Eyes Not to See
By Becky Rosaler
In Genesis, we find that humans are created in the image and likeness of God. Ex nihilo, it was out of nothing that God spoke the world into existence and continued on to the pinnacle of creation, you and I. If we are made in His likeness, then we are made to create as well.
It has been said that artists are often the prophets of a culture. I am constantly amazed at the way they express what is happening around them, the details of life that most are too busy to pick up on, they hit sentiments that strike our nerves or spark further contemplation.
During a recent Vision Trip to the Dominican Republic, we had the opportunity to visit the Candido Bido Museum in his hometown of Bonao. Candido Bido is one of Dominican’s most important contemporary artists. Immediately, we noticed characteristics that signify his work: a pointillistic style, hues of blues, reds, orange and yellow, the Dominican sun, and dark holes where eyes should have been that made his pieces look incomplete. We soon learned that the omission was intentional.
As a Dominican, Bido had seen through the tropical turquoise waters, the bright sun, and the lush growth on the hillsides that most see as portraying this Caribbean nation. He saw pain. He saw suffering. He saw injustice. He saw things that he didn’t want his creations to see. So, he did what was kind and he didn’t give them eyes.
Bido’s proclamation hit a nerve in us. Over the next couple of days, our eyes were open. We were that much more intentional about taking in what was happening under the tropical, green growth, the streets we walked, the villages we visited.
Unlike Bido’s creations, we were also able to see the good that Plant With Purpose is accomplishing in the Dominican Republic. We saw an appreciation and deep friendships between rural farmers and the Plant With Purpose staff. We saw individuals caring for one another. We saw a community that worked together and gave generously.
And one set of eyes at a time, the sights of injustice under the Dominican sun became scenes of joy, hope, friendship, laughter, and a future.
The Gospel Lived Out.
Ladies and gentlemen, today you are in for a treat.
Yesterday we shared the incredible story of Teodora Sánchez and her church in the village of Loma Verde in the Dominican Republic. We were so inspired by the idea of a church joining with Plant With Purpose to combat illiteracy that we decided to post about it again today.
Today Corbyn Small, Regional Representative shares his firsthand experience from his trip to the Dominican Republic just a couple weeks ago. He had the privilege of meeting Teodora, the incredible literacy trainers in her church, and the inspiring men and women who are learning to read.
Take it away, Corbyn!
Spiritual Renewal: It’s as easy as A, B, C
Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve shared the incredible story of Teodora Sánchez, an inspiring woman from the Dominican Republic. We’ve shared how Teodora engaged her community in environmental restoration and how she’s joining with others to foster economic empowerment.
Today we’d like to draw your attention to the spiritual renewal that is springing up in Teodora’s community of Loma Verde.
As a pastor, Teodora is constantly looking for new ways to engage both the physical and spiritual needs of those around her. One issue that has plagued Teodora’s community is illiteracy. When she heard that Plant With Purpose had initiated a new project designed to mobilize churches to respond to the needs of the community, Teodora’s eyes sparkled with joy at the opportunity to fight illiteracy.
Through the “Church, Community, and Change” project, Plant With Purpose partnered with Teodora and her church to implement a literacy program in Loma Verde. Teodora provided the vision; Plant With Purpose helped turn the dream into a reality.
Teodora says, “The Church, Community, and Change pilot was a great blessing from God. More than 30 people attended the literacy classes in January 2012 and more are expected to register throughout the year. Church members serve as the literacy facilitators.”
As the church serves, hope swells: community members build confidence, families become less vulnerable, economic opportunities emerge, and families gain hope for a brighter future.
One of the most exciting outcomes is that community members are able to read the Bible for themselves for the first time. Hearts and lives are transformed as the Word comes alive in powerful new ways.
Wow.
Could there be a better picture of the church sharing the love of Christ with their community in word and deed?
We are touched by the transformation taking place in Loma Verde, and we are grateful for your role in joining with leaders like Teodora to bring hope to their communities in loving, practical ways.
A Christmas Wish: Investing in the Future
It’s almost Christmas! Today’s Christmas Wish comes from Rafaela Leonidas Encarnación from Basima, Dominican Republic. Rafaela is the mother of an entrepreneurial family. With six children, Rafaela was always worried about making ends meet and feeding her family. She operated a small business in her village, selling various items to other community members, but the income generated from her business was not sufficient to meet her family’s needs.
That started to change when Rafaela joined a Plant With Purpose group where she received training in small business and financial management.
Now, Rafaela’s business is thriving, and her daughter has also set up her own successful business selling empanadas. The income her daughter generates not only supplements their household income, but it also makes Rafaela very proud of her daughter’s entrepreneurial spirit.
“Partnering with Plant With Purpose has been very good for my community and me,” Rafaela says. “Thanks to God’s providence and the business training received through Plant With Purpose’s workshops, my business has been more successful, I have been able to attract more customers, and my relationship with my family is stronger.”
This Christmas, consider giving the gift of opportunity to entrepreneurs like Rafaela and her daughter. Village savings and loans associations (VSLA) offer a safe venue to learn to save money, receive low-interest microloans, and take part in critical business training.
Hurricane Update: At Home and Abroad
by Aly Lewis
“Aly, get up! We need to move next door!” my cousin yelled to me in the 5 a.m. darkness of the storm. In mere minutes I was on my way to higher ground, sludging through thigh-high water in pj pants, socks, and my cute new flats while carrying my laptop and everything I could scramble into my backpack lit by the dim glow of my cell phone.
I spent the last week on “vacation” visiting relatives near the Outer Banks of North Carolina. If you’re thinking “Outer banks, that sounds familiar. Where have I heard that recently?” That’s right, the Outer Banks was where Hurricane Irene made landfall early, early Saturday morning.
After a day of boarding up houses, taking down porch swings, relocating porch plants to a card table in the living room, and driving cars and trucks to higher ground, you would have thought I’d sleep like a baby. But as the wind howled outside my window and the power flickered the air conditioning on and off, I couldn’t sleep. In my near dreaming delirium, I half expected waves of floodwater to crash through my windows at any moment. When I finally slept, it was short lived.
Although I had been excited for the adventure, I have to admit I was pretty scared when I took that first dark step into the front yard water, debris and downed tree limbs floating by, the propane tank bobbing in the waves. Once I reached the safe (and higher) haven of my relative’s home next door, there was nothing much left for me to do but dry off and wait.
Wait and hope and pray that the tidewaters would stop their threatening surge. That the howling wind and the waves crashing on the doorstep (ocean waves on the doorstep?!) would recede. That the salty water wouldn’t seep into my cousin’s home, destroying floors and carpets, refrigerators and valuables.
The hurricane was terrifying enough in a house built up a few feet for storms like this. I was in a sturdy home. We had generators to supply us with power in the days that followed. We had water for drinking and bathing. We had family members who could take us in.
And that was terrifying enough for me. I can’t imagine living in a small shack, tent, or dirt home like in the Dominican Republic or Haiti. With no power, no water, no protection.
Now back at Plant With Purpose, I am thankful to report that, despite winds and flooding, the loss of life in the Dominican Republic as a result of Hurricane Irene has been minimal. Plant With Purpose was able to reach the affected communities and noted that “the farmers’ resolve is unwavering. Despite loss of animals and damage to farms, they are rebuilding their lives. Communities are mobilizing and taking care of those in need.”
The following is an update from the field on the damages sustained by the communities with whom we work.
San Cristobal
This province, where Plant With Purpose works with a few communities, suffered the most damage as intense rains caused rivers to overflow.
El Aguacero
500 cocoa seedlings and 3,000 seeds in the community tree nursery were
damaged by the rains. Community members also lost 4 cows, 2 pigs, 2 horses
and 1 mule, which are major losses to them. There is a savings group in the
community as well as Bible Study groups, which are providing support to the
victims.
La Joya
Strong winds damaged the electric grid in the community and hasn’t been
repaired yet. Farmers lost 4 hectares of cocoa, which is their primary
source of income. The flooding swept away avocado trees and 2 hectares of
rice were also damaged.
Loma Verde
Community members lost 3 cows and 3 hectares of cocoa swept away by the
risen waters. This community has two savings groups and many Bible Study
groups and the local church is mobilizing to start a literacy program using
the Church, Community, and Change methodology with Plant With Purpose.
Maizal
6 km. of roads were damaged and 4 hectares of cocoa were damaged by the
intense rains, which caused serious mudslides.
Hormigo
4 cows and 1 horse and cocoa plants were swept away by the river.
Thank you again for your prayers and support of our partners in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. And thank you for the Plant With Purpose staff’s faithful prayers for me and my family in North Carolina!
Update on Flooding in the DR from Hurricane Irene
Last week, Hurricane Irene 
brought heavy rains and winds to the Caribbean, causing flooding in some areas of the Dominican Republic. Most of the damage in our program was concentrated in the province of San Cristobal, an area southwest of the capital, Santo Domingo. All the bridges in San Cristobal collapsed and as of last Thursday there was no way to access the communities on the other side. We are still waiting to hear from our Floresta-Dominican Republic staff to see if they were able to get through.
Overall there was a lot of damage to bridges, homes, farms, and the electric grid. Sadly, we received reports that three homes were lost in the community of La Represa and three people were missing, one of which swam after a drowning cow. The Haina River overflowed into most of the community and some homes and the school collapsed due to their proximity to the flooded river in Aguacero. Electricity was also lost.
Farmers in the community of Loma Verde lost cocoa trees and some people close to the river lost their homes.
Farmers in the community of Hormigo also lost cocoa trees, as well as cows, horses, and all their bridges.
Although there is some very substantial damage, we are grateful that the destruction was not worse. This is, in part, a testimony to the good work that Floresta-Dominican Republic has been doing for so many years. In 2004, a deforested hillside washed away during a flood and wiped out an entire community called Jimaní. Plant With Purpose works to prevent similar deadly mudslides from occurring by reforesting hillsides, constructing soil conservation barriers, and restoring watersheds.
Our Program Director, Armando Osorio, was in the Dominican Republic last week and said that the Dominican Center for Emergency Operations, which brings together most government ministries and the armed forces, is responding well to the emergency. They had helicopters rescuing people and delivering food to those that needed it.
Armando also said, “The sun is out today (last Thursday) and the waters are receding. Neighbors are helping each other. Even in the midst of the rains yesterday, Dominicans were outside getting wet and having fun.”
Please pray for our staff as they continue to assess damages and mobilize to meet the greatest needs to support communities and families. And keep Haiti and the Dominican Republic in your prayers, especially as more storms continue to form in the Caribbean and the Atlantic. We heard from our Haiti Program Director, Guy Paraison, and thankfully he said, “Thanks to God that the areas where Floresta-Haiti is working are safe!”
This bridge, which leads to the communities of La Rosa, La Represa, El Aguacero, Loma Verde, and La Joya did not collapse, but the water has overflowed, making it impossible for our truck to pass. We are waiting to hear from our in-country staff to see if they were able to get through over the weekend.
Prayer for Families in the Caribbean
by Corbyn Small
In very recent news there has been a lot of talk about disaster preparedness. From an earthquake in DC yesterday, to Hurricane Irene, which is currently passing over islands in the Caribbean and heading toward the U.S. coastline, people are taking a second look at whether or not they are ready for inclement weather or a natural disaster to strike.
When that concern arises within our own borders it is hard to imagine what individuals are experiencing in developing countries. There are countless families in the Dominican Republic, and whole communities of already displaced peoples in Haiti, who have an extreme lack of access to resources that could shelter them against emergency situations. 
Yahoo! news reports that, “In the Dominican Republic, flooding has stranded at least 85 communities and nearly 32,000 people have been evacuated. Emergency crews equipped with lifejackets and ropes on Wednesday rescued families whose homes were being flooded by a swollen river in the city of San Cristobal, just west of the capital.”
Our Program Director, Armando Osorio, is in the Dominican Republic right now and has shared that many of the communities where we work have been hit hard by the wind and rains. He says it is difficult to obtain information during national emergencies in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, especially since phones and computers are largely unavailable to many of the farmers we work with. Many people are left literally and figuratively in the dark. He managed to 
send pictures from his journey up the main highway connecting Santo Domingo and Santiago, the two largest cities in the Dominican Republic.
So far we do not have any reports of mudslides, which is good news because that can be a major cause of destruction and deaths in these mountainous regions. Tomorrow, our Dominican field agents will venture into communities on roads that are nearly impassible except by four wheel drive vehicle (motorcycles are out of the question) in order to assess damages and next steps if they are needed. We will continue to keep you all updated and we ask for your prayers for the affected communities we work in. Also, please pray for our staff as they assess damages and mobilize to meet the greatest needs to support communities and families.
Measuring Progress
Where in the world is Bob? Today’s 
blog post follows Bob Morikawa, Plant With Purpose’s Technical Director, to the Dominican Republic where he has just arrived to measure the progress of our programs there. Every three years or so, Plant With Purpose reevaluates our work by meeting with our local staff and farmers to find out what’s working and what needs to be adjusted.
Here is a snippet from Bob’s blog, “Where is Bob?”:
“This morning the staff here in the Dominican Republic and myself met to go over the plans for evaluation that we are doing this year. Every three years we try to answer the question, “Are we making a difference?” A tough one for sure, and a lot of work is required, but an important question to be asking ourselves as an organization. It is kind of easy to go on planting trees, and training farmers, and assume that what we are doing is all good.
However, once in a while, it is good to take a step back and try to get a view from a slightly different perspective. So much like a company might hire a marketing firm to help them understand how customers perceive or use their products, we go out and do household surveys and hold focus groups to discuss our work. We ask questions like, what are your sources of income? and how much of your farm is protected by trees? and what material is the floor of your house made of? This last question may seem a bit strange, but the fact of the matter is that if you ask people directly about their income, or their financial situation, you rarely get a reliable answer. Either because people don’t really track their finances themselves, or they are reluctant (understandably) to tell others. So the thinking is to ask some indirect questions, which can give you an idea of how someone is doing, like whether they have a dirt floor or not.”
***
Our Dominican Republic program is growing, and 
adding new communities in a new region. Bob will also be helping to start this project expansion, which will be looking at things from a watershed level for the first time. According to Bob, “working in reforestation and soil conservation, our work has always been influenced by watersheds, but to actually tackle an entire watershed in an organized way requires a bit more strategy. This trip is about collecting basic information so we can make informed decisions about what to do, and also so we will have something by which we can measure our progress in the future. We also will be consulting with communities and developing plans that make sense to them as well as to us.”
We will keep you posted on the latest developments with this project expansion!
Click here to see a map of all of the communities Plant With Purpose is working with in the Dominican Republic!
Three years later…(Part 1)
By Doug Satre, Director of Outreach and Development
Three years ago this month I had the privilege of visiting Plant With Purpose’s work on the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. I had just started working in our San Diego office, and the trip gave me the opportunity to see first hand the problems of deforestation and poverty, and what Plant With Purpose was doing to help bring healing and hope to impoverished communities. It was a personally meaningful trip for me, as I was meeting our staff the farmers for the first time. These were the people whose stories I was telling back in the US; stories of struggles and triumphs. Meeting them made Plant With Purpose’s work real to me, and has – I hope – made me a more effective advocate for our work alongside of them.
I also learned a lot about agricultural development on that trip, and took some pictures like the one below to illustrate how soil conservation and agroforestry (on the left) differ from traditional slash and burn farming (on the right)
On our most recent trip, I was anxious to try to gauge the change from my previous trip. How would the area be different? Would previously barren landscapes be covered with trees? I was especially anxious to visit the field pictured above, to see how it looked three years later. But I confess that, as we toured the area, things initially looked pretty much the same to me. This was despite the fact that over 700,000 trees had been planted and miles of soil conservation barriers had been planted since I had been there. Where was the change I had been expecting?
It was only later when I compared the two pictures, one from 2008 and one from 2011, that the difference became clear. This field now has three times as many soil conservation barriers as before, and hundreds more trees. The trees that were tiny have grown and are beginning to bear fruit. The landscape is changing.
In retrospect I realized how impatient I had been, and also how much transformation had happened that I had failed to recognize. As I began to pay closer attention, the change became apparent. There were changes in people, too. Their incomes are rising and malnutrition is decreasing. They expressed their confidence that in 5 to 10 years their mountains would be a totally different place for them and for their children. I’ll write more about that in part 2 of this post.
