Every Wednesday I have been working with a small group of young people in my house. Sharing the gospel with them. A few days ago I started to ask them to share their testimony to know more about them and see how things are going in their life with Christ. I will not share their testimony just yet but what I heard them sharing is super important. I want to ask for your prayers for them and their families, being that their family life is one of the main problems in the life of each one of them. (more…)

Up until we linked up with the church community in Maria Auxiliadora most people at Varsity Bible Church in Calgary would think of an El Camino as a cool kind of half- truck car. But most of us now understand that El Camino (which means The Way in Spanish) is the name of our partner church in the Dominican Republic. (more…)

By all accounts the most recent missions trip and kids camps were a resounding success. Of the 21 team members almost half were kids and youth! Their enthusiasm and energy were matched only by the campers themselves and many new friendships were formed. One-day camps were held for both Dominican and Haitian preschool children. Older kids attended a three-day camp at the Young Life Camp in Jarabacoa, located in the Cordillera Central mountain chain. The camp theme was buscado por Dios which means “wanted by God.” (more…)

Thanks so much to each one who supports our partnership programs in the Dominican Republic. Since 2003 we have seen these vital programs grow and thrive because of you! Several times over the past year we visited the Maria Auxiliadora (Dominican) and Soto (Haitian) barrios and recently videotaped dedicated partners working in the school, church and community. What was the common message? Partnerships make a huge difference in lives! Here are some of the stories that we have heard: (more…)

I recently returned from the February, 2010 missions trip to the Maria Auxiliadora barrio and would like to share a few of my reflections with you. As we sat down at Minerva’s table for lunch I was struck by the generosity overlaid on the background of poverty. In the sparse living room of a tiny house shared with her sister and both of their kids, we sat down to a beautifully laid table, and an entire pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice. Knowing that her diet would not likely include these luxuries with any regularity, I was touched by her offerings. Their strength of character, faithfulness to their children, and determination to make things brighter, especially for their daughters, warmed my heart towards these courageous women of the barrio of Maria Auxiliadora. (more…)

Battalion Park School in SW Calgary has, as its mission statement, “educating to make a difference in our world.” Evidence of their commitment to this goal was their March 18-19 fundraiser that raised $11,000 to be used towards the T.E.A.R.S. general school budget. The fundraiser featured beautiful crafts and artwork made by the Battalion Park students. Pictures of students from the T.E.A.R.S. school were prominently displayed, demonstrating the flourishing partnership between these two schools. Although they may geographically distant, their connection is strong and clearly demonstrates the principle of mutual transformation. Giving to others enriches our own lives in so many ways. (more…)

We are excited that our new baby girl, Yulissa is doing good and is healthy. She is two months and seven days old. But Diana my wife is sick, having been diagnosed by the doctors as having an enlarged heart, on the left and rights side. They have Diana taking medicine and on bed rest. Diana is very sad that she can’t breastfeed Yulissa while on the medicine. The nurse prescribed a powdered milk for Yulissa. Please pray for our family. Thank you. (more…)

Several children’s on our soccer team made it to the selection round of the Dominican National Team here in La Vega. We are hopeful that some will be chosen for the team. These children are also attending Bible study on Thursdays, we are learning of proverbs.

I beg your prayers that God will continue to grow in their hearts. (more…)

With the Haitian refugee program coming to a close we want to thank you with all of our hearts for your support and prayers. We will continue to help as the Lord provides resources with medical aid, Job searches, food, clothing and relocation. Receiving our brothers in this time of crisis was not only a huge blessing to them but also to our entire Haitian community. The talents, gifting and most of all the hearts of these brother in the face of tremendous hardships and difficulties has inspired our whole church. (more…)

If you’ve ever come down here as a visitor or on a short term mission trip than you’ll probably be as thrilled as we are about the work the government has been doing in the barrio. With just another week left before elections some of the candidates hoping to be re-elected have managed to get a few streets in the barrio paved! That’s right, no more pot holes, dust or mud to deal with while driving down Main Street of our community! (more…)