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!