I had a surpise visit yesterday from the engineer who is in charge of setting up a new technology center here in Santiago as part of the ministry of Esperanza. Their focus is twofold- microcredit, which helps people get into a position to start small business’ and change their economic situation, education, which this Technology Center falls under, which helps provide educational and training opportunities that serve as tools to enable and empower people to get out of the poverty cycle.
I am excited about the immediacy of the project- right now! Please pray with me for just the right location to become available. I have folks looking for me in an area we think will be most strategic.
As I talked with Henry, the engineer, about the work of community development and all the efforts being made, I shared with him that I felt the “results” were awfully slow, which makes me glad to be a missionary focusing on the spiritual dimension of things! He shared with me that until there is a “political will” to change the way things are, things will continue to move slow. Poverty is a good business for some!
His comments brought home to me how important it is that in all our prayers we ask God to change the hearts of the politicians here in the DR, or change the politicians! (all of the parties are the same though- what benefits my pocket is the focus. Pray for true leadership that will have the courage to do what is best for the people and the country. We know that God desires for us to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and that all authority is derived from God Himself. Pray with me that the political will and climate here in the DR will be radically changed toward justice, mercy and righteousness.
