NEWSLETTER MARCH 2003 SEMILLAS de ESPERANZA (SEEDS OF HOPE) A MINISTRY OF NICK AND WENDY SERIANNI CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" Phi 2:7

OUR GRATITUDE

Wendy and I truly feel blessed as a result of our calling as missionaries. God has given us the desire, grace, and fortitude we need to be devoted entirely to His service. We have come to the understanding that there is no greater privilege or honor than to follow in the footsteps of Jesus as a servant to the people of the Dominican Republic. We know that our reward is in God and greater than anything the world can offer. We are also eternally grateful to all of you who support us with your prayers and donations. You make it possible for us to be missionaries.

WOODWORKING ADDED
TO PROGRAM

Ever since I studied construction technology in Switzerland, I have enjoyed working with wood. Until recently, I have not had the proper tools to do too much. I now have an electric drill, an electric belt sander, a hand planer, and a table saw. This has enabled me to begin a new program. On Thursdays I am working with a small group of boys who are interested in learning carpentry.

I have spent a great deal of time with one twelve year-old boy named Saul. Using scrap wood left over from the construction of the church cupboards, I helped him make a small box with a hinged lid. He was thrilled with the finished project. Other items I plan to build with them will be bird houses, toys, a toy box, and small tables.

These boys get a great pleasure out of doing simple projects from pieces of scrap wood one would normally discard in the States. In Third World countries, we utilize everything we can.
    

A HARD WORKING TEAM

An outreach team, the Agape youth group from Agape Bible Church in Ithaca N.Y., was here from February 14th through the 24th. The team leaders were Gail and Chris Peck. Dale and Sonjia Finch and their two children were another family who stayed with us.

It was encouraging to us to see the desire in the hearts of these people to serve God. This was the first time most of the team members had visited a Third World country. It was a big step in faith for them. Some of these young people gave witness to the fact that they did not have the financial resources to make this trip, but they stepped forth in faith, trusting that God would provide the needed funds, and He did.

While they were here, they helped erect a cinder block wall and chain link fence around the church property. This was no easy task in the heat, the rain and the mud. In order to clear the property, they had to chop down trees and shrubbery with machetes. Then they had to dig trenches for the footings, carry heavy cinder blocks and bags of cement, and mix the cement by hand.

*Dale Finch, the husband and father of the family we hosted, was a skilled carpenter. Together we completed the church cabinets I had started with the carpenter from Canada earlier in the month. Once again, I was able to improve my skills by working along side Dale.

Some of the group helped paint the cupboards we had built, and others worked with the children in the Compassion program. This team blessed us further by bringing gifts for their host families and clothing and toys for the children. I was particularly blessed by them, because I had asked them to purchase a table saw for me in the States. when I tried to reimburse them for it, they told me it was a gift.

I am sure that they will remember their work in the Dominican Republic. God will use this experience to shape their spirituality and to help them grow stronger in their faith.

Special thanks to the Agape Youth Group and Bible Church in Ithaca. You were a real blessing to us!

WENDYS VISA

We just learned that the Immigration and Naturalization Service has not acted upon Wendys application for a visitors visa. In November, they asked us to resubmit a part of the application that was lost. My brother Demian, who is an immigration attorney, sent the document to INS via registered mail. On March 7, we received a note saying INS does not have the document.

My brother will now try a different approach to acquire a visa for Wendy.

We are very anxious to see all of you and hope we will be able to make it this summer. God is in control. Until He works it out for us, we just offer it up as a sacrifice and rejoice in the goodness of each day.

PRAYER POINTS

Pray that we clearly hear the voice of God directing us in all we do, especially as we proceed with our plans to reorganize as a nonprofit corporation.

Pray that strongholds of evil may be broken down, so that the children and their families come to know Jesus and allow him to transform their hearts and circumstances.

Please share this newsletter with other Christian family and friends who may have a desire to support our work in the Dominican Republic.

Please send donation in the name of
   Nick Serianni
   75 Lake George Avenue
   Ticonderoga, NY12883