June 30, 2008

Dear All,
God bless each of you. We are pleased to have the opportunity every month to send you our greetings and update you on how the Lord is working in the eastern Dominican Republic. Praise the Lord there always seems to be positive and edifying news to pass on to you! We hope that it is an encouragement for you as it is for us, and that you will be praying for the work, for the workers and especially for those that the Lord is adding to the congregations being planted in the eastern part of the Dominican Republic.
Together with Franklin and Ilonka Francisco, the national minister and his wife, we were pleased to host a work team from the Generations Christian Church in Tarpon Springs, FL. They flew into Punta Cana and in about an hour were at the church property/work site and settling into the dorms. We had no idea that so much would be accomplished is 7 days! First of all they got to work mixing cement to fill the columns on the parsonage. The block laying went quickly after that. The foundation and some of the block were already in place. At present the second story block is laid and awaiting the roof and tie-beam. They moved a lot of fill dirt to even out the area around the dorms and with the funds they brought we hired equipment to dig a well. They also held three days of VBS activities for the many, many children in the area. After working all day, they also participated in the regular worship services under the tent on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
The area where the church is being established in Punta Cana is called Villa Esperanza (Hope Village). There is an abundance of people and the spiritual need is great. God has given us a challenge that can only be met when our “hope” is in Christ Jesus. Franklin and Ilonka and their two children will be moving into the parsonage on the church property as soon as possible. The goal is January 2009. Then work on the multi-purpose building can begin.
Meanwhile the La Romana Christian Church is growing and maturing. The elders are taking their jobs seriously by leading and giving oversight in areas where they see a need. Rick continues to meet with them regularly which helps keep us all accountable to each other. On June 22nd there were three more conversions (Joselyn, Manuel, and José) thanks to the Bible study network and the dedicated church members who regularly study with their friends and neighbors.
We also have some great young people who are graduating from high school this year: Raquel Mercedes, Euri Fabian, Benjamin Tavares, Mariel Stevens, Natan Baltazar and Carol Castillo. All baptized members of the church. The youth group in La Romana regularly runs 30-50 youth. Many of them have full time jobs in addition to their studies, so their faithfulness to the church is to be commended. As you celebrate graduations with your children and grandchildren, be reminded that you have spiritual children in the Dominican who are also passing an important milestone.
Once again, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. God has used your faithful financial support to accomplish His will here in the Dominican Republic.

In Christ,

Rick and Suzanne York
Missionaries with Eastern Dominican Christian Mission