Alejandrina ‘Alejita’ Tavarez
Founder
1931-2017
Alejandrina was the third of a family of eight brothers. Her parents were Pascual Rosa Aviles and Demetri Codero Oslan. Her brothers Pascual, Ana, Carmen, Luisa, Jose, David, and Julia. Alejandrina was born on August 24, 1931, in the city of Camuy, PR.
On April 9, 1949, she married Miguel Angel Tavarez. Miguel was a widower and had two small children. Miguel Tavarez Jr. and Luis Tavarez. They were both very small but Alejita as we call her took both children in as her own.
Shortly after they moved to the city of Miami, where they had three children Samuel, Ayme, and Jimmy. Her children were married and they converted Aleja into a grandmother of, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 4 grandchildren. Alejita claimed to be the happiest woman in the world with her ever-present smile, the greatest evidence of her happiness. She always spoke of her children and siblings with delight.
Her work was long and hard. In Miami, Florida she worked tirelessly for 22 years with the children and elders of the First Hispanic Church of the Open Bible. Where, along with Pastor Tete Dominguez, they began the fasting and prayer chain, which continues till this day on Wednesdays.
In 1971 she began to travel to the Republic of Haiti. She thought it was a missionary experience, though God had other plans. It was the beginning of the Good Samaritan International Ministry. Seeing the condition of those orphaned children and how much poverty there was moved her spirit. One of the orphans named Gaston Bienvenu is now the director of the orphanage and school that is located in Bolossé. He also serves as being the pastor to the local congregation. Before this, Gaston was able to obtain a visa to study law in France. After several years he returned to Haiti at the request of Mama Leja, as Gastón affectionately calls her since she adopted him as a son.
In the year 1973 Alejita returned to live in her beloved Puerto Rico, following the retirement of her husband. She was named Missionary of The Church of the Pentecostal God in Camuy. For 10 years she was captain of the Children’s Society “Joyas De Cristo” of the district of Arecibo. Her passion for Haiti continued and she traveled up to twice a year, most commonly for the Christmas season. Always bringing joy to so many children with their parties and helping many families of that region. Undoubtedly, it can be said that hundreds of children have passed through the orphanage. Today they contribute to society as men and women of God. To God be the glory.
One of her most unforgettable trips was when she crossed the border between Santo Domingo and Haiti in the La Samaritanita bus to help the pastor in the desert of Haiti. There was no way to get there because the road was stone and very bad. In the middle of the night and lost, they cried out to God. The brothers of that congregation and pastor found them, with pick and shovel they took the bus from a hole and opened the road until they reached the place. Alejita was able to leave money to make improvements to the pastoral house and then later sent money for the temple.
And if we were to name the most incredible miracle, we will always remember that of the airplane. Like God, He sent an angel on a plane to pick up Alejita and the group that was with her. Taking them out of Haiti before a storm was approaching.
In the Dominican Republic, she worked closely with the leprosy home, where many have been healed of leprosy. Today, three churches have been built, in El Boqueron, Cayos Quitos and las Mayitas (neighborhoods of Azúa). In the same way, two missionary houses have been built, multiple houses for widows and families in need. The new temple of El Boquerón has opened and is already full of new lives. God is raising a generation of young leaders in this place. In Haiti, the vision is to build a school, Orphanage, and clinic in Williamson, north of Port-au-Prince. What if you asked the servant? and the kids where are they? She said, “the one who sent me, Jesus Christ, to look for them”. She was a woman of great faith. The Bible says “Everything you ask the Father in my name will be done.” Proverbs 31:10 says: “A virtuous woman who will find it? Because his esteem far surpasses precious stones. ” There are many who in some way or another have been marked by the life of this servant of God. And they can tell their own experiences.
For almost 50 years in Haiti and more than twenty-five years in the Dominican Republic, the missionary Alejandrina Rosa Cordero carried the message of peace and salvation. All for the Glory to God. In October 2017, she left us and today her children Samuel in the Dominican Republic and Jimmy in Haiti continue the legacy. As the Lord told us through a servant who brought a prophetic message, moments after the departure of their mother “this ministry does not end here but begins” amen!