Motorcycles - The New Pick-up

How many uses can you think of for a motorcycle? We never ceased to be amazed at the different ways the Domincan people use this mode of transportation. It's main function is to transport people and family and you can hire a "taxi" motorcycle for about 75 cents to take you anywhere in the city. We have seen up to six people on one motorcycle at the same time. Whole families travel together with dad in front, the kids fit in the middle, mom sits at the back with baby hanging on her hip!






But sometimes you see a motorcycle being used to transport many original things. At times you just smile, and other times you say, "Did you SEE that?" The ingenuity of the Domincan people is quite astounding and refreshing. As some have been heard to say, "Never a dull moment in the DR!"

Joyful Journey

Today was a special day for the Dominican churches. A fellowship day was enjoyed by the Moca and the San Pedro Congregations.

Fellowship
Twelve members of the Moca congregation left Moca at 5 AM and made the three hour drive southeast to San Pedro. When they arrived there were hugs to go around for all as the members of each congregation greeted each other. After catching up on each other's lives and sharing news, we all gathered in the church for a worship service. Julio started out the service with the hymn, "We Are One" which was sung with gusto by all. The sermon message was based on serving others in humility out of gratitude for all that Jesus has done for us.




Food
After the service, the San Pedro congregation served a lunch for everyone. After the long drive, the guests were happy to have a plate of rice to calm growling stomachs. Olga had prepared the rice on an old tire rim converted into a grill. Charcoal is placed inside the tire rim and the rice pot fits conveniently on top of the rim - works great!




Fun
After eating and more visiting, Julio took his guests around San Pedro so they could see the city. Many of them had not been in San Pedro before. We spent some time at the beach, a special treat for the people from Moca since their city is in the mountains, and even though they live on a island they are quite a ways from the beach. Julio also took the group to the downtown area to see the central park and the shops.




After a busy day, it was time to say goodbye and head home to the other end of the island. Everyone said farewell with content hearts, having created many happy memories with their Christian family and having strengthened the ties of faith that bind us together as one in Christ. As Alex said, "We live in different cities, have different experiences and lives, but our forgiveness is the same. We have the same Savior. We look forward to being together in heaven where our fellowship will be enjoyed every day".

Praise and thanksgiving be to our Savior for all He has done for us, for the free forgiveness he gives, for the faith he works and preserves in our heart and for giving us opportunities like these to share fellowship, faith and fun with other believers.

Trip to El Limon

Last week while Philip was away on a teaching trip, I accepted an invitation to travel to the northeast end of the island and visit with Freddy's family in the town of El Limon. It is a six hour bus ride, through beautiful countryside with several stops in smaller towns along the way to pick up more passengers. I arrived in El Limon at 1 PM and Freddy was there waiting for me.

We both jumped on motorconchos (motorcycles) and rode out to the house. Waiting for us there were his wife Elizabeth, their son Frelin, his mother-in-law Reyna, her husband Mon, and other members of their extended family.

Freddy's house is out in the country and there are fruit trees all around. Mon, 77 yrs. old, even climbed up a tree, with bare feet, to pick some fruit! Every time the ladies would start preparations for a meal, the animals would start to wander into the kitchen, cats, dogs, chickens all looking for a few scraps.

Besides the wonderful time spent with Freddy's family, I also had several opportunities to witness to them, to reinforce the things that Freddy is teaching them. Simple conversations about basic law and gospel and also in depth questions about what we teach and believe were part of the weekend. The Lord opened several doors for me to witness and now I pray the Holy Spirit will work in these hearts through Freddy's continued witnessing. What a wonderful Savior we have, who wants all men to be saved.

Moving In

This past Sunday, July 26, 2009, the Moca congregation held their first service in their new building. Even with all the benches and chairs set up, everything was pretty full!! Lord willing, it won't take long to outgrow this building.




Saturday was cleaning day and the crew arrived at 6PM. Everyone got busy right way moving benches, sweeping, hosing down the floor, mopping up all the water, setting up benches and chairs and dusting them off. Another crew worked at cleaning up the yard. It was a privilege to work alongside these people. Everyone pitches in, everyone wants to help, everyone looks for a way to participate. Even eight year old Alexandra picked up a broom to help out.

On Sunday morning everyone started arriving and choosing their places. It seems that after a while people choose a certain place to sit and that is their "customary" place to be during services. Don't know why it works that way, but it does. Everyone was happily searching for their new places to sit and their was a certain excitement in the air as people rejoiced in moving in to this new building.







A formal inauguration is being planned for September when the other congregations will be invited and people will have time to invite other family and friends. In the meantime, their are some minor details that still need to be worked on - like putting doors on the bathrooms!