Yolanda and I spent most of the month of June 2026 in the DR. We brought in over 1200 glasses (mostly readers) without any issues from customs as we had let them know beforehand what we were doing and had addressed their concerns. During the month we gave out several readers during two outreach events, and we donated about 800 to the Milton Moronta foundation as we have done the previous years. Dr. Moronta expressed his thanks as he includes giving these out during his medical ministry events. This is a blessing for the poor in the DR as many cannot afford to buy glasses.
We purchased about $5,500 worth of bibles (Spanish and Creole totaling 324 bibles) and gave out many of these at various locations. During the time until our next trip, Pastor Javier will give out additional ones (along with the reader glasses). We will purchase more on our next trip.
Carol-Lynn D. came to our house for about 5 days and she distributed medical supplies to the Monkey Jungle, and participated with Pastor Javier in buying and distributing some food to the very poor that Javier knows of in the Choco and Veragua communities. She also did a children’s outreach event at the church near the Monkey Jungle. Loren S. came during the same time as Carol-Lynn and he helped her with her ministry as well as functioning as her translator. It was a blessing to have both of them join us on this trip.
Late in the trip we bought enough rice, sugar, salt, salami, and cooking oil to supply 50 bags which we gave out to the poor in the Choco and Veragua communities.
As is typical, we had maintenance items to address on this trip. We continued with painting, focusing mostly on the outside of the house. We had to replace our water cooler and our pool pump, and we installed surge protection on the electric line that feeds the house and peripheral items. We made a significant payment toward improving the roadway that leads to our house.
Although Yolanda and I caught mild colds, it did not set us back very much. Yolanda’s health was good enough for her to participate in our outreach events this trip (praise God!).
Our special thanks go to the folks who stayed at our house to take care of us and help with mission activities: Pastor Javier and his wife Ayda, and Elba our fantastic cook.
Our special thanks go to the following: those who financially donated to this trip (Tom and Cheryl B., Tim and Carol-Lynn D., Holly M., and Rich N.), Terry S. of Mission Vision who donated the glasses to us, and Jeff P. and Michael E. who looked after our house while we were away.
We look forward to see what God has in store for the next trip! Please pray that mission teams would be interested in coming next year.