The Dominican Republic is located on the island of Hispaniola. It shares the island with Haiti. The island is located between Puerto Rico and Cuba. The country is about two times the size of New Hampshire. The population is nearly 9 million people. The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. The island was inhabited at the time by the Taino Indians. This became the first Spanish colony in the new world. The land was fertile. More important was the discovery of gold. Along with the Spanish influence came religion. The prevalent religion in Europe was Roman Catholic. Their relationships with the government allowed Catholicism to become the official religion.
Today, 80% of the population claims to be Catholic. Very few are active. The Dominican Republic’s history includes slavery and dictatorships. The country moved to free elections in 1996 and has been governed by a representative government ever since. Throughout the dictatorships, there has been a willingness to allow missionaries to work with the people. The whole island remained very poor and mostly undeveloped. Over the years several mission agencies sent missionaries to establish churches and train leaders. They did an excellent job. The churches are doing well. But the Dominican Church had limited resources to help with the social changes that were needed to help reach others for Christ.
The Clinics
Meeting needs is the first stepin ministering to the people in the Dominican Republic. These people have few financial resources. What money they have goes for basic things like food and clothing. Money to cover healthcare is non-existent in most household budgets. That translates into several major health problems. The infant mortality rate was one of the highest in the world. The life expectancy of adults was extremely low. The World Health Organization recognized the Dominican Republic as the country with the lowest amount of money spent per capita for health care. That is the reason for the poor health issues.
Solid Rock Missions has partnered with the Clinic Christiana to help provide low cost healthcare. Besides the work teams and providing equipment, Solid Rock MIssions provides financial help to the clinic as well.
The School
After 6 years of heatlhcare improvements, the next need was to educate the now healthy children. Local government run schools were not able to do teh job. Most children were destined to a life of no hope and proverty because there was no one to give them a hand. In 1995, a partnership of missionaries, Dominicans, and Solid Rock Missions built and opened a school to meet the educational needs of these children.
The school opened its doors in September 1995 with 170 students in four grades. More classes were added each year and more students as well. The school now serves grades pre-school thru grade 12. Twenty-seven students were in the first graduating class in 2001. All of them now either have a job or are gonig on to higher education.
Besides the basics, the school also offers vocational training to its high school students and local adult education classes. Vocational training includes computer technology, welding, baking, carpentry, masonry, engine mechanics, and more. The school is soon hoping to offer college courses as well.
The school offers a well-balanced Christian education. the students and the school continue to win awards for their excellent education and extra-curricular activites. The school is a model for other Dominican schools.
Here at CrossWay, there are numerous ways to be involved in the work of Solid Rock Missions. Short-term missions trips are currently being planned for February of 2005. Consider being a part of that team. In addition, when the short-term team goes ot minister to the people of the Dominican Republic, as a church we collect school supplies and othersuppliesto suppliment the school and clinic.
Furthermore, consider sponsoring a child who would not otherwise have the means to take advantage of the school and know the hope that comes from Christ. The elementary classes have been sponsoring a young girl in the Domincan - Selina.
For more information on the Solid Rock Mission, check out their website at www.solidrockmissions.org