Adopted - Twice

The eldest son of a poor family, Juan's parents felt they were unable to raise him along with all their other children. So at a very young age, he was given to the family that employed his birth father. This family raised him - adopted him - and became Juan's family along with the other 7 children born to this couple.

Raised in the evangelical church, Juan attended their schools and even began studies in their seminary. He was awarded a diploma for completing the first level of the seminary studies.

Then the Lord changed Juan's plans. He came in contact with the WELS mission in Santiago and began studying doctrine with Freddy Aquino. Ironically enough, the first class that Juan attended was a study on baptism! After studying the teachings of the Lutheran church, Juan became a member. He tells about the day he gave away his diploma from the evangelical seminary. It was no longer a source of pride for him, he considered it "rubbish" compared to the truth he was learning.

Juan is thankful to his adoptive parents who raised him, and he is overjoyed with his adoption by His heavenly Father into the family of believers. His zeal now is to share the good news of the Savior with everyone he meets.

Inauguration in Moca

On Sunday, September 13, 2009, Moca hosted the inauguration of their new church building. Members from Pueblo Nuevo and San Pedro were able to attend as well as many other friends and guests.

The morning was filled with a special worship service and then a meal served for the guests.
After lunch, Pastor Alex took the guests on a tour of Moca.

In the evening, Nelson led a devotion followed by a game of Bible Trivia with men vs. women. We also enjoyed an evening meal with all the guests.

What an enjoyable day: a new temple for the congregation to give their praise and thanks to God and a day filled with many opportunities for worship and witnessing.

At the Mansion

This past week we attended the funeral of one of our newest members. Magnolia, a member of Juan Tavarez' congregation died on Sunday evening.

Magnolia had been feeling poorly for a while and on Sunday evening she was taken to the clinic. After about half an hour she died of a heart attack. The general custom here is for the body to be returned to the family. So she was brought back to the house where the family bathed and dressed her body for burial. Then the family needed to go out to buy a casket and have it delivered to the house.

The casket is usually placed in the front room of the house - after all the furniture has been moved out. (In this case, the family decided to use the community center). Friends, relatives and neighbors will then arrive to accompany the family members throughout the night and until the service and burial the following day.

Juan Tavarez was able to give a beautiful law and gospel presentation to all the people present, affirming the faith that Magnolia had in her heart guaranteeing her a place in heaven next to her Savior. It was an opportunity to witness to many new people.

After the service, a rented hearse arrives to take the casket to the cemetery. Most of the burials here are in masoleums. The family must rent a space for x number of years (usually 3). At the end of the contract you are given the option of renewing or different options for disposing of the remains.

When the funeral party arrives at the cemetery, the workers are there waiting. Juan was able to say a few words again for the family. Then the casket is placed into the chosen spot and is immediately cemented in. The workers place the name plaque in place and fix it in place with cement. Some families may leave flowers or pictures in front of the vault. These are then enclosed with a metal grate and locked to avoid being robbed.

Final condolences are given and everyone returns to their homes. People do not get together for a meal after the burial, as is customary in the US.

Magnolia had been a member for just a few short months. She was very happy about her faith, always expressing her joy in forgiveness. In one service she gave a beautiful witness of her faith to another family member. We will miss her - but only for a little while. We know that she is already with the Savior - at the mansion.

Beaches

He gave the sea its boundary, so the waters would not overstep his command.

Prov. 8:29

When people hear that you live on an island, they naturally assume that you must spend lots of time at the beach. Not so. Santiago is about two hours from the closest beach. Although we enjoy the ocean views, the most we see of the water is on our monthly visits to San Pedro. A good part of that drive is along the southern coast line, which is just beautiful.

The major industry here in the DR is still tourism, so many people come here to enjoy the beaches. From the pictures, you can see why. So, if you would like to enjoy another wonderful part of God's creation, come to the DR and see the beauties His hands have wrought in the sea and the sand.

I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it could not cross.
Jer. 5:22