Video of ministry in Santiago 2012 -2015

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September 2014 Newsletter

Last Sunday afternoon, talking and laughing under the shade tree in Victor’s front yard, we were visiting in the farming community of Ámina. The brightly painted pink and blue wooden houses contrasted with the dark green banana fields nearby. The coffee and the afternoon sun were both simmering as we got to know the small group of 15 believers, a mixture of Dominicans and Haitians. Victor and his wife have suffered the loss of one child, and now, after a difficult pregnancy and life-threatening delivery, they proudly introduced us to their one-month-old daughter. They are experiencing God’s protection and peace, and are eager for their neighbors to know this wonderful God as well! Pastor Ramón from the La Yaguita Bible Church has been dreaming of starting a church in this community for some time. On Sunday he began asking the group questions about Ephesians 2. We encouraged their efforts as they answered tentatively, yet correctly. Ramón drove home the point that we are saved by grace through faith and not by works. Our almost-four-year-long leadership training course ended August 12. Since younger men who attended the course are assuming more responsibility in his church, Ramón is now free to pursue his dream in Ámina. As I (Bob) began the last class, we felt the electricity from the excited students. We’re not sure if the excitement was because they were finishing the course or because we were about to celebrate with pizza! The pastor of each group had summarized in class the history of their church, which prompted me to comment, “In your presentations, each one of the pastors credited past missionaries who mentored them. I encourage you to go mentor someone else. Be that rock for that next potential leader.” I then asked what course made the biggest impact. “Bible Study Methods and How to Teach the Bible”, they replied. “Due to the observation, interpretation, and application method you taught, we know how to study the Bible properly.” Two people said that these courses helped them become better employees at work due to increased analytical skills. A veteran pastor stated that he can now more easily outline a Bible passage. We began the leadership training classes for the Bible churches here in Santiago in April 2011. Starting with 84 students from five different churches, with their pastors attending as well, I felt a bit insecure. However, God changed my attitude from, “I don’t know if I can do this” to “If I prepare well, I CAN teach these courses!” Thirty men and women completed all eight courses. Along the way, the students caught a vision to expand their outreach. We know of at least 5 small group Bible studies they have started. Two of the churches are looking to start new churches, beginning with community activities and small group Bible studies like the one in Ámina. We’ve been invited to participate, but the initiative is totally Dominican! We’ve also had a request from a church just outside of Santiago to start a Bible study methods course to help train their leaders. The church is five years old, and already has almost 100 people attending. We’re wondering, “What will Ámina be like in five years?”

June 2014 Newsletter

The phone rings again. Another member of the Central Church wants to know how Judy is doing. Now responding by memory in Spanish, I explain that Judy has to keep her head down on the table while remaining still. Thankfully, however, the detached retina and cataract surgery was successful. The caller asks, “Did you ever consider going to the USA for the surgery?” “We never did,” I reply, “because we had confidence in the Dominican retina specialist here in Santiago.” I explain that our good friend from church, who is an optometrist, is energetically overseeing Judy’s post-op care and making sure that I take good care of her! The washer goes off. I put my hat and sunglasses on (tropical sun!) and climb the four flights of stairs to the roof to hang the wash on the line. I can hang wash with the best of them. (No brag, just fact.) Last year, I taught 3 young ladies who came on a workteam how to hang clothes on a line. They had NEVER done it before! Life for me took a startling turn March 3 after Judy’s retina surgery. Up to that point I had done very little in the house, even though Judy called my attention to it from time to time. But after Judy’s surgery, I had to do EVERYTHING: dishes, wash and hang clothes, clean house, dust, cook meals (although a LOT of people brought food), squeeze lemons, cut mangoes, and make coffee. It is an honor to serve Judy, and I continue to help with the domestic chores (by popular demand); however, it’s a relief that she has resumed her normal activities. We are grateful for the many phone calls and visits from concerned friends here, as well as the more than 300 Facebook and email messages from friends in the USA. Thank you for your prayers! The eye is healing well. Life’s difficulties not only teach me to be a servant, they make good sermon illustrations! At the Los Girasoles Haitian church, the family there laughed as I told them of my adventures in housekeeping. I preached through Romans 1-8, and used Judy’s surgery as an example of how God works out all things together for our good (8.28). I continue to mentor a couple of young Haitian men, while Judy just completed a study of the book of Ephesians with a group of women. The surgery has taught us to receive the help of God’s family, and look for opportunities to comfort others. One of the pastors’ wives came over several times to read the Word as Judy listened with her head down. Others came by to pray for us. One couple, both of which do not know Christ, came by; and we were able to share and connect with them because his wife suffers from a rare disease. We got to know that couple because of the apartment mortgage situation. We praise God that that has been totally resolved! Last year we paid off the last part of the builder’s mortgage in order to save the apartment from being taken by the bank. Through a series of God-ordained events, this June we received those funds in full. Again, thank you for praying! Our Tuesday night Bible school has 35 students who will complete the final course, Evangelism and Discipleship, this August. While renewing our resident visas with the Dominican government, God gave us the opportunity to put the course into practice. Standing in long, slow-moving lines, we made a new friend with whom we were able to share Christ. He is an outspoken atheist. Pray that God breaks hard, hard ground in this man’s life. Speaking of breaking ground, due to the training of new leadership through the Bible school, one church is starting a new outreach in Santiago’s north. The pastor of another church is planning to start a Bible study in a nearby town. Younger leaders will assume more responsibility in those churches. And the Central church small group ministry has four new weekly Bible studies led by qualified leaders. God is so good! We thank you for responding to His promptings to pray and provide for the on-going ministry here. It’s a joy to serve Him in Santiago…excuse me; I need to go wash dishes…isn’t it true that dirty dishes just seem to multiply!?!?

February 2014 Newsletter

After five days of acting out Bible stories, blowing up balloons, face painting, doing crafts, and loving the children in the community of La Yaguita, the seven-member team from Maryland is heading for a well-deserved day at the beach. Along with us is Karina, their Dominican translator, and Osiris—our driver who is also a local pastor. As the van bumps over the potholes, Osiris and Bob are having an animated conversation in the front seat. The hot topic is common misconceptions regarding the Holy Spirit. Karina, one of our students in the leadership training classes, studies medicine at a local university when she’s not translating for teams or teaching at the Children’s Center in La Yaguita. I smile as Karina eagerly jumps into the conversation taking place up front, “If only people would read and study their Bibles!” Her comment prompts me to ask her about the notice I saw at the church for a weekly women’s Bible study. After faithfully attending the courses on Bible study methods and message preparation, Karina and Alicia—the pastor’s wife at La Yaguita—started a study with the women at church. They are now studying through the book of Philippians, and the group has grown from 6 to 25 (five of whom are not yet Christians)! Hearing Karina’s enthusiasm for teaching others what she has learned makes all of the time spent in lesson preparation for the courses seem like momentary light affliction. Whether we’re meeting with 50 students or spending time one-on-one, there’s a special joy we experience when someone’s eyes light up as he or she captures the truth being taught. Moffat, a young Haitian man attending university in Santiago, is another example of a quick learner. He’s one of the leaders of the Haitian worship service at the Los Girasoles church, just up the road from La Yaguita. Bob taught the leaders there the how-to’s of sermon preparation. Recently, Moffat preached on Daniel 1-3. As we listened, we were amazed at his insights about Daniel’s progressive faithfulness to God while living in a foreign culture, and the effects his faithfulness had on that society. Moffat’s applications for the Haitian congregation were outstanding. Lately, Bob has spent a lot of time individually with Moffat to encourage him. The other day Moffat asked him, “It’s obvious you and Judy love each other. What’s your secret?” As we minister together we’re glad we can teach by both word and example. Pray that our example will always match our words! Pray also for perseverance for us and for the students as we come into the home stretch of the Leadership Training Course. There are two courses left to teach.

November 2013 Newsletter

We spilled out of church after the first worship service on Sunday and headed, as usual, for the shady park across the street. It’s where we greet each other and chat about the week. A small group of us stayed in the park longer than usual, waiting for the second service to end. We would soon pile into cars and drive to a church across town that has a small concrete pool for baptisms. Ten people were going to be baptized. Two of them, a young man and a teenage girl, sat beside us in the park, along with Lucila who was waiting to help out in children’s church. Since Bob would be helping with the “dunking”, he began to ask the young people why they wanted to be baptized. From there the conversation naturally turned to what God had been doing in their lives. Lucila’s face suddenly lit up as she excitedly shared, “My life has been turned around completely! During the past nine months when my husband was out of work, we prayed all the time. We learned that we could trust in God. We never lacked for anything!” The young man at her side smiled and began to tell us how God is changing his desires, and even his spending habits. He makes only a modest salary, but since putting his faith in Christ, and letting some of his old habits go, for the first time he has money left over at the end of the month. After the baptism, a large family group gathered for a photo. Three members of that family have come to Christ within the last year, and it looks like more are on the way! Seeing and hearing how God is working in people’s lives energizes us, and makes us appreciate all the more those of you who enable our ministry through your gifts and empower us through your prayers. The church is not only growing numerically as the believers encourage their friends and family to come, but there’s also a deepening desire on the part of many to study and know God’s Word. We recently asked the students in the Leadership Training Center to attend a conference at a nearby church instead of coming to class that Tuesday. A well-known theologian and Bible teacher from Spain would be teaching through the book of Matthew. Many of the students, along with a large contingent of others from church, eagerly decided to attend all three nights of the conference. All of this is so much in contrast to the increasing materialism and delinquency in the city of Santiago. We see a despondency and unrest in the hearts of those who don’t yet know Christ and His sufficiency. With increasing frequency, people are venting their frustrations by demonstrating in the streets. We recently drove through a neighborhood after a demonstration. The streets were marked by black smudges from burning tires; and we had to drive around rocks, trash and broken glass. Pray that we and the believers here will be bold to talk about the difference Christ is making in our lives. Recently, Bob has had the opportunity to hand out evangelistic tracts and talk to those who came to check out our church bazaar, to the guy who pumped gas into our car, and the guy who carried out our groceries. The contact is brief, but most people respond that they will read the tract. We’ve shared God’s truth with a young woman during weekly English classes, and over dinner with the two lawyers who helped us with the apartment. Pray for open doors to be able to share more, and for receptive hearts. We’d love to see them experience God’s peace in the present and His presence for all of eternity. Our current study of eschatology in our doctrine class reminds us that the Lord may come at any time. Pray that we make the most of the time at hand.

September 2013 Newsletter

One of the results we see in our lives as we spend time in God’s Word and in His presence is that we grumble less and rejoice more. We’re not grumble-free yet, but it seems that with greater frequency we’re blinking back tears of joy and gratitude. It happened at the women’s retreat this summer after 50 ladies from the First Christian Bible Church of Santiago listened attentively as a gifted speaker spoke about being shaped by the Potter’s hand into vessels of mercy. As some reflected on the talk, their eyes lit up as they thought of ways God could use them in their communities to minister to others. Pray for a continued desire to disseminate Christ’s love. It also happened several times as we evaluated the preaching and teaching of the students in the Leadership Training Center as they labored to meet the final requirement of the homiletics course. We proudly listened to several of them creatively preach or teach the major points of a biblical passage. Just as proudly, we listened to one student breathlessly stumble through teaching a short passage—pushing through her fear of speaking in public. Bob is now teaching the sixth of eight courses—an overview of biblical doctrine. Pray that these men and women will understand and teach sound doctrine. Okay, so our eyes are not tearing-up all the time, but there are frequent bursts of joy as we witness God at work in people’s lives. I get to watch a young woman with the keen mind of an architect catch on quickly to the steps of studying a Bible passage. Another young mother in a difficult marriage chooses to make God a priority in her life and asks me to meet with her weekly. Bob repeatedly returns home with a smile after meeting with four of the young Haitian men who lead the Haitian worship service at the Los Girasoles church. Although each one is carrying a full load of courses at the university, they eagerly spend Thursday mornings with Bob learning how to preach biblical messages. Then there are those unexpected appointments that God arranges. When the electricity goes off at midnight, leaving the gate to the apartment parking lot stuck open, God turns it into an opportunity for Bob to share Christ with a neighbor. A visiting team of friends—a dad with his three daughters—do a curb-side children’s Bible club in La Yaguita. Not only do they get to share Christ with the kids, but Bob shares with the adults who lounge nearby on their front steps—speaking Spanish on one side of the street and Créole on the other. Pray that we seize the opportunities to boldly speak of Christ. We wake up in the mornings grateful to be a part of what God is doing here in Santiago. Experiencing the uncertainty of the mortgage problem with our apartment over the last two years has made us even more aware of God’s presence and His goodness. We’re grateful to the Lord for enabling us to pay off the rest of the mortgage in August, thereby protecting the apartment against foreclosure. God has used the apartment saga to teach us and those around us. Our Dominican friends like to use us as an example—of what not to do when buying an apartment, and what to do when experiencing difficult circumstances! Pray for us as we evaluate new opportunities for ministry. A recent visit to Santiago by a Cuban pastor and his wife has us thinking about ways to involve the Dominicans in ministry in Cuba. In addition, in October we’ll be starting English conversation classes with the two sons of a local Dominican family. The dad plays basketball with Bob. He mentioned that we are free to use the Bible in the classes, saying to Bob, I want my sons to have what you have. God is good—all the time,

May 2013 Newsletter: The Heart of the Matter

As more than 200 people gathered, the day of the family picnic for Central Bible Church turned out hot and sultry. I envied Bob as he stood in the plastic pool with cool water up to his waist. He and two Dominican leaders baptized 11 new believers. Chepo proudly baptized his own teenage son. A husband and wife were baptized together. We all rejoiced to hear the testimonies of those to whom God had given a new heart. While the kids took over the pool, we spent the rest of the day visiting. Later that week we spent the day with our Haitian family—a group of university students from the Los Girasoles church. Each Saturday morning we study the Bible together, but this day they wanted to discuss a heart issue—sexual purity. The lively discussion lasted for several hours as we feasted on rice and beans. Tonight we’ll soon be heading out the door for Bob to teach in the Leadership Training Center. Since returning to Santiago in February, we’ve had a core group of 46 students from five different churches. The current course—preparing a Biblical message—challenges the students to focus on the central idea or heart of the Bible passage and communicate that truth in a way that touches the hearts of their audience. The educational system here has often focused on memorization rather than analysis; so, we’ve had lots of requests for extra help as the students learn to outline passages. As a result, we’ve slowed the course down, and they are getting it! Last week, Adam stood, clearing his throat and nervously stuffing his hands in his pockets, to give his first-ever presentation in public. Each of the students has to teach a Bible passage to complete the course. Some of the ladies will be giving their first presentations during the upcoming women’s retreat. It’s a joy to watch these men and women develop their abilities. And so our ministry goes back and forth between Spanish and Haitian Creole, sometimes causing our heads to spin and tongues to trip. This last Saturday, I (Judy) taught a Bible study in Creole in the morning, then led a women’s meeting in Spanish in the afternoon. On Sunday, Bob preached in Spanish in the morning, and then in Creole in the evening. He used five languages as he explained Romans 6:6—Creole, French, Spanish, English, and Greek! While racking up the miles driving around Santiago to these various activities, our 2000 Nissan Sentra began having heart trouble. A godly and gifted mechanic told us that a transplant was the only option. He changed the motor, motor mounts, radiator, and front springs—all for only $800! (Yes, labor is cheaper here, but we pay over $6/gallon for gasoline.) Now our car is running well once again. We decided not to buy a newer car at this time since the apartment mortgage issue is still not settled. It appears that God is more interested in working in our hearts—teaching us to be patient and trust in Him—than in resolving the problem quickly. Our lawyers are still looking for legal ways to pressure the builder to pay the last $11,500. We are very grateful that the amount is no more than that—a heart-felt thank you to those who have prayed! Please continue to pray for us to be bold in sharing the good news of Christ with others here in Santiago. There’s a great emptiness here in many people’s hearts. Recently, three young Dominicans committed suicide.

February 2013 update

As we neared our destination, our friend warned us that we had better be on our best behavior. He said that the folks there were a law unto themselves and that outsiders could get left in jail. We were headed to the wilds of Louisiana—the coastal town of Cameron—to experience their annual Fur and Wildlife Festival. Thankfully, we arrived at noon, just missing the nutria skinning contest. However, we felt the soft furs—nutria, fox, mink, etc.—that the Wildlife Queen and her attendants would wear in the upcoming parade. While waiting, we chewed on alligator on-a-stick (like tough, fishy-tasting chicken). Then came the floats, cars, and mud-splattered four-wheelers throwing candy and beaded necklaces. We caught enough necklaces to give to each child at the La Yaguita children's center in Santiago. After leaving Cameron, we drove through a nearby wildlife refuge, warily noting the sign at the entrance that said, "DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR!" As we made the circle, we counted more than 20 alligators eyeing us from the grassy marshes and roadside. After that Lake Charles seemed downright civilized as Bob preached the next morning in a local church. Now after many travels and God-given opportunities to speak and preach, we are heading back to the wilds of the Dominican Republic on February 2. The wildness of the ever-growing city of Santiago is quite evident as you drive the city streets! We look forward to a wild ride as Bob re-gathers the students of the Bible Training Center and begins teaching the next course—Preaching Biblical Messages and Pastoral Ministry. We ask your prayers that the students will learn well how to deliver biblically accurate and applicable messages. These men and women are the next generation of leaders and teachers in the Santiago Bible churches. Our goal is to produce capable, Christ-like leaders. We especially thank all of you who hosted us, fed us (the diet starts NOW), listened to us, and prayed for us during this time of home ministry. You are great, and we cannot minister in the Dominican Republic without you.

Somehow, Bob just doesn’t look like himself wearing a cowboy hat. And I could bearly recognize him in the Smokey the Bear costume. I wasn’t sure I wanted a hug from Smokey. I suppose I should be grateful that he wasn’t asked to wear the frog suit at the Frog Level Fall Festival! During these last three months of home ministry we’ve experienced a bit of what it means to become all things to all men and do all things for the sake of the gospel. As we’ve connected with the churches who partner with us in ministry in the Dominican Republic, we’ve enjoyed participating with you in outreach to your communities. At local Fall festivals we helped with a cowboy ministry that teaches kids to lasso a calf (so much easier when it’s wooden and doesn’t move!), and talks to them about Jesus while they brand a board with the initials JC. It was at one of these Fall festivals that Bob also got roped into being Smokey the Bear. At an All Hallows’ Eve party, Bob greeted and talked to the parents. He had opportunities to share the good news of Christ in both English and Spanish, while I manned the bowling for candy game. The ingenious creators of this game used 2-liter bottles, half-filled with water, for bowling pins and a pumpkin for the bowling ball. However, before you try this, let me say that pumpkins do not last long when bounced! We love God’s family—the church. It’s a privilege to help build up the Dominican church through leadership training. And although it’s difficult to be away from our church family in Santiago, these months in the states have encouraged us. We get to fellowship with many local churches. As Bob has shared the lessons we’ve learned from God’s Word about how to respond when life is not fair, many of you have told us your own stories. We were touched by one man’s example who taught Sunday School the day after his truck was totally destroyed by fire and was able to praise God in the midst of loss. God continues to provide resolution for our apartment situation—thanks for your prayers! The construction company has made more payments on their mortgage, and has been ordered by the court to finish paying it off this month. We are grateful that we have not had to return to the DR to testify in court. We’ll be spending December and January in Texas, before heading back to the DR on Feb. 2. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, we thank God for you— instruments of God’s grace in our lives.

Newsletter August 2012

Having finished our fries and chicken strips (no lectures please), Tania and I sat facing each other across the small table, now covered with our Bibles and notebooks. As I leaned forward to hear her in the crowded food court of the shopping plaza, she asked me how God was working in our lives through our current trial with the apartment we purchased in January. My response led to a sweet time of deeper sharing than we normally experience—a joy to add to the many others that God has graced us with in the last three months. The Bitter : For those of you who are not aware of the problem, we discovered in May that the apartment we had prayed for, searched for, and finally purchased in January, has a mortgage on it that was taken out by the construction company before they sold the apartment to us. Unfortunately, the builders did not use the money we paid them to pay off the mortgage. We found out about the mortgage from an agent who showed us a foreclosure notice from the bank due to the company falling behind in their payments. Suddenly, we were faced with the truth that the bank is the legal owner of the apartment until the mortgage is paid in full. Due to the company having serious financial difficulties, we have been on an emotional roller coaster ride because of repeated unfulfilled promises. We have filed a civil law suit that we would like to avoid, but which seems to be the only way to pressure the company to pay off the mortgage. Our sovereign Lord, knowing what was coming, gave us an across-the-hall and an upstairs neighbor who are both lawyers! We seem to remember asking you to pray that we would develop good relationships with our new neighbors! The Sweet: It’s such a unique thing with God that trials and joy are bound together. James tells us to consider it pure joy when difficulties test our faith because they teach us perseverance (James 1:2). Hopefully, we are learning perseverance. There doesn’t seem to be any other alternative! But God has also given us many reasons to rejoice associated with this trial. We’d like to share some of the “joys” that have strengthened and sustained us in the last three months. • Realizing that God does not condemn us, even though we made some errors in decision-making when we bought the apartment. • Picking up the Bible throughout the day and experiencing God’s Word speaking directly to our hearts. • Victory over negative thoughts as we struggle to bring them to Christ and let Him renew our minds. • Forgiving those who have wronged us, and seeing God open doors for us to speak to them and let them know we are praying for them. God arranged two unexpected encounters between us and the construction company president and his representative. • Being prayed for and ministered to by our Dominican church family. Our relationships with the church leadership and within our weekly small group are deepening. • Receiving notice of your prayers for us and your encouraging comments via email. • Drawing closer to each other in our marriage as we both draw closer to the Lord. We have resisted blaming each other for the problem, and spend a lot more time praying together. • Experiencing God’s strength to keep up with ministry and discipleship opportunities. o God enabled us to finish a challenging and insightful New Testament survey course in the leadership training classes. We praise the LORD that more than 50 students continue to persevere. o Bob also continues to mentor Stanley and preach on Galatians in the Haitian church at Los Girasoles. o We helped to plan and participated in a women’s retreat for 56 women in June. (Yes, Bob was there, too!) o Following the retreat, we’ve had many meetings to help resolve some major conflicts in the women’s ministry leadership team. God has faithfully begun to heal relationships there. Although we don’t yet know the final outcome, we received good news on July 19 that the company has caught up on the monthly payments and paid off 1/3 of the total mortgage! Please keep praying. We would like the mortgage issue to be resolved by mid-August because we have tickets to fly to the states on August 18. We hope to spend 5 months in home ministry to visit many of you and share in detail what God is doing here. Lord willing, we will be in Virginia through November.

Bob preaching at the Haitian service in Los Girasoles

May 2012 Newsletter: Back to the Future

In November 1990, as a single missionary nurse in Haiti, I (Judy) wrote: “They must have thought I was crazy as they stared at me through the pouring rain from the shelter of their porches. There I was… sliding at an angle down the road in the thick, black mud on a 4-wheel ATV; totally soaked; grinning from ear-to-ear; singing praise songs; and pausing every so often to ask, Is this the road to Foison? With a wonderful sense of exhilaration, I was embarking on one of my community health adventures—visiting a rural clinic run by the wife of a Haitian pastor.” That night in Foison I had a simple supper of bread and hot tea with the pastor and his family. I remember taking a bite of the bread and looking with surprise at the wriggling legs of a June bug embedded in the piece still in my hand. I pulled it free and flicked it off the table before my hosts could see it. I spent the night in a dark, windowless room behind the clinic—with a bucket of water to wash with and an empty bucket for “other needs”. The next day I helped the pastor’s wife in the clinic. It was encouraging to see their dedication and willingness to serve and raise their family in such a rural area. The youngest member of the family at that time must have been Stanley, less than a year old. Stanley was the future—only I didn’t know it at the time. My next newsletter from Haiti was written in January 1991. In it I announced my engagement to a fellow missionary, Bob Kay. (Maybe that’s why I was in such a good mood in November!) This May, Bob and I celebrate our 21st anniversary. Although we have since changed countries and cultures, we still have opportunities to minister to Haitians in Santiago, especially students who come here to attend university. Bob preaches in Creole once or twice a month at a Haitian worship service. Normally, there are more than 100 people attending the service. A few years ago Bob worked to help train the Haitian leaders of this service. However, when those leaders moved on after finishing their studies, it seemed that those who remained were not interested in receiving training. Then Stanley showed up. He came to study industrial engineering. His dad told him to call Bob as soon as he arrived in Santiago. Since that first phone call, Bob and Stanley have met weekly to study the Bible. Each time Bob returns from their meetings, he is encouraged by Stanley’s heart for God and intelligent questions. So the future is here. Stanley’s presence has been a catalyst for continued involvement in the Haitian ministry. At the same time we continue to help our local Dominican pastors train leaders for their churches. Our hope is that we can ignite in them an increasing desire and ability to express their faith in love. Thank you for your prayers.

February update

After playing a few games of basketball one morning with men from the neighborhood, Bob sat down for a breather. While playing, he had noticed that one young man was really hard on himself every time he missed a shot. As he rested on the concrete bleachers, Bob shared with the guys how he handles disappoint in himself. He showed the young man how he presses a finger into his wrist to remind himself of Christ’s sacrifice for him and the forgiveness He offers. This enables him to stay focused on the present instead of on past mistakes. Several of the guys around him listened intently.

Another morning we were walking in a nearby park, joining others who were doing their daily circuit. Instead of the usual smile and “¡Buenos días!,” we paused that morning to introduce ourselves to two regulars on the track. As we walked together for a few laps, their questions about what we were doing in the Dominican Republic led to discussing the stresses of life and the truths found in the Bible.
Recently, our mission, Crossworld, has defined the disciple-making process as “helping people to live and love like Jesus by imparting God’s truth through authentic relationships wherever life happens.” It’s a good reminder that life happens in a lot of different contexts—contexts that provide opportunities to share God’s truth—whether through leadership training classes in the church or pick-up basketball games and walks in the park.

The fun, and sometimes overwhelming, thing about ministry is that the opportunities are endless. Our complex of 12 apartments is now full of new neighbors. Our hope is that the interchange of small gifts, conversations in the parking lot, and attempts to peacefully resolve conflicts over barking dogs (current population: 25 people and 5 chihuahuas) will open doors for building friendships. Since we work with the couple’s ministry at church, it’s interesting to note that we are currently surrounded by young, recently wedded couples.

Within the church, the leadership classes continue with the addition of Alberto—a talented young leader whom Bob has recruited to help creatively clarify the concepts being taught. While teaching on the authenticity of the New Testament Greek manuscripts, Bob and Alberto took on the roles of Chuchu, a machete-wielding farmer, and his son, Mijo, a university student whose professors were teaching that the New Testament is not reliable. (The students may not remember how many NT Greek manuscripts there are, but Bob with a machete in his hand is unforgettable.) Presently, 65 students are taking the New Testament Survey class. The next class will focus on how to prepare and teach a message from the Bible.

Thank you for your prayers as we strive to be intentional and creative in expressing God’s love and truth to those that the Lord brings our way.

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.

La Yaguita and Bible school

Hi everyone, Judy and I just took two days off at the beach to r&r. We feel refreshed.

A week earlier, the Freedom Fellowship Church of Montpelier VA, including PM, DonDon, Sheryl and her two daughters, came and did two children's clubs in the streets of La Yaguita. Their second club was excellent and many (50 or more) children and about 20 adults heard the good news of Christ.

They also built an audio visual room out of plywood and painted the church wall. Now, that doesn't sound like much until one realizes that they also built the nicest, heaviest and most sturdy 10-foot ladder in Santiago out of 2x4's. Slanting the steps in sideways allows plenty of safety climbing up. The ladder cannot be easily stolen because it's so heavy, two men are required to lift it.

Pray for us--I have two Bible school lectures to prepare, a sermon in Habakkuk, and two more Bible school lessons to leave with the pastors, all in a 10 day period before we go to Virginia to attend my nephew's wedding October 8.

May God bless you richly!

Ok, This Post Is Real

Ok, guys, sorry to be away for so long. I couldn't figure out how to make the shift, but we're cool now--it was pretty hot at 3 PM today, but rain here in Santiago has cooled things off.

We have 80 students in our church-based Bible school in Spanish which is at Central church. Students come from six churches, and we are praying the school will help train the next generation of pastors/leaders for the Dominican Bible churches here in Santiago.

We pray that the school motivates the students to plant a church.

We just finished teaching Bible study methods; I feel that God used the course to change the thinking of people, encouraging them to study and mediate on the Word through observation, interpretation, and application.

One lady shared that she now understands Ephesians 1. Another student said, “I now read the Bible with different eyes. Now when I read a verse, I apply these methods and feel that my spiritual life is enriched.” Another wrote of how that he’s able to avoid being fooled by false doctrine resulting from faulty interpretation.

Pray for me as we start Old Testament Survey July 19. Meeting once a week on Tuesdays, that course will take us to Dec 13—just in time for Christmas.

I preached this Sunday at Central for the first time. That went well, as I preached on “How to live a holy life”. The quick response is “I love you more!”

We're counseling a couple in a custody battle. God dissuaded them from going to court. It took us three hours to get to that point. We were exhausted, but it was worth it.

We have a team coming July 30, 7 adults plus a one-year old for the La Yaguita children’s center. The one year old will be a challenge, but we have small children as neighbors, so I know they’ll spend a lot of time together. Also I’m sure that little Jay will be a hit at La Yaguita! Pray for us that we will have strength to reach up to 150 children with the gospel the first day—the first of four days of kids’ clubs in the streets.

We started a Extension Bible school at the Haitian church this past Sunday afternoon. We had a good talk on how God gave us His Word and had six students. Switching between Spanish and Creole doesn’t bother me like it used to, although I do use a French/Creole word when I don’t know a particular word in Spanish.

Finally!

After a three month absence, I finally figured out how to reset this blog to add new posts. My late grandmother complained of how life was going too fast. Amen, Granny!

I'll be back in a few minutes...more complications with the computer. Remember the Bee Gees song, "Somebody help me"? I feel that way with these computers! Ugh. Bob

April 2011 newsletter

In her 90’s, mostly-blind, and living alone (her choice), Granny used to say, “Life is moving too fast.” She just couldn’t seem to accomplish what she wanted in a day’s time. Granny died in March at the age of 96, having impacted five generations.

We agree with Granny. Life seems to be moving too fast for us, too. God keeps kicking us out of our comfort zone and putting new challenges in front of us. Doesn’t He know we are getting old?!

Living 20 years in Haiti in mission-owned housing, and then renting in the Dominican Republic meant that we never had to buy a house. However, leaders of the Dominican church encouraged us to buy here to facilitate long-term ministry. I have always been uncomfortable spending large sums of money; so this was a stretch for me.

We set a price that we thought we could pay, and prayerfully began a two-month search throughout Santiago. One day a realtor showed us a new apartment with a wonderful view of the mountains. It “happened” to be located across the street from one of the pastors of the Central church. Judy loved the view, and I liked the idea of living close to the pastor. But the price was too high.

Nervously, we went to Cristina to ask for her lowest price. It was still too high. We presented our dream to live and minister in Santiago long-term. We shared that our church, Central, is our family here in Santiago. She responded that she knew of the church. In fact, her former mother-in-law, Mercedes, the grandmother of her 10-year-old son, “happened” to attend our church. Now it just “happens” that we had had a Bible study in Mercedes’ house for a year, plus we were witnesses to Mercedes’ other son’s wedding. After we shared that, Cristina excused herself. Returning a moment later, she asked us, “How much can you pay?” We made an offer considerably lower than her asking price.

As Cristina began talking to the realtor, we realized that they were talking as if this were a done deal. We cautiously asked, “Ok, so what is the price?” And she responded, “Your offer.” We could not believe it. The realtor later said, “This is amazing. They NEVER lower their price that much!” We responded, “You just saw God at work!” We moved in February 5.

The next day, our first full day in the apartment, we received an email. Can we host a team of four for a week? A friend’s daughter wants to serve the LORD instead of partying during her spring break. She is discipling a fellow classmate. The two daughters want to know if they can work at the La Yaguita children’s center for a few days. They have invited their dads along for the adventure. I’m not sure, I’m tired, the apartment’s a mess, etc…
…and then my friend says that the other daughter’s dad is someone very well known. Now I think, “You have got to be kidding me, no way we can do this.” I’ve never related well to well-known people. I’m too self-conscious around them. So I try to think why we should not invite them.

But my mind goes blank. And then God nudges me, “Don’t be afraid. Invite them.” And we did. And they came. The two daughters and two dads played basketball, painted the church, distributed shoes, shared Bible stories and crafts, and best of all, loved the kids. Pastor Ramón Jorge commented as he watched one of the daughters, “She has something in her heart that attracts kids to her.” And God worked in my life—I had a great time.

Just before the team came, we received the phone call from my sister letting us know that Granny would not make it through the night. We flew to Virginia. And despite my anxiety over giving one of the two eulogies, God comforted the family as I quoted Granny’s life verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, Philippians 4:13.

In late March—still readjusting after the move, the trip to the states, and the work team—we pushed ourselves to prepare for Central’s new adventure—a church-based center for leadership training. As I prepared to teach formal Bible courses in Spanish for the first time, I thought, “We’ll have 20 students, similar to what we had on LaTortue, Haiti.” Wrong. The Dominican pastor graciously invited all six Bible churches in Santiago to attend, and we mushroomed to 74 students. No panic. After learning my lessons from Granny, the team, and the apartment purchase—I relied on the promise of Philippians 4:13. I knew if I prepared well, I could teach the course.

We began April 5. The electricity and enthusiasm matched my preparation. Several students commented on how much they enjoyed the class. We divided them into small groups, led by the local pastors, to facilitate discipleship and learning. Judy led the Central women’s group.

As I sat in on one small group, I was impressed with the young pastor’s introductory explanation of how to study the Bible using observation, interpretation, and application. I can see that I will need to prepare well for the course each week. No doubt life will continue to move too fast. But “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Bob & Judy Kay

Eulogy at Granny's funeral

On March 5 my Grandma Sadie went to be with the LORD at the age of 96. Judy and I flew home and the family asked me to give a short eulogy.

The year is 1933. The country is in the midst of the Great Depression. A young family is trying to make a living from their vegetable farm selling produce. God blesses the couple with their first child, a daughter. And then the baby gets sick. Deathly sick. She gets pneumonia, and despite the family’s best efforts, the baby is expected to die. The old-timers said it like this, "They laid her out to die."

A young Sadie Galyen does not give up on her baby. As the baby rests, she prays, asking God to heal her baby, trusting Him, begging Him for a miracle. She later told me that when the rest of the family expected my Aunt Helen to die, she knew that God would heal her.

And God answered her prayer, God healed baby Helen, and 77 years later, God rewarded Granny’s faith in Him with 5 other daughters, and allowed her through my Aunt Rosemary's family to see five generations.

Granny had the gift of faith. She trusted God for the impossible, and saw God provide for her. Granny’s faith was so strong that when I was a little boy, I thought that my Grandma Sadie would live forever. And even though I later realized that I was wrong, I thought she would live to be at least 100. And she almost made it to 100.

And so to me it does seem unusual to be here.

However, Granny is living forever. 80 years ago, Granny became a follower of Jesus Christ, publicly confessing Christ as her Saviour at Carmel Baptist Church. In fact, according to my Aunt Judy, Granny remembered the song that was playing when she responded to the call to receive Christ, “LORD, I’m Coming Home.”

Granny is truly home now.

So how did she live out her deep faith? How did she follow Jesus Christ? How did she follow His footsteps? Well, she followed Christ with her boots on, that’s for sure.

Granny’s favorite Bible verse was Philippians 4.13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

And she recited that verse as she kept her yard clean. Yes, at the age of 96, living in that 80 year old house near Chilesburg—do youall realize that my mom was BORN in that house!—how she did all that is beyond me. In talking to my Uncle Karl and Aunt Patsy, when she put on her boots to drag a heavy limb out to the brush pile, she would ask the LORD for His strength, remember that verse, and even though it took her awhile, she dragged that old heavy branch out to the brush pile!

Granny was a very generous person. She loved to give and gave to several ministries, including a children’s ministry in the Dominican Republic where Judy and I live and minister. When I told her that her giving was enabling the children ages 4-10 to get an education and to get fed, Granny replied, “Giving to those children gives me a purpose in life.”

She followed Christ by loving her family. She had a deep love for her children, and if you’ve seen the pictures on the TV monitor in the next room, you’ll see her in her mid-90’s caring for my Aunt Paula’s grandson Trevor.

And I’ll add that she even loved her sons-in-law. She once said that she had the best sons-in-law in the world although my dad said that I could tell you, “At times Grandma Sadie could be really feisty.”

My family, your lives are a result, a testimony to the deep faith, the love, and the generosity that Granny lived and practiced.

Let's remember Granny by living out her life verse, "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me."

God provides an apartment!!

Remember the story of "Bob and 84 Women?", when last June I went with Judy to Central church's ladies' retreat? The male church leader who went to rest advised us that we should buy rather than rent an apartment especially since we want to minister here long-term. After our parents gave us their blessing, we began looking. We found a beautiful new apartment close to our pastor’s, fourth floor, with a wonderful view of the mountains which Judy loves; however, the price was too high.

Our pastor and the real estate agent encouraged us to visit the construction company who was selling it. We went and met Cristina. We then asked for her best price; she responded with 103K (3.82 million pesos), 10K too high for us. The apt started at 107K (3.95 million pesos). She stated that she could not go any lower.

We then presented our dream to live and minister here in Santiago long-term. We shared that our church, Central, was our family here in Santiago.

Christina responded that she had been married to the son of a mattress maker (Mercedes), a friend of ours who attended our church. Her 10-year old son attended our church when he stayed with his grandma.

We had a Bible study in Mercedes’ house plus we served as witnesses to her other son Miguel’s wedding. She had also made a bed for Prosper, the Haitian man that we were helping, and sold it to us at cost. After we shared all that, she excused herself.

She returned and asked us, “How much can you pay?” I was dumbfounded. I wasn't expecting this kind of question. I told myself (I believe that the Holy Spirit was guiding my thoughts), “Be honest with her. You can trust her.” So I responded, "Honestly, we can pay 3.5 million" (93K).

She then began talking to the agent as if this were a done deal. A couple minutes later, we cautiously asked, “Ok, so what is the price?” And she responded, “El precio de ustedes son 3.5 million.” (Your price is 3.5 million).

We could not believe it. After making a verbal agreement, we left with the agent. When we got outside, he told us, “I don’t believe this. They NEVER lower their price!” His statement confirmed to us God's hand in this purchase.

She even gave us the choice of either third or fourth floor. We chose the third as the view is still great plus it will be easier for us to climb the steps as we get older. Third floor apartments are also worth more.

The whole above process has convinced us that God is indeed guiding us and we give Him glory for this.

The last three weeks have been ones of moving, saying good-bye to our old neighbors (we won’t miss City Hall’s noise—it’s a lot quieter here!), and completing the process of buying the apartment. Being next to the pastor, an engineer has been immensely helpful as he has installed protective ironwork for doors and windows, closets and an inverter/battery backup system in case of blackouts.

We also took 10 days to visit my parents and Judy's mom. All are doing well, and we praise the LORD and continue to be amazed at their good health.

We praise the LORD for His goodness to us.