Volume 11 Issue 2 101 N. Zeysing · P O Box 228 · Alma, MO 64001

660.674.2222

www.houseoffriends.org

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it;because it will surely come, it will not tarry

. Hab. 2:3

Dominican Republic

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In 2007

John Gross, foun-der of House of Friends, made his first trip to DominicanRepublic (DR). It had been a 17 year wait after feeling

God’s call to that Nation.

While on the House of Friendsmission trip taken July 23 to July 31, 2011, he met twoother men with significant happenings17 years ago

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learned out of simple conversations. One is a pastor in theUSA who was called to ministry 17 years ago. He was inDR working on a special mission project. Another wascalled to take the Gospel to the roughest part of DR bycaring for the poor 17 years ago. He introduced the teamto a Haitian pastor who had been ministering to around 50orphaned Haitian children,

between 2 and 12 years of age,displaced there after the Haiti earthquake in 2010. It ap- pears House of Friends, through John Gross, has now beendivinely connected to them for Kingdom work, in variousways, on behalf of orphans and widows in the DominicanRepublic. How awesome is our God!

The purpose of this team was to pioneer a Women’s andChildren’s Abuse Center that will eventually make wayfor a Children’s Home. The Lord was setting up His

divine appointments. While eating at a local grocery storecafeteria, Moreno

—the team’s local ministry contact and

guide throughout the trip

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spotted the Presidente of thecity of LaVega, where the Lord has guided House of Friends (HOF) to establish the Kingdom work. Morenoapproached him and made introductions to the team. A

meeting with the Presidente (Mayor’s chief assistant) was

scheduled. When the time came for the meeting, a parking place could not be found and when they finally got one, it

caused them to run 8 minutes late. God’s favor was with

them. The Presidente arose when they arrived and ac-knowledged their lateness. Not giving any excuses, theteam apologized and the Presidente was quick to overlook

it. Upon sharing HOF’s desire to establish a center to help

meet the needs of widows and orphans/street children, the

Presidente responded with “What can we do to help? Doyou need a building……” Upon the team’s departure, the

government officials were to decide what they might do tohelp. We are awaiting further discussions between our

contact, Bolivar (Moreno) Reineso and the mayor’s office

of LaVega to learn what they will offer.

DominicanRepublic MissionTeam, Left to right:Ronnie Machado,John Gross,Dianna Gross,Joyce Johnson,Pam Plattner (HOF Board Member and DominicanRepublic OutreachDirector.)Top right: Team praying over city of LaVega, location of future HOF Dominican Republic Outreaches. Bottom left: HOF main ministry con-tact, Bolivar (Moreno) and Damaris Reineso and their children . Other pictures of food distribution to widows.

The group below are members of New Jerusalem Churchwho have caught the vision of ministering to orphans andwidows. The HOF team presented Spanish Study Bibles,tracts and theGospel comic books, pro-vided throughdonations, tothe leaders of the church. Thechurch leadershave committedto pray for our DominicanRepublic minis-try to widowsand orphans,evangelism andnight and day prayer. After the team re-turned to Mis-souri, the pastor

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A beautiful setting on a mountain overlooking LaVega has become the place desired for the Dominican Republic or-

phanage. A home and some small buildings already grace the land. Property is expensive there, but…..OUR GOD is a

God of possibilities. He likes for us to ask for big things because we will then know it was not our doing, but His. All

agree this is the ideal place. So please join us in prayer for God’s miracle! The property is owned by four men.

VISION

(cont. from front)

Moreno with members of their families went back to the mountain top location which wehope will become the future site of the orphanage, to prayover LaVega and the locations for the outreaches.

Ronnie Machadoof Kansas City,

who’s parent’s lived

in the DR at one time,shared his story of being part Cuban and part Puerto Rican. Hegrew up hearing thestories of their time inthe DR. He shared

with the New Jerusalem Church God’s goodness and plan

for their nation. The congregation was encouraged to reachout to the orphans and widows of the land

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fulfilling

James 1:27, “...help and care for the orphans and widows intheir affliction and need…” They had not received this

understanding before and immediately reached out tothree widows in their own church by blessing them withfood and help.As the team was walking down a street in LaVega, theyspotted this little shack on the side of a dwelling. Upon inquir-ing of Moreno if it was a place someone actually lived, he re-sponded that one of the New Jerusalem Church leaders, hiswife and three children have lived in this one room extension

to his parent’s home for many years. Compassion traveled

throughout the team. Upon leaving Dominican Republic, thefunds that had not been spent while there were given toMoreno

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half to help pay for his expenses in continuing tomeet with government officials, and the other half to buymaterials to expand the one-room home. We were sent a pic-ture showing concrete blocks purchased to add two rooms.TravisKolder, HOFBoard Member,headed up amission team of three

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himself,Chris Sawyer of Iowa, andJoshua Hulmeof Kansas City.Travis re- ported that theteam first wentto Katogwe where the Lord released several messages in-viting the believers in that church to draw closer to Himand know Him as their Father. The team prayed for a small boy the first night and the Lord healed him. He was seen playing with the other children the next morning. The people of Katogwe sel-dom receive outsideinteraction andwere greatly en-couraged by the

team’s visit. They

continued to meetinto the eveningafter the team left.Several differentmessages wereshared with thechurches in En-tebbe. The team challenged the churches not to be compla-cent with the current revival that is happening in Uganda. Itis not uncommon to see a crusade happening on a randomstreet corner in En-tebbe with many people showing up to lis-

ten. Travis said, “The

Lord used our preach-ing to call for more brokenness among the people for their owncountry so that Godwould continue to

draw those who don’t know Him.” In each place where the

team ministered, therewere those who re-ceived a measure of healing or deliverance.While in Entebbethe team spent time atAbba House orphan-age. They took gifts for the children, playedwith them, toured thefacility, and discussed projects that will maketheir living situation better in the longterm.

Travis commented, “You’ve never seen a group of kids

so happy to receive a soccer ball or a jump rope! These kidslove Jesus and we were encouraged by their heart for oth-ers. They even prayed for the orphans in America while wewere together .

I’m always humbled by the example of faithand love these orphans show me!”

During the team’s second week, they traveled to Adilang

in northern Uganda. This was the city where the former Suda-nese refugee camp was located. Pastor Peter, the man whoinvited the team to Adilang, met with them and explained thesituation the region faces. The camp is now inhabited byUgandans who were severely affected by Joseph Kony andthe Lord's Resistance Army. Joseph Kony has killed morethan two million Africans and his murderous exploits beganin this region. Because of this, the physical reality of their situation is bleak and their spiritual climate is oppressive.Many people still suffer under the memories of Kony's pres-ence. The region also suffers from lack of rain and many of the people are turning back to demon worship to try and bringrain and prosperity to the region.The second day the team shared with the leaders of thechurches that gathered, what they felt was the Lord's heart for the region. Josh, who had been feeling called to start workingwith Sudanese refugees in this area, charged the people withGod's heart for the region, saying that when the Lord sendshim back, he will help the people to do what God is alreadyempowering them to do right now. Chris shared about a trau-matic experience in his life and God's power to heal thehearts of those who have endured painful

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A favorite game for all kids

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the chase.! Team pictured with Pas-tor Paul Busulwa,Ugandaministry contact.

Travis Chris Josh

A celebration of 17 birthdays took place at Abba Housefollowing the arrival of Barbara Decker, agricultural mission-ary. The childrenwho had birthdays between January andJune were those hon-ored at the party.Each one received agift and all enjoyed aspecial lunch and birthday cake.July and Au-gust birthdayswill be cele- brated beforeBarbara re-turns home.The children are enjoying more variety in their dietssince planting of the gardens last year. Here they aredoing their part of theharvestingand gettingthe beansready tocook.Agricul-tural mis-sionary,BarbaraDecker,says thatUganda isa dry beanculture, soeven the Kentucky pole beans, as well as the other green beans are shelled like peas and just the seeds arecooked. To try to convince them that the whole bean isgood for eating, Barbara ate a lot of whole raw beans infront of them. They soon caught on and the beans gofarther now.Lots of eggplants and pole beans as well as cassavaremain in the garden. The onions and tomatoes did notdo so well. The garden has been a great blessing as the prices of food have gone up considerably. A 100 lb. bagof corn meal flour, which used to cost $25.00, now costs$40.00.A suitcase of specialmade dresses made its wayto Uganda in June. Everygirl enjoyed receiving one of these dresses made by theloving hands of seamstress,Connie Franks, of Ohio.Here, Scovia and Best aresporting their new garments.Enclosed is $_______ for Abba House project(s) __Kitchen/Dining Hall Project #1 __Gutter Rainwater Collection System Project #2

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Entebbe __Gutter Rainwater Collection System Project #3

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Kamuli __Construction of Abba House 3 Project #4

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Entebbe __Well Solar Project #5

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Entebbe __Missionary Quarters Project #7

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Entebbe __ Enclosed is $_______ for greatest needs. __ Enclosed is $_______ for ____________ __ I would like to sponsor a child. __$45 full __$20 child care __$25 education __ Please send me sponsorship information.

__ I will pray for House of Friends, please sendme information for prayer.

Please complete and return this response device if you would like to join with us in any of the above mentioned ways. All donationsare tax deductible. Please write checks payable to:

House of Friends

and send to

P O Box 228, Alma, MO 64001.

Thank you for caring!

Extending a hand of friendship and care for special needs.

Most of the Abba House children thanked sponsors,through House of Friends, for the love shown to themfrom so far away. Here are some things the childrenhave shared.



Hope thanks you for the “nickers” (underwear), be-cause “we didn’t have”.



Jacky said when she came to Abba House, she wastoo small and now she is big

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and going to school.



Peace said she found God at Abba House and gotsaved and also learned English. She is in first gradeand though she thought she would be 24th in her class, is actually eighth.

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Grace thanked the pastor for planning for so manychildren and that through the efforts of HOF and thegarden that, although he is sometimes lazy, heknows that he will have power for his future.



Emmanuel said that because of his sponsor, he isfree of the burdens he had in his home and he canstudy and he feels like he is now in a loving family.

UGANDATEAM

(cont)

events. He sharedabout God's abil-ity to turn a pain-ful situation intosomething thatcan strengthenothers in their pain. Then hecharged thechurches of Adi-lang to find healing for their pain and bring healing to thosewho haven't found healing for their trauma. It was a powerfultime that ended with the believers who gathered bringing their hurts and pains to Jesus. The power of Jesus touched manywho were present. The team left shortly afterward, but heardlater that the meeting continued on until about 8:00 PM thatevening because they were so blessed by Jesus.