Rev. Dan McMiller is in the Domican Republic (DR) March 2-9, 2010, to assist in theological education, confirmation classes and preaching for relief to missionary Rev. Ted Krey. The mission team is helping with Haiti relief.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Last night we had Confirmation class with 15 people outside Edward's home near Palmar Arriba. There were chairs for about 8. Others sat on stumps or the protruding foundation of Edward's humble house and one couple stood the entire hour.

The house is smaller than a one car garage. Edward is about 20. He is a leader. He is not well educated but he has authority in the neighborhood. He was married in the young mission and had his baby baptized there. He likely will not become a pastor, but he loves the church and his support is a great example to a lot of young men.

While Walter taught, the dirt road just 5 feet away was busy with traffic. Trucks, motorcycles, cars, sellers and pedestrians created a non-stop rumble and screech even though this location is somewhat rural.

About 80 feet away, 5 people shouted at other people passing by, laughed and even tried to initiate conversations with the people in the class - all by shouting. An older woman in the class would startle me from time to time by yelling at the top of her lungs at people in the street, "Hey where are you going? ... Where is so and so?”...etc. But Walter kept teaching with energy, great questions and insight and detail. He has matured greatly as a teacher and leader.

We were there over an hour. Walter is able as we gather to joke and kid and get everyone laughing, but then was all business taking the people through the last two parts of the Lord's Supper. This was one of the last of about 30 classes in preparation for the confirmation of the 8 in attendance. The class will resume again in the near future bringing to "completion" the classes of those who recently started coming.

Later we went up to the school and had services. About 55 were in attendance. More young adults are coming. I preached. There was no electricity all day in Palmar Arriba, but we had a generator and three light bulbs. Looking out the windows of the school I saw that on the top of the hill all was pitch dark, and then some hard rain came down. Yet, 55 people gathered in the night with joy and appreciation. The offering was designated for the aunt of one of the guitar players who has cancer. She is 30.

Announcements followed and adults were invited to Rev. Harvey Lange's class on Friday. The cost of $1.50 includes the class, a ride to and from Santiago, lunch and materials, and also "the company of Pastor Walter who will drive the van and this is alone is worth the 50 pesos." All laughed. Edward then stood up and said "We want the young people to come. No children. This is important."

Today we have a Church and Ministry class with Ramon in the morning, then off to Santo Domingo for class with Joseph and Wille on Articles 19 and 20 in the Augsburg Confession and the Apology. Walter has the morning class and I the afternoon.