Giving Tuesday and Current Project Needs

Visit us at www.DominicanMissions.Org

 Your missionaries Mitch and Debbie Martinez wish to heartily thank you for your help in making 2016 perhaps our biggest ministry year ever!  As you consider your year end giving and in conjunction with "Giving Tuesday", the following is a list of needs reflecting the direction of our ministry for the year to come. 



Priority Needs for 2017

1. Construction Needs - Funds and Work-teams needed.

  1. El Café Church building needed -    $39,000.00

     2.     Jima Abajo Parsonage needed -  2d Floor $15,000.00

        3. Good News of Jesus Church in the Rieles -  $22,500.00 for School Addition

        4.     Barranca Church needs classroom additions - $10,000.00

5.     Barranca Church needs Parsonage - $14,000.00

6.     Bandshell/stage for La Vega Christian School - $ 8000.00

7.     Small tractor w/backhoe needed for construction - $24,000.00

8.     Additional land near La Vega Christian School - $48,000.00

9.     Team House construction - $40,000.00

11.  Drop Ceilings and new desks for La Vega Christian School - $14,000.00

For more information Contact us at this Link

2.  Haitian Schools Projects

We continue to need children's sponsors for the Haitian Schools Project. Currently Debbie is working in the development of 10 different Haitian School programs. Sponsorship is $25.00 per child monthly and provides schooling and meals as funds allow.  Expenses per program reflect a need monthly of $750.00 to 800.00. We believe that there are many churches that could help sponsor one of these schools. We are limited in what we can do for these needy children by whatever finances we receive.

Here is our contact information for Giving


3. Unidos Por El Youth Concert Series  

Elaborate Devil Costumes at Carnaval

We need $8000.00 US to cover basic costs for this event.  It consists of 4 days of concerts, every weekend in February. This is a Christian Alternative to Carnaval (a Mardi Gras type event) that has a spiritually destructive influence on youth in this city.  2016 brought over 2000 youth out to celebrate this Christian event at the La Vega Christian School Campus.

Here is a link with our contact information

Mitch and Debbie are Visiting Supporters in the U.S.

Dear Friends and Supporters:

Twenty-four years ago we left the comforts of our home and church in South Carolina to become missionaries in the Dominican Republic.  We chartered a small 9 passenger plane from Fort Lauderdale, FL, that carried our family of seven (Debbie, myself and our five children) with all our belongings, to what would be our area of ministry, La Vega.  We thank every partnering church and individual that has helped to make this mission venture possible. 

Currently we are in the States visiting supporters to thank them and to let them know that our plans are to return for another 4-year term to this Caribbean island nation.  We will continue to need your prayers and financial support.   We thank those that have visited and labored with us in evangelism, children’s ministries, medical outreaches, youth ministry, and various construction projects. 

The purpose of our letter today is to share with you a short 2-minute video that highlights some of the major points of our missions work in the Dominican Republic.  This video can be used to present our ministry in a “missions moment”, or a missions event at the church.  It was filmed and edited by a visiting missions team called “Arms Around The World”.  The video did a thorough job focusing on our ministry and AATW has given permission for it's use. We hope you like it.  Our goal is to raise funds and return as soon as possible.  Presently we are functioning at 20% below our normal budget and are believing God for new supporters.

It is important for us to know if you would like us to visit your congregation and share some missions highlights.  We have a 9-month period (until July 2017) to set up our visits and are aware that churches often have busy schedules.  Please contact us at our email or numbers below if you would like us to come and share.  We appreciate your partnership and want to give you priority in our schedule.  Please contact us! 

Your Kingdom Representatives,

Mitch and Debbie Martinez 

email: dominicanmissions@hotmail.com 

web: www.DominicanMissions.org

   

Mitch’s cell:  803-904-0451

Debbie’s cell: 321-222-8801

Vonage phone: 863-248-1119

Mail:  100 Airport Avenue 

           Agape SGO 12479

           Venice, FL 34285

Bishop Ted Griner a long-time ministry partner has gone on ahead of us to his eternal rest in Heaven. He will be sorely missed.  I wanted to write a little about the impact he had in the Dominican Republic, through his ministry Helping Hands.   You may visit his facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ted.griner

Bishop Ted Griner told me that the Lord had spoken to him about helping us in the Dominican Republic.  The first time he came with a TMCI missions team, God blessed him as he spoke at different churches.  The people’s response to his messages were amazing.  Many were affected strongly by the power of the Spirit of God.  I believe his stepping out in faith to minister in this poor 

The Barranca Church Miracle

The First Sunday Meeting in the Barranca Church

It's a story about doors closing in one area and doors opening in another.  It's a story of ministers trusting with confidence in God's sovereign care.  It's a story of God working behind the scenes to pull various elements together to care for His children.

Two years ago church workers were withdrawn from a church plant in the town of Barranca. Circumstances were such that the work could not be continued.  Much energy and resources were expended in an effort to reach this community.  However it resulted in an almost new church building being left empty.  The mission began to make an effort to sell the property so the funds could go elsewhere to support other projects.  They were asking $850,000.00 DR ( $18,750.00 US), for a property possibly worth twice as much.  This sanctuary could hold 100-130 people.

Unknown to them 6 months ago Pastor Francisco Romero had begun to look around for a place where his people could meet in Barranca.  Most of his congregation commuted from Barranca to his church in Las Yayas. The church building in Las Yayas had been lent to him and his Haitian congregation for 8 years.

Someone alerted him about the abandoned church building three months ago.  He told me about it and insisted I look at the facility.  The building looked solid and certainly worth more than what was

Debbie and Pastor Francisco inside the new building

being asked.  Later, I talked to the missionary  representing this property.  I had very few personal funds for this.  I really wasn't sure if this purchase could be made.  I told the owner that I would talk to him by the end of the next week to tell him how the finances were going, if he would hold it for Pastor Francisco.   The sellers were excited that another church might be purchasing it.  As a missionary, I know how important it is to the donors that their gifts be used for their designated purpose.  Some one had helped with the funds for this building, it would be hard to tell them the building was no longer being used as a church.

That very same week the representative from the other church building in Las Yayas met with me. He felt that their news would be presented better to Pastor Francisco if I should tell him.   He felt Pastor Francisco had a high respect for me.  He asked me to speak to Pastor Francisco to let him know that they were requiring him to turn in the keys to the Las Yayas church by this June.  They had