Day 4

 DR Blog – March 16, 2026

Today has truly been a day of seeing and experiencing God’s hand at work in each of the ministry areas that we do while in the D.R. Today we were able to serve in all the three areas of VBS, a medical clinic, and home water filtration systems in the municipality of Guaymate, about 30 minutes away from Casa Pastoral, the mission house where we stay each year.

However, due to coming in on Friday, right before the weekend, our supply of water buckets and bottles for the water filtration system had not been purchased so we were not able to distribute these on Saturday. We only had 10 of the five gallon buckets and needed the five gallon blue water bottles, which receive the filtered water, to complete each system (along with the Sawyer water filters we had brought from home). After inquiring if the water bottles were perhaps being stored in another area at the mission house, not only were the 10 water bottles found to complete what we had, but an additional 17 buckets and bottles were also found! This was a great answer to prayer as we usually are able to distribute around 25 in each community each day where we are serving. And, when we arrived back at Casa Pastoral this afternoon, 73 more buckets and bottles had been purchased, and will be able to be distributed over the next two days. God always provides. And before even starting with the first group today, God affirmed this valuable ministry when a lady from a nearby batay, where we had served last year, came to ask for a water system as she had not received one. She correctly informed us how the system works because she has seen her neighbors using them. What an answer to prayer to know that this system continues to provide clean water and better health for families in this batay. God is good.

VBS was held under the shade of a tree by the church that was being used for the medical clinic. The Bible story shared with about 50 children today was about God’s creation and that they are made in His image and are greatly loved by Him. The children are grouped on tablecloths to do a craft related to the story and one little boy shared with me smiling that he wasn’t wearing a hat, but a crown on his head! He was so proud. God uniquely made each one, and they showed that in their creativity. They loved completing the craft that so many of you helped to prepare. After the VBS time, the teen girls were gathered together to receive their hygiene kits sewn by some of you at Trinity and to be reminded that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. During this time today, one of the girls shared through the interpreter that she had decided to return to God. A prayer was prayed with her, and we are praising God in how He used this presentation today.

The medical clinic served 98 patients today with the help of our interpreters and doctors and a dentist. It is always amazing to see God working to help meet the medical needs of the people of the community and today was no exception. Through each station of the process, from intake until prescriptions were filled, God used the doctors, the interpreters, and at some point in the day, every member of our team to serve each person individually. Their needs were heard, their medications were prescribed and filled, then fully communicated in either Spanish or Creole by our interpreters. God hears our needs and equips those He calls to serve. 

It has truly been a privilege to participate and watch God working in each of these ministries today and through each person that He placed in this moment to serve. This includes each one of you who have prepared supplies or made donations to support God’s work here in the Dominican Republic. Thank you Trinity!

~ Renee