The Implanted Word in the Tropical Forrest

In the Sierra Cordilleras of the Dominican Republic sits a bowl like valley that is a breadbasket to the Dominicans. It is Constanza and the approach is breath-taking. Soaring volcanic mountains and winding roads double back in a steep ascent colored in every shade of green. The valley floor is nearly 4,000 feet and the highest peaks range up to 10,000 ft above sea level.

Twenty two years ago we made our first trip there with Food For the Hungry, an international NGO serving the extremely poor. It was during this trip, while a newly elected legislator, that I received my call as a missionary, simply saying to the Lord that I would go anywhere anytime to serve His Kingdom and the poor.

During one of our trips in 1990 a North American prophetic team was ministering in a church and called out a young man named Cesar Lebron, a non-descript teenager. The word of the Lord given that day said he would be raised up to be a pastor among God's people and he trembled at the word. Who can fathom how God may use a simple clay vessel to contain His Glory? Over the years, time proved the accuracy of this word as he mixed with faith what was given him and focused his life on serving the Lord.

Today Pastor Cesar Lebron has three churches overflowing with vibrant believers. One of these churches is deep in the tropical mountains. In fact one needs to travel from Constanza by horseback for seven miles (10 km) crossing the same winding river fourteen times to arrive at this little subsistence farm community. God has raised up a church of believers where the gospel had never been preached! Praise God!!! One wonders, if there are not many subsistence farmers dotting the landscape of this vast national forrest. Isn't it marvelous how the Lord points the way to future development?

Next summer, Lord willing, we will send an exploratory team into these mountains to water the church and uncover the treasury of God's hidden people. WOW... what an expedition working alongside the nationals to further His Kingdom. Does it get any better?

At a school in El Chorro, Constanza we set up a clinic and served nearly 1,000 adults and children with medical care and medicines and dental work. We brought a team of doctors and one dentist with $70,000 in donated meds and another donation of medical supplies for the regional hospital. The community rejoiced because most are never able to afford medical and dental care or buy prescription meds such as analgesics, anti-biotics,cold meds,vitamins etc. We shared the gospel with a classroom of two hundred children and parents who ALL prayed to receive Christ, some for the first time. At the evening service on Saturday we worshiped with a standing room only group of Dominicans, while one of our Pastor/Doctors Luis ministered the word in a sermon.

The men of our team witnessed the enduring power of God to perform His word and glimpsed the vision of fruitful endeavors for the future. What about you? Will you pray about going yourself? The time frame will be the last Friday in July 2012 for ten days. May God touch your life with a desire to search for eternal worth. You are welcome to inquire of us about this or any other mission trip. We are always looking to engage in conversation that leads to action.

Be blessed to be a blessing!


In Jesus'Name,

Ken Peters