Sunday morning. Early morning rise again, but quiet. After a delicious breakfast, we loaded the minibus and headed off to church for 9 AM. Today we were worshiping with the brothers and sisters of Pastor Mario Matos' church in the small community of Guaricanos, a suburb of Santo Domingo. Mario is also the current director of COCREF of which Renacer school is part. Dominican worship is likely the most lively worship we have seen. Not only is it lively it is exciting.
Today we learned that God not only loves us but He likes us. Pastor Mario read from Matthew 3:13-17 and Luke 3:21-22. We heard about the two ways God talked regarding His son. First He says, this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. In this context the Father introduces the Son. In the other context he says, you are my son in whom I am well pleased. The father speaks to his son directly. We learn in this, as adopted sons and daughters, how our Father in heaven talks to us and about us. The sermon was simple and yet beautiful, applicable and scriptural. The interpretation from Spanish to English was seamless. After worship we had an opportunity to also meet with some of the brothers and sisters of this small church.
During the afternoon, we were given a walking tour of the old colonial section of Santo Domingo with Billy and Pastor Mario. The city has the oldest cathedral in the new world that was established in the 1500's. It also claims to have the first university. The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1496. The old fort as well as Columbus's residence still stand to day along with other structures from that time.
Upon our return to camp, we had a wonderful dinner waiting for us. After spending time in devotions after dinner, we filled the rest of our day playing a few games.
A beautiful day spent in worship and fellowship as well as a lesson in Dominican history.
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