September 2001

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

May Faith Expedition

Alice Archer, pastor of Mount Pleasant Church of the Brethren, Bourbon, IN; Bruce Huffman, Pastor of Germantown Brick Church of the Brethren and Don Reynolds, a nurse by profession and member of Palmyra Church of the Brethren in Pennsylvania joined Mission Coordinator Becky Crouse for the second annual Faith Expedition. The group visited the Los Toros, Viajama, Bonao, Peniel and San Luis churches to learn about the life of the members and see these churches in ministry. Engaging in a construction project during their eight-day visit, the group assisted the refugee community of Los Higueritos by pouring a concrete floor in one of the 32 homes built by Brethren Disaster Response funds near Azua following Hurricane George. Other stops included the Brethren Mission House in Azua and the beach Boca Chica to view the number one industry, tourism, in action. One participant wrote, "It (the expedition) has changed my life and the way I look at mission."

San Juan congregation, pastored by Miguel Ogando (far left) had the largest group at the first children's camp including 28 children and 6 adults. Maria Ogando (far right) led music for the camp. See article.

Mission Coordinators Visit Puerto Rico

In an effort to build relationships with the Puerto Rican churches, the Crouse family attended the annual assembly of the six Puerto Rican churches held June 1-2. While there, they participated in the first graduation of six persons from the theological education program. It was a special joy to participate in the uplifting worship, visit four of the churches, tour the Castaner hospital and learn to know the Brethren neighbors on the island to the east of the Dominican Republic. Becky preached in Spanish at the Yahuecas Cristo Nuestra Paz (Christ Our Peace) Church of the Brethren June 2 where Jorge Rivera serves as pastor. Thanks to all those who hosted us during our visit!

Brethren Mission House Celebrates One Year Anniversary

On September 14, the Brethren Volunteer Service workers will all complete their first year of ministry in the Dominican Republic. Houseparents, Earl and Barb Eby and sons, Chris and Bryan, completed their first year of a three-year commitment on May 25. The teacher coordinator, Sally Jo Caracheo, will complete her one year of service September 30 in order to return to the U.S. to spend several months with her family. The four volunteers, Renee Sheeler, Daniel Greenawalt, Kenda Negley and Denise Negley, teach one or two classes per week in16 of the churches. Continue to remember this group of volunteers in your prayers as they travel and continue their language learning. Anyone interested in applying for the teacher coordinator position should contact the BVS office at 1-800-323-8039.

Workcamps Assist the Poor in Las Charcas

Las Charcas, one of the seven bateyes served by Brethren physician, Hilcias Ricardo, has benefitted by the visits of two Church of the Brethren workcamps this summer. Elizabethtown, PA Church of the Brethren sent a group of 14 persons July 19-28 to begin building a home for a man in the community whose wife recently died leaving him with seven children to care for, the youngest being twins 11 months of age. A General Board youth workcamp under the direction of Luke Croushorn and Beverly Eikenberry worked August 7-15 to complete another home for a needy family in Las Charcas. Dr. Ricardo and the non-profit Commission for Dominican Ecumenical Work (COTEDO) helped supervise both workcamps.

Dr. Ricardo is serving her third year in ministry with the poor in the bateyes near Sabana Grande de Boya. Her mission work is funded in part by donations from the Elizabethtown church. Jeanesse Rodeffer, a nursing student from Olympic View Church of the Brethren in Seattle, WA, who participated in the DR young adult workcamp last year, spent the month of August assisting Dr. Ricardo in her medical work. Thanks to all who offered prayer support and who helped fund the efforts of both these workcamps.

First Children's Camp Draws 107 participants!

On July 19 two buses and several other vehicles arrived in Bani bringing a total of 84 children and 23 adults to participate in the first-over Dominican Republic Children's Camp. For two full days the children enjoyed Bible studies on the theme of "Encountering Jesus" and spent time doing crafts, games and music. A talent show featured many of the children singing and reciting scripture. When arrangements for a trip to a nearby swimming pool didn't work out, the children enjoyed water play with a hose and the water canal running through the camp.

One counselor noted that when the group returned to San Juan, some of the children were crying because they did not want the camp to end. The planning committee included Mission Coordinator Becky Grouse, San Juan pastor, Miguel Ogando and Peniel pastor, Eduardo Montero. Offerings from the Franklin County Virginia 2001 Lenten services helped offset the costs of the camp. The Vacation Bible School of Williamson Road Church of the Brethren, Virlina District, sent the craft supplies. Thanks to all who helped make this first-ever children's camp a wonderful experience for all!

Sister Church ministry partnership launched

A ministry partnership program has begun that invites congregations from the U.S. or Puerto Rico to join with Dominican congregations in sharing a sister church relationship. As of August 1, two Dominican congregations and two U.S. congregations have submitted their applications to participate in a sister church relationship. As applications from other congregations are received and pairings are made, we look forward to announcing the beginning of several new sister church partnerships later this year. Guidelines and application forms are available from the Board's Latin America/Caribbean office.

New Visa Program Allows Exchanges To Continue

We give thanks to God for a new visa program for church exchanges begun in 2001 by the U.S. Consulate in Santo Domingo. Through this program in 2001 two young adults were able to join in camping ministries in the U.S. On May 29, Henry Perez of the Peniel Church of the Brethren in Santo Domingo left for his work at Camp Mack in Milford, IN. Milciades Mendez of The Good Soldier Church of the Brethren in Fondo Negro spent six weeks of the summer working at Camp Ithiel in Gotha, FL. The official delegates to Annual Conference in Baltimore, MD and the annual assembly in Puerto Rico were Peniel Pastor, Eduardo Montero, and Felix Arias of San Juan congregation, respectively. After having considerable difficulties obtaining visas last year for any Dominican Brethren to visit the U.S., we are elated by this new program which facilitates exchanges with our U.S. churches, camps and conferences.

For Your Prayers

• Safety for all volunteers, staff and visitors as they travel in ministry.
• Future vision and direction for the Dominican church leadership.
• The 30 participants in the theological training program.
• The San Luis congregation as it prepares for a new building in December.
• Annual congregation health visits being conducted for the first time this year.
• That the sister church relationships will be upbuilding to Brethren on both sides
  of the Caribbean.
• For the changes to be implemented January 1, 2002 in the conference including churches receiving a grant from the conference and beginning to pay a stipend to their pastors directly, and a gradual reduction of the General Board grant to the conference as it works toward self-sufficiency in its daily operations.

Dios les bendiga!! God bless you all for your prayers and support!!

Jerry and Becky Baile Crouse, Mission Coordinators