Saturday, May 4th 2013
THE REVOLUTION BEGINS
Solid Rock has been lit up with excitement since January of this year. The energy has been palpable as we began revealing plans for the launch of our REVOLUTION campaign to build a cutting-edge new clinic here in San Juan de la Maguana. Joe and Shannon Zimmerman spent the last several weeks traveling around the country to share this vision with different churches and organizations who have partnered with us over the years. Dan, Kari and Nicole often take team members for walks out on the new land, giving them a chance to imagine what this new place will be. And Dr. Canario has been able to reveal this dream to the general public of San Juan through Radio and TV interviews, as well as a personal time with the teams at the end of each week.
But on Saturday, May 4th- nearly 5 months into the promotion- the REVOLUTION truly began…
Hundreds of pastors were invited to participate in the official dedication of this land. Pastors from Azua to Elias Pina, from El Cercado to Montacitos, pastors from tiny wooden churches, young and old, men and women- representing congregations of lives that have been touched by the ministry of the Dr. Canario, the Clinica Cristiana de Salud Integral and Solid Rock International. They came because they believe in the vision of what is being built and because they know that this is THEIR clinic and THEIR ministry as well.
Together we worshipped and prayed and asked God’s blessing to dwell in us and in this project. We reminded one another that this isn’t the project or the idea of any one person or organization. This is GOD’s project that he has entrusted to ALL of us. TOGETHER we will be the REVOLUTION.
Dr. Canario shared excerpts from the original vision and statements of faith of the Clinica Cristiana, reminding these Pastors that God has called us not only to save souls, but to save bodies as well. That the human is an integral being, and since we cannot separate soul from body, our ministry needs to be to the person as a whole.
After the ceremony, we all joined hands and walk together over the land- imagining and praising God for the things to come!
Let me end by sharing the words of one of the prayers prayed that day:
“We want to pray and thank God for the 24 years of service of this institution. For over 2 decades now they have served us with quality and dignity. God we thank you for your love and mercy. God we have always believed in the divine project of integral health. We have always believed that in perfect salvation, exists simultaneously good education, good alimentation and the health of your people. We have always believed that the church should open its arms to the community. That the church should be filled with evangelists who have an offering to give. And now for 24 years the doors of health, of education and of correct information have been open, so that people can be healthy in body, soul and spirit. God today, I am joyful when I think of so many people, who did not have resources, that have come and been operated on and been ministered to. Medics from Canada and US have come to serve our people and perform miracles. Miracles from the knowledge that they come to share with us and spiritual miracles as well. God, thank you so much. God today we all gather here together to represent this region in the valley. From Azua, San Juan, Las Matas, Elias Pina and all the border towns- to say “God has been good to me. God has been good to us all. And we know, God, that bigger things lie ahead.” The next 24 years will be even better, the offering will be even larger and will be a benefit to our whole community, our neighbors, our relatives, our friends and our children. Amen.”