Buenos Aires Prays to Buy Land (Email sent May 19)

Buenos Aires Prays to Buy Land!

 "to equip his people for works of service, so that the

body of Christ may be built up" Ephesians 4:12

Dear friends and family,

In 1997 we led our first mission trip to the Dominican Republic.  In 2007 we moved to the same location to be missionaries.  We have worked in many communities and church plants since then.  One of these is Iglesia Cristiana Nuevo Amanecer, or New Dawn Christian Church, in Buenos Aires, Dominican Republic.
 
The Story:
Rhadamez and Maria Santos were among the first believers in Buenos Aires.  Under the direction of Don Chucho and Antonia, they founded the local church.  Teams helped in various ways.  For many years the church thrived.  Today Don Chucho and Antonia are with the Lord.  Unfortunately, during a period when the church was struggling, the property was sold and the church closed.
 
Since then, Rhadamez and Maria have fervently prayed for the church to be reborn.  Buenos Aires needs a local church that serves and reaches its community.  We met regularly with them to pray, initiate a home Bible study, and develop ministry skills.
 
In 2019, Justin and Jeimmy Smith came to serve with us.  We asked them to work with Rhadamez and Maria to restart the church in Buenos Aires.  Most members from the original church had moved out of the area.  It was a hard ministry and the CoVid pandemic didn’t make things any easier.  God was faithful and a small group was formed.  New believers were added.  After renting a vacant lot and building a temporary structure, Sunday services began.
 
At each stage, the question of renting or buying was asked.  This is never an easy question to answer.  We felt that we could buy when there was a group of mature believers committed to grow the church so that it is fully establish.  We are very excited to say that we have this today.  We believe God is rebuilding His church in Buenos Aires.  It is a “New Dawn” as the church is named. 
 
If you are following us, you know that Justin and Jeimmy left to serve in Colombia.  We are very thankful for their work during their time here.  Their leaving motivated other believers to fill the gap and commit to growing the church.  Specifically, the La Vid church chose to support the establishment of New Dawn Church.  On April 14, the pastors confirmed their commitment and affirmed the decision to purchase the land.  Pictures of the church and the property can be seen by clicking the link.  
 
Today the Buenos Aires church:

• Worships together every Sunday. (Previously it met 2-3 times per month)

• Continues weekly prayer meeting and a women’s Bible study.

• Collects an offering that goes to improve the property and pay electricity.

Soon the Buenos Aires church will:

• Teach on membership, the Lord’s Supper and Baptism.

• Have outreaches this summer, aimed at engaging young adults. 

The Opportunity:

Ramon Vargas, a friend and church planter, owns the land we have been renting for 3 years.  We partnered with him early in our ministry and are good friends.  Ramon bought this property to build a house but never completed it.  He is excited to see the land become home to the Buenos Aires church.
 
The lot is 0.26 acres based on a legal survey we did.  It is not a perfect rectangle but is roughly 65 ft wide and 177.6 ft deep.  While level at the entrance, the land slopes down away from the main road.  The plan is to use the first third for outreach activities, the second for a main church building, and the third for a pastor’s house or classrooms.  While renting we cannot make further permanent changes on the land.  (Property Plan) 
 
In December, we asked Ramon what it would cost to buy the lot.  He gave us a very good price (until the end of 2024):  US $39,500.  It is well under the land’s value.  In fact, we know that Ramon received a much higher offer.  (Land prices have been rising exponentially in our area since 2020.)  The price includes the cost of the lot and other associated expenses.
 
Will you partner with the Buenos Aires church by helping it to buy property?  
 
$39,500 may seem like a big ask.  With God’s great support, it is possible!  We have been blessed with many faithful supporters.  Your support is helping small church plants become established.  Buying land will give this church a permanent “earthly” home, a place to minister, in a community that needs a good church.  Please consider helping to purchase this land.
 
What about the local church?  What are they doing?  Through tithes and offerings some of the monthly rent has been paid and they are working to enclose the property (a part of  buying land).  Last fall a fence was built along the road.  In April, a sliding gate was added.  To raise money, some are selling items and giving the proceeds to the church.
 
Please pray and consider how God can use you to establish His church in Buenos Aires. Buying the land gives the church the right to modify it for future ministry.  The temporary structure will be used for services until we outgrow it.  Thank you for your support to Iglesia Cristiana Nuevo Amanecer (New Dawn Christian Church) in Buenos, Aires, DR.
 
More questions?  Click here for more details!
 
Gifts may be directed to:
If you wish to give to this project, please let us know of your gift (rmackey@mesaglobal.co). 
 
To give online - click here - Dominican Development Fund (63755)  and write in the comment area “BA Property”
 
To give by check – Write your check to United World Mission.  Put “Account 63755” in the memo line and send it to:  
              United World Mission
              PO Box 602002
              Charlotte, NC 28260-2002 

To see the progress toward reaching our goal - Click here for a fun way to see our progress!
---
In other news...United World Mission name change is coming SOON:  Yes, you read that right. The "reveal" is coming very soon. The new name will bring changes (things like our email and who checks are written too) but you can be assured that the 'old' methods will still work for quite a while during a time of transition. UWM is planning to roll out the new name with minimal disruption to donors and partners.  

Thank you so much for your partnership through the years.

Trusting God in all things!
Rick and Becky Mackey

2018 Summer Update

Every once and a while, it's good to give a quick summary of what has been happening.  These past few months, we have been traveling in the USA and sharing.  But our time in the USA was shortened and we feel we haven't had the opportunity to meet with everyone we would have liked.  A lot has been happening.  Whether we have been able to visit with you or not, this will provide a good overview of the last few years.  Thank you for being a part of what God is doing!

In the last two years we transitioned away from working with one church and have been joining the church planting efforts of a new association of churches in the D.R.  It's been painful to separate from Nueva Vida in Jarabacoa.  But it's also been exciting and energizing to join the ministries of the Bendicion Church in Los Higos.  You can read more below as we give a recap of some specific churches.

Iglesia Vida Nueva in El Montana:  This church has seen many ups and downs, but is finally legally incorporated as a church and independent from its mother church.  Pastor Damazo is mentoring a young man to become a pastor and with 30 adult members the church is actively evangelizing and discipling others.  We have played a supportive but decreasing role in their development.

Iglesia Nueva Vida in Buenos Airies:  When we returned to the U.S. in 2015 we left the Buenos Aires church with a heavy heart as they were struggling through some conflicts.  The mother church had was intervening and we hoped things would have healed by the time we returned to the D.R.  Unfortunately, when we returned to the D.R. we learned the church had been closed and the property was being sold.  This has been the most difficult situation we have faced in our time in the D.R.  The believers in Buenos Aires do want to see the church reopened.  We met with a remnant of the believers for about a year, praying and learning key principles from the Bible.  Please pray with us as we return in August with the hope that in our upcoming term a new church would be re-planted there.

Iglesia Boma:  The faithful of Boma continue to worship together and show love and compassion for their community as its young people move to cities where there is better educational and job prospects.  Valle, a farmer, has made it a habit to load his motorcycle with surplus produce and visit remote cottages to bring spiritual and physical nourishment.  Enrique and Blanca continue to serve the needs of the church and community.  

Iglesia Bendicion in Los Higos:  During this last term we began to support the Ministry of Blessing church in their efforts to train mature leaders and reach the youth of their community.  U.S. teams have played a role by providing sports activities and works of God’s love in the community.  We look forward to broadening our role by becoming involved in the “Ministry of Blessing” association of churches throughout the island.  This will present more and more opportunities.

And now for the most exciting news!!!  We have teammates!  Gil and Danna Leon are wrapping up a year of language study in Costa Rica and fly to the D.R. the first week of September. Jeimmy and Justin Smith are in the home stretch of raising their support, hopefully in 2019 they will join us as well.  Pray for them as this last percentage of support is the hardest to accomplish and they are more than ready to join the work.

Upon arrival both families will take some time to acculturate and build trusting relationships before diving into full time work. Watch for updates on an expanding ministry as we target some new rural areas for planting churches and investigate prospects in other parts of the island. 

We arrived in the Dominican Republic in May of 2007.  It's hard to believe we have been there over 10 years.  It has been a challenging but exciting time.  And many of you have been with us the whole way.  Thank you to those who have and thank you to those who have joined us since along the journey.  

God has done a great work in our life, in the lives of many Dominicans and in Dominican churches.  We have all been a part of that but to God, we give the glory!  Praise Him.

Ministry Van has been purchased!

We are very excited to announce that we have bought a ministry van!  

How did this happen?  Many times in the past 10 years, we have thought how wonderful it would be to have a van.  It can be used weekly serving the different churches.  And it would be used by teams (2 are coming this summer!).  This past winter, I raised the question again with a close friend who knows quite a bit about our life and ministry.  I didn’t hear back for a while but then one day, he called and said his church had considered this need and would like to contribute $10,000 towards buying a van.  I was stunned, and am still stunned!  Since then, we have shared this need and we have raised a huge amount totaling $21394!  Praise the Lord!

Along with this friend and few others, we created a van policy.  The van policy includes things like that it would be a ministry vehicle that would be used by United World Mission’s ministries and also directs that it’s maintenance would be paid by those who use the van.

So, praise God, the van you see pictured is our Ministry Van!  It is a 2007 Nissan Urvan and holds 15 passengers.  

Finding the right van was a lot harder then I expected.  Originally we hoped to buy a newer van but as we saw prices and compared vans, this one was in the best condition.  Just a few days ago, I looked at a 2013 van and I didn't even bother calling my mechanic.  It wasn't in the same condition as this one.  The mechanics, after looking over a few 2011 vans, looked at me and said, none of these are as good as the 2007.  Buy the 2007. 
   

So we are excited.  A van will be a great ministry tool, opening up many opportunities that we haven't considered due to the challenges of transportation. 

 

In addition to the front row, it 

has 4 passenger rows.  It holds 15. The seats you see are covered with pretty worn leather covers.  Eventually, we will replace these.  In this picture, the back row is folded up, which is great for airport runs.

We want to say a HUGE thank you for all the gifts and prayers.  And I want to pass on a thank you from Pastor Damazo (El Montaña) and Pastor Jesus Delgado (Los Higos) who have been praying with us here for the right vehicle and the right price.  Praise God!

¡Vaya con Dios!  (Go with God!)





(Updated 6/5 with pictures from the van we bought!)

Trip to Cuba!

--> In the first part of February we had the opportunity to travel to Cuba, where United World Mission sent out its first missionaries in the 1940s.  Rick grew up hearing many stories about the work in Cuba from some of the very missionaries who left Cuba under Fidel Castro’s orders following the Revolution.

The purpose of our trip was not to enjoy beautiful beaches or marvel over antique cars.  We have no political motivations or desire to uncover the “real” Cuba.  Instead, we traveled to meet our fellow believers and see the work God is doing in the lives of Cubans today. 

We visited several churches which were established and built before the Revolution.  They were closed for decades, but have been allowed to operate again.  It was a joy to worship in them and experience God’s presence and the enthusiasm of His people.

The gospel is being spread by dedicated people who share the love and hope in Christ one to one.  The established churches have started many house churches in outlying areas.   Christian leaders go to the people traveling many kilometers on foot, bicycle, or by “botella” (catching a ride).

God is eternal and omnipotent.  His Word does not return vacant.  Nations and peoples may ignore God, but He does not ignore them.  His love for each person transcends any life circumstance.  We heard testimonies of salvation, hope, and restoration from many of our new friends.  God’s Word is living and active despite a scarcity of biblical texts.

So many times Rick and I felt like we were in the Dominican Republic rather than Cuba.  The accent, customs, food, and the landscape are so similar.  One day we visited a rural area and it was uncanny how the house, outbuildings and crops were the same.  The believers we met were every bit as warm and hospitable as our Dominican brothers and sisters.

We shared many delicious meals with our hosts.  Red beans and rice is the most typical meal and we felt right at home.  Breakfast was typically coffee, eggs, and bread. We were blessed to be able to eat some chicken and pork as well. Just like in the Dominican Republic, Cubans drink a lot of coffee and so did we!

Toward the end of our trip we visited one of the most precious places in the hearts of many UWM missionaries and our new Cuban friends.  Camp Las Palmas is a large property that gently slopes down to a quiet bay.  Originally purchased in the 40s and developed for camping and seminary training, it has come back to life and enough renovation has been done to serve many adult leaders who come for theological instruction.  In the summer, hundreds of young people attend camp. 

A few things surprised and/or impressed us.  Cuba has a quality educational system and it was evident in the people we interacted with.  We didn’t know how internet worked on the island and were excited to find that wifi is available in the town square with a prepaid card.  So we were able to text a few times with our kids. 

We returned to the Dominican Republic, praising God for how He is working.  We felt honored to meet and see the ministries of our Cuban brothers and sisters.  It was inspiring.  Becky and I hope to bring some Dominican pastors to Cuba to see and learn as we have.  Also, it's possible that some of them might travel here.  We feel we have a lot in common and can learn a lot from one another.  Praise God! 

Worshipping in Los Higos

Yesterday afternoon, August 21, 2016, I preached at the church in Los Higos.
Here is a little clip of their singing.

The Church of Boma Singing

Sunday morning, August 21, 2016, I preached in Boma.
Here's a little clip of the singing.

El Montaña Baptism

The church in El Montaña has recently baptized three adults.  

Damaso sharing the importance and significance of Baptism.

It was very special to baptize a lady that Becky has discipled.

Praise God!