Those Wonderful Smiles !

This is my third mission trip to the Dominican Republic. One thing which has stuck with me is the beauty of the children's smiles and the sparkle in their eyes. Although their little community of shacks and dirt trails is full of adverse living conditions and many hardships, their spirits are pure and their appreciation is heartfelt. Our goal is to help their school at El Tamarindo to thrive from year to year, and to bring to these children opportunities they might never receive without a helping hand. Our work is that which God has asked us to do: to help the poor, the orphans, and the disadvantaged. Long hours of hard work with the maintenance/construction team are transformed into nothing less than sheer joy by their enthusiasm for the lessons and crafts our teachers bring and for the improvements we make to their school. I am thankful for the many friends and family members who have made contributions towards this year's mission. You will not be disappointed! I thank everyone for their prayers of support, and I pray that you will receive many blessings in your own lives in return.