This is very difficult for me to share, but let me give you the background . . .

The DR remains one of only a handful of countries which is staunchly pro-life. A key reason for this amazing achievement is the unheralded work of an unsung hero of the pro-life movement, our oldest son, Joseph. He was named after Joseph Schiedler, the grandfather of the pro-life movement. He has followed in the footsteps of his illustrious name's sake.  

Joseph at his best!

A number of years ago, a cadre of rabid international feminists, Planned Parenthood and other enemies of life mounted a massive attack to force the shedding of pre-born blood on Dominican soil. 

My son Joseph, along with a couple of his younger siblings, sprang into action.

They looked so young and sweet; they managed to gain entry and sit down with scores of national legislators and show them the Hard Truth graphic abortion video in Spanish and gently present them with solid pro-life arguments. Those face-to-face educational efforts helped win many over to the pro-life cause. 

However, there were powerful outside influences that gave the pro-abortion forces a momentum like a speeding locomotive going downhill. The day of the nationally televised live hearings on ushering in baby-killing arrived. There were many fine testimonies from church leaders and the general public.

Lo and behold, Joseph and his team had consistently befriended and shared with those in charge of the multi-media presentations in the main hall of Congress. 

This is Joseph in the doctor's costume below:

Feminists go berserk – Congressman freak out after watching the Hard Truth 

That hard won connection with the audio-visual team enabled us to show the graphic abortion footage from the Hard Truth on a large screen in the hall which was also broadcast on live national TV! 

The feminists went completely berserk, shrieking, "This is terrorism!" and stomped out of the room. 

The pro-abort medical head of the private clinic association pointed to the horrible images on the screen and shouted, "Why are you leaving...this is EXACTLY what we WANT here!"  

The congressmen in the hall were aghast, horrified by the images they saw on the screen and the admission of the pro-abort doctor.  

We learned later that that EXPLOSIVE showing of the Hard Truth brought the “death bill” which was steaming down the track, to a screeching halt.  My beloved son's efforts had paid off in spades! The Dominican Republic has been a beacon of pro-life hope ever since.

Joseph shot while protecting his mom from gunman!

Unfortunately, sometime after this monumental victory, Joseph was brutally gunned down when he intervened to save his mother's life during a holdup on the street. 

Pro-life missionary work in the Third World can be dangerous.  

As a loving loyal son and true hero, he instantly stepped in and courageously took the vicious hot lead meant for his mom. He was left with six gaping holes in his body and required emergency surgery which had to be without anesthesia and was beyond painful. 

Due to the risk of the criminals coming back to finish him off so as not to testify against them, he had to leave for the US the next day. Joseph left still bleeding, in excruciating pain, dazed and in a state of shock. His shoes were filled with blood. My wife accompanied him, pushing the wheelchair at the airport. 

It was an extremely traumatic event which left Joseph with severe PTSD for years to come. Fortunately, with therapy and medication, over time he began the slow process of recovery. He seemed to have made a good recovery, so much so that a couple of weeks ago he came back for a visit to the DR. I had high hopes of him helping me out in my pro-life ministry in the schools.  

Joseph just had nervous breakdown and is in hospital.

To my great dismay, Joseph just suffered a complete nervous breakdown due to all the sensory triggers here in the DR and we had to put him in a private medical facility. He is there right now . . . 

Insurance does not cover this, and it is running close to $5,000 per week. We are looking at two weeks or more plus added expenses, of $10,000+.  We would very much like to raise at least a total of $20,000, so as to get Joseph back on his feet after his treatment is finished. 

The financial pressure on us is particularly heavy at this time, and anything you can do to help this young pro-life warrior on the road to complete recovery would mean more than you know.  

Joseph is a brilliant, sensitive young man who has studied and learned five languages overseas and is a licensed journalist. Some of the funds that come in could be used to enable him to manage our soon-to-be-launched YouTube channel, write powerful materials and manage our international pro-life, pro-family internet campaign. He can do that online from the US when he returns. He would be an awesome asset to our frontline ministry.

Please consider a generous contribution to help our young wounded warrior get back on his feet and fulfilling the awesome calling the Lord has on his life.

Please pray for Joseph to make a swift and full recovery by the Blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit!

Blessings and in our Savior's love,

Dr. Gene Antonio

Romans 8:28 "For we know that the Lord causes all things to work together for good to those that love him."

P.S.  Our family has paid a heavy price to be here doing ministry in the Dominican Republic! I’m thankful to be doing this ministry and I need a little help along the way. With our son Joseph having been shot a few years back, and now having a nervous breakdown and getting proper help, please do your best to send an urgently-needed donation. Feel free to email me at any time. at savehelplessbabies@proton.me