A La Republica Dominicana

The Fritsche Family

Partners in the Gospel The apostle Paul rejoiced over his partnership in the Gospel with the Philippians. They supported him first of all by receiving the Gospel themselves, then with their prayers and offerings as he continued preaching Christ and Him crucified to the Gentiles.

The word St. Paul uses in Philippians 1:5 that the ESV translates as partnership is the Greek word koinonia. Often this word means fellowship. Its also one of the words in our Synods three-fold emphasisWitness, Mercy and LIFE TOGETHER (koinonia).

We are bound together in Jesus Christ by virtue of our baptism. At His Table we have koinonia as we participate or share in the body and blood of Christ for forgiveness, life and salvation. In our koinonia we suffer together, we rejoice together. We labor together in the Gospel.

Through koinonia, through partnerships, the Lord is taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. We rejoice in our partnership with you! It is through such koinonia that the Lord has blessed the work in the Dominican Republic for nearly a decade. We pray, through further partnerships, His blessing will continue.

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Philippians 1:3-5 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Doy gracias a mi Dios cada vez que me acuerdo de ustedes. En todas mis oraciones siempre ruego con gozo por todos ustedes, por su comunin en el evangelio, desde el primer da hasta ahora.

Serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic

Fun Facts about the DR The Dominican Republic is known as

the bread basket of the Caribbean because it grows, farms and catches almost everything that's served for

breakfast, lunch and dinner. 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 SEPTEMBER 2014

Wyoming Support Trip

Cheyenne Our first long-distance mission support trip took us to the Wild West of Wyoming. Joels first call was to Our Savior Lutheran in Cheyenne. Pastors Scheer and Baikie and the saints of OSL extended a gracious invitation to us. Joel preached for services and we gave our presentation to the Bible class. It was wonderful to be among old friends and be welcomed with such joy. Rev. Paul Shupe (left) was visiting that Sunday. Paul is a son of the congregation, now serving as a pastor in Montana.

Torrington Joel served his vicarage at Our Savior Lutheran in Torrington, Wyoming back in 1998-99. Pastor Scott Firminhac, an old friend of Joels, now serves at OSL. His wife, Courtney, was a classmate of Joels at Concordia Nebraska. We were privileged to present to about 40 people gathered on a Tuesday evening. Joel was vicar #14 in a long line of vicars at Our Savior. Even after 15 years the bond of fellowship is still going strong. Thanks to the folks of OSL for such support!

Sheridan Joels friends and classmate, Rev. Paul Cain, is the pastor at Immanuel Lutheran in Sheridan. Pastor Cain and his wife Ann were wonderful hosts as we visited Immanuel for a Wednesday mid-week mission festival. Joel was privileged to lead the congregation for Evening Prayer. Pastor Cain accompanied with his guitar. Joel preached on Ephesians 2:1-10. After the service Pastor Cain gave Joel the green cope he is wearing in the picture. Thanks, Pastor Cain!

Can we visit your church? On our way home we stopped at Mt. Rushmore. Its nice to have some family fun along the way. But by far the most fun we had was sharing the excitement of LCMS missions in the Dominican Republic with so many wonderful people. Can we come to your congregation and tell the story? Joel would love to preach for a mission Sunday and give a presentation during Bible class. Wed also love to present to small groups throughout the week. Contact Joel to set something up!

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FRITSCHE FAMILY NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2014

The Last Few Weeks in Pictures

An important part of our LIFE TOGETHER is the joy that we have in one another through Christ. Our travels have taken us to Wyoming and to a number of congregations and schools nearby. Weve been both wired and tired. Weve had visits with fellow missionary families as well as other co-workers present and past. Weve worshiped. Weve studied. Weve eaten. Weve sung. Weve laughed. Weve cried. Thank you for all of the partnerships we have in the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

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FRITSCHE FAMILY NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2014

Together in Mission (TIM)

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Could your congregation partner with us through TIM? Would you consider bringing this possibility to your pastor or church council? Perhaps there are 20 families or individuals in your congregation who would commit to a regular gift. The TIM program is wonderful because it personally connects the missionary with the congregation. The missionary knows that he or she is prayed for regularly and has solid financial support. The congregation gets the opportunity to have the missionary visit, communicate regularly, and simply get to know the missionaries they are supporting out in the field.

Contact the Together in Mission office to receive a complete packet of information for how your congregation can join the program and support a missionary in this special way. Please provide your congregation name and mailing address as well as a contact person's name, phone number and email address. Together in Mission Office 800-248-1930, Ext. 1651 debbie.feenstra@lcms.org. Visit www.lcms.org/TogetherinMission.

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Its been incredible how many congregations have opened up their arms to welcome us into their midst. Were excited about the mission work taking place in the Dominican Republic and what God has in store for our family. The congregations we visit can sense our joy and excitement, and they say its contagious.

I was so encouraged to read a church newsletter article in which the pastor is asking for 20 families in the congregation to pledge $25 per month in support of our mission. This would total $6000 a year to support our mission work in the Dominican Republic. Its amazing to see how small gifts add up. It just goes to show you how the Lord can make such a difference through congregations and their members.

The LCMS has a program to connect congregations with missionaries for a formal partnership such as what that congregation is considering. Within just a few weeks of accepting the call to serve as a missionary, one of the awesome ladies from the mission advancement team in St. Louis informed me that a congregation in Ohio adopted our family through this program. Wow! I dont even know anyone there!

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 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 to speak with one of our Donor Care representatives.

Prayer Support Please pray That God would help us as we put our

house up for sale in Staunton, IL Thanksgiving to God for our

September birthdays: Slav (9/14) & Joel (9/15). Its Joels 40th!

That our Spanish language skills would increase as we study and learn.

For our co-workers in the Dominican Republic, especially the new missionaries who will depart soon for the DR.