Thanksgiving 2009

We cannot give God anything: for everything is already His, and all we have comes from Him. We can only give Him praise, thanks, and honor. Martin Luther

We rejoice at the less important things which we enjoy according to the Second Table of the Law in that our bodies and possessions are protected. For these gifts are of minor importance when compared with those which we enjoy according to the First Table: That God has revealed Himself, has made know what He intends to do with us, gives His Word, grants faith and the Holy Spirit, hears prayers, daily increases His church, etc. These things are so great that no tongue is able to amplify and praise them as they deserve....For only those are truly thankful who receive the gifts of God joyfully and rejoice in the Giver. Martin Luther

God grant that we follow His Word to praise and thank our dear Lord for His precious blood, which He so freely offered for us. And may God keep us from the terrible vice of ingratitude and the forgetfulness of His blessings. Martin Luther

God's Blessing Be With You

"May God bless you" is a common expression used among the believers here in the DR. On Saturday night, this blessing was repeated numerous times as two members of the Moca congregation were joined in holy matrimony.

Juan Manuel and Laura Patricia were married by Pastor Alex on Saturday night. Previously, both of them had dated unbelievers, but on the advice of their pastor, decided to stop these relations and try to find a believing partner. God answered their prayer and led their hearts to love and care for each other. After having postponed the date numerous times, everyone rejoiced with them when the "final" date was set and wedding plans were set in motion.

Many family members and neighbors who are not members attended the ceremony. Pastor Alex gave a beautiful sermon as a witness to these people, giving them an opportunity to hear the true law and gospel message. It was also an opportunity to give personal witnesses during the meal and festivities.

"God bless you" carries the desire that the Creator and Preserver of the universe shower all his love and care on the person who receives this blessing. It is a desire for the person to remain in the faith and to be among the believers around the celestial throne. It carries the desire that the person continually find comfort and strength in God's Word and be guarded from temptation and despair. It is with all these thoughts in mind that we say to Chiquito and Patti, "May God's blessing be with you".

Elections

Next May, the people here will vote in their local mid-term elections. The streets are already filled with posters and ads for all of the candidates from the three different main political parties. All the candidates are already campaigning to get as many votes as possible.

How does this affect the church work? Much of the campaigning is done on Sunday when people are off from work. For several Sundays now, Juan has had to postpone the beginning of the service while we wait for a candidate's parade to go past the church. This video was taken from the door of Juan's church.

As you can tell from the video, it gets VERY loud and the parade is quite long. Those people who don't have speakers blaring, are honking their horns and playing their radios full-blast. It is impossible to begin services or to concentrate on the Word with such a racket going by.

After the parade is past, your ears continue humming and buzzing for a while from all the loud noises. When we start singing our hymns -- it sounds very sweet!





In other news:

We want to again thank all of you for your prayers for the work here and for our safety. On Friday night, one of our members, Juan Fransisco, received a gunshot wound. Bible class had finished and he had already taken one person home on his motorbike. He was coming back to the church to pick up a second person to give them a ride home. Some other men on another motorcycle began following him, pulled out a gun and shot him in an attempt to steal his bike. Juan was able to continue riding his bike and arrive once again at the church property. There the members that were still around attended to him and took him to the clinic. Thanks to the Lord, the bullet exited his body and all he needed were some stitches.



We are all rejoicing and giving thanks to the Lord for His loving protection of Juan. Please rejoice with us that Juan is well and recovering. The Lord sent his holy angels to watch over Juan. And we thank you, also, for all your faithful prayers.

Reformation 2009

1. When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said "Repent", he called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance. (Ninety-five Theses of Luther)

Last week both Moca and Pueblo Nuevo had a showing of the Luther movie in their respective churches. It was an excellent opportunity to review our Lutheran beliefs and also to witness to others who are always curious about that "Lutheran" means.

94. Christians should be exhorted to follow Christ, their Head, through penalties, deaths and hells. (Ninety-five Theses of Luther)

Many of the new people that attended were from a Catholic background and were surprised to learn Luther's reasons for beginning the Reformation. They were amazed at his love and regard for the Word and of the persecution he had to endure from the pope and from the church.

62. The true treasure of the church is the Holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God. (Nintey-five Theses of Luther)

Both pastor Alex and pastor Juan spoke of God's using Luther to bring the truth of the Gospel to light. Works and indulgences are a way to give glory to man and draws their hearts from the true treasure - the Gospel of forgiveness and grace in the Savior.