Cane Field Kids Receive Gifts of Love

By Julie Stutler, serving in the Dominican Republic

Zac and Julie Stutler minister in Alianza, a church plant in Punta Cana, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean. The following is an adapted excerpt from their recent update.

Last month, 16 people from Alianza packed up bags and boxes of crayons, hundreds of pencils, sharpeners, erasers, cookies, several gallons of juice, and other items to distribute to children who live in an impoverished village in the cane fields. This was the culmination of a special project from our recent Bible Adventures camp.

During the month of August, children who attended the camp, along with families from Alianza, brought newly purchased school supplies to the church. One member, who is a printer, designed and donated 500 notebooks. A family provided several new backpacks filled with materials. Others dedicated their time, organizing and packing the items into gift bags. The night before the event, one woman prepared nearly 200 peanut butter sandwiches.

Early in the morning of August 31, we loaded up three vehicles and traveled two hours to the Christian and Missionary Alliance church in the village of Experimental. Dozens of smiling faces greeted us as we entered the building. The children quickly became not just friends but also family.

“Full of Jesus”

The group from Alianza sang songs from the Bible camp, and children from the church in the cane fields presented a song in pantomime. Then the people from Alianza distributed the gift bags. It was such a blessing to watch, especially as the givers and recipients exchanged smiles and hugs. Even a little 18 month-old girl gave out her share of gift bags.

Lissette, an 11-year-old from Alianza, approached me with tears in her eyes. “Aunt Julia, it was amazing,” she said. “I have never seen anything like this. When I gave a little girl the bag, she smiled so big and said, ‘This is just what I needed.’ I felt so happy—I feel so full of Jesus.”

After the supplies had been distributed, our team passed out juice, cookies, and the sandwiches. We concluded the day by praying together.

You accompanied us that special Saturday through your prayers and giving. Thank you for being a part of this ministry through prayer and giving to the Great Commission Fund (GCF), our Work Special, and our Punta Cana Church Plant Project Approved Special. God is using you and your support in amazing ways.

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Join the Alliance family in praying for our international workers in the Dominican Republic and worldwide, who are building Christ’s Church through cutting-edge ministries. Use the Alliance Weekly Prayer Requests to assist you.

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