US Annual Conference Moderator Paul Grout visited the Dominican Republic Feb. 14 to 25 and addressed the 11th Annual Assembly with the closing message Feb. 24. Grout also visited a number of congregations including the newest congregation accepted into the conference, Mendosa. This church of predominantly Haitian immigrants just built their own church facility and have more than 200 in worship. Grout said that hearing the Mendosa choir sing a cappella was a foretaste of heaven.
Pastor Isaias Santos Teña (left) traveled to Bethany Theological Seminary April 10 to present a seminar about evangelism in the Dominican Republic to the "Seeds, Salt and Sheep" class of Dr. Jeff Bach (right).
A retreat was held March 3 to 7, 2002 for the six Central America BVSers and the four Dominican BRF/BVSers along with Brethren Mission staff in the Dominican Republic – Earl, Barb, Chris and Bryan Eby and Jeff and Peggy Boshart. Brethren Volunteer service Director Dan McFadden and Latin America specialist Tom Benevento led the volunteers in times of reflection, Bible study and discussions about the relationship between their faith, service and justice.
On April 21 the Prince of Peace congregation in San Luis dedicated the new church facility which was constructed with the help of US Brethren during workcamps Dec. 1 to 8, 2001 and Jan. 12 to 19, 2002. Both workcamps were coordinated by Earl Ziegler and included Brethren from Ohio and Pennsylvania. Thanks to the workcampers and many other persons who made this new church facility a reality. San Luis, the second largest congregation in the Dominican Republic, is pastored by Isaias Santos Teña. April 6 to 11, Pastor Teña and Mission Coordinator Jerry Crouse traveled to the US with a stopover in Miami to visit both the Eglise des Freres Haitiens (Haitian Church of the Brethren) and Miami First congregations. They traveled on to Bethany Theological Seminary where Pastor Teña spoke to the "Seeds, Salt and Sheep" class of Dr. Jeff Bach on the theme of evangelism. Praise God for this opportunity for our Dominican church leaders to share their enthusiasm for sharing the Good News!
At the invitation of the Dominican church conference, Jeff and Peggy Boshart accepted the call to come to the Dominican Republic for a two-year term. The Bosharts are working alongside Dominican colleagues to initiate community development ministries in the areas of health, education, business development, and agriculture. The work of the Bosharts in the DR is funded by a grant from the Global Food Crisis Fund. This is envisioned as a new opportunity for Gospel witness. In consultation with the Bosharts, the Dominican church has appointed a Community Development Committee with 11 members which will focus on understanding how development organizations function and what is needed to run a project (budgeting, building leadership, reporting, organizing groups). Pray for the Bosharts as they begin this important ministry and move into their newly rented home near the church in Tabara Abajo where they look forward to gardening and raising a few goats!
The Southern Pennsylvania District has invited a worship team of Dominican youth to travel to the United States. The group will be in the United States June 27 to Aug. 1 visiting churches to share a Dominican worship service in Spanish with English translation. The group will present an insight session Monday noon at Annual Conference in Louisville, KY. They also will be traveling to National Youth Conference in Colorado where they will present a late night concert, workshops on playing Dominican instruments, and participate in two worship services. Keep this group in your prayers as they share the Gospel message with the US church!
Having completed 18 months of service, the four BRF/BVSers teaching English are celebrating the progress of many students in their classes. English classes began in 16 of the congregations March 2001. A certificate will be awarded to all students who have participated actively in the program in June. Sally Jo Caracheo returned to the DR April 16 for a two-month term as teacher consultant to assist in plans for the next year. The Eby family spent March 19 through April 18 in the United States on furlough. Anyone interested in teaching English through the BRF/BVS program should contact Director of BVS, Dan McFadden, at 1-800-323-8039. The current volunteers complete their term of service in September and new teachers are being recruited NOW! Pray for more persons to accept this call to come and teach English in the DR!
A workcamp from Pleasant View congregation in Southern Pennsylvania spent April 13 to 20 learning to know members of the Las Yayas preaching point and helping to remodel and make repairs on the Las Yayas conference center. Thanks to this group of 16 youth and adults who came to help in mission work alongside our Dominican Brethren!
Our family wishes to thank everyone for your prayers, support and encouragement during our 3 ½ years as mission coordinators. We leave the DR June 14 and will spend the next 2 months in mission interpretation and reconnecting with family. Either Becky or Jerry will be traveling with the DR worship team throughout their 35-day tour June 27 to Aug. 1. We hope to see many of you along the way! Our future plans are to relocate near the Baile grandparents on the farm in Warrensburg, MO. We are currently seeking out what our next ministry position will be.
Dios les bendiga!
Back to Dominican Republic Home Page | Back to Global Mission Partnerships Home Page © 2002 Church of the Brethren. All rights reserved. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
