DR: Days 9-10 DR -> Miami -> Omaha

Last night we got to the hotel and Jim and Troy got us pizza and drinks - so generous! The kids spent a lot of time on their cell phones and the guys watched a basketball game. I vowed not to get on my cell just yet (well, I did call Jeff :), journaling and reading my bible. Later on we swam and the water was lovely at first, but then a bit cold for Meredith and me. The funny thing is that we can't handle the dry cold of the A/C. We seem to have gotten used to the heat and humidity! We slept very well, though, and awoke at 6am without an alarm. We ate breakfast and were in the lobby ready to go by 8, but the buses filled up and we had to wait another half hour. 

Then at the airport they delayed us and we didn't get TO security until 5 minutes before we were supposed to board. When we finally boarded, it was 10:15 and we were supposed to take off at 10:20. Whew! But in spite of our hurry, I felt that God was taking care of us and that there was nothing to fret about. If I have learned one thing on this trip, it's that! 

One more thing - I took a picture of Meredith in immigration and an agent told me to erase it. No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to erase!! I kept trying, expecting him to tell me to give him my memory card or even my camera, but thankfully he just let me go, as I promised to delete it. The first thing I did when I got home was keep my word. I downloaded all my pix and then formatted the card- that's the only thing that worked. I have no idea what happened! 

In Dallas/Ft. Worth, Ethan and I were in the middle of a conversation I'll tell you about later and as I got onto the train that would take us to our gate, the doors shut between him and me, leaving him stuck there as we left. As the doors started closing, I put my arm in, but it was closing hard on it and not stopping. Everyone else was on the train, and we were just flabbergasted. The same thing happened to an airport employee who had an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair with his elderly wife behind him walking. She got shut out and the employee (young man) looked like he was about to lose his job, saying that had never happened to him before. What was going on?? We weren't worried really, though, and Ethan got there without any problems. The last bit of drama was when I lost my boarding pass, but the attendant reprinted it for me in a matter of seconds. 

Reflecting a bit, something I'm going to miss is the transparency and lack of barriers or "walls" (physical and emotional) that I have experienced with our group and others. I can and have hugged and told each teen (and adult) that I love them, without fearing being misunderstood or rejected. Also, with people in the DR - acquaintances and strangers - I have hugged and kissed their cheek. It was obvious that these gestures were welcomed. 

Jim has called me several times "Madre Teresa" and I know I will never deserve such a title, but sometimes I wonder what keeps me from being that. That is, what exactly is required to serve God relentlessly and be a servant of His? Letting Him fill me with His Spirit is all - He also gives us the will if we obey.

I have talked several times already with the teens who not only talk about coming back to the DR in 2015, but also about how we can continue this work here in Omaha. Can the youth group sponsor a child from Manna? Can we volunteer at Heartland Hope Mission? What else can we do to keep in contact with Spanish-speaking people? And I want to be a part of all of this!

 

I think in the future instead of only reading my bible, I'm going to continue this journal, writing my thoughts down, what I read and live, related to my faith, in order to push me and to keep growing.

DR: Day 9 - Adios

I’m now in the airport in Puerto Plata, charging my phone. My heart is full and at the same time, I feel tired, drained from so much emotion, so many tough goodbyes to the most beautiful people I’ve ever met. Even though I never cry at goodbyes, I cried after every single one. I will miss all the interns and missionaries and their children. This day was so difficult because to start off we had to say goodbye to the kids at the children’s home.

It was very difficult for Kylie, who couldn’t let Niña go. I know it was very hard for Kailey too, and I’m proud of how hard she tried to keep it together for the kids’ sake. 

 

For me, the hardest part was with the teens. We always joke around and jack around playing volleyball but it was very evident on their faces that they were sad to see us go.

 

We have the opportunity to “adopt,” that is, to sponsor a child for the school. Jeremy’s parents, who are coming as part of the next group, are Carlos’sponsors and will finally get to meet him face to face. How exciting! We are sponsoring the girl on the left above. I remember her from when we were there and she is so sweet! I can't wait to correspond with her :) If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please contact Cassey Gibson at cassey@mannaglobalministries.org

Before leaving, we did our piece of cement. The cement was still very wet, but we did it. I made a rough copy of the SWCoC logo and everyone signed in the rays of the sun. I think it turned out pretty well, although it’s still wet. It’s in front of the school we helped to paint.

 After taking a few pix in front of the famous Daihatsu, there was no time to think about how it was perhaps the last time we’d see each thing we’d become so accustomed to: the school, our dorms, the pad, all the roosters, the cahuy tree, the volleyball court, the children’s home, the bridge we helped build, the building with Franklin’s name on it that we never got a picture of, the Bobita School, that crazy bumpy road, all of it. Like always, we waved to everyone we saw as we passed by, but this time it seemed like we were saying goodbye instead of hello. All the interns came with us, so at least we didn’t have to say goodbye to them yet. 

 

We got to Cabarete and they showed us where the restaurant was first so we’d know how to get back. We went through a hotel to get there – that was *air-conditioned*- and the restaurant itself was right in front of the beach. Beautiful! By the way, as we were walking by some men were painting and said to us “Bendiciones”(blessings), not your typical comment, then I realized we all had our Manna shirts on and I’m pretty sure they go to that restaurant with each group on the way to the airport (once a week). Still, it was sweet!

We shopped a little. I think generally throughout the week, the teens and adults have done just fine without my help, but when it came to shopping, I felt my skills really came in handy – especially my math skills! It didn’t hurt that I made a little table on my hand beforehand to more easily calculate how many pesos per dollar (40 pesos=$1 USD). Vendors generally use the “I don’t have change” to their advantage, but since I was there for other transactions of our group, I knew what change the vendor for sure had. I don’t feel like she was trying to take advantage necessarily, but it didn’t hurt to help things out a bit!

We ate what everyone says is the best pizza on the whole island, and even though I haven’t tried any other pizza there, I don't doubt it's true. It had fresh pineapple, bacon and chicken with a crispy yet fluffy and airy crust. Franklin was pleasantly surprised that Coca Cola light is better than Diet Coke. I prefer Diet Coke, but like Light too – it reminds me of Mexico!

 After eating, in about five seconds we all hugged and said goodbye to all the interns we’ve grown to love so much. Only Jeff went with us to the airport. We really had to hurry since the Newark group had to leave pretty soon. After checking our bags but before going through security, Meredith and I did a bit of last minute shopping and both got playing cards from different shops!

Everything was pretty peachy until we went through security and it got a little ugly. Larissa was really upset because it seemed the guy told her she wouldn't be able to get on the airplane because she had batteries. After talking with him, it was clear she could go, but he was taking her batteries. Apparently he also took Troy's. I argued and had him get his supervisor over there, but it was no use. Despite the airline policy that batteries could not be in checked baggage and must be in carry-ons, these guys all insisted otherwise. I was furious that they were clearly just stealing people's batteries, but poor Larissa was just glad she was getting to go home!

DR: Day 8- Prayer mountain, the ocean and a surprise!

Spoiler alert! :)

Quiet time- I read Psalm 139 since Zach taught us a song from there last night. It’s a beautiful Psalm and it consoles me that God knows me so well and plans to take me to heaven in spite of it all, that He created me with all my defects. Today is when we will go to Prayer Mountain and then to the Community Center in Río San Juan, then the beach.

Afterwards, we said goodbye to Cristopher, Carlos and Nene, who were obviously sad to see us go. They are so sweet and have pretty tough lives. It’s so hard to say goodbye; we hugged tight, and for the first time didn’t joke around. We may see them in the morning too, but it won’t be for long since we have to get going – we must pack, eat breakfast, clean the rooms and bathrooms and make our group’s cement block. I will do it – the Southwest logo that Jeff designed. And all this to be done by 8:30am! Then we will go shopping in Cabarete and then have lunch on the beach at this amazing pizza place that they say has the best pizza around.

Today we started out with the Prayer Mountain. On our way, we dropped off Jeffrey in Río San Juan. I couldn’t hug him because he crossed the street and I was trapped in the Daihatsu, but we bade farewell with a wave and a smile. And the one who doesn’t cry at goodbyes cried.

On Prayer Mountain, we prayed as a whole group, then in our groups A, B, C,D.

We talked about what we have experienced and what these days have been like, and I could barely speak through the tears. We prayed together, popcorn style. Afterwards we prayed individually for the country, the city, the people we’ve met, for the missionaries and, of course, ourselves. I can’t imagine a better end to the trip than praying there in that gorgeous place.

I continued praying until Jeremy came to look for me (I was just over the edge, on the side of the mountain.) I didn’t hear anything, but everyone was already in the Daihatsu!

Then, we had lunch at the Community Center in Río San Juan. It was chicken salad – the best I’ve had! It was quite simple, but had grapes and was just perfect. It was Jarisa’s favorite and I think mine too. Then, we went to the beach. As we were walking by, a little girl (4 years old maybe?) asked excitedly, “Are you guys going to the beach?” I said yes and she ran back into her house, yelling, “They’re going to the beach!!” I just wanted to grab her and take her with us, she was so precious.

The afternoon was fabulous! Beach Day was everything it promised to be and more. The only bad thing was that the camera Jeremy bought me was very old, but I didn’t notice it until I got back to Omaha to develop the pictures. The film was completely black. When I looked at the bottom and it said develop by March 2009!

I applied a ton of sunscreen and got into the water immediately because the water felt so nice, and the vendors just don’t leave you alone on the beach. Besides taking a few pictures, I never got out of the water. The best part of the whole day was that Kylie and Sierrah Campbell were baptized! VIDEO

Of course, I cried again, as did just about everyone else, and it was so beautiful. Sierrah told me, “I couldn’t have done it without you!” and hugged me so tight. I don’t know what these kids see in me, but I feel so overwhelmed with love, to have helped these beautiful hearts. 

Finally at 4pm, after 3+ hours in the sun, I was pretty burnt. What a fool! The water just felt too good and it wasn’t sunny (it was cloudy), but obviously, that didn’t matter. Then, we showered there and there was a ton of water pressure – what a nice surprise! We lamented not having brought shampoo and soap. The showers were apparently a new addition, otherwise I'm sure our missionaries would have suggested the same.

Once we got back to Manna, we ran to play a little while with the kids at the children’s home. When we got there, I saw Isi, a precious little girl of about 6 or 7, who had colored the whole Joseph book from VBS and even traced and colored the picture of Joseph as king and copied the words that said how God did not forget about Joseph and how He made Joseph king of Egypt and saved his family. I almost cried. Suddenly, all the work I had done was worth it. It filled me with joy to be able to participate in God’s work here and to touch these precious lives.

Ripping off Jim's idea- all you need is love

More DR journals tomorrow...

This morning Jim's sermon really rang true with me, in fact it was an extension of a blog I wrote a few days ago (but haven't published yet- be patient :). I wonder if God was speaking to both of us at once? Isn't it cool how He does that?

Jim's sermon was entitled "Grow up" and essentially was about growing in our faith. An emphasis was on how if we are growing, we are growing in love.

A powerful statement he made was: We don't need more commitment, we need more love.

I could not agree more. Without love, serving Jesus is a burden, something we do out of duty and maybe guilt or obligation. With love, it is a joy.

Taking on more commitment is not the answer to growing spiritually. Trust me, I've tried that. It can burn you out and leeches the peace from your life. Plugging into God is the answer. When we experience His love, only then we are equipped to share with others, to be fruitful for the kingdom.

I mean, think about it- how did God reach out to us? By pointing out our lack of fulfillment of the law? No, He did it by loving us unconditionally in both word and deed, to the greatest level possible.

So, what is our response? Dutiful, dry commitment? Of course not, it's LOVE!

Jim closed with 2 Corinthians 5:11ff. We no longer live for ourselves because of His love for us. We no longer regard others from a worldly point of view. We are a new creation because of His love!

DR: Day 7- Worship, a hike, movie night!

Today was very nice – we had a worship service on the pad. Pastor Porfirio (Porfi), his wife and children came and he talked about how we respond when there is a storm, inspired by the time Jesus calmed the storm in Matthew 8. There was no translation for those who didn’t understand Spanish, but the kids said they understood quite a bit, as he repeated and they had the passage to read in their bibles. We sang some songs in Spanish, some in English and we took communion. Logan did an excellent job of sharing some thoughts in English before the Lord’s supper, as did Jeffrey in Spanish. Garrett said the closing prayer and did a very nice job too. At one point, there was a sudden breeze that, I don’t know, just gave me chills and moved me almost to tears, as if the Holy Spirit were in our midst.

Later, we took a hike and climbed a mountain.

We had to cross 3 barb wire fences. Renay, Franklin, Jeremy, Jeff R, Jarisa, all the Dominican kids: Niño (Anderson), Cristopher, Oscar, Francis, Nene, Adrian, Jeffrey and I can’t remember who else. It wasn’t long, but the view from the top was pretty – and you can just barely see the ocean from there. We came back to spaghetti, salad and garlic bread for lunch. Then, we went to the children’s home. We brought stickers and fruit snacks – which we also shared with those we ran into on the road along the way. Playing with the kids was so fun. I tried and failed miserably to play Gotcha (you have to make a basket before the person behind you or you’re out and if you make it before the person in front of you, they’re out). Troy almost beat Jeremy! I also played a little just shooting baskets with Francis, Ariel (Bonju) and Miranda. By the way, Francis is little but he plays volleyball as well as the big kids! When we got sick of shooting hoops, we did something like 4-square. I would make Francis giggle by looking at him, but bouncing it to another person and he would do the same.

 

It was difficult to leave them, but we were going to see them at the movie later that day. I showered before they made an announcement that there wasn’t enough water for everyone to shower. Well, when they announced it, I was covered in soap and shampoo, so it was a bit late. We had devo before dinner since right after, we had to get things ready for movie night. More about that later. Dinner was boiled yucca, onions, fried cheese and salad. I love to eat all the food here together- especially the cold elements on top, like the cheese with tomatoes and lettuce on top. Some people didn’t like the yucca and onions (the yucca is just like boiled potatoes!), but everyone went crazy over the fried cheese.

The movie wasn’t so bad, but it was nothing special either, Magorium’s Wonder Emporium or something like that. I didn’t watch it closely, as my heart was just too full from devo and all the necessary goodbyes that are coming, so I partly journaled and partly listened, sitting in a place where I couldn’t see the English subtitles. With the poles on the pad, there were a lot of "bad" seats, so I took one where I just could see the top 2/3 or so of the screen. I was able to understand it fine, though. The others from Southwest read the subtitles and compared it to what they heard. When they asked me later how they translated something, I wasn’t able to help much since I hadn’t seen the English, althought I knew what happened in the movie.

After the movie, the teens and I hung out talking with Franklin. While the kids picked out the last of the popcorn from the pan, we talked about how to continue the work once we get home. Franklin suggested the Heartland Hope Mission, which used to be A Mission for All Nations. I think that would be fabulous – there are so many opportunities there.

I'll end today telling about my favorite/most emotional time of the day: devo. During the devo, which was held in our new favorite place, the 2nd floor of the school, was incredible. Jim shared, very emotionally, a few verses from Paul (Phil. 1:3-11) that talk about how he’s going to love and remember a particular church. Jim said that in his bible he was going to have to, right next to GVBC (Green Valley Bible Camp) write DR. I knew exactly what that meant and began to cry and couldn’t stop. Meredith later noted that she never cries, but when her dad started to, she couldn’t help it. This place is so special and I will never forget it. Each person here is so special and I love them with my whole heart. I have learned things about myself and others that I want to keep learning. I am not the same me as before, and I don’t want to be.

Philippians 1:3-11

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

DR: Day 6- VBS x2!

We just ate lunch – so delicious! Moro – mmm! (rice and pigeon peas). VBS went well. We started a bit late and there were only 30 kids, which made it a bit easier. We had planned on our teens leading the songs, but several were playing with and holding kids, so Jeremy got things started and led the songs. Later, he apologized because he felt bad for taking charge, but that was honestly the best thing – our kids don’t know all the songs they usually lead and he did.

Tengo Paz como el río, Sí, Cristo me ama, Cast your burdens, Tengo gozo, gozo, Aunque no marche la infantería, El amor de Dios es maravilloso. Actually, I started the last one as the Dominican teens taught it to me and said they sang it all the time, but the kids didn’t seem to know it. I felt like I got played lol! The kids’ skit went really well, and the kids were really engaged.

With my station, where I was to read the Joseph story from the children’s bible stories book Jim bought, I quickly realized it was way too long and boring to hold their attention, so I started summarizing. The second time through, I tried more to tell the story, using pictures from the book to illustrate and asking them personal questions to draw them in.

By the third time through, I was telling the story with excitement and dramatically, barely referring to the book and it went much better. We put the life-size puzzle with the crafts station since they already had plenty of games at that station and the craft didn’t take long (markers on coffee filters, spray with water to make a tie-dye effect – supposed to be like Joseph’s coat).

 

 

This afternoon is when we do VBS at the community center in Río San Juan. There will be more children and it will be crazier. At least we didn’t start by doing VBS in Río San Juan- I feel like we’re ready to go!

This afternoon was fantastic! The songs at the beginning were so fun – and Meredith even videoed them. I’m so glad! (when she gets them uploaded, I'll include them here!)

 

Then, the teens did their skit and we divided into 3 groups. We were going to do the story upstairs, but there was so much water and it was just impossible to mop it all up. So, we had the story in the main room, the games in the gym and crafts outside. It worked really well. I told the story with ease this time, involving them in it with personal questions, and also taking a moment to recognize their “coats” from the last station. I felt like I was so in the moment and the kids were captivated.

The kids were adorable and sometimes hilarious. We were talking about how Joseph was taken far from his home, to Egypt. One little kid stated knowingly, “I’d just take a plane.” When someone else noted they weren’t even invented yet, he said he’d invent one real fast and then fly there J The only thing was I was sooo sweaty! I didn’t feel hot, just into the story, but couldn’t deny I was dripping everywhere.

 

When it was time for the kids to leave, we stood in a line and either gave them high-5s or a hug, and I felt really sad, knowing I wouldn’t see many of these kids again, although glad we’d see many again at movie night tomorrow. I felt full of the Holy Spirit and believe God used me today, truly. I felt prepared for this afternoon, but never dreamed that with these inner city kids, who prior to VBS were violently play-fighting so rowdily, would be so into the activities and engaged in the story. God is good and can do more than we ever imagine. I was just in a state of euphoria afterwards. Also, Kailey, Keelia and Kylie commented that I wasn’t old enough to be their mom – bless them! They’re only like 15.

Later on, several Dominicans joined us for devo, including Jeffrey, my friend from the bus. I forgot to mention, during dinner Jarisa, Jeffrey and I talked about what it means to be a leader. He is so wise and has so much to say about being a leader, about how there are so many ways to be one- not only by speaking but also by your actions. I praised him for the way he led the kids at VBS in Río San Juan – he was so amazing with the kids leading them in song and a prayer where he had them repeat. It was very effective and special. He’s going to spend the night with the interns and help with church tomorrow morning I’m going to miss him a lot. He’s such a talented and sweet kid.

After devo, the missionaries and interns gave us feedback about VBS today. Jeff R. told us that our skit was the most well-prepared they’ve seen- the kids memorized and pronounced their lines really well, the activities were fresh, different, fun and they had never thought of doing a story before, and it’s something they may do with future groups. They were also very impressed by the book I made. I was so proud of the teens and it seemed all the hard work paid off after all. Most of all, the children left both feeling happy and loved, knowing a little more about God’s love and forgiveness.

 

I had a lovely chat with Zach tonight, about books – he recommended The Noticer and I’d like to read it! After chatting more about other books, like Elisabeth Elliot’s Passion and Purity, Keep a Quiet Heart and Discipline: The Glad Surrender, he shared with me that his weakness is the same as Jeff’s, and for the first time, I shared that with someone. I only acknowledged it, no more, but  I’ve just always felt it’s not mine to share and had such embarrassment about it, I’ve never told anyone. It felt a little good to share it, and it felt neat that he would be so transparent about it. He marveled that his fiancé, when he confessed to her, told him it only made her love him more. He, of course, couldn’t believe it and that made him love her all the more. They’re getting married on September 21^st and they are putting God at the center of their lives, above them. He writes her a letter every day and plans on giving them to her on their wedding day, but hasn’t decided when exactly he’ll do it. How romantic! We came to a good stopping point in the conversation and I was heading to bed, but the girls convinced me to stay and chat with them and Jeffy a bit. He shared that during the devo, he cried a little, he just loves the worship songs sung a cappella, in harmony. We decided that very moment to go to the upstairs of the school where we painted and sang several songs. One side of me, was like- almost everyone else is in bed right near us with the windows open and we’re so loud, but I just couldn’t stand in the way and went with it. It was such a special moment! If anyone had any complaints, we never heard about them.

Tomorrow will be fabulous – worshiping God and a sermón from a Costa Rican who is the director of the children’s home. Then, we will climb a mountain and afterwards to the children’s home, then it’s movie night. We will have our devo before dinner. Good night!

Deny self, take up cross daily

I was taken aback by reading day 6's (VBS day) morning quiet time reflections. I need to read and reread this...

It’s quiet time and I think God has brought me to Peter’s confession of Jesus' identity in Luke 9:18-27. Verses 23-24 really jumped out at me, where Jesus tells him:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

This has new meaning for me, now that I have grown accustomed to living with fewer comforts. My vices (gum, Diet Coke, chocolate/sweets) don't have the same hold: I don’t chew gum or have candy/desserts and have had 3 Coke Zeros total here. God satisfies me, as does service to others. This is saying nothing of the other things I thought were necessary, like daily hot showers/baths, A/C, privacy in dressing/bathroom, electricity, etc.

I wonder how I’m going to incorporate these new changes into my daily life upon returning. Will I serve others more? How? Will I take more time alone, praying and just listening to God’s voice? Will I be able to keep this up? Because I think something incredible has happened to me. I have grown spiritually, to the point where I no longer focus on the physical rather the spiritual. There is no way to maintain this growth without denying myself (in other words, discipline, self-control). I have come to realize that my greatest weakness is with boundaries – what I can or should control and what I can’t or shouldn’t. If I can get to the point of letting God change me, that is, worrying less about what those around me say and do, I’ll be able to better reflect God’s love and be what He wants me to be.

This will affect my entire life – as a teacher, with my family – more Hannah than anyone. All this trying to control everything as well as other people, which I can’t anyway, is futile – it provokes others, discourages them, creates resentment – not to mention it’s a waste of time. I even see the battle here, but I notice some changes and I know that my awareness of this problem is the first step. I will not find more peace in my life without trusting Him – letting go and losing my fear of letting Him take the reins.