Hi Friend, friendly greetings from the home front at What Color Is Hope.
Yesterday I was talking with our contacts in the Dominican Republic and found out that Karen, the woman on the left in the picture above fell and fractured her femur and is on complete bed rest for 8 weeks.
Karen is unable to walk and is literally confined to her bed at this time.
Of course, the first priority is we are asking for your prayers for Karen's recovery but I wanted to tell you about Karen and why we have teamed up with her in the Dominican Republic.
Karen Conquergood is her full name. A Canadian gal who has been working in the Dominican Republic in the area of Medical Missions for over 30 years.
A few months ago I was in the Dominican Republic visiting our contacts and new homeowners when I was introduced to Karen by our good friends Mike and Laura, the founders of Rio Vista Guest House.
Karen is 75 years young and is providing Palliative Care for 25 families in some of the poorest areas of the North Shore. Twice a week she brings food and medicine to those families who have a loved one needing end-of-life care.
While in the Dominican Les and I purchased all the food for delivery to these 25 families and traveled alongside of Karen to visit and deliver the food and medicine.
That very day we experienced 3 family members who had passed away and two newborn babies had been dropped off at a small rural church because the mothers couldn't provide for them.
The other lady in the picture above is Maria. Maria was standing in the doorway of the church that received the babies. Maria is 85 years young. So full of energy, kindness, and love. Her role is to support the woman in the village.
Coming alongside of Karen that day was a beautiful experience of how God's love and compassion is seen in action.
We made a commitment to support Karen and her mission to help feed and care for these families. Karen has no outside financial support.
She sacrifices her own time and money to care for these families. Karen is not wealthy, lives a humble, modest life and serves with whatever provision God provides. She has been truly living by faith for 30 years.
We feel led to support Karen in the following ways:
1)We have made a commitment to support Karen at $500 a month. She currently lives off a small pension of about $600 a month USD. So $500 a month will help Karen to live comfortably.
2) We are praying for an additional $2000 a month to go towards food and medicine for the 25 families that Karen cares for.
3) Karen's medical bills. At this time we don't know what that is. Currently, she is living with a local Dominican Doctor and their family. They are feeding her and caring for her needs.
You may be wondering who is caring for the families while Karen is healing. Karen has recruited some folks to take her place as she heals so all is good. The families are being cared for.
Thank God, we were able to give Karen $1000 for the month of June and July.
As you know I don't bombard anyone for funds. It's not our style. Our gracious heavenly Father has always provided for the needs of the people He has led us to serve.
Of course, this provision has always come from those who have joined us in our mission to care for the elderly, the widow, and the poor.
None of what we do in the Dominican Republic is possible without your partnership, donations, and prayers. I want to personally thank you for your support. We are changing lives, and putting smiles on people who live in harsh conditions.
Please pray for Karen's speedy recovery and if you feel led to support her please click the link below and donate through our website.
All donations are tax-deductible.
Co-Founder of What Color Is Hope
P.S. If you have any questions or would like to know more about What Color Is Hope feel free to email me at info@whatcolorishope.org
P.S.S. While I was writing this email someone offered to donate $1000 towards Karen's medical bills... God is Good.
