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

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!

Stoplight Shopping

One of the unique facets of driving in Santiago is all the activity that goes on when you are in your car at the stoplight. When you stop, the first thing you watch for is the batallion of guys that want to wash your windshield. Sometimes it is hard to see them coming since they throw their sponge from several feet away!





Next come the newspapers. You can get updates on the news with morning and afternoon editions.




After that comes the food: fruit, water, juice, crackers, cookies, popsicles, cheese, etc.
Not far behind come the hats, cellular accessories, windshield wipers, toys, jewelry, sunglasses, etc...











So, come to Santiago to enjoy our Stoplight Shopping. You can make your purchases from the comfort of your car. It's easy on the feet and you get new choices at each stoplight. Come to Santiago where we shop at each stop!