Friday, October 28, 2011

Sponsorship is Awesome!

So, I'm continuing my work here in the D.R. and have just been so amazed and encouraged by the ministry I am now apart of. My main duty so far has been Librarian (Bibliotecarian) at the school in Jarabacoa, ANIJA, but soon I will take on even more duties as Sponsorship Coordinator for the school. I am so looking forward to this because I have seen just how effective the program is in the past week.
First of all, the children are so enthusiastic about their sponsors, or godmothers and godfathers as they call them, and especially about receiving letters or little gifts from them. I've actually watched some of their faces go from a wide smile to a long frown when Katie (the current Coordinator) tells them that their sponsor didn't send anything. It must be making such an impact on them. A dentist team is here this week, which has been neat to witness. A few of them sponsor kids here and have gotten to spend time with them in their homes as well as at school. There is a mutual feeling of excitement on both sides, and afterward I saw many kids writing to their sponsors that they wanted them to visit.
Above is a picture of one of the dentist hygienists working at ANIJA!
One of the most beautiful parts of sponsorship I've seen is the long-term effect it has on these kids, who inevitably grow into young adults. If they stay in the Kids Alive program, their sponsors have the opportunity to help fund their education in a decent high school here, and even university. I attended a meeting with the students who are now studying on the college level thanks to their sponsors. We worshipped the living God together and had some devotional time as well. It is so great to not only see these people from broken, almost hopeless situations rise up and reach for the aspirations of their heart and mind, but to see them pursuing the Lord. Many of them work in ANIJA as well, or at least help out with after school activities like OWANSA. OWANSA is a time where the children get together in the afternoon and play games, have a Bible lesson and memorize verses. Each child is on a certain team and the teams get points from memorization and games. It seems like such a great way to nudge kids into the Word at an early age. I've attended two times and will soon have my own group of kids to lead during that time. Below is a picture of kids playing a game at OWANSA.
Sponsoring a child is such a special aspect of this ministry, and being with these children the past few weeks has certainly shown me that. I feel a bit convicted about my lack of communication with the child I sponsor in Peru, Jasmin. Seeing how much it lights up their day to hear from their sponsors makes me want to write and send things often so she knows I care about her - these children are craving that attention.
If any of you reading are interested in sponsoring a child, please get in contact with me (via facebook or email) and I can let you know what I know and who I know that needs a sponsor. You can also visit www.kidsalive.org to check out the children who need sponsors... around the world! I assure you, they are very "real" and very in need of love and care. Sponsors make that possible.
I'm currently in the middle of my week of house/baby/dog/cat sitting and it's gone well so far. PRAISE GOD. Above is a picture of Natalie and Lucas working on some of their homeschooling! I've been able to practice my hand at teaching and cooking, two things I don't have a lot of experience in. It's fun to get to try new things here all the time :) Praying for a healthy/safe/fun weekend with the kids.
Until next time ... 1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

The D.R. so FAR...

Above is a picture of the Ark, the Kids Alive residential homes here.
I've been in Jarabacoa, D.R. for one week now! I feel like this week has been a bit of a whirlwind and I'm finally able to sit down and ponder what I've just experienced. Let me say that I am feeling very excited at this point for what the next two years hold.
God has blessed me with a great roommate, first of all. Katie (above) has been here over a year now, and has been a HUGE help so far. She has such a laid back, peaceful personality and demeanor that has been so wonderful over this week of transition. I feel completely comfortable asking questions (which, poor thing, have been about 100 per day) and we've already shared meals and laughs together. There is another Katie as well, who lives right next door with her husband Michael. She has been really fun to hang out with and works at the same school as me - ANIJA - as the English teacher. Everyone else I've met here have been wonderful as well. They are so helpful and I've been invited by almost everyone to a meal or birthday party. Talk about feeling included as the new girl!
Below is a pic of some of the kids working on projects for their sponsors...
The kids had a crazy hat competition.... I was so impressed with their creativity and how much fun they had with this project!
My favorite part so far, which simultaneously has been the hardest, is the kids. I started work on Monday, training some in the library and helping with sponsorship projects. These children are amazing. They are so excited to meet me before they even know who I am, and just wanted to hug on me and hold my hand all the time. It was also difficult because a) I've never worked with that many children at one time before b) many of them have very loud, "big" personalities and it was difficult for me to control them c) I still don't know Spanish very well, and when the children mumble, as most do, it's hard to understand them. There were many times where I felt frustrated and overwhelmed, and just prayed that God would fill me with peace and patience so I didn't come across as someone who was being cruel and doesn't care about them. I thought some this week about how much influence adults have over children: the way they love, speak to one another, and live their life. I really want to be even a small influence on their lives while I'm here, but I feel like there is such a fine line between showing the children love, gentleness, and patience, and then disciplining them well and not letting them take advantage of you. At this point, I have no idea how you do that, but it is something I'm going to strive to improve on. I want to learn how to love people better in general and I'm sure I can learn a lot while here and in this position.
Below is a child, Jendersor, who lives at the Ark. He is so sweet and obsessed with my sunglasses...
This next week is going to be a little different than the previous one where I was working every day in the library, reading to the smaller children and managing the older ones as they came in to check out books, or just hang out during recess. We are not having library classes and there is no school on Thursday and Friday. So I'll have some good time to get the library more organized and see if there are any systems that might work better for me and be more efficient. It is going to be a busy week though because the Director of Kids Alive in South America has asked Katie and I to stay at his house and care for his four children while he and his wife attend a meeting in Africa. We will be house/baby/dog sitting starting this coming Wednesday and finishing the next. I've never, ever nannied for that long and feel a bit intimidated. Prayers for wisdom and peace in the midst of all that!
As many of you also may be wondering, I will officially start driving my motorcycle this afternoon (Saturday). The Director at ANIJA, so basically my boss, is going to give me lessons. I have to say, this is the thing that scares me the most right now, but I'm hoping for a safe lesson and that I will feel confidence as I begin so I don't just freak out and crash :)
Above is a pic of "my" library :)
There is so much going on all the time here. I'm trying to get used to this life where things are constantly changing and it seems like plans can happen or fall through just minutes before they start. It's fun though and hopefully I will gain an even more spontaneous side that I see in so many of the missionaries here.
Thanks to everyone who has been praying! It means so much to me. Please pray that as I start even more new things in the next week, I will continue to have smooth transition - that Jesus will continue to protect me, but even more than that, just that I can feel His presence. I want Him to be at the center of my world even in the midst of all these changes! Please pray also for Katie and I as we care for the VanDerMolen children - that it won't be too chaotic and that everyone stays safe. Until next time ... Hebrews 13:8