complete transparency

Let's start this post off with some truth... it is going to be all over the place.  Get ready to jump around because we have some catching up to do.  The No Longer team is still settling down from the 2nd annual No Longer 5K on April 5.  The race was a huge success with almost 400 runners (and too many silly sock wearing kids to count) participating and a little over $26,000 raised!  We celebrated our 2 year anniversary on April 19 and are consistently amazed when we look back at what has happened in the two years since No Longer was formed.  So many hearts have been burdened for the orphan, a whole bunch of money has been raised, a partnership has been formed with a church in the DR, and we pray God has been glorified in it all.

All of these strides are wonderful and reason for celebration, but, as a team, we can't help being frustrated at what hasn't happened.  At the end of 2013 we were hopeful and optimistic for a grand opening in the first months of 2014, but here it is the end of April and there is still no home open for the children.  Orphaned children who we don't know yet, but we already love.  It is so easy to be discouraged in the waiting with no news, but, thankfully, we do have some developments we can share that remind us things are moving along, even if not as quickly as we would like.

First of all, the orphanage has a name!  We originally planned to reveal the name when we would be celebrating the grand opening, but we feel like it needs to be known now.  The official name of the orphanage in Santo Domingo is Brisas del Este, Brisas for short.  The Spanish words "brisas del este" are translated "breezes of the east" in English.  There have been several key improvements made to Brisas in the last couple of months.  Church members and mommas from Restoracion, the local church, had a special time of prayer and worship one night in March to specifically address the needs at Brisas.  They spent time asking God to open the doors of the orphanage so the church can become a family for needy children in their community.  They also thanked God for the partners they have in Kansas City, Alabama, Florida, and the DR.  What a humbling thing to know they were praying for us in the States!  The local church also paid for the completion of landscaping at Brisas with money taken up from their congregation.  The grounds look great, as you can see.

 

The homes are beautiful, secure, ready.  The only thing missing is the children.  Our GO Project coordinator and Pastor Altagracia met with CONANI, the DR's child welfare agency, the day after their prayer meeting in March.  They were told several projects needed to be completed before we could move forward with opening the home to the children.  In short, before the home can be occupied the following projects must be completed and then be approved by CONANI: an eating pavilion, a small guard shack, and some sort of playground.  They also learned there is a government school being built on the lot adjacent to Brisas.  This is wonderful news because the addition of a public school can greatly improve living conditions in the area.  It is also highly possible the children could attend this school instead of the private school we thought they would attend.  Brisas needs two additional walls built to separate it from the school, so as great as the school being built is, it creates another task on the "to do" list.

Simply put, we feel we have reached the point in this journey where all we can do is pray for God's favor and for Him to open doors and soften hearts to the needs of Brisas.  This is THE most important part of our journey so far, and we can't do it alone.  We are asking you to commit to praying with us for several very specific needs:

• Pray the construction of the walls, playground area, eating pavilion, and guard shack will be completed swiftly and without any further delays.
• Pray that CONANI will quickly approve changes made to the Brisas property and approve its opening.
• Pray for the safety of the orphans as they wait.
• Pray for the mommas who have devoted their lives to providing love and care to the children.
• Pray for Pastor Altagracia as she juggles her many responsibilities and thank God for her congregation and their burden for orphaned children in their community.
• Pray for this process to move quickly and effectively towards the end goal of children finding a home.

Ready for a unique opportunity?  We believe God will show up in a mighty way in Brisas, and here's where you come in.  It's simple, really.

A short piece of twine.
A simple reminder to pray.
An easy way to share the story of Brisas with others. 

It's a bracelet you're supposed to lose; when it naturally falls off, you will know you have done your part.  We are giving "Prayers for Brisas" bracelets to anyone who will commit to praying with us for the needs facing Brisas.  Wear the bracelet as a sign and reminder of your commitment!

We are praying for the doors of Brisas to open so the church can be family to children in need. In faith, we believe it will happen.  If you would like a "Prayers for Brisas" bracelet, please let us know at info@no-longer.com.  Not in town?  We will gladly mail one if you let us know your address.  Don't worry, guys.  We have plain twine without the cross for you, so specify which you would like to wear. 

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen."

Ephesians 3:20