Salgado DR Mission Prayer letter

Dear friends, mission partners, brothers and sisters in Christ,

The last couple of months have been a bit difficult. Trinity, Maya, and Tonito spent sometime in the states to visit with family. For two of them it had been over two years since their last visit! Christen and I tried our best and did everything we could to get Yeison a visa. Unfortunately we were denied…..twice. Even though we now have full custody of him, he has a passport and could even travel to other countries that do not require visas for Dominicans,  the US embassy did not allow us to travel home with our son. It was difficult but we trust the Lord’s timing. He has done so much and has been so gracious already in the process of legal custody. Things that many people told us were impossible, the Lord made possible. So we accepted it and continue to trust Him and pray.

Unfortunately, some who get a chance to travel to the US don’t return to their country. We understand there is a lot of child trafficking out of the DR and people even  steal children and kill them to sell their organs on the black market (yes, this actually happens). So we understand that in some way they felt they were trying to protect him or prevent something, but we had a solid case that we presented to them. Legal documents, proof of our children enrolled in school there, ownership of vehicles, rental agreements to the houses we have lived in, letters from the Dominican Convention affirming our work there, and even pictures of Yeison with our family since he was three months old until most recent.

Thankfully we have a wonderful church family in Hato Mayor. We had a married couple from the church take care of Sahira and Yeison while staying at our house while we were gone. It was hard to leave them behind, but we felt they would be taken good care of.

Christen and the kids are back home in the DR now. Thank you for praying for them as they traveled. I am still in the states and will be here a bit longer. I am sharing our ministry with churches and individuals praying the Lord will open the doors for more mission partenerships and support.

There is an important and powerful partnership between those sent and those behind praying and supporting. Those who pray and give to missions, play a role just as important as the one on the mission field.

Unfortunately, due to the the uncertainty of Yeison being able to travel with us or not, or when that was going to be possible, it was very difficult to establish set dates for speaking engagements and I was not able to come as organized as usual for this visit. I have some commitments in October and am presently trying to organize the month of September. I am in Florida now visiting with family and will be sharing with a couple of churches here. But this extended time away from Christen and the kids is hard on all of us. Please pray for our family and that in spite of the many difficulties that this trip would be fruitful.

We are very thankful to the Lord for the faithful brothers and sisters that pray for and support us. But the reality is that we need more help. As the ministry grows the needs grow. Not only the needs of our family,  but of many others as well. We are preparing for the future (and the Lord is certainly growing His church), but many times resources are the only thing holding us back from being able to do so much more!

Christ is our root. How can we do anything but bear good fruit? Christ is our spring of fresh water. How can we do anything but desire to be poured forth and deliver life-giving nourishment to a thirsty world?- Trevor Christian Johnson

We want to support and send out nationals now. We want to multiply mission minded men. The Lord is bringing them and they are learning and growing. We need to expand our building and build classrooms for teaching the adults and children. (Although running out of chairs and space is a good problem to have!) Traveling is expensive with gasoline at $6 a gallon there. We need funds to provide more bibles, teaching materials and offer opportunities like seminary training for the faithful men gifted and able to teach. There are many poor and sick who we help with food, medications and treatments. The list goes on and on. We need the help of brothers and sisters back home willing to pray and sacrificially give to make this possible.

Please pray about joining us in prayer and support. If you know of any churches of individuals seeking a ministry to invest in, please share this letter with them. They can contact us here from the website or at salgadodrmission.com.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2

We understand that some people have to see something themselves to really be inspired to get involved. We welcome anyone to come and see what the Lord is doing for themselves. But we prefer small teams (4-5) with people able to teach, minister and encourage. The larger groups cost so much to care for, and in airfare alone, those amounts of money can accomplish so much more here as well as give work to the brethren in the church when doing projects and activities. But if you would like to help just to be obedient to the Scritpures and the mandate the Lord has given us, we encourage you to, and would be VERY thankful.

Consider this text:

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:17-19

The Philippians were a loving and missional church. They sent Epaphroditus to Paul to encourage him, but also to supply him with money and resources. Notice the following:

1) Paul was content in any situation, BUT he made his needs known to these brethren and they were met.

2) He sought to see the fruit of their faith in their giving. Their desire and actions were evidence of their being genuine.

3) The were fulfilling the law of Christ (law of love) by carrying their brother’s burden (Gal.6:2)

4) They were being more blessed by giving than Paul was by receiving. (Storing treasure in heaven), and the Lord would bless and supply their needs as well.

5) Their giving pleased the Lord and Paul describes it as “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”

May the Lord move us to be more like these brothers and sisters. We both need eachother to get the job done. May the Lord receive glory and honor as we follow this example. Soli Deo Gloria

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. – Philippians 1:3-5

In service to our Lord and King,

Antonio Salgado

 

 

 

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