Our Vision and that of UWM

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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.

Love is not selfish!

Man A - "I have never seen anyone love like that before." Turning to the man next to him, "Have you?"

Man B - "No"

Rick - "Well, this is the kind of love God has for us and it is the kind of love He wants us to have for others - our wives, family and everyone."

Man B - "Well, no one I know loves like this."

Rick - "What would happen if you loved like this? And what would happen if your whole village loved like this?"

The conversation continued as we talked about how different life would be. They said many problems would be solved. They even talked about how contageous this kind of love would be.

Rick - "This love is very different than what we normally see."

Man A - "Yes, it would be like starting something completely new."

Rick - "Then let's start something complete new!"

Both men agreed and that is what we are working on. What started with some marriages in trouble has enabled Rick to ask some very direct questions of two men who wanted change. We watched the movie FireProof and are using it's book The Love Dare as a guide. God is teaching all of us (yes, me too) about the love He has for us and wants us to have for others.

The Nueva Vida church plants consistently have more women attenders than men. We have talked with the male believers about how to reach men for Christ, they have voiced their view that men are more spiritually closed than women. It is as if it is "easier" for a Dominican woman to follow Christ than for a Dominican man. This is frustrating.

In the United States, Becky and I asked a Colombian pastor for advice on how to reach Latin men. He shared "You need to go to the core. The Latin man wants to be respected, especially by his family and kids. But he has few examples and doesn't know how. Talk to him about this desire and help him see that God can help, and the Latin man will be reached." And with those words of advice, we have been trying just that. Most importantly, God is working. No strategy or program will have eternal significance without God's involvement. And so we are asking God to change the definitions of love, family, and marriage in this society to fit with His will, for His glory.

Please pray for this group!

A Typical day? What's that?

Many times people ask "What is a typical day like?" It is a hard question to answer because every day is so different. Some days are spent studying and preparing. Today, I am in my office catching up and preparing for tonight's seminary class. Some days are spent working on legal things, like getting our permanent residency. And many days are spent in the villages with the people. Yesterday, was one of those days.

In the morning, Becky and I headed to Boma for a Bible study with some of the leaders and adults from the church there. The church is new and because of varied educational levels and reading abilities, Bible knowledge is limited. So, we have been teaching about the church - it's purpose and mission. Yesterday we talked about the need to equip workers for ministry to children. The Boma church has few children in it and no specific ministry for children. There are a few adults that probably could teach the children but there are no resources. All in all, there was agreement that there should be something for the kids. We need to teach them God's Word.

Becky and I agreed to bring some resources next Wednesday.

We like going to Boma. The road is adventurous and you never know what will happen. Yesterday, about half way back we found ourselves with a flat tire. Fortunately we were on the paved road, past the cliffs and more remote areas and in an area were our cell phone worked. We were a little surprised by the number of Dominicans that stopped asking if they could help. Many seemed to know who we were - not too surprising since we go every Wednesday. Dominicans are great road watchers. The neighborhood watch "system" seems strong. After a while, our friend Alexi arrived and with a pump and we limped back into town. About $1.50 later, our tire was patched and we were off.

In the afternoon, I, Rick, headed out to Montaña. I have been meeting with two men, focusing on the topic or learning how to ¨Love our wives.¨ Slowly, we are working through the book ¨The Love Dare.¨ Weekly God´s Word contrasts itself with Dominican culture. Culturally, it is ok for men to have girlfriends on the side. Culturally, it is ok to openly have a few families, as long as there is support for the children. Culturally, a man is a man because he has many women. Culturally, a man is the boss of the home but has little to do with it. Culturally, a man expects his wife to have food ready for him and if she doesn´t, he can beat her. We are in need of a cultural change and no better place to start, then in the church of Montaña. Please do pray for this study. Willy and Jose Oscar need your prayers. Although not in the study, Manuel and Arjenis need your prayers. Everyone of these men are struggling. Some have made some big mistakes and it is known. But the good thing is, they know they are struggling. Many men in this society give up and just go with the culture. This men are trying to be different. And yes, it is a struggle. Please do pray.

After the small group with the men, I headed to the church and found Damaso and 4 of the ladies of the church preparing for a sale. Periodically, the church raises money by selling used clothes at a very reasonable price.

We then had a time of singing, teaching from God´s Word, and a time of prayer. Two hours later, I was back on my motorcycle heading for home.

It was a great day. Ministry in two locations. Sharing God´s Word and applying it to real life challenges. Is everyday like this...NOPE. But every day is an opportunity to serve the Lord.

Thank you for your prayers for us.

Ministerio Azar-ébyón - Ayudando al Necesitado

Carol begins the day with a Bible story.

Exciting News:

A new ministry has started at one of the church plants. It was created after the church in Buenos Aires visited each house in their community. As they went from house to house, they found some consistent needs and developed a ministry to address those.

The boys are writing what Becky reads to them.

Why?

Because we are created to do good works (Eph. 2:10)

Because God told us to Love one another and we can do that by meeting everyday needs (1 John 3:11, 16-18)

Because as we help others with a selfless love, it is a service unto Jesus Christ (Matt. 25:31-40)

Because they want people to realize that God has met our need (John 3:16)

Reading the story of Creation.

What are they doing?

It's most visible ministry is to children but they have ministries to teens and adults as well. For the children, they have started an after school learning center. For youth and adults, they will be having classes on various topics that have been brought up in the survey. In addition, they will be inviting medical doctors and dentists to give the basic care that many don't get. Their dream is to address needs in 4 areas - Spiritual, Educational, Social, and Physical.

We are very excited about this ministry. It has been birthed and run by Dominicans. Becky and I have helped but the leadership has been Dominican. In some ways, it is a model for how we want to do ministry here. Many ministries are completely run by Americans. This one is not. The vision was developed by the Buenos Aires church while we were in the USA. They were excited to share it with us when we returned and when we heard their plans, we joined in the excitement.

Lots of smiles and kids to love.

This ministry has started. A few weeks ago some friends from Minnesota were here and we spent a morning observing and joining in where they could. This ministry has a lot of needs and for those who visit, there are lots of ways they can join with the ministry. For the children, the program appears similar to a VBS. But as you go and help, you will see that it's focus is much greater. We love that it is on-going and reaches people of all ages.

Please do pray for the ministry. It meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday, morning and afternoon. They are struggling to find workers in the morning. Please pray for this. Also, they are trying to build a support base by asking other Dominican churches to help. The response has been good but there are still needs. And when we were there, we saw that they have some space needs. Praise God, their vision is bigger than their facilities. Becky and I think this is something that the North American church can help with. A plan is being made for the property. Pray that God would provide the reasources for this ministry.

It isn't easy, you know.

It isn't easy, you know.

This is a familiar saying in the Dominican Republic. It is often said at the end of a story of hardship, or by way of explaining how the lack of water, power, gas, money, transportation, or food complicates life.

I think if Jesus were Dominican he would have said this to the many who came asking for healing and salvation and those desiring to follow Him. It isn’t easy, you know, rich young ruler:go and sell everything you have and follow Me. It isn’t easy, you know, Nicodemus, to be born again as an adult. It isn’t easy, you know, Peter to resist denying Me. It isn’t easy, you know, woman at the well, to leave the man you are with and follow Me.

The church in Montana is finding that it isn’t easy. In recent months members have faced numerous challenges. One of the older members fell ill with encephalitis and continues to suffer with seizures and weakness. One family is in crisis following marital infidelity. Another member is facing up to the need to end an immoral relationship of 15 years. A single mom is struggling to parent as Christ desires her to in the face of criticism from an alcoholic family member who lives with her. These are only the “major” trials, I won’t mention some of the minor squabbles that exist between individuals.

It isn’t easy, you know! But is there hope? Will this church implode as Satan attacks and seeks to destroy? Jesus said, “ UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, AND THE GATES OF HADES WILL NOT OVERCOME IT.” (Matthew 16:18)

I recently listened to a sermon on Matthew 16 by John Piper. He made so many excellent points, but one that sticks out is: I will build MY church. Jesus owns it and does it. As I look at the ladies in my discipleship group who are facing giants of sin and hardship in their lives right now, I rest in Jesus’ commitment to them as a body. HE will build HIS church in Montana and the gate of Hades will not overcome it.

I am also reminded of Paul’s words in Philippians 1:6: “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” We are so blessed to trust in His faithfulness. Please pray with us for these tender young believers as they grow through trials as a body.