May 12, 2020
Dear Friends of Caminante,
We always thank you for your support of the Oklahoma Region’s ministry to Caminante in the Dominican Republic, both with your prayers and your contributions. We also want to let you know how this ministry has been changing because of the world-wide coronavirus pandemic.
For obvious reasons, the Region cancelled both the Spring Break and July 2020 mission trips to Caminante. However, this mission needs the financial support of the Oklahoma Region more than ever. The remainder of this letter will outline Caminante’s current situation, Oklahoma’s continued financial support, future mission trips, and matching gifts.
Caminante’s Current Situation
The Oklahoma Region joined with Global Ministries in walking alongside Caminante in the Dominican Republic more than ten years ago through People-to-People Pilgrimages and through annual, ongoing financial support. Through the Global Ministries People-to-People Pilgrimage program, Caminante graciously has hosted individuals from the Oklahoma Region in order to help gain a better understanding of the current realities faced by families in Boca Chica. Caminante has created ways for participants to learn how Caminante is working to protect the rights of children and the displaced, and providing a space for creativity and learning. Through reflections from adults of all ages who have gone on a pilgrimage to the Dominican Republic, it is clear Caminante has had a positive influence on the understanding of God’s global mission for church leaders and members from the Oklahoma region.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire globe, the effects in the Dominican Republic, as in other places, will be lasting and even more challenging. Amid this unprecedented time, the work of Caminante will be more relevant and more critical for their community. The support from the Oklahoma Region for sisters and brothers in Christ at Caminante in the Dominican Republic will be a symbolic and tangible gesture of continued solidarity and partnership with Caminante in this new reality.
Oklahoma Region’s Financial Support of Caminante
Since 2008, the Oklahoma Region has provided $7,200 annual support to Caminante. In 2019, this annual support was increased to $9,000 to help meet Sister Denisse’s #1 priority.
In 2020, The Oklahoma Region will send $9,000 to Caminante to continue our support in the ministry and partnership we share.
We are only able to do this by your continued support, alongside the Region, the Commission on Faith & Action, Central Christian Church in Enid, and the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation grant.
Future Mission Trips
We celebrate that 2019 mission trips to Caminante continues to engage the lives of the participants as they hear God’s call to serve: two trip participants made the decision to go into overseas missionary work; one participant became a youth minister and is an active fundraiser for Caminante; one participant became an active fundraiser for Caminante; a retired ordained minister is exploring more calls to active ministry.
While mission trips are engaging and life-changing, due to the world health crisis, we do not know when we will be able to travel again. Thus, we will need to reimagine our ministry and mission partnership with Caminante in this new reality.
Matching Gifts
As the Oklahoma Region continues its support of Caminante in 2020 and 2021, we need your help. We are asking you for a monetary gift to continue to support this mission to help the children of Caminante. We are excited to let you know that your contribution will be matched by a generous donor who has offered to match all gifts, up to a total of $2,000. This is a wonderful opportunity to give!
Thank you for your support of the Oklahoma Region’s mission to Caminante. Please send your contribution to Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma, 301 NW 36th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73118 or electronically at okdisciples.org. Either way, please make the designation “Caminante.”
In addition to your donation, please continue to keep Caminante in your prayers.
Additional Questions
If you have any questions about Caminante and how it is dealing with the coronavirus, you may contact Don Johnson at donj@centralenid.org or Madison Rubino at madison.rubino@gmail.com. Madison (shown in picture above) visited Caminante on the 2019 Spring and Summer mission trips. Because she is fluent in Spanish and is passionate about this ministry, she has recently talked with Sister Denisse and other Caminante staff.
Peace & God’s Grace,
Rev. Don Johnson Rev. Tom Stanley Rev. Pamela G. Holt
Caminante Leader Moderator Regional Minister
