Back to School…
This past month we started our school year. We currently have 100 children enrolled in Un Lugar de Esperanza. This is our 8th year of service to the community of Baitoa. We have had the privilege to teach, minister to and touch the lives of almost 1000 children in this area. When I think about it I can’t believe it, so many children have passed through our doors. It is by His grace that we are still here. We were met with opposition from all sides when the school opened 8 years ago and now we are known as pillars in the community, isn’t God good!
This year our largest group of students is the pre-school aged children. This age group is our specialty. God has given us the ability to help these children excel by giving them a solid foundation in the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. We have again received many good reports from parents. Their children were placed directly into first grade, surpassing kindergarden, because of the education they received at Un Lugar de Esperanza.
We continue to help older children that struggle with reading and math as well as offer an English class to the older students. In my English there are 28 students and we are squeezed in like sardines. I am lovin’ it! With the right mix of love, structure and fun, it is amazing how well they behave cramped into to a small room. So far this year we have been extremely busy, but we have been enjoying every moment. I am full-time in the school again, and that has been both a challenge and a joy.
Determined to see change
Centro Cristiano Emmanuel (the church here in Baitoa) is growing strong. We are a church full of young people determined to see Baitoa changed for the glory of God. We have been fervently praying for Baitoa. In this small town there is a plague of drug abuse and poverty. But the Lord is raising up a mighty army that will not stand for unrighteousness any longer.
We have been praying for businesses to come to Baitoa. We have been praying for the people to rise up with a vision and desire to see things changed. And I am happy to report that there has been a lot of construction going on here. There is now a veterinarian, an animal supply store and a gym will soon be opening. One of the young men in the church, Ramon, just opened a small business selling fresh vegetables. Also this week the local police authorities sent a warning to those that are selling drugs in the community, they will be cracking down! Many people are overcoming their fear and going to report the drug activity that is taking place in their neighborhoods.
We are also praying for water (clean water) and electricity 24 hrs a day. We are currently in a water crisis. I treat water like it is gold, because we hardly ever receive it. The school was without running water for two weeks, our neighbor, who has a well, would allow us to fill up buckets when we needed water. Please stand in prayer with us for these basic necessities; we believe that change and progress are coming to Baitoa.
Impacting a community
Leo’s program, El Vocero (The Spokesman) continues to reach out and bring change to the community. The program has been instrumental in helping those in need receive what they need and also bringing solutions to community problems. Recently, Leo was asked by a pastor to help him receive his pension from the local government. The pastor had served as accountant for years for the local municipality and was later caught up in a political mess, which would take too long to explain, he found himself out of a job and without his pension. El Vocero acted as a mediator between the pastor and the current local government leaders to resolve the problem. After a few heated battles the pastor now has his pension.
Baitoa’s basketball court has been “under construction” since April. Unfortunately the youth of
the community had to pass the summer months without a basketball court. This too was another political mess. Leo and some other members of the community decided to take things in their own hands and build the basketball court. Leo organized various meeting with the surrounding area community leaders and also called upon the help of Baitoeros living in the states. They developed a three stage building plan that would have the court done in January.
These are just two examples of what “El Vocero” has done for the community. It has been a blessing to see the Lord use Leo in this area connecting the political and community arena.
You too have impacted a community
We are so thankful to all of you have been so faithful over the years. Faithful in your prayers and faithful in your giving. It is because you have obeyed the voice of the Lord when He has directed you to sow that we are able to do what we do. Thank you for co-laboring with us, you too are His hands, His feet and His voice here in the Dominican Republic.
We love you and God bless you!
Cheryl, Leo and Zamar Perez
This past month we started our school year. We currently have 100 children enrolled in Un Lugar de Esperanza. This is our 8th year of service to the community of Baitoa. We have had the privilege to teach, minister to and touch the lives of almost 1000 children in this area. When I think about it I can’t believe it, so many children have passed through our doors. It is by His grace that we are still here. We were met with opposition from all sides when the school opened 8 years ago and now we are known as pillars in the community, isn’t God good!
This year our largest group of students is the pre-school aged children. This age group is our specialty. God has given us the ability to help these children excel by giving them a solid foundation in the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. We have again received many good reports from parents. Their children were placed directly into first grade, surpassing kindergarden, because of the education they received at Un Lugar de Esperanza.We continue to help older children that struggle with reading and math as well as offer an English class to the older students. In my English there are 28 students and we are squeezed in like sardines. I am lovin’ it! With the right mix of love, structure and fun, it is amazing how well they behave cramped into to a small room. So far this year we have been extremely busy, but we have been enjoying every moment. I am full-time in the school again, and that has been both a challenge and a joy.
Determined to see change
Centro Cristiano Emmanuel (the church here in Baitoa) is growing strong. We are a church full of young people determined to see Baitoa changed for the glory of God. We have been fervently praying for Baitoa. In this small town there is a plague of drug abuse and poverty. But the Lord is raising up a mighty army that will not stand for unrighteousness any longer.
We have been praying for businesses to come to Baitoa. We have been praying for the people to rise up with a vision and desire to see things changed. And I am happy to report that there has been a lot of construction going on here. There is now a veterinarian, an animal supply store and a gym will soon be opening. One of the young men in the church, Ramon, just opened a small business selling fresh vegetables. Also this week the local police authorities sent a warning to those that are selling drugs in the community, they will be cracking down! Many people are overcoming their fear and going to report the drug activity that is taking place in their neighborhoods.
We are also praying for water (clean water) and electricity 24 hrs a day. We are currently in a water crisis. I treat water like it is gold, because we hardly ever receive it. The school was without running water for two weeks, our neighbor, who has a well, would allow us to fill up buckets when we needed water. Please stand in prayer with us for these basic necessities; we believe that change and progress are coming to Baitoa.
Impacting a community
Leo’s program, El Vocero (The Spokesman) continues to reach out and bring change to the community. The program has been instrumental in helping those in need receive what they need and also bringing solutions to community problems. Recently, Leo was asked by a pastor to help him receive his pension from the local government. The pastor had served as accountant for years for the local municipality and was later caught up in a political mess, which would take too long to explain, he found himself out of a job and without his pension. El Vocero acted as a mediator between the pastor and the current local government leaders to resolve the problem. After a few heated battles the pastor now has his pension.Baitoa’s basketball court has been “under construction” since April. Unfortunately the youth of
the community had to pass the summer months without a basketball court. This too was another political mess. Leo and some other members of the community decided to take things in their own hands and build the basketball court. Leo organized various meeting with the surrounding area community leaders and also called upon the help of Baitoeros living in the states. They developed a three stage building plan that would have the court done in January.These are just two examples of what “El Vocero” has done for the community. It has been a blessing to see the Lord use Leo in this area connecting the political and community arena.
You too have impacted a community
We are so thankful to all of you have been so faithful over the years. Faithful in your prayers and faithful in your giving. It is because you have obeyed the voice of the Lord when He has directed you to sow that we are able to do what we do. Thank you for co-laboring with us, you too are His hands, His feet and His voice here in the Dominican Republic.
We love you and God bless you!
Cheryl, Leo and Zamar Perez
Please Check out our blog http://baitoa-theperezfamily.blogspot.com
If you would like to give into this ministry checks can be made payable to:
Good News International
P.O. Box 1219
Erie Pa 16512
