It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of our Founder, Jack Larson, from this life into the Father’s presence. Jack would want each of you, who spent time in the Dominican Republic, to know that your participation in the work of Mission Emanuel was what brought him joy. He loved being on construction sites seeing homes being built and lives being forever changed. He loved sitting in the corner suite during the nightly team meetings hearing about their “God sightings” for the day. Club Bamboo gave Jack the opportunity to speak Godly wisdom into all of our lives.
2020 has put a great pause on the work for US teams in the DR. I would share with Jack that the Mission’s work of going “an inch wide and a mile deep” is still being accomplished. Our staff is hard at work taking care of the children and families in the communities of Cielo and Nazaret. Jack experienced satisfaction and confidence in knowing that our staff will continue the work he started 25 years ago. Mission Emanuel will continue to make a difference in so many lives. When COVID closed Dominican borders in March, the ministry continued to provide food, purified water, dental and medical care for many with new safety measures in place. Our schools are currently constructing their reopening plans with guidance from the Dominican government. We covet your prayers as we discuss how to move forward with US mission teams on the ground.
Below are the images that accompanied his last two Facebook posts. We thought them to be fitting to share with you now. Rejoice with us as we say farewell to Señor Jack and we look forward to the day when we can be in Cielo together again soon. As they say in the DR, “Si Dios quiere (if God wants).”
Jim Sweeney,
Executive Director
