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Team Dominican Republic Update |
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| Bring Them In: Palms Christian Prepares for Students |
July 2, 2009 |
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 Greetings!
There is no turning back now! In less than two months, the Palms Christian School will open its doors. A lot has been accomplished in preparation, but there is still plenty to do. Read on about how you can pray specifically for the needs of the school.
Right: Carlos (a.k.a. Facebook King) and Yensi unload nearly 5000 volumes of books.
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 Palms Christian Ready to Open...Almost
In less than two months, 80 small children, wide-eyed and full of potential, will congregate in front of a small rented building at about 8 am to celebrate the raising of the Dominican flag. The national anthem will be played, students and faculty will honor their country, and the school year will officially be underway. The moment will also mark the inauguration of the Palms Christian School.
The first bilingual Christian school in the city, the Palms will offer classes up to the fourth grade this year, with a plan to add at least a grade every year. The eventual dream is to build a large facility on the 46 acre campus outside of town. Important to the longevity and growth of the school, is the ability of the school to move toward sustainability, though this will take some time.
Two teachers, Mari Diaz (former intern) and Jen Brogan, have already committed to moving to the Dominican in August in order to teach. They will join talented and qualified teachers who are also members of the church (IBEM). This past week, the school was also presented the opportunity to purchase an entire library from a school in the capital that is closing. Nearly 5,000 volumes and their bookshelves are being sold for $2,500.
While enrollment has been encouraging, there are still some significant needs that must be met. Please pray about these needs:
- Monthly school supporters (a total of $1,500 needed per month)
- Monthly support for Administrator Diomaris Canario (see story below)
- Library, nearly 5,000 volumes ($2,500)
- Shipment of desks and computers ($3,000)
- Commercial Copier ($1,500-$2,000)
- Laser Printer ($500)
- Recreational: Basketball backboard and volleyball net ($350)
Above: Making the Cuts. David O'Dell and a team from Lewis Memorial Baptist Church work to ready the school for its grand opening.
MAKE A DONATION OR BECOME A SUPPORTER
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 Called Out: Diomaris Canario
When Diomaris Canario stepped into the church a little more than three years ago, she was engulfed in spiritual darkness. By the time she left, she was walking in the light of the gospel.
An accomplished, human resources executive, Diomaris had risen to the top of her field, often traveling internationally representing her company. She earned a salary that most young Dominican women would envy. She was also "religious," a leader in a Catholic youth group. Yet, she was empty.
After sitting by the ocean front on multiple occasions asking God to show her the way, her young daughter invited her to IBEM. Here, for the first time, Diomaris heard the gospel and her need of a Savior. When Diomaris placed her trust in Jesus it was a life-transforming event. As she began to grow in the Lord through discipleship, it did not take long to see that God was preparing her for full-time ministry. This calling was confirmed in her heart on a short-term missions trip to Peru with IBEM last year.
Starting in August, Diomaris will join the ministry fulltime as the business and operations administrator at the Palms Christian School. As part of this responsibility, she will help ensure that parents are visited, coordinating the effort with IBEM church members. In summer 2010, she plans to begin a three year Masters degree in Education, which she can complete during the summers at Cedarville University. She also has had a long courtship with the ministry's baseball director, Marco Uribe; the two plan to marry in December.
The calling of Diomaris marks a special milestone in the DR Vision. She represents the first person to have been saved and raised up from within the ministry for full-time ministry. She will be a key member of Team Dominican Republic.
While the ministry will be able to pay Diomaris a partial salary, we are praying for $400-$500 in additional monthly support for Diomaris. She has accepted the administrator position on faith, trusting that God will supply. As she puts it, "I just want to be a simple woman, serving the Lord." Her position is critical to the success of the Palms Christian School. Please pray that the Lord will bring supporters to Diomaris.
Above: Like mother like daughter - in more ways than one. Diomaris and daughter Lara share a moment at a church picnic. Interestingly, at the very top of this newsletter is another "daughter" - a daughter in the faith. Diomaris was instrumental in leading Ana, left, to the Lord. Ana, then reached Isabel. Both were involved in a local Bible club.
To support Diomaris, please click the link below and designate your gift to the Palms Christian School. Then, email us so we can let her know.
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 In His Steps: Discipleship
Is it possible that one of the greatest omissions from the Great Commission is the role of discipleship in the average church? Dietrich Bonhoeffer once put it this way, "Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ." As most are aware, IBEM takes seriously (it is at our operational core) the mandate to disciple all nations. Yet, there is always room for improvement and gleaning wisdom from others who are completing the task.
The end of May marked a special weekend with an emphasis on discipleship. IBEM welcomed Brainerd Baptist church and a pastoral team lead by Pastor Robby Gallaty. The weekend's events included: a Friday night dinner, featuring the movie "Fireproof" for couples; discipleship conference all day Saturday; a Saturday night worship concert; and special preaching services Sunday morning and evening.
Above: Seeing it clearly. Tim LaFleur, campus minister from Nicholls State University, shares a message from a heart filled with Scriptures. Tim, who is legally blind, is passionate that others follow Christ. The plan of discipleship was powerfully illustrated as one of his "sons" in the faith, Pastor Robby, not only was on the trip, but also brought others who he was guiding in discipleship - at least three generations of disciples serving on the same missions trip! |
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Books Worms 
The Palms Christian School recently took a step of faith and purchased nearly 5,000 volumes of books to start the school library. The $2,500 paid uses up a significant portion of an educational grant to start the school. Your gift toward the library will replace this money, helping the school with much needed funds.
Above: Moises tries to carry all 5,000 volumes in one trip.
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| Thank you |
| As the ministry approaches the opening of the Palms Christian School, we want to say thank you for your faithful prayers and support. Truly, we are all part of something bigger than ourselves, which will impact a nation and beyond. Thank you for being a part of the DR Vision. |
| Team Dominican Republic |
DR Team Leader: Gary Hale
DR Team: (IBEM church, Canario, Hale, Ruth Hale, Justice, Mota, Mercedes, Smith, Uribe)
email: team.dr@dbmi.org |
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