September 2000

Dominican Mission Report
Gerald and Rebecca Baile Crouse
Mission Coordinators in the Dominican Republic
c/o Lynx Air SD-DR
PO Box 407052
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33340

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

"Breaking Down Barriers"

Jesus taught many times about the dangers of wealth and how it can get in the way of our relationships with God and one another. The rich young ruler walked away saddened when challenged by Jesus to give away all the possessions he had to the poor in Luke 18, verse 22, and then come and follow him.

Certainly one of the challenges of living in a country where 90% of the people's annual income is about $1,500 US dollars is that we, as foreigners and Americans, are by comparison rich. For this reason, we are approached daily for handouts from beggars and others who know we have resources we could share.

I discovered how my wealth is a barrier to relationships last week when the General Board car I drive was in the shop being repaired from a rear-end collision I had last May. I was walking the four blocks home from the bus stop and passed a lady who is constantly washing and cleaning outside her one-room home. I often drive by her but today, on foot, she looked up and said, "Oh, you're walking today." So I stopped and explained that my car was in the shop and that began about a five-minute conversation with her questioning me about where we lived and what we were doing here. The next day, as I carried a few groceries on my walk home, again, we visited about a hurricane that had threatened the island and I told her I had been worried about her in this valley where she lived, knowing her home could easily be flooded.

Our new volunteers in the Brethren Mission House in Azua do not have a vehicle. It is unusual for missionaries not to have their own cars or four-wheel drive vehicles. But through our willingness to be vulnerable and learn the system of public transportation, barriers will be broken and God will bless us with new and life-changing relationships.

May we each examine our lifestyles in order that we can inherit the eternal life Jesus promised us as His faithful followers!

–Becky Baile Crouse

SUMMER WRAPUP:

We arrived home safely August 17 after seven weeks of traveling more than 4,000 miles to visit family, friends, churches and attend the 2000 Annual Conference. We made 32 presentations in 9 districts and thank all of those churches and families who hosted us during our sojourn. We hosted Pastor David Reyes, Moderator of the Conference of Churches, at Annual Conference for his first US visit as well as conducting an insight session and speaking at the Church-as-Mission dinner series. For a copy of our Annual Conference dinner presentations, please look up the mission web site at http://www.brethren.org/genbd/global_mission/DR.htm

ENVISIONING SUMMIT PLANNED:

On October 28 pastoral and lay leadership from the conference of churches will gather at a church camp near Baní for a second summit meeting. The purpose of this gathering will be to do goal-setting and envisioning for the future. Issues such as the future of theological education, economic self-sufficiency versus dependency, leadership development, denominational structure, pastoral support, building projects and mission focus are some of the issues that will be discussed in the process of seeking God's will for the Dominican Church. The first such summit was held in May 2000. A similar gathering of persons with mission experience met July 15 at Annual Conference in Kansas City. The conversation continues this fall as we in the Dominican Church continue to walk the road of faithful discipleship. Please be in prayer on October 28 for God's leading and direction for our Dominican brothers and sisters in Christ.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OTHER MISSION HIGHLIGHTS:

* September 14, four Brethren Volunteer Service/Brethren Revival Fellowship volunteers, Daniel Greenawalt, Kenda Negley, Jewel Sheeler, and Denise Negley arrived to begin four weeks of Spanish language and Dominican cultural training prior to beginning their work as teachers of English as a Foreign Language. The volunteers will be housed in Azua at the Brethren Mission House under direction of houseparents Earl and Barb Eby and teacher coordinator, Sally Jo Caracheo. Please be in prayer for all of these members of the Brethren Mission House ministry team as they begin this new chapter in their service to Christ and to his Church!.

* The Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren in Southern Pennsylvania District will help build the Fondo Negro church building the week of November 11-19.

* Bethany Seminary Professor Daniel Ulrich will lead a 2-week Cross-cultural seminar in the Dominican Republic including a study of Romans that will bring together Bethany seminary students and Dominican theological education students. Seminar dates: January 2-15, 2001.

* The annual assembly of La Conferencia de Iglesias de los Hermanos en la República Dominicana (DR conference of churches) is planned February 16-18, 2001 in San Juan de la Maguana.

FAMILY NEWS AND NOTES:

Christy began kindergarten this year and enjoys gymnastics class. Jacob started fourth grade and will continue taking guitar lessons. Steve started Middle School and said this is his favorite grade since second grade. All of us enjoyed being in the States with family and friends this summer and didn't find it hard to get used to dependable electricity or water you can drink right from the faucet!