by


NCM Dominican Republic Staff


path of learning LEADS TO JOY


activities where she could interact with other children, and gave her a hot meal. Over time, she began to feel safe and happy again. The emotional and spiritual support the staff gave Claudia through their loving actions has made a difference in her behavior and education.


CLAUDIA AT EL PROYECTO DE APRENDER CDC.


“Today, she is actively involved in Bible school. She is engaged in all [the center’s] activities and even helps her classmates do their work,” Garcia said. “All this is due to the goodwill of the child, the family collaboration, the center and its staff, and especially God, who is allowing us to reach children and ado- lescents for the kingdom of heaven.”


CLAUDIA AND HER MOTHER AND SISTERS OUTSIDE THEIR HOME.


“I WAS TOUCHED,


AND I FELT MY HEART GROW WITH A GREAT COMPASSION FOR THAT FAMILY.”


~LAURA GARCIA


SEÑORA LAURA GARCIA, CLAUDIA, AND HER TEACHER. ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY NCM CARIBBEAN


bout three years ago, Laura Garcia came across Claudia’s* mother on a street in the community. The mother told Garcia about her daughter’s severe medical condition.


A


“I was touched, and I felt my heart grow with a great compassion for that family,” said Garcia, director of the El Proyecto Camino de Aprender (The Path of Learning Project) Child Development Center (CDC) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. “I told her that her daughter could enroll at the center and that we would see what we could do for Claudia.”


In 2002, Claudia had begun a journey of doctors’ appointments and medical tests that showed that she had a severe heart condition. She underwent treatments such as a heart catheterization and visited the leading medical institution in Dominican Repub- lic, Cedimat Medical Center. But specialists told her that they could not do the surgery she needed to get better because her condition made it too risky. The doctors told the family that Claudia was going to live with a long-term, life-threatening illness.


When Claudia first came to El Proyecto Camino de Aprender, her self-esteem was low and she was a slow learner—problems that stemmed from her ill- ness. Every afternoon, the staff worked with her on her homework, talked with her about her life, provided


Claudia needs monthly medical examinations, but the family does not have the financial resources for them. Claudia’s mother works as a domestic helper and has a very low monthly salary. She cannot afford to pay for even basic needs like rent, let alone expensive medi- cal bills. Still, the family does what they can and sends her to the doctor as often as possible. The CDC sup- ports Claudia by helping provide her medications.


Claudia’s mother is doing what she can for her daughter and leaving the rest in God’s hands. Clau- dia has much the same attitude. She has testified that since she met Jesus and asked him to come into her heart, many wonderful things have been happen- ing in her family’s life. She believes it is God who is helping her stay healthy.


“I thank God that I met the director of El Proyecto Camino de Aprender,” Claudia’s mother said. “Clau- dia and I continue to testify, and we ask the Lord for understanding, wisdom, and that the director, Laura, will continue to help my daughter and our family.”


The staff at El Proyecto Camino de Aprender believe Claudia will continue down the path of learning about God and becoming the person God created her to be. Through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries’ partnership with El Proyecto Camino de Aprender in Dominican Republic, God’s love is transforming Claudia and her family. ¡Gloria a Dios! n


*Name has been changed.


10 NCM MAGAZINE


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