Philippians 2:4 "Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. " (The Message)

As this year of Home Assignment is coming to a close, I wanted to update all of you on a couple of the stories I've shared with you this year.First, though, I'd like to thank each one of you for the immense support I've received through prayers, friendships and finances.I truly can not express my gratitude enough for your continued encouragement.Thank you so very much!I've shared with our church family from Colorado Springs, CO to Houlton, Maine and just about everywhere else in between!One of the greatest joys has been getting to know the congregations and individuals who are so dedicated to missions and encouraging those who have yet to get involved.I have found numerous churches who are just waiting for the opportunity to get involved and are now acting on this desire for participation.I pray that all of the churches who have been visited by missionaries this year will seriously consider how they may become more involved through networks of churches and the regions.There are so many opportunities for service and really so few people who take time out of their lives to "lend a helping hand."Believe me; the blessing of helping others can not be measured!Many people plan mission trips thinking that they will go and "give" to another when the reality is that they walk away filled and served by the very people they went to help.Please make an effort to get involved today.Maybe you can encourage a group from your church to start a prayer chain, lifting the concerns of various ministries or maybe dedicating your prayer time to one specific country.The truth is, we could all use more prayer support and this is a way to get involved without leaving your own home!

I was recently encouraged by a group of elderly women from Mattoon, IL (pronounced MAT-toon) who have decided that they are not too old to do missions work!Do you know what they are doing?Several will gather together each week (some homebound) to pray for the ministry in the Dominican Republic.These are women who can not continue to be so involved in the missions committees and trips that are being taken, but they know that they are not helpless to get involved.So, weekly, they will be praying for La Romana and the ministry that we have there.Amazing!

Then, there's Keokuk, Iowa.I just received an email from the mission committee's chairperson asking me how they can do a trip THIS SUMMER!I came from this church and consider it my sending church but we've never been able to work out a trip for the congregation, despite me being overseas for the last 7 or 8 years!Now it seems like it will work.God is good and we need to wait for his timing!!

Finally, I'd like to share a praise note with all of you.No, my car didn't miraculously change into a 2005 Saab convertible with heated seats (I can dream, can't I??)Actually, about two months ago, I received a donation from the LEAP foundation.This is a foundation that travels around the world doing facial/cranial plastic surgery to repair things like cleft lips and palates.The size of the donation wasn't the most important thing, although it was very welcomed, but rather the manner in which the money was donated.You see, the LEAP foundation made contact with me almost two years ago.They had been working in the Dominican Republic but in another area of the country than where I was.We didn't know anything about each other.One day, back in Dallas, one of the physicians was commenting about his desire to reach other parts of the Dominican Republic.An anesthesiologist who worked with him commented that he thought he could help.He had never been to the Dominican Republic but he had my business card, given to him by another member of Project Medsend (the organization that is paying my student loans).He gave the information to LEAP and they arrived a few short months later.Now they would like to work solely at our hospital.O.k., so now the donation.Someone who supports their work but doesn't go on the trips, heard about a missionary who was working with LEAP on their last trip to the DR.His heart was touched by the financial problems of International Ministries and had a desire to see that some of my finances were covered.Thus the donation, from someone I've never met, through an organization who was also referred to my by someone I've never met.Is God amazing or what!That's what I call networking!!

Well, I promised you updates many paragraphs earlier, so here they are.Guion (the man with cancer and the low hemoglobin) is still ministering to the single men of his village and still walking to church each Sunday.We try to bring him food once a month through our social service program but have recently had problems with other people stealing his food when he is gone.He collects sticks to sell for firewood since he can't work and is still waiting for his pension.Please pray that we find a way to secure his food and that he continues to be filled with such joy to share God's word with others.

Gabriel, the boy who lost his leg in an oxen cart accident, has moved to a larger village so that he can go to high school and not worry about transportation costs.He maintains contact with one of our previous volunteers and is visited occasionally by some of our current volunteers.He is still a good student and has traveled to some of the construction sites with one of our current volunteers, to help out in any way he can.He remains a stable Christian and support for his family.

And finally, Kobe (my dog!).I laugh when I get emails requesting Kobe to come and speak because the truth is, if he is not introduced during my introduction, he really does speak and let everyone know he is there, too!Kobe loves the snow and colder weather of winter so much that I think he will have a small problem readjusting to the Caribbean.He will have his annual check-up in a week or so to make sure all of his vaccines are up-to-date for returning at the end of April.Please pray that weather cooperates and I don't have any problems bringing him back into the Dominican Republic.

Thank you again for all of your encouragement and support.I pray that your patience with me continues as my newsletters can be erratic because of my schedule.I would like to also give you the names and email addresses of the people who will be part of my MPT (missionary partnership team) so that you can contact the appropriate people with questions or suggestions.For those who don't know, this is a group of people who have agreed to work closely with me to help me organize and network the teams that are coming to the DR right now as well as keep others informed of the ministry.If you would like to start a prayer chain or prayer ministry, for example, you will see below who is best to contact.I pray that you will utilize these people and all of their skills to become more involved and more connected to my ministry.

Darryl Lavway, pastoral care/team leaderDLAVWAY1@maine.rr.com

Bonnie Smith, prayer/communication/medicalblssmith@maine.rr.com

Bob Beck, prayer/communication rbeck.jr@verizon.net

Pablo Perez, webpage/language issues PabloP@m3as.com

John Powers, webpagejohn@jmrcom.com

Rodney Henrikson, financeshenriksonr@aol.com

Josh Peppard, construction projectspeppard@gwi.net

Shirley Shuster, medical coordinationJDSHUSTER@aol.com

Again, if you have any questions in any of these areas, or feel you could help and want to get involved, please contact one of the members listed above.Or, contact me and I can get you in touch with one of them.

Blessings to each of you and please know how special you are to me!

Love in Christ,

Kristy Engel and Kobe!