J A N U A R Y

2 0 1 6

The Fritsche Family

Serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic

Isaas 60:3
Y andarn las naciones a
tu luz, y los reyes al
resplandor de tu nacimiento.

Andarn las
naciones

And nations shall come

to your light, and kings to the
brightness of your rising.
The other day our family was out doing some shopping and we ran into the
three wisemen in the supermercado. I managed to get a photo of our three
boys with two of the magi. They were handing out gifts, not of gold,
frankincense or myrrh, but lollipops. Three Kings Day is a big celebration here
in the Dominican Republic. In fact, the old tradition here (and throughout Latin
America) is to share gifts on January 6, rather than December 25. In North
America, we know this date as Epiphany, the revelation of our Lord Jesus.
Fun Facts about the DR
In the month of December most
Dominicans receive a Christmas bonus
called doble sueldo or double salary to
help fuel their celebrations. It definitely
helps fund their long holiday celebration.

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.

The Old Testament reading appointed for the Epiphany of our Lord is from
Isaiah 60. The magi, however many of them there actually were, fulfill the
prophecy of Isaiah that nations will come to worship the promised Messiah. The
Magi could have heard of the prophecy of a Jewish king from hundreds of years
earlier when the Jews were exiled in Babylon in the East. We dont know for
sure. What we know is that they followed the star in search of the king.
The wise men arrived in Jerusalem and found a king. Sadly it wasn't the king
they were searching for. It was Herod, a liar, deceiver and murderer. Ironically,
the chief priests and scribes uttered the ancient prophecies about the Messiahs
birth, but save for the wisemen, it was as if the words fell on deaf ears.
Although the wise men followed the star, it was Holy Scripture that revealed the
good news of a Savior. While God can use stars and dreams for His purpose,
He brings people to saving faith in Christ through His powerful, Holy Word.
Continued on next page

To subscribe to our newsletter send Joel an email at

Joel.Fritsche@lcmsintl.org.

 FRITSCHE FAMILY NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2016

The coming of the magi to worship the King of Kings was only the beginning of what God promised from the very
beginning. He spoke a Word of promise to Adam and Eve to rescue them and all humanity from sin through the seed of
the woman. As the promise is proclaimed in its fullness today, the nations are still being called out of the darkness of sin
and unbelief to the light and life of Jesus Christ. Here in the Dominican Republic, everything we do in mission flows from
the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus birth, death and resurrection. Without that, theres no mission.
As Isaiah foretold, nations are indeed coming and worshiping the King, receiving His saving gifts in Word and Sacrament
and responding in faith. By the working of the Holy Spirit, Dominicans are offering their bodies as living sacrifices in view
of Gods incredible mercy in Jesus. Pastors are being formed to continue the preaching of the Gospel to all nations.
Deaconesses are being taught to serve with Christs mercy. Your gifts flow from that same Gospel that has enlightened
your life. Thank you for being our partners and rejoicing with us as the Lord fulfills His promises of old!

Pastor Joel & Clarion Fritsche & Family

Mission Work Updates

Celebrating Baptisms
Throughout the month of December in the midst of our regular
visits in Las Americas, we identified numerous people who desired
Holy Baptism either for themselves or their children. Pastor Willy
did several sessions of teaching on Holy Baptism on Saturday
afternoons. By the grace of God, on Sunday, December 20th we
celebrated eight baptisms. Now the follow-up begins as we
continue to teach and encourage these new Christians in their faith
and life. Please keep them and us in your prayers.

A New Mission Start

Long before our familys arrival in Santo Domingo, our
missionaries from Santiago were commuting here to preach
and teach the Gospel. A number of new Christians were
catechized, baptized and confirmed, but because of lack of
more missionary personnel, they werent able to be served on a
regular basis. One of the goals in bringing our family to the
capital was to eventually rally these people and begin a second
mission with regular worship, study and fellowship. On
December 12th we officially began services in the
neighborhood of Ozama. For now, we have worship twice a
month and a catechism class with hopefully more to come!

Farewell Katie Ziegler

Deaconess Katie Ziegler has been serving in DR for
the past three years, first as an intern and, the past
year as a Deaconess with us in Santo Domingo.
Little did she know when she started, that three years
later shed be heading off to Argentina to marry one
of the vicars who served here in the DR with her. We
will miss Katie dearly. We pray Gods blessings upon
her and Roberto as they are married next month,
once in Nebraska and again in Argentina. Katie has
been a tremendous blessing to the DR mission.
Somehow I dont think weve seen the last of her!
!2

FRITSCHE FAMILY NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2016

Welcome James & Christel

James and Christel Neuendorf, part of our regional team in
Santiago, will be joining us half-time here in Santo Domingo.
James already does communications work for our region and will
now be serving a two-year vicarage under Joels supervision.
Christel was recently consecrated as a Deaconess. Along with
Danelle Putnam, Christel will fill Katies shoes by teaching and
forming Dominican Deaconesses. Christel also serves regionally in
the area of Missionary Care. Were thrilled to have them with us!

Family Updates

Happy New Year from the Fritsche family! It was a beautiful end to 2015 and a joyful beginning to 2016. It was very
wonderful to have some family time as the boys were off of school and Joels parents joined us for the holidays. We were
incredibly blessed to be able to travel to Punta Cana and the Samana province. Clarion was extremely excited to finally
be rid of her cast. Her wrist is getting stronger every day. Joel and Clarion celebrated 12 years of marriage on December
27 with an incredible dinner. Rest and relaxation was provided for the whole family and Happy New Year rang out as we
watched fireworks from our roof. Now, it is time to get back in the swing of things. The boys are more than ready to get
back to school and friends. Joel and Clarion are ready to pick up the pace as James and Christel join the Santo Domingo
team. Joel is preparing for a week long trip to the US for the symposium in Fort Wayne. A great beginning to the year!
How blessed we have been! As 2016 begins, we pray for you all, that you have the peace and contentment of the Lord in
your lives. You all are certainly a blessing to us and we pray that you are likewise blessed. Prospero Ao Nuevo!!!

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 new missionary families headed

here for orientation, then to the field
(Preus, Schlund, Hosch & Meissner).

For our new mission in the Ozama

sector in Santo Domingo.

For those who were baptized on

December 20th and their families.

For our pastoral and deaconess

students, having an intensive course
January 8-10.

Thanksgiving for the healing of

Clarions wrist.

For James and Christel as they begin

serving with us this month.

!3