Living Water Church members are on a mission.
For years, members of the Living Water Church (formerly First Baptist) have made the trek to help villagers in the Dominican Republic.
One-third of the population lives in poverty, and few have access to clean water.
According to Rob Kammerman, pastor of the Ormond Street church, “We are travelling from May 17-25, 2019,” during which time he and 10 members of his congregation--from their teens to mid-50s in age--will be engaged in a week of hands-on construction connected with the Lighthouse School outside of Santo Domingo.
Twenty years ago, the Lighthouse Project founded a school there to teach adults vocational skills and share secular and spiritual knowledge with children, while also reaching out and interacting directly with the children in local villages.
English as a second language, computers, marketing and similar subjects are taught—designed to make all the students employable, even if they don’t acquire a high school diploma—though that is the main objective.
Building homes, paving sidewalks and roads, establishing additional schools and clean water filtration plants, all while sharing the Gospel in tangible ways to let the villagers know people care is the purpose of the annual mission.
Each year, 20 teams of volunteers come from Canada and the U.S. to serve on the Lighthouse Project and build relationships with the community.
The group’s long-term vision includes expanding to new communities throughout the country.
Since every mission member from Living Water Church must raise funds to pay for their own airfare, accommodations, transportation, food and a portion of the cost of materials and supplies, the church is hosting a fundraising Dinner and Trivia night on March 9, including a silent auction, to help offset the $2,000 required for each team member’s expenses.
Tickets for the event cost $20 and must be bought in advance. A roast beef dinner will be served at 5 p.m., and child care will be offered at a cost of $10 per child, which includes dinner.
Anyone who can’t attend but wishes to donate online can do so at give.iteams.ca/livingwater2019
International Teams Canada is a registered Canadian charitable organization that brings help, healing and hope to children living in poverty, despair, disease, and abuse. Hundreds die as a result of lack of proper food, clean water and medical care.
