December 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

Building The Church Together

John Hostetter, pastor of Lampeter church, works alongside Dominican Brethren in Fondo Negro

A group of 18 Brethren from three U.S. congregations spent November 11-19 working alongside members of the Fondo Negro El Buen Soldado congregation to build a church building. But more than that, these Brethren on both sides of the Caribbean built new friendships and relationships. Because there was literally "no room in the inn" at the local hotel for all participants, the group members rotated sleeping in the village in a church member's home. For some, that experience was life-changing.

The Dominican Brethren send their thanks to all who contributed to this successful project including the Buffalo Valley and Lampeter churches in Southern Pennsylvania District and the Bear Creek church in Southern Ohio District.

The Year 2000 in Review

Milestones in the life of the Dominican Mission and Ministry in 2000 include:

• The first graduation of 17 students from the theological education program and the first ordination of 10 pastors and licensing of 7 persons at the Annual Assembly February 19.
• Virlina District youth Amy Rhoades spending 6 months as mission worker and translator for workcamps living with Dominican Brethren throughout her stay.
• Two churches, San Jose and Viajama, entering the Heifer Project International program.
• A rotating education fund assisting 30 Brethren young adults in obtaining university education.
• Springfield church from Atlantic Northeast District and New Fail-view church from Southern Pennsylvania District spending two weeks in Paraiso building the church facility there.
• March 19 Becky preaching her first sermon in Spanish!
• Indian Creek church from Atlantic Northeast District coming to assist in constructing a church building in San Jose. Four members returned September 16 for the building dedication.
• A faith expedition bringing 12 Brethren from across the country together to visit Dominican
  churches and explore issues of globalization and the church's response.
• 0n May 25 the Eby family. Earl, Barb, Chris and Bryan, arriving to begin their ministry as houseparents for the Brethren Mission House located in Azua. This is a joint project with the Global Mission Partnerships office of the General Board, Brethren Volunteer Service, Brethren Revival Fellowship, and the Dominican Church. In September, teacher coordinator Sally Jo Caracheo and teachers Jewel Sheeler, Kenda Negley, Denise Negley and Daniel Greenawald arrived to begin their training and ministry of teaching English in the churches.
• Church representative Felix Arias attending the Puerto Rican Annual Assembly and Moderator David Reyes attending Annual Conference in Kansas City after difficulty obtaining visas.
• June 27 to August 17 the Crouse family returning to the U.S., traveling more the 4,000 miles for visits with family, making 32 presentations in 9 Districts and speaking at Annual Conference in Kansas City.
• May 20 and October 27-28 being important leadership summits where visions for the future direction of the mission of the Dominican Brethren were discussed. A number of these points will be brought before the 2001 annual assembly February 23-25.
• Other workcamps including the Young Adult workcamp in San Juan June 2-10; the Oak Grove Vacation Bible School in Fondo Negro June 17-25; the Brethren Revival Fellowship youth workcamp in Azua June 25-July 5; the Elizabethtown workcamp in Sto. Domingo and Sabana Grande de Boya August 10-19; and the November workcamp in Fondo Negro.
• A second year for Dr. Hilcias Ricardo ministering among the poor Haitian communities of Sabana Grande de Boya.
• A new cycle of 30 theological students beginning their study under the leadership of theological education coordinator, Guillermo Encarnacion, pastor of Alpha and Omega church in Lancaster, PA.
• Printing an update of the book, To Follow in Jesus Steps, by Wayne Zunkel into the Spanish and Creole languages.

Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas) and thanks to each of you for your prayers and support throughout the year! Dios ie bengida (God bless you) in this Christmas season and always.

Jerry, Becky, Steve, Jacob and Christy Crouse