The Fritsche Family: Efata, Es Decir: Sé Abierto

A U G U S T
2 0 1 5
The Fritsche Family

Serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic
San Marcos 7:34

Y levantando los ojos al cielo,
gimi, y le dijo: Efata, es
decir: S abierto.
And looking up to heaven, He
sighed and said to him,
Ephatha, that is Be
opened. (St. Mark 7:34)
Efata, Es Decir: S Abierto

Even if Im not preaching on an upcoming Sunday, the appointed readings,
especially the Gospel text, are always spinning about in my head. Last week I
was working with our vicar through his sermon for the upcoming Sunday (Trinity
12) and as I moved into my (long overdue!) newsletter work, the text stayed at
the forefront of my mind as I reflected not only on the work of this summer, but
our overall purpose in being here in the Dominican Republic.
Fun Facts about the DR

Before Columbus discovered the island
and named it 'Hispaniola', the Tano
Indians called it Quisqueya, Hait, or
Boho, meaning 'Mother of all Lands'.
Interesting that our neighboring country,
Haiti, retains the name.
Check out LCMS Missions in Latin

America and the Caribbean for regional
updates and The Fritsche Family: A La
Republica Dominica for weekly updates
on our family and our work in the
Dominican Republic.
As Mark records in chapter 7 of his gospel, Jesus had been journeying through
Tyre and Sidon, Gentile territory. Thats the way of the Gospel. Its for all
people. Jesus goes where the Jews typically wouldnt go. Next, even though
he returns to a part of ancient Israel, the Decapolis is essentially heathen
territory as well. Here Jesus continues his teaching ministry and performs
healings. A man who was deaf and had a speech impediment was brought to
Him. Jesus put His fingers into the mans ears, spit and touched his tongue.
Then came the sigh as He looked up to heaven, saying to the man, Ephatha,
Be opened. In an instant, the man could hear and speak.
Our Lords miracle was awesome to be sure. How amazing for a man unable to
hear or speak properly to be made well. But Jesus is more than a miracle
worker. The deaf-mute man wasnt made completely whole. But thats exactly
what Jesus came to do. His miracles were a sign of the dawn of the Messianic
Age, but Jesus came to do so much more. He came to make whole in body and
soul. Think cross and resurrection!
Continued on next page
To subscribe to our newsletter send Joel an email at

Joel.Fritsche@lcmsintl.org.
FRITSCHE FAMILY NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2015
Jesus sighed just as He healed the man. A chapter later Jesus records another sigh when the Pharisees demand a sign.
Both times its as if Jesus sighs at the effects of sin on humanity, in Mark 7 at what sin has done physically to mankind,
then in Mark 8 at what its done spiritually, closing ears to the Gospel. Both go together and point to an even greater sigh
later on when Jesus breathes His last, hanging on the cross, paying the price for the sins of the world, yours and mine.
Ephatha, Be opened! Thats what the Lord does in Holy Baptism. He opens ears to hear the Gospel and tongues to
confess His name to the world. As missionaries, were here to serve as His instruments in this holy work. We go where
others dont or cant go, in our case the DR. No, were not always on the beach. We're in the trenches, pointing sinners
to the one who makes whole in body and soul, done at the cross, signed and sealed in Baptism. Were here, standing
side by side with sinners, confessing together, hearing the absolution together and receiving the Lords Body and Blood
together. And together we await the great and glorious Day when our Lord comes again to make us whole forever.
Pastor Joel & Clarion Fritsche & Family
Mission Work Updates

Summer Music Workshop
In early July we had two talented young ladies from the states visit
our church to have a week-long music workshop for the youth. It
started out with a few kids, but by the end of the week we had
quite a large group. One of the goals was to strengthen the
children in the churchs song. Music is not only a way in which we
can praise God, but He uses it as a vehicle for His Word. It was
wonderful to hear the kids singing, but to also rejoice that they
were hearing the Gospel and confessing their faith.
Taking the Next Steps

At the beginning of September, we will be wrapping up our
intensive study of Spanish. While we have much more to learn,
its time to switch gears and dive deeper into the mission work,
while studying Spanish along the way. Our friend and
colleague, Tyler McMiller finally left for Mexico in mid-July,
which leaves a space for us to jump in and try to fill his shoes.
Tyler was working with music and teaching Catechism on
Saturdays. Currently, we are re-thinking our structure a bit. We
have a number of young people who lead the music. Our goal
is to have everything revolve around the Divine Service on
Sunday mornings. Joel is also starting to do more home visits.
Annual Regional Missionary Retreat

In early August we gathered together for a week of
worship, study and fellowship with missionaries from
throughout our Latin America/Caribbean region. It
was a wonderful time to reconnect with friends, make
new friends and strengthen one another in Christ
through the Word of God. Its exciting to hear about
what the Lord is doing through the Gospel throughout
this part of the world. The Lord is continually opening
new doors for faithful mission work. Definitely check
out our regional Facebook page to see witness,
mercy and life together throughout our region!
!2
FRITSCHE FAMILY NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2015
Short-Term Team Visits

Several short-term teams visited this summer, focusing mainly on
projects in our Santiago missions. One of our supporting
congregations, St. Johns LCMS in Plymouth, Wisconsin spent a
week working at Concordia Lutheran School in Palmar Arriba. Joel
was privileged to spend a day with them as well. Short-term trips
are an option for our Together in Mission partners. If you are
interested in bringing a group here to serve, please let Joel know.
We would love to have you in the field with us!
Family Updates
Our family has really enjoyed the opportunity to see more of the DR in the past month or so. We had a wonderful little
respite at Samana (about 2 hrs from our house) and a great time with our missionary friends at Puerto Plata. The boys
will begin school at Cathedral International School this week. So, a lot of time has gone into preparations for enrolling
them in school. They are very excited for this new adventure. Joel and Clarion are very excited for them to have this
challenge. The boys will receive instruction in English and Spanish. It will be very interesting to see how quickly their
Spanish progresses when they are required to use it often. We are very blessed and grateful that they will have the
chance to attend such a wonderful school. August and September will include several family celebrations, including
birthdays and gotcha days. For those of you not familiar with the term gotcha day, it is the celebration of the day a
child is adopted. All three boys adoptions were finalized during the months of August & September. Its so hard to believe
that its been 7 years since we adopted Viktor and Sergei and 4 years since we adopted Andrei. We have much to
celebrate, most importantly our adoption in to the Body of Christ. Thank you for your continued prayers, love and support!
Financial Support
To support our work financially, you may send a taxdeductible gift to either of the following:
The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod
P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861
Mission Central
40718 Highway E16, Mapleton, IA 51034
Make checks payable to The Lutheran ChurchMissouri
Synod. Mark checks Support of Joel & Clarion Fritsche.
Gifts can also be given securely online through the LCMS
website, on our online giving page at www.lcms.org/
fritsche or call 888-930-4438.
Prayer Support
Please pray
For Jess and his daughter

Jessica, confirmed in July.
For Pastor Willy, Santa and their

daughters as we serve with them.
For Viktor, Sergei and Andrei as

they begin school here in the DR
For Joel as he begins doing more

teaching and visiting families.
For Tyler McMiller as he begins

much needed mission work with
the Lutheran Church in Mexico.
For Cheryl, Joels mom, as she

struggles with hip and back pain.
!3

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A U G U S T

The Fritsche Family

San Marcos 7:34

Efata, Es Decir: S Abierto

Fun Facts about the DR

Check out LCMS Missions in Latin

To subscribe to our newsletter send Joel an email at

FRITSCHE FAMILY NEWSLETTER

Pastor Joel & Clarion Fritsche & Family

Mission Work Updates

Taking the Next Steps

Annual Regional Missionary Retreat

FRITSCHE FAMILY NEWSLETTER

Short-Term Team Visits

For Jess and his daughter

For Pastor Willy, Santa and their

For Viktor, Sergei and Andrei as

For Joel as he begins doing more

For Tyler McMiller as he begins

For Cheryl, Joels mom, as she

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