REPRESENTING THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF 2X2 HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS ON THE INTERNET
Perry, Oklahoma Conv, 1942
CARIBBEAN & ATLANTIC ISLANDS
Barbados 
Bermuda
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Haiti
Jamaica
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago, Republic of
Originally a Dutch Colony called Dutch Guiana, in 1954, Suriname became one of the constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On November 25, 1975, it became an independent state.
It is the smallest sovereign state in South America at just under 165,000 square kilometers (64,000 square miles). It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, and Brazil to the south.
It has a population of approximately 612,985 and is dominated by descendants from the slaves and labourers brought in from Africa and Asia by the Dutch Empire and Republic. Most of the people live by the country's (north) coast, in and around its capital and largest city, Paramaribo. Situated slightly north of the equator, Suriname is a tropical country dominated by rainforests. Suriname's economy is heavily dependent on its abundant natural resources, namely bauxite, gold, petroleum, and agricultural products.
View Photos in TTT Photo Gallery.
When did the workers first arrive? Sister Workers Minnie Collen (from NY) and Mien Wijchers (from Netherlands) in 1947
Brothers (from Holland): Lester VanDenBerg and Anne Bakker on October 4, 1950, from Netherlands
Who was the first to profess?
Who was the first native to go in the work?
When & Where was the first meeting?
When & Where was the first baptism?
When & Where was the first convention? at Zondag on Bardan's property for over 50 years
Where have subsequent conventions been held?
Where is the convention currently held?
Who have the Overseers been?
Additional or corrected information on this country will be very welcome.
Paramaribo, Suriname, South America
November 6-9, 2019
Goedemorgen familie en vrienden,
(Good morning family and friends),
As the plane drops beneath the towering cumulus cloud, an endless an Anaconda-like serpentine river, emerges from below dissecting a jungle so dense, I'm nearly certain, if our plane crashes, the jungle would swallow us whole and we'd never be seen again! But then the plane banks hard to the left and a brief glimpse of distant Paramaribo, the Capitol city of Suriname, beckons us forward.
[photo]
Waiting in the airport with a very warm welcome was Dan Henry who has been laboring here for the last 5 years. He said to me, "Usually we save the best 'til last. But that doesn't hold true this time. You get to start the Caribbean conventions here in Suriname!"
For one year now, ever since I first received a hearty invitation to visit the former Dutch colony of Suriname, a reoccurring wave of nostalgia has been sweeping over me and getting stronger these past few months and weeks, then days and now this very moment. As the plane landed, I felt like I'm awakening from an unfolding dream wondering if this is actually happening! I am following in the footprints of my father. You see, nearly 7 decades ago, my father Lester VanDenBerg and his companion Anne Bakker were the first Brother Workers to come and labor in this country. Together they arrived by ship from Holland on October 4th, 1950.
[Photo of Lester VanDenBerg and Anne Bakker]
As boys growing up at home, our father would fondly speak to us of his fascinating experiences in this tropical land, that, to us, seemed so far, far away. Suriname is the smallest country in South America. It was formerly a colony of the Netherlands known as Dutch Guiana. Today it's population of only 558,000 is tiny compared to its land mass. 80% of the country is virgin rainforest and the Surinamese claim that 10 % of all the freshwater rivers in the world flow here.
Now 69 years later I am not just studiously peering at old black and white photos, but actually putting names to faces and places that Dad told us about; and even more so, hearing the voices of the two remaining, Surinamese Friends that knew my father: dear Paul Bardan (89) and Hetty Tammenga, now 87.
Dear old Paul had a wishful dream that before he passed away, he and Hetty could somehow meet the youngest son of the man that they first heard the Gospel through nearly 70 years prior. One year ago, Paul told his family and the Workers of his wish. Someone who cared, told somebody else who cared, and they in turn, told others who cared, and somehow today I am in their home. I can't put into words the feelings that welled up inside as Dan H. and his companion Bart Hartemink ushered me into the Bardan's quiet home.
Seeing we arrived so late from the airport, and they being quite elderly, they had long retired for the night, so I didn't expect to see them until the morning. Nonetheless they awakened and climbed out of bed and stood there smiling in their pajamas. When they saw me, they clapped their hands then embraced me with both tears flowing and laughter resonating. I was speechless. Surely they must think I am someone else! Then it came clear to me, they love me because they loved my Father. In a small measure I felt this must've been the feeling the Son of God had when people loved him because of their great love for his Heavenly Father.
In the early 50's, Paul attended a few of my father and Anna Bakker's meetings as a young man still living at home. At the end of 1953 my Dad left Suriname and returned to the USA. But before he left, he looked up Paul, brought a Dutch Hymnbook and gave it to him. Years later, Paul married and with his wife Ursi and their young children, they were invited by Ursi's aunt to the Gospel Meetings the Sister Workers were holding in the city Paramaribo.
When Paul sat down, he was handed a Dutch Hymnbook and recognized it was the same type of Hymnbook that my father had given to him 19 years earlier. During the Sister's meetings Paul and Ursi made up their minds and settled it in their hearts to follow the Lord Jesus through simple faith in his Truth and Way. Their faith never wavered and today it is stronger than ever.
[Photo of Paul and Ursi Bardan]
Hetty Tammenga was 17 when she professed in Dad and Anna's earliest mission meetings in Paramaribo. For many years she was the only one in her family that accepted the Gospel message. She initially feared being put out of the home by her strict 7th Day Adventist parents as a result. Young Hefty fretted about this and went out to pray in the yard behind her parent's home. She was worrying about going to the Brother Worker's Gospel meetings. It was while she was praying that she heard a voice so clearly telling her, "Go and I will be with you."
She rushed to Lester and Anna's Gospel meeting and arrived 5 minutes late. To her surprise when she rushed in the school room the Brothers were still standing at the door. The meeting had not yet started. My Father told her, "Hefty, we were waiting for you." After the Gospel meeting, she returned home and found her parents on their knees praying, and they didn't hinder her after that - even though if that were to happen, she had made a plan to go and stay with an older Dutch lady who had already professed, Moesje Van Dorn. Many years later Hetty's younger Sister Margo also professed and then her own daughter Sharrie also. Now she lives with Margo in Paramaribo. Today she embraced me saying, "Ve haf zee zame fader. Lester is your fader en zee flesh, and he is mijn fader en zee Evangelie (Gospel)."
[Photo of John VanDenBerg with Hettie Tammenga]
Hettie was only 17 when she made her noble choice, along with many others seen in this 1950 photo of the first church in Suriname. She is the young lady standing behind (and between) Anne Bakker and my father. Now at 86 years, she is the only one left living of that original group of friends.
[Photo of 1950 first church in Suriname]
Minnie Collen from New York (Irving Ross's aunt) and Mien Wijchers from the Netherlands were the first workers to labor in Suriname. They arrived about 1947. Later Frieda Faber and Gertrude Ruyter both from Iowa and both of Dutch background labored with Minnie. A lady from Suriname, Mrs. Coehlo, had professed in Indonesia before WWII and had now returned to Suriname to live after the war. Later Minnie Collen returned to Suriname and another group professed in about 1962 and were baptized together in 1967 when Piet Doume, the older Brother in Holland visited here. Most of this group lived south of Paramaribo in the Lelydorp area.
Anne Bakker met Lize Pengel while inviting people, house to house, in Paramaribo in May 1951. They were married April 18, 1953. Both became teachers and Anne became a highly regarded headmaster who wrote a grammar book that was used for many years in Suriname. A school is named after him. Anne was faithful to the Truth. He and my father never saw each other again but wrote faithfully to one and another for many decades until Anne passed away.
In a few hours the Friends will arrive, and we'll begin the 49th or 50th (Paul wasn't quite sure) convention here in their carport. If you hurry, you can possibly make it! They will heartily welcome you as they have me!
[Photo of Bardans in front of their home/carport where convention was held]
With a handshake in thought,
John/Johannes
Suriname, South America
Zondag, November 10, 2019
(Good night family and friends)
Over 50 years ago, Paul and Ursi Bardan acquired their property and began clearing the dense jungle to make room to build their small home and raise a large family of 8 children. Riding his bicycle to work here, he rounded the corner and there in the middle of his driveway were two Jaguars. Fortunately for Paul, they were sound asleep, and he managed to escape!
Still today, the jungle is close enough to hear the Howler monkeys very early every morning. When the dominant males "whoop it up," their calls can be heard 2 miles/3 km away. Needless to say, the convention location is void of human interference, noise, traffic, etc.
This afternoon concluded two wonderful convention days at Bardan's home where everyone felt so welcome. Although our Friends were small in number, still they are large in heart, and I surely felt close to each of them. They will long be remembered by me.
[Photo of convention attendees in front of Bardan's home/carport]
Suriname Convention, 2019
left to right:
Marsha Kiser from Missouri, USA, but laboring in Ecuador.
Rosanne Colvin from Saskatchewan, Canada, but laboring in W. Africa.
Ermita Warner of Trinidad, labored 42 years in East Africa, but now in the Caribbean.
Rosemarie Soerjamin from Suriname, but laboring in Haiti.
Bart Hartemink. from New Zealand but now laboring in Suriname.
Dan Henry from Iowa, USA but now laboring in Suriname.
Hansruedi Fehr from Switzerland, but now laboring in Italy.
Marjorie Joseph, from Trinidad, works in St. Vincent, Grenada, St Lucia, Trinidad, Tobago
John VanDenBerg from California, USA but now laboring in Arizona, USA.
Here's the convention Speaking List. [Photo of Suriname Convention 2019 Speakers List]
Among the many good things shared yesterday and today, I enjoyed dear Hettie's testimony. She is the longest professing Friend in Suriname.
I'm very thankful that we belong to God, and He takes such great care of us. At the end of the last meeting, I felt like my heart was so full it was going to burst. There are 3 men that God told precisely what they needed to do: Noah, Abraham and Moses. All were men that knew precisely what God required of them. Noah received all the precise measurements and plans to build the Ark. He was faithful with what he knew. Abraham had received precise instructions to leave his father's house and follow by faith. If he had not responded and obeyed God, he would never had entered the Promised Land. But he was faithful with what he knew. Moses had to bring the precise message of God to Pharoah and to His people. He was faithful with what he knew. Today it is our turn. In Jesus we know precisely what God requires of us. We have so many privileges of heavenly things when we do precisely what He asks of us.
Tomorrow morning, we are to be "up and at em" ready to leave before the roosters begin their incessant crowing (4 o'clock) in order to make the 4 hour drive to the Guyana border. So, I'd better call it a day and "hit the hay".
Welterusten and goede slaapen
[Rest well and have a good sleep] zzzZ
John
Suriname/Guyana border
Monday, November 11, 2019
Dear Family and Friends far and near,
Many thanks for your kind remembrances of us!
Left to Right:
Back Row – Frank van der Merwe, Lester VanDenBerg, Jurgen Slabbert
Front Row – Minnie Collins, Mien Weikert, Anne Bakker
Someone asked what the white building is behind us? It is the Presidential Palace of Suriname. It is the same Palace and location where this photo was taken of my Father and these other Workers in 1950:
When my father was here, Suriname was still a Dutch colony. That is why the statue of the old Dutch Queen Wilhelmina was still standing in front of the Royal palace (partially viewed behind the old Workers). She reigned for 50 years. When Suriname was given independence in 1975, the new government removed the Queen. She now stands over near the old fort in Paramaribo capital. If her statue looks anything like she did in real life, then she was a beautiful lady. Dad often said she was dearly loved by her country
Just before our convention, Dan thoughtfully remembered that Anne Bakker (my father's old companion) has a son living in Paramaribo. Win Bakker, was raised in the Truth and is a retired famous Doctor. Dan invited him to come to meet me at the Convention. He attended the Sunday morning meeting and was so friendly. He was greatly touched to see the Friends and hear the Word of God, "telling me that it was, "Indeed food for my soul." I hope he will come again to feed his soul...!
Dear Paul and Ursi arose at 3 a.m. to make sandwiches for our journey and to bid us farewell. Like the old Dutch Queen is to the Hollanders, they too are dearly loved by all the Surinamese Friends.
4:40 a.m., we are on the road now to Guyana.
With best wishes,
John [VanDenBerg]
December 23-30, 2019
Hail up Bruddas n' Sistas,
Yuh Gud? (Are you okay?) Wadup? (What's up?) How yuh stay mon ? (How are you man?) Wood ya baleeve, dey duhz speak Engleesh here in Jamaica.
Each of the Caribbean islands, I've been to thus far, has it's own particular characteristics, and, in my thinking, Jamaica heads the list in many aspects. Not only is the locals' English a colorful array of vernacular colloquialisms that leaves you head-scratching in lexicon bewilderment, like one road sign said, "Mash up yuh brakes". Meaning slow down, but their driving is nearly as cunfusin' to me. You see, these British West Indies Islanders have the nerve to drive on the "wrong" (left) side of the road. It unnerves me each time a car approaches and I instinctively panic, look out, it's in our lane! Fortunately, we haven't had a head on collision yet! I could relate to a visitor's convention testimony. Quote, "When experiencing the driving here in Jamaica with it's confounding traffic, I learned it's better to Give Way, than be in the Way."
Then there's the colorful array of dishes unique to Jamaica whose flavorful spices jump out of nowhere and ambush the pallet: Ake and Saltfish for breakfast, Spice bun, Pepper Shrimp, "Jerk on the street", Festival Dumplin', Peanuts served hot and Jamaican Beef patties. All of these are washed down with "Ting" (a soft drink in a green glass bottle) and kept down with a large gulp of zesty (non-alcoholic) Ginger beer then topped off with a hot cup of 100% Blue Mountain coffee from Jamaica's renowned Amber Estate. Lauded as the best on the planet. At $70 per pound, it better be!
A warm welcome was awaiting us at the Cambria convention. The grounds are situated on an actual working Sugarcane plantation. Across the Island the 100+ Sugarcane farms have all but gone out of business and our Friends, the Newman's, plantation is one of only three still operating in Jamaica. The first Jamaican convention site was held in Hopewell from 1927, but then relocated to present day Cambria in 1962. This marks it's 57th year with approximately 180 Friends gathered in the spacious meeting barn. [photo inserted]
Hearing how the Gospel came to Jamaica has greatly impressed me! Two Brother Workers arrived here 97 years ago - in 1922. Frank Stephens sailing from England and Willie Snedden from Scotland. Neither one knew the other prior to their arrival. This was in the days long before Google and they were venturing forth hardly knowing anything about where they were going. What they lacked in knowledge was compensated by zeal. A deep faith lent itself to their enthusiasm as they said goodbye to the familiarity of their native lands.
It had been arranged that in Jamaica they would meet at the central post office in Kingston. That day finally came when they introduced themselves to each other and became the first companions on the island. They started their open-air Gospel meetings on the streets of Kingston, singing and preaching underneath a gas light post on a street corner. The young wife occupying a nearby home could hear the two Brothers singing and at first she thought they were a couple of drunk sailors. But they returned the next night and the night following that one, returning each night singing their hearts out until Amy Eaton said to her young husband Gerald, "I'm going to go listen to those two foreigners". He went along with her and from that 1st meeting they knew this was Truth. Standing under the street light they opened their hearts to God and soon they opened their home to the two Brothers. They were the "First Fruits" of Jamaica and in their home was the 1st Sunday Fellowship meeting home on the island. [photo inserted]
Sadly, just 3 short years later, young Willie Snedden was bitten by a Malaria infested mosquito and in 1925 passed away. Both of these companions are buried here in Jamaica.
During that early mission in Kingston, a man named Fred "Pop" Bennett had a vivid dream. In his dream he was down in a deep pit desperately trying to get out. From the bottom of the pit he looked up and saw an unusual pair of shoes at the top edge of the pit. The shoes were old and so worn out he could see a hole in the sole and a patch covering the hole. He looked higher and saw a tall, thin foreigner wearing this old pair of shoes. In his dream the tall man reached down and lent his hand helping him escape from the pit. He awoke from his dream. Sometime later as he was walking the streets of Kingston he heard distant singing. By nature he was a shy man and a bachelor all his life, but that evening he was drawn to the singing and walked towards it. He basically stumbled into the Brothers' Gospel meeting. He never had never met the two Brothers before, but the tall one (Frank) was wearing an old pair of shoes with a hole in the sole covered by a patch and "Pop" recognized them as the very shoes worn by the very same man he'd seen in his dream.
Even as I write this, my mind goes back just a few weeks ago, when sharing a room with my fellow laborers in Guyana. One of the Brothers was on his knees preparing his heart and mind for the upcoming convention meeting. From that angle, I could plainly see the soles of his feet showing through his worn out socks. Hearing the story of "Pop" seeing the patch on Frank Steven's worn out shoes 97 years ago, I am reminded afresh of those worn out socks and the verse from Isaiah 52:7 crossed my my mind, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation..." I have a fresh gratitude for the beauty of simplicity that is found in the lowly way of Jesus. I'm honored to know Workers in my day who carry the same message of hope here in Jamaica as others did nearly100 years ago. [photo inserted]
Among the 23 Workers (Prudence Frank is not pictured), I believe there are 11, maybe 12, countries represented here. Again it is a living testimony, even in a small measure, to the unity between men and women inside the Kingdom of God made possible by a common love for Christ. It is to God's credit that He entrusts His Spirit into yielded hearts and minds giving them the culture of heaven which far surpasses man's customs, traditions and cultures.
[workers photo inserted: Cambria, Jamaica 2019]
…I won't soon forget our dear Jamaican Friends their bright smiles, warm embrace and genuine handshakes. They are gentle in what they do, but firm in how they do it. Tomorrow morning we are to fly over to Grand Cayman Island for another convention and further on to Cayman Brac for a Special Meeting...
Well, as the locals would say it - John boy, iz goin' flap a wing. Ah hope n' 2 see yuh lay-tah ova deh. Walk gud n' tun up de ting!
Yuh brudda,
John [VanDenBerg]
November 25 - December 2, 2019
Howdy Y'all,
Greetings from the park-like "East Point" Convention grounds which is situated a mere 500 yards from the Atlantic Ocean on Barbados' East coast. One benefit to the close proximity of the ocean is the cooling breeze that passes through our meeting tent. [photo inserted of meeting tent]
The Barren Cove lighthouse, a mere 5 minute walk from the Meeting tent, was once manned by professing Friends - Mr. and Mrs. Small. Standing on the windswept coral cliff next to the lighthouse and gazing eastward I see nothing all the way to the empty horizon. Beyond this is an additional 4,000 miles of open ocean until one arrives the shores of west Africa. Barbados is where the roiling, crashing waves of the vast Atlantic Ocean are embraced and calmly persuaded by the tranquil Caribbean Ocean, to come, settle down and relax.
The first European foreigners to visit the island of Barbados were the Portuguese who came in 1532. They are the ones who named the island after the Bearded Ficus tree which sends clusters of roots down from their branches, resembling long flowing beards. In the Portuguese language Barbados means, The "Bearded Ones." Somehow the name stuck for the entire Island. The island became a British colony in 1620 and nearly 400 years later, in 1928, two Brother Workers, Willie Donaldson and David McMechan/McMeghan from Ireland arrived on the island.
Like some of the other Caribbean Islands, this one too was ripe for the Gospel. In just one year they held their first Convention at "Britton Hill", then it moved to "Rockly", then "Sayer's Court." With so many Barbadians readily embracing the Truth there once were 40 Sunday morning meetings here. In fact, 7 were within 1 square mile. So many meeting homes in such close proximity that the Friends in one meeting could hear the singing in yet another meeting home nearby. Amazing! It must've felt like the heavenly Jerusalem here on earth!
Then the convention grounds moved to "Enterprise", where there were 2 conventions held a week apart with nearly 1,000 Friends in attendance at the first and another different group of 1,000 for the second week. Then the convention location moved yet again. This time to "Tabernacle". Now it is held where we are at "East Point". Currently there are 10 Workers from Barbados in the Harvest Field. Today the island has 14 Sunday meetings and one convention with approximately 200 attendees.
In 1640 Sugarcane was introduced to the island and became "King" with an eventual 95 % of the island under Sugarcane cultivation. It was by far the back bone of Barbados' economy, requiring tremendous man power in its cultivation and harvesting. But now with sugar being produced far cheaper elsewhere, as well as the rising popularity of artificial sweeteners and public awareness of sugar diabetes, the island's main economic source plummeted and sugar production has all but ceased.
Consequently, the demographics have altered and over the last two generations a large percentage of Barbadians have moved away to find work; this includes our Friends. Today the island's economy depends on tourism, which only offers a limited number of jobs. The same situation here has arisen in Guyana and Trinidad, which were also large Sugarcane growing countries. Where 3 generations ago, the number of Friends were in great abundance, now the majority of the second and third generations have moved abroad to the United States, England and Canada.
With this in mind, the fellowship we are enjoying these days has taken on a special meaning. I would say that 80% of our Friends in the meetings are now elderly. Why, during the first two days of convention, I only saw one child in the group of nearly 200 Friends. It is as if two generations have "disappeared". The elderly among us definitely remember the large conventions of their youth. Yet, they are still enjoying God's way regardless of so few young people and children present.
In a way it reminds me of the rebuilding of the Temple in Ezra and Nehemiah's day. The ancient folks remembered the glory days of their youth when Solomon's temple was still standing. Then they were taken away to Babylon and the temple was destroyed. Later in their old age they returned to Jerusalem and the rebuilding began.
Ezra 3:12-13, "But .... of the ancient men that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and noise was heard afar off."
Here at our convention, it is obvious that any weeping of past glories is outweighed by the "shout of joy" for the privileges we are experiencing today. How can that be? Perhaps the answer lies in the attitude expressed in the first prayer of our Convention - "May the quality of love in us be so great that nothing You may ask of us seem too great!"
[photo inserted of workers at Barbados Convention ~ November 28-30, 2019]
78-year-old Eleen Jackman was only 10 years old when my father attended the Enterprise Convention in 1951. Today she told me that, "I knew your Daddy before you did". She also said the only thing she remembers from that convention was a story told by my Dad about a little girl whose father gave her a small parakeet for a gift. Unfortunately, the little bird became sick and died. So her Daddy gave her a kitten. It wasn't very long before the kitten also died. Finally he brought her a little puppy. But, sad to say, it died as well. With tears she told her daddy, "Please give me something that will not die."
Even though she was just 10 years old she remembers Dad speaking from Luke 10:42, "... Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall never be taken away from her." I wonder if Dad also had hymn 262 in mind... "I will never leave thee, sweetest words of comfort from the lips of Jesus, who walked life's troubled sea, Thou art not forsaken, I am with thee always; Darkness or sunshine, ever follow me".
[photo inserted of John and Miss Eleen Jackman].
Tuesday morning I'll saddle the horse and head towards Puerto Rico and the upcoming convention there. Hopefully Y'all can ride along...
With a handshake in thought,
John [VanDenBerg]
Gospel Coming to Dominican Republic
Susan Nadal - March 2002
Many greetings to you today from Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic and the oldest city in the New World! It was the first city founded by Christopher Columbus after he discovered these islands, but I dare say that a more memorable occasion for this land was when God's true servants first came to its shores. Two of our older brothers, Harold Eames and Howard Frederick, came over from Puerto Rico to visit the DR and "spy out the land," as they liked to say, towards the end of 1971, and returned the following year to stay. 30 years have slipped by since then. The first sisters, Lucy Rogers and Edna Hollister, came in 1973.
The first little church here in the city was composed of 3 ladies who had been praying and asking the Lord for His help and guidance. He saw the sincerity in their hearts, heard their pleas, and sent them the gospel of peace. One of them, Rosita, loves to tell us her testimony, and the part I love the best is when she first met the sisters. Rosita had been asking the brothers how she should comb her hair, dress, etc, as she felt that she should look and be different than she had been, but didn't know how. The brothers kept telling her to wait until the sisters came. Wise men!! One day her doorbell rang and when she opened the door Lucy and Edna were standing there. Rosita says that she almost heard a voice saying to her, "That is the way you should look!" She has been willing for all God's will through the years and is a pillar among the friends.
There are two churches here in Santo Domingo now, and 6 more in other parts of the country. Around 180 gather for convention when all our friends and their children come. We are glad that God's work has prospered in the lives of His people and that other seeking souls are drawing nigh.
Another part of the story of the gospel here in the DR involves our convention place. For years our convention meetings. were held in community halls, government buildings, schools, etc., and workers and friends stayed and ate at small inexpensive hotels nearby. In 1998 we had our first "real" conv on the farm belonging to our friends, Menso and Nereida Marte. Everyone loved the convention, their first taste of truly drawing apart from the world to be with the Lord and His own.
In July of that year a tragic incident occurred, as most of you know, and our friends, Menso and Nereida were murdered in their home one night by a gang of robbers. Ten people were apprehended and tried for the crime, 8 men and 2 women. 5 were released after the trial, 3 are still in prison and it is rumored that 2 escaped and were later shot by the police. We don't really know all the details, but leave it all in God's hands. We had 2 more conventions there in Cotuí after their death, but gave the place up last year.
A couple from MO who lived here in the DR for several years, Lewis and Donna Watson (with the help of many, kind, anonymous others), bought a piece of land in the town of Bonao, and this year some work projects have begun there. We are indebted to all who have taken a real interest in our country and our people. We can never repay them, but we know that the Lord can and will.
I returned to the DR in January after a few weeks at home in Puerto Rico, and am adjusting again to the Dominican way of life. Power shortages are a common daily occurrence, as well as loud pulsating music from our neighbors' stereos and radios when there is electricity. They are generous in sharing the noise! The quietness and the lovely night sky are a consolation when the power goes.
We are visiting several contacts whom the brothers first met, and surely hope that there is a seeking soul among them. A lady professed in the Special meetings here in the city in Dec. and her four daughters (ages 17–22) listen attentively when we go to their home on Sun. afternoons for a little study/gospel mtg. We are finishing the book of Luke with them. We are studying in Matthew and Mark with some of the others in their homes. And so, we sow on and hope on!
A little gem from one of our recent mtgs. has been good to remember: "Obedience is 100% submission without reservation or resentment. Halfway obedience is merely convenience." Sad if we only obey when it seems convenient...We heard about one of our friends who insisted on sitting in a Sunday morning meeting even though she had just come home from the hospital and could have made it easier for herself by remaining in bed. When told that that might be too costly, she answered, "I want it to cost me!" Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven. We could walk the easier way within God's way, or be among that noble throng that choose the costlier way each day.
