A Prayer for Comfort

Today there are heavy hearts in the Dominican Republic.

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Rosanna is a young girl who is a part of our after-school program in the DR. This week she lost her parents, Antonio and Rosa, in a car accident. She is only seven years old. The loss of a loved one is never easy to bear, and there are no magic words to comfort her but we are thankful that we know the Eternal Comforter and the Giver of Peace.

Claudia, Edgard, and the staff at the after-school program treat each of the children like family and are there to support and grieve with Rosanna. As an extended One Vision Family, we ask that you would support Rosanna through your prayers. As we have said before, prayer is the most powerful and effective tool that the Holy Spirit provides and we hope that you will join us in an effort to bring peace, healing, and comfort to Rosanna and the rest of her family.

Here are a few specific ways you can pray for Rosanna:

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,  who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

- You can encourage Rosanna, not only through prayer, but through writing her a letter. You can mail your letter to P.O. Box 20608 Knoxville, TN 37940 and we will deliver it to her personally.

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

- I personally never know what to say to someone who has lost a family member. However, our prayers for others are often much stronger than our words. While we may not be able to be there for Rosanna physically, we can lift her up in prayer to her Heavenly Father.

Thank you for being diligent prayer partners and taking the time to encourage Rosanna today and in the coming weeks. 

 

 

Chikungunya Update

Good News!!

We shared several weeks ago that a few of the children had contracted the Chikungunya virus from mosquito bites. Job had become particularly ill.... I am happy to report that all of the children are recovering well, including Job! Doctors have given him a clean bill of health and he is starting to gain more weight.

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If there is a bright side to this virus, it is that you can only contract it once before you become immune (similar to the chicken pox). We are thankful for your prayers for each child in the Children's Home and are happy to see those smiling faces again :)

Changed Forever

Here is a personal story from trip participant Jackie Coleman.  She traveled to the Dominican Republic with us earlier this month, and she is ready to share her story:

Hello my name is Jackie Coleman and I recently attended the mission team to the Dominican Republic where God completely rocked my heart.  I left a huge part of my heart in the Dominican and I now hold the Dominican so close as a part of my family.Image
    What impacted me the most was the love each person had for us.  I believe that we could have come to the Dominican with nothing but the ability to love on each person we encountered.  A simple smile, laugh or hug was enough at any time.  God moves if you are willing to let him.

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    God spoke to me through a little boy who hugged me three times before we left that day.  My heart broke and I didn't want to leave this community.  I can't wait to go back and visit with my Dominican family. I am so thankful that I had this opportunity and can't wait to go back.

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We at One Vision International would love for you to join us on a trip so you can be able to share your world changing experience with us just like Jackie has!

Chikungunya

If your like me... you can't pronounce the title of this post much less know what it means. Chikungunya (pronounced chik-en-gun-ye) is a virus that is quickly spreading around Haiti. It is carried by mosquitoes and cases are multiplying left and right. The staff at the Children's Home is working hard to keep all of our children safe from this virus but it is a daunting task. (Imagine trying to keep almost 70 children sprayed with bug spray from head to toe all day long! Parents...I'm sure you can sympathize)

Despite our best efforts, several of the children have contracted the virus and are being treated. Please keep ALL of the children in your prayers as this virus is particularly painful and causes high fevers. As you pray for the children in the One Vision Home, also pray for the doctors and nurses treating this disease. Pray that they be granted wisdom and the ability to teach others how to protect themselves.

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Lastly, pray for Job. Out of all the children, he has struggled the most with high fevers and dehydration. He is receiving the best treatment possible but consistent prayer has proven to be the strongest medicine. For those of you who know Job, you know he has overcome medical obstacles before and we pray that God will deliver him from illness again.

Thank you for being such faithful prayer warriors for these children! Please share this with others who can join us in prayer.

 

Happy Birthday in Haiti

We have some very special boys and girls in Haiti celebrating birthdays in June! Check out how much they have grown!

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                           Elizer- June 5th                                                                    Rodeline- June 5th

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                                Franceline- June 9th                                                         Isna- June 10th

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                           Guechelade- June14th                                                Paul- June 15th

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                         Woodens- June 22nd                                              Isaac "Bebenlove"- June 27th

 

Proverbs 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.