It has been 18 months since we first rented the apartment in Santiago. The purpose has been to be people of influence with a two fold strategy.

One, we wanted to do all we could to influence the starting of a church. Actually, everything we were doing from the beginning had that purpose. We built relationships with some incredible people throughout Santiago. I count them as dear friends, people you would love. We put relationship before anything else and believe all know who we are and what we stand for. The church has started. Cántico Nuevo is a reality. John and Diana Martinez were named pastors of the church at the Foursquare Convention in Santo Domingo on April 9. These connections we have made have become a bridge of friendship to John and Diana. The story continues. We were greatly blessed with a team of six young adults that came from Nashville, TN. We lived together, worked together and prayed together. My life is changed because of them! My hats off to their church, New Song, and the leadership/parents there. They did a fine job in preparing this great team for an incredible missions experience. They added such great value to the birthing of the church. I can’t say enough about them.

We facilitated Noche de Damas where about 200 ladies attended, hearing a message on Breast Cancer, Women’s rights, and the story of one who has been violated.  We also facilitated two back to back Healing Seminars, collaborating with Wind of the Spirit Ministries from Silverdale, WA.  We saw healings, deliverance and lives changed with more than 100 pastors in attendance.  More than 1000 people attended our final night of healing.

Second, we wanted to serve some way in Cien Fuegos, an area that is infested with crime, sex abuse, drugs etc. Many there do not have title to property let alone a birth certificate. We have established the Barnabas Project. (Proyecto Bernabé) The focus is three fold:
• Clean Water-The station has been built and equipment will be installed next week. 5000 people, 12,000 gallons a day. We are working with Water for the Children.
• Health Education-For three years we have brought medical teams to Cien Fuegos. After the second year, we made a decision for long-term influence. In that context, we are working with Indiana-Purdue University (IPFW) and Pontifica Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) to develop on-going health care attention in this area of more than 300,000 people. It is an historic first. We are connected to 160 barrios throughout Cien Fuegos but we will focus initially on about 5000 people with health care and clean water.
• Micro-Finance-Our goal of influence was the development of a cooperativa (credit union, loan institution) that is in the name of a Catholic priest, Father Ramón Dubert. Father Dubert was a well-known priest that died as a man of compassion. We found his initial paper work that he was developing before he died. After careful planning and hard work it is now registered in the country. I am very proud of the Dominican team that has put this in order.

We will receive a tremendous team from Life Pacific College, San Dimas, California. There is a program called IGNITE. We will work with this team of 15 for 2 ½ weeks through May 21. I am expecting great things. Thanks in advance to those that are sending them.

I close with one more thing. We feel we have been obedient to the Lord. Nancy and I have traveled back and forth for a season of our lives while she finishes her Nurse Practioner degree with emphasis in reaching the poor and deprived. We will close out our apartment May 25. Our mission here in Santiago has become bigger than what we ever dreamed and therefore we can easily say it is His cause and He gets the glory for all that has taken place.

After various speaking engagements that we have, the goal is to wait and listen to what God has next for us. I know that may sound trite. We feel that the Lord has given us this clear mandate for now. We will read, study, pray and exercise for a season. Nancy will continue her studies. We will still be connected to the DR, traveling there to encourage, meet with Health Education personnel, Water Station personnel and bring nurture to the new church; but for short strategic trips only.

Support for what we are doing and what we will do is needed more than ever. You can send offerings to Barnabas Task, 10917 Summer Chase Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46818 or use the PAYPAL available on this website. Your gifts are tax-deductible.