Faith Expectant

2008 -New Beginnings

During this last year some amazing developments took place, all the more remarkable because this year 2008 will also be an historical marker for one of the darkest periods in US financial history.

 

The number eight in biblical numerology represents change and new beginnings. We began our work in the year 2000 in Pantoja, Santo Domingo, DR with a prophetic mandate to put stakes in the ground and build a long term and sustainable kingdom mission. We made our faith declarations and followed through with obedience. Laboring with our brothers and sisters in Santo Domingo, DR, the Ebenezer Clinic was begun, a 24/7 clinic serving the local population of more than 60,000 people with 14 doctors and two dentists. We brought down in excess of $500,000 USD worth of prescription and over the counter meds these last eight years. About a dozen teams from the US have brought good news in word and deed, not just proclaiming the gospel but living it in a powerful display of authentic Christianity. We have seen many saved, hundreds, and even thousands. We have taught in the churches, seen the sick healed, helped to strengthen the leadership and caught the attention of the municipal government.

 

But in this year, 2008 we have finished the process of obtaining land donated to us by the government worth about $160,000. This is the site where, by God's grace, we will build a world class orphanage and strengthen vulnerable families. We have also brought in this year alone $160,000 USD in medicines and equipment to the Ebenezer Clinic. Four teams have traveled to Pantoja this year. Last February we brought orphans off the street by renting a home which is the beginning of our orphan care. Visit www.oaoutreach.org to learn more. We are delighted beyond words at how this makes a difference in the lives of these youngsters. Pastor Paulino and his wife are living sacrificially raising five to eight children besides their own son Jefferson in this home. We have pledges now of $500 USD per month for their support with the expectation of increase.

 

In November, as our flights were delayed returning home and seeking the Lord in the purpose of that delay we came across a website Dr. Francisco showed us of the American Medical Resource Foundation. We have applied and have been accepted to receive refurbished medical equipment to be shipped in containers to the DR. Should our OAO board decide we will raise the handling fees of $25,000 and more to have a half million dollars of medical equipment installed in the Ebenezer Clinic.

 

With our international presence established legally in Santo Domingo we are also developing a relationship with churches who are asking to relate to us in a new pattern outside of the denominational mold. Our hope is to water these churches so that fruitful multiplication will occur throughout the DR, eventually Haiti and the Caribbean.

 

On the home front here in Laconia at Joseph House we have a ministry of hospitality to our new friends, refugees from Burundi, Central Africa, Kenya and Bhutan. We have received and given freely more than 100,000 lbs of fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese and bread to the poor of our community.

 

What a year! I thank God that his light brightens as the world around us darkens! Consider these scriptures from which we derive our mission. Let's meditate on these tremendous promises as we thank God for this wonderful year and eagerly await His promises to be fulfilled in this coming year of 2009.

 

(Isa 58:6)  "Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds

of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the

oppressed go free And break every yoke?

 

(Isa 58:7)  "Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring

the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to

cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

 

(Isa 58:8)  "Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your

recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go

before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

 

(Isa 58:9)  "Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will

cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your

midst, The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,

 

(Isa 58:10)  And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the

desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness And

your gloom will become like midday.

 

(Isa 58:11)  "And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy

your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones;

And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water

whose waters do not fail.

 

(Isa 58:12)  "Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins;

You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called

the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to

dwell.

 

Loving Jesus,

 

Ken Peters, Executive Director