Dominican Republic youth get first taste of US culture on way to NYC.

By Janis Pyle

A group of six youth from the Dominican Republic have "stepped out on faith" in their efforts to attend National Youth Conference. "It is a group of exceptional leaders who all have generous and kind spirits," said Beth Gunzel, one of the group's hosts and translators. She is consultant for a microloan community development program in the DR, working with the General Board's Global Mission Partnerships.

"I was immediately impressed to see how well they worked together and the thought-provoking questions they had," Gunzel said of the Dominican group. "The group maintained a positive attitude as they practiced songs and dramas, while facing the possibility of not being able to travel." A strict US immigration policy has made it very difficult for the youth to obtain travel visas, Gunzel said.

The six youth from Iglesia de los Hermanos-DR (Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic) arrived July 15 to visit the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., and the Chicago-area congregations before attending National Youth Conference in Colorado. Gunzel is assisted in translation and hosting by Tim Heishman, son of DR mission coordinators Irv and Nancy Heishman.

Participants and their churches and villages are: Guildalba Feliz Guzman, Pena de Horeb, Bastida; Elizabeth Feliz Marmolejos, La Hermosa, La Caya; Maria Virgen Suero De Leon, Ebenezer, Bonao; Vildor Archange, Nueva Uncion, Mendoza; Benjamin Lamu Bueno, Rey de Reyes, Sabana Torsa (San Luis); and Pedro Sanchez Ledesma, pastor at Mone de los Olivos, Magueyal.

Guzman explained just how new this experience is for her. In one weekend, she has experienced for the first time computers, e-mail, air travel, and hamburgers. At a Sunday morning worship service at York Center Church of the Brethren in Lombard, Ill., Guzman found herself enjoying the piano music, even without the clapping or drums she is accustomed to. "Although our worship styles differ, we serve the same God," she said.

The group's schedule included a potluck at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin; a trip to Camp Emmaus and Pinecrest Community in Mount Morris, Ill.; worship with Christ Connections congregation in Oswego, Ill.; and sightseeing in downtown Chicago.

The Dominican group will be highlighted at NYC on Tuesday, July 25. During morning worship, Archange will share about the microloans program from his perspective as a board member and a local representative in his community. The group will perform the closing song for evening worship the same day.

--Janis Pyle is coordinator of mission connections for the Global Mission Partnerships of the Church of the Brethren General Board.

Source: 7/21/2006 Newsline Special: Preview of National Youth Conference
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