In 2002, Ishani Slocombe, a resident of Toronto, Canada, a woman passionate about the things of God at the age of 27 took a great leap of faith and visited the ministry of Pastor Paulino (Hogar Cristiano para Niños Huerfanos-HCNH), after experiencing a vision from the Lord regarding winning children’s soul into the Kingdom of Light, God touched her heart to partner with Pastor Paulino, working in Villa Central. Through her obedience, prayers, love and many sacrifices the new facility was constructed in 2005. Ishani’s obedience to her call is a direct influence on why so many people are now serving and are connected to this ministry, and to the success of the vision. Ishani is a vision caster – God has used her to vision cast what CHCA is today! With her continued love, wisdom and advice CHCA continues to impact and transform many lives. She has served on various Church Board (Rhema Missions, Global Kingdom Missions. Today, she is a wife and a mother of 2 who are all in preparation to move to the Philippines to do full-time ministry.

In 2003, Sharma, a resident of Toronto, Canada, a passionate teacher with TDSB joined Ishani on her first of many missions trip to the DR! This trip was the seed to many more trips and a lifetime commitment to the people and children (and animals) of Villa Central Barahona. Sharma took her years of teaching and started planning curriculum, activities, resources, giving her time and most importantly her love to the vision and mission of CHCA. Shrama has served every summer for the past 20 years with the exception of the three years during the COVID pandemic. In Toronto, she continues to be the voice for the work we are doing on the field and through her passion and commitment many people have partnered and supported work we continue to do.

As an accounting lead on the Advisory Board of CHCA, Claudia Nesty has played a vital role in providing financial expertise and guidance to the organization. Over the past ten years, she has served as a key member of the board, bringing her accounting experience to help guide CHCA's financial strategy and decision-making process. A few of her responsibilities include budgeting, financial reporting and so much more.

In addition to her accounting skills, Claudia has also brought a deep commitment to CHCA mission and vision to her role as an advisory board member. She has been a passionate advocate for the organization.

My name is Marlene Faublas; everybody knows me by my nickname Malou .

I was born a long time ago in Port au Prince Haiti. We moved to Colombia, South America where I got a BA in education major math minor physics in Colombia.

Over thirty five years ago the Lord called me to be a missionary in the West Indies for the rest of my life. I have served in CUBA, HAITI and presently serving in the DR for more than 28 years. My work in the Dominican Republic has been predominantly in the Bateys (Dominico-Haitian communities). I have been blessed to see many fruits from the work here in the DR which includes but not limited to, 3 medical doctors, 2 dentists, 5 teachers, many spiritual leaders and many others lives transformed for and by the Kingdom of God.

Besides my service to the Batey, the past year the Lord has called me to lead the Net of Intercessors in Barahona with 11 municipalities. Also, I have the great privilege to teach and train the next generation of leaders in a variety of roles and capacities. For the past 7 years I have served as a spiritual advisor for CHCA and also mentoring and teaching Kenisha on her role as a missionary and a leader here in Barahona.

My name is Juan Luis Carbonell Santana (pastor Luis) I am a father of 3 wonderful adult children. God called me to the office of pastor on August 17, 2010 at the Good News Church (Buenas Nuevas Iglesia), Barahona, Dom. Rep. For some years now, God has allowed to serve as an advisor to Christian Hope Community Association, through this connection I have been allowed through His power to have an impact on the Barahona community, carrying the message of hope of our Lord Jesus Christ through different means. God has allowed me to serve as a liaison between church leaders, community and institutional leaders. I have also been able to serve as spiritual, logistical and service support to Christian Hope Community Association here in Barahona.

In 2015 Crileidy demonstrated her passion and commitment to the vision of CHCA by organizing and facilitating her first Mission Team from her then place of work (CGMA). This team consisted of 7 young people, between the ages of 13 and 17, with two other adults. The first trip was a great success that she went ahead and planned a second trip in 2016. Since these trips she has served as an advisory for our Multimedia Team and Fundraising Team. Crileidy is Dominican by birth but moved to Canada at the age of eight years old with her family. Her cultural background has served our team and ministry well as she is well educated and experienced in both the Dominican and Canadian culture. Professionally she is a Project Manager and a previous flight attendant. She has made many trips to serve alongside our local team in the DR and assisted with many business meetings, helping our organization to be recognized in the DR and many more. Her prayers, partnership and passion for the ministry continues to further the success of all we do for His Glory.

My name is Leonie Smith, I first was introduced to ministry in the DR back in 2012 on a short-term mission’s trip.

Without going into too much detail that trip should have sent me running for the hills from the start, but I went back in 2015 and have been going yearly since then except in 2021 when an intruder called covid interrupted my plans.

I’m a registered nurse by profession. I’m a follower of Christ since my teens but didn’t really experience true growth and fruit in my own life until I dipped my feet in this thing called “service”.

There’s no doubt in my heart that this life of service that Gods drawn me to through my time in the DR is just that… a GOD thing. This was not a part of MY plan for my life. Though I’ve always liked to help others, sitting poolside at a resort or traveling the world was a way more exciting plan for my life, than using vacation time to carry buckets of water, get bitten by mosquitoes, and the daily struggles with electricity or the lack thereof not to mention the lack of the comforts of home.

My eyes have been awakened to the reality of how blessed I am and when one is blessed one has a duty to be a blessing.

Ephesians 2:10 reminds me that “I am Gods workman, created by Him, to do the works he’s created for me to do from long before I ever knew it” (paraphrase).

It’s been a privilege and a joy to serve in the DR. No it’s not without its challenges, but the rewards have been so rich.

The DR is now my 2nd home. I have extended family there, not blood family but bonded families.

Life is so much more than food and clothing and money and stuff…it’s about people, it’s about lives & hearts and souls and helping others to leave a legacy that’s better than they were left with.

I have no greater way of summing it up than to say as James did in chap 1:27

“Pure religion and undefined before God is to visit the orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”