Snow Scoop - April 2006

Dear Friends:

As we enter Holy Week, we wanted to update you on what has been happening since the first of the year. Believe me, it was a busy winter (actually it is always spring and summer here.) We had to say that to our friends who live in snow country.

Experiencing Holy week in the Dominican Republic is wonderful. What we notice most is that Santo Domingo is very quiet. Everyone heads for the beach. We will have an activity everyday, including a gathering of all clergy on Maundy Thursday. May your Easter be as blessed as I know ours will be.

Following is an update on what’s been happening in the DR, since last we wrote:

• Scholarship Update – In January, I sent out an E-mail informing our friends that nearly 100 students were without scholarships. The response was well beyond what I hoped for. Funds are still coming in and I am confident 800 students will have a scholarship this year. I still am trying to get caught up, so many still haven’t received photos of their student. I am thankful for our brothers and sisters in Christ who continue to demonstrate their love by reaching out to these needy students.
• Mission Finances – We cannot remain in the mission field without the support of churches and individuals. For the last two years, contributions have dropped significantly. This has happened before, and the Lord has always taken care of us. We communicated our situation through E-mail. Once again our Christian friends responded by sending us additional funds. We have also received support from one unexpected contributor. Bishop Holguin wrote a letter to the national church office (“815”) and asked them to provide us with additional financial help. The response was positive and a true blessing. It was even slightly more than the Bishop asked for. During our 10 years here, we have never asked this third world diocese for financial help. One morning, Bishop Holguin called us into the office and told us that this diocese would like to contribute also. We are now receiving a monthly contribution from this diocese.
• Car Whoas – For the seventh time in two years, our car battery was stolen. (3 for the jeep and four for our old blue car). We thought we had los ladrones (robbers) fooled. We had secured the battery with a chain and paddle lock. Oh, how foolish we were. We have now chained the hood of the car shut. Let’s see if they figure that out. As some know, we were able to buy a newer jeep for road trips, thanks to several supporters. In January, we began experiencing difficulties and I had a breakdown when an ECW national board member and I were on the way to the airport to look for a lost bag. The problem was more expensive and extensive than I thought. Again, God took care of us. The ECW sent us an unexpected check. Bishop Holguin also helped us.
• BIENVIENDO - The diocese had the honor of hosting two, very special groups. The national board of Episcopal Church Women held their first meeting of the year here. Shirley White, our dear friend from Nebraska, naturally encouraged the board to come here. For our Dominican ECW members it was very special. The Board devoted one day to visit various church and school sites in the San Pedro area. Our retreat center hosted a luncheon, giving DR ECW members a chance to meet the board. The diocese and our Province also had the honor of hosting Provincial leaders of the United States Episcopal Church. We also provide them with a tour of projects in the San Pedro area.
• HELPING HANDS – January thru March and June thru August are when most teams visit the DR. These teams have played an important role in the growth and development of the Dominican Episcopal Church. Several work and medical teams have already visited us in 2006. During a short presentation I made before provincial leaders, one of the participants made an interesting comment. He said that teams coming to the Gulf Coast to help, and had previously worked in the DR or Honduras, were by far the most organized and efficient. We knew that about the teams coming here, but congratulations to those of you who worked on the Gulf Coast and in the DR or Honduras.
• WHAT A BLESSING – Ellen and I received an unexpected honor during our diocesan convention in February. Bishop Holguin on behalf of the diocese presented us with a beautiful plaque thanking us for our 10 years of service in the Dominican Republic. Friends, it doesn’t seem that long and frankly we should have been one presenting a thank-you plaque to the diocese. The Lord has blessed us by giving us an opportunity to serve here.
• IN PRINT – The Rev. Jane Butterfield has written a book on missionaries called “Scripture in Their Lives.” Unless we were edited out of the book, our ministry will be one of those included. As I understand it, a chapter is being devoted to the work of each missionary. The missionaries are from all over the world. Ellen and I will be one of those representing missionaries in Latin America. The book is being published by Morehouse and should be released this month. It is already being advertised on Amazon.com.
• PRAYER REQUESTS: Pray that we have no more car repairs for at least a year…that the leaders of Haiti and the DR place more emphasis on helping the poor and reducing violence and crime…that our priests be given the faith and energy they need to serve their people…that Bishop Holguin continue with good health and that the Holy Spirit will continue inspiring him as he makes decisions impacting this diocese…that there will be no injuries to any of the work teams coming here…that all work teams will have no trouble receiving the resources they need to visit here…and, finally please join us in thanking the Lord for all those who make our ministry possible, and for those in the National Church office who also decided to help us out.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS HE HAS BLESSED US WITH LOVING FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. AMEN