There’s a side of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, you’ve never seen before. For years, a number of Sioux Falls residents have been faithfully serving the impoverished communities in the Dominican Republic. In this roundtable discussion, Mark Steinborn, Olga Fedulova, and Ann Schellpfeffer explain the strong connection between the Dominican Republic and Sioux Falls, and why Sioux Falls residents keep going back. Special thanks for music from: “Lastly” by Ketsa (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Refraction/lastly_Master) is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0; “Torched” by Ketsa (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/Refraction/torched_stems_Master) is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Beyond the Village

The Unbreakable Connection Between Sioux Falls and the Dominican Republic

When DeAnne Jacobson began volunteering at a local nonprofit, Children of the Nations, she never dreamed she would end up sponsoring multiple kids or traveling to Uganda with her family. It’s been a life-changing experience for the Jacobson family. DeAnn, her husband, and her son share memories from their mission trip to Uganda, and describe the impact they see sponsorship has on the lives of children been given a hand up out of poverty. To meet children who still need sponsors, go to cotni.org/children. Special thanks for music from: “Heartstrings” by Dave Depper (freemusicarchive.org/music/Dave_Depper/Compositions_2/Heartstrings) is licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0; “The Time To Run” by Dexter Britain (freemusicarchive.org/music/Dexter_Britain/Creative_Commons_Selection/The_Time_To_Run) is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0; “01 - Warm and stricken by lashes” by Expwy (freemusicarchive.org/music/Expwy/Little_Hand_Fighter/01_-_Warm_and_stricken_by_lashes) is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0; “Traces” by Hyson (freemusicarchive.org/music/Hyson/Soundtrack_for_the_Weary_Vol_I/Hyson_-_Traces) is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0; “Message Received” by Ketsa (freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/May_Starlight_Find_You/message_received_) is licensed CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

The Ripple Effect: One Woman’s Decision is Changing Her Family and Inspiring Children in Uganda

Ben and Cyndi Levine, a surgeon and nurse, have been leading mission trips to the Dominican Republic since 2011. Their teams always include medical and non-medical team members, and each trip has a huge impact on the local community and the team members themselves. In this episode, Ben and Cyndi tell stories about their blended-team trips, from their terribly-planned first trip to the latest team effort that is healing a gunshot victim and his family. Want to have your life changed by going on a mission trip? Go to cotni.org/venture. Special thanks for music from: “Waxing Waning” by Ketsa (freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/May_Starlight_Find_You/waxing_waning) is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0; “Falling Sky” by Ketsa (freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/May_Starlight_Find_You/falling_sky) is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0; “Internal Backchat” by Ketsa (freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/May_Starlight_Find_You/internal_backchat) is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

How a Medical Mission Team Inspires a Girl to Become a Doctor and Saves the Life of a Gunshot Victim

In honor of Mother’s Day, Tabitha and Jenifer—single moms in Malawi—share their personal stories of redemption. Left alone to care for their families, Tabitha and Jenifer could barely feed their children or keep a roof over their heads. Sadly, this is all too common for widowed and divorced mothers in Malawi. There are very few government assistance programs in this African country. At their lowest point, these women learned about COTN’s Village Partnership Program and reached out for help. Now, years later, they explain how this help has transformed their families. If you want to help support more moms and their children, go to cotni.org/children. Special thanks for music from: “Try” by Igor Khabarov (freemusicarchive.org/music/Igor_Khabarov/Be_1632/Try) is licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0; “Rise” by Igor Khabarov (freemusicarchive.org/music/Igor_Khabarov/Be_1632/Rise_1869) is licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0

In an Impossible Situation, Single Moms in Africa Find Help to Transform Their Families

Brenda had to make a hard choice after her life-threatening motorcycle accident. Would she forgive the driver who hit her? Her decision rested on the lessons she'd learned from COTN's children in Uganda, who had survived atrocities of their own in Uganda's war. In this episode, Brenda talks about her time in Uganda, and how learning about forgiveness from COTN's children changed her life and the lives of everyone involved in the accident. To plan your own trip to Uganda or another country, go to cotni.org/venture today. Or, sponsor a Ugandan child at cotni.org/children. Special thanks for music from: “Traces” by Hyson (freemusicarchive.org/music/Hyson/Soundtrack_for_the_Weary_Vol_I/Hyson_-_Traces) is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0; “Ode to the World” by Kai Engel (freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Better_Way/Kai_Engel_-_Better_Way_-_07_Ode_to_the_World) is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0; “Tikopia” by Kevin MacLeod (freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Global_Sampler/Tikopia) is licensed under CC BY 3.0; “We All Know The Way (Instrumental)” by The Builders And The Butchers (freemusicarchive.org/music/The_Builders_And_The_Butchers/Instrumentals_1528/We_All_Know_The_Way_Instrumental) is licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0; “Northern Lights” by VYVCH (freemusicarchive.org/music/VYVCH/Crazy_Fog/06_-_Northern_Lights#) is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

A Car Crash Almost Destroyed Brenda's Life, These Ugandan Children Taught Her to Forgive

Grammy award-winner George Winston has dedicated his life to playing music and helping others. He’s best known for his solo piano recordings. In this episode he shares what inspires his music and why he gives back. This year, George will be playing four benefit concerts for Children of the Nations. Go to itickets.com/cotnwinston to purchase tickets for his concert in Mitchell, South Dakota, on May 6. For information about the remaining concert dates in Orange County, California, on August 19; Bellevue, Washington, on September 15; and Port Angeles, Washington, on September 17, contact COTN’s Community Development Coordinator, Kirstie Weeks, at 360-698-7227 or kirstieweeks@cotni.org. Special thanks for music from: “Ms. Mystery 1” by George Winston; “Light My Fire” by George Winston; “Carousel 2” by George Winston; “Night Blooming_Carousel 16” by George Winston; “Rekindling Love” by George Winston; “Requited Love” by George Winston

Grammy Award-Winner George Winston Is Helping COTN's Children through His Music

Recently 600 people packaged 136,000 meals at Bellevue Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, Washington. Meal packaging events like this one are hosted all over the United States, thanks to churches, community groups, and individuals who want to help feed children in Africa. But what is the real impact of these meals? Listen in as COTN board member Jackie Lang serves these meals to children in Malawi. Meet a young woman who grew up eating those meals. And discover how much these meal packaging events affect the volunteers themselves. Learn more at cotni.org/meal-packaging. Special thanks for music from: “Virus from the Sea” by Digi G’Alessio (freemusicarchive.org/music/Digi_GAlessio/The_Rain_Book/digi_galessio_-_10_-_virus_from_the_sea) is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0; “I’m Letting Go (Instrumental)” by Josh Woodward (freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/The_Simple_Life_Part_1/JoshWoodward-TSL-NoVox-107-ImLettingGo) is licensed under CC BY 3.0; “Overthrown (Instrumental Version)” by Josh Woodward (freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/Breadcrumbs/JoshWoodward-Breadcrumbs-NoVox-08-Overthrown) is licensed under CC BY 3.0; “Ode to the World” by Kai Engel (freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Better_Way/Kai_Engel_-_Better_Way_-_07_Ode_to_the_World) is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0; “Oh Alleluia” by Children of the Nations

Lentils, Spice, Chicken, Rice: The Global Effort that is Saving Children’s Lives in Africa

Without any warning, water stopped coming out of the pipes in Don Bosco—an impoverished community in the Dominican Republic. Two years later, after hours of investigation, analysis, and meetings with just the right people, a community well is being drilled. In celebration of World Water Day, this podcast follows community leaders, COTN staff, and partners as they explore the harsh consequences of daily life without water and celebrate what happens when these people come together to bring water back to Don Bosco. To help bring water to more people in need, go to cotni.org/water. Special thanks for music from: “Traces” by Hyson (freemusicarchive.org/music/Hyson/Soundtrack_for_the_Weary_Vol_I/Hyson_-_Traces) is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0; “She's leaving for work in the underwater tram. I think I'll take a minute to think about it” by Cherly KaCherly (freemusicarchive.org/music/Cherly_KaCherly/Drop_a_4_note_Soundtrack/Cherly_Kacherly_-_Drop_a_4_note_Soundtrack_-_04_Shes_leaving_for_work_in_the_underwater_tram_I_think_Ill_take_a_minute_to_think_about_it) is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0; “Terminal Two” by Cory Gray (freemusicarchive.org/music/Cory_Gray/Music_For_Film__TV/Terminal_Two) is licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0; “The Time To Run” by Dexter Britain (freemusicarchive.org/music/Dexter_Britain/Creative_Commons_Selection/The_Time_To_Run) is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

The Day the Water Stopped: How COTN Partners and Staff Solve Water Crisis in Dominican Republic

Dominicans are obsessed with baseball and their country is famous for producing some of the best baseball players in the Major League Baseball organization. But there is a problem. In a country where poverty is widespread, families see an MLB contract as their ticket out. Sadly, greedy trainers and talent scouts called ‘buscones' take advantage of talented players and their families. Only one percent of players get signed. The majority return home as young adults without a marketable skill or education. Listen in to find out how COTN’s I Love Baseball program (ILB) is protecting these vulnerable players and setting them up for a bright future. To get involved with the team, go to cotni.org/i-love-baseball. Special thanks for music from: “Radiant Flux” by Anamorphic Orchestra (freemusicarchive.org/music/Anamorphic_Orchestra/Anamorphic_Orchestra/Radiant_Flux) is licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0; “Northern Lights” by VYVCH (freemusicarchive.org/music/VYVCH/Crazy_Fog/06_-_Northern_Lights#) is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0; “Steal It Back (Instrumental)” by The Bell (freemusicarchive.org/music/The_Bell/Instrumentals_1810/Steal_It_Back_Instrumental) is licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0; “Guiro para Elegua” by SONGO 21 (freemusicarchive.org/music/SONGO_21/SONGO_21_-_Studio_sessions_2003/04_-_Guiro_para_Elegua) is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

COTN’s I Love Baseball Program is Saving Boys from a Life of Corruption, Abuse and Steroid Use

Minutes before she died, Francisco Kalima’s mom told him, “There’s something so special that I see in you. I think you will be the one to transform your family.” A few days later, sitting alone in his now empty home, Francisco’s life was turned upside down again. Listen in to hear Francisco tell his story of redemption and how he’s using it to help children just like him. To help more children like Francisco, visit cotni.org/children to sponsor a child today. Special thanks for music from: "Northern Lights" by VYVCH (http://vyvch.bandcamp.com); "Run" by Igor Khabarov (http://www.needledrop.co/wp/artists/igor-khabarov); "Terminal Two" by Cory Gray (http://www.needledrop.co/wp/artists/cory-gray/);

Francisco Got a Second Chance. Here's What He Did With It

The Beyond the Village podcast goes behind the scenes of international nonprofit Children of the Nations (COTN). Hear from the perspective of the children in Sierra Leone, Malawi, Uganda, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. Listen as staff, volunteers, and other partners share their joys and struggles. And explore how all of this is changing children's lives around the world.