Remembering a Hero, Fello

We arrived Wednsesday morning in Boma after a chilly, foggy ride up and down the hills and over the river. We were met by a somber Enrique, the local church leader. He said, "I had tried to call you, but by the time I got through you had already left." (Cell phone coverage is very sketchy up in the mountains) We knew something was very wrong. Firstly, he didn't go through the normal Dominican greeting and normally the only thing that cancels our morning Bible study is rain.

"Fello died on Monday night." Enrique said.

Immediately we hugged and asked how Lina, his wife, was doing. We have blogged about Fello (real name Rafael) in the past. He has been bed-ridden for 12 years having suffered some kind of damage to his back which left him in constant pain and unable to walk, though he was not paralytic. He inspired us to look for a solar-powered audio Bible because he was not very literate and lived with out electricity, spending his days on a small foam cot propped on a couple of pillows. When he had batteries, he listened to TransWorld Radio. When he ran out of batteries, he depended on his wife to read to him or he simply prayed and meditated.

Each time we visited him, he encouraged us and Lina was sure to feed us! The hike through a creek and up a rocky path was nothing in order to spend some time with them. Fello and his wife lived off the land and depended on their son, who worked in Jarabacoa, to help them buy medicine and other necessities.

But last weekend, Fello weakened and seemed to be quite sick. Then on Sunday he rallied. Monday evening he was talking and eating Lina's delicious cooking, when he suddenly died.

Wednesday morning as we met with the leaders of the church, who are his brother and cousins, we commented that Fello is the happy one now, walking and jumping in heaven, enjoying God's presence. It is the ones who are left behind who struggle, missing him.

Fello's death breaks new ground in Boma because he is the first evangelical believer to die in the community. He expressly said he did not want the traditional 9 days of mourning. The majority of Dominicans are Catholic by tradition, though a minority are active, practicing Catholics.

When a Catholic dies here, the family observes a "velorio," 9 days of mourning with a shrine set up to the loved one in the living room. A table is set with a white table cloth, flowers, a picture of the deceased, candles and often a statue of Mary. Some wrap a cross in black cloth to represent the deceased. Everyone who knew the person stops by to visit and have some coffee. It is a very good thing for people to pay their respects and support the grieving. However, there is a lot of superstition that comes with it. By tradition the spirit is still present in the house and so water is put out under the memorial table. The rosary and other ritual prayers are said everyday for an hour to try to help ensure that the deceased will make it into heaven.

At the very end of the time, there is a special mass in the church and the next day, the family feeds everyone who shows up--and who wouldn't show up for a free meal? The family may end up feeding hundreds, or in a village it would be the entire village. This is a huge burden on the family resources, though no one would think of not doing it.

Fello and his family simply buried him and are spending extra time together to grieve. Fello and Lina's home is open to visitors, but without all the tradition. Fello's spirit isn't hanging around and his widow isn't worried about his eternal home. She knows he is in heaven because he called Jesus Lord and Savior and accepted the forgiveness of his sins that were paid for on the cross. Fello understood he was powerless to earn his way to heaven. Jesus made a way for all who would submit and follow Him.

Fello will always have a special place in our hearts.

Christmas Service in Los Calabazos

Spent the morning at one of the small church plants named Los Calabazos. It is December 26 and only 9 people there today, including my family. It's always a small group. We praised God, celebrated His birth. After a time of worship. I shared a message. At times, I feel discouraged and unsure of how to help such a small church. Today as we celebrated Christmas together, I was struck with the low level of fan fare when Christ was born. Yes, the angels sang and that had to be amazing...but it seems most others missed what was going on that first Christmas.

Spending Christmas in the Dominican Republic is a different experience that we are used to. We miss all the celebrations that our church in Minnesota has each year. Today, we enjoyed a small celebration with some simple mountain folk. Christmas for them isn't about giving presents. There are not any big programs. In fact, the service wasn't any different then any other Sunday.

Trying to make a little different, we requested that we sing some Christmas songs and they could only think of one song. They sang it and we sang Joy to the World to them (in English). Julito said he had heard that tune but didn't know the words. When we asked how they celebrated their Christmas Eve and Day...they said they fasted. Most Dominicans have a big meal and they decided to fast.

Once again, I feel I am learning more from Dominicans then I could ever teach. My message to them was to avoid distractions and focus on Jesus a Christmas and at all times. Fasting is a great application of that message. There is a beauty in stripping away distractions. It helps us focus on what is really important.

I got to see a little of that today. I am not saying that we all need to fast or that programs are bad...I love them. And I know that programs are meant to help us focus on Christ. It is just refreshing to see a different way to celebrate.

Ministry Snapshot

We thought it might be good to give a snapshot of each of the areas we are working.

El Montana: Working to disciple men and women to become the leaders of the church. We have seen a lot of growth. 2010 was spent helping people turn from sinful patterns, teaching them to forgive, and presenting God's plan for the family. Rick spoke many times in the church and both Becky and Rick lead weekly Bible study groups.

Boma: We have been invited to help the church leaders think about how they minister. Each Wednesday morning we meet with them. We have focused on topics like - Spiritual education for children (in the church and in the home), God's grace, and helping people leave patterns of sin.

Los Calabazos: In 2010 Rick taught on the purpose of the church. This community has a great vision for the community. Rick challenged them to think about the role of their church in the community. In the fall, they decided to make some changes and they started meeting on Sunday mornings.

Buenos Aires: After a community survey in 2009, God led the people in Buenos Aires to start some new ministries. Alex and Carol shared this vision with us in January. 2010 was spent helping them start new ministries to children, youth and adults. In many ways, this is how we want to do ministry. We want to see how God is leading Dominicans and join them as they follow God's leading.

Seminario Biblico: Studying God's Word and relating it to the ministry opportunities and challenges within a local church. In 2010 we finished 3 courses - Old Testament History, Old Testament Prophets and the Life of Christ. 6 men from 3 different communities continue to meet weekly to go deeper. We study outside of class and meet to discuss what we have learned. Rick gives special attention to make sure that the teaching is practical, relating to every day life.

In all of these areas, our focus is to equip leaders. Relationships are key. While we do see many areas that need to be addressed, we listen to hear how God is working and give priority to those areas. At times, because of the patterns in the culture, the challenges in one community have caused us to do some "preventative" teaching in the communities. We are learning and we trust God to guide us as we serve.

There is much more that could be shared but in the interest of keeping this a "snapshot" I will close. If you think this is a good idea, let us know. Our desire is to keep you informed of what we are doing.

We thank you for your partnership. Your prayers are vital. Your communication is encouraging. Your gifts provide for us and the ministry. We feel blessed. We know you do this out of love for the Lord. It is a service to Him. How blessed we are to be a part of the body of Christ, to experience the fellowship within His body. We hope this snapshot is a blessing to you.

AMAZING GRACE!

How many times have you sung this song? I bet I've sung it a hundred times. It's been translated into many languages, including Spanish. This morning at church we sang it again. In the past it has bothered me some to sing "translated" songs instead of those that have been written by Latino Christians. I know some of our traditional American hymns were actually written in other European languages and translated, but I still think that worship from the heart is best when the words are written in that country's language. It just seems so much more natural and heart felt.

But today I changed my mind, at least for this hymn. Rick and I recently watched "Amazing Grace," the story of William Wilberforce, the tenacious English politician who brought the British slave trade to an end in 1807. He sought spiritual counsel from and Anglican minister named, John Newton. Mr. Newton wrote "Amazing Grace."

John Newton was a slave trader, but in the midst of terrible storm called out to God and experienced His Amazing Grace. It took years before his faith grew to a point where he quit slave trading and entered the priesthood. Later he joined the abolitionist movement with William Wilburforce.

So as we are singing "Sublime Gracia" this morning, I looked around as young and old sang with eyes closed swaying slightly. Could it be that someone here has anscestors who were brought by John Newton himself? How amazing would grace be that the descendents of so many Africans that he cruelly abused for profit are now praising God using the hymn he wrote?!

It is highly unlikely that in our little church this morning there was a descendant of the slaves Mr. Newton trafficked. But still, somewhere this morning some descendent of those slaves sung God's praises and that is pretty amazing. It's amazing that the ocean of God's grace can cover such a sinner as John Newton. It is amazing that the river of God's grace can flow down generations from colonial slave to free Caribbeans. It is amazing that the fountain of God's grace can renew each of us sinners day by day.

Our Vision and that of UWM

We Are UWM from Go2819 on Vimeo.

Kid's Club in Buenos Aires

VBS is as much a tradition in the Nueva Vida village churches as it is for many churches in the U.S. In the past our teams from Calvary Free Church in Rochester, Minnesota would run a VBSwith help from Dominican translators and teenagers from the main church.

Last year the Montana church co-led a few days of VBS with our team and then finished after they left. This year we planned a VBS using Spanish materials on the life of Daniel. We held the club each Monday afternoon. Faith Community Church's VBS in Ohio bought the craft supplies and sent some money to buy snacks. Ingrid and Lumi led storytime. Rovian and Carla led games. Ramona and AnaMaria, with help from others, were the craft teachers. Rick and I were all-arounders, keeping things moving and subbing where needed.

We had a smaller turn out than expected, but 20-25 kids were enough for us to handle. The volunteers learned new skills in teaching and managing children. They also learned the importance of prayer as we had one session that was particularly difficult due to misbehavior. We regrouped, changed our strategy and prayed all week. The next session went smoothly and we all praised God for answered prayers.

The Christians in Montaña are now talking seriously about learning to be "Sunday School" teachers. This is encouraging since in the past they have expressed a desire to have a children's program during worship time, but wanted "someone else" to come and do it for them. We have an experienced Dominican Sunday School teacher from one of the other churches who is willing to train them. Securing materials and curriculum will be another step in the process. But we are excited to see the Christians taking this on as their responsibility to the many children who attend services in Montaña.

Evangelizing in La Lomita!

In the Spring, Rick preached a message sharing at Nueva Vida's sharing it's history of church planting. Little did he know that the same process that he was describing, was beginning to happen again.

Emma grew up on a small mountain village called La Lomita. She left that village, like many others her age, in search of a job. And she ended up finding Christ. Over the past few months, Emma and her husband Alexi had been talking with others in the church about the need to bring the Gospel back to La Lomita.

This is how all of the church plants have started. Members of Nueva Vida want to bring the Gospel to their friends and relatives that live in the areas where they were raised. And now, there was a desire to do it again.

If you have been following our blog for some time, you may remember Jordan, a very sick boy. Jordan lived in La Lomita and died there about 1.5 years ago. Rick met Jordan and his mom at a medical outreach and later visited him to bring some medicine. This is shared in an our blog - "Mixed Feelings of Discovery" (December 1, 2008).

Where is La Lomita?

It it up on a mountain ridge behind the Jarabacoa's most visible mountain, Magote. There are no good roads to access it. An unmaintained dirt road brings you close. La Lomita is in an area of steep ridges. 33 houses are built on the side and top of different ridges.

Obviously, Getting there is a bit of a challenge. A 4x4 truck will get you close and you can walk the last part. With a motorcycle, you can go all the way there, but be careful. One recent trips, there have been a few accidents due to the steep inclines.

Sounds fun? Yes, for a day trip but if you are thinking of going there on a weekly basis....NO, not so fun.

Who lives there? What is the community like?

Typical of many mountain communities, most of the homes are occupied by older folks whose grown children have left the area to find work. Generally, the people live off the land. In some homes there is electricity. Others are totally self sufficient. In between the ridges are streams where people cool off. Presently there is only one church, a Catholic church that meets once a month.

What has happened in La Lomita?

On a Saturday in June about 20 people made their way to La Lomita. We got in groups of 3 and visited houses. Relationships were built and testimonies shared.

Different than the United States, people welcome you onto their porches to talk. Dominicans are very curious. They want to know who you are. They want to find out if they have mutual friends. And they generally, have the time to sit and talk. Bringing up God is not hard because all Dominicans believe in God. And most like to sit and listen to God's Word.

La Lomita was not different than other communities. We enjoyed getting to know them and before ending, shared the gospel.

In August, we returned a second time. A team came and ran a 1-day children's club and then I joined them in the afternoon to help show a movie.

Were there any decisions?

Yes, people prayed to receive Christ. But....

That's a hard question to answer. It's hard because people pray for many different reasons. Some pray to be polite. Others pray hoping to get something. And it is hard to know at this point, how many prayed because of a genuine understanding of the Gospel and a desire for Christ's forgiveness. We are called to share. God's Holy Spirit calls people to Himself. And we look forward to see the results. While God already knows, for us, time will tell the real results.