I am traveling, flying to Dominican Republic for strategic
planning and reconnect with our partners there. STAY TUNNED….
I left Charlotte, NC at 1:45pm with a 2 hours transit in
Miami. Miami to Santo Domingo took about 2 h15 min. The plane left on time as scheduled and
arrived in Santo Domingo at 8:30 pm on a
clear, warm with a cool breezy evening at the Aeropuerto Internacional Las
Americas. That was unusual!!!
After clearing the immigration and the customs, taxi drivers
were outside trying to get me to pay for a ride. Pastor Mario was already there
to welcome and pick me up for a ride to
Villa Mella. Both legs of the trips were
nice. Charlotte-Miami Miami-Santo Domingo. No turbulence. We flew at 37,000
feet and avoided much of it.
WOW. Nice landing by the pilots. That was very smooth. I
expected the bump as wheels touched the ground.
A 45 minutes ride to North Santo Domingo provided a time to
relax and look at the night lights. Dinner was ready. Got to see our friends JT
and Angie Thomas and their 3 kids and shared briefly.
Fatigue is setting in. It is 11:45 pm and time to go to
sleep. So good to see all of our friends again. Praise GOD for this beautiful
time to travel and for your provisions.
MONDAY JULY 4th
Happy Birthday America!! Fireworks, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers,
Pizzas,… Friends and Family gather to celebrate and have FUN Parades in the
streets of certain cities.
Well, I am in Dominican Republic. No hot dogs and hamburgers, but rather La Bandera Dominicana (rice, beans, salad and some kind of meat) plus juice(s). Fellowship with friends playing Domino game. Talk a lot of Spanish instead of English. I saw pastors Libni and Washington who were here to help Pastor Mario do some work at his house.
Well, I am in Dominican Republic. No hot dogs and hamburgers, but rather La Bandera Dominicana (rice, beans, salad and some kind of meat) plus juice(s). Fellowship with friends playing Domino game. Talk a lot of Spanish instead of English. I saw pastors Libni and Washington who were here to help Pastor Mario do some work at his house.
A chance to meet John Alex (my God-son) face to face was
very intriguing for me What an honor and privilege!! It has been an incredible
3 years journey for the Thomas family to get to this point.
Pastor Mario and I left to go run some errands and then back
home.
I am very tired. I am going to take a nap. It turned out to
be a 3 hr long nap. It has been raining heavy, and at time thundering and
storming. Other time just a quiet rain which allowed me the chance to sleep
soundly.
I am awake now. It is 9pm. Every one else is going to sleep.
Mario Jose and I are up late at night watching “Hot Rod Cars” being built
somewhere in the US. I decided to read a book to relax my thoughts -“Eternity in their Hearts” and a chapter
from the Bible. Time to put lights out and go to sleep! Tomorrow is a new day,
Lord willing..
TUESDAY JULY 5th
WHO NEEDS AN ALARM CLOCK to wake you up when you have
roosters, then dogs barking helping you to get up?
A small excursion at a local neighborhood gymnasium (25
pesos to get in) got me started and I was ready to go on with my day. JT is
sitting doing some work in his street office. A special/specific place right
there where he can get phone reception, like an area the size of 3 feet square.
The Kids are enjoying themselves. Pastor Mario has some neighbors helping him
straighten some avocado branches that are leaning about to crack. I have eaten
avocados from this tree and they are delicious! They will not really be full
grown until September.
Time to go to La Sirena to buy some provisions and get a
battery put in my watch that had stopped to work. Pastor Mario and I stopped by the Headquarter
of the Church of God denomination to talk to the Rector about Marriage
Conference.
Went to meet a lady from Pastor Mario’s church whose husband
was electrocuted and died trying to help an elderly neighbor connect
electricity in her house. He died and left 6 children age 18 to 6. She is
struggling in life. NEEDS HELP!!!!!!
Back to Pastor Mario’s house to wait for a team of doctors
who collaborate with us doing medical mission work so we can talk and plan
about 2012 trips.
WEDNESDAY JULY 6th
Traveled to La Victoria, a municipality North of Santo
Domingo, to meet with civic and church leaders about plans for next year
medical mission trip back in their area. They are excited and have buses ready
to bus people in from several other neighboring municipalities such as Hacienda
Estrella, etc… Went to a juice store in Hacienda Estrella. Drank 4 glasses of
pure and naturally made juices of chinola, lemonade, hagua, and pinea. I am
stuffed!!! I am going to have a belly pop.
Had another meeting to discuss and plan for February 2012
medical missions. Great meetings!!! Well done. Praise God for allowing us the
opportunity to meet with these folks without any hick ups. Amen!!
THURSDAY JULY 7th
Good morning Santo Domingo!!! My natural alarm clock woke me
up, plus the electricity was out the whole night until 4 o’clock this morning.
So I am ready to wake up but it is 4 am. What to I do? I guess I will read
some.
A 1 hour workout at
7am at the local gymnasium set me in a mood to get things going. After a light
breakfast, we just hung out for a bit waiting for the driver of the van could
get here to pick up JT and Angie and
family to go for a run into the city. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGIE. JT’s favor place to go is a juice and
sandwich place called BARAN PAYAN, then Mercado modelo to buy some souvenirs,
El Conde and see Columbus House.
Pastor Mario and I left to travel to La Romana to meet with
the church planters (3 churches) and their supervisors. A stop at Juan Dolio
and Boca Chica would suffice. I was so tired and Hungry. Also sleepy. Remember
I was up since 4am. This road trip added on another dimension to my fatigue.
Reconnecting with our friends from La Romana was essential. Seeing some of the
work our different short term teams have done in the past was gratifying. God
allowed us the privilege and honor to raise funding to see a church/community
center built in a poor community of La Romana in Los Mulos.
Back to Santo Domingo during rush hour traffic. You need to
be in it to see it for yourself. It beats I-485 and I-77 North and South bound.
It puts to shame South boulevard or Park Road or even Independence boulevard
near Matthews coming from Uptown in Charlotte, NC – because of the way driving
is done. Everyone for themselves when it is time to go.
At the house, Olivia Thomas and Deyanira Rodriguez are
really beating everyone else at a Domino game. It is time for me to relax and
reflect on my days since arriving here on Sunday night.
FRIDAY JULY 8th
Well, 5 days ago since I arrived, things are well. It keeps
raining every day and cooling the weather down.
Today we are on our way to meet with Campana and Associates lawyers to
see about John Alex. Things went well, the meeting was pleasant.
We need to go to a photo studio to get a couple of passport pictures for J.
Alex. It is about time to give the taste buds what they need. Time to chow
down. JT
and the kids love Barran Payan. It is a famous local sandwiches and
natural juices place that has an incredible ambiance for those visiting for the
first time and/or returning customers. I
love it too.
By the time we got back to Pastor Mario’s house, it was
later in the day. I just needed to close my eyes. The trip is going well. I am
getting everything that need to be done – done. It is hot right now, but it
looks like it will rain very shortly.
Truly enough, rain has come. It is evening and the heat is
cooling down. I am reflective about the ministry and how much impact we are
making here. I am meeting a lot of local people (church members, friends of the
pastor, others in the community). It is good to network with people and be
relational. Does that contribute to BGA doing what we need to do well? Everything
becomes the sum of bits and pieces.
The night is young . Lights have finally come on. So I can actually read something. Please continue to pray for us that Doors and/or opportunities will open for us to share the gospel. It is happening. If you know Pastor Mario, he has NO problem approaching anyone, talking to anybody or otherwise. It is contagious.
SATURDAY JULY 9th
It is early in the morning. I am fascinated by Pastor
Mario’s morning routine. He gets up, feeds all of his chicken. He has a mini
farm going on here. He knows what and how they all look like. He knows when his
chickens are laying eggs and goes all around the bushes around his house
picking up these eggs. His chickens know when it is time to feed and they will
come running once he sits outside in a green plastic arm chair around the back
of the house… Imagine being in South Charlotte in a neighborhood and having 150
chickens running around and no one saying anything!!! He has a little farm
going on here. It is similar to going to Africa, Southeast Asia, South America
and seeing goats, lambs, chickens, ducks and others roaming around. This is
what makes our partnerships unique and authentic. Being that they are in their
own localities and adhering to their own set of values. We accept them as they
are and where they are. We can NOT change their ways just as they can NOT
change our ways. We accept each other as followers of Jesus Christ out to touch
one person at a time and changing the world. Together united in mission. It is
beautiful. It brings reality to me and what I get to see, reflect upon and
think about community, society and they way of life by people in other parts of
the world different than mine. I love it.
People are friendly. They greet and wave at you. They stop
by to shake your hand and wonder why they have not see you for some time.
It is raining again. This day has been wonderful, peaceful
and reflective for me. I am thinking about tomorrow and the road trip to Puerto
Plata where I will be part of a delegation of 30 people going to support the
church of the Tabernacle of Adoration led by Pastor Tomas Cabrera.
A game of dominos at night makes everyone competitive,
excited and cool down from the stress of the day. Dominos along with Baseball
are two of Dominican Republic pastime activities.
SUNDAY JULY 10th
I am up at 4:30 am so I can shave, shower, and get ready for the busy that will be
coming to pick us up at 6:00 am to go to Puerto Plata. From North Santo Domingo
to Puerto Plata, it is a 4 hours trip. 30 people sit in this nice 35 passengers
Toyota Coaster mini bus. I elect to sit all the way in the back, in the corner,
so that I can either sleep or read a couple of books I am taking for the ride.
Besides fellowshipping with these friends, brothers and sisters, there will be
some down time I will have to myself.
Froylan Perez, one of the nicest and kind man in Pastor
Mario’s church leads the devotion while the bus is moving, prays for us and
then leads about 7 songs that everyone chimed in in Spanish. I recognize the tunes,
but not all the words.
I see young men and women who are now grown, some of whom I
saw as babies and kids when I began coming to Dominican Republic. Wow, time
flies when you are on a good team, Jesus’ team.
We made good time, arriving in Puerto Plata just as the
church was starting at 10:30 am. The hymns, special music, the singing by
everyone, the preaching by the Superintendent of the churches reading from
Exodus 14:13-14 whose theme was “Porque Claman a mi, dile a mi pueblo que
marchant”. He charged, urged the pastors to carry on, the parishioners to make
their church a place where new believers can find their places and voices so
that the gospel can spread. Many invited guests (pastors) were there. They
prayers, gave their benedictions. Pastor Mario and I represent the “Church
Planting Movement “ began by Forest Hill Church here in Dominican Republic
several years, of which Pastor Mario continues to be our partner and Dominican
Coordinator alongside the Evangelical Free Methodist Denomination. I played his
American counterpart for Forest Hill Church. Where do we go from here?? We both
spoke and gave thanks for the invitation.
Lunch for everyone is at the church. Every body ate well.
People began to disperse to go back to their homes and other places. I saw many
friends from my times and visits to Puerto Plata.
It is time to go back to Santo Domingo. We load up the bus,
and everyone pretty much goes back to their original sitting places. Some
lively conversations are taking places here between the 16, 17, 18 to 35 to 40
and 50 year olders. For the young people, they are about future with spouses,
dating, and school work. Some parents who are on the bus, could not do or say
anything, but listen. I listened. I chimed in bit when my opinion was asked.
Well. It is interesting!!! We make it back to Santo Domingo at 7:30 pm, tired,
hungry, sleepy and all. The bus takes everyone else to their original pick up
stations. Great day for God’s Kingdom and a temple that was dedicated for Him
where many poor kids and families will come to fellowship with and know the
Lord. Buenas Noches!!!
MONDAY JULY 11th
Buenos Dia JP! Como durmiste? Bien, I said. That was the
Pastor asking me as I came out of my room after taking my shower and getting
myself together. Bueno, sientate. Sit down. He was watching TV. Que esta
pasando? I asked him. Hay una Huelga anivel national. There is a strike on a
national level.
Basically, the whole country is sitting still. There is a
strike. Nobody is moving from their homes for fear of getting caught in the
streets where people may be burning tires and blocking roads. They are striking
because the cost of living is going up and up and salaries remain the same.
Well, we had plans to go run errands and do things. So this
day, I am obviously staying home. He is staying home. No taxi is running.
Nobody is moving. Be home and that is what we are going to do today. Read,
watch some news to keep up with this strike, sit outside on the patio to play
Dominos, be creative and enjoy your free time.
I had to write some letters to give to some local leaders. I
went to see a member of the church that had a printer. While printing my
letter, it broke down. I then stayed at these church members home and began to
play Dominos with them. Before I knew it I was 9:45 pm and it began to rain. It
just is a walk up the street from Pastor Mario’s house. They had to bring me
back so I would not get wet. I played a lot of Dominos games (4 people). We won
some and lost some. That is ok.
Tomorrow is a new day. Check to see if there is carry over
of the strike before getting on the road. We are planning a trip to Nagua.
Has anything been resolved? What is the outcome of the
strike? No one talks. Move on..
TUESDAY JULY 12th
Buenos Dia Hermano. Como durmiste? Que pasa. Good morning
brother. How did you sleep? What is happening? I am ready. Time for departure
to Nagua is in about 1 hour. We have several meetings in Nagua and also visit
the orphanage in the Colegio Alfa complex. We have worked at this complex for
several years doing medical work as well as repairing and building playground
for the kids in this orphanage. We have painted the whole complex and cut grass
to keep the place livable and safe for the kids.
The new highway to Nagua and Samana is quick and cut down
your travel time by half from the old way we used to travel several years back.
The 3 tolls you have to pay are ok, granted you are getting to your destination
faster. Don Francisco rest and eatery place was a saving grace. We all were
hungry and needed and bathroom break. A couple of pieces of pork chop, fried
plantains, sweet potatoes, yuka and a coke made it possible to carry on our
journey. We arrived at the orphanage well. We dropped off the Thomas family who
were there to play and visit with the kids. It was nostalgic and memorable to
see these kids again.
Pastor Mario and I went on to several meetings to meet with
the church planters and their mentors. Pastor Manuela and her husband Rey,
Pastor Tomas De Jesus, etc… to catch up, discuss marriage conference,
discipleship, medical missions and others. At the end, the meetings were
fruitful.
We stopped at a local supermarket/ grocery store to buy
supplies for the orphanage. It is getting to be time for us to go back to Sto
Dgo. The weather is again threatening with rain. Rain has been a constant here.
This is the reversal of season. It is Summer time and it is raining so much and
daily in this country.
Back in Sto Dgo, La Sirena supermarket is always a good
place where you can find anything. We purchased what was necessary and headed
on home.
Welcome back!!
WEDNESDAY JULY 13th
I woke up so early at 4 am. No more sleep!!! Time to spend
with the Lord and in prayer. Tried to go back to sleep but it was impossible. I
caught with Pastor Mario who was already outside at 630 am feeding his
chickens. After a while, I went back in
to read a book. “Secrets of Leadership”.
It is 930 am. So we are taking the Thomases to see their
Adoption Lawyer and the judge. Things are a bit off skelter here. They happen
as you go. So we have to be there even though there is not a planned
appointment with the judge. After 30
minutes, the lawyer showed up. So much back and forth
whether we will be seen or not. Finally it happens. The judge sees the Thomases
and there is hope in why we are here at the cout. It is 12:45 pm, it is a good
thing if we can go to Barran Payan, our favored Sandwiches and Natural juices
place. YEAAHH, everyone votes for it. So there we go.
Completo, Pierna y pollo, jamon y queso sandwiches plus
Granadillo, Zapote, mango, melon juices con leche evaporado made big sense. I
am telling. Once you eat from this place and enjoy the ambiance, you forget
some of your worries. Sometimes I like to people watch and see hoe the locals
are enjoying their favored eatery.
A quick visit with the friends of the Thomases in Arroyo
Hondo allowed for a time to get away. We
are finally going back to the house. It has been a long day. It is 4:30 pm.
At 6:45 pm, I am riding the Dominican Metro system on my way
to the stop at the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo. It actually is nice.
There are guards in each car for security and protection of passengers I
thought. People are talking to each other. Some are quiet if they do not know
you. I joked with someone about people keeping to themselves. He said that they
are busy thinking about how they can provide for their families the next day.
That is why they are quiet in this island country where people are friendly. A
drive to the malecon is nice at night, with lights reflecting on the water.
Dinner at Adrian Tropical Restaurant is nice. Typical. I am a juice lover. So I
order Jugo Caribbeano (mango, pineapple, strawberry, chinola or passion fruit)
all together. Yummy!! The sitting is right on the ocean. If you have your car
keys and you do not keep them safe, they may drop in the Caribbean sea.
It is late, time to go home. What are the plans for tomorrow
Pastor Mario? I would like to be prepared and be ready for our trip to La Roman
again. We are being called for a couple of meetings.
THURSDAY JULY 14th
You know by now the routine. I always see the pastor outside
feeding his chickens and checking for eggs that have been laid by his birds. He
checks to make sure none are sick and if they are, he finds meds for them. I
curiously watch and it is fascinating to me. For me, I love to walk my shit zus
and play with them, or ride with them in the car. It is a pastime…
We pray together as we are prepare to go to La Romana. We
are meeting with our church planters and other pastors in this city to talk
strategy about what they are doing. I am observing, but also advising. We talk
about marriage conferences, how By Grace Alone Ministries is figuring out in
all that we’ll be doing in Dominican Republic in the future and elsewhere.
We are to meet with the Governor and Senator of El Seibo
along with the local Free Methodist Pastor as they are interested in
collaborating in a medical mission program. The focus is to support the local
church and be a vehicle for outreach for them. More negotiations still need to
take place. We are focusing on a BGA/FH medical trip in DR for February and a
BGA medical trip in March 2012.
This is a season for lots of fruits in Dominican Republic.
There are mangos and pineapples to die for. There is a town or city called
Cotui, in the Cibao region. If you buy from a vendor and eat a pineapple that
has grown from this area, you will wish you had a 10 gallons stomach to keep
eating more. They are so fresh, sweet and juicy. Anyway, I just did that. 4
pineapples between Pastor Mario and myself on our way back to Santo Domingo.
Back in Santo Domingo for another meeting with the medical
doctors who will be working with us in both February and March 2012.
A dominos game always brings everyone together. I played
hard and well. The two Thomas girls are becoming champion competitive dominos
players against a well known neighborhood hard hitter Bolivar. You should see
their excitement and focus. So we played throughout much of the night until it
was time to go to bed. This game keeps us sane.
Tomorrow is a new day. I have several errands to run before
leaving later in the day. Go to La
Victoria and meet with the Alcade of the municipality, etc…
FRIDAY JULY 15th
Buenos dia Pastor. Buenos dia mi hermano. Todo bien? Si. Creo que si. Gracias a Dios.
Here is a morning welcome and salute. I am ready to do a few things to get
myself ready.
Go to see JT and family to see how they are doing. See you
in a couple of hours, I told them. Pastor and I have to go to La Victoria and
run a few errands.
Travel to La Victoria took about a half hour. We deliver
what we are taking to them for next year medical missions. Everyone is happy.
We have to stop at the money exchange office to get some $$ into pesos.
Back to the house. We are taking a friend, member of the
church to the airport so she can travel to Puerto Rico with her 2 kids. Busy!!
The Pastor stays on the go all the time. After finding out that I will not be
going home to the USA today, I am back at Pastor’s house to relax and plan for
the rest of activities.
It is raining again. WOW, I feel like I am in an equatorial
climate or in Seatlle Washington where it rains every day. Ironically, this is
good. Since it is hot right now, this rain cools things down. It is a blessing.
The Pastor and I have commented on this several times. His wife has traveled to
Santiago to a Women’s conference for the weekend. So it is JP, Pastor Mario and
the kids.
John Alex Thomas is very playful and got me to do some
exercises. We walked the neighborhood for about 6 laps. He is very energetic.
Time to rest, relax and call my wife home to let her know I
will not be home today!!!
SATURDAY JULY 16th
It is Saturday. I get to read more, relax, do some exercise,
and then have a big glass of a Freshly prepared juice by Pastor Mario’s wife.
She is so wonderful!!! This is a season for Mangoes, bananas, pineapples and
more fresh fruits that are sweetened from their branches, not in boxes. Ha Ha!!
My work out went well. No fans and/or air in the gymnasium.
Workout the old fashioned way. Sweat and all. I see many Dominican locals
working out, young men and women, doing exercises. It is good. A walk back to
P. Mario’s house is relaxing, my time to enjoy nature. Dogs barking, chickens
running around, people already going out for whatever they need to town. I am
seeing day workers coming around looking for employment. Great!
Take time JP to relax. I am reading a book and finishing up
on a few things. I get this big glass of freshly squeezed juice. Whoa.
Neighbors and guests come in and out looking for the pastor.
JP quieres ir conmigo? No hermano. Me voy a quedar aqui a la
casa. So the pastor leaves me behing.
At 2pm, I am leaving with the Thomas family to go to the
National Zoological Park. We got to see Panthers, Crocos, Rhineceros, Zebras, a
variety of parrots called Lori somethings, Lions, Hyenas, etc…. It is nice for
all of us riding a choo choo train going around this rain forest looking zoo
that was built by Dominican Engineers back in 1975. After that, a trip to Mega
Centro Mall on Careterra Mella is sufficient. A fun time looking for some
Cubaveras and Chacabanas for JT and J. Alex.
I am picked up for a meeting that was magnificent. We talked
about lots of things to do with ministry and how BGA ministries would like to
do more in Dominican Republic. Stay tuned as God leads us in this direction to
fulfill the vision I have.
SUNDAY JULY 17th
The Pastor is always up before everyone. A time for personal
prayer, watch an Enlace ministry program on TV, then some sports news. I am
getting up quickly and ready to get going.
Buenos dia Hermano? Bueno dia. In Dominican Republic. (S) at
end of words is sometimes silent., depending on who you are talking with. I
have to get ready so we can go to church. Today is John Alex Thomas’ dedication
at the church in El Eden.
The service was great. Personal testimony from JT about
their new son. Testimony from Olivia and Bailey about their brother. Pastor
Mario shared about the family, then went into the whole process of dedication.
Everyone in the church is great. We reconnect with many friends as we are
moving through the church. I see Drs Victor Alcantara and Rosmery Rodriguez. I
see some old friends. It is good!!
I drive everyone home and then come back to pick up Pastor
Mario who was counseling a young man from church on his life.
We received a personal invitation to a complex an 1 hour
away from Santo Domingo. To retreat from the huzzle and buzzle of the city, to
swim, eat, play and enjoy ourselves. I am driving the car with the Thomas in
it. Pastor and his family are in another car. The scenic view is breath taking.
The complex itself is amazing. We are taking some souvenir pictures. Our host
is kind and well-known. I enjoyed playing pool table and lost a few games.
After several hours, we are driving back to Sto Dgo so that
I can go to another meeting this evening with several doctors who collaborate
with us on medical missions. My work is not finished. I have to network and get
to know people and meet new ones. This is part of sharing your needs and hopes
with others so they know you want them and that you can count on them as well.
It is 1130pm and we are going back home to rest and reflect
upon all that just happened this whole day.
God is good. I made good contacts with people. Let the
future take its course.
MONDAY JULY 18th
I am quickly awake and ready to go to the gymnasium just to
do something. Wake up!! After the work out, I am back at the house for a good
conversation of memories and reflection with the Pastor’s wife. The Pastor
comes back from where he went and chimed in. It was good. Just a light morning.
We looked at avocados. They have a beautiful tree that puts out real big
avocados. Delicious. They will be ready by September. Watch out!!!
I am quickly in the shower and ready for the day. I have an
appointment with the Thomases to go to the Market and Barra Payan. These are
two important places that anyone coming to Santo Domingo needs to go to. The
market place is where you buy all of your souvenir. It is of course a tourist
trap, but you understand how to negotiate. Barra Payan is a sandwich and juice
place that should be on the national registry for this country. All natural.
See how many local people come here on a daily basis. It is amazing and fun to
watch. It is good to be a part of this ambiance and find yourself in the middle
of it. JT got himself a Barra Payan hat. Mine is to come later. Free publicity.
It is time to leave. It is 7:00pm. Time to head home. I am
so full. Can’t eat anymore! I know the Pastor’s wife will have food at home. I
will just have to politely decline. Really!!! Yes it is true. She definitely
has food ready. She keeps asking for me to eat but I can’t. Just being a great
host.
Well, I have to pack, get some sleep and be ready for
tomorrow’s ride to the airport to catch my early morning flight out of the
country. Have I been able to do all that I needed to do on my trip here? Yes, I
believe so.
I love Dominican Republic. Let God use me to be His servant
and touch the lives of many around the world.
BGA Ministries News 2012.
Highlights of 2012 and a recall of all
December 2011. The
Year 2011 is ending as an incredible year full of excitement and God’s promises
for our ministry. We trust and call on all of you to remain in prayer with us
and to seek God’s grace and mercy, guidance as we proceed ahead with new ideas
and vision for the ministry.
As a leader of By Grace Alone Ministries, JP Sangai has the
privilege to sit in on a Branding Boot Camp lead by FH church Global Outreach
Director John Parker and Jason Mink, Principal at Cognition, a marketing and
branding company.
FH Church facilitated that all the ministries that are
partnering with the church have the opportunity to understand “who” they are
and identify their “brand”
BGA ministries, a global outreach ministry organization that
focuses on preparing, equipping and mobilizing others for global missions
around the world, found out about 4 areas of interest and importance when
branding and launching a ministry.
3 out of 4 areas listed below are available, but lack in one
- Place
- Product
- Location
- Marketing
We need marketing….
The year 2012 started with a Bang! God is Sovereign and
graceful. A sense to come close to the Lord and share with him our needs,
prayers and thanks is met by a decision to fast. Fasting 10 percent of the days
of the year is such as small thing to claim Christ, the head for our ministry
and seeking God’s wisdom, guidance, and purity and direction in how By Grace
Alone Ministries will operate.
During the month of January
2012, all of us at BGA ministries spent time asking the Lord for wisdom and
direction and the Board of directors joined in rejoicing being one with the
Lord.
JP Sangai, founder and president of BGA Ministries was also
ordained as one of the elders in his church. What a proud moment to serve his
church community.
We participated in Cross cultural training where best practices and the process of doing
effective and efficient mission trips for teams traveling to serve and disciple
others around the world.
In February 2012,
a team made up of BGA and Forest Hill Church representatives went to Dallas
Texas to attend the Global Connection Leadership Community conference. When
doing missions, you can always learn more from others about how to effectively
serve and understand changes going on around the world about missions. What do
mission leaders think about mission home and beyond. We met many leaders from
other churches to share and learn from each other about the Great Commission –
Matthew 28:18-20.
Speak at Grace Presbyterian Church during mission week to
show God’s call to serve the least of these…
March 2012 saw in
action both Acts 1:8 “…you will receive
power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth…” and
Isaiah 49:6b “…I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my
salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
A team of 13 pilgrims went to Dominican Republic to serve in North
Santo Domingo in the Community of El Eden in collaboration with the Evangelical
Free Methodist Church of El Eden in Villa Mella, doing medical work. Over 5,000
people heard the gospel and were served in areas of dentistry, general medicine
and pediatric, eye care, and a full fledge pharmacy to dispense medicine to
patients who bring their prescriptions. It is a time to serve the least of
these, disciple them while the team is being discipled as well.
April 2012
God has blessed us, opened the door and provided the opportunity for
By Grace alone ministries to acquire 250 tareas (Dominican measurement) or 40
acres (American measurement) in Dominican Republic. This land will be used to
- build a Christ centered church whose buildings will be used for
continuing education for local lay leaders and pastors in Dominican Republic,
the Caribbean and much of Latin America; and a training ground for North
American short term missions.
- provide clean water to the communities around the BGA campus and a
much needed medical clinic to meet the physical needs of our Dominican brothers
and sisters;
- the development of Christ Centered education opportunities for young
people and adults and much more…
Jean-Pierre Sangai, Founder and President of BGA Ministries has been
in negotiations with friends in the beautiful Dominican Republic to acquire
this land.
Through our partnership and incubation by FH Church, we are able to do
a variety of things in our service for the Kingdom of God.
BGA ministries representatives meet with the President of Mission of
Hope Haiti to listen and learn about their experiences running a North American
ministry based in a foreign country, and ironically enough, the island of
Hispanola where Dominican Republic is located.
During our board of director meeting, the BGA board of directors has
unanimously voted for us to acquire the land in Dominican Republic. A team of
BGA and FH church representatives travels to DR to see the land.
The land is awesome, beautiful with a Spring of water that is running
and locals depend on it to get their needed water for consumption for the day.
It is located near an international airport, a short drive from the current US
embassy that is under construction, and for those of you who are baseball
fanatics, traveling to this land allows you to pass two training camps for US
major league teams in Dominican Republic (Seattle Mariners and Philadelphia
Phillies).
The month of MAY 2012 has
been fulfilling. Between planning for other mission trips BGA ministries is
facilitating, several FH and BGA representatives travel to Orange County
California to attend the Orphan Conference at Saddleback Church.
Thousands of people from all over the world, lay people and leaders,
ministries leaders and their representatives who are dealing with the plight of
Orphan and Orphan care around the world were there to share ideas, goals, and
ways to care for orphans.
A second Global Training for Mission trips takes place at Forest Hill
Church in North Carolina. Best practices for Cross Cultural Discipleship.
Come learn how we can help you and your church.
Meetings are taking place behind the scenes to find out how to shape
our ministry and how to do it all well.
JUNE 2012
We are having our next Board of Directors meeting on June 5, 2012.
JP Sangai is traveling to Dominican Republic to meet with land owner
and family and to look at strategies and laws of Dominican Republic as far as
land ownership by a ministry and several land studies (topography, etc…) and
meeting certain local leaders.
A team from FH church is on its way to Burundi, Africa to work with
local partners down there.
JULY 2012
This month is allowing us to continue to be in obedience and
seek God’s presence in all things.
Colossians 1:18 – “In All Things,… Christ Preeminent”
When Jesus first promised to "build" his Church
(Mt. 16:18) he assured us that the gates of hell would not prevail against it.
The relationship between Jesus
as Head and the church as Body is organic and living and vital. He exercises
sovereign control over us and we are ever and always dependent on his abiding
influence and presence.
Paul continues by describing
him as "the beginning, the firstborn from the dead." That is to say,
he was the beginning and founder of a new humanity, a new people, by virtue of
his having been the first to rise, never to die again. When God the Father
raised him from the dead and glorified and exalted him to the right hand of the
majesty on high, he became the first-fruits of that resurrection guaranteed for
all who are united to him (cf. 1 Cor. 15:20-23; Revelation 1:12-18). “Enjoying
God Ministries”.
Our vision is to build God’s
church through the transformation of peoples’ lives in Dominican Republic and
beyond.
A team from FH is leaving to
go to Cuba to work with our friends in ministry at Mision Mundial.
AUGUST 2012
A golf tournament is organized
to bring friends and short-term mission teams together to raise money for teams
traveling to Cuba, Dominican Republic, Rwanda and Burundi. Play 18 holes of
golf and have fun. Share with friends about what you are doing, where you are
going, when you go and meet other people you have not
known. A captain’ choice game is always good.
A series of By Grace Alone Ministries Global and Cross
Cultural Trip Leader Certification is taking place this month to train and
guide trip leaders on the process of planning and leading a group of people on a
trip anywhere around the world.
JP Sangai and 2 other ministry friends travel to Dominican
Republic to meet with other church leaders in Dominican Republic, meet with
land owner and family, spend some time with kids and an all boys orphanage and
plan and prepare for the upcoming construction trip to Dominican Republic.
In support of partnership in ministry, we participated at
the banquet of Two Becoming One Global ministries. Our ministry partner that
teaches the biblical principles of oneness in marriage around the world. (see
Deuteronomy Chapter 1 and 2). Christian Family Life ministries were created and
founded by Don and Sally Meredith and now led by Charles R. Wimmer, CEO and
President.
SEPTEMBER
2012
In partnership with FH and the Evangelical Free Methodist
Church of Dominican Republic, a team of 12 people is traveling to Santo Domingo
to work on the third floor of the church led by Pastor Mario Rodriguez in El
Eden de Villa Mella, North Santo Domingo. Doing stucko work, mixing gravel,
cement and helping to lay brick is the old fashioned way of sweating and
praising God.
In the midst of hard work, the fellowship with many
Haitian and Dominican day workers, and local church members, helped our team to
come close and get to know each other and those we were serving.
After 6 months of experiencing what would be missions and
putting lessons learned in practice, our team is again back at the Global
Leadership Network Conference #2 to deepen the experience and meet more church
leaders and bring back report on how well we put in practice what we had
learned several months before.
Another Cross Cultural Certification and training for trip
leaders and groups takes place at FHC.
A celebration of Global Missions takes place. We celebrate
our trips and where teams have gone…
A Master Planning Committee is put together to look at
opportunities for ministry at the Land and its use.
Because there is a Spring of water that runs through the
land in Dominican Republic, and water is the source of life for everything we
do, WE ARE NAMING THE PROJECT in
Dominican Republic “FUENTE DE VIDA” meaning
“SOURCE OF LIFE” or Fountain of Life. Our land will be referred to as
VIDA VILLAGE or LIFE VILLAGE.
OCTOBER
2012
A BGA Executive team has traveled to DR to Fuente de Vida,
take pictures and videotape. Meeting leaders and locals in communities
surrounding Fuente de Vida to understand the needs of the community and what
things are a priority as BGA ministries will become a neighbor to all of these
people.
Impending needs:
- A structure
that would be used for training leaders coming from across Dominican Republic,
the Caribbean and beyond. A Christ-Centered church,..
- A
clinic to meet the physical needs of the communities around Fuente de Vida,
- Structures
for educational opportunities,
- Structures
for retreat and training for mission teams
Etc…
A FH team has traveled to Burundi.
NOVEMBER
2012
More behind the scene meetings with the subcommittees of
the Master Committee to review clean water needs, educational needs, church
recommendations, planning and building structures.
God is good for His provisions to us are abundant.
JP travels to speak at Grace Presbyterian Church about
mission opportunities
JP meets with Christ Church leaders about trip
opportunities
Give Thanks to God for His love, grace, provision and for
wisdom to think about how to serve His children around the world.
DECEMBER
2012
In preparation for a medical mission trip in Dominican
Republic to serve communities surrounding Fuente de Vida, a team already in process
is breaking down medicines that will be shipped by sea and used to serve these
communities this coming February 2013.
A Master Committee meeting has met to review the rendering
of building plan at Fuente de Vida based on all the objectives and vision we
have to serve God’s people in this country and beyond.
JP Sangai and Laura Snow have traveled to Dominican
Republic to plan for 2013, to meet with local leaders in DR, to prospect for
building materials, and to meet with a dear friend of the ministry, Mr.
Garretson and family.
