December 2011 Newsletter

¡Llegó tu diciembre! (Your December has arrived!) This is currently my (Bob’s) favorite phrase, taken from a popular Dominican folktale and merengue song. In the tale, the turkey has been mocking the burro all year long for working so hard carrying firewood and food, while the turkey has fattened himself on that same food. However, in December the burro has brought all the supplies needed for the Christmas feast except the meat. When the turkey asks, “Where’s the meat?”, the burro gets the last laugh as he tells the turkey, “¡Llegó tu diciembre!”

Unlike the turkey, we welcome December. Cooler days replace the heat of the long tropical summer. Shoppers buy roasted pork—a favorite this time of year (makes the turkey happy)—and other provisions for endless parties and family gatherings. Our church family gathers into groups for special year-end dinners. Judy volunteered to make dessert for the women’s ministry dinner—160 lemon squares and brownies for almost 100 people. She says to remind her not to volunteer next year!

The Tuesday night Bible school just completed Old Testament Survey. Many of the students read through the Old Testament for the first time. Others said it was the first time they read it with understanding. We learned from Job and Jeremiah how to respond to suffering. Moses and Nehemiah taught us how to lead with integrity. After studying about Moses, the women’s ministry president spoke to the leadership team about the need to delegate.

The 65 students represent six different churches in Santiago. One church is using the course to groom two younger leaders as lay pastors. Some of the students have started Bible studies to teach the material to others. Pray for Bob as he teaches New Testament Survey, the third of 10 courses, beginning in January 2012.

At a recent dinner for the church leaders, we rejoiced as the elders shared their vision for the coming year—a church that moves “outside the walls”, making Christ’s love visible in the community and city. Taking that to heart, we gave Christmas gifts to all of our neighbors at our new apartment. Since some are hard to catch at home, one morning I knocked on a neighbor’s door while I was still in my sweaty jogging clothes. Imagine my surprise when they invited me in for coffee! (I accepted and prayed that I would spread the aroma of Christ, and not my own.) As we live out life here—building relationships and developing local church leadership—our purpose is to motivate people to live and love like Jesus.

We thank you for partnering with us as we serve the Dominican church. Our prayer for you this Christmas is that you will experience even more deeply God’s love and the abundant life that comes through Christ.