A different kind of blog update this month!! We have decided to publish our updates for our 2012 goals and our 2013 Ministry Goals and Plan here this year instead of doing a mailing.  Earlier blog posts have many pictures of each of the activities listed below.  Please let us know if you have any questions about our ministry, and please be praying for us as we continue to serve Christ and share His message of love, grace, and mercy here in the DR!  

Dios les bendiga!  God bless!

Amaury and Catherine Gracesqui

Teaching Ministry

Ministry Objectiv

To utilize the knowledge and skills God has given us to glorify Him and lead others into relationship with Jesus Christ.

Ministry Updates as of Dec 2012

Drama Ministry – Amaury and Catherine

·         Our Drama Group now has 29 active members, and on November 30 we presented La Riqueza de La Navidad (The Wealth of Christmas) before an audience of approximately 220! This production used the characters of the 70s TV shows Good Times and The Jeffersons to reveal the truth that accepting Christ as our Savior who came to Earth to die for our sins is the true value of Christmas, not all the gifts or other ways we may do to celebrate.  Just as our group members continue to grow in their acting skills, our audience also continues to grow, and more people are reached with the gospel message found in each of our productions!

·         Expenses for the production were $41,500 RD ($1,038 US), and income was $29,000 RD ($725 US), and even though we did not cover expenses, it is the closest we have come so far in meeting our expenses for a production!  We were surprised by the total income because even just one week before the show, very little had come in for ticket sales, and we were not sure we would have a good turnout, but God is faithful and we had our largest audience to date!

·         We were able to award four scholarships for our most recent production!  We had our Secretary, Alexandra; Assistant Director and Stage Manager, Christy; Assistant Stage Manager, Melisa; and Wardrobe Manager, Lisbeth!  Each one did an excellent job in her role and learned some great lessons in leadership and time management!  We also had Arianny in charge of Marketing for a small stipend, and she and the leadership team were on a local TV program to promote our production!

·         At Santiago Christian School, we started an extra-curricular Theatre Group, and their first production was Romeo and Juliet in The Good Veronian. This show is the retelling of Shakespeare’s classic blended with the story of the Good Samaritan that shows how everything changes for the better when we follow God’s word.  We had 19 participants who had a successful two night run on Nov 9-10, and we were able to nearly break even on that production! 

·         We are continuing to raise money to purchase a property and have found one that will serve our immediate needs as a ministry center, including space for an outdoor theatre, while we continue to work toward a future goal of building a full-size, state-of-the-art theatre!  Nearly one-third of the money to purchase this property was given in donations, and we have applied for a mortgage through a Dominican bank for the remaining amount.  We are praying that donations for this purchase will continue to come in so that we can borrow less for the mortgage!

Business/Edification Ministry – Amaury

·         Between August and December in the men’s prisons in Santiago and Moca, Amaury offered Protocol and Etiquette (8 graduates), Financial Harmony in the Home (56 graduates), and Business Principles (38) classes for the inmates, and one class of Financial Harmony in the Home for the prison officers (39 graduates).  Amaury also offered the Protocol and Etiquette class (48 graduates) and Financial Harmony in the Home class (50 graduates) in two local churches.

·         From August 17 until November 27, Amaury led a class at the men’s prison in Santiago using the book The Resolution, which is based on the movie Courageous.  The 28 class members read and responded to the book on a weekly basis, discussing what it means to be the leaders in their families and the role God plays in their lives and their families’ lives.  At the end of the class, special permission was granted by the administration of the prison to allow the class members’ families to attend the graduation ceremony, during which each one (all 28 graduated) recited “The Resolution” and signed it in front of their families.  A framed copy of it was given to the families to hang in their homes, and another copy was given to each participant to hang in his cell to remind him of what he had promised.  Guest speakers from Santiago Christian School administration also attended and shared their testimonies.  It was a powerful event, and the lives of each one present were touched that day.

English Ministry – Catherine

·         The 2012/2013 school year started off well, with Catherine teaching World Literature to her seniors – a new curriculum at SCS!  Her students wrote Modern Tragedies after studying Ancient Greek Tragedy, and some incorporated Christian worldviews in their work, showing that those who turned away from God were the ones who suffered the most in their lives.  They also wrote journals along with the study of Shakespeare’s The Tempest and a Political Poetry unit, in which they responded to the need for forgiveness in our lives, just as Shakespeare's Prospero comes to realize, and the negative effects caused on the lives of others by those who abuse their power.

2013 Ministry Goals

      Drama Ministry – Amaury and Catherine

·         To continue working with our Drama Ministry Group weekly in order to share the Gospel with them through the lessons in which they learn acting skills and prepare to present two full-scale Christian themed productions this year.  The first production will be on May 24 and the second will be in December.

·         To present the May production in a mountain community outside of Santiago to reach people who otherwise would not be able to attend the theatre with the Gospel message shared through the production.

·         To take our Drama Group to the men’s prison in Moca to present their productions in order to share the Gospel.

·         To award five one-semester college scholarships for each production to five of the Drama Group members who will have specific roles to fulfill for the production, including Assistant Director/Secretary, Stage/Props Manager and Assistant Manager, Wardrobe Manager, and Assistant Production Manager.

·         To purchase a property to be used as our home and ministry center that has space for an outdoor theatre and can be used to host groups.

·         To continue raising money to build, or remodel an existing building to be, a state-of-the-art theatre in Santiago that will be used as an on-going education training facility as well as for our Drama Ministry group’s productions.  The theatre would also be available to local churches and ministry groups that would not otherwise be able to have access to this type of facility to use for ministry functions and outreach programs.

·         To continue working with the extra-curricular Theatre Group at Santiago Christian School on productions that give students the opportunity to develop their talents both on and off-stage, and to present productions that edify the SCS community.

      Business/Edification Ministry – Amaury

·         To offer classes in business principles and protocol and etiquette, as well as Biblically based classes in self-improvement and self-esteem, perseverance, and financial responsibility in order to share the Gospel through the lessons.  The classes are designed to provide community outreach for churches and are also part of an outreach ministry for inmates in the men’s prisons in the DR.

·         To lead a Bible study in the men’s prison called Corazon Quebrantado (Broken Heart), written by Dominican pastor Roger Fernandez.

·         To baptize men who are currently in the prison system in the DR who are members of his classes.

·         To continue teaching in the men's prisons in Santiago and Moca, and to begin teaching classes in a third prison located in La Vega, a small city outside of Santiago.

  

      English Ministry – Catherine

·         To teach English literature part-time at Santiago Christian School as an outreach ministry.  Santiago Christian School “exists to provide the finest Christian education possible and to provide the opportunity for students and their families to attain a clear Biblical understanding of Jesus as their Savior.”  Through the curriculum, Catherine shares a Biblical Christian Worldview with her students, with the intent to work with other teachers, staff, and administrators to shape, “the lives of those who shape the nation” of the Dominican Republic.

·       To be the Fine Arts Coordinator at SCS in order to bring unity and leadership to the Arts Program at SCS.  Catherine's goal is that through her leadership the Arts Program will be used to glorify God and bring students into closer relationship with Him through the work they do.

Ministry Plan

     Drama Ministry – Amaury and Catherine

·         In the Spring, the Drama Ministry Group will meet Saturday afternoons from January 19 through May 24.  The first production will be presented on May 24 at the Cultural Center in Santiago.  In the Fall, the group will meet from August 24 through December, and the second production will be presented on a date to be determined at the Cultural Center in Santiago. 

·         The mountain community in which the June production will be presented is Lajas del Yaroa where an American missionary family has a mentoring/marriage ministry and have also been planting a church.

·         Members of the Drama Group will sell tickets to the productions at the Cultural Center and sell ads in the program to help cover the costs associated with each production.  Tickets will be sold for $100 pesos each and program ads will be sold for $300 pesos each with all sales completed by the final Saturday rehearsal prior to the production.  Drama Group members will earn $20 pesos for each ticket sold and $50 pesos for each ad sold.

·         Drama Group members interested in applying for the scholarships will each complete an application that will be reviewed by ministry leadership and awarded in February for the Spring semester and in September for the Fall semester.  Each scholarship will be worth $4000 pesos ($100 US) or $2000 pesos ($50 US), depending on the job assigned to the recipient. 

·         From Feb 27 through March 6, fellow missionaries will be here from the US to offer jewelry making and marketing classes to our Drama Group members to help them get involved in raising money to support the ministry.

·         We will be travelling to the US in June and July 2013 to visit with individuals and churches to update supporters on our ministry, and we will have amber jewelry with us that our Drama Group members have made, which will be used for fund raising purposes.

      Business/Edification Ministry – Amaury (Classes for churches outside of Santiago will be offered as a one-day seminar that is a summary of the material.  For all classes, the class meeting days will be determined by the pastor, depending on the church’s schedule.)

·         Business classes teach class members steps to follow to have a successful business and to avoid being deceived when conducting business. All classes begin with prayer and a Bible reading and also end with prayer, and Biblical principles of business are incorporated as well.  Classes include six class meetings, which are held one to two days per week, depending on the location.

·         Protocol and Etiquette classes teach class members how to present themselves well in society.  All classes begin with prayer and a Bible reading and also end with prayer, and Biblical principles of protocol and etiquette are incorporated as well. Each set of classes includes six class meetings, which are held one to two days per week, depending on the location, and end with a formal dinner for the class members to practice what they have learned. 

·         Self-improvement and Self-esteem classes are classes about motivation and personal and spiritual teaching. All classes begin with prayer and a Bible reading and also end with prayer, and the material is all biblically based, leading participants to an understanding of who God says they are.  Each set of classes includes six class meetings, which are held one to two days per week, depending on the location.

·         Financial Harmony in the Home classes teach the basic ideas of Larry Burkett’s How to Manage Your Money and Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace, which incorporates biblical principles of managing money in a way that honors God. All classes begin with prayer and a Bible reading and also end with prayer.  Each set of classes includes four class meetings, which are held one day per week. 

·         Perseverance class is set-up as a 5 week debate over various topics, including the Bible, which inspires class members to persevere to achieve their goals and expands their knowledge base as they study and prepare for the different topics that are debated.  All classes begin with prayer and a Bible reading and also end with prayer.  Each set of classes includes six class meetings, which are held one day per week.  The final class is a celebration during which medals are awarded to the team who awarded the most points.

·         Corazon Quebrantado is about how a person’s heart needs to be broken to allow God to enter in his or her life.  All classes begin with prayer and a Bible reading and also end with prayer.  Each set of classes includes seven class meetings, which are held one day per week. 

      English Ministry – Catherine

·         Catherine will teach World Literature part-time at Santiago Christian School to seniors during the 2012/2013 school year, and she will be the Fine Arts Coordinator at SCS in order to bring unity and direction to the Arts Program.  Through her curriculum, Catherine shares a Biblical Christian Worldview and the gospel with her students as opportunities are presented.

This update was written by Amaury!  Translations and many pictures follow each paragraph.  As you will see we have been very busy, which is why we have not been able to update the blog before now.  We hope you will forgive us for the delay and that you enjoy this blog update!

¡Hola mis hermanos y hermanas en Cristo! Que la paz y el amor de Dios este con cada unos de ustedes.

Hello my brothers and sisters in Christ! May the peace and love of God be with each of you.

El ministerio continúa trabajando con la ayuda de Dios y de cada unos de ustedes. Gracia por tenernos siempre pendiente.  

The ministry continues working with the help of God and each one of you.  Thank you for always thinking of us.

En esto últimos meses hemos impartidos  varios curso como Etiqueta y Protocolo para el personal de la cárcel de Moca, y Etiqueta y Protocolo y Armonía Financiera para el personal de la cárcel de mujeres de Rafey en Santiago.  Así mismo impartimos para los prisioneros de Moca Etiqueta y Protocolo donde se graduaron 8 personas  y  de Armonía Financiera 26 personas. También en Noviembre, entregamos 94 certificados en la cárcel de Moca, los cual 23 certificado fueron entregado a el personal de la cárcel por el curso Armonía Financiera en el Hogar, 38 certificados fueron entregados a los prisioneros por el curso Principio de Negocio, y 33 certificados fueron entregado a los prisioneros por el curso Armonía Financiera en el Hogar.  En Noviembre mi tio Wiliam bautizo 14 prisioneros en la carcel de Moca.  En esto 14 encontraron algunos estudiantes de mi clase anterior.  ¡Por la gracia de Dios esto es una victoria!

In the last few months we have given vairous classes, such as Protocol and Etiquette for the staff of the prison in Moca, and Protocol and Etiquette and Financial Harmony for the staff of the women’s prison of Rafey in Santiago.  We have also offered Protocol and Etiquette for the prisoners in Moca with 8 graduates and Financial Harmony with 26 graduates. Also in November, we handed out 94 certificates in the prison in Moca, of which 24 were given to the staff of the prison for the Financial Harmony in the Home course, 38 were given to the prisoners for the Principles of Business course, and 33 were given to the prisoners  the Financial Harmony in the Home course.

Ahora quiero comentar sobre una nueva clase que estuve impartiendo desde el 17 agosto hasta el 27  de octubre  en la cárcel de Rafey en Santiago. El curso lleva por nombre “La Resolución” es sobre la película “Reto de Valiente.”  El libro contiene 15 capitulo, un capitulo era asignado a dos padres y semanalmente 4 padres tenían que exponer su capítulo donde todos comentaban y contaban experiencia personales.  Al final  de la clase  tuvimos una hermosa graduación con 28 graduando donde cada prisioneros eran acompañado  por sus hijos, esposas, padres, y hermanos. 

Now I would like to talk about a new class that I taught from August 17 through October 27 in the Rafey prison in Santiago.  The course is called “The Resolution” and is based on the film Courageous.  The book has 15 chapters, and one chapter was assigned to two fathers, and weekly four fathers were assigned to present their chapter and lead discussion for everyone to comment on the book and their personal experiences.  At the end of the class we had a beautiful graduation with 28 graduates for which each prisoner was accompanied by his children, wife, parents, and brothers and sisters.

Unos de los prisioneros graduando llamado Nelson Bretón nos delecto con 3 canciones también. Nos acompañaron profesores y el director y su hijo de Santiago Christian School donde Catherine enseña.  Ellos compartieron un poco sobre sus experiencia.

One of the prisoners who graduated named Nelson Breton sang three songs as well.  We were accompanied by two teachers and the director of Santiago Christian School, where Catherine teachers, as well as the director’s son.  They each shared a little about their experiences in life.

Al final de la graduación todo los graduando  se pusieron de pies donde tenían que pronunciar y comprometerse en voz alta ante Dios asumir la plena responsabilidad sobre sus vidas, la de  su esposa y la de sus hijos luego.  Cada unos de ellos pasaron delante  con sus familias donde el firma la resolución y se queda con ella. Las familias recibe una resolución enmarcada ya ante firmada por ellos.

At the end of the graduation, all the graduates stood and pronouned and promised in loud voices before God to take all the responsibility for their lives, their spouses lives, and the lives of their children as well.  Each one of them came to the front with his family where he signed the resolution that he would keep.  The families received a framed resolution that each one had signed earlier.

 Fue muy lindo ver como algunos de ellos lloraban, abrazaban y les pedían perdón a sus hijos, esposa, madre y expresaban de corazón que iban a cumplir esa resolución. Solo nos queda orar a Dios para que el siempre le tenga presente en su mente y corazón cada palabra de esta resolución.

It was beautiful to see some of them crying, hugging and asking forgiveness from their children, wives, and mothers, and expressing from their hearts that they will keep the resolution.  All we can do is pray to God that He will always keep present in their minds and hearts each word of this resolution.

 

El 13 de octubre tuvimos el placer de celebrarles los 15 años a las chicas de grupo de teatros. En la República Dominicana cuando las jóvenes cumplen 15 Años, es costumbre de celebrarlo aunque no todo pueden hacerlo por el alto costo que lleva hacerlo. Decidimos darles esa regalo a las chicas de nuestro grupo lo cual llevo por nombre  “noche de princesa.”  Los especial es que  solo una de ellas tiene 15 años. La mayor de ellas tiene 22, y solo una de la 14 pudo celebrar sus 15, ya que  las otras no tenían los recursos necesario para hacerlo. ¡Fue muy lindo ver sus rostros llenos de alegría y felicidad  a ver unos de su deseo hecho realidad! ¡También las sorprendimos con un galán, lo cual es parte de la tradición  quien se toma fotos con ellas y nos ayudo a celebrar! Amaury bailo con cada una tomando el papel del "padre" y Catherine tomo el papel de "madre" y dio un discurso especial para ellas y un brindis con sidra.  Nuestra intención no solo era celebrar sus 15 años sino también enseñarle su valor en los ojos de Dios como Sus princesas. Al final de la noche todas eligieron a firmar un pacto de pureza hasta el día de sus matrimonios. ¡Fue una noche hermosa!

On October 13 we had the pleasure to celebrate the fifteenth birthday party for the girls in our Drama Group.  In the Dominican Republic when young women turn 15, it is the custom to celebrate even though not everyone can do so because of the high cost.  We decided to give this gift to the girls in our group, which we called “night of princesses.”  What is special is that only one of the girls is 15.  The oldest in our group is 22, and only one of the 14 girls in our group had celebrated this birthday because they did not have the resources necessary to do so.  It was beautiful to see their faces full of joy and happiness to see one of their dreams come true!  We also surprised them with a "gallan" or their own "gentleman," which is part of the tradition, who posed for pictures with them and helped us celebrate! Amaury danced with each girl acting as her "father" and Catherine acted as their "mother" and gave a special speech for them and toast with sparkling juice.  Our intention with this activity was not only to celebrate their 15^th birthday, but also to show them the value they have in the eyes of God as His princesses.  At the end of the evening they all chose to sign a Purity Pact until the day of their marriages. It was a beautiful night!

El 3-4 de noviembre  realizamos una actividad con los hombres del grupo de teatros llamada “Dios y Yo”  donde nos trasladamos de un día para otros a la montaña palo alto. Disfrutamos una linda experiencia. Tuvimos momentos de oración, alabanza, reflexión, consejos,  encendimos una fogata, y vivimos momentos de alegría.  Los interesante es que en nuestro grupo al jóvenes de 11 diferentes iglesias y entre los hombre que fuimos  habían 7 diferentes congregaciones y todo alabamos y glorificamos en una sola voz a un solo Dios.

 3-4, we also had an activity with the young men of the Drama Group called “God and Me” for which we went up to the mountain of Palo Alto for one day and night.  We enjoyed a great experience.   We had moments of prayer, praise, reflection, advice, a bonfire, and we experienced moments of happiness.  The interesting thing is that in our Drama Group are young people from 11 different churches, and among the young men seven different churches are represented, and everyone praises and glorifies only one God. 

 

El 9-10 de noviembre presentamos nuestra primera obra con el grupo teatral nuevo de Santiago Christian School, Producciones SCS. La obra se llamaba “Romeo and Juliet in the Good Veronian.”  Anteriormente, habíamos presentado esta obra con el grupo pRoducciones 8:28 como “La Elección.”   Esta vez, la obra fue presentada en Ingles y mucho de las palabras de Shakespeare con subtítulos. Tuvimos más que 200 personas que fueron a ver la obra entre las dos noches.  ¡Muchos de los profesores y estudiantes de Santiago Christian School han dicho que fue maravillosa y la mejor obra hecha por estudiantes de Santiago Christian School que han visto!

On November 9-10 we presented our first play with the new theatre group of Santiago Christian School, SCS Productions.  The play was “Romeo and Juliet in the Good Veronian.”  Previously, we had presented this play with our group 8:28 Productions as “The Choice.” This time the play was presented in English with many of Shakespeare’s words and with subtitles.  We had more than 200 people who came to see the play between the two nights.  Many of the teachers and the students of Santiago Christian School said it was wonderful and the best play presented by students of Santiago Christian School that they had seen!

También, el 14 de noviembre estuvimos dando el curso de Armonía Financiera en el Hogar en una comunidad de muy bajo recurso aquí en Santiago, y el 20 de noviembre estuvimos impartiendo el curso Etiqueta y Protocolo en una iglesia que se reúne en una escuela pública. El 24 de Noviembre tuvimos el placer de estar en la boda de algunos amigos buenos, y el 1 de Diciembre, compartimos el taller de Armonía Financiera en el Hogar con tres parejas nuevas que otros misioneros y amigos nuestros, Dave y Cherry Schwulst, están aconsejando.  Dave y Cherry también fueron nuestros consejeros en nuestra tiempo de compromiso y primero año de matrimonio, entonces fue un bendición a dar algo por atrás a su ministerio aquí en la isla.

Also, on November 14, we gave the Financial Harmony in the Home course in a poor community here in Santiago, and November 20, we gave the Protocol and Etiquette course in a church that is meeting in a public school. On November 24, we had the pleasure to be in the wedding of some good friends, and on Dec 1, we shared the Financial Harmony in the Home workshop with three newlywed couples whom fellow missionaries and friends of ours, Dave and Cherry Schwulst, are mentoring.  Dave and Cherry also mentored us through our engagement and first year of marriage, so it was a blessing to be able to give back a little to their ministry to couples here on the island!

Últimamente, el 30 de Noviembre, nuestro grupo teatral ministerial presento su sesta obra llamada “La Riqueza de la Navidad.”  ¡Donde tuvimos la asistencia de más que 200 personas, nuestra mayor público hasta la fecha! La obra trataba de una familia rica y una familia pobre, y todos reconocieron que conocer a  Jesús como su Salvador  y Su razón para venir a la tierra es la verdad más valiosa que podemos tener en nuestras vidas.  ¡El público le encanto la obra y muchas personas que nos conocen han dicho que es la mejor obra hecha por nuestro grupo!

¡La Gracia le damos a Dios por permitirnos dirigir un grupo especial como lo es pRoducciones 8:28 y a trabajar con nuestra ministerio 8:28!   

Finally, on November 20, our ministry Drama Group presented its sixth play called “The Riches of Christmas.”  We had more than 200 people attend, which was our largest audience to date!  The play is about a rich family and a poor family, and everyone recognizes that knowing Jesus as Savior and His reason for coming to earth is the most valuable truth we can know in our lives!  The audience loved the play and many who know us have said it was the best play we have done with our group!

We give thanks to God for allowing us to direct a group as special as 8:28 pRoductions and to work in 8:28 Ministries!

Dios les bendiga!  God bless!

Con amor en Cristo (With the love of Christ),

Amaury and Catherine