A Lifechanging Gift of Land for a New Medical Clinic in El Batey
This new medical clinic project and the amazing gift of land began with a miraculous change in perspective that blessed the giver and the entire community.
Kristin Hamner, FFP Dominican Republic National Director, is based out of El Batey and is dedicated to working to improve the quality of life in El Batey and throughout the DR.
She asked a local businessman to participate, but he had not in the past. In fact, some children would drop out of school to work on his dairy farm while Kristin was encouraging them to stay in school.
Over the years he and Kristin worked together on some road and bridge projects that were mutually beneficial. They were ever so slowly building a rapport.
Then suddenly, SOMETHING CHANGED!
The man heard of the plan to build a medical clinic on a very small triangular piece of land in front of the student playground. That location wasn’t good for the man as his cattle passed between two roads in that area. So, he asked Kristin to meet with him and discuss plans to offer another piece of land.
First, he showed Kristin a plot of land that was not ideal for the project and she bravely said, “I had really hoped you were going to give land by the school because it would be a great location for everyone in the community”.
Then even more suddenly, EVERYTHING CHANGED!
The next day he called. He said he had a dream and from that, he knew that he needed to give the piece of land that was requested. This just so happened to be his very best piece of property.
From then, with a complete change of heart, he sent his own men to mark and fence the area off, including a sign to say the land was donated. Since then, he has been fully involved and has endorsed the building of the clinic. Not only that, but he has sent his employees that he pays daily into the Batey community to help build various houses.
He is now excited to partner with FFP and is eager to see the community change and transform! He attended the groundbreaking ceremony with his whole family, said a few words and was one of the first few to swing the pickaxe!
Others are coming alongside FFP to make this dream a reality. There is a local architect that has donated blueprints and drawings of the structure. He is also donating his time by overseeing the construction work.
Graceway Church of New Brunswick, NJ was the first team to begin this project in July. Kristin said she was overwhelmed and touched by the participation of the community that week! Hand in hand, Graceway and the community members completed all of the footings for the building. At the end of their week of service, the team gathered at the church. The entire community came, and the church was overflowing! Some people recommitted their lives to Christ, while others gave their hearts to Him for the first time. Above and beyond medical care, this clinic is already transforming the hearts and lives of those in El Batey.
Next, Pandora Missionary Church of Pandora, Ohio, came and continued the work -pouring the floor and laying block for the walls.
Why This Clinic is Important and Needed in El Batey
This story is powerful, yet the full power will be in the lives saved by an accessible medical clinic.
El Batey is a somewhat isolated community with few vehicles and unpaved, challenging roads. Receiving medical care for the sick and elderly is extremely difficult. They must walk miles to get treatment. Having a clinic right in town will increase the overall health of the community by providing access in emergencies and for preventative care such as regular blood pressure and blood sugar tests.
Once the clinic is built, a nearby clinic has agreed to send medical staff three days a week with the necessary resources to serve the people of El Batey. This medical care will also be provided at no charge to those in the community!
This clinic is truly lifesaving and transformational for hundreds of people!
How to Get Involved
There are three ways to be involved in this project!
Go - Schedule a mission trip to work hand in hand with the community! Teams mix concrete, pass buckets of stone and sand, build relationships with community members and so much more! Serving together creates a lasting impact for both you and those you serve with. Trip funds also help supply the materials needed for construction!
Give - Make a donation to our “Where Needed Most” fund, which allows us to act in times of need and support projects like the medical clinic.
Pray - God is working in the community of El Batey. He took a hardened heart, and softened it to give the most beautiful piece of land, right in the center of town. Continue to pray for the dairy farmer, that his relationships with the community will continue to strengthen. Pray for the teams coming to help build the clinic, prayers of blessings for those who donate, and prayers for the community as a whole.