Building relationships

Although no one on our mission team speaks much Spanish, we have already begun building relationships.  Three little boys helped Dick and I sift sand this afternoon.  We even stopped a couple times to play baseball...well play catch at least.  We are getting to know David and a few other construction workers  afternoon.  Another husband and wife who watch over the neighborhood are quickly becoming familiar to us.

It's evident to us that Brian and Jeanette are committed to the people in their neighborhood.   Brian told us the story about the young mother we met this afternoon around the construction site. She was introduced to the church by young people on the mission team from Oregon a few weeks ago. She recently joined the church.

Here at the Dominican Republic mission, just like it is at home in Wisconsin, making disciples for Christ begins to happen when you build relationships.

Settled in Las Americas

   Please continue to pray, as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:9b-11: But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.  He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us.  On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.  Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
  After the ordeal of getting from Miami to Santo Domingo, we thank our Lord that we are safe and intact as a team; mentally, physically, spiritually.  We got to know each other much better through this, and the Spirit led us to bond and care for one another beyond our natural ability.   
   Brian and Jeanette have welcomed us into the palatial home they are renting as a short-term-mission base here  in Las Americas and we have toured the church building complex, which includes a sanctuary, a mini-parsonage, restrooms and a water purification area.
   A few men from the Palmer Arriba area are down, helping on the construction; we watched them tossing thin cement on the ceiling of the mini-parsonage. Brian arranged a late lunch delicious beans & rice con carne) for us at the site, where we met several of the local people (pray for speedy improvement to our lack of Spanish) as well as Danelle, who coordinates the efforts with the Good Shepherd Group home. 
  Amazingly, Paul, Duane & Dick all opted to get to work right after the lunch!  The rest of us chose to get showered & relax or nap.  Tonight we hope to meet Pastor Ted Krey, and learn more... & plan our activities for tomorrow - time to get to work?

Finally We're Here!

Gracias, Jesu!  We are all here in Las Americas (a kind of suburb of Santo Domingo, not far from the ocean), but not without yet another delay back at MIA (Miami International Airport).  There were people who didn't show up for the rescheduled flight, so their baggage had to be identified from beneath the plane and pulled out before leaving.  Finally, at about 9:30 (90 minutes late), we taxied the runaway and left Miami behind.  A smooth flight brought us to breezy Santo Domingo, and a bit of a crazy drive in a local taxi brought us to the Kellers, Brian and Jeanette, from Brookfield and who are presently living here and hosting groups.  You'll have to wait for the photos to appreciate the accomodations - a beautiful two story home with all kinds of room for a group our size.  The best part appears to be the second story veranda which opens to the street below and the ocean breeze.

We had lunch (rice, beans and either marinated beef or chicken) at the site of the church construction.  We are surprised by how much has already been accomplished.  A group of young men mostly from Santiago to the north are here plastering the ceilings of what will be a mini vicarage - actually a parsonage built into the side of the church to be.  Looks like we'll be doing a good share of sifting the sand to be used in the cement mixer, plastering the cinder block walls of the church and parsonage, and fishing electrical wire through the PVC conduits which are all in place throughout the cinder block walls.

Some dove right into working at the site, and others are recouping and trying to catch their breath after the trip here.  Almost all on the plane applauded when it touched down in Santo Domingo.  It's great to be here and even better to now have met Brian, Jeanette and Danielle and to have received their briefings, updates and plans.  God is clearly blessing the efforts of the many phases of this mission outpost.  Dios le bendiga!

Moses and Flight 1901

It's 7am Miami time - that's right, Miami time meaning we're still in Miami.  All was well arriving from Chicago yesterday.  We knew we'd have a bit of a layover before boarding for a 7:50pm flight to Santo Domingo.  7:50 arrived, and still no plane and no update (when updates do come they are usually in Espanol unless English is requested).  8:50pm.  No plane.  9:50.  10:50.  The screen behind the counter then advertised a midnight departure.  Staff had mentioned the delay of our plane in Tampa (or was it Fort Meyers) and that it would take another hour once it arrived to get it ready for our full flight.  The plane arrived, it took at least an hour, it was after midnight, everyone was finally boarded, and then the announcement came, "For reasons of legality, all passengers are asked to exit the plane."  We're still not sure what happened (we weren't told specifically).  My guess is by the time they had us all ready to go the flight crew could no longer legally serve us - their time to be on the job had expired.

And Moses thought he had it bad dealing with the Israelites.  (Mr. Jim Moses is the Miami airport's Customer Service Manager for American Airlines.)  With all of us off the plane, it was now about 1:30am, and the airline staff was still trying to figure out how to get us all bussed to any number of hotels with vacancies.  That really encouraged all - NOT!  We all knew by the time we got to whatever hotel it would be time to return to the rescheduled departure of Flight 1901 to Santo Domingo.

So, word got out that in another terminal there was a fourth floor auditorium with cots, blankets, and pillows.  By the time we found this sought out "oasis," it was fully occupied with people under blankets, some on cots, others on the floor, still others sleeping upright in chairs.  We managed to find in a storage closet a couple of large plastic bags filled with blankets and pillows - the kind you might get while flying.

I figured we got about 3 hours sleep on the floor minus the time spent awake dealing with the air conditioning blowing on us.  Oh, and the group of Latinos who came through the same hallway we were calling our bedroom to retrieve blankets and pillows for themselves, talking loudly and about to be chewed out by me - until I realized, from the very little Espanol I know, that they weren't talking but praying and thanking Jesus (Gracias, Jesu, Alleluia!  Mucho gracias!).  At this, I got some peaceful rest, if only for 90 minutes.

We all agreed the American Airlines "gift" food vouchers supplied us with manna from heaven and quail for our wilderness wandering.  It was, as someone said, an Easter breakfast, as a new person was resurrected within all of us as we ate and drank - thanks to God's man, Moses...

Delayed in Miami

Just a tired note - our flight out of Miami, originally scheduled for 7:50pm, is currently slated for 10:10 pm... and God alone knows what may really happen!  We are all tired and trusting God for endurance and patience.  This will definitely be a late night!  But we praise God for providing more connecting time for our team; we have been making good use of the delay so far... but now I just want to get to bed.
Must keep my eyes fixed on Jesus...
~Nancy

From Frost to FLA

We've made it to Miami FLA - 78 degrees!  This morning in Waukesha WI a hard frost covered the car.  My feet didn't thaw out until we were walking the concourses of O'Hare.  In about 90 minutes we'll board for Santo Domingo.  As we were exiting the plane in Miami, a woman tugged on the sleeves of another woman who had left her passport and boarding ticket behind her in her seat.  A very kind gesture.  As I sit here, a gentleman just gave up the table he was sitting at alone to a group of four.  Another kind gesture.  It made me think of something I had just read, "If we don't follow our actions with words, they will only know that we are nice people, not that God loves them.  Good deeds create goodwill.  But goodwill is not yet the good news." (Rusaw and Swanson)  The language barrier for us who do not speak Espanol is still no reason for us to back away from the "intersections" God will direct us to with the people of Las Americas.  It doesn't take much, once the deed is done.  Following up with a simple, authentic "Dios le bendiga," we trust will be backed by God's promise that His Word never returns empty.

Departure Day

Catching the bus to O'hare pictures.

Catching the bus to O'hare pictures.

Chi-Town

We're all here at O'Hare - Paul and Sue from Wausau came on their own and we found them already checked in and secure.  It was the smoothest ticketing and security check I've experienced at O'Hare.  The xray and pat down wasn't nearly as rough as some have made it (though I'm told I got the more thorough pat down - must be due to the sombrero I'm wearing).  We're checked in with all our belongings and supplies all the way to Santo Domingo via Miami.  We'll arrive sometime this evening and stay with our hosts, Brian and Jeanette Keller.  Dios le bendiga!

Dinner and Prayer

I arrived at the home of Brookfield Lutheran members, Tim and Cheryl, who hosted our Dominican Republic team with supper and prayer.  Our team sat on chairs facing one another as a number of couples from Brookfield Lutheran prayed over us and with us.  Pray without ceasing, the apostle Paul says.  The apostle James says, “You don’t have because you don’t ask God.”  We are asking Him for health and strength, safe travels and success, and for this mission to flourish.  My prayer is, with all the planning, that we remember He will direct our steps, and that, whatever is before us, especially the unknown, we can do all things through Christ who always gives us strength.  PC

Ready to go!!

Thank you to Tim and Cheryl for hosting the dinner this evening for us.  And thank you to all who came to pray for us.  We know we are in God's hands and He will be with us every step of the way.  Pray for John, Nancy, Paul, Sue, Dick Duane, Chris and Rose as they begin their journey.
God's blessings to you all!!
Rose

Jeanette landed in DR

Thanking our Lord Jesus for Jeanette's safe travel.  She flew down today, and I just received this email from her:

Hello All,
    I arrived safe and sound in the DR this afternoon. Flights were decent...one delay, a bit of turbulence now and again....but nothing too bad. :)
It was warm and sunny when I arrived...absolutely beautiful. It remains warm this evening...gentle breeze flowing thru the house. Very pleasant.
    Brian is well...says "hi" to everyone back in the States. It is good to be back together. :)
    The construction site looks amazing...it has changed dramatically since I left. The same goes for our home....we are ready to "host" all who wish to join us for a week or two! Come on down...the beds are made, the towels ready....and the cupboards stocked! No mints on the pillows.....they'd only encourage the ants!  We'd love to see all of you!

Time for bed....this traveler is one tuckered cookie. Been running full throttle since 2:30 AM...on about 3 hours of sleep. :)

Smiling in the DR,
    Jeanette

54 hours & counting...

    We are in the final days.  Suitcases are being packed, weighed, repacked...
But truly, we are in the final days; Christ told us that His return would be unexpected, sudden, and soon.  So we are urgently seeking to make Him known to a dying world that desperately needs His redeeming resurrection forgiveness!
   Jeanette stopped by to drop off some items that wouldn't fit in her luggage (will it fit in ours???).  She will be flying out of Milwaukee Wednesday morning, due in Santo Domingo by early afternoon.  One big concern for prayer is new/dependable transportation.  Brian has been borrowing a vehicle that is not reliable... but it has been building his faith -!
Check out the Daily Prayer list that Duane put together!
~Nancy

He is Risen!

Joyous Easter to all in the name of Jesus, our risen redeemer!
We leave this Friday!
As we come down to the wire, please pray for each member to wrap up the details we need to go; things to take, things settled for leaving behind. 
 - Pray for Jeanette & for Duane in particular, as their days prior to DR are SO packed.  Duane has travels with family to  northern Minnesota to fit in.  Jeanette will wrap & pack up before her departure early Wednesday, so she can be settled to receive our group in Las Americas.
- Just heard that there is cholera in the DR area where we will be working.  Pray that our group stays safe from any contamination, for quick containment of the sources, for healing of those infected, and for our witness of trust in our all-sufficient God in health, sickness, every trial, and even through death.
Pray for us to "not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6,7)

Building Christ's Church in Las Americas

We will be working on building a church facility for the congregation under newly-ordained Pastor Willie Gaspar in Las America (see more at this site http://mercyforever.lcms.org/2011/04/first-lutheran-pastor-ordained-in-dominican-republic ).  Brian Keller has been working with visiting teams and congregation members to place footings and supports for the building.  We expect to be putting up trusses for the roof on our segment of work.

PRAY! Departure in 10 days!

Please pray for our team - to be prepared in body & spirit - with unity in Christ to do His work.  Pray for Jeanette and Brian for the logistics, like a undependable truck, and health; for Danelle (field worker with the Mission and outreach to disabled people in the DR) who is recovering from appendicitis; for the people we will be helping & serving & working alongside, to be Christ-bearers for them; for the joy of our sacrificed and risen Lord Jesus - Who is our strength and hope - in all we are and say and do!