On the other side of the border…
ICDM began its work in Haiti over 30 years ago in Bayonnais. Thanks to our strategy of distributing hope through onsite training, we have been able to influence most of Haiti with our vision to evangelize, educate, equip, and empower. About ten years ago, this strategy helped us reach across the border to The Dominican Republic. We trained mostly Haitian church leaders who were working in the DR to carry the four E’s to the communities where they lived and worked.
Participants at an ICDM Leadership Conference in the DR
ICDM’s work in the Dominican Republic has multiplied in the past few years. Beginning as a work mostly among Haitian nationals living in the DR, it is now reaching people of all ethnic and national backgrounds.
Efforts among Haitian nationals living in the DR are very important. Many Haitians have emigrated to the DR to seek work and shelter following the 2010 earthquake in Port au Prince. Many of them were not able to obtain visas and live as hidden people in their new country. This situation has been especially tough on Haitian children born in the DR. They are for the most part people without an identity. They have no birth certificates from the Dominican Republic; they have none from Haiti. They are not only people without a home but also people without the dignity of a recognized existence. They cannot go to school. They cannot apply for a driver’s license when they are of age. The problems multiply.
Thankfully, people like Pastor Robinson Jeudy and his wife are making a difference. Pastor Robinson began partnering with ICDM several years ago. Through his training, he has become very effective in reaching the forgotten people of Santiago. He is providing them with rudimentary schooling and is working together with us to get Haitian birth certificates for the unrecognized children. His Church, Harvest Assemblies of God, is also helping to heal the rift between Haitians and many Dominicans by ministering to forgotten Dominicans as well and by bringing them together in Christian community through his church. God is building an outpost of hope through him and his wife in Santiago.
Pastor Robinson Jeudy with American friend, Rev. Jim Govatos
Another cause for rejoicing can be found further south in the Santo Domingo area. There, Pastors Daniela and Max Mondestin. They have worked in Hato Nuevo, just east of Santo Domingo, for over 30 years. Based on her experience obtaining a birth certificate that allowed her to get an education, Daniela and Max are committed to helping other Dominicans get theirs. In addition, they are committed to educating the children. Some years ago, they established a school that became so successful, they passed it on to the Dominican government. Now they are working on new efforts to educate a new generation. ICDM is working with them on building their leadership team and helping to fund some of their projects.
Pastors Daniela and Max Mondestin at an ICDM Leadership Conference.
ICDM is in the Dominican Republic to stay. We are currently exploring options for creating a permanent space for our ministry there to better service the leaders we are developing and to welcome mission teams from the US. If you are interested in bringing a team, please contact our director, Yvan Pierre, at yvan@icdm.us. We specialize in helping churches and families customize their mission experience based on interest and skills. We can receive medical missions, house-building missions, Vacation Bible School teams, educators, and people who simply want to love people most of the world has forgotten.
If you are interested in learning more about ICDM’s work in the Dominican Republic, and perhaps contributing to it, please contact Yvan Pierre at yvan@icdm.us.