Day 2: Elim HOPE Packs Distribution in Puerto Plata (Christian views on disability)

June 16, 2010

We handed out hundreds of Elim HOPE Packs today, but I only have time to share what happened this morning.

We again visited Templo Del Dios Viviente in Puerto Plata. The church hosts a children’s program each day, a sort of Bible time that is largely aimed at socialization, singing, and providing a nutritious meal. We were able to participate in several aspects of the program, but the most meaningful activity came at the end.

This is where it gets exciting for me, as you get to see Mimi, one of Elim’s adult consumers, handing out school packs that she and her friends at Elim assembled. These are the packs that people like you and so many churches helped us assemble through fundraisers and church supply drives. Look at the joy on Mimi’s face as she gets to help people in need.

Now, in this next video, we’ll get a fuller sense of the impact, as you get to see the line of children you’ve helped. After watching the video, please take a minute to offer a prayer of thanks to God. Thank Him for equipping our adults to help not only these 100+ children, but tens of thousands of others through Elim HOPE Packs. It is a real and too rare blessing to personally witness how God can use people with disabilities to minister to others – but you are changing that.

And in our final clip for this update, you get to see Trisha Stingel, adult services staff at Elim, and Elim President Bill Lodewyk discussing what a blessing it is to see the packs getting into the hands of children, thanks to the loving work of our adults and your support.

That’s all for now. Please stay tuned for more updates tomorrow!