A La Republica Dominicana

The Fritsche Family

Viva La Reformacin!
My mom gave me the above t-shirt that she found on the internet.
Underneath the picture of Dr. Luther it reads Viva La Reformacin.
Instead of long live the revolution, we get long live the Reformation!
To that I say a huge Amen.
Some might wonder why we would need to put so much into missions in
the Dominican Republic, a country where over 90% of the population
identify themselves as Roman Catholic. Arent Catholics saved too?
Sure, there are plenty of Roman Catholics who share in Gods gift of
salvation. But there are also plenty of Dominicans (and people all over
the world) who may claim a certain religion or denomination, but are
really not Christ-confessing Christians at all. Thats true in the USA.
For Lutherans, its always more than just I believe in Jesus. What
does this mean? is a question we ask on many fronts in our confession
of faith. The answer is seen in not only how we articulate the Christian
faith, such as when we confess the Apostles Creed or a certain part of
the Catechism. The answer is seen as we live in Christ. Its seen at
pulpit, altar and font, where our Lord Jesus gives us the very gift of
Himself and His salvation. (continued on next page)
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been
saved through faith. And this is
not your own doing; it is the gift
of God, not a result of works, so
that no one may boast.
Ciertamente la gracia de Dios
los ha salvado por medio de la
fe. sta no naci de ustedes,
sino que es un don de Dios; ni es
resultado de las obras, para que
nadie se vanaglorie.
Efesios 2:8-9
Serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic
Fun Facts about the DR!
While it is thought by many that
baseball was first introduced to the
Dominican Republic by United States
Army soldiers stationed there, it was
actually its Caribbean neighbor, Cuba,
which brought the sport to the shores
of the country.
To subscribe to our newsletter or schedule a mission presentation,
send Joel an email at Joel.Fritsche@lcmsintl.org.
Check out our blog at destinationdominican.wordpress.com.


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FRITSCHE FAMILY NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2014
As a pastor these past fourteen years, I was always glad to
hear people confess their faith, to simply say, I believe in
Jesus or to see their name on the church rolls as a baptized
member. But all the more I rejoiced to see them in the Lords
house regularly, confessing their sins and hearing the
absolution that hearkens back to their Baptism. I rejoiced to
see them in the Word with fellow Christians, growing up into the
fullness of Christ. I rejoiced when they approached the altar to
receive Gods free grace in the tangible gift of the Holy
Sacrament of Christs body and blood. I rejoiced to see them
living out their vocations, showing mercy to their neighbor.
Thats the life and confession of one who is saved by grace
through faith in Christ!

As I learn more about the Dominican Lutheran Mission where I
will be serving, these things that I rejoiced to see as a pastor
here in the states are at the forefront of the mission work that
has been going on for nearly ten years in the Dominican
Republic. Dominicans are experiencing the richness of Christ,
receiving His forgiveness at the pulpit, altar and font. Theyre
showing mercy to others, even as Jesus showed mercy to
those in need. New believers are taking an active role in their
church, some even studying to be pastors or deacons and
deaconesses.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is
not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so
that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). The free grace of
God in Christ is at the heart of our Lutheran Reformation.
Christ came into the flesh for you. Christ died for you. Christ
rose from the grave for you. But even though the cross is a
historical event in the past, the gift of God in Christ is very much
a present reality. Thats why I rejoice in our Lutheran
confession of faith. Christ crucified for you and for me is a
present reality in Word and Sacrament and in Him alone you
and I have certainty of salvation.
I am eager to see for myself what God is doing by grace
through faith in Christ in the Dominican Republic. Viva la
Reformacin! Viva la Reformacin here in the United States!
Viva la Reformacin in the Dominican Republic! Viva la
Reformacin wherever the Gospel is preached and the
Sacraments are rightly administered. Viva la Reformacin as
Gods people across the globe confess Christ crucified and live
out their vocations showing mercy to their neighbor. Viva la
Reformacin! Amen indeed!


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FRITSCHE FAMILY NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2014

Reunited and Acquainted!
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presentations on our impending mission work. We
spend a wonderful afternoon with Gary Thies, the
incredible Misson Central volunteers and guests. The
next day we presented at St. Johns in Oskaloosa, IA
with our friends Pastor Sam & Cassie Beltz and their
little ones.
While we were at Mission Central we got to see Angela
Sharp and her children. James was busy doing
presentations in Texas so she and the children came
to visit us. Que divertido! This amazing family will be
going to Uruguay. They are a wonderful family and it
was such a pleasure to catch up with them. The
children had a fabulous time together and Clarion
really enjoyed getting to talk with Angela.
We were so pleased to learn that in the DR the Krey
family welcomed a little girl this month. Another person
for us meet! Feliz cumpleanos baby Evangeline!
We are so blessed with the people in our lives who
share Gods love, uplift and support us, and give us
strength through prayer. God bless and keep you all!!
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This past month has been very exciting as we have
had the opportunity to be reunited with some of the
wonderful missionaries we met during missionary
orientation as well as meeting other ones.
Last month the Reusch family stopped by our house
for a visit. They will be serving as missionaries in
Puerto Rico and they are so much fun! They were able
to come by for lunch on their way through town. The
children all had so much fun being together again. The
adults enjoyed the fellowship that missionaries provide
one another. This is so important and we really
appreciated them taking the time to come see us!
Recently we were blessed to have the opportunity to
spend some time with Deaconess Gail Ludvigson and
get to know her. She will be working with us in the
Dominican Republic. She spent a couple of days with
us while she was in Illinois raising support.
We had an excellent visit to Mission Central in
Mapleton, Iowa in September. We were overjoyed to
get to see Deaconess Rachel Powell. Rachel will be
working with us in the D.R. (yay!) We gave
Financial Support
To support our work financially, you may send a tax-
deductible gift to:
The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod
P.O. Box 790089
St. Louis, MO 63179-0089
Make checks payable to The Lutheran Church
Missouri 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
to speak with one of our Donor Care representatives.
Prayer Support
Please pray for the following!
Thanksgiving at the birth of
Evangeline Krey
Safety as we journey through Texas
this month
Birthday blessings for Clarion (10/20)
For continued strength and patience
with homeschooling and Spanish
classes.
For Zion Lutheran Church in
Staunton, IL as they install a new
pastor this month.