My First Quinceañera

Last night I experienced my first quinceañera here in the Dominican Republic. It was something that I really looked forward to and was not disappointed. This specific fiesta was held at the Ark - the Kids Alive residential homes here in Jarabacoa. Two girls actually celebrated their 15th birthdays last night and it was my understanding that they both grew up at the Ark. What a special place to have such a special event. In their culture, this is sort of a right of passage for women and is certainly the biggest birthday they celebrate. The one I attended last night could have easily been a small wedding reception with dressy attire, lots of food, lavish decorations, color scheme, and the guests of honor dressed in beautiful gowns (although they were red, not white). Both girls were wearing crowns as well. They must have felt like princesses, and when I got to talk to one of them, all I could think to say was "congratulations" (not really knowing what else to say) and she said "thanks, I'm really really excited". It was sweet and must be the moment where they feel they are really growing up, and of course most girls are excited when they are in a ball gown with a crown on their head and a group of people there just for them.

Below is a picture of all the missionaries with the quinceaneras.

I love how Kids Alive takes on the culture of its "host culture". We, as missionaries, are totally outnumbered when we are at the Ark or the school Anija where I work. Everything is very Dominican, and there is no sense of nudging them toward the American way. We are here for them, to serve them, and that is clear. Praise God for this attitude because to be honest on my own I would probably, like most, want to criticize some things they do or don't do here, and tack on some of my own traditions and standards. Even at work, that is the hardest thing for me. When I get frustrated with the children sometimes I have to stop and think for a second - is what they are doing or how they are acting really wrong, and at the bottom line unbiblical, or is it just different from what I'm used to and I'm just feeling inferior? Does it deserve punishment and frustration? God knows and I'm just praying He'll reveal more to me regarding how to discern those things, and teach me to love these children better - after all, that's what I'm here for.

Kids enjoying the fiesta!

Sometimes it's hard to grasp what these children have been through, and what many are still going through as many ANIJA students are in other's care outside of our school walls. Last night I was playing and talking with a few at the Ark who just seem so happy and it's clear they are being loved well right now. I started thinking for a moment about their past stories and it startled me. If they are here in Kids Alive care, then they have a traumatic history - someone may have thrown them away in the garbage, someone may have abused them, or refrained from feeding or caring for them at all in their first years here on earth. When those thoughts arise in my mind, I'm taken out of this place of joy. I start to feel pity/sadness/anger that those things happened to them. I'm praying God makes my heart stronger, so in the future, in that next moment I can go back to playing and rejoice in our great Lord and SAVIOR who did rescue them from those situations and have placed them safely in the able hands of Kids Alive.

Katie, my roommate, and I are headed up to the Northshore tomorrow to help with Sponsorship projects for Christmas. Each child who has a sponsor (and many have multiple) do a project for them. I'm hoping for a smooth, safe trip and for us to complete the task given us. It's exciting to think about seeing another Kids Alive site and meeting many of the other children that we're serving here in the D.R. Please keep us in your prayers!

Thanks as always for your support and care ... my family and friends mean so much to me, especially in this crazy time of transition into my new life here! Until next time ... Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8