The best is yet to come

We're on our fourth work day here and I can't believe how much we are getting done. A big round of applause to all of my supporters. Without you this would not be possible. I've been in the process of creating a paper reservation system for the Casa so they can better serve and manage our guests. We serve a variety of guests; from teams coming to care for our children in the villages to locals having weddings and birthday parties. We hope that once everyone is familiar with this system we can transition on to an electronic one. This week I was able to introduce everyone to our brand new reservation system, and they loved it. We also came up with new and fun ideas for our little gift shop, and more improvements we want to make to this great hospitality house.

The most exciting thing of all- As of now we are set to start our first tourism class for some teens in our villages this April! COTN partners with an institution called Infotep. Infotep works with different NGOs to promote education. They run courses, provide teachers and give materials to our students. We have just added tourism and hospitality to the list of courses provided. Once the students complete their class, we will offer them an internship at Casa Bethesda where they can get on the job training. Praise God! How amazing.

I'm so excited to come back in July and see our progress!

All the hard work for good cause

If you remember, we recently sent a shipping container to the D.R. with medical supplies and Hospitality supplies. Guadalupe has done wonders with the place. Here are some pictures of the Casa with our new toys. It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint, new tables, lamps, pictures and bedspreads can do. You'll also see how our new shelves are quickly being put to use by the team here. We are here with a college ministry from UPC in Washington State.

Ven conmigo a La Republica Dominicana

For our non Spanish speaking friends, that means "Come with me to the Dominican Republic" Or at least I think. That's right. I'm in the D.R. this week, and what a great week it has been. I traveled down with Jody Stephenson, COTN's Venture Director. We had a rocky start - if you were wondering do NOT take Doxycycline on an empty stomach. Long story short the doxy and my body did not agree and I had to run to the bathroom in the airport cause I couldn't keep it down. I'm sure you all wanted to hear that. (Full version available upon request). Rest assured though, once it was out I was fine and we made it safe and sound to the D.R. I am here to work with Guadalupe (pictured above on the right with Iris, one of our famous cooks). She has recently accepted the position to run Casa Bethesda and be the Hospitality Coordinator here. I have tried to keep in mind the cultural differences between Dominicans and Americans. They are significantly more relational and not as task oriented. Which I like. However I was not sure how much we would actually get done off our list. Amazingly enough God has graciously provided us with time for everything. Picture it: You wake up in the morning to breakfast hot and ready (prepared by some of the best cooks on the globe). We eat our breakfast in the warm sunshine under the palm trees - pool side. And this, my friends, is our "office" for the week. The staff is here is wonderful. So fun, so caring. If I don't come back, you'll understand why. So, please join me in my up and coming posts to hear about the great work being accomplished here!

The supplies are sent!

As you may know, we recently sent a 40 foot shipping container to the Dominican Republic. Praise Jesus! We sent much needed medical supplies as well as some great items for Casa Bethesda! The container included so many wonderful things: Shelves for our bedrooms and bathrooms, new bed spreads, new towels, all sorts of kitchen serving trays and supplies, linens, art for the walls, pretty candles and so much more. These additions will be so helpful as we serve the teams that come down. It also will give our Hospitality students a better feel of a hospitality house.

It looks as of now that I will be travling down in late March to unload the items. Guadalupe, who runs Casa Bethesda, and I get the pleasure of unloading our new gifts, decorating and setting everything up. I will keep you updated as I know more!

Don't worry, more great ways you can help!

We're off to the Dominican!

I have just been informed that we are sending some needed supplies for our mission house/ Hospitality work down to the DR as well. These items are very expensive to purchase in the DR. So we will purchase them here and put them on the container Feb 11. Please Please! If you are able to donate any of the following items that would be FABULOUS!

-bedding - not sheets as I think we still have teams try to bring but spreads/covers for beds
-shelving for dorm rooms as there are not places for people to set anything
-shelving units for bathrooms
-curtains
-curtain rods
-rugs
-candles
-table linens
-towels
-decorations/furniture needs
-outdoor party tents for lawn dinner
-pool chairs
-manual (non electric) lawn mower
-weed eater
-sprinklers / sprinkler heads

Thank you all for reading and any help you can offer. I love how so many people can be involved in changes lives in a huge way with simple efforts. Please email ME jennabishop@cotni.org if you are able to donate any of these items. Thanks!

Lend a hand for Haiti

Anyone interested in lending a hand to the efforts in Haiti? We have two GREAT OPPORTUNITIES! We are sending a 40 foot container of donated resources (praise Jesus) via the Dominican Republic to aid in the relief efforts. Here are the ways you can be of service:

1. Volunteer to help load the container!
We are loading all of these much needed supplies in one shot

Date: Thursday, February 11th

Time: 11am - 2pm

Where: 815 Herndon Ave. Orlando FL 32803

(in the same parking lot as Summit church)

If you are able to help load, email Beth at bethsprinkle@cotni.org

2. Donate or help find people who can donate the following items:
-flashlights - wind up or solar are preferable
-batteries for above
-tents (including large party tents)
-sheets
-hygiene smilepacks and let's eat smilepacks
-antibiotic creams
-feminine products
-water bottles
-bandages/medical supplies that can be given to individuals
-lumber such as 2 by 4s and 2 by 6s and plywood for roofing, 3 tab shingles
-nails
-ropes - long
-tarps

- Fork lift (or discount to rent one)

- Fork lift driver

- plenty of boxes and tape

- water and food for volunteers

If you have supplies to donate, also email Beth. Thanks everyone!!

Hands on Haiti

For those of you who don't know, Children of the Nations is doing all they can to assist in the recent earthquake in Haiti. This tragedy left hundreds of people injured or dead. Families were torn apart. Some amazing things have been happening, though. People all over are stepping up to help in whatever way they can.

-Over $55,000 was donated in the first week
-10 teams of medical professionals are scheduled to travel down and provide care for the victims, with many on the waiting list
-A 40 foot container full of Medical supplies will be shipped down next week from Washington state
-As of January 20, more than 300 children had come through the hospital

Tons of people work tirelessly down there every day to see that people are receiving the medical attention they need. Feel free to follow on our website and hear the great things that are happening through this devastation. There are also pictures up and stories of the children.

If you are interested in partnering in some way, click here and find out how!

Now that's a good video (2)

my heart. from Jon Strong on Vimeo.

a great video by Jon Strong

Now that's a good video

Measured in Stories - Chance Meeting from Summit Church on Vimeo.

great video by Jon Strong

A glimpse at the Hospitality Program

Children of the Nations. Raising children who transform nations.

These children live in some of the most impoverished areas of the world. In the Dominican Republic specifically, many of their villages did not have schools before COTN came. Most families could not afford to send their children even if schools did exist. Through our sponsorship program they are given this opportunity. However, we would like to give them the next steps after grade school. My part of COTN's big picture revolves around education and hospitality. We are beginning our Hospitality Program in the Dominican Republic, where the industry thrives. My job is to mobilize people and resources to teach the older teens and young adults about hospitality and management.

Our program will work to give them the necessary education and training to obtain jobs in this popular industry. We will do this through the time and efforts of people like you! Teams of hospitality professionals, students or anyone with the know how will travel down to be a part. We will teach, encourage, do on-the-job training, shadowing and so much more.

Secondly, our mission house will function as a sustainable hotel; providing income for the mission and job opportunities for our students.

The villages are filled with destitute children, and broken struggling families. Even though their situations are so desperate, they have remarkable hearts to love and serve others and a great contagious hope. My dream is that by teaching them the art of Hospitality, they will be able to provide for themselves and their families.

A tiny tidbit on COTN

Children of the Nations (COTN) is an international missionary organization. We work with the poorest of the poor in four countries: Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda and the Dominican Republic. Our vision is to “Raise children who transform nations.” The way we make this vision come to life is by partnering with the nationals of these countries to provide holistic, Christ-centered care for orphaned and destitute children, enabling them to create positive and lasting change in their nations. We believe that in order to raise healthy children, the whole child must be cared for. We work to provide for their physical, mental, social and spiritual growth.

There are several different programs. Sponsorship is where you can sponsor a child in one of our villages. It provides them with all of their basic needs: Food, clothes, education, medical attention, etc. The feeding program holds food packaging events that provide our children with nutritious meals. The Venture Department sends participants into the countries to utilize their skills and resources. This is just a glimpse into all COTN does. If you are interested in hearing more, check out our website! www.COTNI.org