...I had the honor of joining seven other adult members from our church (First United Methodist of Stuart, Florida), who were ready, willing and physically determined to be a part of this very exciting reality of “God’s will in progress.”  We were going to be “breaking ground” and starting construction of “Taller de Dios,”……. “God’s Workroom.” We are so blessed to have as our supervisor, an engineer from a large firm in the UK, who has taken a personal leave of absence to oversee the construction of this project. I was also bringing a check in the amount of $26,425 with this amount being matched by COPA, the organization that supports the school in Bombita, for a total of almost $53,000.  This was definitely God’s working, simply because I was hoping to raise only $10,000.00 for a small lean-to for the women to have shelter as they were creating their works of art.  This amount of money would allow a building 25’ X 50’. The building will be divided for men and women with separate bathrooms for each – the ultimate of luxuries.  The electric in Bombita is occasionally intermittent – but thanks to the generator on the school premises, they anticipate few interruptions for the men to be able to learn how to use power tools – giving them the experience they would need to allow them opportunities to work at local construction sites.  The women are excited about having “picnic-type” tables to make rugs, and they are also excited about learning new money making crafts which have been introduced  to them recently. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who had faith in this wonderful journey of God’s vision – with all of the Glory going to Him – we thank Him for using us all. I have recently formed a ministry – “Happy Feet Ministries, Inc.”  The sole purpose and intention of this wonderful ministry is to teach  women in under-privileged countries, the art of making hand-woven rugs – but more than that – the realization that they have the ability to make a beautiful work of art – and that they have an opportunity to earn extra money to either help support their families or to “give back.” August 2006          

“Taller de Dios”  (God’s Workroom) I returned to Bombita, Dominican Republic on August 12, 2006, less than one year since I first went to teach the women of  the village the art of making hand-woven “Happy Feet” rugs...