WOW! What a whirlwind the year 2020 has been. I have not posted for some time as most of our energy and focus has been on how to deal with the Covid 19 crisis.
Our team was unable to travel to the D.R. in 2020 but fortunately, one of our projects we were planning to implement was able to be completed without our presence.
We were able to help a single mom, Alexandria, and her two children who lost their husband and father to a fishing accident in 2019 move into a new home.
Alexandria’s previous home was completely compromised by rot and termites and we made a commitment to help this family get into a safe new home of their own.
I want to give a big shout of thanks to our team in the Dominican who had begun the teardown of the old structure and the preparing of a new foundation.
Our team was expecting to arrive and assist in the completion of the new home, and come along side our Dominican friends and finish the home. Unfortunately, we could not enter the country due to health concerns around the world at the time.
We are humbled in many ways by this experience but our goal has always been to come along side and serve the local community. To the best of our ability we attempt to have the local Dominican people take ownership of the projects and this is a prime example of maintaining that focus without our presence.
After tearing down the old structure we put Alexandria and her kids into a compromising situation and they had to live separately for several months in different homes due to the Covid lockdown in the D.R.
As soon as some of the restrictions were lifted we purchased the remaining material and our D.R. team was able to complete the home project.
Our prayers continue to be with the Dominican people that we have come to love. The need is great, as it is in many places both here at home and around the world. We look forward to serving in any capacity we can until we are able to travel safely once again.
A final thank you to all of you who donated the materials for the construction of this home. The final cost came to $7900 including labor. Alexandria and her kids give a big thank you as well. A virtual hug as well!
I wish we could build a 2 bedroom home with bathroom, kitchen, and dining area this cheap in North America but it just ain’t so! Sorry for the bad english but this exact same home would cost at least 30 to 40 times that cost here.
The cost of building materials continues to rise each year but God is good and the money to complete our goals thanks to the many volunteers and donors from both our church and abroad.
Without you, none of this would have been possible.
Our hope is 2021 will be a year of overcoming and healing for many. The good news is the majority of people are recovering from the Coronavirus. 99% recovery rate which is fantastic news.
Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones due to this illness but we continue to face all challenges we face in life full of faith and hope in Jesus Christ as Lord.
We are so thankful that there are several treatments now that have proven to be effective.
Stay encouraged my friends, build up your immunity system with healthy choices, and most of all love one another.
Visit our Facebook page to see more pictures of the home build.