August is upon us

posted by Sharla

I feel like the summer just began, but it seems like August is sneaking up on us. as far as I'm concerned, it can sneak on in because that means football season is coming! tomorrow a group of us leave for an 8 day trip to everyone's favorite country, the Dominican Republic. stay tuned for exciting stories of chickens being transported on motorcycles and large delicious avocados finally in season (I was missing them in June). more importantly, there will be stories of God's faithfulness. those are the best.

thanks for your prayers!

an update long overdue

posted by Sharla

I'd like to thank our blog readers who've reminded me that I haven't written an update in a while. I'm long overdue for an update to the mailing list, but you faithful blog readers will hear it here first!

June was amazing, as you've read. The groups were incredible and it was so great to see God work in their lives and in the lives of our kids and their families.

One of the things that came out of that trip was the decision to start supporting Mares financially. Mares is a Haitian pastor who lives in Pancho Mateo. He has churches in Pancho Mateo, Chichigua, and Los Cocos, and does ministry in other villages as well. He has been our biggest resource in the villages and we don't want to see him have to go out an find paid work after he does 60 hours of ministry in a week! $200 a month will cover his personal AND ministry expenses, so I am in the process of trying to raise that for him. If you'd like to help, let me know!

Check out our latest pictures:
http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=smegilligan&p=8BB1&AID=2639875

A Busy Month of June

Posted by Brian

First of all thank you very much to all the groups that came down to the D.R. Beth and I appreciate you so much.
First was the Austin Stone group. The 2 concerts we put on were awesome. We are still handing CD's of Josh's songs. We have visited some homes and heard Josh's CDs playing. That project was just the first step in spreading the truth of the Gospel. It was sad to see the stone group leave because we have gotten to know them very well some were on their second visit. The kids of Chi CHi Gua miss them as well. It was great to see them interact with the Children of the villages, specifically Chi Chi Gua. It was also great for me to have the opportunity to get to know some of the adults in that village.
Second we had the Sparlling's group. We were in awe of their organization and preparation. I don't know if many people could handle the shear volume of children and young adults in the vacation Bible School, but they did it and did it very well. We handed out papers with pictures of the group and a salvation message after they left, everybody in all of Pancho Mateo wanted one and the Children remembered most of the names. This group also built a basketball court, which has been under constant usage since the last bolts went into the hoops.
Beth and I are in the states now attending a few wedding and also waiting on surgery for bethany. she will have her tonsils out in the beginning of august. So pray for her. I would like to ask prayer for the Dominican Republic and Haiti at this time of year because it is hurricane season and Haiti has already lost 22 people with hurricane Dennis. Remember them and also the villages and the children, we miss them very much and cannot wait to return.