Report from Dominican Republic: Eye Opening Experience

Report from a Crossroads mission team member currently in the Dominican Republic:

These past 6 days have been some of the most memorable moments of my life. I've done lots of new and different things: construction to VBS. A lot of the people live in misfortune, and we've tried our best to help them and bring joy into their lives through fun and games and faith in Christ. The Christians here are so enthusiastic and devoted. The people are welcoming and friendly. Every person I pass will say "hello" and "God bless". This has been an amazing and inspiring experience, and is only my first of many mission trips to come. This trip has truly opened my eyes to a new world and my heart to Christ. The week has gone too fast, and I'm going to miss all of the extraordinary people I've met here. I'll be home too soon.

Colin Kytchak

Report from Dominican Republic: Village Life

Report from a Crossroads mission team member currently in the Dominican Republic:

Today I went to Kilometer 9. It was a small village with a few kids but still had fun and enjoyed the time that I spent with them. The village was filled with bugs, very little water, and nowhere really to live safely. Seeing their village made me think to myself about how blessed I am.

Carly Roesh

Report from Dominican Republic: Kids Love Hugs!

Report from Crossroads mission team members currently in the Dominican Republic:

We are having a wonderful time serving the Lord. Every morning we have group devotions while we look out over the beautiful country and see the sunrise! Paul has had an opportunity to lay block in a village for a housing project. In that village Cindy was part of VBS and medical groups. The children love the hugs and love to play ball. (The weather has been comfortable so far!) A group of us went to the Compassion school. Cindy presented the Bible story of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Rachel played her guitar while we sang B‑I‑B‑L‑E and Jesus Loves Me. Victor is the principal for 800 students. He gave us a tour of the school and in each classroom we prayed with the children. He specifically asked for prayer for the older children during their state tests. He has a deep desire for the children to learn. Paul facilitated a group question-and-answer time with some students and adults last night. It is so encouraging to see the young people living their faith out! We love you all and cannot wait to hug!

Cindy and Paul Sereda

Report from Dominican Republic: Carpentry and Construction

Report from a Crossroads mission team member currently in the Dominican Republic:

All is going well here in the DR. We are getting a lot of work done. The first two days were spent rebuilding and repairing the kitchen cabinets in the Cafe del Rey, where Beka works. Unfortunately we are still waiting for the countertop. Lord willing, it will arrive tomorrow. A crew of kids, the Cowans, and I built a cover for the baptismal. Tomorrow we plan on repairing a concrete pad here at the compound. We'll see what we can get done after that.

Dan Jaussen

Report from Dominican Republic: Visiting a Village

Report from a Crossroads mission team member currently in the Dominican Republic:

Yesterday Suzy, Carly, and I went to the village of Libonoa. Carly and Suzy did VBS with the kids and played games. I worked in medical again. So many people also came for the dentist. Everyone in the village said they were Catholic.

Barb Knauff

Report from Dominican Republic: Awe Inspiring

Report from a Crossroads mission team member currently in the Dominican Republic:

This trip, which I would rather call an adventure, has been so awe inspiring, and unbelievably wonderful. I have grown to know much more about Christ that I didn't know. Also the people here are lovely, they are motivating me to want to grow in my faith, because their stories of how they came to Christ, have really shown me to love GOD and be motivated to learn more about Him and His love. Shoutout to Paul Sereda.

Peter Jaussen

Report from Domincan Republic: Making a Difference

Report from a Crossroads mission team member currently in the Dominican Republic:

Hi everyone. It is Wednesday afternoon now. It was so nice to get off the plane after 4 hours and I was hot with a t-shirt. On Sunday morning we went to church. At these services you sing and dance. On the way back, we didn't cross over a river on a bridge, but through the river on a cattle truck. Monday, Rachel and I went to Village 50 to lay block. You can see how bad their houses are where we haven't built the new houses yet. It is amazing how much hope that has given to these families. The people here are very genuine wonderful people. It tears your heart, but you can't help them all. One village a t a time, between White Fields Foundation and MGM, we are making a difference. These little kids sure like hugs. They don't want to let go. Tuesday we went to the Compassion International school. It was very impressive. Today I worked with Dan Jaussen on the baptismal cover. Rachel has learned a lot here as well. I thank God that He gave us this opportunity to serve.

Cory Cowan

Report from Dominican Republic: Cafe del Rey

Report from a Crossroads mission team member currently in the Dominican Republic:

I am in love with Cafe del Rey! As Dominican as it is, there is a familiar feeling as customers walk in and light up when they see Beka or Luciano behind the counter. Some come in just to talk without purchasing anything. Beka is certainly a part of the neighborhood. People drive by on scooters and yell greetings to her. She answers with a big smile, calling out their names. She is living as the heart and hands of Christ in Hato Mayor. It has been a privilege to watch her at work. Dan has done some repair work at the cafe, which has drawn some attention from curious passers-by. One man quizzed him on the Spanish words for tools, and he passed with flying colors! Suzy and I were part of a group that visited the Compassion school, what a wonderful experience. I feel more confident than ever in Compassion's work and integrity. Their efforts are intentional, well-executed, and a witness of Christ in this community. I am very grateful for this experience.

Martha Johnson

Report from Dominican Republic: Day 5

Day 5 in the Dominican Republic:

On Wednesday, the construction crew (Paul and Matt from Crossroads and Tom, Dave and Keven from Riverwood) painted a set of trusses on Ney's porch. They got half of the tin sheeting up. It looks great and they should be able to finish tomorrow.

The medical, dental, VBS, sports, prayer walk, and hair ministries were all out at Mangos Limpias, a village up in the hills. This was the first visit by a team to this village. During the prayer walk, we shared the Gospel with the families and prayed for their family.

When we arrived at the village, the children were still in school. We rounded up some children who did not attend school and gave them coloring books to color. After playing games with the children, the Gospel was shared with them. The children are beautiful!

The Harvest is Ripe!

Paul and Cindy Sereda

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More photos submitted by Marlene Murrin:

Sunrise during morning devotions.




Jenyl (Marilyn's daughter) worked laying block to enclose Ney's patio with a knee wall.




Marlene hard at work with a broom.




The medical team getting ready for the week by sorting the medicine into baggies for distribution through the pharmacy.




There's a lot of beauty, especially the flowers.

Report from Dominican Republic: Day 4

Day 4 in the Dominican Republic:

I've been working with the VBS the last two days. We gather the kids to sing and tell them a Bible story and pray. Then we do an activity with them. Today was a lot of fun as we did face painting. We started out by drawing on our arms and then the children could point to what they wanted to have. After I finished all the girls who had gathered around me, I let them paint my face. They were all giggling as one of the girls drew. I had a monkey on my cheek!

After that, a sports team came in to talk with the kids and I moved over to the hair ministry. The woman in charge, Marge, thought we washed about 30 heads of hair. This sounds simple, but all the girls have braids which had to be taken out. We were washing their hair over a big basin, then conditioning and brushing out before we rinsed. Other girls were combing their hair and braiding it back up. It's quite time consuming since some girls have many, many braids and their hair is so thick. In the meantime, we brought clippers with us and some of the men from the village took turns shaving the boys' heads.

The medical and dental teams were also working in the pastor's house and in the school. We started at the village around 10:00 am. My team left at 2:00 pm and there were still many people waiting in line for the medical help.

Please be praying for the medical people. There are a few doctors to oversee the group, but much of the work is being done by medical students. I had a chance to talk to some of them last night. They say they are really enjoying the work they are doing, but sometimes feel restricted by the circumstances. Imagine knowing you could help if only you had the right supplies. I know it must be frustrating for the students.

Please pray that God will give them peace and strength to do everything they can, to not grow weary in doing good, but also a heart that will stay with them as they go back to their studies and as they seek God's will in their lives.

The part of the day that will stick with me, however, was the ride to the village. We were in the back of a truck, standing together, holding on as we moved over bumps and going up and up into the hills. Some of the views were beautiful, looking out at the citrus trees. Most of us were taking in the scenery, but the native pastors who were riding with us were talking in Spanish (so I understood very little) and then one pulled out his Bible, flipped to a passage in Galatians and started reading to the other. Here, these men were discussing the Word of God while standing in the back of a moving vehicle, one holding onto the other as he held onto his Bible so he wouldn't be thrown around. How I wish I could have understood as they talked!

These are men dedicated to knowing more about God and sharing His word with others. Our leaders explained that what we're doing here supports them in the villages and opens doors for them to reach more people for God.

Jeanne Ball

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Some photos submitted by Marlene Murrin:

Report from Dominican Republic: Day 3

Day 3 in the Dominican Republic:

Our first day in the field was truly a blessing on several levels. As the medical team converged up on the village school, the town's people gathered with many children in tow. The dental clinic got underway which basically involved tooth pulling for tooth ache and teeth cleaning. The VBS focused on the creation today and the children learned some songs. The leaders shared the gospel with the children. After VBS, we began a hair ministry where a woman who is a beautician led a team of women in washing and braiding hair. This was a huge hit.

While all this was going on a group of folks traveled to Pastor Ney's hometown where he showed us the land he intends to plant his coffee field on. He wants to employ local Dominicans to work and process the coffee. This is a new venture which can be a great avenue for community development to start this micro-business.

We also walked through some very poor villages and some folks prayed with the locals. Words can't describe how grateful the people were for the medical care. God is good and we are seeing Him in the faces of the poor.

Jan Jaussen

Report from Dominican Republic: Day 2

Day 2 in the Dominican Republic:

Today was not like a normal Sunday. We had our own worship service with all of the people on the compound. We also rode into town to see the new park in downtown Hato Mayor. We watched as all the people, American and Dominican, gathered for some fellowship.

Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts.

Mary Jaussen

Report from Dominican Republic: Day 1

Day 1 in the Dominican Republic:

• Smooth journey from Cleveland to Hato Mayor.
• The first day of the pastor's wives conference was received well. Lots of excellent feedback.
• Construction team built a wall around the patio at Nay's house. A roof to follow next. When completed, it will be a good area for fellowship and gatherings.
• Sorted the donated clothes for Nay's wife's new store.

More soon..

Paul and Cindy Sereda

The Call to be a Pastor

We had a very good day in class. My friend Randy Pizzino is teaching on the Holy Spirit. He is doing an excellent job. I spoke today on the Cross as a Revelation of God. The men were very reponsive and have expressed that this week has been a time of much learning and spiritual refreshment. God has been among us and it has been a blessing. I am conscious of people praying for us. I have gotten very close to the men here. I wish all of you could come with me and meet these dear men. Many have paid a high price to be where they are. The sacrifice and poverty, subsistence living, all mixed with joy, humility, and love. They are so very grateful for the instruction. These men take their call as pastors so very seriously and labor so diligently. It is an honor to be with them.

Wednesday Photos from Zambia

Here are some pictures James took today during our teaching session.

Please Pray for Me: Having Reaction to Malaria Medication

Please pray for me. I have had a reaction to the malaria medication and am experiencing restlessness and anxiousness. I went to a missionary doctor here and he took me off the medication right away but he said the symptoms may continue for another week. He did put me on another medication for malaria and said he didn't want me unprotected since we were in a high malaria area. I don't want to alarm anybody, I just feel the need for prayer. I took a Tylenol PM last night and finally got a good night's sleep and felt more rested today. Otherwise I'm doing wonderful; the teaching is going very, very well. We had a chance to go to the men's homes; it certainly welled up emotions as the poverty was immense. Pray also for these dear brethren.

Conflicting Emotions

We had a great time with the men today. It was just so depressing after the seminar because I went with James to take the men home. Some live in "compounds". These are the poorest sections of the city. I was once again shocked at the poverty these pastors live in; small one or two room cement block unpainted subsistence living. I was noticing how much these men were eating at lunch -- easily twice what I eat -- then I realized this was their only meal for the whole day. I have had emotions all across the spectrum today: from incredible thankfulness at how I have lived my whole life (our little neighborhood is literally like an Eden compared to the dirt, garbage, dust and depressing places here), to guilt that I have even complained once, to great compassion and admiration for these men, to the amazement at their joy. These men cannot even imagine how we live. They are much less in touch with US than I realized. I tried to explain what our football is and just assumed everyone knew what American football is like... but they had never heard of it.

God has raised up some dedicated and wonderful workers here. I have been moved again at how much sacrifice the missionaries make to be here. Keep praying.

More Photos from Zambia

Here are some more photos. The building is where our class is being held. The family is our hosts: the Williamsons.

Pastoring Pastors

The conference is going vey well. These men are so dear and so hungry for the Word. The practical pastoral questions went so well that we went way overtime. I taught today on Union with Christ and for over 2 hours we covered many texts and the men felt that this was very helpful and clear. I joked with them that I am giving them sermon material for a year and we had a good laugh. These men are pastoring under very difficult circumstances with much poverty, orphans, and needs. They are making heroic efforts to reach people for Christ. The individual conversations have been very good. Randy, James, and I are having a good time talking and sharing.

First Teaching Day and First Nshima Experience

Just returned from the teaching. I believe we had a very good day. The men were very responsive and attentive. The men very much were challenged and humbled by the teaching on being Christ-centered men. They confessed that the culture in Zambia is much too personality oriented and about building their own personal kingdoms that Christ's. One man, whom I ate lunch with, was very moved and determined to live all out for Christ. He said he felt alone but was so encouraged to hear of others who felt as he did and he was tired of the compromised pastors in this city. It really is a shame that the prosperity gospel is so popular here. From what I can gather, the only one's who are prospering are the preachers. These men felt emboldened when they heard someone articulate what they felt was biblical but were somewhat intimidated by the health and wealth guys. TBN and other American TV stations have done immeasurable damage to the cause of Christ worldwide. These men are good men who are sacrificing so much to serve Christ here. Their sincerity and gentleness endears them to you almost immediately. James was surprised how quickly they caught on to my sense of humor!! He said he has not seen anything like that... I don't know if that was a compliment or not!!!

Lunch was a cultural experience. Poor Randy found out the hard way. We lined up for the meal and it looked like we were having chicken, mashed potatoes, spinach, and a gravy. So when Randy was served the potatoes he took the gravy ladle from the lady and poured it on his potatoes. She gave me the oddest look like... "I have never seen that before". I realized something was up so I just did what the Zambians did. You can imagine Randy's dismay when he got to the end of the line and there was no silverware. The reason was that we were not having mashed potatoes; we were having Nshima. It is a corn meal (like grits) but boiled down to be like (although a little more stiffer) mashed potatoes. You roll some in your hand and then use that piece as a scoop to eat the rest of your meal. So Randy's Nshima was very wet to work with. Hence no silverware. Zambians say you have not really eaten until you have had Nshima...so now I have really eaten!!!