Greetingsfrom Connie

April/May 2013

Iglesia Evangélica Dominicana Apartado 42Barahona, Dominican Republic

Church Spring Retreat

What a fun day it was when we went as a church family to Villa Mirian for a special time together. Villa Mirian is on the side of a mountain and the owner has diverted the fresh mountain water into various pools along the mountain side. It provides a beautiful spot to relax and reflect on God’s goodness which we did together as a family. Unfortunately some of our women could not attend due to responsibilities in the homes, but we were happy with the number of those who could come. They are all asking, “When can we go again?”

Back in the Saddle Again

In March I was asked if I would step back in as director of COPA since the present director would be leaving at the end of the month. I was pleased to be able to do so and will continue until the new director comes which is expected to be in October. Although it means I have to be super organized, it feels good to be back working closer with COPA. It is an exciting time for COPA for many reasons. One is that the President made a surprise visit to Bombita and since then he has taken a personal interest in improving the conditions there.

The first major change has been the paving of all roads in Bombita! The first picture is in front of the COPA clinic. The second is the new church of Templo Biblico. Many of you know it as Guillermo’s church and have even painted it. Well, it has been completely redone and looks like it sits at a major intersection! All labor for the roads and curbing has been done by habitants of Bombita so this is helping the economy as well as the living standards!

A New water drainage system was the next major improvement that came to Bombita. As many of you know, water drainage has always been a problem in Bombita and though an attempt was made to improve the situation, it never functioned well. A new contract was given to improve the entire system including running the water much further away from Bombita which means the stagnant water will not sit alongside the school. Again this project is being done by workers from within the village!

Meeting with the engineers for the drainage project

New Project for the Bombita School

The new president has stated that he would like all schools to be full day schools rather than the double sessions that now exist. Bombita has been selected to be one of the first full day schools. The government is planning on building 9 new classrooms, two new preschool buildings, new bathrooms, a new kitchen and dining shelter. This is an amazing offer by the government and we are in the process of completing all necessary paperwork for this to become a reality.

Again, all construction will use local laborers which will continue to help the community. This full day school will require a larger investment on the part of COPA since we will double our teaching staff. We know, though, that this is a work of God and He will supply through the many faithful supporters of COPA who have sacrificed over these last 20 years to be change agents in the lives of these precious children. Many of our former students have come back to COPA as teachers, teacher’s aides, etc.

Ambar Michel: Then and Now

Ambar was born weighing 2 pounds and spent only four days in the hospital before being sent home to live or die in a wooden house with dirt floors and no running water. On top of that, her mother had TB. God was merciful to this child and used COPA to help with needed medicine, formula, and anything else Ambar needed. Today, mother and baby are doing fine. In fact, Ambar, with the yellow blouse, now has a sister and is awaiting a new sibling!

The proud daddy, Arki, is very appreciative to all COPA sponsors for helping his family in a time of great need. He is also very thankful to his sponsor who has given him a scholarship to study law. He will be graduating in the fall and this will be an amazing time of celebration! He has committed to remain in his village and to help with legal matters both for those in the village and for COPA.

Rev.Connie Di Leo, Advance Special # 014169

1-809-399-3096

General Board of Global Ministries of the United

Methodist Church