The Dominican Republic received a medical team from Southside Church of the Nazarene, Virginia, USA, Feb. 3-10. The team joined the ministries of Work and Witness and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) to hold medical clinics in 5 different districts. More than 550 people received medical attention, medicine and spiritual help. Sixty people accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Paquita Bido, Mesoamerica Central Area NCM Coordinator said, “The Holy Spirit manifested itself in a special way every day in every district through the expression of compassion as an act of true love.” She also said that the patients’ lives were not the only ones transformed, but the people serving were as well. One example is from Nathalie Franco, a Dominican who volunteered as a translator.

“Last week there were people who PAID to help in various communities in my Dominican Republic. They put to one side their own interests and personal commitments to serve their neighbor. I could see love in their expressions, their smiles, and when they spoke about Jesus with every patient. Above all, I saw love when God healed each sick person, when he restored their bones, when he gave sight to those who could not see . . . After this week, my life will never be the same. I fell in love with a real God who is powerful and good. A God who loves you and who expects nothing more than a grateful heart for his mercy.”

Paquita Bido would like to thank the group led by Sonia Cheda as well as Sheldon Drake and Pastor Kevin Skellet. She would also like to recognize Dr. Dave Nef, who is the coordinator of the project though he was not able to travel.

Source: Paquita Bido Balbuena, Mesoamerica Central Area NCM Coordinator