Global Ministries Visit to DR & Haiti

February 18^th - 28^th 2013

Jim Moos, Co-Executive Director of Global Ministries, and Felix Ortiz, Area Executive for Latin America and the Caribbean, traveled to the Dominican Republic and Haiti the last two weeks of February in 2013. Along with Global Missions Intern, Ashley Holst, the Global Ministries team traveled around the Island Hispaniola to introduce Moos and Holst to the seven partners and four missionaries in the two countries. Conversations ranged from family, violence against women and children, and education systems to political corruption and neoliberalism in post colonial economies.

Felix and Jim at United Evangelical Churches of the Dominican national offices.

Two themes continued throughout the week:  first “Mangoo Flavor” meaning, always remembering as Americans and missionaries in other cultures that putting the local culture first will help ensure a successful and sustainable project. “Mangoo flavor” also helps build character and ownership of a project or organization. Second, “see, judge, act, celebrate” is a methodology that allows for observation, critical thinking, execution of a well planned project, and lastly celebration of the results whether they are perfect or in need of adaptation. Nearly all of Global Ministries partners in Hispaniola are using this methodology to develop their organizations and create new and impactful projects. As Americans we often forget both the “see” and the “celebrate” of this equation, jumping too quickly to judge and moving on without celebrating the successes or the realization of need for growth. This seemingly simple, but incredibly powerful process can and should be used worldwide, especially when working in a new country or culture!  

Beautiful view of the mountains outside of the Haitian Cultural Museum.

In Haiti, CONASPEH bishops shared the importance of working together saying, “if you want to go fast travel alone, but if you want to go far travel together.” Along with “Mangoo” and “see, judge, act, and celebrate,” this philosophy is one that all the partners in Hispaniola and Global Ministries hopes to follow in the coming years. All seven partners visited clearly expressed an interest in working better as a coalition to serve each other as companions of social service and the Christian community but also as education, personal tools, and support systems for one another.

Jim giving a short lecture to pastors at CONASPEH

Extra adorable kindergarden class at CONASPEH!

Birthday Extravaganza!

First, let me just say, if you want to feel incredibly loved on your birthday... work with kids! I had so many hugs, congratulations, told I was SO young, and was sung to in multiple languages all day long, and I LOVED every minute of it. And they were SO excited that I brought treats to class for my birthday! 







It was an amazingly special day thanks to my Caminante and Boca Chica family. My "little dinner party" I had asked for was a HUGE success with delicious food including Lambi (conch shell, a birthday tradition), rice, salad, and fried plantains. Not one bit I prepared because everyone jumped to the occasion to help out and cooked during the afternoon while I was at school. 









The wonderful meal was not the only surprise: presents, flowers from Caminante, a huge gorgeous cake from two friends, several presidentes, and a PINATA also surprised me during the party! 









Birthdays are usually fun, but like Christmas, it was hard being away from home... or atleast I anticipated it would be. I kept telling myself, "yes, my birthday is today, but just wait for Thursday when Mom, Dad, and Torrie are here!" But all that was forgotten with all the love and celebration! 

Thank you to everyone who reminded me how appreciated I am, and reassured me that I am part of the family here... not just a visitor passing by.

Evangelical Dominican Churches

Iglesias Evengelical Dominicana - IED

...one of Global Ministries' partners in the Dominican Republic. 

Meeting with Pastors and Executive Board of IED on our first night.

During the week we had the opportunity to sit down and talk with many of the pastors from 

around the country as well as the executive board, but a highlight was traveling to 

several of the active churches and talking with the local pastors. 

Here is a taste with three of the churches we visited...

Primer Iglesia Evangelical -- 1922

Oldest Church in the denomination

The pastor of this church secretly arranged & delivered supplies to
churches in Cuba during the embargo. 

Duarte Iglesia Evangelical & Escuela 

They call her the "pastor of love" because of her warm heart and amazing spirit!

Singing us a welcome song!

Some little sweeties.

2nd Iglesia Evangelical

(poorest and smallest congregation in Santo Domingo)

2nd oldest church in the denomination (by only a few days)

Pastor and his new son, he serves two churches during the week
and leads service at both on Sundays!

This church is in dire need of some construction work and paint...
but the pastor continues to work hard for community.

The churches around the city varied drastically in poverty and size, but all were beautiful in their own way... and the pastors that lead them inspiring!