“You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus;” 

2 Timothy 2:1 (NRSV)

After 30 years in ministry as a Global Servant, I (Ketly) never imagined how the best in ministry was yet to come.  Yes, I am Danzando en una Nueva Temporada (Dancing in a New Season), as Christine D’Clario’s sings in “Danzando.”   While Vital and I continue in God’s ministry here in the Dominican Republic, our physical strength may decrease; but God’s strength increases and manifests itself in amazing ways.  This brings us freedom to continue in God’s work until He calls us home for eternity. 

Since our last journal (December 2022), we have extended the same grace that we have received from the Lord, and the Holy Spirit continues to increase His awesome presence to each person that we come in contact with.  Here are some of the ways we have seen God at work:

In Chaplaincy

• Accompaniment of families in grief
• Accompaniment of patients with illnesses 
• Accompaniment of workers at the Good Samaritan Hospital
• Accompaniment of Monique and Michaelle in ministry

At the Community Center

• A central place for unity: churches and community
• Building relationships through helping Haitians to be legal in the DR
• The roof is completed on the 3rd floor, and the electricity is almost done
  
  

  Vital with worker on the 3rd floor
                 of the Community Center

  

  Chaplain Ketly

  Stories of Chaplaincy at Good Samaritan Hospital

  Several months ago, I was at the hospital near the ultrasound department, and a woman with preeclampsia was extremely upset before this procedure to check on her health and the baby’s situation in utero. I was able to talk with and pray for Brenda and her husband Amado, and the following day, Brenda was scheduled for delivery.  Two days later when I returned to Good Samaritan Hospital, I saw the father in the parking lot, and he was elated. Amado said It was a miracle that everything was fine with Brenda and their newborn Deyvi.  He asked me to dedicate Deyvi  there in the hospital, and it was my first dedication of a baby in an ICU    unit.  We had established a positive relationship; and since Brenda and Amado didn’t  have a church home in La Romana, I invited them to attend church with me to dedicate Deyvi in front of a congregation.  It was such a joy to personally dedicate Deyvi to God, and this experience was a confirmation to me of the importance of my ordination.

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  Brenda, Amado, and Deyvi at his dedication

   

  While doing chaplaincy at the Good Samaritan Hospital, I have found that the needs are great not only for the patients but also for many of the workers in administration. The listening ear of a chaplain is very important!  Also, recently God has opened doors to prepare me even better for hospital ministry as I have been able to take continuing education classes in trauma and am learning so much!  I am then able to  share these lessons at the monthly meetings that are held with the hospital “chaplain” volunteers.  These volunteers from area churches are experiencing such joy in following God’s call as they serve those in need at Good Samaritan Hospital.

  Prayer Requests
  

• Receiving work teams during the Summer

• New discipleship classes in churches

• A designated room for a chapel at the Good Samaritan Hospital

• A new space (land) and building funds for the Oasis of Peace Church which is growing by laps and bounds and is currently meeting in the Community Center

• The possibility of  building a food pantry and a kitchen at the Community Center

• The planning a gathering in December for all the people who have been served through the Community Center to celebrate what has been accomplished and to discuss how we can work together and support each other

• The Pastors Retreat for women who have been called by God to serve as ministers of the Gospel