Working Day One....

We are about to head off for our first day of work, and Mary Jo suggested I tell you a bit about the development plan for the Diocese of the Dominican Republic.  Congregations within the DR who can host churches (meaning they have accommodations available) receive mission groups.  This means that some of the congregations who receive mission groups may not look like they need them, but they do have meaningful work.  We send ahead quite a bit of money - some of which is spent on our project, but half (or more) is then spent through out the year to help churches who cannot receive missionaries.  This development plan allows for all of the congregations to develop at similar rates.  In new buildings, Bishop Julio puts a staircase in regardless of a second floor being put in or not, with the hope that one day it will.  There is also a scholarship program where you can sponsor a child go to school here.  Lots of good things to help the country move forward.  The Bishops plan is working so well, that other Episcopal Diocese are now modeling their program off of his.

Now off to work!

- Heather