We started with our only leisurely morning of this trip, enjoying a great breakfast before heading out at 9:15 for worship at the nearby Inglesia Evangelico Lutherano, where Rev. Dr. David P. Stechholz, President of the English District of the LCMS, was leading a Bible study in English for all the visitors. Pastor Stechholz took us into Jesus' parables of lost being found - sheep, coin, son. His comments closely paralleled Tim Keller's Prodigal God teachings. He ended by having us discuss application; how Christ redeems us & calls us to join Him in seeking the lost and rejoicing repentant ones - in daily life & here in the DR.
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Worship (in Spanish AND English, except all singing in Spanish) followed the study, with Pastor Walter Ries, Jr. leading and Pastor Ted Krey assisting. The sermon was "How to See the Face of God," on Genesis 32:22-32, where Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord, and saw God's face, yet lived. To see God's face, as sinful people, is to be exposed to His wrath and be undone (Isaiah 6). But in Christ we see the face of God and are blessed by Him and LIVE.
Also, it was a blessing to meet & greet most of the other missionaries and their families, and also several visitors from Wisconsin - notably from Bethesda Lutheran Communities. Then on to lunch with the WHOLE crew!
