God put a rainbow in my window...

I'm listening to rain patter on the tin roof and window coverings and thinking about just how quickly this storm came out of nowhere. Just a few minutes ago it was sunny and bright. I looked out the window and noticed that I could see a clear line separating where it was pouring to where it was still sunny and bright. Wow! I stepped outside and saw the most gorgeous rainbow! I absolutely love rainbows. Its a fairly new love for me that started about 2 yrs ago, after I had just resigned from my job and made it official that I was making the move to the DR. I walked out those doors feeling light and heavy at the same time and was greeted by this most amazing rainbow! It felt so personal, as if the God of heaven was speaking just to me.

It's been a busy month here on the ground, and a part of me know that these 4 months are going to fly by. One is gone already. I also have had some other thoughts and worries in mind. As I looked out the window and saw how quickly it went from sunny to cloudy and sunny again I was reminded just how quickly seasons in our life can change.

I have been so blessed by this season in my life. Part of me wonders how will I ever go back to 'life as usual'. Just yesterday I was reunited with some beautiful faces from last year.  I don't know who was more excited, them or me!! My life has been forever changed from my time serving here. I'm so grateful  and I know that God has a plan to weave it all together. The rainbow today reassured me of that... my heavenly Father knows exactly what he is doing and he put a rainbow in my window to remind me! Does anyone remember that song from 198x?? I'm dating myself,  I know!  (click God put a rainbow in my window! )

Me voy pero llevo conmigo.... Lessons in love

First, let me apologize for being out of touch the last 30 days. I’ve thought of you, the readers of my blog, often. I just could not summon the energy/mojo/wit to write. So, here comes my last blog post for a little while. Why? Well, I’m in the airport returning to the US today. It’s been a super emotional 30 days, and an even more emotional week. 

If you would have asked me on Monday or Tuesday if I was ready to go, you would have heard a YES, most definitely. This week had a rough start. Monday night I woke up to a movie style explosion, white lights, am I alive or dead, kind of craziness. It was scary. I think I was more afraid than I’ve ever been before. At that moment, I just wanted to see my family, my mom, dad, siblings, nieces. Yes, I was scared. Thankfully we found out it was ‘just’ a power line transformer that blew and caught on fire. Thankfully it only burned for 90 minutes before the power company got their act together to shut off the current so the firemen could put out the fire. Thankfully the post that was burning and aiming for our backyard, actually slipped backwards and propped itself up on another pole instead of setting our yard on fire. That’s alot to be thankful for. 

The next night brought it’s own adventure as I woke up 2:59am with a GINORMOUS cockroach crawling on my forehead. I.am.not.exxagerating. Yo brinque, gire, grite, llore, baile y mas por el asusto. Yes, I jumped, shouted, screamed, danced, cried and more with fright. You know a bug is big if you can see it moving in the dark. Then it flew. It FLEW ya’ll!!! Then I jumped, shouted, screamed, danced and cried some more. The next 45 minutes were war between me, the cockroach, and the bathroom cleaner spray bottle. By 4:30 I was ready to fall asleep, but who can sleep when every time your eyes close you either see bright explosion lights or feel creepy crawly legs. 

So, yes, by Wednesday I was so ready to go home. I’m done Lord. I can’t do, go, say anymore. I’m done. DONE!! So, If I’m so done, why am I fighting tears now. Why are these poor people stuck on this flight beside me giving me the side eye for crying non-stop. What changed between explosion craziness and cockroach wars. Ok, here goes.

Those things are minor compared to the love, friendship, grace and mercy I have experienced, shared and received this year. These light and present afflictions are nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed.  If God has received any Glory this year, if one little life has been touched this year, it’s so worth it. I can’t believe I say that now because IF I could have summoned an airplane to Calle 2, Casa #23 on Wednesday, I would have been gone!  The mission would have been aborted, but I’m glad I held on.  God’s love is amazing. He doesn’t let go of us and he is calling us to love as he loves. To hold on when it’s not easy. To trust that his Glory will be revealed the more that we learn to love as He does. I learned alot about love this year from 18 five year olds and 4 flawed but beautiful Dominicans. I miss them. I love them. Aren’t we all flawed yet beautiful in God’s eyes. I’m done writing now..... I gotta stop crying eventually....  

Restless

It’s late. I’m restless. Honestly, I’ve been restless for the last 24 hours or so. It took me a while to pinpoint the issue. I fell asleep last night praying and crying out to God as this uneasiness in my soul is uncomfortable. Then it hit me... tomorrow will mark the beginning of my last 30 days here with Futuro Lleno de Esperanza. 

I’m thankful for this 9months. I can’t believe how swiftly it has flown by. It’s been amazing, rewarding, strengthening and purifying. It’s also been hard. Lonely at times. Challenging.   That’s what happens when you step out on faith. The road is not always smooth, but you always finish the journey having grown in ways that you didn’t sign up for. Seriously. 

I leave tomorrow for a couple of days in Santo Domingo.  I’m excited to see the capital city and the southern part of the country.  I’m excited to meet some folks who I most likely will be spending alot of time with in August. Yep, it seems that the Lord has me on this island for a little while longer.  And that’s a good thing. I’m excited to be able to continue to serve here.  I don’t know about you, but for me, anytime when I think about launching out into a new direction, a new assignment, DOUBT, creeps in. big time. 

Like the disciples in Matthew 8, I'm so prone to forget that I'm not on the ship by myself.  I'm not journeying alone.   I have a heavenly father, who is Super-Capable, can not fail, who is with me. I have no need to be afraid or worried.  I was looking for devotionals on this topic and ran across Renee Swope’s 7 day doubt diet/devotional. It’s free on itunes/ilibrary, nook, kindle, etc. Maybe doubt is keeping you from making that tough leap, from starting a new job, getting involved in a new area of ministry, etc, etc. As Renee says, maybe it’s fear or worry that you have blamed all these years, when at the core, it’s self-doubt.  ........ I double dare you to join me in this 7 days of digging into the Word of God to see what He says about having a confident heart in Him.  

Prayer Excerpt from day 1 of  Renee Swope’s devotional 7-Day Doubt Diet

{Lord, I want to become a woman with a confident heart in Christ.  Show me how to recognize when I’m tempted to throw away my confidence, and help me throw away my insecurity instead. ... ... When doubt or insecurity tells me I can’t do something, I will remember that all things are possible to her (him) who believes. In Jesus name, Amen. } 

International Women's Day

 Have you heard of the International Women's Day?? I had not either until my arrival in this Spanish speaking Carribean country. The Dia Internacional de la Mujer is widely celebrated here. There was even a page in the kindergarten textbook dedicated to this day.  Last week the teachers started brainstorming about how to celebrate this day with the kids at school. We soon realized that we had a valuable opportunity to instill in these precious hearts and minds the value of women as a baby step towards prevention of family violence.

Violence against women is a sad reality of life across the world.  All too often, violence against women can be an accepted part of society in lower income, less resourced communities.  I didn't know that domestic violence was not a crime in the Dominican Republic until after 1997. With such a recent change in the law there are very limited records of the magnitude of this problem. One limited study of family violence in a Dominican community revealed that over 90% of women aged 15 - 49 reported being victims of domestic violence. Click here for more on this issue.

Today we celebrated the Dia Internacional de la Mujer in our morning chapel by discussing the positive things that we can do with our hands. We want to plant seeds at an early age that the girls and women in our lives are precious, esteemed, loved gifts from God. We determined that our hands are not for hitting, thumping, slapping, killing, fighting. No with our hands we will.......

Yes, we will use our hands to do good. And above all, we will use our hands to worship the Lord.

Our new memory verse:

Salmos 63: 3-4

Con mis labios te alabaré; toda mi vida te bendeciré,y a ti levantaré mis MANOS en oración.

Psalms 63: 3 - 4
My lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

God Provides Food to Eat

I hit the ground running a week ago yesterday. After a quick reunion with friends and family here, I jumped right back into kindergarten classes. One of our challenges and goals for the new year is finding more ways to integrate the word of God into our classes. January started the lesson on FOOD!  Our kids are having fun learning the difference between fruits and vegetables and chapel last week centered on the creation, specifically day 3 when God created fruits and vegetables (Genesis 1:3). We used that as a springboard to a fruit tasting.  The kids enjoyed sampling fruits and expanding their vocabulary with new descriptors like sabrosa, jugosa, crujiente, gustosa and the lists goes on. We celebrated the warm weather of this island that permits certain fruits to grow here that are not available in other countries like the US. One of my favorite new fruits is guanabana, aka soursop.

I was introduced to this fruit on my first trip to the DR almost a year ago. I remember the laughs as we all tried to pronounce guanabana. I still smile as I think about Vicki and her attempts to say that word. So, I will break it down... gwa - na - ba - na,  say it again ... gwa - na - ba - na. My host dad makes a really yummy juice with gwa - na- ba - na.

Who created fruit?? GOD!! and vegetables?? GOD! We give praise to God for the food that he provides for us.  During the week, our science and social studies classes have centered on fruits and vegetables, with each lesson providing an opportunity to remember how God provides for us.

What a powerful lesson for these little ones to learn, that God is our provider. I looked out at the faces and thought about some of the really hard family situations, where families are struggling to provide food and clothes. I landed on one little face, who more than likely was squirming in her seat, giving love 'taps' to a friend or any other mischievous behavior. Our cook describes her as "the smallest little girl who eats a lot".  Her mom came to school the other day. "Is it true?" she asked, referring to a conversation the principal had with her husband the day before. "Yes, it's true."

We decided that this little one NEEDS to stay with us all day. See, her family took her out of the all day program which includes lunch, because they couldn't afford the extra $150 pesos a week ($3). We had noticed, that this little one was coming to school hungrier than ever and a few afternoons she actually showed back up on the school steps 3 hours later because there was no food at home. You see, often the way that God provides for others is by using us, you and I, to be the hands and feet of Christ. Can you imagine the relief on this mom's face to know that the youngest of her 3 children, is now receiving breakfast and lunch daily. Yes, God does provide!

Give Thanks...

OK, so I had so many intentions of getting a Thanksgiving post up by Thanksgiving week and obviously it did not happen. So, I started to just let it go... didn't make that goal. Shucks. Yet the idea of a post giving Thanks has remained with me and I've felt this gentle nudging to do it anyway even though Nov 22nd has come and gone. Honestly, I haven't been in much of a give thanks mood just recently. That's really not like me so I'm pretty upset with myself. Ha. Imagine that ... me upset with me.

Anyway, forcing yourself to make a list of things that you are thankful for is guaranteed to elevate the Spirit, bring a smile to your face and often, tears of joy to your eyes. So, here goes my list... even if it is almost exactly one week late, I'm glad that Giving Thanks is always in season!

1. Family and friends -  The last 6 months have been an awesome season of faith and stretching and I'm grateful for my family and friends who journeyed with me through this season of transition.  I have a new appreciation for my family and if it’s possible, I realize that I love them more and more every day. We’ve had some tough mountains, but boy we stick together and are stronger and closer because of it! 

2.  My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - This Advent season is a time to re-focus on the true source of the Hope and Love we have.

3. Group hugs - the last 3 months I've gotten over 18 hugs a day, unsolicited, knock you down, trample on you bear hugs!  That’s what happens when almost twenty 5 year olds decide that a group hug is in order! My hug jar is full :)

4.  Make new friends, make new friends, but keep the old ones, one is silver and the other is gold. That line is from a song I learned as a child and I'm so thankful for my friends... both silver and gold. My newest friends are the Alcequiez family. They have taken me in under their wings (quite literally since the chickens now outnumber the humans) and under their roof and I'm so thankful for them. 

5.  Hot showers-- you don’t realize what you miss until it’s gone!

6.  Food -- I love trying new foods, most ethnic cuisines, and even dabbling in the kitchen. I’m thankful for this immersion into Dominican cuisine and the joys of fresh, unprocessed food!

7.  Internet -- oh boy, I don’t need cable or a TV, but internet, oh Lord, yes I’m thankful. It’s been a lifesaver to stay in touch with family and friends over email, Skype and FB!

8.  Lawndale Christian Health Center -- I spent the last 6 years in Chicago, IL, serving with this wonderful group of Christian medical professionals. The people who serve at this health center are phenomenal and I will forever cherish that faith and professional community. 

9.  Sunshine and Rain - There is a reason and season for every thing. I”m thankful for the sun that shines but also the rain in life that waters my growth. 

10.  Chocolate - I know this counts as food, but still it's different. You understand, right? I can't wait to bite into a piece of Dove dark chocolate. In the meantime, I'm having fun trying out each chocolate bar at the grocery check out :)! I'm sure there is at least a drop of antioxidants in there somewhere. 

11. I'm thankful to be an American -- Chocolate was supposed to be the last one, but I forgot this one that has come to mind so often in the last year.  The blessing of being born in a country that has a great educational system, financial resources, and opportunities galore is often taken for granted. Of course, it's not a perfect country, but having traveled a bit to other countries, we as Americans, are blessed and I am thankful. 

Oh baby....

We have babies!!  Some of you probably did this as a class science project back in the day. You know... the egg in the incubator and wait the 21-25 days for it to hatch.


I attended great schools with awesome teachers, but we never did the egg thingy. So, I'm excited about this process of watching the eggs hatch into little chicks!  Plus this is the second time around. We had a lot of disappointment around here when the September eggs never hatched. This time around we had a plan and the plan worked! The egg was chipped and when you put it to your ear you could hear the sweetest little chirping sound.

 So, introducing the proud mama (Mickey) and her babies!  There is Henny Penny- yellow, Bambi - dark brown/black, and Brownie.  The names are courtesy of a 5yr old, 3yr old and yours truly!

I narrowed it down to Brownie or Lovie and decided to let the kids vote. The 5yr old chimed in... but Brownies are what we eat for lunch. Hmmmm.... kiddo, did you forget that we eat chicken for lunch at least twice a week!!  Yea, I didn't say anything.  It was tempting, though!! LOL

I have to admit that I have been pseudo-stalking these chickies. Mama Hen Mickey may just peck me one day if I keep it up.

One afternoon I was alarmed... where are the babies... Mickey abandoned her babies. You see, we have a couple of stray cats who like birds for dinner or post dinner snacks. We have lost a couple of doves to the cat visitors, so, this panic was not without reason.



Then, I looked a little closer and noticed a little beak poking out. Hmmm... it made me smile to see how lovingly this mom cared for her little ones. It also reminded me of my heavenly Father's love for me and for each of His children. Thank you Lord for these reminders when we need them most.

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.  Psalm 91:4 NLT

Mission Team from NJ

We have been so blessed to have a mission team from NJ here this week. It's funny because in the past I have always been on the side of the short term team going, but it's my first time being on the receiving end. I now see the behind the scenes stuff that has to happen to make it all work! Trust me, it's a ton of work, but it's so worth it when you see the smiles, the embraces and here the Gospel message being shared. Big thanks to this wonderful team this week for coming to Santiago to love on these little ones and to share the Good News of a Great Big God who loves them.

Stephanie shared the message using the gift bags below. Each color represented a different part of the Gospel Story. Gold - Creation, Black - Sin, Red - Blood of Jesus, White - Cleansing and a new start and Green - Eternal Life.

Then the kids had fun making bracelets (pulseros) using the same color beads as the bags above. This is to remind them of today's message and hopefully some were even able to share it with their parents.

 Some of the missionaries even helped with providing free haircuts. Many parents signed their kids up for this one, although I don't think the kids are too happy about it! Look at that funny face....

 On second thought, who doesn't like looking their best?? E's smile below says it was well worth it! Love the snaggle tooth!

 Lastly, a big shout out to my Korean friends in the Chi. You know who you are... wave your hands if you are Korean and proud! This is how they roll.... food was packed just in case and you know, there is Kim Chee in the bunch plus a whole lot more.

La Cara Feliz

Here is a glimpse of some of the smiling faces that greet me every morning. One of our recent chapels was taken from Proverbs 15:13, El corazon feliz, se refleja en la cara. El corazon triste, deprime el espiritu! It was a joy to share this insightful word with the children and to discuss how our expressions so often reveal so much about what is going on in our heart and spirits. These little ones had fun showing me their happy faces!

I am continually amazed that there are so many smiling faces as I learn of the difficulties that so many of these little ones have encountered. We like to put the memory verse on the bulletin board so the parents can be aware of what we are discussing and hopefully reinforce it at home. Our happy faces and happy hearts really are miracles from God.

I've shared with you about Juan and his brother Jose (Juan and Jose's story) , but we recently opened our hearts and class to another little one, Alexander. We really are at capacity, see note on the bulletin board above, but there was something about this mom's request that struck a chord in our Spirit. She came requesting to enroll her son 3 weeks late with very little explanation. We didn't know all the details, but felt strongly like we needed to take Alexander in. You see, in our community, the public schools have 2 shifts of students, from 8a-12p and 2p - 6p and still there is not enough room for all of the children to go to school. So, some kids just have to wait out the year.  Mom was extremely grateful to have Alexander join our school, and he arrived promptly the next day and hasnt missed a day yet. Well, it didn't take long before the community 'chisme' got back to us. Didn't you know?? This is the kid that was beaten so severely by his dad in the campo that he was hospitalized for a week.   Mom obtained custody after this awful event and that's why little Alexander was enrolling 3 weeks late. Now we understood why we had such a heavy heart when the mom came in that day. She never uttered a word about this, but the Holy Spirit knew. Every day that I see little Alexander I'm amazed at his "corazon feliz" as his face has the most precious smile that you have ever seen. I know that there is still alot of emotional healing that is needed, but I thank God that he has protected this kid's heart and spirit that he can still find so much to smile about. Thank you Lord!

Campo:  Kids will often be sent to the 'campo' to live with relatives in the country/rural areas, for one reason or another.

Chisme:  Gossip