Thousands and Thousands of Free Throws

Free throws were raining down through the baskets Saturday March 17th and for our team, the percentages of made baskets was more attributed to skill than luck, even though it was St. Patrick's Day. (-: Great job of shooting team and it was all for the sake of others, children and young adults in the Dominican Republic. Our free throw-a-thon was quite a beautiful family affair. Dad's, mom's, sisters and brothers came out to help our team members complete the challenge of shooting 1,000 free throws. What a great day! See the following photos of the Wood's family, Cooper-West family, the Hauck's, the Scheffers and the Turnbull's hooping it.

Free Throw-a-thon for Kids

Here is a snapshot of some of the 2012 COTN Hoop Camp team. All of us couldn't make it for the photo. We are missing: Carly Woodward, Fred Woods, Austin Scheffer, Otis Cooper-West and Isaiah Hauck. We will take another team picture soon with everyone. Pictured are: Lizzy Starr, Monique Woodward, Ellie Woodward, Collin Williamson, Vinnie Carter, Vic Woodward, Mandy Turnbull and C.J. Woods. We are having a Free Throw-a-thon, every team member is shooting 1,000 free throws on March 17th at Friday Harbor's Turnbull Gym, seeking to raise funds for our short term mission trip to the Dominican Republic. We are asking for pledges per made free throw.

My partner, see photo, Lizzy Starr and I expect to blow the other team members away. (-: We all need your help. Sponsor a shooter today! Proceeds go towards our travel costs and to support young people in the Dominican Republic through Children of the Nations. All giving is tax deductible. Call (360) 378-8435 to find out how you can sponsor someone on our team.

Planning for the summer of 2012 in the Dominican Republic has begun and a basketball camp/clinic is in the works. This is where our initial journey began with Children of the Nations 4 years ago and because the young guys in the bateys have been asking us to do another camp...here we go again. God is stirring some high school basketball players and others to join us during the week of June 23-July 1st. This short term team will help with the camp and lay cement floors for several families who are in desperate need.

Pictures of this team will be forth coming soon. Monique and I are going to be hosting teams at Casa Batesada again for Children of the Nations. Our stay will be from around June 9-July 10th this summer. Stay tuned...more news coming soon.

community...church...Altagracia

This summer we spent quite a bit of time with a community called Altagracia. It is located about 10-15 minutes outside of Barahona. We would call it a village, but in the Dominican, these particular villages are called bateyes. The people who live in Altagracia are of primarily Hatian desent and live in poverty. Children of the Nations serves the children in this bateye, providing education, spiritual direction, health care and family support. In the photos above, you will meet Wilson, Manuel (pictured with Vic) and Yelin (pictured with Carly). These three young men, in their early 20's, are leading this community spiritually in the way of Jesus. (see group photos) They have stepped out in faith to lead courageously ever since their pastor died unexpectedly four months ago. The community of Christ followers (church) is a small group made of predominately of young people and children. There are a few adults, but not many. Each Sunday, Yelin teaches the children Bible stories from the life of Jesus and others. It is a precious sight to see the children gathered around Yelin each Sunday morning. Manuel and Wilson teach and share truth with the adults and teens. It is beautiful to see this team of young guys share the love of Christ with their community. Wilson is also principal of COTN's pre-school - kindergarten program in Altagracia. He and Manuel also attend university in Barahona. Yelin is also taking classes. They need our support. Learn more about the mission of COTN and the Dominican Republic from this website - http://cotni.org You can also donate to this mission here. We, the Woodwards, have a special place in our hearts for this community and these young men. We love them! Please join us in prayer for Altagracia, specifically Manuel, Wilson and Yelin.

Interns serving

The interns, Julia pictured with a little boy on her back, Carly giving swimming lessons, Laura helping a girl with her decoration and Olivia teaching volleyball, served in their giftings and passions this summer. Most of these pictures were taken at a kids camp where around 90 kids from the bateys came for three days of fun, games, lessons and encouragement. These intern ladies were a big part of making the camp a success.

Las Internas

Monique and our friend Bethany (see pictured with Carly W.) were blessed to serve as intern leaders for COTN's intern program in the Dominican Republic. The young women, Carly, Olivia, Julia and Laura lived with Dominican families for their 8 weeks in country. Here is a little more info. on this program.

The 8-week Global Internship Program is a hands-on, cultural immersion opportunity for students 18 to 24 years old to serve for eight weeks during June, July and August. As an intern, you will work and interact daily in COTN villages/bateyes with national staff, other interns, and our children. You can read more about this program here - http://www.cotni.org/pages/intern

Laura and Carly, pictured with health clinic lead nurse Yaneth, helped out in the clinic and also taught hygiene and health classes in the bateys for teen girls. Olivia and Julia, pictured with one of their English classes, taught classes and helped out in the office with staff. One of the growing experience each of these young women had was living with a host family; such an excellent way to be immersed in the culture.

Monique and Bethany led morning devotionals, evening times of sharing and a retreat throughout the summer. It was a wonderful summer for all...growing in trusting God and others. Our Ellie and Carly were enriched by the relationships that developed with these young ladies. They also took part in serving alongside them in their ministry. Beautiful! Thanks be to God for all He is doing.

Origami and Dance

It was so much fun watch the Jacobsen family serve with their gifts and talents. Pete, Lauren and Eric showed the teen girls origami and taught a priceless lesson on living for Christ in freedom. The verse Eric taught was Galatians 5:1 - It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoik of slavery. Kate and Liz taught dance to a praise song with the other group of teen girls in Don Bosco. After the dance, she and Kate spent time with the girls, getting to know them and letting them ask questions. Beautiful! Both of these lessons involved learning while engaging the girls with a hands on activity...something they will always remember. I think the family learned from the teens while giving too. We've seen several family teams experience the love of Christ and share their hearts over the last two years in the Dominican Republic. I love the fact that the COTN Venture program makes this possible. Check it out - http://bit.ly/pWigj1