West Indies Christian Mission
When it was clear that Hurricane Georges was going
to hit the Dominican Republic, we started to plan for an emergency trip
to assist the work going on in the capital and other areas where mission
work was underway. Contact was made before the storm hit and contengency
plans were made. A desision to contact IDES for emergency funds, attempting
to get the plane tickets, and emergency relief supplies all began.
Just a week after the storm hit, Brian, our son, and
another man, Joel Copper, from North Terrace Church of Christ landed at
the airport with eleven (11) checked bags with emergency supplies.
Taking in generators and chain saws for the missionaries, and medical supplies
and food. The trip began.
We lost the roof on one of the churches
and the complete structure of the second buildiing. Doug Reed, another
missionary we fellowship with, lost many of his buildings. Dr. Pena, a
national preacher supported by HASTEN had a great loss of the homes of
his people. Our first goal was to get out to the churches and assess the
damage. My overwhelming desire was to go out and work directly with
the people and the churches. We were very much aware of the need
to have the ministry come through the preachers not the “Great American
Missionaries”. The people need to look to the church for help not
the missionaries.
The assessment was made. The churches need to be
rebuilt, the homes need repaired and the people who lost everything including
their jobs, crops and income, needed to eat. The people needed medical
treatment. A clinic was held right away, and still others are planned.
Some of my feelings were to just run away and forget I ever saw the hurt
or felt the pain in my heart. The people were without homes and did
not know from where the next meal would come. We provided for tin
for the roofs, but the tin had long ago been bought up. The people
came to us a few days later and asked for food. They were hungry and were
going without. The water was contaminated. Even the water I
showered with out of the pipes was contaminated and I still have blisters
on my scoup as a result. We bought water, had it shipped
locally and dumped into the cysterns for the neighborhood.
Joel Copper gave his tools and a tool box to a repairman.
He said he felt good but noted that it came from his abundance. He gave
his extra tools. I felt the same way. Was it too little? Do we give
out of our abundance or out of a sacrificial desire to help.
Ramon and Urbano were so thankful for what we brought
them. They gave out food. Medical clinics were held by Dr. Pena in both
churches. Food and clothing were given out by the preachers.
The response was impressive and the people thanked the preachers for the
help.
I was depressed when Joel and I went to the mountains
with Doug Reed to assess the damage two weeks after the hurricane.
Although we were able to send in supplies by mule, we were turned back
by the road being washed out by high water. Doug hopes to get to
the church as soon as the road is opened. It looks like it will be
a month before he can get to the churches. It is hard to know that
the people are so close but still out of reach.
IDES and many of you sent money immediately to get
down to the defferent works in the capital area. Thank you!
Some of the funds went for food for the people who lost so much. They need
funds as well as our work to rebuild and get food, clothing and medical
supplies to the people. The people we are jointly working with are
poor and have very little means for a proper diet. They lost their
homes, possessions and income through crop loss or the work they once had.
It is really a great joy to work in the Dominican Republic,
with the church and the Dominican people. It’s only through people
like you and the church giving that we can make a difference in the lives
of the people.
Forwarding Agent
Steve and Suzanne Craft
7658 W. 79th. Street
Indianapolis, IN 46278
E-mail: wicm.girton@aol.com
PH: 317-291-3494
Financial Agent (Funds)
Malinda McWilliams
930 Garden Rd.
Zanesville, OH 43701
E-mail mmcwilliams@mail.ee.net
PH: 740-452-2645
Girtons’ E-mail m.girton@codetel.net.do
Mike & Kathy Girton
Santo Domingo
