Engaged!

February 16, Alan asked me to be his wife!! My mom was here in the DR and CPC too! It was so awesome to have family, friends, supporters and encouragers here alongside of us! We are going to have a private beach wedding on May 17 in the Dominican Republic. Once he is able to travel to the states with me, we'll have a reception in Las Vegas as well!!

Please pray for us as we enter into a marriage covenant with God and with each other. Pray that we serve each other wholeheartedly as if serving the Lord. We have just finished up our pre-marital counseling with Dave and Cherry Schwulst. THANK YOU Schwulst's!!!

We have lots of exciting dreams and plans for ministry and we are so thankful to God for placing us in each other's lives and to you all for your faithful prayers and encouraging support!

Here are some of our engagement photos taken by my good friend Goody, our Field Photographer-- thanks Goody!

Central Peninsula Church

Central Peninsula Church. I am not quite sure how to even start this blog.

How about the past.

I accepted Christ when I was 20. It's been almost 7 years.

Rob and Missy Hall led to me to Christ. They became my mentors. I served with them and later worked for them in student ministries and children's ministry.

We both eventually moved- them to California and me to the Dominican Republic. My first ever mission trip was with G.O. Ministries to the D.R. when I was 21 and Rob was the leader. He led several trips and they were all successful, but due to moves and life circumstances he hadn't been back in several years.

After a visit to see my friends in San Francisco it was decided that now was the time to return to the DR, but this time it was Missy's turn. She recruited a team of 24 from CPC to serve alongside the Nationals in constructing 2 houses and also doing children's ministry in surrounding communities.

We had hoped that they would come alongside Pastor Medina and would encourage him spiritually and also partner with him financially. Medina is a man of God and a pastor of a small community. He is also a police officer. He splits his time between his growing family (3 kids), the police force, and the church. Our desire (and Medina's) is that he could financially make enough to quit the police force and pastor full-time to truly meet the needs of those in his community.

Watching the team care for Medina and his family is sometimes something hard to put into words. When you see two worlds collide for a brief moment or as one team member put it, two broken parts of the body coming together to heal one another it is, well, beautiful.

The team is making strides towards a partnership with Medina and we are so incredibly humbled and thankful for their week they spent here and the lasting impact it has had on the communities they worked with.

For me, it was personally one of my most encouraging weeks I have actually spent here on the field. Thank you Missy and CPC for sharing Christ's love with the nationals, for stepping out in faith to come on the trip and for partnering with me. I am humbled!

We look forward to the next CPC trip in June 2009!

Missy and Jackie, February 2009
Construction of houses for Rene Rodriguez and Luis Jimenez

Hamilton Life Church

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the land to strengthen those 

whose hearts are fully committed to him.

2 Chronicles 16:9a

Hamilton Life Church, February 3-10, 2009

Gumercindo with wife Dulce Maria, Robert and Damon

Gumercindo Toribio is a man in his late 60's and has been serving God and the church since a missionary came to the bakery where he baked bread daily. The owner was a Christian and he sensed that Gumercindo wanted to accept Christ. He began going to church with the owner and shortly after accepted Christ. That was 1979.

Gumercindo is a man seeking to serve the Lord wherever God sends him. He's worked in over 4 different communities over the past 30 years with a heart to plant churches, grow strong leaders, and send them out to lead, and disciple, and plant churches.

He and his wife Dulce Maria (Sweet Mary) live in the mountains in a fairly rural community two hours outside of Santiago. They pastor a growing church. He is discipling men. He is spreading the gospel.

One of the churches that support the work I am involved with came to see firsthand the work we were doing. I visited with them before their trip. I don't think anything would have quite prepared them or me for their week here. I believe the LORD sent Hamilton Life Church to strengthen the hearts of Gumercindo and Dulce Maria. 

The week was filled with sweet moments of the team working side-by-side to encourage them in their faith, their work... their hearts. When we arrived to the mountains on Saturday after a long week of construction of a church and nutrition center in Santiago, the kids were ready to go. They sang sweet songs worshipping the Lord and in the evening's church service, Pastor Damon who preached, washed the feet of Gumercindo urging the church members to serve one another just as Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve.

But, not only was this week an encouragement to Gumercindo, but I believe to the team and the pastor as well. Gumercindo is a church planter. Pastor Damon is two years into their church plant. During dinner one night, Damon's father asked for Gumercindo to share some wisdom with his son in church planting, in that way, the wise can encourage the young. Gumercindo spoke many words of wisdom to Damon.

The Lord sent two different parts of the body to encourage one another, serve one another, love one another. 

It has been an honor to be a part of this work and to see the Lord's hand at work in all of this. 

Thank you Jesus for dying for us and for bringing us together, for calling us to love and serve one another. Just as you loved us enough to serve and die for us.

Merry Christmas!!

Thank you for all of your support this holiday season. I am so often reminded by those in need and I am so thankful for all the sacrificial ways in which you give. I wanted to share a video with you from my time in the DR in 2008.

As 2008 closes and we begin to look ahead to 2009 I am so excited for the new challenges, the times of growth, the lessons we will learn from God, the souls that will be won, the kingdom advancing, storming down the gates of Hell and proclaiming the LORD's truth and power and glory to the nations!! The best part is... YOU ARE A PART OF THAT TOO!!

I love sharing ministry with you. Thank you for partnering with me. Please watch this video.

In Christ,
Jackie

Just another day in November...

Hi friends!
I wanted to let you know that I am back in the Dominican Republic. I arrived on November 20th and it feels like I never left! I was able to visit my Godson, Jansel this afternoon and we snapped just a few photos of him. He is now 6 months old- wow!
Thank you so much for all of you who support me through prayers and finances. I am so grateful for each and every one of you. Please keep praying for divine wisdom and direction, clarity, and for His Holy power to shake the souls of each individual here on the island of Hispaniola.
I will continue to write more later this week after I move into my new apartment and get myself setup again.
Much love,
Jackie

I wanted to send just a quick update to you all!

I am in Louisville, KY training at the stateside office!!!

As the number of teams continue to grow each year, so does the need to expand our administrative staff. I am training alongside Vicki, the current team coordinator, for the next month and a half transitioning into the team coordinator. I am looking forward this new role and all the challenges that will come along with it.

Would you please pray for this transition time. Pray that I can glean all I can from those around me, that I would remain humble and patient and look to Christ for my strength.

There are a few things I have participated in while here in the U.S.:

• G.O. Ministries golf outing- raises money and awareness for the ministry
• Spoke at Hamilton Life Church in Chattanooga, TN- supporting church

Upcoming Events in October:

• Speaking at the First Baptist WMU- October 6th
• Traveling to Eastern KY Oct. 9-11th to visit my good missionary friend, Emely Clevinger
• Traveling to Harvest of Talents in Ill- Oct. 24-26th

Thank you all so much for your financial and prayer support. I am grateful for each one of you and the role you play in God's glorious plan!

Please join me in prayer for our 2009 teams (and a few 2008 teams that are still scheduled to the D.R. this year) and if you are interested in leading a trip leave me a comment!

Peace,

Jackie

Hurricane Season Torments Haiti

"In the Always Funeral Home, 21 mud-crusted bodies were piled in a small room, unclaimed. Two of them were pregnant, one still clutching a small girl to her chest."

Tormented by one storm after another, Haiti has suffered the highest loss of life. By time any of the Tropical Storms or Hurricanes have made landfall on the U.S., they have already done their most destructive damage... to those areas least able to respond and cope with the loss of life, and the overwhelming disease and sickness that accompany the flood waters.

Bridges and roads were destroyed providing no access for relief workers into Gonaives, Haiti's second largest city located on the western side of the country, leaving them stranded... hopeless.


Pray for our brothers and sisters in Haiti, for survivors, for relief workers to gain access.

Here are some numbers from this season:

Fay: 9 dead

Gustav: 79 dead

Hanna: 183 dead

Ike: 70 dead

Click on this link to watch a video of Haitian towns submerged under water

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/09/09/haiti.gonaives.flood/index.html?eref=rss_world#cnnSTCVideo

Here is also a link that will take you to over 50 articles & videos concerning the devastation in Haiti

http://topics.cnn.com/topics/haiti

Alecita

While I was in the Bateys I recieved a very unusual gift... a kitten!

Many of you might now that I am moving into my own apartment in a few weeks and the idea of having a kitten was something that had rolled around in my mind... nothing more than a thought...

The pastor's wife, Ale, had two little kittens in her house and I commented on how cute they were and told her I was thinking of getting a kitten as well... once I move.

I never thought she would give me the cat! She insisted, despite my hesitation, everyday I was there that I take the kitten with me. She even began to call it my cat throughout the week, which I refused to acknowledge!

But, she melted my heart (the kitten that is). Sunshine and I bathed her and she rode in a box in Sunshine's lap for the 6 hour drive back to Santiago.

She is super cute. A purr box, and she sleeps above my head. She is less than 6 weeks old. She begins her shots next week. She has gotten a flea bath and parasite pills from the vet and she is good to go!

I am looking forward to living in my new apartment with my new little friend. What's her name? Well you could call her "Alecita" or "Alelu" or "alelulu" or any other variation you could come up with!

Batey Pics

Here are just a few quick pics of the beautiful children that Elaine and I were able to photograph during our week in the bateys...

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.

Family in the Dominican Republic

My mom (Sheila), Zoraida, and Jahan

It is always encouraging when any of our missionaries have family visiting. In July my mom visited me along with two friends, Zoraida and Jahan. This was a special trip because they were here during the Eastview Youth Group with is a group unlike any other! I have never seen a group of youth with such passionate hearts to serve the Dominicans here.

While my mom and friends were working alongside Eastview, we had our own opportunities to visit with families here in the D.R. that I am particularly close with. They heard many insipiring stories of God's power in the lives of Nationals here.

Zoraida and Francie



Mary Luz, Sheila, Jackie, Guilbert, and Wenifer

Jahan and Jansel

One stood out in their mind. Fran. A Haitian. Fran traveled here to the Dominican Republic, in search for work and a better life. He found promise of that working for G.O. Ministries. He has been a faithful part of the construction team for over 4 years. He and his wife and three kids in a makeshift house in the back of a plantain field. They have no bathroom. They have no kitchen. Just one room seperated by sheets to make two "bedrooms." Fran and his wife sleep in one partioned area and the kids sleep in the other. In the field sits a burner where they make fry bread... their typical meal along with plantains from the field they live in.

Fran, Yvosse, Chantal, Francie, and Usula

After hearing Fran's story and prayer Zoraida and my mom made the decision to partner with Fran and his family, to welcome them into their family and encourage them through prayer, empower and equip them through financial support and resources.

This is what G.O. is all about.

I, of course, was happy that my mom was able to visit, but I was overjoyed when I saw how God's plan was beginning to unfold. How he chooses to use us to bring his glory here to earth.

Thanks mom and Zoraida for stepping out and choosing to be used by God to make a difference in someone else's life...

Fran, Francie, Yvosse, Sheila, Jahan, Usula, Chantal, and Zoraida

April and May were very fulfilling months!

In April we hosted two teams, one was a fellow missionary couple's home church and the second was our first ever Men's Conference (Men's Adventure Weekend) and the theme was "Wild at Heart". They had over 130 men in attendance!

I prepared to head back to the states in May to share what God is doing here in Hispaniola, but not before working at the Kentucky Derby. I am happy to announce that with over 80 volunteers this year, our ministry raised $30,000 for Kingdom work, by simply selling the official Derby souvenirs! The money we raised will further the Kingdom work through G.O. Ministries in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mongolia, Colombia, Cuba, and in the Inner-City of Louisville, KY.

I helped represent G.O. at the Exponential Church Planting Conference in April and I also visited a new church in TN, Hamilton Life Church and was fortunate to speak during their Sunday service and spend time with my good friends Ben and Laura! This church has already begun to support me and are already beginning to talk about a Spring 2009 mission trip to the D.R. After TN, I visited a church in San Francisco, Central Peninsula Church, where my good friend Rob pastors there. They too are prayerfully considering a partnership and a 2009 trip as well. Please keep these two churches in prayer. My time ended in the states with a visit to Las Vegas. I was able to be there for mother's day, my dad's birthday, and my stepdad's 50th birthday! I was also able to share at Soulstice Church who faithfully supports me.

Two very special things happened when I returned to the D.R. on May 21st... My godson, Jansel, was born to my friend Fior two days after I left for the U.S., and so when I returned I visited him on his 1 month birthday.

Also, I turned 26 on May 29th! I was able to share my birthday with William and Alexandra Decena, tons of beautiful children in the Bateys along with a fellow missionary Cherry, and our Intern, Jana. We spent one day (my birthday) with this special community celebrating "La Semana de Damas." (Women's Week) They had a service each night of the week at the church and the Women's Ministry sang, read scripture and celebrated the special place we women have in the Kingdom. They made a special birthday tea for me out of Canalia (a type of leaf) and tostones (fried smashed plantains)... It was a birthday I won't forget... I am so grateful for my friends here and for the people God has placed in my life here and in the U.S.

One (of several) new roles I find myself in is the Director of Internships and two of our summer interns have arrived. This has been a fun role for me as I enjoy teaching and working with people who desire to learn and serve. We have such an amazing opportunity to work with gifted men and women after God's heart from all of the WORLD! One intern is coming all the way from Poland! We have 9 interns total this summer! Each one will be serving for a minimum of one month in various capacities from Children's Ministry, Team Facilitating, teaching English, and Medical. Please pray for them and their time here in the D.R. to be productive, encouraging, that God would open their hearts to his Kingdom plan: Jana, Megan, Melissa, Matt & Emily, Adam, Yvonne, Elaine, and Karolina.

If you are interested in finding out more about G.O. Ministries or leading a trip please visit our website at http://www.go-ministries.org/ or leave me a comment and I will contact you with more information!

Growing in Knowledge and Grace... the marks of our growth. I was asked the question "What does it mean to grow 'up' in the LORD?" and was directed to 2 Peter 3:18 for the answer. There I read "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor and glory both now and forever. Amen."

What struck me by this was just how much I lacked in these areas. March has been a month of self examination. We are marked as not just a believer but a disciple by our knowledge and grace in Jesus. I have found myself in a challenging place spiritually, physically, mentally... and the thing I desire most is not to be a good missionary, or a good person, but to be a true disciple of our LORD, that he may be glorified in and through me. This is however, an easy thing to desire, and less easily attained. It is not something ruled by emotions, but rather a discipline. To worship Jesus in spirit and truth- there is little to be said about our "feelings." We must learn the discipline to put on the armor of God every day, in order that, when (not if) we are at war, we are like trained soldiers both in our knowledge of the LORD, holding deep in our hearts the promises he has laid out for us in his word, and in the abundance of grace we must extend to others. Not because we are good people, but because he first extended that to us, commanding us to do the same.

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalm 73: 25-26

"You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God... Thanks be to God for his indiscribable gift!"

2 Corinthians 9:11-12, 15

In March we hosted four teams who came to the Dominican Republic to serve. Each of these teams helped build the future site our of new Hub in Hato del Yaque. Each one of our ministry hubs serves as a dormitory to host short-term teams. There is a local church, nutrition center, and we to have a medical clinic in each of these locations. We currently have two hubs open in Santiago, D.R. and one in the Southwest part of the country in Batey Nueve (a rural sugar-cane farming community). We are excited to announce that through the hard work of short-term teams we will be finishing the bottom floor of our third hub (dormitory and nutrition center) in time for teams to stay there for the summer.

The Hub in Hato del Yaque is special to me because on my first short-term trip to the Dominican Republic we laid the perimiter block for this project and now 4 years later, what once was simply a grassy field will serve as house of worship for the LORD. 100's of kids will recieve a hot meal. A special thank you to Eastview, Lincoln Christian College, Crosspoint Church, and Discovery Church for serving the LORD through constructing the Hub in Hato del Yaque.

Last month I posted a few pictures of my friend Mary Luz, who is the wife of Bienvo (a very skilled maestro on our construction team), who was going to have baby Wilson any day. She had a healthy baby boy and I was able to visit her in the hospital.

I am at the hospital with Baby Wilson and Mary Luz

Sweet Baby Wilson just 1 day old!

In just three weeks I will be leaving my home in the D.R. to visit the United States. In four weeks I will visit Louisville, KY, Chatanooga, TN, San Francisco, CA and Las Vegas, NV. I would love to see you while I am in town and if you would like me to come and speak at your Bible Study, small group, children's ministry class... etc. please email me soon, as I am finalizing my travel schedule and speaking dates. You can find my tentative travel dates at the top left side bar of my blog!

Thank you for each one of you who continue to support my work through prayer and finances. May God bless your generous sacrifices!

In grace,

Jackie