Evangelical Campaign in the Dominican Republic 2013

1. Dominican Republic Evangelical CampaignCrieve Hall Church of ChristMarch 17th-24th, 2013

2. Purpose To edify the members of four congregations northwest of Santo Domingo To bring Spanish speaking non-Dominican leaders to a leadership conference To do puppet shows and other activities for the local children To have specific classes for women To learn how the Dominicans live, work, and go about performing their ministry

3. Team Members Team Members in the Campaign John, Judy, Justin & Jacob Hammond Jacabo & Marcela Chalco Tracy “Girl” Blair Courtney Walton Toni Tarole Joel Boone Julio Estrada – flew in from Costa Rica

4. group at the airport ready to go

5. Leaving Nashville on Sunday

6. Julio Estrada, former Crieve Hall member, joined us from Costa Rica

7. Missionaries Pueblo Nuevo Edilio & Inez de los Santos Emiliano & Gisela Roble Los Americanos Pedro & Reina Vasquez Eulalio & Sara Mejia Rafael Urbaez Valle Encantado Luis Matos* Esaul Urbaez* Cotui Natalio & Idalia de los Santos Francisco Vasquez *not supported by Crieve Hall

8. The Average Dominican – blue can is for non- potable water used for bathing or flushing the toilet

9. Notes on Compensation • Average laborer makes less that $200 a month • Hourly wage may project to $600 on an American work week, but consistent employment is the problem • Minimum wage for non-agriculture workers is $130 in the free trade zones • Minimum wage for non-agriculture workers is $120-190 outside free trade zones • Public sector employees make less, maybe $70 a month • Agriculture workers can expect $4 a day, $2.50 for sugar cane • Our missionaries are making about 4-6 times the average

10. Cost of Living • Rent runs $5000 to 7500 pesos a month or $130-$200 • The average person does not own a car, but they are a valuable tool, transportation limited • Gas is at $6 a gallon • Food prices are much lower, but they eat less and never eat out: $200 for a family • Utilities will run $40 for electricity, $20 for water, $20 for television, do not have lots of clothes • Missionaries are very comfortable, and wages are sufficient; they are saving money • 1 person with a decent income supports as many as 8-10 individuals

11. A unique blend of European, African, and Native American

12. Dominican children

13. typical Dominican houses

14. Typical Dominican houses

15. Chuch of Christ in Los Rieles – many churches meet in shacks

16. Sunday evening - Monday Sunday eat dinner with the main group ½ group attends church at Pueblo Nuevo ½ group attends church at Los Americanos Monday Bought food and some basic supplies Julio & Jacobo attended preacher’s conference at Pueblo Nuevo Visited “shut-in” members of Pueblo Nuevo including Bro. Mercedes Tracy and Marcela teach women’s classes in the afternoon upstairs Puppet show downstairs for 120 kids

17. house where we all stayed

18. lodging for campaigners

19. kitchen for campaigners

20. Pueblo Nuevo Congregation of 45 members Ownership of building is secure with title Crieve Hall has provided about $16,000 of assistance on the building Building appears to be a good investment Classrooms and divisions of groups such as women, younger vs. older children, and new believers are very important to church growth Building is quite stout, but 2nd floor still lacks, windows, electricity, plumbing, and paint Crieve Hall is not quick to invest in buildings, but there are no options to rent nor are there open fields; homes can hold only about 30

21. Edilio de los Santos baptized in 1974, supported by Crieve Hall since 1985 Established several churches with father, Santo Vasquez & brother, Pedro Vasquez 58 yrs old, in good health 2nd oldest of 14 children educated at Baxter caretaker of vehicle purchased by Crieve Hall Married to Inez, not pictured

22. Emiliano Roble & wife, Gisela • performs the work of a deacon • capable teacher • splits preaching with Edilio • wife is on dialysis

23. Men gather for preacher’s conference

24. Church in March 2012

25. Church in March 2012

26. Church in November 2012

27. Unfinished but much improved interior – March 2013

28. Joel discusses puppet show scripts with Sara, Benjamin, and Carlos

29. From the roof of Pueblo Nuevo

30. Sisters who prepared lunch

31. Toddler falls asleep on Judy’s shoulder

32. Some women and children from the congregation with CH ladies

33. - roasted chicken*- bell peppers- rice - potatoes- tomatoes & onions- lettuce & mayo garnish- plantains Monday lunch *typical Dominican chicken marinated in a mojo of sour orange juice and smothered in oregano

34. Tracy teaches the women in 2nd floor of Pueblo Nuevo

35. Marcela starts her class

36. 120 kids show up an hour early for puppet shows and class

37. conference breaks in evening

38. Some of the men after conference – attendance @ 40

39. Visiting “shut-ins” in Pueblo Nuevo; Roman Mercedes (left) helped teach at church, but now has kidney cancer

40. Tuesday Valle Encantado(Enchanted Valley) Distributed literature in the morning Had puppet show, bible class and singing for no fewer than 235 children Tracy & Marcela evangelized the women of the community in bible classes Socialized with members of the community including some impromptu baseball At night 2 hour praise and worship service with Julio preaching an invitational message

41. Valle Encantado

42. Luis Matos & Esaul Urbaez

43. Luis Matos educated through Baxter correspondence courses very capable speaker Congregation 4 yrs old Has had at 17 baptisms in 2012 Making in roads with young men of the community Works a great deal with Edilio and Pedro not supported by CH

44. On a hazy morning Esaul door knocks in Valle Encantado

45. Rafael & Judy about to door knock; white man next to Judy is Martin Cerneus, a Dutch Christian who lives part of the year in the D.R.

46. Tuesday lunch: Sancocho – typical Dominican Three Meat Stew

47. Julio gets ready to do puppets; Rafael hugs his niece

48. 235 kids watch a puppet show in a church smaller than this room

49. Toni surrounded by children

50. Team members, missionaries, and some VE members at sunset