La Iglesia de Dios

This is my first blog post in almost six months! There is a bit of shame that comes with that, but blogging is something I have to be quite disciplined about. When something happens here in the D.R. that I find worthy of sharing, I rarely think in the online world. It's something I would like to change because there are beautiful things worth sharing - they all belong to the God of the Universe and to Him be the glory for each one of them.

I have been wanting to share, though, in my choosing of a church here in Jarabacoa. Even though I have been here almost a year and going to church every Sunday, I still had not felt like I found a church home or base until recently. It is something I felt that I was lacking; working every day as part of a ministry leaves you feeling like the ministry is your church, and the fellow missionaries are members of the congregation. But I do believe that many great things can come from actually being involved and present in a Dominican church, growing with brothers and sisters who do not share your background or skin color, but who serve and love the same Living God. I am eager to find out more about what those great things are.

La Iglesia de Dios, or The Church of God, is a Spirit-filled church that I began attending this summer. My good friend Kenia invited me to come check it out, and the first thing that wowed me was the strong Presence of the Holy Spirit. I felt immediate joy and peace upon entering and saw pleasing worship of God the whole time I was there. I think one of the saddest things about Christianity and the Church today is that it can seem boring to people. I don't feel like I was alive before I knew Jesus, and becoming part of His family is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me, and for that matter, that could ever happen to anyone. If a building is filled with individuals who don't feel that way, it could seem dull, like they are attending some meeting or conference. This church, however, is different. Almost everyone, and especially the faithful members who have been part of it for years, are passionate about Jesus and His Kingdom. There is singing, clapping, dancing, outbursts and cries to the Only One who Saves because He has saved them and changed their lives. It is so very beautiful and I feel that my soul is benefitting greatly from coming into His presence and being surrounded by those individuals.

I also really appreciate the teaching there. It is truth and biblical, and thus not very "cushy". There are many fabulous women in the church who are gifted in speaking and teaching. There of course is a pastor and he speaks at times, but many times elders in the congregation give the message and it is such a blessing. Just the other week, a woman of about 65-70 years, was laying into the congregation a bit, in a loving way. She spoke about excuses and what we let get in the way of going to worship God or meeting with other believers or meeting with Him. She didn't respond to the issue in a light way: "I know that today's world puts a lot of pressures on and it's just so hard, but we really should try better." It was more like, "In my day there were no cars and a lot less comforts, but we had church services seven days of the week, and we Christians made sure we were at every single one, rain or shine, sick or healthy, hungry or full, with or without transportation." I did not take this as a religious statement, and like she was saying that God "requires" that of us or that you need it for salvation, but to grow as a Christian and to benefit from all God has for us, there are sacrifices that should and must be made, more than the excuses that are often said. (Galatians 6:9)

So, between the wonderful worship, passion of its people, and truth in its teachings, I have decided to attend La Iglesia de Dios regularly. Just last night, I also started helping with the Saturday night services that are held as an opportunity for members to bring friends and non-believers. I served as the one who writes down visitor's information. It was a bit difficult because I still don't know who the non-visitors are. However, I'm looking forward to continuing my service and attendance there. I am always the only white person and, as I'm learning to live with, a lot of stares come my way; so much that at times I just want my skin to be a few shades darker. That's a whole other subject, but it's funny how much attention you get when you live in another country of a different race; something to get over though and embrace the diversity, especially of His children.

Last thought. Fun fact. One of the visitors last night had on a very red t-shirt. As I looked closer, I thought I saw a little cartoon wolf and big "S" across the back. A random Dominican man was wearing a N.C. State t-shirt. For me, that was incredible. Thank you God for bringing me to La Iglesia de Dios, for hearing my prayers and leading my steps!

This, for me, was Haiti

There were only mere days before I left for Haiti that I found out we were going. This is the way life down here usually happens – plans are last minute more or less, and many times you aren’t quite sure what to expect as the weeks pass. I was excited to receive the news, but with few days to actually process the fact that I was going, the morning arrived and I felt a bit unprepared for what I was about to experience. I thought about how if I was going to Haiti from the States, on a mission trip or something, it would certainly be the focus of my energy and attention prior to departure.  Oh well – it might just be different after spending six months living and serving in the D.R., then crossing the border to the other side of the island for a few days.  My roommate Katie and I spent time in prayer, lifting the trip up to the Lord.

my travel companions

We set off, all eight of us missionaries, on our venture to another country. I don’t think any of us first-timers expected it to be another world. It was very black and white  - the bus was. Besides eight Americans, every single passenger was very dark, crossing over from the Dominican to their homeland Haiti, for one reason or another. Spanish was no longer filling my ears. I was hearing something totally different. As we crossed over the border, only a few hours from where we started, light-brown skin, Spanish, the colorful island feel, and everything familiar slowly began to disappear. I didn’t find it again until I crossed back a few days later.

Our surroundings were lost in the pitch black night when we drove onto the Kids Alive school grounds, where we were staying in a large house that stood at the back of the property.  I couldn’t see much of Haiti at that point, but I knew I did not even see the lit up “colmados” (small stores) that line the streets of Jarabacoa, where I had come from earlier that day. I felt like I couldn’t see anything out of the school bus windows. Only trees, the outline of a mountain range, and the dirt road that lay ahead of us.

flag raising ceremony

When we woke up the next day, we could finally see the Kids Alive school and the breathtaking view that wrapped around the campus. I was walking through the large front door to walk the 100 yards to the school, when I heard an incredibly sweet sound. It was 8:00 and about 50 very dark-skinned, uniformed children came running and screaming joyfully through the gates. Their joy came from the fact that another school day was about to start. After everyone arrived, they lined up next to the school in from of their Haitian flag. There was prayer and singing time, followed by a short introduction of us visitors. The experience of comparing and contrasting Kids Alive here in the D.R. and there was already  interesting, and it was neat to be on the team that was visiting – to remember what it feels like to be very out of your element, and not able to understand anything that anyone is saying.

our Kids Alive school in Haiti

In my mind, the comparisons between ANIJA and the Haiti school began. ANIJA is bigger, painted in bright white and blue and made of cement block. The Haiti school is brown and much poorer looking, made of plywood and looking partly like a barn, and sort of like a tint at the same time. There is canvas hanging off of the tin roof, flapping in the wind.  Coming from the States, ANIJA always seemed really different and “poorer” than the schools that I had grown up in. After going to Haiti, my view of it has totally changed. Watching the children made my view of a school structure change too. The school was totally different, a bit shocking to me, but not sad. The children seemed to be well-behaved, attentive, and there were touches of arts and crafts hanging around the rooms. The building may have been different from what I’m used to, but inside the wooden and canvas walls was the love of Jesus, being poured into the children every day, and it didn’t seem to matter what the exterior held.

My first interaction with some of the community kids, outside of the school walls, was at our residential home site that is currently under construction. The visit was interesting – allowing us to once again compare our ARK in Jarabacoa to the children’s home that is being built there. The more interesting part was the two little boys, partly clothed and painted with dust and dirt, who came running our way when we arrived. Our team leader Brian said, “Oh, our friends are here. They like to hang out around the site.” My thoughts were, ‘Why are these kids not in school?’ and ‘When is the last time he has eaten?’ as I looked into the extremely thin face and of a boney 6 year old child. He may have looked sickly, but his spirit, along with his companion’s, was very much alive and full of energy. They followed us around for the remainder of the time, constantly wanting to play “slaps” and hide and seek within the unfinished walls of the Kids Alive children’s home that they may not ever live in. I thought many times, and finally said out loud, “Why can’t we just bring them into the program?” I knew the answer. Every child can’t be rescued – and that is a difficult reality to swallow.

The next day was Saturday, and the few hours in the afternoon made up my favorite part of the trip- our community visit. During this time we walked around the community that surrounds the school and future residential home site, playing with and loving on children just like the two who hang around the construction site every day. We actually visited one of their homes, which is a small, dark room with one bed where the six of them sleep. They of course grabbed hold of us and didn’t let go for the next several hours as we experienced the rest of their community. As we walked, we were surrounded by the beauty of trees and mountains. No paved roads, no stores or businesses, just small concrete or mud houses, and the people who inhabit them.  The people are very kind, but need initiation of a smile or “bonjour ” to actually respond to you. They mostly stared at us as we walked by, which I’m getting used to in the D.R., but there was something more reserved and quiet about these people that I noticed immediately, and appreciated. I again felt worlds away from where I started in the D.R. I thought I lived in a natural place in Jarabacoa. Where I currently was felt even more rural and in the backwoods, hidden by vegetation and away from everything that seemed the slightest bit civilized. It was sad seeing these destitute homes and the very needy people who lived in them. At the same time, these children were so full of life and love, that I never felt overwhelming sadness. I was just surprised that none of the homes that I visit on a weekly basis, that are poorer than anything I’ve ever seen before, quite compared with the dark, wet house that I walked into, finding nothing.  Just the people. Where was their bed? Kitchen? Do they own a picture to hang on the wall? It occurred to me then that it was more of a shelter than a home, or what I consider to be a home. We snapped photos and they smiled, either oblivious to their lacking, or content with the fact that this was their life. And everyone is lacking – theirs is just more obvious, more physical. Who’s to say that internal lacking is not worse?

a Haitian woman and her child showing me their bedroom

We arrived back at the school grounds, and were chatting with some of the missionaries about what we had just experienced. All of the sudden, I heard the enchanting sound of a choir. My first thought – that is such a beautiful sound. My second – this is one of my favorite praise songs. Third – I miss my church choir and praise team so very much. Something that has been lacking for me down here is making music with my church family. I immediately followed the music all the way to one of the school rooms where I saw my friend and fellow missionary, Kristen, directing a choir of about 50 of the children that are in Kids Alive’s care there. They were singing “My Heart’s Desire” in Creole and English. That song quickly became one of my favorites to sing with the praise team at my church back home. It was an incredible blessing. The melody brought chills to my bones and happy tears to my eyes.

Director of Kids Alive Haiti, Robinson, directing the choir

The last couple of days in Haiti ended up not being as eventful as I had anticipated. I was supposed to join my friends for an excursion to an island off of Haiti, but instead found myself sick in bed. The blessing of the day was that I was able to reflect, journal, and read all day, once I felt up for it. A huge blessing of the weekend was that I did not get sick until Saturday night, allowing me to experience what I just described. God is good. Perhaps I’ll make it back to Haiti at some point during my life here in the D.R. I would certainly be open if God is willing. I saw such a different culture, such a different and gross level of poverty. We arrived back in Jarabacoa to discover that we were had no electricity or water, and we remained such as for the next several days. For me, it didn’t seem as frustrating as it may have been the week before. Before I experienced Haiti, and was able to reflect on all I’ve been given and the luxuries that I enjoy every day here in the D.R., and that I certainly experience in the States. May I carry this feeling with me forever.

1 Samuel 2:8

⁸ He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.

For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s;
on them he has set the world.

8th grade mission trip to Caraballo!

"El que no sirve, no sirve." (He who does not serve, does not serve)

This was the saying which our weekend long mission trip with the 8th graders revolved around. Our leader and one of the Directors at ANIJA, Rebeca, posted it around the house and it sort of stuck. One person would say "El que no sirve", and the other followed with "no sirve". Appropriately, it was usually a leader that would start the saying and one of the kids that finished. It is an incredibly simple phrase, and at first we all chuckled when she said it ... sort of like 'duh, if you aren't serving, you aren't serving.'

But if you give it just a moment more of thought, it's a beautiful reminder just to serve, wherever you are, whoever you are with. And if you aren't, then you aren't doing what you should be doing.

We had a nice, safe weekend up on the North Shore of the D.R., serving at the Kids Alive site Caraballo, which is placed in an absolute breathtaking part of the country and surrounded by Haitian villages, which define the word poverty. Most of the students that attend this care center are from those villages. I was very excited and encouraged to be a part of this trip, and to serve as a leader. While on my mission trip with Kids Alive in Peru in 2010, I remember hearing that some of the kids at the residential homes, who we had just finished serving for a week, were going on a mission trip themselves the following week. I could not believe it. These kids, who have been abandoned, abused, and/or orphaned are going out into the world to spread the love of Christ and serve others? How neat is that. Now just a couple of years later, I got to be a part of the same type of experience. Though not all of these children are from a residential home with KAI, the majority live in impoverished areas of Jarabacoa.

We spent all day Friday helping with the OANSA program at Caraballo, which the 8th graders attend every week at ANIJA as well. They play team games, have small group time where they memorize Bible verses, sing praises, and have a short sermon time. I think this was a crucial day for our kids. It seems that lately at ANIJA, the kids have not seemed as enthusiastic about OANSA, mostly I believe due to fatigue after a long morning at school, and who knows how much sleep the night before. These children at Caraballo were ecstatic about OANSA though, and it was apparent from beginning to end. There was a game in which they had to search for Bible verses and these kids could find the verses within about 5 seconds. We had a sharing time on Saturday night and this is something that almost every 8th grader said impacted and impressed them. I believe God really used this time with OANSA at Caraballo to encourage the ANIJA kids a bit and expose them to a place that is really benefiting from the program.

Friday night was a huge night. We went to the house of a couple from Argentina, who are Rebeca's friends, for dinner. The food was delicious, but what followed I don't think I'll ever forget. Both hosts gave their testimony of how they came to know Christ and how He has moved in their lives. Then they showed a clip of what it means to be a Christian and how accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour is the only way to break the divide that exists between God and sinful man, and to live with Him in eternity. Afterward they gave the kids the opportunity to do just that while all of our heads were down - they just simply needed to say a prayer to themselves and then raise their hand if they did so. I had my head down so I wasn't sure who raised their hand, but apparently 6 out of about 16 kids accepted Christ as their Saviour that night. Hallelujah - praise be to God the Father and His only Son Jesus Christ.

Saturday was a challenging day of construction - or challenging for me at least. We were basically helping to continue the work of new classrooms that are being built on the second floor. I have not done hard labor like that since my one and only time during my mission trip in Peru. This work was even tougher and thank goodness God gave me the verse, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men" - Ephesians 6:7. What a great reminder of who I am truly serving, or should be serving, every day of my life. That verse is powerful because if you love God, it makes you want to do what you are doing well, and to keep perservering.

We had a good day though, and though it started with quite a few complaints, I believe we ended strongly, all working together and seeing the importance of our work. It also helped to know that we were headed to the beach for a bit at the end of the day, which was a blast. We went Saturday and Sunday and I had such a good time playing in the ocean with the kids. I've never been with the majority outside of the library, and it felt great to cut loose and be playful.

As I mentioned briefly, we had a time of sharing on Saturday night, and though I was a bit nervous because Spanish is not my "heart language" and I had to share as well, I loved hearing what everyone else had to say. Most of the kids said they were impacted by the children's desire and enthusiasm for OANSA, the tough work they endured and how they had to work as a team on Saturday, and by their exposure of the poor Haitian homes and the children that have even less than they do, and whose opportunities are very minimal. In this culture, or atleast in my experience at ANIJA, the children are very loud. They are fun, playful almost always, but it seems like the majority are just loud, hyper, and can be quite disobedient. This was such a sweet time to stop and hear them share their heart and feelings a bit. And when one of the boys confessed that he had raised his hand to accept Christ the night before, I had to hold back from yelling a little "woohoo". His life will never be the same from that night on, and that is something to yell about.

Until next time ... Romans 8:38-39 - For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Back to School!

Being at ANIJA this past week has been really nice. After being away from the kids for about a month, I was starting to realize just how much they mean to me, even after the short three months that I’ve known them. It’s nice to start out in a brand new semester, after having arrived mid-semester last semester, and never feeling like I had completely established myself before
holiday break. I love coming into the school now with children knowing me, and clearly expecting me to be there - asking me questions about the library and coming to me as they would any other employee in the school. Also, praise Jesus that I am now able to understand most of them …. for the most part. What an answer to prayer! Sure – I still feel new and like I am constantly getting my “bearings”, but I have seen so much growth in my interaction with the children now as opposed to a few months ago. Another answer to prayer – glory to God!
Above, I am visiting with some of the Haitian students in their home.

As many of you know, I have dual roles at ANIJA, and one of those is the librarian. Without having any true expectations about the job and my feelings toward it coming in, I can say that I have pleasantly found it to be a position that I enjoy. I know some of you reading may be wondering what the library is like and what I do there, so I will set the stage for you a bit. It
is small, much smaller than the libraries in the schools I grew up in. Half of the room is an area where there are four large shelves jam-packed with books of all different types (fiction, non fiction, sports, animals, science, sociology, Bible, and many more). I have an area on that side as well, and am slowly accepting the fact that it will never be able to stay in order for long. There
is a ton in that small little space, but praise God for all of it that is being used to better the children’s education and reading ability. The other half of the room holds two computers, two tables with chairs, and a couch, where the kids sit and read or wait their turn to choose books. Each class (3rd-8th) comes to the library once a week to check out books. The younger grades are not able to check them out, so I either read to them, have them do an activity, or both.

Above is a picture of a 5th grader who I've bonded with (Esmeralda) and her little sis (hermanita)

It really is a sweet time to be with the children. Like any subject inschool, there are some children that are more enthused about it than others. The majority though seems to look forward to the time, and I have one class that chants, “Biblioteca, biblioteca, biblioteca!” (library) when I enter the room. This class is consequentially my rowdiest as well. I love the enthusiasm, but it pretty much carries through until the end of the period, at which time I usually feel mentally exhausted! I am so glad to see that some students truly love to read, and the library is where they decide to go at recess. It warms my heart to look over and see them sitting quietly on the couch, engrossed in a story. There is a competition in the library and at the end of the semester the
best-behaved student from each class receives a new book. One student recently informed me that he would like to win the competition this semester, and ever since he has been coming to the library almost every day, changing out his book because he has already finished the other one in the series he is currently trying to finish. I loved hearing that, and I’ve had other students as well tell me how much they love a certain book, and how many pages they read the night before. I am the person they come to for that now and it is such a blessing. I am hoping to be a blessing to them as well. Through these relationships with these eager readers, I see so much possibility for God to work – for His Spirit to use me and speak through me during those times. In a country that does not necessarily seem to encourage reading or education, I definitely want to be an advocate and encourager for it. I am striving to submit to the Spirit daily so He can lead me to that. God has many plans for these children that I believe include an education, and it is so neat to be a part of.

I also love being in an environment that not only encourages and glorifies education, but glorifies the Lord most of all. Every morning we have a meeting at school, where we of course talk about issues, but also pray and worship God. The children all stand together in the "bandera" (pic above) before they go to their classes and pray, sing a Christian anthem, followed by their national anthem. The spiritual growth of these children is above all else important to each person I work with. I am excited to get started with OANSA again, the after school program in which the children play games, followed by time in God’s word, memorizing verses and listening to a short sermon by the head leader. Starting this week, I will have my own group. It will be another opportunity for God to use me in the lives of these children, to help them come to know Christ as their savoir if they have not, or encourage them once again to keep striving to know His word and grow in Him. I’m sure it will be a time that will challenge me to know His word better as well, since I will be a leader. Please pray for me during that time, just that I will submit to God’s Spirit and also that my Spanish will be right on, as it’s a very important time to communicate with them well.

Above are twins Carmen and Maria who live at the Ark ... always being silly!

Thank you as always for supporting me and praying for me! I am growing to be more and more acclimated here all the time, allowing me to serve better in this ministry. I do always need your prayers because though God is good and faithful every single day here, there are challenges every single day, and I in-turn need His guidance to walk through this in a conquering manner. I wish all of you many blessings in this new year!

“But Lord”, Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
The LORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all
the Midianites together.” Judges 6:-15-16

God is the true encourager, and the One who uses and strengthens the “weakest”
and the “least”.