El Vive!

The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. -Isaiah 41:17

Those of you faithful readers know one thing I love to write about are the Bateys. Each time I travel to the Southwestern part of the Dominican Republic to share a little bit of time encouraging and uplifting our Haitian and Dominican-Haitian brothers and sisters a part of my hearts stays with them...

The Sugar Cane Fields

Life on the Bateys is difficult in so many ways. They lack the very basic necessities that you and I have daily access to. Tucked away in the Southwestern part of the Dominican Republic, 1,000's of sugar cane harvesters and their families live in barracks and shanty houses, mostly made from coconut bark. Their "houses" flood, they have no clean water, medical care is scarce, and if it is available, they most likely couldn't afford it anyway. Harvesters barely scrape by with enough to feed themselves, let alone a family of 5 (the average household there has 3 kids). They work grueling hours with little rest. The International companies that own the sugarcane fields could use machines to farm the cane, but they save money using modern day slaves.

A Harvester

If you had no reason to go to the Bateys, you might never know they were there. No one just "happens" upon the Bateys. Although, it might appear that the world, or at least the Dominican Republic has forgotton about the bateys, Jesus Christ has not. These little sugarcane communities are erupting with God's power as he shines through the churches dotting the villages.

Batey Nueve

William Decena. Over 10 years ago, we began partnering with William Decena. A former sugar cane farmer who grew up in Batey Cinco. As a child he spent many years training and growing up in the ways of Voodoo and witchcraft, preparing one day to become a voodoo priest himself.

William at the future site of the new church & nutrition center

God had other plans. A missionary walked through the village sharing Christ with anyone who would listen. William repented, and was saved, vowing to live his life for Christ and Christ alone. Today William is the Pastor of a growing church and nutrition center that feeds over a hundred of the neediest children in Batey Nueve. G.O. Ministries is currently underway on the construction of a bigger church and nutrition center here to continue helping and sharing Christ with others. He has discipled and mentored many young men in their faith and today they stand against the darkness of Satan as a light to the bateys.

Batey Nueve represents hope for the other bateys. William has fought hard to bring many luxuries to Batey Nueve, which other Bateys do not yet have. In Batey Nueve they have, a water tower, sidewalks (though the streets are dirt roads), an outhouse for every two houses, a school (though teachers do not regularly show up), a basketball court, a baseball field (with no grass), a library, and a "park," consisting of a few swings. God is using William to bring his glory to earth in the Bateys.

One man, Francisco, who was discipled by William and served in the church in Batey Nueve, has set forth to lead the church in Batey Cuchilla. A little over 500 families live there. They are poor. They suffer. Francisco answered the call of God to pastor the church in this village.

Francisco in Batey Cuchilla

Warrenville Bible Chapel, a church from Illinois, partners with Francisco and the church in Batey Cuchilla and this past week they spent 8 days there. Their theme was simple... "EL VIVE!" They brought two big signs that they hung everywhere they went... and their method was simple... they shared Christ with everyone they came in contact with. I was inspired. That is the kind of Christ follower I desire to be.

Warrenville Bible Chapel, Francisco and Yolanda

Two medical clinics in two different bateys. Over 800 people received medical care. many had not seen a doctor since the last medical clinic there, over a year ago. They simply cannot afford medical care. They waited in lines for hours to see a doctor. What happened was a mixture of raw human beauty and God's glory as I watched doctors and nurses care for sick men, women, and children as if they were their own. I was deeply moved by this act of obedience fueled by a deep anguish for the people, and a desire to see Jesus made famous in the Bateys.

Hundreds of men, women, and children waited in lines for hours to see a doctor

Dr. Bob caring for a small child in Batey Cinco

It is little moments like these, when you stop from the busyness, to make a child laugh, that we realize what we are living for...

To live is Christ, to die is gain...

Nurse Amy comforted many children in Batey Cuchilla and Cinco

This year, our staff will spend over 2 months total working with short term teams in the Bateys, continuing the construction of the church and feeding center in Batey Nueve, medical clinics, and children's ministry in Batey Nueve & Batey Cuchilla. Though you may never be fortunate enough to "happen" onto this beautiful intersection of God's power and glory amidst suffering, I ask you to pray for our brothers and sisters there. There is no greater thing that we can do than pray.

Pray everyday for the communities in the Bateys. Pray for the pastors. Pray for the children. Pray for more teachers and doctors and pastors and missionaries to answer the call to work in the Bateys.

Children from Batey Cuchilla praying during a kids event

Pray for Christ to reign and that they would not be known for the poverty that exists there, but for the richness in Christ that exists there.

I invite you to watch this short video from the week Warrenville spent working alongside their partner, Francisco, bringing two medical clinics, construction, and children's ministry.