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”.

God the Rescuer!

my tree :)

So, as it's been several (cough cough - six) weeks since my last blog post, I was totally planning on writing about my time here in the D.R. during Christmas. This was my first Christmas season without my family and so far from home. It's been different and a time of growth, and there are things to catch you all up on, but I've been thinking a lot lately about God as a Rescuer, and that is the true Spirit of Christmas anyways. Thus will be my focus.

I'm guessing I've been thinking so much about the Superman character of God because of the ministry I work with right now: Kids Alive International. I knew this before I got here because of past, brief interactions, but it has become ever more clear to me that this ministry is a huge vessel God uses to rescue His children, all around the world. It's true that through our skewed vision in this life, it is often difficult to truly see how God recues and saves. I was reminded of that yesterday when a fellow missionary said to me, "God is always good, but it is so darn hard to see sometimes when one of the children you've grown to love was found abused with sperm all over her." It also reminded me of a few months ago when I was really bonding with a little Haitian girl at my school. We were playing and laughing and it was so easy to see Jesus through her eyes and smile, I just knew she was a child of His. I left her for a few minutes and sat down next to a co-worker who informed me that she had gone missing in the past couple of years for a week or so, and apparently when retured had been raped several times. Men on motorcycles came and abducted her (apparently that's more common to the Haitian "foreign" children here). I looked over at her. She was smiling and my heart broke. This is incredibly difficult - where's God?

Whenever I ponder this and try to work through it, the Holy Spirit brings to the forefront of my mind how much evil He restrains. If He didn't, our world would be even more dark and twisted than it already is. Children are beaten and abused, but God brings them to ANIJA and the other sites here for them to be loved on. If they are hungry at home, they can come and get at least one big meal per day. In hopeless situations, God has brought these children to Kids Alive's doorstep so to speak. And what more - these children's souls are being saved, and one day they will not experience any more pain, and God knows that when we forget.

To show God's mighty saving hand further, I want to tell a bit about some of the Haitian boys here at my school. I've grown quite fond of them and in the weeks preceding Christmas break, I felt like we really started to connect. There are four at school that seem to be very close. Two in particular I was noticing to be inseparable (I'll call them Noah and John). They both live at the Ark, the Kids Alive residential homes here, and attend ANIJA. One day as I was closing up the library, something I am some days admittingly looking forward to at the end of a long day, Noah came up begging to change his book before the bus came. I reluctantly told him, "OK, you have like two minutes." While he was rapidly browsing the books, I looked over and noticed John staring in the window. "John, you need to leave, the library is closed now." "I'm waiting on Noah." What is the deal with these kids? Can they not do anything without the other!

I was discussing this with my roommate later that night and she let me know a little bit about their background. Both of their families were killed in the earthquake in Haiti. At about 10 years old and completely alone, hungry and no place to go, they started travelling together searching for hope at the border of the D.R. I'm not sure of the specifics, but I do know they found themselves in the D.R. and were sent by authorities to live with some of the nuns in an orphanage. When it was time to find somewhere else to go, Kids Alive was contacted and they are now living safely in the homes here, learning more about Jesus with a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. God the Rescuer!

That is one of my "favorite" stories I've heard because I can see how strong the bond is that they have formed. The boys have been through more at 10 years old than some people go through in a lifetime. You can see it in their eyes and faces too- that they've really been through something. But they are also very sweet and happy, and I am hoping to continue even more of a relationship with them in the coming year.

It's hard to know some of these stories because it is sad to even imagine children going through what some of them do, especially if you grew up in a very different way. But God shows Himself faithful to these children day in and day out. And when He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to this earth, He was on the greatest rescue mission of all time, for all people. I was thinking about that on Christmas - a little helpless baby in a manger was going to save God's children one day... was going to be the ultimate Rescuer.

This Christmas season was different, but definitely nice to have time to get rejuvenated before the New Year. I was able to attend many of the Christmas performances at the school, one of which I was a part of. There was a Christmas celebration at school also for all of the Sponsored children. They got lunch and presents, sang and played games. It was really cool to be a part of, especially being the Sponsorship Coordinator for the school. I have spent a lot of my time growing closer with some of the fellow missionaries, primarily one family that stayed around who work at a different site than me and I did not know well before. I've also been able to start to form some deeper relationships with some Dominicans. I spent Christmas Eve at my friend Kenya's house and we ate a delicious meal followed by a Merengue/Bachata lesson for me (picture of us below). There has been a lot of motorcycle and Spanish practice too, so that has been a huge blessing! It has been a bit of a rollercoaster since I arrived in October, but I feel like I'm on my way "up" right now and looking forward to jumping into a new semester with the kids, refreshed and a bit more comfortable here than I was *11 weeks ago*.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers! I am so blessed for my support system back home. Have a safe, blessed, and happy 2012!

When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors He will send them a savior and defender, and He will rescue them. Isaiah 19:20

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:9-10

First "Roadtrip" and Such

So this past week here in the D.R., I spent my time up on the North Shore at a Kids Alive site there called Caraballo. There are three new missionaries, Kristen, Brent, and Letitia, who were headed to Haiti and stopped in to travel in the D.R. and see Kids Alive here before crossing the border. The four of us hopped aboard a bus and took the 3 hour trip up this past Monday after they visited Jarabacoa. My reason for accompanying was to help with the Christmas project for Sponsors at the site where there was no one able to take on the task at that time.

I enjoyed the experience, mostly because it was so different. Same country, but as we know in the States, one part of a nation can look and feel very different from another. I was only a few hours North and noticed new vocabulary, types of people, and way of living. Another reason for enjoying my time was that I actually got a chance to go to the beach for a couple of hours, something I definitely was not expecting! It was very beautiful, but I don't know how "caribbean" it looked that specific day because the waves were going nuts. There was no one in the water and the one guy that tried to swim dislocated his arm, and subsequently approached us to ask for help - because apparently all Americans know what to do as far as health is concerned. Very interesting observation from my time here thus far. Being at the beach was still great though and the sunset was breathtaking.

The ride to the beach was interesting as well, as we took public transportation. Thankfully Emily, a missionary that has been living there with Kids Alive for the past two years, was our host the whole time and able to navigate us through the process. She also speaks Spanish beautifully, which is both comforting when you're with her and inspiring. So basically the transportation is called "gua guas" (no idea how to spell it). They look a lot like a van/small bus. The door is wide open and you basically just raise up your hand as if calling a cab; they will slow down so you can hop in. One would comfortably fit about 12 people and Emily has been in one with 30 - we had 22 in ours the other day. On the way to the beach, I was sitting on the edge of the seat closest to the wide open door. Talk about a rush! That experience was one of the real culture shocks I've experienced because it was totally normal to everyone in the van except for me, and maybe the rest of the missionaries as well.

Above is a picture of Caraballo. Every morning Emily, Katie (my roommate who came up later), and I would ride up to the care center with the teachers, who were all Dominican besides Emily. The site is centered in the middle of a Haitian village, so the people obviously look much different there, mostly because of how much darker their skin is. They are so beautiful. It was wonderful spending time with those children, and eye opening as well because these kids do not live in Kids Alive care - they simply attend the care center for half of the day, while going to public school the other half, and still live at home. The children are rambunctious, but loving, much like the children I work with here in Jarabacoa. Because of the lack of educational prosperity in the public schools though, many of them could not even spell their name while doing the sponsorship projects with us, and they might be eight years old or so. It is things like that that catch me off guard when I'm getting frustrated with them and then realize they aren't doing what I ask because they can't. Moments like that are teaching me a lot and helping me to be more gracious I'm sure.

Above is a picture of the kids in Bible class.

The week was incredibly successful. We finished almost all of the children's projects, something I saw as impossible at the beginning of the week because we had almost 300 kids to rally up and work with us. I saw it as almost miraculous and certainly an answer to prayers of ours. I loved meeting new children who are being served by Kids Alive, and also seeing the way that they structure their days. They have a time of singing praise music and Bible class every day. I am so thankful God is speaking to them through Kids Alive and blessing them, when materialistically most of them have next to nothing.

I am continuing to enjoy living here in the Dominican and especially working for this great, God-fearing ministry. The people are wonderful and I am getting more comfortable in my role as librarian, as well as starting to take on more sponsorship roles here in the next week or so. I did start riding the infamous motorcycle yesterday and was not incredibly successful. I took a little spill and burned my leg pretty badly - there is actually a name for it: the Dominican burn. It's almost like a tatoo here, so I guess that's cool ... definitely hurts though. Please pray that I would be safer next time while riding it and that I would receive supernatural confidence and courage to go forth with it. Also, to keep adapting to my roles and life here. Thank you very, very much!

Until next time ... Colossians 3:1-4 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

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

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.