Our Dominican Republic Trip

How does one describe a trip that was full of God's blessings, protection, fun and work! Harry and I arrived in Santo Domingo on Thursday, Oct.16. He went out to San Juan on Friday morning to begin his training seminar with the pastors and church leaders that evening. I stayed in Santo Domingo to wait for the Brookside Medical team. We arrived in San Juan, Sunday afternoon. The team asked to see needy people that don't generally get to see a Doctor. Dr. Canario, the medical director of the clinic and the one who arranges the trips, complied. For 4 days he took us to very remote areas, some of which even he had never been to before. We drove 2-3 hours everyt day with 4 wheel drive pick-up trucks on rocky, gullied mountain roads to little churches where we set up the clinics. The rolly coaster rides with breath taking mountain views (no guard rails up there) will never be forgetton. But even more important were the people in the areas of Montecitos, Las Lagunas, Macasia and Guaroa. They were given a chance to see a doctor, receive medicine and gifts of soap, shampoo, toys, toothbrushes, Bibles, clothes and what ever else we brought along to give away. While the medical team was busy seeing people, the local pastor as well as the pastor and child evangelism lady we took along with us, were busy sharing the Good News that Jesus loves us and wants all to know him and have eternal life. The medical team treated over 400 people in 4 days.

Harry's classes got off to a rough start but finally on Monday and Tuesday he was able to teach a group of over 100 Pastors and church leaders in the San Juan area about the social responsiblity of the church. He spent considerable time preparing and anchoring the studies to biblical teachings and examples. They would like him to return next year and teach about bibical stewardship.

Thank you for your prayers and support for this trip.

Praise the Lord with us.

We've been back in Venezuela for 3 weeks now. I think the thing that has thrilled us the most has been the new attenders and believers in our 3 churches. A number of men we have been praying for have accepted Jesus as their Savior and are being discipled by their pastor or another leader in the church. What an answer to prayer!


When we left last December the house church in Guatire was really struggling and not in any sense of the word growing. We left feeling somewhat discouraged, like we were leaving a difficult situation for Pastor Armando to go through alone. But Armando was not alone. His committment to the Lord, the support of his wife, perservance in sharing his faith and wanting to have a house church was blessed by the Lord. What a neat group are worshipping and studying God's word together! The picture at the top is of this group of believers.


Harry has gotten back into teaching church leadership seminars and is currently teaching "Church History". We will be team teaching an 8 week Bible study for the youth in the La Urbina Church on various themes.


Prayer requests:

1. Trip to the Dominican Republic for Harry to lead a seminar on "The Social Responsibility of the Church". Pray that the Lord will use him to speak His Words, that Pastors would respond and learn and that the church in San Juan de La Maguana area of the Dominican would be strengthened. Lynn will be part of the Brookside Church Medical project, reaching small villages with medicine and the Gospel. This trip is October 16-24 for Harry and through the 26th for Lynn.


2. Pray for safety and an encouraging time of ministry for Earl Cecil and Al Rupp as they come to Venezuela for the National Church Assembly, AVIB, representing FEC in the USA. It will be a special time for us to have them here, October 24 to 29, 2008.


3. Pray with us for a new couple with the committment to the Lord and to starting a new house church like Armando and Carolina have done.