The group I Laguna Prieta is steadily growing and receiving the message and the teachings very well. Pray that soon we will be able to purchase more chairs and prepare the area a little better in order to continue teaching there whether rain or shine.
A few of the people attending have expressed their gratitude for the Bible 
study. Others come broken and just seeking help and hope. Some seem to come out of curiosity, since they see us there weekly setting up chairs and inviting others. There are people in the group with different backgrounds. Some have visited churches or have been churched sometime in the past, but when asked, they admit they do not have Christ. Some have not been churched at all. A few are vulnerable believers who have little to no resources to get around, or even decent clothes to attend a church if they wanted to.
In general, the Haitian church culture takes going to church dressed as nicely as possible very seriously. Many who would go, but do not have the appropiate attire according to cultural standards, simply will not go. This is to not be shamed or judged by those who are able to present themselves differently. I have heard this from countless individuals in vulnerable situations. Of course it is ok to want to look nice for church, that is a good thing. But, when this breeds favoritism, it becomes sinful and legalistic (in any culture or tradition for that matter). This is unfortunate, but we are clear in saying to them, that although it may be a cultural view, it is not a biblical one.
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? -James 2:1-4
But their concern is certainly understandable if you could put yourself in their position of vulnerability and under the same cultural norms just for a moment. This is one good reason why taking the Gospel to the vulnerable and doing ministry in these contexts, although challenging, is so important.
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. – James 2:5-9
The Bible studies in Laguna Prieta are going well, praise the Lord. We continue with the basics of salvation. We spent time in Epehesians 2 explaining our condition apart from Christ and how we were separated from God and dead in our sins, yet, by God’s grace, we have been made alive in Christ.
The text reads:
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:1-10
Main Point: The passage emphasizes salvation through God’s grace in Christ Jesus, despite our previous state of sin and separation from Him.
Humanity’s Condition (1-3)
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- The text describes a state of spiritual death due to “trespasses and sins.” (v.1)
- People followed “the ways of this world” and the influence of a evil. (v.2)
- Born in this condition we were “by nature children under wrath.” (v.3)
God’s Intervention Through Grace (4-6):
Despite our condition, God’s “great love” and “mercy” led Him to make us “alive with Christ.” (v.4-5)
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- The text emphasizes being “saved by grace” and not by works. (v.5)
- Being “raised up with him and seated with him in the heavens” means we have a new immediate spiritual position. (v.6)
God’s Purpose and the Gift of Faith (verses 7-9):
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- The passage states God’s desire to display “the immeasurable riches of his grace” through Christ. (v.7)
- “Saved by grace through faith” is presented as God’s gift, not something earned. (v.8)
A New Identity and Purpose (verse 10):
- The text refers to us as God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” (v.10)
- These “good works” are not presented as a means of salvation but the result of being “created” in Christ. Good works cannot in any way unite us to Christ, but once we believe, the good works are evidence that we are in Him..
Key Points:
- The text focuses on God’s initiative in offering salvation through grace in Christ.
- Our past transgressions are acknowledged but not a barrier to God’s grace.
- Good works are a consequence, an evidence, not a cause of salvation.
Pray for us. That the Lord would bring salvation to these individuals and that they would grow in the knowledge of Christ. Soli Deo Gloria.
Antonio Salgado serving in the Dominican Republic
“I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” – Philippians 1:3-5
Please pray for our BCMS workers serving faithfully in hard places. May the Gospel continue to go forth, to God be the glory.
If the Lord so lies on your heart to give back to Him by supporting this ministry, you can easily donate online through PayPal. Click the donate button below to send support of any amount directly to the ministry. This is the fastest option to get funds to the mission field.
Also,
CENTRAL MISSIONARY CLEARINGHOUSE
P.O. Box 219228
Houston, Texas 77218-9228
1-800-CMC-PRAY (1-800-262-7729)
Office: 281-599-7411
Fax: 281-599-7511
You may begin sending your support to BCMS/Antonio Salgado at any time at the address above. (Checks should be made payable to Central Missionary Clearinghouse or C.M.C.)
You can also now give to the ministry online through the new giving solution called “click and give” at the CMC website. To get started, you just need to click on the link below and register the first time. Just a simple click on the donate button on their page (see link below), and then click the “click and give icon/button”.
https://www.cmcmissions.org/donate
For tax exemption, you must send your donation through Central Missionary Clearinghouse (CMC) at the address above. PayPal option is the fastest way to get funds directly to the field in case of emergencies or urgent needs. We do not use a sending agency that gets a percentage of the money donated, so you can be sure that your gift goes directly to the mission field. Whatever you decide, thank you so much for praying for us. Grace and peace.
and Haitian brothers from different towns and cities from different parts of the Dominican Republic, I was confident about wanting to pursue ministry partnerships with four godly men. I spent that time visiting several small towns surrounding Santiago, different barrios within Santiago and even the deep south in Pedernales. The trip to Pedernales to visit with pastor Frantzdy was further than I anticipated, but it was well worth it. Although several men were considered, all very good brothers. I was looking for certain kind of men. Men with tough skin, yet with soft hearts. Men with sound doctrine, but that are not too comfortable just teaching once in a while. Men who are bold enough to be willing to go out to the despised and rejected with the Gospel, who are not paralyzed by the fear of man and are willing to help the poor and, at times, even take risks for the Lord. Let’s be honest. It is far too easy to be bold from a pulpit in a controlled environment with a program. Anyone can do that. Our Lord commands us to go, to make disciples “as we go”. Not simply wait until they come to us. I am thankful that the Lord has given me the privilege to know these brothers and this opportunity to work with them. 
Prieta with Pastor Job. This past Thursday we went out in the community and spoke with several men, women and adolescents. We shared the Gospel with many and about ten of them were willing to attend the Bible study the following week. Pastor Job is very experienced with evangelism and bold yet is kind and loving in his approach.
their Pastor. We laughed and cried together through many things. Some of those brothers and sisters have gone with me to preach the Gospel in many different towns over the years. I am very thankful.
vulnerable faithfully. We have begun helping a nursing home with many elderly there. Leonel has befriended the Director and she is very thankful. Unfortunately, they often don’t have the resources to always feed them daily. We began helping with a two week supply of basic food items. But, with a little support from our donors, we could do a monthly donation. Three hundred US dollars covers some staple food items for almost a month. It is also an opportunity to minister to a group of people who are reaching the end of their journey in this world. They need the Gospel. Pray for Leonel, for them and consider helping towards this cause.Be on the lookout for another update from brother Rafael’s efforts as well. There is much more that can be said, but we want others to read the update, so I will keep it short.
the capital due to the criminal activities of the gangs that are in the westside of the country.
today to change expired sardines they sold me and they left it to in order to sell it to another person. Oftentimes, my people do not protest easily, more if it is cheap and something needed. There are some things I cannot even say here. As believers, we are constantly having to guard our hearts in the face of suffering and injustice.
brothers and sisters who pray for me and support our efforts. I usually am a working man. I like to work and produce for myself and my family. Unfortunately, right now there isn´t any work. So especially in these very difficult times here, I am very thankful for BCMS, because due to the Lord´s provision through our partners, I can pay for my children’s studies, our food, and praise God that my children have not been seriously ill, because the hospitals in Haiti cannot help us very much.
with the director of a home for the elderly. There are over 60 people living there, but sadly they struggle to feed them daily. The director shared with me that there are days they don´t have anything to offer them. After speaking with Antonio, we quickly did what we could to take them some food that should last at least 12-15 days. We saw this as a way to show compassion to a vulnerable group and an opportunity to share the Gospel with those who are reaching the end of their lives. 
Christ and praying with them, we also helped them to cover the cost of a few medications. Please pray for the many people who God has brought across my path that I have shared the Gospel with. That the Lord would open their hearts to receive Christ. 
the Lord has granted us a good time.
called San José de Mapuey in San Carlos de Cojedes. Whereby the grace of the Lord, there is a group of brothers who are meeting and want to form a local church in that place, we are helping them and bringing teachings to that place monthly, we hope to go every two weeks, but the demand is strong and there are other matters to attend to, but we are organizing to see if in a few months we can attend more regularly.
more men for service. This is a continual prayer of ours.
March was a busy but fruitful month! Here’s an update on my mission activities. BUT FIRST, I would like to share that a very, very special little boy just turned 10 years old! It’s hard to believe how big he has gotten. I am so very proud of the young man Yeison is becoming. May the Lord give him grace and wisdom and use him someday to reach many. Pray for me as I try to be the best possible earthly father to him. He is such a gift from God, and it amazes me how much God can use a small child to teach us about some big things in life. Thank you, Lord, for Yeison´s life.
brothers to coordinate a year-long plan, including online workshops and support for struggling churches in the city of Santiago and in other vulnerable rural areas.
to work with and support.
theological books and a physical copy of a discipleship book by Otto Sanchez, (a Dominican pastor, my former professor and personal friend), and several tracts and other literature to share.
share the Gospel.
for Yera, (Yeison’s biological mother).
that the Lord is doing through Rafael here 
public squares, distributing Christian literature, and engaging in conversations with people we encounter. This includes preaching and handing out materials on passenger vans as well.
of faith and a family theology book.
etched deeply in my memories. Years ago, in 2008, as a pastor’s translator, I served this community alongside the beloved brothers and sisters there. I eventually moved to the mission field full time in 2012. Even after settling in Esperanza, I continued to share preaching, teaching, and evangelism responsibilities there and in two other churches in two different towns.
struggles, and experienced the dwindling visits from foreigners who at one time came to help. Yet, the connections remained, and the people continued to be dear to me.
proper care and potential for abuse solidified my conviction: Yera deserves better.
Consider partnering with us through a commitment to making this vision a reality. Your support will not only benefit Yera and Brunilda but also open doors for further ministry opportunities in this precious community.
many years, ensuring comfort and safety for Yera well into the future. By contributing, you’re not just providing temporary relief, but investing in a long term solution.