LCMS World Mission Blog

“We are celebrating the first steps towards a new church in Las Americas. Last Sunday was a landmark day for the mission in Las Americas as we celebrated the dedication of the recently purchased property for the building of a future church! At 5:23 p.m., the first few start to gather under the tent. In the distance, at the end of the property, a fire burns the garbage that was cleaned off of the site on Saturday. At 6:38, the front ‘pews’ are full of Sunday school children who are waiting patiently for the service. At 7:14, the Divine Service began. All have gathered and we begin our service of dedication in the name of the Triune God who has brought us together. Chairs overflow the space well beyond the tent, and extra benches are brought out of the house as well. More than 100 people had arrived. At 7:43, Vicar Willy Gaspar preached a beautiful sermon about how God’s ‘life insurance’ is faith in Jesus and His forgiveness for all, regardless of age, wealth, political status, family, or job. Afterwards, the land was dedicated in the name of the Triune God, as a place of worship for the community. And all present responded with a loud ‘Amen!’

“In the area of our ministry among disabled children and their families, God is also opening doors. Our newly-organized foundation, Good Shepherd Lutheran Homes, is coming to be a reality! At the end of April, we held our first Board of Directors meeting in Santiago. It was exciting to come together for the first time as we mercifully seek to help marginalized people with disabilities to come to know and trust our Lord Jesus Christ and be forgiven by Him.

“On May 8, the first meeting of the Amigo de Jesus club in Palmar Arriba took place. Like our other Amigo de Jesus club that meets in Licey, this group is meant to reach out to children and youth with disabilities and their families through Bible studies and activities in the community. The first meeting was superbly attended with eight children and their parents and almost too many helpers! Songs, a Bible story, crafts, and games were enjoyed by all, and plans were made to meet again next month. Praise God for such a great start for this new group, and for the wonderful involvement of the youth and adults from the church in Palmar Arriba who embraced this mercy ministry in their community. Lord willing, this group will be essential for the start up of our first group home this October, which is to be located in Palmar Arriba itself.

“The first week of May, we were also blessed to have Dr. John Bauer of Bethesda Lutheran Services and Communities, and his wife, Jackie, visit us. Dr. Raul Andrade also came as a consultant and provided excellent advice, as well as a passion for aiding us in establishing our first group home. We are thankful for the Bauer’s continued support and grateful that we have institutions, such as Bethesda, that exemplify Lutherans who care spiritually and physically for the well-being of those whom they serve. May our dear Lord Jesus bless them as they continue to purposefully sanctify our Lord’s Name, both here in the Dominican Republic and in the United States.”

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• Learn more about the LCMS missionaries serving in the Dominican Republic