25/01/09

Stolen Bike

Well, my morning started out great… got up and went to let the dogs out and discovered our motorbike had been stolen. After looking around we discovered they had come over the gate next door and got through our fence. The then broke the lock on the bike, hammered out the ignition switch pushed it down the driveway. They then broke the lock on the gate and took it up the street where they hid it in the bushes. One of our Dominican neighbors saw them and called the police.

I didn’t know any of this except my bike was gone. So I called my Spanish speaking friend and fellow missionary Kim who went to the police station with me. When I arrived at his house he said to me that God had given him a scripture for me and it was John 10:10 where Jesus said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” He then reassured me by saying he felt something good would come out of this.

We arrived at the police station and after reporting the bike missing and showing them our paper work, they checked on a bike that had been recovered earlier that morning. Praise God it was ours. What a blessing to have it returned with only minor damage. Later after talking with our neighbour, we found out another bike had been stolen last week and never recovered. God is looking after us and he has proven that time and time again.

05/01/09

Attack of the Killer Stag

Yes folks this is a stag beetle. Melissa is doing well in spite of the fact the beetle pictured on the right landed on her shoulder and pinched her. I'm not sure what scared me more her scream or the killer beetle as it flew towards me. James managed to bring it under submission with 1/2 a can of roach spray. The dogs (all 4 of them) were no where to be seen. So much for protection. We are all going for therapy starting tomorrow.

05/12/08

Update on Pablo

Well after much debate and consultation with several doctors, the decision was made to remove Pablo’s leg. Apparently the bone, after 3 years, had not mended and in the lower part of his leg was dead.

During the operation he lost a lot of blood, Pablo is A negative, they looked everywhere but couldn’t find any. But God puts us in the right place at the right time. I am

O negative and a universal negative donor. So at 6 o’clock that night I was giving blood, for my first time…ever!

When I visited him in the hospital the next day, he looked great and was in good spirits. The infection he had suffered with for the past three years is now gone and he says he is better off not having the leg. I told him he was feeling better because he has my blood now. He is even better looking.

13/11/08

Spent the day at the Hospital today. The next time you complain about health care, come see me, we'll talk.

I took a gentleman into Puerto Plata Hospital to see if we can get his leg operated on. It had been severely injured in a motoconcho accident about 3 years ago. After many hours and a lot of appointments we finally got the answer we wanted. He goes for blood tests on Monday and possibly Wednesday he gets the operation.

Pray it goes well and Pablo will walk again.

11/10/08

New Security Bars for Clinic

Praise The Lord! God answers prayer again! As many of you know a couple of weeks ago we had an attempted break-in at the Health Center. This prompted us to explore the cost of bars for the windows. The cost of bars and the security we hired until they were installed came to around $800. CDN. Well some friends and supporters in Ontario heard about the need and have pledged the total cost of the new security bars. Isn’t He wonderful? Laying the need on their hearts and Praise God they listened.

The bars went in today and we no longer need the night watchman, or Watchiman as the call them here.

10/27/08

Used Baseball Equipment Finds New Life.

Donna had the pleasure of distributing some baseball equipment to some needy managers and players this week. The Hero Holidays teams that were with us this summer brought it to us. Donna told me the managers were so excited they could hardly speak. It takes so little to speak into the lives of the people here. This was some used baseball equipment that has found a new life here in the DR. Thank you Hero Holidays.

08/10/08

Hey everyone, I feel like I am out of the loop about DR news. Most of you know I am in Canada trying to raise funds and spread the news. While I have been here Donna and Melissa (our associate missionary) have both come down with Dengue Fever. Melissa ended up in the hospital for a few days while Donna suffered through at home. Even with all this they still managed to keep the clinic open. While Donna worked, Melissa rested and when Donna got tired, Melissa took over. Wow! Servants or what!

28/09/08

I'm back, again sorry for the absence, I am currently stuck in Boom RD. NB and Hurricane Kyle is bearing down on us, so I am going to sit tight for the night. Here I thought I would get away from storms for a few months but they chased me anyway.

Fund raising is going well but please pray we are able to meet our budget for next year, and pray for Donna our son James and our new associate missionary Melissa as they continue to work in the DR.

God Bless, Phil.

11/09/08

Ok ok ok I ‘m sorry, I haven’t been keeping our blog up to date and I know it seems like I’ve dropped off the face of the earth. The truth is that I am home in Canada and the business side of what we do is pretty mundane. I have had the pleasure of visiting with family and friends and eating food that I didn’t even know I missed. All my family was together to celebrate our parents 60th anniversary. This was special to us considering my parents are 79 and 80 years old and our family is spread out over 3 provinces and 2 countries. We might never have a chance to be together like this again.

God Bless, Phil

16/08/08

Hey everyone, it's Donna and mine 22nd anniversary today. I went to Aroyo Seco with a construction team and she went to Cangrejo with a medical team. We did however go out for dinner tonight. As for tropical storm Fay, we only got rain so no worries here. But please prat for the southern part of the Island where they had rain and high winds.

Phil

02/08/08

More Playo Cangrejo

Wow! What a couple of weeks. I am still trying to recover. I have many things I can talk about like our trip to Haiti, Johnnie’s eye operation or the dental clinic held at Centro de Salud Danica. I think however, I will update you on the Cangrejo project.

We have made great progress at the Cangrejo site and we are getting excited that it is coming to completion. The teams from Hero Holidays worked on the bathrooms and retaining wall as well as paid for the second floor roof. With this complete all we need to do is smooth coat the walls, paint and plumbing. We have contacted an international aid organization about the child sponsorship program for school and will be starting a tutorial program for the kids in the interim. Praise the Lord!

19/07/08

Playo Cangrejo

Ok, it has been 15 days since I wrote my last blog entry. I hope I haven’t lost all our readers. I has been very busy. Our first meeting is at 7:30 in the morning and quite often we don’t get home until after 10:00 at night. The good thing is we are making progress. For example the roof is on at Playa Cangrejo and we are now building the bathrooms. We hope to complete the project by early fall.

04/07/08

Work, work, work...

We’ll folks, that time is upon us. Hero Holidays has arrived, all 114 of them for 10 days. Then, when this group is done a second wave will arrive for another 10 days.

We have 4 projects on the go:

the school/church in Playa Cangrejo, a similar project in Aroyo Seco, a fence to enclose the Dominican Advance school in Nazaret and a house for our translator (Bernard). Donna says I won’t make it through alive. I say God won’t test me beyond what He will help me bear. (pray for me)

30/06/08

Visit to Haiti

Six of us gringo missionaries went to Haiti this past weekend. We drove 3 ½ hours to the “frontier” as the locals call it, to the town of Dahabone. Then, with the help of Pastor Arcinio Jimenez we negotiated our border crossing fees. As we drove across the bridge the road immediately turned from pavement to dirt and the first thing we saw was a UN compound with their vehicles parked outside. I didn’t know whether to be happy to see them for security or to be concerned that they needed to be there.

After checking in with the Haitian border guards we proceeded onto the orphanage that Pastor Arcinio runs. We were there to deliver much needed supplies, plates, clothes, toothpaste and brushes etc. Our friend from Newfoundland, Rana, had some money with her from her church that we used to buy food, 300 lbs of rice, beans, pasta and other necessities. When that money ran out, we decided to get the kids some cookies and chocolate milk powder. (Every child needs cookies and they mix the powder with water)

There are 41 kids here and the Pastor is doing a wonderful job holding things together, with what little funding he has. He thanked us over and over again and we in turn thank you.

26/06/08

School/Church in Cangrejo

It was quite an operation, two men dumped sand and gravel into a hopper while a third put in bags of cement. The hopper was then lifted into the mixer where another man threw in water. When the cement was ready the mixture was dumped into another hopper on an elevator that was shot up to the roof. Once there it was emptied into a chute that had a guy waiting with a wheelbarrow to take it away. By the time the hopper on the elevator came back down, a new batch was ready to be sent up.

This may not seem too exciting to some of you but these guys worked like a well-oiled machine. We start the bathrooms next week.

20/06/08

Crusade

Servant’s Heart Ministries had the pleasure of sponsoring our first crusade last weekend. We were able to assist our good friend and brother in the Lord, Franso as he held a 3-day crusade in the nearby town of Montellano. Over three thousand people came to hear the gospel of Christ presented in song and through the preaching of His word.

16/06/08

Centro de Salud Danica

It has been an amazing, overwhelming and very tiring two weeks but I love it! First, with the opening of the Health Center on Friday June 6th and then, with the arrival of our first medical team to work from the clinic the following day, we have been very busy.

Our own Dr. Raquel and nurse Santo worked along side of the med team under Dr. Lory and team coordinator Theresa, we were able to see over 880 patients through 4 mobile clinics. While the patient’s physical needs were met, visiting missionary Pastor Hugh Skelton, along with local pastors were able to lead 162 people to Christ!

We also conducted a special clinic for pregnant women and a special clinic for babies less than two years of age, as well as visited schools to teach dental care and hand out toothbrushes and paste.

Thank you Threasa and the Whitefields team.

06/06/08

New Inverter and Fridge for Centro de Salud Danica

After months of preparation the time has finally arrived. Tomorrow we are holding an open house to show our fellow missionaries and the people of the community the new Health Center. We are very excited. God, through our supporters has supplied the need every step of the way.

Just last week we were told that we could get free vaccinations for immunization but we needed a fridge to keep them in. The problem is the power here goes out often and when it does we run the risk of ruining the medication. We would need a back up power supply.

With the help of Pastor Dave Kingston and his church in Simcoe Ontario we now have a new inverter and fridge for the clinic. As soon as they heard the need they took up a special offering and raised over $2600 to pay for both the inverter and the fridge. Thank you Calvary Pentecostal Church for your faithfulness to His work.

28/05/08

Centro de Salud Danica Update

We started stocking the pharmacy shelves yesterday and we have more supplies waiting to be taken from our home to the health center. (To be honest I’ll be glad to get our living room back.) The supplies have come in from visiting teams from Canada and the US and are a great boost to our small clinic that will serve the approximately 3000 people in the surrounding area.

Thank you to everyone that has contributed to the opening of this much needed facility.

25/05/08

Centro de Salud Danica

Well it’s almost ready. Josh, Krissy and Rana, friends from Canada, worked with us painting the last of the walls in Centro de Salud Danica. We have hired a doctor and the furniture is arriving Monday. Only one week to go and we will be opening the doors to help the people of Nazaret and the surrounding area. Praise the Lord and thank you for your continued support.

18/05/08

Day Camps for the Children

We have just finished a week of ministry in the village of Munoz where we worked with Pastor Ricardo Bautista. The team this week was from a Baptist church in Ontario and with their help we conducted several day camps telling Bible stories and doing crafts related to the story's message as well as showing the video “The Jesus Film”.

Our next team arrives on June 7th, who with their assistance we will be conducting a medical mission in the area.

11/05/08

Great Team.

Hi everyone, I know it’s been a while and for all you people that faithfully check my blog, I offer my sincerest apologies. It has been a few of our busiest week yet. We have just had Dave Sawler and his team of 34 short-term missionaries with us and as we dropped the last of them at the airport we picked a team of 10.

Our goal for Dave’s team, was to pour the cement in the ground floor of the church/school at Cangrejo, as well as the columns for the second floor, they did it. It rained the first day, but that was OK as it kept the heat down. The week of ministry was well rounded as they preached, sang, visited orphans and poured cement. All in all, a great group of people with hearts of servants.

29/04/08

More help arriving!

Pastor Dave Sawler form Nova Scotia is arriving today (although I just checked and his light is delayed about 2 hours) He is bringing 32 volunteers with him from Ontario and Nova Scotia to continue work on the Cangrejo project and minister in local churches. Stay tuned for updates as the week progresses.

26/04/08

Prayer Request

I just received word that a good friend from Nova Scotia, who has been with us here in the DR on several missions trips, will soon be going into the Hospital for brain surgery. Please remember our brother and this situation in Prayer, that God will guide the process and His will, will be done.

19/04/08

Visit to Haiti

Ok, it’s my turn to talk for a bit.

I just got back from a quick trip to Haiti. Myself and 4 other women traveled to Dajabon and Monte Christi (towns on the Dominican side of the boarder) on Friday. We went to the market in Dajabon…. unlike any kind of farmer’s market that I have ever been to. On market day (every Friday) the Haitians are free to travel back and forth across the boarder to purchase and sell items. The sights and smells were overwhelming. In a narrow walking area, between the sellers, it is packed with people coming and going and of course the ever-present motoconchos mixed with a few wheelbarrows.

It was quite an experience to say the least. We then went to Monte Christi to see a few sights. While the younger ones climbed a mountain (thousands of rotten wooden stairs) the elders (myself and Pam) sat and watched. The area was incredible and we had a great day. We traveled back to Dajabon to stay in a hotel. This morning we met with a pastor who lives in there but has an orphanage and church just across the boarder in Ouanaminthe, Haiti.

We traveled with him in his truck across the boarder to visit the orphanage, church and clinic he has there. WOW, is about all you can say unless you want to break down and cry or talk for hours. The pastor and the workers who run the orphanage are doing an awesome job with very, very little. The children were beautiful and very well behaved. They are taking very good care of them with the few resources they have. It was an amazing, humbling experience I wish I could share with each one of you.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to do this. One day I will share the story the pastor told us about how the orphanage got started…..another time.

Donna

17/04/08

Message of Hope

We had a small team from a church in New York State with us this week. We worked on the Health Center, painted some desks, ministered in some services and then, we visited an addiction recovery center called Hogar Crea.

There are about 55 men living there in various stages of recovery. The men sat and listened as Pastor Jim spoke of the love God has for them and of the fact that they can learn to lean on Him instead of their drugs or alcohol. Everyone listened intently to the message of hope and then they joined us in prayer.

It’s true isn’t it? We can’t do it without God. Sure we can exist but can we really live, to our full potential, without Him? No, and who would want to?

07/04/08

Life in the DR

OK, I don’t know which I like more. Was it the time I saw a Moto Concho with another motorbike across the back and a passenger behind that holding it on or maybe the lady with her washing machine. It could have been the six people including the driver or wait I do like the bread delivery guy with a board about 6 feet long across the back seat and bread and buns hanging off the board. I think the 20 foot extension ladder (see photo) I saw today ranks up there with those, especially when he decided to swing it around and almost took out three bikes beside him. Ahh yes, life in the DR.

03/04/08

Update

It’s been raining here for the last few days. We have some friends here from Nova Scotia and I’m not sure, but they may have brought the weather with them.

The doors and windows are installed in the new health center in Villa Nazaret. (photo to follow) We hope the shelves and plumbing will be installed soon and then we can move in. Myself, Donna and the people of the Village are anxious to have it open. We are actively looking for a nurse and doctor to staff it, so pray we find the right person to serve the people of the area.

22/03/08

It's Hot!

It’s 11:30 pm and about 30 degrees Celsius. We are getting closer to summer and it is starting to heat up. That means restless nights with little sleep. Yesterday it was 38 on the patio, in the shade. Believe it or not, you do get somewhat used to it. When we have teams here we tell them to drink lots of water and then we tell them to drink some more. There are signs you can look for when people aren’t drinking enough but the best thing is not to need to look in the first place, just drink lots. Some team members get working or playing with the kids and just forget, not good. Since the ground water here is polluted we drink and cook with bottled water. Thankfully it’s pretty cheap to buy but some of the people in the remote villages can’t afford it. I remember one village that bought dirty river water off a truck for 50 pesos ($2 cdn) a barrel. Thanks to God and an aid organization they now have a new waterline with city water. Still polluted, but better than before. Welcome to Paradise.

13/03/08

Team from Essex Ontario

We’re having a great week of ministry with a team from Essex Gospel Tabernacle in Essex Ontario. They arrived on Monday and since then we have had a baseball ministry with the children in Playa Congrejo, did some late night outreach to some of the many prostitutes form the Sosua area and visited a special needs orphanage where some of the team played with the children and some did repairs to the playground equipment. We have also worked on the new school/church we are building and held an evening church service for the members there. We still have three days to go!

07/03/08

Health Center

The roof is on the new health center in Nazaret and they are starting to smooth coat the walls. It won’t be long before the windows and doors will go in and the wiring will be done. Soon this much needed facility will be a reality. Thank you everyone, for all your support, encouragement and prayers.

01/03/08

Visiting team

We had a wonderful time this week ministering together with Pastor Dave Kingston and his team from Calvary Pentecostal Church of Simcoe Ont. We were able to complete both the interior and exterior walls of Hogar Danica Health Center. When the team was not working on construction they managed to run VBS programs for children, give food to the poor, perform street evangelization, show the movie Jesus of Nazareth in Spanish, visit the hospital with gift packs and pray for the sick. God was well represented this week. Thank you team!

19/02/08

Donna is back...see you later.

16/02/08

Team Video

Click on this link and check out the video of the team that visited with us in January. It comes to us compliments of one of the team members, Bonnie Kung, that was with us from Ontario.

11/02/08

Traveling Evangelist

While on my way to Villa Ascencion (one of the villages we minister in) I came across a Dominicano named Fernando. He had a speaker strapped to his hip, a microphone with a bottle of water in one hand and a Bible in the other. He told me he was from Barahona, which is several hours from here and he was spreading the “good news” of Jesus Christ. This may seem outdated methodology by our North American standards but this type of ministry and many others are still very effective here. To tell you the truth I almost thought about getting him a “soap box”. If you don’t know what that term means, maybe I am out of touch.

30/01/08

Samaritans Purse Gift Boxes

I had he pleasure of distributing Samaritans Purse gift boxes, to over 100 needy children. It was rather pleasing to know that my home church, New Life Christian Church, in Bridgewater NS, acted as a depot for the collection of boxes in our area of NS. I then had the privilege of distributing gift boxes on behalf of the same organization to needy children. It felt good to be a part of the completion of the circle. See, everyone has a part to play, we just need to do it.

26/01/08

Visiting Mission Team

We have had the pleasure of hosting a mission team from Canada this week. Their primary focus was construction at the Cangrejo site and we started the second floor walls. It looks great.

Last night we went to church in the new building. Dirt floor and all but just because it was dirt, that doesn’t mean that God wasn’t there. Two people came to Him and many were touched by the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord!!!

We also held a medical clinic in the Village of Redemption and were able to treat over 75 people in just 3 1/2 hours. Again, Praise the Lord!!!

16/01/08

Reflections

Wow it’s busy! I am preparing for our first team of 2008. They arrive this Saturday. We are really looking forward to a week of ministering together. I do need to remind myself though not to get so busy that we miss the opportunities to minister that are around us everywhere.

While I was home in Canada, I took my son Scott to a hockey game. It was cold, we were rushing to get to the arena and I was anxious to spend some time with my oldest boy. He is finishing high school in Canada and we don’t get much time to spend together. As we walked toward the arena, an obviously poor man, possible living on the street, was sitting on the corner, then as we walked by he asked us for money. In my haste I brushed past without acknowledging him and as we walked away he said “enjoy the game”

Those words haunt me. I even had an extra ticket! I could have given it to him, maybe bought him a hot dog or pop, but I didn’t. It’s a decision I will have to live with for the rest of my life. Don’t get so busy you don’t see the opportunities around you.

11/01/08

Cangrejo Update

I must admit, I shed a tear today. I stopped by the Cangrejo site, where we are building a school/church. The first floor is up, windows and doors are installed and we have temporary power. The floor is still dirt and some areas need more leveling but as I stepped into the building I was surprised to see a pulpit, some pews and a small sound system set up. I knew the congregation and pastor was anxious to start using the building but I guess I didn’t realize how much. It may be a little rough right now but there in and they wouldn’t be if it wasn’t for you. All of you, that have contributed financially, with your prayers and your encouragement.

Thank you and God bless you.

09/01/08

I'm Back!

I’m back!! Let the bells ring out and the butters fly, I’m back!!! I think that is from an old Disney cartoon. The big rooster, what was his name? Foghorn Leghorn? Anyways I’m back. Westjet managed to loose one of by bags so I’m trying to get that located and here, but other than that, everything is fine. I had a wonderful time in Canada visiting with family and friends. You all have been so good to my family and me. We don’t know how we could ever repay everyone. One of our friends put it this way, “you help family” and that is how Donna and I feel, you are all family. If I didn’t get to see you while I was home I apologize, time just ran out. You are welcome to visit us here though. Call first to make sure we’re home.

19/12/07

I'm home and I'm cold!

My trip took longer than I expected. New Jersey closed for 3 hours and we were grounded in Grensbourgh NC for about 1 ½ . Then when I got to New Jersey I found out they had cancelled my connecting flight to Halifax. I only had to wait 12 hours and managed to get a stand by flight the next morning. My luggage wasn’t so lucky, I got that 4 days later. While sitting on the runway in Greensbourgh and feeling frustrated over the unscheduled stop, worried about whether I would make my connecting flight, I overheard the lady behind me tell her husband “At least were safe”. Then I thought, yes Lord she’s right, another day won’t kill me but flying into an ice storm in New Jersey might.

In my last blog entry I said I didn’t think you would be interested in hearing about my mothers apple pie, but it’s sooooo good. It was worth the wait.

I pray everyone has a Merry Christmas as we celebrate this most special time of year.

God Bless, Phil

09/12/07

I’m getting excited!!!

Just 4 more days and I will be getting on a plane and will be on my way back to Canada. I know I won’t be able to get everything done here (that I should) before Thursday but…oh well. As the Dominicans are so fond of saying “manana” which literally means tomorrow. What they are saying is “there is always tomorrow”. Normally, I wouldn’t take this attitude with my work, but I haven’t been home for 14 months and I haven’t seen Donna or the boys for since August. The work will just have to wait.

If I get a chance, I will update this blog from Canada, but I somehow don’t think you will want to hear about my mom’s apple pie.

I will be returning here on Jan 8th so if you don’t hear from me, have a....

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

03/12/07

Samaritan's Purse is coming to town...

I am honored to have been selected, over at least two other candidates, to play the role of Santa Clause again this year. It was a very tough competition, auditions were held, all highly competitive but, I was selected. I can grow a beard! Who would have thought all this hair God gave me would come in handy some day.

I will start growing it now so when I return to the DR after the holidays I will have a full, maybe white, beard for the occasion.

My church in Canada acted as the local drop off point for Samaritan’s Purse this year. So not only is our Church involved in the collecting of the gift boxes, we will take part in the distribution as well. I will try to get lots of pictures for everyone to see. Wouldn’t it be great if some of the boxes you packed at home were the ones I give out here….

25/11/07

New Playground Equipment

Over the last few weeks I have been helping Mercy Ships, a Texas based ministry, install new playground equipment in Ascencion Village. The children love it. We will install another slide and swing set this week, to complete the play area. The children of this community have so little and toys are almost non existent. With the new playground and equipment, that would be almost impossible for them to provide for themselves, the children and parents are able to see and feel the love and compassion Christ, through us, has for them.

17/11/07

Cangrejo update

We are continuing to move forward on the church/school project at Playa Cangrejo. The interior walls of the first level are being smooth coated with the he next step to be pouring the slab for the floor. We hope to pour the floor and start work on the second level in January. If you would like to make an income tax deductible donation to the cost of this project, you can do so at www.hugsforhaitians.com .

11/11/07

Hogar Danica Update

With a generous donation of $10 000 from a fellow PAOC church in Grimsby Ontario, we have been able to get a good start on the new Health Center, Hogar Danica. We are prayerfully looking forward to opening the clinic by late February or early March.

We are continuing to trust God for the approximate $600 CND per month we need to staff the clinic. Pray with us that the money will come in.

08/11/07

Today we poured the slab and installed the pole for the new basket ball court. Monday we hope to start installing the playground equipment. The kids are excited and even helped spread the rock for the base under the slab for the court. I can’t wait to see their faces when they see the playground equipment.

3/11/07

New court

As I sit at my computer writing this, I am thinking of my friends and family at home in Nova Scotia. The storm that took over 60 lives here in the DR, early this week, is now there and I pray everyone is safe.

I am only about 6 weeks away from my trip home for Christmas. The time has gone quickly and thankfully it only seems like a few weeks ago Donna and the boys left for Canada. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone again.

I have had the pleasure of working with Mercy Ships a ministry from the US this past week. They come to the DR about 3 times a year with their missionary students from their Gateway program. After 8 weeks of training at their Texas base they then take the students out into the field for 3 weeks before sending them off on their assignments.

While they are with us they, among other things, are constructing a basketball court in Villa Ascencion. I have been helping them with the coordinating of the project by organizing the work, ordering materials etc. We hope to have the court finished before the end of this week so the team can play a pickup game with the kids in the village.

30/10/07

Flooding

After five days of rain, many times very heavy, I finally made it into the village of Ascencion. I had to park my car on the other side of the river, walk across and then wade through the mud on the other side. To do this, I wear sandals, because if you get your shoes wet this time of year, it could be weeks before they dry out. The news reported several people have died in the southern part of the island, but the north coast, where we are located, has been spared the full brunt of the storm. Thank you for your ongoing prayers and concern.

21/10/07

Hogar Danica

We broke ground yesterday on our new Health Center, Hogar Danica in Villa Nazaret. A group from a church in Grimsby Ontario is with us for the next week. They have contributed half of the construction cost of the project. I am really excited to see this project get off the ground as it is a much needed facility for the people of the area.

Pray with us that the money comes in to meet the operating budget of $7200 CND for next year. This money will enable us to employ a nurse full time and a doctor on a part time basis. We have already received some drugs and needed supplies so we will be able to open as soon as the project is complete.

12/10/07

Chruch

I attended an open air, evangelistic service, last night. It was held just outside the church in the middle of the road. Now I know what you are thinking, “middle of the road”! But it’s not as bad as it seems. When cars came, they politely waited for us to move our chairs and then they just drove through. The platform was three sheets of plywood laid on top of concrete blocks stacked two high on there edge. The power supply was a generator that powered two bulbs hung in a tree and the sound system was so loud I was sure my ears were bleeding. I estimated about 300 people were there and the guest speaker shouted up a storm. I kept expecting the blocks to fall over but they never did. After he finished 50 people went forward for prayer and salvation. Praise the Lord!! I sometimes think we make it harder than we need to. Let’s just get out there and do it!

09/30/07

Nokia Cell Phone offered by Ferrari costs $25000 US

  Let me first say that the way the American dollar is headed, that may not be as bad as it sounds. Sorry, I have taken so much abuse from our american friends over the years, about the value of the Loonie, I just had to take at least one shot at them.

  But seriously, what does that say about our world and where some of us place value. When I read the comments posted about the article, I was saddened to see opinions like:

  "Everyone remember though, they are not selling cell phones - they are selling social status - who knows, it might actually be a fair price for the image it gives.."

  "It is a social thing. It's a status symbol. If Kanye West told all the little followers to go out and get one of these phones, everyone would. This phone is geared to those of us that are "it". The little club. And if you have the money to buy the phone, why not???"

  "If you can afford a phone like this, odds are, you can afford everything else you need, so if you want to indulge then indulge."

  What does this say about the society we live in. That some people would pay $25000 for a cell phone as a status symbol while people go hungry and others die of preventable illnesses and disease.

  Thank God we have many supporters like you that enable us to do the work here. Thank you for your commitment to the work of the Lord.

09/23/07

Final Thoughts

For several days after the attempted robbery, I found myself going over little bits of it in my mind. Replaying segments and then trying to imagine different scenarios. I was told that this was a normal reaction to a traumatic experience. I kept coming to the same conclusion and that was God was and is in control.

The Bible says in Psalm 24:4 :

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.” NKJV

During the robbery, I was scared, but as we prayed there was a point, I can't tell you when, that I felt a peace come over me. His rod and His staff did comfort me.

This robbery could have happened anywhere, here or in Canada. At least here the thieves have a respect for God and His workers.

How do we move forward? We keep trusting God and leave the rest up to Him.

09/15/07

Update

I have an updated report about the faithfulness of God and his hand at work in the situation I reported about 2 nights ago.

Apparently, Jim, had placed a clear Ziplock bag of money for the food program, on the table to count and had left it there to finish with after our visit. It was about $25 000 RD, which is about 4 months pay for a school teacher here in the DR. The thief looked all around the money and didn't see it. I believe God blinded his eyes to the money so he wouldn't take it. Praise God! Yet another example of His grace.

09/13/07

Thank You Lord!!!

About 2 hours ago, while visiting missionary friends, Jim and Sue Coats, we experienced a home invasion and were robbed. Everyone is fine and nothing is missing, let me tell you how.

If you recall my blog entry for the 8th asked for prayer for Jim and Sue as their invertor was stolen and their dogs poisoned. I decided to pay them a visit tonight to see how they were doing and offer them a word of encouragement. As we sat talking on the patio two men with automatic pistols came around the corner and demanded our money and valuables. They then took us into the house where they started going through everything looking for money. We tried to explain that we were missionaries and did not have any money, but they would not listen.

The whole time this was happening we prayed for God's protection and asked Him to take control. After about 15 minutes one of the men asked where the baby was as he had found the supplies for their baby ministry. I asked him if he spoke english and he said a little and I again repeated we were missionaries and the supplies were for their work. When he heard this he asked if we were christians and we said yes.

The change was immediate, they apoligized for bothering us and started giving back our things! When that was done they unloaded their guns and took off the cloth they had on their heads as disguises and asked for a glass of water. Then they asked if we would not call the police, said goodnight and left!! Don't tell me God doesn't answer prayer. I truely believe I witnessed a miracle tonight.

I am still a little shaken and writing this is helping me work through the emotions, I apoligize for the rambling and the spelling errors, at least this time I have an excuse.

Keep Jim and Sue in your prayers, Phil

09/12/07

What a Life!!!

I love my job and I thank you, our supporters and God every day for the privilege of being here. Now, I must be careful, I once told a friend of mine, Kevin Williams (no relation) that I love my job but I had to be quiet about it or everone would want to do it.

Every day is different and brings new challenges. The work is rewarding and most days you feel like, with God's help, we're making a difference. On top of that I have learned to trust in God for everything. Something I never seemed to quite "get" at home in Canada.

Lord willing I will to be home for Christmas. I'm looking forward to being with family and friends but I know, it won't be long, before I will be anticipating our return here to continue the work.

See you soon, Phil

09/08/07

Prayer Request

At 2:30 am this morning, missionary friends of ours were awakened by their dogs. When they went to investigate they found where someone had broken into thier storage area, this is where their invertor (battery backup power supply) is located and the invertor had been stolen. Three of their four dogs were poisened during the break in. One died quickly but when Jim and Sue were faced with the agonizing death two of their other dogs were going through, they had to put them down themselves.

Jim and Sue are a wonderful christian couple that retired here from England. They run an incredible ministry, feeding the poor and caring for sick children from the village, in their home.

Tonight they are feeling very discouraged, please remember them in your prayers.

09/06/07

Cangrejo project continues

Well, after waiting several weeks, the contractor has stripped the forms at the church. We can now prepare the openings for the installation of the windows and doors. Electrical wiring will soon follow and then the bottom floor poured.

The school in Nazareth is almost ready to open. The scheduled date is the 17th of Sept. Our friends at Dominican Advance are very excited as this is their first school here in the Dominican Republic.

Please remember us and all the missionaries we work together with here in the DR in prayer. Your support is vital to the work here. Together we can make a difference.

God Bless, Phil.

08/29/07

I have been throwing myself into my work since Donna and the boys returned to Canada, maybe in an effort to make the time pass more quickly or maybe there is more to do. I don't know... Either way 2 of the 16 weeks before I see them again has gone by. Am I counting the time? Yes.

Rob and Tina Iannone, missionaries from Daytona Beach Florida are staying with me for the next 4 months. This has been a real blessing as they are cost sharing the house we rent here. Gods timing is perfect, Donna and the boys left on the 16th and they arrived on the 20th.

Now that we are the "veteran" missionaries we get to help the newbies. It reminds me of when we first arrived here, although, Rob and Tina are way ahead of where Donna and I were when we first arrived. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Phil

08/16/07

Back To Canada

Donna and the boys left for Canada today. The boys are headed to school and Donna is looking after our business affairs. I, on the other hand, am staying here to continue our work. I hope I can last until Christmas, that's when I am supposed to join them. This will be the first time we will have been apart for so long. We have been married 21 years today. Happy anniversary honey.

I Love You.

Phil

08/10/07

Cangrejo Project

We poured the second floor this week. and as you can see it was not an easy job. Now that it is done and nothing collapsed, we can rest easier. It has been a very busy month for us and we are looking forward to a couple of days off before Donna and the boys return to Canada. We will be saying more about that in our news letter early next week.

08/01/07

Danica

This will not be long as I am quite frankly not sure what to say. Most people who read this have received our email about Danica's passing. It certainly puts things in perspective. Pray or us.

07/25/07

House Guests

In our blog entry on the 17th we told you we have had the pleasure of having visitors in our home from Nova Scotia. Well... be careful when you do that. Donna took the girls to Redemption and they brought home a baby!

Donica is an 18 month old, at risk, Haitian girl we have been keeping an eye on. Her mother is gone and her father has left her in an older ladys care while he works several hours from here. When Donna checked on her this time she was not eating, dehydrated and very weak. She took her to a Doctor who said she should be put in the hospital immediatly. Unfortunately, if you go into the hopspital here you need someone to stay with you 24/7. As this was not an option the decision was made to bring her to our home. She will only be staying with us for a few days, until she is healthy again.

This situation is avoidable, once we have the clinic renovated this fall and a nurse on staff, better care can be provided to the people of this village. But it can't be done, without your help. Pray we find the support needed to help these people.

In God's Service, Phil

07/23/07

Cangrejo update

The project in Cangrejo continues to move forward. Today was the last day for team 2 from Hero Holidays and the building is ready for the second floor. We hope to have a contractor forming that up tomorrow.

It was interesting to watch the group said goodby to the locals, I remember my first mission trip and the emotions that went with it. Sad because they are leaving but glad because the place is better, after their having been here.

Keep us in your prayers we continue to see God's blessing on this work.

Phil

07/17/07

Vacation??

Well, my friend Bonnie arrived from Nova Scotia on Friday. She keeps saying that she is on vacation but, we haven't stopped since she got here (except for cool off time in the afternoon in the pool). We have been going out to Nazareth in the mornings to meet with a team working there and then going out to Congrejo in the afternoons to help teams with the children's program.

Bonnie got the opportunity to spend time with her sponsor child this morning. She is hoping to get a chance to take her to the beach next week when her daughter Catherine and friend Janika are here.

Tomorrow morning we are taking one month old twins in to see a doctor. Babies.....the toughest part of the job....

Donna......and Bonnie

07/16/07

We have 2 1/2 walls up!!!

Yes you heard it here first, 2 1/2 walls are standing at the site. Work is progressing quite smoothly. Again, I can't say enough about the teams and how hard they work. Some of the kids spend the afternoon in the village with Donna, teaching and playing with the kids. It's important to remember it's not just bricks and morter, its about people too. Phil.

07/09/07

Cangrejo Project Update

As you can see in the photos the work site is changing every day. Tomorrow we plan to finish pouring the bond beams around the outside and complete the cross beams. Then we can start the block work for the outside walls. We will need to haul in about 8 loads of fill before the floor is poured, an expence we did not count on. Everyone in the community is talking about the new building and excitement is growing. We have visitors stopping every day to look and give their "approval".

The teams are great, I can't say enough good things about them. I seem to just give some a job to do and more show up, having completed their task, looking for another job.

The goal is to complete the first floor before September, but there will be lots to do before the overall project is complete. If you would like to join us here you can contact Tony Smith at tsmith@ns.aliantzinc.ca. He is bringing a team this fall to help on the project.

God Bless, see you soon. Phil

07/03/07

Cangrejo Project

What a day!! We have Hero Holidays with us. This organization brings high school kids from all across Canada, to work here and in other developing countries around the world.

One of the projects they are doing here is assisting us with the Cangrejo building project. Today was their 1st day with us and wow did they work! We leveled the site, cleaned up the materials that had been left on there for the past year, unloaded new materials off the truck and dug a waterline from the main line to the site. The kids and their leaders were great, working in 36 deg heat with little or no shade. They came here to help and help they did.

Pastor Perez and his wife are really excited After praying for this for 3 years you can imagine how happy they are. Funds are tight so pray God gives us favor and we are able to build the Church/school with the budgeted amount.

06/27/07

Busy, busy, busy

Wow I can't believe it has been so long since either of us has put anything in here. You may think we are either sleeping our time away or we have been so busy we haven't had a chance. The truth is we have been very busy and sometimes things here seem somewhat routine (in a crasy kind of way) and we can't think of anything 'interesting' to say. It is still very hot and will be hotter before the summer is over. I am still working on sponsorship for the school in Nazareth. There are new people moving into the village all the time. I am still working with the college kids as they come to volenteer. Phil is getting things ready for Hero Holidays as they will be arriving on July 1st.

I have an interesting one for you though. In the DR there are no large wild animals like deer, moose, etc. So, while that type of animal does not pose a threat to a person driving here like it does at home there are still some interesting things that can happen.

I had a nurse with me the other day in Nazareth and she was checking up on colds, etc. The people in the village brought this man in to see her that looked like he was in a lot of pain and was moving very slowly and carefully. What had happened was that while he was driving his motoconcho (motorcycle taxi) a cow ran out in front of him and he hit it. I have generally found cows to be fairly slow moving as compared to deer etc. but, I guess it is all relative. He is ok by the way.

Donna

06/15/07

Hot Hot Hot!

We checked and the thermometer read 40 Celsius in the shade. Thats over 100 Fahrenheit for you imperial people, either way it was hot. I forgot my hat and got a burn on the top of my head. The dogs stayed in the shade (obviously smarter than I was) But, I managed to get a progress picture of the school. Things are moving quickly and the people of the village are getting excited. Keep praying for this and the other projects we have on going.

6/08/07

Lunch in the village.

I have been spending a fair amount of time in the new village of Nazareth lately and am getting to know a number of the women there. Myself and Josie Pensinger were invited to one of the ladies houses for lunch today. We dined on Fried chicken, rice and salad. It was very good. Another lady added a dish to our meal....Octopus...now that was my first time...I think..... and boy was it good....I must say that I tried it before I knew what it was (I didn't understand the spanish word for it). I must also mention that Phil's timing is pretty good because we were just getting ready to sit down and eat when he arrived to see what was happening....coincidence? I don't know.

Another of the ladies discovered that I like coffee as well so now I am treated to coffee each time I go to her house.

I am working while I am there too. There are new people moving into the village all the time and I am busy getting information from them so their kids can go to school. I am also a presence in the village for the teams that have been working there.

After a few hours of sun and language struggle I usually leave the village quite tired but, I have met some amazing people while there and it makes it all worth while.

Donna

6/07/07

New School Started!!

Praise the Lord the new school is started. The photo to your right is looking down the main hallway. It's very exciting to see this after weeks of rain delays. Sponsorship is going well and our friends at Dominican Advance are very excited. We only need about 75 more children sponsored to be able to maintain and run the school. The Samaritan Foundation is continuing to build houses, as more families move into the village the school will grow in importance to the community.

6/01/07

Bike Repairs

I spent the day today repairing my dirt bike. It seems as I fix one thing, another breaks. I need this bike as it provides me with transportation to the village over some pretty rough roads. When it isn’t working I use my car but, Donna needs that to go to another village we are working in.

As I work on it I realize it has been dominicanized (maybe not a real word, but it should be). Wires spliced and taped, odd sized screws, well you get the picture. But every cloud has a silver lining. Scott helped me with the project. It took an otherwise frustrating experience and turned it into a fun time of a father doing the job God gave him, imparting knowledge and advice on to his son. Take pleasure in the little things, time does not stand still.

5/28/07

Rain, rain and more rain!

Today I was in the villages of Nazareth and Redemption. It started out pretty nice and a team of collage students did some painting for us as well as many other things. At noon it clouded over and the heavens opened. We were in the church in Redemption and I realized that the water was getting pretty high. I decided it was time to leave if I didn't want to spend the night. When you come into Redemption you come down a big hill and the village is in a valley. What I didn't realize was that the main road to the bottom of the hill was completely flooded and just like a river. The water was up to (and sometimes past) the bottom of the car. I put the car in 4-wheel drive (thank God for that) and prayed the whole way. The most amazing thing that I found was that that road is pretty rough and when you drive over it you have to be careful of the ruts, holes, and bumps. While I was coming out I was a little concerned that if I was to hit on of the holes it might be a little too deep for the car to handle. But, God really made the way straight and I had no problem at all.

I was very glad that I chose that time to leave because the rain did not let up for quite a while and I am sure I would have had a harder time getting out.

Donna (just wet feet)

5/27/07

Happy Mother's Day?

I have had a few people say that to me today but, I am not sure if it is a british mother's day or dominican. You know if I was on the ball we could celebrate all of them. Just imagine the fun we could have.

It has been raining for a couple of days, off and on, so has thankfully cooled off a bit.

We had a busy week last week working in Nazareth and Redemption with a team, going to conferences, meeting new people, shooting videos and painting. This week is shaping up to be just as busy.

Thank you each one for thinking about us and praying for us.

5/21/07

Ministerial Conference

Donna and I attended a ministerial conference today. It was held at a large Dominican church near here. There was an excellent attendance of about 200 pastors and church leaders of both Haitian and Dominican descent. I believe that the bridges that need to be built between the Haitian and Dominican people can and will be done through the church of the Dominican Republic.

5/16/07

Who am I

I had the pleasure of delivering tables and benches to three of the less fortunate families of the Village of Ascencion today. While on one hand it brought joy for me to do so, that joy was overshadowed by the realization that the need is growing faster than we can help. After interviewing several more families and adding them to my "list" I started thinking... who am I to presume to judge the level of need and whether they deserve a table and chairs. I have no standard from anywhere in my personal life that I can use to decide who deserves help and who dosen't. I can only speak for myself but just by being able to communicate with you in this blog, I would be considered rich by the standards in the village. Who am I to judge? Nobody... But I can help.

5/13/07

Godmothers

Well, today I had a very interesting experience. Byrvens (the young man that works in the carpentry shop) had completed a 2 year study on theology in the Bible and today was his graduation. He said that all the young men in the course had to have a Godmother and he wanted me to be his. I went to Ascencion Village this morning for 8:30 (I took Scott and James with me) and walked down the isle with Byrvens. There was supposed to be a swing to our step but, I am not sure if this white girl did that very well. The boys were busy in the back of the church holding babies while I sat up front. It was a great experience and a real honor to be asked to be Godmother. Byrvens now asks Phil to say Hi to his Godmother anytime he sees him.

Donna

5/12/07

Visitors

On Friday we said goodby to the Pastorius family. They were here visiting the DR and while here we took them to see some of the villages we are working in.

I first met Richard last fall when he was here with Tony Smith and a group of construction/medical people. They were here to put the roof on a new community centre/church. Richard and his wife Debbie wanted their grandson Tanner to see where the team had been working and how important the work here is to the people of the Dominican republic.

It is only with the help of people like the Pastorius that we can continue the work here.

5/09/07

Thank You!!!

As I drove out to the Village in Ascencion this morning I was thinking about how much God has blessed myself and my family this past year and a half. How He led us to our work here in the DR and then I thought of all the family and friends who support the work here. As I have mentioned before, but not nearly enough, we are truly thankful to have you working beside us here if not physically, you are here spritually and emotionally.

May God bless you and keep you.

Phil, Donna, Scott and James

5/04/07

Work/Ministry Team from Canada

We have had combined team from Nova Scotia and Ontario with us this week. The team, led by Pastor David Sawler from Lighthouse Church in Cape Breton has been a pleasure to work with. We started with Pastor Jon Strut from Ontario preaching at the Haitian church in Maranatha with beach ministry later that day. We spent an afternoon at an orphanage and conducted street ministry in the evening. Today we painted the new medical clinic in Redemption and helped with registration for the Dominican Advance school in Nazareth. All was done with a wonderful spirit and the heart of a servant. Thank you team we had a wonderful time working and ministering beside you this week.

4/30/07

Trip to Orphanage

I have no photos of this event to share with you, because the orphanage director requests no photos be taken. I fully agree with and respect, her position on this matter. These are special needs children who will probably spend the rest of their lives living in this facility. Some of the childrem were quite challenging to deal with but I can't express how proud I was of the team. They went into the home and played with, entertained and in some cases just held these most precious of God's children. Well done team!!!

4/28/07

Visiting Team

We will have a team from Canada arriving tonight. Pastor David Sawler and his group from Lighthouse Church in Glace Bay will be with us for the next week. Remember us in prayer as we minister together here in the Dominican Republic.

4/24/07

Medical Clinic

Today we were in Redemption Village with a medical team from Ontario (Canada). We set up shop in the Haitian church and treated as many prople as we could in the time we had. Dr. Lambert, our local Haitian doctor, worked along side of the two GPs and Dentist from Canada in this economically depressed area.

Continue to pray, for the funding needed, to permanently establish a medical clinic, for this village.

4/21/07

New School

We have had a very busy month and it keeps getting busier. Yesterday we attended the sod turning for a new school for the Village of Nazareth. The project is another initiative of our friends at Dominican Advance and will provide quality christian education for the children of the area. I will be assisting the Pensingers with the project as on site quality control and construction coordinator. Donna is involved with the project as well, developing the child sponsorship program.

4/19/07

Training program

I had the great pleasure of attending the graduation service of one of our shop workers. We enrolled Byrvens Pierre, a Haitiano working in the shop in Ascencion village in a Micro Business Empowerment course given by our friends at Dominican Advance.  The course combines pratical business practices with sound christian ethics. Remember him in prayer as he applies what he has learned to his work and life.

4/18/07

Donation of Materials

It has taken a few days and many trips to the port offices but we finally received our shipment of lumber from Canada. You can pack a lot of lumber in a 40' container. It took 10 dump trucks fully loaded to transport it all. God has richly blessed us with this much needed donation. The lumber will be used to make windows and doors for the homes of the poor people of the Dominican Repubic.

4/13/07

Scott ministering with music

We went to hear Scott and the Dominican worship band he plays with, tonight. Several of the songs they played were quite lively and the band members started jumping with the music, all except the two white guys.

Scott says in his defence it's hard to jump and play Sax.

4/11/07

House Guests

We have house guests. Rob and Tina Iannone are staying with us for 2 weeks. They are from Daytona Beach, Florida. They are prayerfully seeking Gods will for their lives and are considering moving here this fall to work full time in the village of Redemption. Donna and I met them while they were here on several of their many short term mission trips to the DR. They have a heart for God and a desire to serve Him and the people of this area. Please pray for them as they lay the ground work for this life changing move.

4/07/07 (1:24 pm)

Samana Santa

It is Samana Santa or Holy Week here in the DR. It appears as if it's a bigger celebration than Christmas. Officially a celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ, many people use it as an opportunity to party. Driving is a nightmare so staying home never looked so good. I did venture out this morning to deliver some cholocate crosses to the children's church program in Maranatha. Thank you, Pam and Steve Freeman, they were a big hit. Provided with the crosses were tracks titled, La Decision, or as you might have guessed The Decision. Pray with us that they might be used for His glory. Happy Easter.

4/02/07 (11:30 pm)

Sights we see.

Today while driving out to the village I saw something very interesting. Remember the Dukes of Hazzard and Boss Hogg's car, it was a big old white Cadillac with some steer horns on the hood. Well here they use a 72 Chev Impalla and mount the whole head!! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a picture to share with you.

4/1/07

Fellowship gathering

Every Sunday we join with a group of believers in an informal setting to worship and learn more abour God. This week it was in our home. The group is all english speaking, though it may not be everyones first language and are from different faiths. What we have in common is that we all believe Christ is our saviour, we hunger and thirst after Him and there is a great work to be done.

3/30/07

Importing goods to the Dominican Republic...

Today I had my first taste of the bureaucratic maze we call customs. It was an experience I will not soon forget.

You first need to hire an "agent" to work on your behalf to navigate the tricky and complex workings of a government department overrun with people with very little to do. As you move through the system you begin to feel like a bit of a philanthropist and everyone you meet a benifactor of your "generosity", fees.... Finally after 6 hours of twists and turns we left the port office, documents in hand and the promise of "possibly tomorrow" ringing in our ears.

At least it didn't rain...

3/28/07

Today it's raining, again...

I was in the Village yesterday and it began to rain. By the time we got everyone together and packed up it was to late, the river had risen to 4 1/2 feet. The good news is it stopped raining long enough for the river to drop to about 18 inches. We pushed through and thank the Lord the car didn't stall. Just another day....

Please leave your comment in the form below and click submit. Thank You!