The Trip of a Lifetime
From my earliest memories, one thing I always said was “I want to go! Take me, too!” I was raised in Arkansas where my parents, Jake and Barbara Henry, always had every visiting preacher or missionary in our home to eat at our table and talk about ministry around the world. I heard about their struggles and listened to Godly folks dream about the future and how to reach the lost. I would sit there and dream with them, even as a child. I wanted to go!
Fast forward to 1986 when our family was moved to West Monroe, LA. We were given a tour of White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ by Carl Allison, and we saw the passion in his eyes as he showed us the School of Biblical Studies and the World Radio offices. He talked about their dream to share the Gospel in every language. We knew this was the church we wanted to serve. I sat on the edge of my chair listening to World Radio speakers who would come and share their visions for reaching the lost. Each time my heart would whisper, “I want to go.” But God was still preparing me for the right time, and I had to wait.
Four years ago, I was moved from working in our local church office up to the One Kingdom office—one step closer to the dream I had nurtured for a lifetime. I was able to invite One Kingdom visitors into my home, where my family would serve them and listen. They would share their stories from their country and dreams about sharing the Gospel with their people. I loved them, prayed for their works, and longed to go and meet their families and communities.
Each time our One Kingdom team traveled to places like Athens, India, Liberia, Zambia and so many more, I stayed at the office and quietly prayed that God would make a way for me to go. Finally, my time has come and I was able to go visit Prudencio and Nuyrs Rodriguez in the Dominican Republic! I was thrilled that in this season of my life I was finally able to go.
Upon our arrival in Santo Domingo, we were met at the airport by our One Kingdom Latin American Ambassador, Esteban Valle-García. He brings a great sense of security with his knowledge of the culture, his skill in navigating the roads we traveled, and his expertise in translating for our team. While Ryan Lee, Mike Kellett, and Erin Stokes could speak some Spanish, I was completely unable to speak anything beyond my very southern-accented greetings! I spent the whole week relying on help to communicate.
On our drive from Santo Domingo, I was absorbed in the beauty of the landscape: trees, mountains, flowers, fruits, fields of banana groves and the lush, green, Dominican country. My heart was moved by the extreme contrast of the poverty visible everywhere, the simple homes, and the hard work of the people. We passed many men working with machetes cutting tall grass and workers trying to sell foods and goods at roadside shacks. I saw their smiles and how they gathered in groups, and knew they were a very social people.
Finally, we arrived at the home of Prudencio and Nuyrs, and it felt like I had come home. There were hugs, laughter, and lots of chatter that I did not understand, but love doesn’t need words to be understood. I had prayed for them for many years, and finally we were together. Their daughter Naomi and granddaughter Gabby were also there to welcome us. I have been friends with Naomi through social media but had no idea how much we had in common. Our ministries mirrored each other. We were invited to eat at their table, and I listened to the laughter and conversations as dear friends were united again.
I had heard our team talk about the ministry of presence and how we would be there to see the work and encourage the brothers and sisters in their communities. Through the week, a few verses came to mind:
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ (Philemon 1:6).
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father…encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word
(II Thessalonians 2:16-17).
I had heard our One Kingdom team refer to Prudencio as the “Paul of the Dominican Republic.” He started preaching two months after he was baptized and has continued to do so for 57 years. He started seven churches in the Puerto Plata area before moving to Mao. He spoke fondly of the time he met Norm Rhodes in 1976, and how World Radio began in the D.R. Plans were made for us to visit with the leaders of several of the churches and for Mike and Ryan to be guest speakers on the one-hour radio broadcast. “Do not grow weary” played again in my heart.
I have been around ministry my whole life, and the Spirit kept prompting me to give love and attention to Prudencio’s wife, Nuyrs. She has been a faithful preacher’s wife, and through the week it became evident that she has loved her church families well. I also knew that she had struggled for years with a serious health issue that I had prayed for many times.
During dinner, Nuyrs shared about her health struggle, and I could feel her regret and concern for the times she had not been well and was unable to serve others. I asked Naomi to tell her mother that I would love to pray over her. We ladies moved into the living room, and I was able to tell her that I had prayed for her for many years, and I thanked her for her faithful service to the churches she helped start. We then prayed while Naomi spoke my words to her mom. A bond was forged in that moment that will stay in our hearts forever. Once we dried our tears, Nuyrs sang for us with a strong voice and joy in her heart. Erin and I then shared a song for them, and before long the men joined us for a good old fashioned Gospel singing—in two languages. If our trip had ended right then, my heart would have been full and overflowing, but God had so much more for us to see and do.
On Friday, we headed to the radio production. Mike and Ryan talked about hope and that everyone needs the hope that can only be found in Jesus. Naomi and Gabby rode in the van with us, which gave us an opportunity for some much-needed “girl talk” about caring for the young women in her church and about her caring for her mom. That car time was invaluable. I quickly learned that her ministry and my heartfelt ministry were so much alike. Loving God’s people is the same in any language.
We then traveled to Puerto Plata. Mike is gifted at answering hard questions and encouraging the brothers. It was great to watch Mike and Ryan in action and see the respect these other ministers had for their teaching.
Prudencio had begun the Puerto Plata church in the building that formerly served as his home. Nuyrs had taught the current minister when he was young, and, through their discipleship, he is now leading the church. Several men led songs, and they raised the roof with their singing. Ryan referred to this gathering as Prudencio’s Disciple Tree: men and women he taught and trained who are now leading their own churches. We could all see the fruits of their labor.
On our way back to Mao, we stopped at the home of Miro Tejada and his wife Andrea. Miro had fallen seven months ago and is still suffering from it. Mike and Ryan prayed over him after a time of fellowship.
On Sunday, we began our day worshiping with the church in Mao. I could see the love each member had for the Rodriguez family. Joy filled our time of worship and they sang all out with thankful hearts.
From there we traveled to the Haitian church in La Caída. They meet in a building on top of a steep hill. I was immediately moved by the beautiful voices of children singing to welcome us. The Haitian church is brimming with young families and children who sat outside under tarps while the visitors and older members went inside. They gave us a place of honor on the stage where I was able to observe their faces as they smiled and clapped as our team and several visiting preachers from various denominations came together for the day. Baptism certificates were handed out and I could see the joy in Prudencio’s face to see the fruit of his labor to unite the Haitians and Dominicans.
To the Dominicans, the Haitian refugees are unwelcome guests in their country, but the blood of Jesus unites us and crosses all borders and people groups. A group of ministers and leaders from the region were called to the stage, and when they broke into a hymn I knew (Nailed to the Cross), I could no longer contain my emotions at seeing three nationalities praise God in their own language at the same time. I was reminded of Acts 2 when everyone heard the apostles speak in their own languages.
The whole church all joined in, and then the children sang for us, just like our kids do at our church from time to time. Mike spoke about sharing the Gospel in any language while Esteban and a Haitian brother interpreted his words into Spanish and Creole. He drew out the Gospel symbols on a large paper so they could see this simple way to tell others about Jesus. I was touched by their desire to see and hear the message as they stood in the windows and doors because there were not enough seats.
After worship, we were surprised that in spite of their desperate living situation, so many people had come together to prepare a feast for everyone. We were invited to eat in a side building where we enjoyed a delicious meal, and I was able to watch their hospitality in action. After I ate, I was able to sneak out front to visit with the young Haitian families and their precious children.
I held two beautiful babies and sang some songs to the younger kids who followed my motions and laughed at my funny-sounding words. I moved over to a group of older kids, and when I pulled out my camera, they did just like American kids: they got silly with their “what’s up” style, and we shared a good laugh when I showed them their photo. Soon after, we had to leave this beautiful church on the hill, but the memories will never fade.
After a siesta, we went back to Prudencio’s home for one final meal. Naomi prepared a delicious spaghetti with fresh avocado as a side dish. When I offered to wash dishes, I reminded her that I was no longer company, I was family, so I washed while she and Erin dried. All of us spoke about the beautiful relationships that had developed during our visit.
However, I knew Nuyrs was suffering greatly with swelling and pain in her feet and legs, so I asked if she would allow Erin and I one more opportunity to pray over her. We went to the front porch and shared a moment where I was able to pray for Nuyrs and Erin prayed for Naomi. Erin and I were perfectly matched to minister to this mother and daughter. We could feel God’s guidance as we held hands and loved these two women who have given so much of their lives to the church. Afterward, the men had finished visiting, and the time had come for us to go. More hugs and tears were shed, and I knew we were constantly in the presence of great love throughout our visit.
On Monday morning, we began our journey back to Santo Domingo and were invited to have supper with Prudencio and Nuyrs’ oldest daughter, Bethelys, and her husband. They own a restaurant, but they wanted to welcome us into their home. The meal was so good, but the singing afterward was just the perfect way to end our week.
We went on this trip to encourage the Rodriguez family and other members and leaders of the churches in the Dominican Republic, but what we received were blessings beyond measure. Their three children, Bethelys, Naomi, and Abner are eager to carry on the Lord’s work to the next generation. This “Paul of the Dominican” has discipled his people well. I am so thankful I got to go and see what God is doing there.