Conference Opportunity
Jamielynn, the GEO Missionary in charge of On-Field Orientation, has done a wonderful job managing the balancing act that is all of our schedules! She created a shared Outlook calendar; all we have to do is check it periodically so we know where to be and when. "Conference Opportunity" was the only event last week from Monday through Thursday, which meant we were invited to attend the first ever Mercy Center conference in Palmar Arriba. I jumped at the chance, largely so I could see some of the legwork that's involved in hosting a large group, and even got to tag along on a few planning errands.
"Palmar"is one of the mission outposts in the Santiago area. The 3-story building there is home to a school, the Mercy Center, and Seminario Concordia El Reformador. Hogares Luteranos el Buen Pastor, a group home for six orphaned children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, also sits on the property, as does the seminary dormitory, affectionately known as Golgotha. Yes, it's on a hill :)
The Mercy Center isn't so much a physical space, but rather the arm of the DRLM (Dominican Republic Lutheran Mission) in charge of bridging the gap between physical and spiritual care - extending Christ's love to people as we care for their mental, physical, and emotional needs.
The conference, part of the Mercy Center's strategic plan, was actually two seminars in one. Every One His Witness is a workshop designed to train Christians for sharing the faith in everyday situations. It was led by Rev. Idjon Fritz, one of the pastors in Palmar. Go and Be Reconciled is an Ambassadors of Reconciliation Bible study based on Luther's Small Catechism. The approach it sets forth starts with the Christian's relationship with God; only trusting in and receiving His full and free forgiveness can we see others, even those with whom we are in conflict, as baptized children of God and begin to make peace. Rev. Brandon Martin, a bilingual pastor, joined us from Springdale, AR, to lead it.
"Palmar"is one of the mission outposts in the Santiago area. The 3-story building there is home to a school, the Mercy Center, and Seminario Concordia El Reformador. Hogares Luteranos el Buen Pastor, a group home for six orphaned children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, also sits on the property, as does the seminary dormitory, affectionately known as Golgotha. Yes, it's on a hill :)
The Mercy Center isn't so much a physical space, but rather the arm of the DRLM (Dominican Republic Lutheran Mission) in charge of bridging the gap between physical and spiritual care - extending Christ's love to people as we care for their mental, physical, and emotional needs.
The conference, part of the Mercy Center's strategic plan, was actually two seminars in one. Every One His Witness is a workshop designed to train Christians for sharing the faith in everyday situations. It was led by Rev. Idjon Fritz, one of the pastors in Palmar. Go and Be Reconciled is an Ambassadors of Reconciliation Bible study based on Luther's Small Catechism. The approach it sets forth starts with the Christian's relationship with God; only trusting in and receiving His full and free forgiveness can we see others, even those with whom we are in conflict, as baptized children of God and begin to make peace. Rev. Brandon Martin, a bilingual pastor, joined us from Springdale, AR, to lead it.
Rev. Martin leading one of his GaBR sessions.
Conference attendees included seminary students and their spouses, missionaries, and DRLM members from both Santiago and Santo Domingo.
Deaconess Cheryl Naumann, the director of the Mercy Center and the hardworking chairperson behind the event.
While I was blessed by the content of both sessions, Rev. Martin's portion was especially well-structured and effectively led. I continue to mull over a number of the points he raised. Shadowing Cheryl was also a blessing; short-term teams are often housed at the Mercy Center, so the tidbits I gleaned will undoubtedly come into play soon!
Until next time, blessings!
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