of the country. This was the site where the team’s work and ministry was located during the week.
Throughout their stay, the team was involved in several different ministries at Rancho Arriba Church of the Nazarene. The Nazarene Church in Rancho Arriba facilitates a Child Development Center (CDC) through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. Fairview Village Church of the Nazarene has been very involved in supporting the Rancho Arriba church and community in the past and are continuing to be used by God to serve the people there. The group supported and served in several projects during the week. God used this team to show His love to the people of Rancho Arriba and to meet many needs in the area.
On Saturday, August 9th, the group helped host a medical clinic they had coordinated with Dominican leaders. They provided the resources necessary to bring a group of doctors from Santo Domingo to Rancho Arriba to provide medical care for the people of the community. The team from Fairview Village church brought medical supplies and medication for those in need. The community was blessed through the efforts of the team, the doctors, and the leaders of the church. We thank God for the opportunity to care for the physical needs of the people in Rancho Arriba.
The Fairview Village group also provided the resources needed to hold a vision clinic for the community. On Sunday, August 10th, eye doctors from Santo Domingo came to Rancho Arriba to give eye exams. The Fairview Village church is providing prescription glasses to those in need, and is also providing the funds necessary for those with more severe problems who need eye surgeries. This is a great blessing for the people of Rancho Arriba who otherwise would not be able to afford eye care. We thank God for the people from Fairview Village church and the desire He has given them to help the people of Rancho Arriba in this way.
Sunday evening the group participated in a service at the church. Testimonies, special music, and a presentation of the progress of Rancho Arriba’s church construction were shared by the team on this special night.
The Fairview Village group was also involved in construction work during their stay. Monday, August 11th, through Friday, August 15th, the group helped build the walls for the second floor of the church/CDC. While the first floor of the building serves as the Child Development Center classrooms, kitchen, and dining hall, the second floor will be the church’s sanctuary and an orphanage for some of the neediest children in the area. The team also painted the whole first floor and organized the classrooms. The group worked very hard throughout the week and were able to make a lot of progress on the construction of the building.
On the evening of Wednesday, August 13th, the group participated in a service at a new church that has been planted by leaders of Rancho Arriba Church of the Nazarene. Testimonies and special music were shared on this evening.
On Thursday, August 14th, the group held a special dinner and service for the teachers of the Rancho Arriba CDC. The group presented gifts to the teachers and both parties were given the opportunity to speak and share their hearts.
Fairview Village Church of the Nazarene is very invested in Rancho Arriba Church of the Nazarene and CDC. They are very involved in helping provide the resources needed for the CDC and to help provide the children of the community with better opportunities. The group brought suitcases full of school supplies, books, videos, teaching materials, crafts, and clothes to be able to help the leaders of Rancho Arriba CDC continue to help the children of the community. They also brought several computers so that the children can begin computer classes. Many children from Rancho Arriba CDC are sponsored by members of the Fairview Village Church through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. God is using the people of Fairview Village Church of the Nazarene to make a great impact on the community of Rancho Arriba, helping create better futures for both children and adults. God is being glorified through the love and care shown by our brothers and sisters from Pennsylvania, and we thank Him for the eternal impact being made through their efforts!
In the afternoon on Friday, August 15th, the group traveled back to Santo Domingo. On Saturday, August 16th, the group spent a well-deserved day relaxing and visiting tourist spots in the city. On Sunday, August 17th, the team flew back to Pennsylvania.
We thank God for our brothers and sisters from Fairview Village Church of the Nazarene and their willingness to serve His people in Rancho Arriba. The impact they have made and continue to make in the lives of this community is great, and the love, compassion, and care that they have shown will have eternal significance. All glory is given to God for the work He has done through the work of this group from Fairview Village Church of the Nazarene!
Beverly Brown, Volunteer, Work & Witness – Dominican Republic.
