LOS COCOS, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MISSION 2021 

Continuing to Care

Dear Friends,          

In the “old days”, a child would seek time outside by going to the local playground. One of the pieces of equipment on the playground was the see-saw, or teeter-totter. The important thing to remember when riding the see-saw was creating a sense of balance. If one person was too heavy or too light, the see-saw would be out of balance, and one child would be left in midair for quite some time.

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown our Dominican Republic Mission plans off balance at a time when the people who live in Los Cocos need us the most. In that village, and others like it, today’s wages buy tomorrow’s food, and without those wages, a downward spiral of hunger and lack of shelter begins. Without our team’s presence, and other congregation’s teams as well, the economic stability of many of the people has gone awry. 

Our mission trips have not been hand-outs to the residents of Los Cocos. They have worked beside us in the construction of the houses and the Community Center. They have provided room and board for our team members. They have worshipped with us and prayed with us. They have become part of us, just as surely as we have become part of their village story. While they have needed us and appreciated us in the past, they are in desperate need of our support now.

This year, we plan to continue our mission partnership with the people of Los Cocos by providing funds for the construction of a home for one family. Since it is not safe for an HUMC team to travel and work there in this time of COVID 19, Los Cocos community members will construct the house on their own.  By providing resources, we can continue to help meet the needs of our neighbors for dry, safe houses. In addition to providing shelter for one more family, providing for the costs of building the house will generate employment and income for people who have lost much.  

Please consider taking part in this mission by contributing to the funds needed to build the house and support this community. You may give through the church app, by mailing a check to the church with ”Los Cocos Mission” on the memo line, or by giving to the November Communion offering. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

As the people in the Dominican Republic continue to deal with COVID-19, as well as the ordinary day-to-day challenges they face, we have an opportunity to allay some of their fears and worries. Like children on a see-saw, we have the opportunity to help restore balance and a sense of economic equilibrium to this community. With our gifts and our prayers, the people of Los Cocos will know that, in spite of all the changes in the world around them, they still have sisters and brothers in Christ who care about them and care for them. Thank you in advance for your compassion and generosity.

David Jost

DR Mission Team member