MTI New Beginnings

I am reporting in from a temporary home in Colorado Springs at the Missionary Training International where I will be for the next 3 weeks.

The 30+ participants include families, couples and singles. We are all getting to know each other and there are 2 other women and a couple who are coming to the DR. The 2 ladies moved to Puerto Plata in August and the couple is moving down in 2011. Its so great to meet other people who will be participating in ministry in the DR.

There are also many friendly people who are going to China, India, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, the Czech Republic, Australia, etc. Its interesting to hear about their different experiences and mission fields.

More soon!

Blessings,

Anna

Back Again

In Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata, DR

I am coming back again next week to the states. I will be home for Thanksgiving and then I head off the following Monday to Colorado for missionary training. After the 3 week training, I will be home for Christmas, and then I head back to the DR immediately after. Please feel free to call me on my U.S. cell phone during this time. Please pray for safe travels as well and for God to use this time to strengthen and equip me before coming back to the DR.

Thanks much for all of your support!

Blessings,

Anna

ADR Evaluation

So for those of you wondering about the hurricane... yes, we got rain, but no nothing was destroyed, thankfully!

It did, however, put a little damper on our previously planned ADR Evaluation of children in the community with special needs. Despite the quantity of rain, we still were able to evaluate 86 children and provide them with 117 services. There were four services available -- evaluation of development, language skills, learning issues and psychological examination. Most children presented learning problems and / or psychological issues. We also evaluated over 20 children that are under the age of 6, that are good candidates for our upcoming, eagerly awaited Early Intervention Program.

Unfortunately, I didn't remember to take photos... so this little blurb will have to do!

Blessings,

Anna

"Overflowing Abundance"

"And delight in her overflowing abundance" from Isaiah 66

Sometimes we become complacent and comfortable and though we have asked the Lord for something, we may believe it is not going to happen, at least not now. So, we settle in. And then He blesses us by answering our prayers and then some! And reminds us of His goodness and that His love and grace abounds always.

Today I received a donation to my support account bringing me to 107% pledged and 68% received to my account. How wonderful to be finished raising my living expenses! I am so thankful to God for His ever flowing blessings. For if we trust in Him, He never fails us.

Thank you to all who have partnered with me on my support team. To all who are praying, writing encouragement and giving of the blessings that they themselves have received from God. I am so blessed to have amazing friends and family and a God who loves me and cares for my every need.

Blessings,

Anna

Prosthestics

I know that I've talked about ADR in the past. The Dominican Association of Rehabilitation (its ADR when written in Spanish) is an organization we are working with to create an Early Intervention program, starting in the spring of 2011 for children 0-6.

It is an awesome organization that has been around for 47 years and is the leader in services for persons with disabilities and children with special needs in the country. They have 22 centers in the Dominican Republic. For more information see http://www.adr.org.do/

As part of the group 2 weeks ago, Rita Hook, a member of Rotary International, and her husband Harvey who is the director of The Gathering in Columbus, OH came to deliver prosthetic hands to ADR. These simple devices cost $50 to make, but are provided free to users, are non-electronic, extremely durable and the recipient can be trained to use them within 5 minutes. For more information, check out http://www.ln-4.org/

Harvey and Rita with a LN-4 hand

Rita and Harvey were able to meet with Dr. Zometa from ADR as well as the local Santo Domingo Rotary Club (of which Dr. Zometa is a part) to talk about a partnership for continuing to provide the prosthetic hands to the DR.

Rita with Dr. Zometa and a representative of Rotary Santo Domingo

The meetings went better than can be imagined and I believe that a long-lasting partnership has been launched. Thanks to Rita, Harvey and Rotary for investing in a country with a large need.

Blessings,

Anna