May 2008
Lin's Mission trip report:
Dominican Mission Trip Report
We are settling in and adjusting to being back in the states. The trip was filled with many wonderful blessings. I witnessed the birth of the Sugar Cane Kids ministry as Estela (the administrator and ministry leader) took the lead in speaking about the ministry to our group (she will now present the ministry to each group that comes down to serve) Estela was prayed for and commissioned by the four pastors on our team, George Bourie and myself.
A highlight of my trip was handing out uniforms to children that desperately needed them to attend school. I learned that some children (those desperate to learn) are allowed to attend school without uniforms but need to leave when the meal is passed out and their education does not count until they are official which is only a uniform away. Most children need two uniforms a year which cost $35.00 each. They grow during the school year and need the next size up; most of them wear them till they are told they no longer fit and are not appropriate. The smaller uniforms are passed on to children in need.
Having someone in place to see this process take place is huge, and Estela is that person. Our church supports her as a missionary, my prayer and goal is to inspire individuals and churches to consider supporting her on a regular basis. Estela’s goal is to build a team of like minded peers to work along side of her; she would oversee and mentor them. The task is so large (over 200 hundred bateys) that it will be necessary to train others up to do what she is doing. Estela has the passion for these children because she was one of them, now she is a licensed psychologist working at the hospital and in the batyes; she knows first hand the value of education. She also educates the young women in sex education as pregnancy is high. Estela also meets with the parents in the bateys to help educate them as to the need for education for their children, many do not understand and are fearful of sending their children to school.
Four teachers came with me as we attended 5 schools and observed classes in progress. We found that the education is advanced in most cases, the teachers and students value education and want to be where they are, and they give it their all every day. My daughter Melissa's fourth grade class from Pakachoag School in Auburn, MA did a social studies project and sent post cards to a school in the D.R. Each student reported a different aspect of Massachusetts. Now students in one of the schools we visited are working on their post cards about the village they live in and will return them to Mrs. Dupuis fourth grade class before the end of the school year.
I watched as a 77 year old black woman from Situate, MA came with a suitcase full of beautiful uniforms all hand made by a group of women from her church. Francina shared with us that this ministry will be on going. I also had offers of people starting a mission to collect black shoes to complete the uniforms. So l witnessed a lot and learned even more...handing a uniform to a child shows them that they are seen and valued. The joy in their eyes is beyond words.
Bob Beck (our team liaison with Good Samaritan Mission) and I will be developing a new brochure to reflect the updates. Estela will be providing a quarterly newsletter found on the web site for the Sugar Cane Kids. There is so much to be thankful for…Hope is on the horizon; the children are being given a hope and a future…Thank you God for allowing me the privilege of being a small part of your ministry to these precious children. Bless all who will join me in this effort to help those less fortunate. On behalf of the Sugar Cane Kids, and in His service,
Lin Bourie
508-340-3314