A Trip of Purpose

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A Trip of Purpose In The Spotlight
 
 
 
 
 
   VBS: Marketplace 29 A.D.
   Relections on Hurricane Isabel
   Fall Notes


The Dominican Republic, long an outreach of prayer for Haitian Coordinator William Bertrand, neighbors Haiti and shares the island of Hispaniola in the West Indies.

During March 2002, the Mission Board sent Area Superintendent Wayne Evans and William Bertrand to the Dominican Republic to explore an extension of ministry to Haitians living there. They arrived in DR with lots of prayer and no leads, but God opened doors in the most remarkable way. William's eye glasses broke and, through the process of fixing them, God brought about His purposes and they were led to Pastor Daniel Jeanvier's home in La Romana, D.R. "The succession of events and contacts truly mirrored that of Peter's visit to Cornelius' home in Acts 10," explained Wayne Evans.

Pastor Jeanvier had already begun a home church and had been praying for support and guidance. All agreed that the Lord was leading EFC-ER to pursue this new venture. The Mission Board responded with a small amount of support, and correspondence has been maintained through Bertrand.

Bertrand and Evans (along with Jarrod Evans) returned to La Romana in August, 2003, to find that there are now four churches around La Romana with a collective average attendance of 193! At the joint service, over 140 attended with many of them standing in the dark outside the tin-roofed shed church. Since most of the attenders only speak Spanish, Evans' sermon was first given in English, translated by Bertrand into Creole, and translated again into Spanish by one local church leader. Music came from improvised instruments and vibrant singers.

What began as a home church, has been moved twice in the past two years to its current location, a tin-roofed shed. Pastor Jeanvier has had to enlarge the shed and knows that he will need to move again soon. Attendance in this one church has reached 82 and is still growing.

During the visit, a local Sunday School teacher spoke of the need for their church to support missions worldwide. Funds are tight for these poverty-stricken Haitians living in Dominican Republic and all four pastors support themselves with secular jobs. But over the past year, they have already sent two mission offerings to the Nutrition Center in Haiti as a sign of their commitment to the Great Commission.

May the Lord grant these young churches open doors to match their open hearts for the sake of the Gospel.


Missionaries sent to England and Rwanda
Evangelical Friends are reaching out in the areas where Christ calls them to respond. This fall, Eastern Region sent two families into opposite corners and cultures of the world.

Dr. Dan and Rhonda Mitchell recently moved to Rwanda, Africa. Dan will be directing the surgical services and teaching nurses, medical students and physicians at the Free Methodist Hospital in Kibogoga Rwanda. Rhonda, a registered nurse, will be focusing on homeschooling their three children; Danny, Madeline, and Joseph, and hosting visitors to their area of Africa.

Glenn and Debbie Mack along with their five children; Marshall, Elle, Mitchell, Gabby, and Mason, have recently moved to Bath, England. The Mack Family have a heart for homechurch development and evangelism in England. They are reaching out to the community around them.

Please pray for both families as they adjust to new cultures and many ministry opportunities.