It is so wonderful to see the housing on the T.E.A.R.S. Center starting to come together! We want to give a heartfelt thanks to the McQuiddy team for their hard work and (more…)

The gospel is unique in that it thrives in all sorts of cultures and social classes. It is the most powerful force on earth for counter-acting and undermining oppression; in fact, the gospel flourishes most in places of poverty. Those who are physically poor reach out and embrace the hope held out by Jesus Christ, receiving riches far beyond the riches of this world.

This became existentially true for me as I sat in on Obed’s cell group last Thursday. Obed is reaching out and ministering to the Haitians in the community of Maria Auxiliadora, making an almost daily practice of playing soccer with them and also meeting
weekly for Bible study and worship. Because soccer and music are such great passions across the entire Haitian culture, it fits perfectly that they should be sharing in fellowship with Obed, a man whom God has blessed with magic feet and melodic talent.

Sitting up in Obed’s living room, the rain pattering on the roof above us, we sang “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” in Creole, Spanish and English (I felt rather lonely being the only one singing in my native tongue, but it was enjoyable nonetheless). The cell group sung amazingly well; like a choir that had been practicing together for years, singing with a sort of intuitive harmony and sense of rhythm that blew me away.

Obed is leading the cell group through a study of the Ten Commandments week by week, meditating on the liberty and joy of obeying God. Last week he spoke of what it means to love the LORD with all one’s heart; this week we looked into the subject of taking the LORD’s name in vain. Unfortunately, this is just as common in Latin countries as in our own, and is even widely accepted among those who go to church. One often hears: ‘Oh God,’ or ‘Holy Jesus’ or ‘Swear to God you won’t do it’ etc. Obed explained the concept of sincerity, looking back into one story of the origin of the word.

During medieval times, parties where the guests all wore masks made of wax were popular. It was difficult to guess who was who; the masks covered up the true person, and only by removing them could the person’s real face be revealed. In Spanish the derivation of the word follows quite logically from this. ‘Sin’ means without and ‘Cera’ means wax, so ‘Sincera’ means without wax. Obed mentioned that there are many who believe they are deceiving God, playing around with his name and such, but that it is important to remove our masks and be real before our Creator; he knows what’s going on in our hearts regardless. He cannot be fooled.

Obed went on to share that the Hebrews who wrote the Old Testament manuscripts- when they encountered a place where God’s name would be written- would stop, wash their hands thoroughly, and continue. This was a sign of reverence and respect, and he concluded by saying that we ought to show the same amount of care when speaking of God, out of the love we have for him in our hearts.

We wrapped up with some muffins and milk, praying for one another- that God would lead us into knowing him more deeply, in the same way that we know our early fathers and friends. After everyone had left, I could see that Obed was ecstatic. “I wasn’t expecting anyone to come on such a rainy night,” he said, “but it turned out to be a really awesome study!”

What I experienced that night has really become a cause for praise. It is my prayer that this unique ministry will grow and encompass many more unreached Haitians in the barrio.

Rod has not worked out consistently for almost three weeks due in-part to a sickness and the storm (Noel). He had been in bed with the flu and bronchitis. As scheduled, he reluctantly got on the scale and, as suspected, he had gained 5 pounds since the last weigh-in.  Rod is feeling better now, thank the Lord, and recommitted to working hard with a goal of losing 5-10 pounds a month.

“Still eight months to go…and I am not giving up!”
– Rod

Please keep Rod in your prayers as he is struggling to get his children to school due to a vehicle break-down. If you would like to help Rod out with the biggest loser program please read the original post. If you would like to help Rod fund a new vehicle please contact us.

Weigh-in Update:

Weigh-in #5 (November 4, 2007): 302 pounds
Weigh-in #4 (October 4, 2007): 297 pounds
Weigh-in #3 (September 4, 2007): 311 pounds
Weigh-in #2 (August 4, 2007): 325 pounds
Weigh-in #1 (July 4, 2007): 342 pounds

Next weigh-in December 4, 2007.

This article is to be the first of many stories on the Haitian Church Planting Team- a very significant aspect of T.E.A.R.S. Ministry. For those who are not very familiar with the Haitian outreach, I would like to start with a story of how, by God’s grace, this all got started.
Hector Julio moved from his native country Haiti to an eastern province in the Dominican Republic named La Romana. While he was there, Diana’s cousin explained that in La Vega there were a great number of Haitian communities with many needs. After hearing about this, Hector’s heart was very moved, and in May of 2002 he moved into the community of Soto in La Vega.

He is now the pastor of the Iglesia Cristiana de Soto, a congregation of 150 members, overseeing a Church Planting mission currently involving twenty leaders. These leaders will reach the unreached with the gospel, focusing especially on communities where churches have not yet been established. The Iglesia Cristiana de Soto will serve as a Model Church; subsequent churches will resemble the original but will also given liberty, unique and self-governed, shaped by an individual group of believers.

In order to learn how to be disciples and make disciples, leaders pass through a Biblical Institute, consisting of two levels. The Haitian Ministry has seen eight graduates from the first level and three graduates from the second. The Biblical Institute launched in 2004, and in December of this year will initiate a third level, paving the way for further training and growth.

Hector lives with his wife Diana and three children: Baez (14), Behn (12) and Jeffry (10). Manuel or Felix (22) also lives with them, as well as Rosalina (10), who they recently adopted. They share a small space behind the church, living in very close quarters, but nevertheless thanking God for all his grace to them. There are many who live in far more severe conditions.

In light of this reality, Hector has also undertaken to provide a dormitory for the homeless. In a building next to his house, thirteen Haitians have found a place to rest. One issue they struggle with is legality. Haitians cross the border in groups to seek work, many illegally so. The situation there is so desperate that many are seeking to escape. However, the church is only able to house those immigrants who have come over legally, which unfortunately are very few.

Hector also really has a heart for the many children in his community. In our conversation on Saturday, he mentioned how many young ones he sees walking in the streets, cleaning boots or begging to earn money. They often ask for help and receive beatings for it. This has stirred in him a desire to found a school, with the initial objective of providing children with the necessary documentation, and secondly- of course- education. Hector is in contact with an Advocate who will aid them in this.
“When one accepts the LORD,” Hector says, “it is a reason to rejoice. There are many Haitians in our community who love God.” Two by two, house by house and cell group by cell group, the Kingdom of God is moving forward through and within this wonderful ministry, as God continues to heal and restore the countless broken communities of La Vega. May the redemption continue, even until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The story of Los Pomos is continuing to unfold, as God moves and works in ceaseless, transcendent grace. This second entry is written in response to a unique, first hand experience I had a couple weeks ago. After my discussion with Bau on the progress of the church planting ministry, he invited me to accompany him the following afternoon and see what’s going on. It was a great excursion.
Bau and Fe are currently sharing on the book of John with every family, providing listeners with a solid introduction and paving the way for a flourishing relationship with Jesus Christ. At the first house we visited we were immediately welcomed to sit down and before long a group had gathered around us, enjoying the company. We broke the ice with cups of coffee all around and some good-hearted jests that had everyone laughing. From there on, we proceeded to look into the Scriptures.

One young woman, la Gringa, shared what she had learned from the first chapter of John. It was incredible; the Lord had really opened her eyes to some key truths found in this rich text. She spoke of the concept of the Word- Jesus- this Eternal Creator of the universe, stepping down into his own creation, and the irony and sadness that they did not recognize him. He came to live among humans, and they regarded him as a mere human being- a Nazarene. Yet, for those who saw that he was unlike any person who had ever lived- for those who believed in him- he gave the right to become sons. She went on to express how this new birth is through faith and from God; I think we were all blown away. She might as well have been leading the lesson. Later she mentioned that she had gone through the whole book of John. Such passion is beautiful to see.

The conversation progressed, and la Gringa expressed how, upon the cross, the onlookers mocked Jesus and challenged him to prove he was God’s Son. The question arose: what if Christ had come down from the cross?
Fe replied that, if Jesus had done so, we would be without hope. He referred to the Old Testament story where God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because justice demanded it. How much more cataclysmic, Fe continued, would such judgment be today- in a world of such sin? It would be hundredfold, he concluded.
Inevitably, this conclusion pointed forcefully to the necessity and centrality of Jesus. Without him, we are lifeless. Such dependence and amazing thankfulness brought us into prayer. It was a good time of sharing and I feel that the entire family gained new and positive perspectives that afternoon. In the end, the glory rises to God- the one who gives understanding and softens hearts to his liberating message.
It is our prayer that these sparks of the gospel will grow into a roaring, victorious blaze, the beauty of Christ being fully proclaimed, portrayed and worshipped in Los Pomos. I encourage you to make it your prayer as well.