Ever since we surrendered to the Dominican Republic, we prayed that the Lord would guide us in where to start a new work.  In our first term, we helped start the New Life Baptist Church and Christian School. During this time, we would drive around, look at other needy areas, and pray, but the Lord did not confirm any particular place for us to work.  We took a furlough after our first term and thought that when we came back that surely the Lord would show us where to start.  After we returned to the field, the Lord impressed me to cover for Ronnie Autrey as he took a much needed furlough.  During this time, we felt the Lord leading us to an area called Villa Mella.  At the same time, Joy, who was expecting our youngest daughter, Katlyn, began having heart problems.  The doctors advised us to go back to the states.  She went in for a heart procedure 3 weeks after giving birth.  The procedure was done but did not seem to help. Before being discharged from the hospital it was discovered she had blood clots in her lungs.  It was a slow recovery and with her health being so delicate, our hearts sank thinking that maybe the Lord was closing the door for us to go back to the Dominican.   Through much prayer, and after a multitude of doctor visits, we returned to the field September 26, 2006. 

I began to seek advice from different missionaries and national pastors about a particular area in Villa Mella called Maximo Gomez. One of the national pastors, Jose Aguero, told me that he had a sister who lived in that neighborhood.  He related to me that she and her husband owned a  private school and that she had been praying the Lord would use her school to help start a church in that area. After meeting with them, they agreed to let us have full use of their facilities.  Four months later, they moved the school into a new building and we had sole use of their property which provided us with an auditorium, 4 classrooms and a nursery.  Our first ten months on the property were rent free.  It was amazing for us to see how God miraculously provided as we stepped out in faith.

We had our first service March 3, 2007.  We have been blessed to have Samuel and Albania Ovalle, a faithful Dominican couple, working alongside of us.  We met them a month before we started the church when we were knocking doors in that neighborhood.   They are a solid Christian family and have been in the ministry for many years. They have been a great blessing in helping to “shoulder” the load and encourage us along the way.

Another family that has been a great help to us is Stewart and Donna Schepers.   After pastoring in Canada for 6 years, the Lord called them to the Dominican Republic.  They moved here this past February. Bro. Stewart is taking the lead in the teen ministry and is a tremendous help in organizing campaigns and activities. We have seen the church grow significantly because of their efforts in the short time they have been here.

One ministry which we find very rewarding is the deaf ministry. It is a time-consuming ministry requiring a lot of sacrifice, but we rejoice to see the Lord working in the lives of these dear people.  Joy interprets the services and we have a deaf man who teaches the deaf S.S. class.  On Sunday mornings, we average around 10 deaf adults.

We hold Bible clubs for the children in our neighborhood on Saturday mornings.   I also teach a Bible class in the school that is owned by our landlord.  We praise the Lord for the children that have been saved and also for those parents who have been saved as a result of these ministries. 

We have learned that God’s timing in our lives is perfect, and that if we wait on the Lord, He is faithful and can do mighty things, such as provide the buildings, workers and everything that we need to do His work. Thank God,  that He is willing to use sinners saved by grace.