Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” The goal for all four of us is to live our lives constantly modeling Christ and pursuing opportunities to serve.

Mike

Mike is currently serving as the academic vice principal of Doulos as well as teaching Algebra 2 for the High School. In this role, he oversees the entire teaching and counseling team at Doulos. Some of his daily tasks involve mentoring staff in their roles, meeting with students to discuss heart issues and academic needs, preparing and leading professional development for various academic and spiritual needs, leading data collection, planning school events, and developing biblically integrated curriculum that also academically challenges students.

One of the areas that Mike loves about his position is the ripple effects that it has for the Gospel. His position prepares the staff at Doulos to better teach, biblically equip, and model Christ to the over 250 students at Doulos. It also gives him connection points to all students and to their families. This aids in relational building both on campus and through interactions in the community.

Melissa

As the backbone of our work in the D.R, Melissa keeps the household functioning, deals with the many logistics that come from balancing our lives here and details back in the states, and provides support for all of our needs.

She has also found her niche in relational building everywhere she goes in Jarabacoa and on the island. Not having a defined role with any ministry, she has margin to meet impromptu needs in our community, as well as build relationships with and minister to our neighbors, single moms at Doulos, a group of teen girls she mentors, families from church, and many other people that the Lord puts in her path. Melissa truly strives to be broken bread and poured out wine, always trying to be sensitive to what service God has for her each day.

Brennan

Navigating high school life has come quite naturally to Brennan. He is involved in the High School leadership team (See image), young life, and plays soccer year round. He thoroughly enjoys the Expeditionary Learning at Doulos and the opportunity to get to have Outdoor Education. He has built a solid friend group and is real blessing for many of them. He helps them with their academic needs, provides counsel when they are dealing with the trials of high school life and family issues, and is a solid model of a teen who is seeking after Christ.

Ava

Ava embodies the “Tween life.” She loves spending time with her friends, drawing or painting, and is OBSESSED with volleyball. She loves participating in Wyldlife and being a bold example for her classmates. She is very caring and compassionate with a heart for the people around her as well as individuals in need. Life in the D.R. is a great fit for Ava, as she loves waterfalls, the sun, and any kind of adventure.

Filling the Need through Compassion Ministry

Life on the mission field has provided ample opportunities to serve; both in our primary roles, and as needs arise. We’ve seen again and again the way that the Lord uses a physical need to open the door to someone’s heart for an opportunity to share about Christ. Some of the many ways that the Lord has used us to meet His needs are through:

• Helping to distribute medical supplies at a scabies clinic for a Hatian community.
• Volunteering with a Christmas Ministry to provide Christmas gifts and a Gospel message for 80 youth in extreme poverty.
• Providing medical needs through our compassion fund for heart medication, blood transfusions, oxygen, hospital visits and transportation, dengue treatment, etc…
• Marriage mentoring for a newlywed couple.
• Purchasing food for an elderly lady who had none.
• Providing a bed for a single Hatian mother with five children.
• Tuition assistance for teens to attend YoungLife camp.
• And many other ways!!

In order to meet all of these needs, we rely on financial giving outside our normal monthly budget from Doulos. We regularly give of our personal income for compassion needs, however, the needs typically always outweigh our personal funds, so outside subsidizing is needed. If you feel moved to donate to our compassion ministry, please contact us directly about making a contribution. Thank you!!