We have a group leaving October 25 that includes an optometrist and his assistant. Dr. Ed Schneider and Lanita Bauer will be doing an eye clinic at the church in Hato Mayor for two and one-half days, examining eyes and giving glasses that fit to those who need them. For many local residents, this will be their first eye exam and chance to get a pair of glasses that will meet their current vision needs. We hope to bring enough glasses to meet the needs this time around, as well as to “seed” a stockpile of glasses for future mission trips just like this one. In fact, Dr. Schneider has already received interest from another local optometrist who is specifically interested in helping in the Dominican Republic!
The financial needs of this part of October’s mission trip include air fares and other expenses for Dr. Schneider and Lanita Bauer, glasses (a total of $415, which includes 48 boxes of 50 glasses each; each box has a specific prescription for either men, women or children) and a few other miscellaneous expenses.
Along with the above, we are trying to raise at least $3,000 for the education wing that is attached to the church. This will enable the children’s ministry of the church in Hato Mayor to expand (right now the older children meet outdoors on Sunday mornings) and also allow for several meetings to take place at once during the week. The next step in the project is putting up the ceiling, which will be a flat concrete roof that will also serve as the floor for a projected second story.
Horizon will receive this offering this coming Sunday, October 16. We’ll then report how much was received the following Sunday, October 23, just a few days before the group from Horizon will head to the DR.
It’s amazing how much a little money goes in the DR! $3,000 would be enough to get that roof/ceiling/second floor up. The next steps would then include a concrete floor, windows, a front door, secure iron for the windows and door, and painting.
Imagine the boost of hope that would flood that small church in the DR if we are able to present them with this gift! Imagine how much they would be encouraged to continue their witness and work.
We would be building up another local church whose mission is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Only God can release these resources for this purpose.
But imagine what a work God can do in us and through us—and how much we would be encouraged ourselves as followers of Jesus Christ by participating as fully as we can.
Only God …
–Jim Morse
