South Dakota, Minnesota Medical Volunteer-in-Mission Team

Thank you Julia, Dr. Cindi, Dr. Dale, Dr. Terri, Dr. Yovi and Dr.(almost)Kayla, the three amigos – Elliot, Chris, and Garrett; Mario, Ann Elise, Mike, Deisy y Lorenzo, Dairy, Lori, Loreidy, Juana, Rosmeri, Loli, Noemi, and Yenesi.

There are a lot of moving parts to a medical mission in the Dominican Republic. There is much collaboration, coor-dination, and conversation in a cross cultural setting which has a high potential for chaos.

Thankfully, the mission becomes a dance of God’s grace.

Solar Oven Partners - IED (Dominican Republic)

Thank you Erasme, Gertrudis and Mario as you go into the Dominican communities searching for people who have the least resources and present them with an opportunity to care for their families and our earthly home by using the sun’s energy for cooking. You definitely inspire us with your dedication and continuous hard work.

Gordon and Ardell want to thank:

Solar Oven Partners - UMC

To Marj Evans-de-Carpio (our International Solar Oven Director) and all our friends who have come this year to support and encourage the Solar Oven Project in the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican people, the National Solar Oven team, and the environment all thank you.

We are continuously amazed when we open the oven, smell the aroma, see the people’s faces light up and hear the comments of, “How is this possible?”

Solar Oven Partners Advance Special # 418812

Kennedy Martin, a mission intern from Birmingham, Alabama

Thank you, Kennedy for your openness to listen and learn, your willingness to be involved in life amidst all its messiness, for your heart of justice and for your love for all of God’s people

Volunteers and Volunteer in Mission teams bring with them some of the best qualities; generosity, open hearts and minds, a strong work ethic, and a good sense of humor.

They also bring the faith, hope, and love of Christ with hearts of compassion.

Ardell’s Advance Special #: 10836Zagraner@umcmission.org

Gordon’s Advance Special #: 10835Z ggraner@umcmission.org

website: www.granerfamily.orgLost & Found: Children of the DR #3021935

Ardell & Gordon Graner September, 2018

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Adolescent Summer Camp

116 young people came to summer camp in Baní. The theme was, violence in the Dominican society.

The red group picked, “The Chosen” for their group name. Their symbol was an ‘illuminated person’ and the Bible verse they chose to guide them was Philippians 4: 13,

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Their excellent group leader was Lili. After the first small group meeting we had, I found her in the chapel standing with her face in the corner of two walls. She was sobbing. When I hugged her, she said, “I can’t bear that these kids are so young and have experienced such difficult things in their lives.”

Fourth Set of Sunday School Curriculum written by

the pastors and lay educators in the IED church

Our fourth set of Sunday School curriculum is finished and has been sent to the publisher to be printed. These lessons will help to provide spiritual growth for five age groups of Sunday Schools in the Iglesia Evangélica Dominicana (IED) for the next six months.

Prayer Requests

§ We ask you to pray for Gordy as he continues to heal his broken shoulder.

§ For the Dominican people as they have begun to march and protest the severe corruption in their government that prevents so many people from receiving the quality of life all humans need.

Some of the leaders in the church then laid hands on each one and blessed them saying, “Go forth to love and serve others. You are called to be a peacemaker.”

If you would like to read more about this precious camp, please open: www.granerfamily.org

As we ended the camp with a ommunion service, we asked the young folks to set their broken, but now glued pots, some barely with enough pieces to hold them together, yet now with a tiny candle burning in each one, on the altar before they received communion.