In Christ there is no East or West

This blog entry is not about me this time but in support of some very special people in very special circumstances with a very great need. I want to share the story with you.

Mark 14: 7 (Jesus spoke these words) For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.

In November of last year, our daughter Stephanie and her husband Chad were privileged to visit and work at a mission called “New Hope Girls Academy” in the Dominican Republic in the small town of La Vega. They were moved by the work that God is doing at this small mission station, but they were also deeply moved by the poverty that the founders, Joy and Vidal are operating in.

Joy and Vidal are living from day to day solely depending on donations for survival. The prayer “Lord give us this day our daily bread” is so real in their lives as they rely on God’s help each day to provide for their needs. Financial and prayer support is desperately needed at this mission station where they care for girls who are in great need of care, food and education.

Joy and Vidal have built a small school to educate these children. The school teacher, who is a Christian, is a registered teacher who has committed to volunteer at the school, she also holds a regular job teaching at the public school. Children without birth certificates are unable to attend Public school. For children without education it is nearly impossible to find employment later in life.

Several years ago, Joy and Vidal left their home in Oregon to answer Gods call to the Dominican Republic. They felt the need to help the less fortunate, rescue the oppressed and most importantly bring the Gospel. They have a family of four lovely children. Joy and Vidal are teaching the local women how to make purses and flip flops with embellishments which they can sell in order to provide for their families.

Being deeply moved by their experience, Stephanie has decided to return on April 20 with Sophia her sister to equip the mission with “fishing rods”. They will be loaded down with extra luggage and transport a near new Serger sewing machine to teach the local women to sew items that can be sold to support their families.

Some people in Canada have designated money towards a feeding program for the 13 children that attend the school and many other much needed supplies. The mission’s goal is to make these families self sufficient and bring the Gospel to a people who are in great need of help and of Christ. Please consider prayerfully to support this mission that is in desperate need of your help. You can visit the website for New Hope Girls Academy here; you can also donate directly online on this website. A short video produced by Joy on New Hope Girls Academy can be viewed here. Feel free to drop Stephanie an email at c.s.hampson@gmail.com or Sophia at vdts@comcast.net they would gladly accept checks or cash to deliver directly to New Hope Girls mission.

As parents we want to give our dear daughters a word of encouragement.
Dear Sophia and Stephanie, as parents we feel blessed that God has laid this on your heart and to have compassion on the poor and needy. Be assured that as always, that we will pray for you, and that you may be a blessing to the people there who are anxiously awaiting your arrival. "Go in peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the LORD." (Judges 18:6)
God be with you till we meet again.
Deeply loved
Mom and Dad

In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.

In Him shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord,
Close binding humankind.

Join hands, then, members of the faith,
Whatever your race may be!
Who serves my Father as His child
Is surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both East and West,
In Him meet North and South;
All Christly souls are one in Him
Throughout the whole wide earth.