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.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Thursday was a long day, so Friday was a chance to recharge the battery. Walter and I studied in the morning and in the late morning I went on a 6 mile run.

It has been overcast and cool - mid 70's. Within a quarter mile in this city of a million I took a corner around a high brick wall in a nice neighborhood and just about ran into the rear end of a very large cow which was chomping on someone's garbage. Within a mile of the run I had passed about 20 cows, some of which meandered down the middle of the streets. People hardly looked at me as I ran by. I could see the country in neighborhoods and even around some busy commercial areas from a good vantage point.

After a late lunch, Walter and I studied some more and later Walter went to Genesis school to have a church service for the children while Ana Ries and I went to the airport to pick up Rev. Harvey Lange and his wife Carol. Dr. Lange and Carol decided to take a vacation in the DR and added two days onto the trip to teach a course on the Book of Matthew (through translators - mainly yours truly).

The Langes were surprised but happy to see me since my presence here was a last minute decision. (Harvey and my father went to prep school, college and seminary together.) Walter called us while we were at the airport. Diamela, the director of Genesis school, cancelled church. The children all went home early since it was an abbreviated exam day. Walter was disappointed since many of the children would have gladly walked back to the school for church.

We arrived at the Ries home with the Langes and used the late afternoon for Walter and Ana to tell the story of the mission to the Langes. By 5:00 pm Ted, Rebecca and baby Esther had arrived from their much needed 4 day get away. The relationship building and getting acquainted continued into the evening as well as detailed discussions about the lectures on Matthew; content, length and translation. The Langes stayed with the Kreys in a guest room. Ted and I, having seen each other for the first time since last summer, talked mission almost till midnight, at which time I walked back to the Ries home.

A good day; and all were eager for the Saturday lectures and fellowship with the members of the mission. Best of all much was being done without much added work for the missionaries.