Why "JESSE'S CHILDREN?"
Jesse was the father of David whom the prophet Samuel anointed
as the future king of Israel, liberator of a country and its peoples, the
messianic king. The reign of this youngest son of Jesse was said to "stand
as a sign to the peoples" that the disorder of nature would be restored to
its pristine harmony, that paradise would be regained. In Romans, Paul writes
of the gospel for Jews and Christians alike, and quotes Isaiah: 'The root
of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him (they)
shall hope.' Thus Jesse's child, the 'shoot from the stump of Jesse,' symbolizes
the messianic prophecy of Christ and serves to remind us that we are all
children of God.
Jesse's Children is a ministry to and for children
in the Third World. Dr. Jim and Deacon Pat McIlwain began this ministry in
1988 after meeting in Santo Domingo with Episcopal Bishop Telésforo
Isaac and Roman Catholic Bishop Príamo Tejeda of Baní. This
ministry has grown to include a broad ecumenical base of health care and
educational professionals who travel at their own expense to contribute their
time and talent to heal, build, educate and demonstrate the love of Christ
to children in some of the poorest barrios, mountain enclaves and batés
of the Baní province in the Dominican Republic.
Achievements
Medical:
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Designed and furnished medical exam rooms and a pharmacy.
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Obtain donations of drugs, supplies and medical equipment for the clinic
to enable a local M.D. to perform examinations/consultations on an on-going
basis.
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Obtain donations of medical supplies and equipment for the local hospital.
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Surgical correction of congenital facial and palatal defects, hand deformities,
burn-scar reductions, ophthalmic surgeries and corrections.
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C.P.R. courses for medical personnel.
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Pre- and post-natal courses for medical personnel and parents.
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Nutrition and hygiene instruction for educators and health care workers.
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Muscle therapy instruction for Physical Therapists.
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New and innovative medical procedures shared with local physicians.
Dental:
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Designed and furnished dental treatment facility.
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Obtain donations of dental supplies and equipment for the clinic to enable
a local dentist to do examinations and patient care on an on-going basis.
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Provide dental examinations, treatment and oral hygiene instruction for children
in the barrios, an orphanage, and the nutrition center.
Educational:
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Established a library for elementary school children and continue to furnish
books to supplement the library.
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Provide school supplies and equipment for the nutrition center and a school
for the hearing and speech impaired.
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Instruct teachers in new and innovative methods of education.
Construction:
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Constructed/repaired local hospital equipment.
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Maintenance, repair, and painting of convent and clinic.
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Construction of patient waiting area at clinic.
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Financed repair of roof of parish hall.
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Procured and installed playground equipment for the nutrition center.
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Built a wall at the school for the hearing and speech impaired.
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Built and furnished funds to complete a new nutrition center.
Goals
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To foster an environment where each child can be nurtured, loved and encouraged
to become the person God has called that child to be.
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To strengthen established relationships with the local Church, hospital,
government and civic organizations to provide facilities, supplies, equipment
and monetary support for on-going projects.
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To enhance conditions where hope might grow, where preventive care and the
education of children is primary, where children might be empowered physically,
mentally and spiritually to end their oppression.
Needs Volunteers
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Dental, medical, educational, trades, crafts, construction, technicians and
other "servants."
Materials
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Medical and dental supplies: antibiotics, Pedialite, Tylenol, cough medicines,
sponges, syringes, rubber gloves, x-ray film, amalgam, injectable anesthesia
. . . Medical and dental equipment: non-electric hospital beds, examination
tables, incubators, exam lights . . . Educational supplies: pencils, paper,
books in Spanish, chalk, desks, scissors, crayons . . . Other: electric fans,
toys, children's clothing and shoes, rice, beans, baking mixes, toothpaste,
toothbrushes, combs and personal hygiene accessories, shampoo, detergent,
soap....
Funding
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Jesse's Children depends solely upon God's grace. We have no major source
of funding. All contributions go directly to support projects for the children.
There are no administrative expenses; team members pay their own air fare,
room and board, as well as donate their time and talent...
The McIlwains have taken more than 20 teams of physicians, dentists, nurses,
dental assistants, educators, technicians, youth, builders, trades, crafts
and construction persons to the Dominican Republic since 1988 to provide
a ministry of love and service.
We welcome your comments, pledges, and contributions, and we ask you keep
this Ministry in your prayer. For additional information about this Ministry,
or to mail your contribution, please contact:
The Rev. Patricia P. McIlwain
10415 Cory Lake Drive
Tampa, Florida 33647-2709
Phone: (813) 986-4670
FAX: (813) 982-2302
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