2005 FIELD NOTES

As our summer 2005 team season ends, Ellen and I are extremely tired, but we are also praising our Lord for the many groups we have hosted this year. This has been this dioceses’ most successful year yet. Ellen as usual did a fantastic job in coordinating 50 groups that have visited since January. This summer was not without its difficulties, but that is to be expected when you coordinate arrangements for over 500 people.

When we first arrived in the DR nearly 10 years ago, the diocese was hosting 6 – 8 groups a year. There was one day in June when we had eight groups in the DR at the same time. Some groups were arriving, others were leaving, and still others were working. But all were joyfully answering the Lord’s call to serve.

Work teams have made the fantastic growth of this diocese possible. Since 1995, we have seen the number of our churches and schools more than double. In the beginning the emphasis was on construction teams. But now we have teams doing a variety of projects. We had 9 teams doing summer bible school and could use at least double that number. Medicals teams worked in all parts of the country and serviced over 5,000 people. Two teams this year built church benches and other church furniture. Naturally, we had teams that painted and did maintenance work on our schools, churches, and other buildings. However, the majority of our groups are involved in helping us with construction projects. Since January these groups have helped build new churches, schools, our new home for the aged, and the expansion of our regional medical clinic in San Pedro.

This year I did 6 exploration journeys for those interested in bringing teams to the Dominican Republic. These trips involve visiting areas of the diocese where we have projects, thus giving prospective teams leaders an idea on how they might become in the ministry of the diocese.

One of our most ambitious team projects to date was providing a water system to two communities in a remote sugar cane area near Puerto Plata. The project was started by a Texas youth team two years ago and this fall will be completed. Food for the Poor provided funds to complete the work. In the past people in these villages had to get water from a polluted stream. This resulted in significant health problems. Homes in these communities will soon have piped water, thanks to the members of the local Episcopal Church, Texas youth, and Food for the Poor.

God continues to bless us in many ways. Our 1985 gray jeep is still running, but it was no longer reliable for out-of-town trips. Seat belts were functioning well and we could get no replacements. A lack of air-conditioning made our hot summer trips, even longer. Bishop Frank Gray of Virginia spearheaded a drive to obtain funds so that we could purchase a newer vehicle.

In July one of our priests introduced me to a friend who was importing vehicles from Japan. We were able to buy a jeep at nearly $150,000 pesos or about $5,000US below the current market price. It will probably be the only time in my life that an insurance man said to me that we needed to insure the vehicle at the replacement price and not at the purchase price which was much lower. Praise the Lord for the way he continues to take care of us.

As many of you know, life in the DR has been difficult over the last three years. We are still experiencing long periods without power. Fortunately, most outages are during the day when we are at the office where we have a generator. One of the greatest challenges we face is trying to cross a city of 3 million when there are no traffic signals functioning. If you like to play “chicken” in your car, this is the place to come. Gas prices here, as in the United States have increased significantly. Right now, we are at about $3.75 per gallon.

On December 7, 2005, Ellen and will start our 10^th year of service in the Dominican Republic. On December 8, I will have spent more time serving as a deacon in the Dominican Republic than in the Diocese of Nebraska. I will celebrate 20 years as a deacon on November 8.

I remember praying when I was very young that the Lord would give me a life where when I looked back I would have no regrets. He has answered my prayer by more than three-fold. As a write this, my spirit is singing praises to the Lord for all his has done for Ellen and I.

Early next year, the diocese will be opening its first program for seniors who are living in poverty. Our goal is providing housing and care for up to 40 people. Eventually we will also open an adult day care program.

Indeed God has blessed us by calling us to serve in his Caribbean vineyard called the Dominican Republic.

For our impressions of the following years, click one of the following: