Dominican and Haiti Updates

The seed that fell on fertile soil

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.² Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³ Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.”  - Matthew 13:1-9

For those of you that have been following our blog for a while, you have heard me mention the basketball camp we have been doing for over 200 kids in the community of Hoya del Caimito every summer since 1998.  This was the very camp that changed my life forever and caused us to move to the Dominican Republic as missionaries.  Two days ago, I received this email and it brought tears to my eyes as God allowed us to see fruit of a life forever changed because of a 3 day basketball camp.  These are the words of Francisco Martinez.

"hi my name is Francisco Martinez, I am 32 years old. I am en english teacher, and interpreter, Church Leader and basketball player (Leader too)

I grow up in Santiago, Dominican Republic. but right now I am living in Barahona. ( In the south).

I was in a basketball camp in 2001,2002 and 2003 in Hoya del Caimito, Santiago, 

I wasnt cristian at that moment but i remember I learnt 30 bible verses. now i remember that and i thank God for everything. also my basketball skill that I have now I learnt there.

you are doing a great job for Jesus. God bless you!

I would like to have a basketball camp here in barahona to change their life too.

maybe one day....

If you would like to bring a team to this area (Barahona) I am more than willing to help you and serve together. Its my dream!"

Why short term missions?  Why sports outreach?  Why invest time and resources in overseas missions?  Francisco’s letter says it all.   

Thank you to all who participated in the GO Basketball camp in 2001, 2002 and 2003.  God used you to plant seeds that fell upon fertile soil and Francisco “Duncan” Martinez is producing fruit in his community 15 years later.  I hope the participants of those camps read this blog and consider coming back to the DR to put on a camp in Barahona!  Let’s fulfill Francisco’s dream!

Below are pictures of the ribbons he won at camp many years ago.  They obviously mean a lot to him.