A FRESH START...

DECEMBER 09 NEWSLETTER FROM OUR NEW MISSION ORGANIZATION - ALLIANCE MINISTRIES - ALLIANCE 29:11-US is the division that solely operates the Dominican Republic Ministry we will be serving. This was the newsletter sent to all of our supporters...

Greetings to you and yours in this blessed season when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! And thank you for your partnership with Brad and Brooke Jenkins as they are willing to leave the comfort and safety of their home to serve the least of these in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, especially the widows, orphans and aliens. I am Don Ankenbrandt, director of Alliance Ministries, Inc. and its subsidiary Alliance 29:11-US. Alliance is a 501(c)(3) and will be receiving all donations made to support the Jenkins beginning December 1, 2009. Globeworks has officially turned its orphan ministry in Puerto Plata over to us so that we can proceed with the building of a new orphanage at which the Jenkins will serve as house parents. In addition to running the orphanage, the Jenkins will supervise and assist in several ministry outreaches in which Alliance is engaging either by employment of local Dominicans, partnership with the local church in Puerto Plata, or partnership with well-established US-based ministries. Our vision is to transform entire communities by coordinating and creating synergy among ministries which have been called to serve the least of these in specific areas of need such as family building, economic stability, sports, medical, church planting, education and, primarily, orphan care.

The Jenkins’ are still in need of more monthly support and one time giving in order to move them to Puerto Plata. We are proceeding with the building of the orphanage on faith that God will provide their support. You may see the progress we have made by going to the website www.orphanagebuilders.org. In the meantime, Brad and Brooke are very busy working on the ministry here as we set up the systems, build the relationships, prepare the legal documents, purchase the land and organize the processes needed to build and operate the orphanages. They long to be with the children and leaders in Puerto Plata, but their time and energies are well-spent here as they raise the remaining support and prepare to GO!

Please call me if you have any questions at 205.229.2491 or email me at dank@alliancemin.com.

Thank you and God Bless You!
Don Ankenbrandt




OUR FAMILY NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 09





“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.” – 1 Peter 4:12-13


It is with overwhelming joy and excitement that I write to you today. God has been faithful as He promised. The last I shared with you, Brooke and I along with GlobeWorks and the DR sub-committee were praying about how to move forward with ministry and orphan care in the Dominican Republic. As Don laid out in his portion of this newsletter, God led and Alliance 29:11 was born.

“Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” (Ps. 145:3) - This verse is most called into mind, when I look back on all of this. He is so worthy! All who are involved in this partnership of ministries are really excited about what God has called us to and the momentum that has been gained since the events of last summer in the DR. That’s right, I said “momentum”. We will return as soon as possible with great support from local churches in Puerto Plata, tremendous support from CONANI – government agency in the DR that certifies orphanages. We will have a new beginning with a new site, new facilities to be constructed, and other experienced ministries from the states that bring years of excellence to the table, as well as, additional families who will be joining us in full-time service to the people of the DR.

For our family, orphan care will be our number one priority. But, we will also be involved in the multi-faceted approach to community transformation. The orphanage center will be a hub for community impact and programs from micro-finance to English classes to medical clinics to discipleship programs to sports ministry.


With all of this in the plans, I am sure it is easy to understand that we are ready to be back on the ground in Puerto Plata. I spent the week before Thanksgiving there with our Alliance leadership team, and really just wanted to send for my family and not return. However, there is work to be done here. With this new beginning and new partners in ministry there are details to take care of, meetings to have, and of course, funds to be raised. Please continue to pray for all of these things.


We have, as was shared before, some additional needs in our monthly support, some one-time needs to get us back to the DR and buy a vehicle for our family, to shore up before we are able to return. It is our hope that we will be on the ground in January.


Thank you so much for your faithfulness to pray for our family during the trials of the past summer and in our pursuit of God’s plans this fall. We have been encouraged by you and know that God has answered in a big way. D.L. Moody said, “A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; only shine lights.” It is our prayer that in righteousness we continue to shine brightly both here and there as we represent the Lord, Alliance 29:11, and your obedient sacrifice in support.



Thank you and God bless,
Brad, Brooke, Jaden, Jake & Abie Lynn

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD

September 2009

Tuesday September 8th I was reunited with my family – a glorious reunion and just in time to celebrate Abie Lynn’s 6th birthday on the 9th. We enjoyed the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta as a birthday celebration/field trip for home school. We are living in Birmingham where Shades Mountain Independent Church has graciously provided a missions home for us during our time back in the states. It is a very comfortable home and schoolhouse for us, however, we pray and hope our time here will be brief.

The situation I left behind is much better than when Brooke wrote to you as she and the kids were leaving. It has been resolved outside of a courtroom and a settlement has been signed. This is a good thing and will allow us to move forward much sooner than waiting a year or two for a court case to complete (not to mention
the money that would be spent in legal fees). This is a huge answer to prayer for our family. This settlement will bring peace, resolution, and protection for our family, ministry, and staff, both now and in the future.

As far as our facility in Javillar, we occupy it and are utilizing the building to reach into the community just this week hosting a team of military medics spending some off-time to serve the LORD. We are not sure of the future of this facility, but know that having an orphanage in that building is not a possibility, according to CONANI , the government institution over orphanages. Therefore, we are praying through the possible ministry uses in the future and weighing those against the opportunity to maybe sell the facility and using the proceeds to advance a new site and our “new beginning” in the DR. Please pray with us over this decision as well.

How are we doing? I would say well. We know that nothing that has taken place in the last few months took God by surprise. Although it was difficult, at times frightening, and we would not have knowingly signed up for this, we would not hesitate to do it all over again. Why? Because the Lord has shown himself faithful. He has challenged our faith and drawn us closer to Himself. He has met with our children and they have seen a big and mighty God at work. We know there is a “best for us” at the end of this story as God has promised and we wait for the unfolding of the script. God has used His body to lift us up in prayer, love on us, encourage us in His Word, and be examples of Christ to us. For these things we praise God, and thank you – our partners in ministry. Without all of these things being true I would not be able to say that I feel pity and forgiveness toward Joel. God in this time has brought me from a place of responding in my sin nature to a place of wanting restoration or salvation for him. The difficulties, hurt, rejection, betrayal, and malicious words cast in my and my family’s direction (as well as others involved with the orphanage) are a grain of sand compared to what Christ endured for us! All for what – For grace, the loving forgiveness of a perfect sacrifice that spoke not a word in defense, but only continued in righteousness for the glory of the Father! Who am I to condemn man?

So, where are we now and what are we doing? We will be spending the
next period of time in laying the foundation for moving forward. This means we need a unified plan and the resources to accomplish the plan. We have rented a home $800/month in a secure neighborhood of Puerto Plata – an added expense plus $300 utilities/month.


We still need a vehicle upon our return to the DR, which will be $12K-$15K US..

We will need to purchase a new piece of property to build the girl’s building on in a CONANI in an approved location in Puerto Plata.

We need prayer for everything mentioned in this letter, for a productive time at home, for continued favor in the DR and new ministry partners there, for continued ministry opportunities to surface in the area (I had the opportunity to preach many times in the last few weeks I was there, to lead a Bible study and saw people come to know the Lord as a result – In the midst of the storm God is still using us to serve Him.) Please also pray for a continued strong start to homeschooling for Brooke and the kids. All are enjoying it. Please pray that we stay close to the Lord and enjoy the fellowship of God, family, and friends while we are in the states. I ask that you also remember our staff in the DR that is holding down the fort while we are back here: Diana, Henrietta, Phyllis, Soto, Harry, Antonio and Ramona. And the family of Pastor Johnny Coma – Evelyn his wife and Sammy son 11 years old. They have become dear friends of ours and Johnny died unexpectedly last week at the age of 40. He will be greatly missed as a ministry partner working with visiting short-term teams and a friend. Lastly, I ask you to pray for Joel and his family. His teenage sons and younger 3 children and his wife.

Thanking God for you and your partnership in His ministry to the people of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

In His firm and gracious grip,

Brad, Brooke and the kids