On Saturday, July 19th, a medical Work & Witness team from Southside Church of the Nazarene in Virginia arrived in the Dominican Republic to serve for one week. The group consisted of 30 team members, including doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, a physical therapist, translators, and other helpers committed to being used by God to accomplish His will. Throughout the week over 1200 people were treated medically and heard the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Many people received Christ as their Savior and will have the opportunity to be personally discipled by church leaders. God blessed the team with the help of many local volunteers who gave their time and energy to serve. God worked through this team in miraculous ways, and all the glory is given to Him.
The team held 5 medical clinics throughout the week. Patients were examined by the doctors and nurses and provided with needed medication. Patients with vision problems were examined and received glasses. Before they left the clinic site, each person was prayed over and given the opportunity to receive Christ as their Savior.
On Saturday, July 19th, the team arrived at the Work & Witness house in west Santo Domingo. The afternoon was spent organizing supplies and resting.
Sunday morning the group attended church at Tropical Church of the Nazarene in Santo Domingo. The team shared a special time of worship and one group member preached from the Word of God about trials and faith. The team spent the afternoon and evening preparing and organizing supplies for the upcoming week of medical clinics.
On Monday, July 21st, the team traveled to the Church of the Nazarene in El Almirante for their first medical clinic. This is a new church plant that is a part of the Genesis project. God blessed the group with many local volunteers to help throughout the day, including two missionaries from the Genesis project who are working in this community to start the church and disciple new believers. The number of people who received medical and spiritual care was 321. Every person was prayed over and given the opportunity to receive Christ before they left the church. At least 15 made the decision to receive Christ as their personal Savior this day. Glory to God! The Genesis missionaries collected the names and contact information for those who received Christ and those who expressed interest in the church. They will be personally visiting these people in their homes and will disciple new believers individually. Praise be to God for the victories that occurred in this community and that will continue to occur through the service of leaders there.
On Tuesday, July 22nd, the team traveled for another clinic day to the community of Haina, a part of the Santo Domingo area. The Nazarene church here is also a new church plant through the Genesis project. The medical team was welcomed by two Genesis missionaries that are working in this community. God’s glory was revealed this day through miraculous healings and spiritual transformation. Over 300 people received medical attention and 24 received Christ as their personal Savior. Again, God used this clinic to spread the news about the church as well as provide the Genesis missionaries with contact information so that they can visit those interested and individually disciple new believers.
On Wednesday, July 23rd, the team left early in the morning to travel to El Seibo, located in the eastern part of the country. The community here is mostly Haitian, and at times more than one translator was needed to translate into Creole as well. Again, hundreds received medical attention to care for physical needs. God is working in this community for a spiritual transformation, and 24 people made the decision to accept Christ as their personal Savior. One 8-year-old girl was anointed for ministry and another woman was freed from her bondage of fear and shame. Glory to God for what is He is doing in this community and what He will continue to do!
Thursday, July 24th, the team held their last full-day clinic at Bonao II Church of the Nazarene. God has blessed the Bonao II church with strong leadership, and the day was very organized and full of God’s presence. Hundreds of people in this community were treated physically by the doctors and nurses and heard the message of Jesus Christ. 30 people made the decision to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. Glory to God! We pray that God continues working through leaders in the church to transform this community for His glory.
In the morning on Friday, July 24th, part of the team held a clinic at the Work & Witness house. They treated people in the community surrounding the mission house as well as local Work & Witness volunteers and their families. Another part of the team participated in sports ministry and played basketball with a group of teens in Los Alcarrizos. They shared testimonies and prayed with the players. The team spent the afternoon relaxing and shopping at the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo. In the evening they treated all local volunteers who helped them throughout the week with a special meal at a restaurant in the city.
Saturday, July 25th, the team traveled back to the United States. We thank God for this team and for their willingness to be used by Him throughout their time in the Dominican Republic. Over 1200 people received medical care and experienced the love of Jesus Christ. At least 93 people made the decision to receive Christ as their personal Savior and will now spent an eternity in heaven with God. God revealed His glory through miraculous healings, spiritual transformation, physical renewal, and new discipleship opportunities and church growth. Glory to Him!
By: Beverly Brown, Volunteer, Work & Witness, Dominican Republic.
