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.

El Burro Y El Pavo

Recently the guard here at our apartment told me this enchanting Dominican story that just about everyone here knows: El Burro Y El Pavo (The Donkey and The Turkey).

The donkey labored long hours carrying firewood, vegetables, and meat to and around the farm. Part of the food was for the turkey, who instead of expressing his gratitude, mocked the donkey with cries of "Work, work, work!" In fact, the donkey often labored with tears while his beneficiary laughed at them.

As the hot summer months rolled around (and the heat can be brutal here), the donkey labored day and night, soaked in sweat, almost losing his sanity while the turkey ate under the comfort of his shade.

Then December rolled around. And while the donkey still labored, this time his load was lighter because he didn't bring any meat.

The turkey noticed this and said, "Hey, Burro, where's the meat? I don't see any meat! Where's the meat? Where's the meat?"

The donkey replied, "YOUR DECEMBER HAS ARRIVED!!" (Dominicans eat turkey meat for Christmas.) The turkey began to scream, crying while the donkey laughed, enjoyed Christmas, and lived to see another year.

Central recently had its Christmas ministry dinner last week (we ate chicken instead). During our testimony time, I shared the above story. I wasn't sure if I should, but I did, and everyone laughed, not knowing that I knew the story. In fact, the pastor's wife gave me a high-five after I finished speaking. I applied the story to us, stating that in serving the LORD, sometimes we have to work very hard, sweating in the heat while others mock us. But unlike the turkey, we can celebrate with joy the eternal life that we have in Christ.

I then shared the story with a couple of guys at the basketball court last Monday. A brother from Central was there and restated my points, sharing the gospel of Christ with the guys. To hear William speak up, share, and apply the story to the gospel filled my heart with joy.

End of Year Thank You

As the apartment began shaking last January, I thought, “We’re having a tremor, it will stop soon.” Twenty-five long seconds later, the shaking finally stopped. Cell phones were out, but landlines still worked. I looked at the internet to check the news, and discovered that Haiti had suffered terribly. As reports trickled in of thousands dead in Port-au-Prince, we worried about Vila and Erline, an engaged couple who we mentored. Both were in Port-au-Prince during the earthquake. We were overjoyed when both finally called to let us know that they were fine.

At the time we were helping Erline with her college tuition, but after the quake we discovered that we were her only means of support. Her uncle in Florida couldn’t find work, and her mother and grandmother were living under a tarp in Port-au-Prince. So, Judy and I decided to see her through to her graduation and wedding, both in November. When we told her that we would completely support her for 2010, she cried tears of joy.

After we suggested making a budget, she prepared and followed it. In addition to finishing her degree in business administration, she tithed, saved 10 percent, helped her family back in Haiti, and even helped another Haitian student here. As we gave to her, we rejoiced to see God using her to help others—a confirmation that helping her was the right thing to do.

Erline and Vila were married on November 16 in Santiago. During the ceremony there were no tears, only smiles. God gave us an overwhelming sense of joy of a job completed, and completed well, helping to see one chapter in two young lives successfully close and a new chapter open. We thank you for helping us help Erline. Vila and Erline have now begun a new life in Port-au-Prince. God has provided Vila with a job in Haiti’s cement factory.

During the quake, Prosper, who had already suffered a stroke, was injured when his home collapsed, trapping him and his wife. She did not survive. He was pulled from the rubble a few hours later. His daughter Valerie, who had attended our Bible study, brought him to Santiago. Because of your gifts to us, we were able to purchase clothing, food, beds, a fan, a small refrigerator and, most important of all, medicine to control his seizures and high blood pressure.

Though he struggles with the effects of the stroke and the earthquake, his eyes are alive with a new-found faith and love in Jesus Christ. Prosper recently received a solar-powered talking Bible in Creole. The other day I read to him the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Thanks to the talking Bible, He knows the story so well that he was finishing the Bible verses and the story.

Your support also enabled us to assist two other Haitian families affected by the quake. One gift is helping a young doctor complete his internship; the other gift is enabling the reconstruction of a house near Port-au-Prince. We purchased food, water, and medicine to send to Haiti. We also taught about post-traumatic stress syndrome in two Haitian churches in Santiago.

In the Dominican community of La Yaguita, a mother tries to enroll her child in the one public school, but the school has no room for more students. She hears of the child development center at the La Yaguita Bible Church. Hoping against hope that the school will accept her child, she walks up the stairs to Pastor Ramon Jorge’s office. He says that he has no room either. She begins to cry in frustration. Moved by her tears, he reconsiders, “Can we make room?” The church allows him to use the sanctuary as a third classroom. The lady’s child now attends the center which currently hosts 140 children, double the number from last year.

Your support helps the school to pay teachers and provide education, food, and clothing for the children, including Orly. Orly is a street kid, all of 6 years old. His mom is a prostitute. Orly has shown up at Pastor Ramon’s barefoot, hungry, filthy, and even naked on two occasions. As Ramon was talking to a group of visitors from one of our supporting churches, he said, “I see Ramon in Orly.” Ramon remembers going to school without shoes and leaving quickly so that the other kids would not notice his feet. Orly now has a safe haven at the center.

Imagine having Lydia in your church. Yes, Lydia, the business woman mentioned in Acts 16 who helped the Apostle Paul start the Philippian church. We have her in the Central Bible Church, our home church here in Santiago. Our Lydia has gone through a painful divorce. When she shared her struggle to forgive, Judy and I gave her a book from Neil Anderson called Beta, which has an extensive section on forgiveness. Lydia read this, applied the principles, and God is doing a work in her life. She calls the book “a precious jewel” (a high compliment from a lady who really likes jewelry!). Your support not only enabled us to share the book, it also enables us to minister to and alongside Lydia—I’m her small group Bible study leader, Judy works with her in the women’s ministry.

As we look forward to 2011, we are excitedly gearing up for more intensive leadership training. A Haitian church here has requested that I start a Bible school by extension program in order to train their young leaders. In addition, Central has asked me to help them train their second-line leaders with a more structured Bible curriculum. Please pray for us as we juggle ministry to these various groups with their different languages and cultures.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas from Santiago—where the hogs are roasting over open flames, in preparation for the traditional roasted pork dinner on Christmas Eve!