Each week here a new group comes in for their short term mission trip. Well actually, there's usually many groups heree but the interns typical stick with one group for the week. That allows us to connect with the group and get to know them a little bit by the end of the week. However, this week after 3 days I still felt like I hadn't connected much with the group. In the van, I mostly talked with the missionary/pastor/driver and during ministry times I was mostly with the Dominican youth that were working with us. That's great for practicing Spanish but it means I didn't spend as much time with my group. That being said I was quite surprised by the response I got from them on thier last night. Two of the girls made a bracelet for me and another team member gave me a hug and thanked me working with them this week.
That made me realize that sometimes I can't see the impact I make on people, but that doesn't mean no one's watching. All week I'd gone in and given my all to whatever ministry we were doing. The first two mornings were VBS with kids so it was pretty natural for me to jump in and start doing stuff. According to one group member, I was 'rocking out' to the worship songs with the kids. On Wednesday, we had a work project building a fence around a church. This mean cuting down trees and branches for posts and stringing barbed wire. Tools required: machetes, hammers, and several metal poles as post hole diggers. It was great hanging out with older people (over 9 years old) during the day; they'd even help correct my Spanish which was very helpful. One girl even taught me how to 'mow' with a machete. You use a hooked stick to hold the grass/weeds back and then swing the machete below that to cut the grass off near the ground. Throughout this week I was faithful to serve where I was needed each day, even though to me it seemed like I wasn't making much of a difference to the team. In return, God was faithful to me and allowed me to see that during those times I wasn't with the team they were still watching me; that made an impact on them without me knowing it.
PRAYER UPDATES
1. Spanish-I'm learning more everyday but I'm not sure if I'll be fluent before I leave. Pray that I'll be proactive in practicing Spanih and not give in to fear and shyness.
2. Financial-My goal is to raise $1,500 in support to cover airfare and other expenses. So far I've just over $500. Pray that the remaining money needed to cover my expenses would be provided.
3. Future Plans-As of now, I still don't have a job after my intership ends. Pray that I would know where the Lord wants me to be this fall (and afterward).
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Monday, July 1, 2013
Translating
Well, by week 3 I'd missed writing a weekly blog post. If I'm keeping my dates right I just finished my fifth week as an intern here in the DR. My time is flying by and I'm already dreading how fast August 3rd is approaching. As you probably already know my primary goal over this summer and my time overseas is to focus on practicing my Spanish and to be able to serve as a translator. So after 5 weeks it's about time I give you all an update on how that's going.
I arrived knowing a decent amount of Spanish and would frequently help translate small conversations. For example, when we take groups out to a village I'd translate one-on-one converrsations between a kid and a group member. Some groups have member who know a fair amount of Spanish while others don't. One common request amoung the kids is "caballo", they're asking for a piggy-back ride. (That's actually the Spanish word for 'horse'. Makes a lot more sense to me. When have you seen someone rid a pig??) These small conversations/translations were fun and the longer I'm here the better I am at them. Still, the idea of tranlating to an entire group seemed to far beyond me.
However, that began to change about 10 days ago; I translated from Spanish to English for the entire group. I'd been with the group for the past few days and as they prepared the leave the village for the last time everyone--Americans and Dominicans--gathered for prayer. The group had spent the week doing ministry with Omar, a Dominican who works with one of the SCORE missionaries, but he doesn't speak English. Somehow (God's creativity, I presume) our official translator wasn't present at the moment, so I ended up translating for Omar. All in all, what I translated was rather short--"Thanks for coming. We're sad to see you leave. Have a safe flight." But the fact that I did it for a group of about 20 people amazed me. It was such an encouragement to have that experience and realize I really can translate.
Then this past week I was really put to the test. Another group had come in; the ladies and I were at a morning devotional with a group of Dominican women. The Dominican lady giving the devotional asked if I was translating. "No way." I said. However, the missionary said that I'm able to translate and kindly forced me to do it. I sort of tag teamed with a Dominican women who knew some English. I would translate from Spanish to English and she would translate from English to Spanish. I have to admit I pretty much hated translating during the entire devotional, but at the same time knew it was the best possible way to practice so I was also super thankful for the opportunity. Translating requires a lot more than simply knowing two languages. It's a constant cycle of listening to the Spanish, mentally translating it to English, remembering it while hearing the second part of the sentence, translating the second part to Spanish, and then speaking the entire sentence in English. It was such a stressful process but I'm so glad I'm able to say I did it. Obviously, as my Spanish get better the translating will get easier.
So far the best way to practice Spanish is with those who don't know English. Like Omar, who knows some English but not enough to make speaking English easier than Spanish. I'm also able to practice with the bus drivers. One of them, Nino, is especially helpful; he basically forces me to speak Spanish and when someone tries to translate for me he replies, "No, no, ella sabe. Ella sabe." "She knows. She knows." It's definately encouraging to have someone show so much confidence in me when I don't always feel that way. Granted there's times we don't alway understand each other the first time something is said but we're usually able to figure it out.
Besides translating, I am beging to understand more and more spoken Spanish. This past Sunday at church the entire sermon was in Spanish but I was able to understand the sermon nearly as well as one preached in English. I'm still learning everyday, and at times I get discouraged, but everytime I use my Spanish I'm encouraged that I can do this.
To end, here's a few Dominican Spanish words. Many of them are different than what I learned in school or have a different meaning. Do you know the meaning of any of these??
-Mame
-La guagua
-Guapo
-Mata
-Guineo
-Que lo que
-Un chin/ una bina
I arrived knowing a decent amount of Spanish and would frequently help translate small conversations. For example, when we take groups out to a village I'd translate one-on-one converrsations between a kid and a group member. Some groups have member who know a fair amount of Spanish while others don't. One common request amoung the kids is "caballo", they're asking for a piggy-back ride. (That's actually the Spanish word for 'horse'. Makes a lot more sense to me. When have you seen someone rid a pig??) These small conversations/translations were fun and the longer I'm here the better I am at them. Still, the idea of tranlating to an entire group seemed to far beyond me.
However, that began to change about 10 days ago; I translated from Spanish to English for the entire group. I'd been with the group for the past few days and as they prepared the leave the village for the last time everyone--Americans and Dominicans--gathered for prayer. The group had spent the week doing ministry with Omar, a Dominican who works with one of the SCORE missionaries, but he doesn't speak English. Somehow (God's creativity, I presume) our official translator wasn't present at the moment, so I ended up translating for Omar. All in all, what I translated was rather short--"Thanks for coming. We're sad to see you leave. Have a safe flight." But the fact that I did it for a group of about 20 people amazed me. It was such an encouragement to have that experience and realize I really can translate.
Then this past week I was really put to the test. Another group had come in; the ladies and I were at a morning devotional with a group of Dominican women. The Dominican lady giving the devotional asked if I was translating. "No way." I said. However, the missionary said that I'm able to translate and kindly forced me to do it. I sort of tag teamed with a Dominican women who knew some English. I would translate from Spanish to English and she would translate from English to Spanish. I have to admit I pretty much hated translating during the entire devotional, but at the same time knew it was the best possible way to practice so I was also super thankful for the opportunity. Translating requires a lot more than simply knowing two languages. It's a constant cycle of listening to the Spanish, mentally translating it to English, remembering it while hearing the second part of the sentence, translating the second part to Spanish, and then speaking the entire sentence in English. It was such a stressful process but I'm so glad I'm able to say I did it. Obviously, as my Spanish get better the translating will get easier.
So far the best way to practice Spanish is with those who don't know English. Like Omar, who knows some English but not enough to make speaking English easier than Spanish. I'm also able to practice with the bus drivers. One of them, Nino, is especially helpful; he basically forces me to speak Spanish and when someone tries to translate for me he replies, "No, no, ella sabe. Ella sabe." "She knows. She knows." It's definately encouraging to have someone show so much confidence in me when I don't always feel that way. Granted there's times we don't alway understand each other the first time something is said but we're usually able to figure it out.
Besides translating, I am beging to understand more and more spoken Spanish. This past Sunday at church the entire sermon was in Spanish but I was able to understand the sermon nearly as well as one preached in English. I'm still learning everyday, and at times I get discouraged, but everytime I use my Spanish I'm encouraged that I can do this.
To end, here's a few Dominican Spanish words. Many of them are different than what I learned in school or have a different meaning. Do you know the meaning of any of these??
-Mame
-La guagua
-Guapo
-Mata
-Guineo
-Que lo que
-Un chin/ una bina
Sunday, June 9, 2013
More Than Conquerors
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Ephesians 6:12 has long been one of my favorite verses. It can be so easy for me to get distracted by the little things in life. This verse reminds me that the phyiscial struggless in life, both the little and big things, are not the biggest stuggle I'm in. As a believer, my biggest struggle is the spiritul battle. Unfortuantely, that can easily become the first struggle to be forgotten. Spiritual battles aren't often seen, so the visible difficulities can quickly take over my focus. That's why I love Ephesians 6:12; no matter what is going on in my life it refocuses my attention on the reality of Spiriual struggles.
This week has been a perfect example of that. I spent the past three days in San Jose and La Riconada where SCORE missionaries work. For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to visit villages like this, let me try to paint a picture of it for you. It's a long, bumpy ride along a dirt road to enter either village. The homes vary from small concert buildings to roughly constructed structures of tin or woods. Few, if any, have running water inside their home; each village has a well/pump for water. Most do have electric wires running to their home, but the power goes out often. It might be on for 6 hours a day. Or there might not be power for three days. Food comes mostly from what can be grown or raised in the area, which isn't enough many times. Its not anywhere close to the American idea of a decent standard of living. So it's easy as an American to visit and think about all the American conveniences they don't have: toilets, indoor plumbing, safety, sanitation, proper medical care, air conditioning, abundant store bought food, etc.
Yet the lack of material things is not the biggest issue in San Jose and La Riconada. During the VBS program on Friday I held a baby with a little pouch tied around her ankles. Her mother has taken her to the loca witch doctor. The pouch is meant to keep evil spirits away from her. There's a very real Spiritual battle going on in these villages; voodoo is very common, but it's often hidden. Had I not known to suspect it I won't have thought to ask about that strange little anklet. The battle here is not against flesh and blood but spiritual powers.
While most Americans pobably didn't grow up with Voodoo common place, that doesn't mean we don't face spiritual battle. I wonder if being in America actually may make it harder to see the spiritual battles sometimes. When I'm surrounded by modern conveniences and the comforts of a developed nation it's easy to get wrapped up in them and forget about the spiritual battle that is going on. No matter what culture, country, economic status, or the condition of your home, everyone faces a spiritual battle, especially for believers.
However, as believers we know that Christ has won this Spiriual battle. "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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." Romans 8:37-39
Ephesians 6:12 has long been one of my favorite verses. It can be so easy for me to get distracted by the little things in life. This verse reminds me that the phyiscial struggless in life, both the little and big things, are not the biggest stuggle I'm in. As a believer, my biggest struggle is the spiritul battle. Unfortuantely, that can easily become the first struggle to be forgotten. Spiritual battles aren't often seen, so the visible difficulities can quickly take over my focus. That's why I love Ephesians 6:12; no matter what is going on in my life it refocuses my attention on the reality of Spiriual struggles.
This week has been a perfect example of that. I spent the past three days in San Jose and La Riconada where SCORE missionaries work. For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to visit villages like this, let me try to paint a picture of it for you. It's a long, bumpy ride along a dirt road to enter either village. The homes vary from small concert buildings to roughly constructed structures of tin or woods. Few, if any, have running water inside their home; each village has a well/pump for water. Most do have electric wires running to their home, but the power goes out often. It might be on for 6 hours a day. Or there might not be power for three days. Food comes mostly from what can be grown or raised in the area, which isn't enough many times. Its not anywhere close to the American idea of a decent standard of living. So it's easy as an American to visit and think about all the American conveniences they don't have: toilets, indoor plumbing, safety, sanitation, proper medical care, air conditioning, abundant store bought food, etc.
Yet the lack of material things is not the biggest issue in San Jose and La Riconada. During the VBS program on Friday I held a baby with a little pouch tied around her ankles. Her mother has taken her to the loca witch doctor. The pouch is meant to keep evil spirits away from her. There's a very real Spiritual battle going on in these villages; voodoo is very common, but it's often hidden. Had I not known to suspect it I won't have thought to ask about that strange little anklet. The battle here is not against flesh and blood but spiritual powers.
While most Americans pobably didn't grow up with Voodoo common place, that doesn't mean we don't face spiritual battle. I wonder if being in America actually may make it harder to see the spiritual battles sometimes. When I'm surrounded by modern conveniences and the comforts of a developed nation it's easy to get wrapped up in them and forget about the spiritual battle that is going on. No matter what culture, country, economic status, or the condition of your home, everyone faces a spiritual battle, especially for believers.
However, as believers we know that Christ has won this Spiriual battle. "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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." Romans 8:37-39
Sunday, June 2, 2013
First Week
It's officially been one week since I arrived in the Dominican Republic. Already I feel right at home. It's so great to be back the culture and around Spanish. Somethings are just like I remember them, but at times I notice differences between Jarabacoa and where I am now, Juan Dolio. Although I suppose that part of that may because I have a lot more opportunies to spend free time (and even ministry times) with Dominicans rather than American missionarries. I've quickly settled into the routine here. Generally, each week I'll be paired with a group to help with and translate what I can. This week I was with Bethel Baptist from Alabama. Throughout the week we visited several different sugar cane villages, called Bateys. The group had prepared a VBS type program for the kids in each village--songs, a Bible story, and crafts.
In addition to the villages there are two ministries we visited the week that I especially enjoyed. On Monday we went to San Jose were SCORE Craig and Joanna live. I hadn't planned it but these are the same missionaries whose blog I read last semester after a friend shared it on Facebook. It's an amazing story of what God's doing here in the DR. If you'd like to read that blog follow this link. Craig and Joanna have built a house in the village of San Jose and live right among the people they serve. There's a group of kids from the village that practically live on their front porch. Craig pastors the church, they've begun a pre-school, and have a feeding program. They also reach out to the surrounding villages and are hoping to plant churches in those as well. Our ministry on Monday consisted of building benches to be used in the church or school and playing with the kids. Soccer, baseball, Frisbee, swings, etc. During the afternoon it rained, even poured for a while; Craig passed out shampoo to the kids and they all took showers! I was especially drawn to one boy, Mudo. He can't hear and as a result can't speak either. It was amazing to see how the kids had learned to communicate with him. At first, I though how devastating it was that he had no assistance or
interventions. Even if someone would teach him Sign Language there's no one in his village who could understand that. However, after watching them I began to wonder if it was actually easier to live with his handicap here than it would be in the States. In this village much of the economy is farming. Even young boys know how to drive cattle and ride horses. I realized there's many farming activities one could learn just by watching. Even Craig is able to communicate very similar things to Mudo, such as distinguishing between Coke and water. Yet Craig doesn't know how Mudo is able to understand the difference. I definitely hope to return to San Jose many times this summer.
The second ministry I want to share about in the Lily House. This ministry serves women who had previously worked as prositutes and their children. There are two parts to this. First the house where the women can live with their children and the day care for the children while thier mothers are at work. Second there is the training program. The women work during the day learning skills such as jewelry making, sewing, cooking, and spa/salon. Much of the jewelry is already bein sold here at the SCORE store. Recently a family donated to the Lily House to build several shops/business for the ladies to work in. They are just about ready to open a salon/spa, a store (for jewelry, etc.) and a cafe. All three are absolutely beautiful and once its done the entrance will open up right to the main street; perfect for business not just from SCORE groups but from the public and the tourists from the nearby hotels. I'm so excited to see how this ministry continues to grow during my summer here.
Besides to ministries that the groups do for the Dominicans, is especially encouraging to get to know the individual group members and hear what God has used their trip to teach them. I was able to have several very good conversations with a member of the team this week. Some of the biggest lessons are the ones least expected. It's amaing to see how God uses a trip to a foreign country to teach something no one could have intended.
As always, thanks for your prayers and support!
In addition to the villages there are two ministries we visited the week that I especially enjoyed. On Monday we went to San Jose were SCORE Craig and Joanna live. I hadn't planned it but these are the same missionaries whose blog I read last semester after a friend shared it on Facebook. It's an amazing story of what God's doing here in the DR. If you'd like to read that blog follow this link. Craig and Joanna have built a house in the village of San Jose and live right among the people they serve. There's a group of kids from the village that practically live on their front porch. Craig pastors the church, they've begun a pre-school, and have a feeding program. They also reach out to the surrounding villages and are hoping to plant churches in those as well. Our ministry on Monday consisted of building benches to be used in the church or school and playing with the kids. Soccer, baseball, Frisbee, swings, etc. During the afternoon it rained, even poured for a while; Craig passed out shampoo to the kids and they all took showers! I was especially drawn to one boy, Mudo. He can't hear and as a result can't speak either. It was amazing to see how the kids had learned to communicate with him. At first, I though how devastating it was that he had no assistance or
interventions. Even if someone would teach him Sign Language there's no one in his village who could understand that. However, after watching them I began to wonder if it was actually easier to live with his handicap here than it would be in the States. In this village much of the economy is farming. Even young boys know how to drive cattle and ride horses. I realized there's many farming activities one could learn just by watching. Even Craig is able to communicate very similar things to Mudo, such as distinguishing between Coke and water. Yet Craig doesn't know how Mudo is able to understand the difference. I definitely hope to return to San Jose many times this summer.
The second ministry I want to share about in the Lily House. This ministry serves women who had previously worked as prositutes and their children. There are two parts to this. First the house where the women can live with their children and the day care for the children while thier mothers are at work. Second there is the training program. The women work during the day learning skills such as jewelry making, sewing, cooking, and spa/salon. Much of the jewelry is already bein sold here at the SCORE store. Recently a family donated to the Lily House to build several shops/business for the ladies to work in. They are just about ready to open a salon/spa, a store (for jewelry, etc.) and a cafe. All three are absolutely beautiful and once its done the entrance will open up right to the main street; perfect for business not just from SCORE groups but from the public and the tourists from the nearby hotels. I'm so excited to see how this ministry continues to grow during my summer here.
Besides to ministries that the groups do for the Dominicans, is especially encouraging to get to know the individual group members and hear what God has used their trip to teach them. I was able to have several very good conversations with a member of the team this week. Some of the biggest lessons are the ones least expected. It's amaing to see how God uses a trip to a foreign country to teach something no one could have intended.
As always, thanks for your prayers and support!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Still
Recently, I've been so busy and stressed about all the homework I have due before the end of the year (graduation!) that I haven't spent time with God like I should. Even thought mentally I recognized that I was putting God off to do homework, it didn't translate into action. Everyday I'd go to class, do some homework, go to work, whatever and still not set aside time to spend with God.
Tonight, I was sent this song and encouraged to get alone to spend some time in stillness before God. It was exactly the reminder I needed (just another way God shows he isn't gonna let me go). I love how slow this song is because it made me slow down. I had to stop my rushing and stressing and truly "be still and know". As I sat there dwelling in God's presence, he replaced all that stress with peace and calmness. I was reminded that everything is God's. Every little detail of my life, He will handle and much better than I can. That's why I can depend on Him ( yet so often I start believing the lie that I have to figure everything out on my own).
Everything is God's. Whether it's remembering to eat enough, having enough focus to write a paper, managing my time, or figuring out what I'm doing with my life after graduation. That's all God's. So I got my Bible and journal and dug into God's word. Even then my mind was still all over the place and I'd rush through it. I'd stop, read it again and again, until I'd really paid attention to each word. I took my journal and wrote down my thoughts, those things I'm trying to handle on my own, what He's teaching me, anything and everything ends up in my journal. If you haven't spent some time with God in a while, I encourage you to.
Dependence: Everything is God's.
Tonight, I was sent this song and encouraged to get alone to spend some time in stillness before God. It was exactly the reminder I needed (just another way God shows he isn't gonna let me go). I love how slow this song is because it made me slow down. I had to stop my rushing and stressing and truly "be still and know". As I sat there dwelling in God's presence, he replaced all that stress with peace and calmness. I was reminded that everything is God's. Every little detail of my life, He will handle and much better than I can. That's why I can depend on Him ( yet so often I start believing the lie that I have to figure everything out on my own).
Everything is God's. Whether it's remembering to eat enough, having enough focus to write a paper, managing my time, or figuring out what I'm doing with my life after graduation. That's all God's. So I got my Bible and journal and dug into God's word. Even then my mind was still all over the place and I'd rush through it. I'd stop, read it again and again, until I'd really paid attention to each word. I took my journal and wrote down my thoughts, those things I'm trying to handle on my own, what He's teaching me, anything and everything ends up in my journal. If you haven't spent some time with God in a while, I encourage you to.
Dependence: Everything is God's.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Past the Colmado
"Have you ever been past the Colmado?"
That's a question I've been asked several times recently. The Colmado is a little store just up the street from my house. Think of it as the Dominican version of Walgreens; a place to buy a coke, drinking water, or milk.
No, to answer the question, I've never been past the Colmado. From what I've been told, life just two blocks down the street is much different. A slum, el barrio, shacks, shanties, poverty. I don't know exactly how to describe that neighborhood since I haven't experienced it for myself yet, but I can imagine what it might be like. I imagine it is much like these places that I have experienced.
It might be like The Hole, in Los Guidos, Costa Rica. I first visited The Hole in 2006 on a week long mission trip. That's where I first fell in love, where my journey began, and what lit my passion.
 |
| The Hole, Los Guidos, Costa Rica |
Each one of those tin shacks is a home, many smaller than a Johnson Hall dorm room, for a whole family. The Hole fills an entire mountain valley with shacks the ones in this picture. The poor can live here because no one else wants this land; the valley floods when rains. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of people live here with precariously strung electrical lines and open sewers.
Or maybe past the Colomado is more like the villages outside of San Pedro, Dominican Republic that I visited in 2008. Here, my group gave out some bags of food; I was surround by people begging for food. The missionary we were working with made us leave early to avoid a riot.
 |
| outside San Pedro, Dominican Republic |
 |
| outside San Pedro, Dominican Republic |
After high school, I was blessed with the chance to return to Costa Rica for 9 months. In February 2009, I once again visited the village of Los Guidos.
 |
| The Hole, Los Guidos, Costa Rica |
In March, I gladly took a chance to visit Nicaragua, but I wasn't prepared for the extreme poverty I saw there. The corrugated tin sheets that I'd seen used to build homes in Los Guidos were replaced with plastic tarps and cardboard boxes. While standing in the midst of this my friend ask me, "If God called you, would you live here?" I froze; I don't think I ever gave her an answer. My first thought was "What if I get sick? Permanently?" How many diseases, parasites, and germs must be there? I've thought about that question many times in the 3 1/2 years since then. Of course, I want to say "Where You send me, I'll go", but unless that day comes I can't be sure how I'll respond.
After 3 long years of waiting, I finally returned to my beloved Latin American this past August. This time to Jarabacoa, Dominica Republic. It's much different here than what I expected, in many ways. In particular, the boundaries between rich and poor aren't defined like I've seen them in the past. Costa Rica has Los Guidos, San Pedro, DR has the sugar cane villages, Nicaragua has the cardboard and plastic camp. Even in the States, it would take about 5 seconds to name as many towns known to be 'poor' in Lake County, IL (and a contrasting wealthy one to go with each as well). In Jarabacoa, mansions and shacks stand side by side, and regular homes (like the one I've been living in) are mixed in between. One of my students at school was proud to show off his new backpack--his dad got it from New York. At OANSA (AWANA), I see children with decayed teeth and who consider the simple snack of bread and juice their breakfast. One dear boy had broke his arm and when they took the cast off he couldn't move his elbow. It's been that way for several weeks now and there's no telling if he'll ever be able to move it again.
Each student at school and each OANSA clubber are dear to me; I love their hugs, their smiles, and personalities. It breaks my heart to see the incredibly differences between their lives. Why do some have so little and others so much when each one is precious? I've also become increasingly aware of the prevalence underage prostitution here. I don't mean aware in terms of facts or statistics; those I've been aware of for several years. Now I am aware in a much more real way; real because this may very well be how the neighbor girls I met a few weeks ago earn money. (This topic could easily become a whole blog post of its own, maybe I'll write that one day. For now, if you want more details on this read these blogs by my missionary neighbors the Ostberg's and Plankenhorn's.)
I'd been thinking about all this recently and I read Psalm 9 one day. What an encouragement that was!
Even though it may seem as if the world has forgotten about the lives of these precious children and their families, God has not. I am thankful that God has given me the privilege to be a part of the hope a refuge that he provides for those in need. I love my Saturday morning at OANSA were I can simply be. Be a friendly smile, a lap to sit on, a hand to hold, or a hug goodbye. Be a cheerleader during game time and a dancer during worship songs. I'm not a leader, a planner, a director, or an organizer; that was very strange to me at first. I've worked with kids my whole life. I don't think I've had such an undefined role since middle school. Once I got used to this new place I realized how much I enjoyed it. It has been a chance to be with kids and simple be. To be Love.
 |
| Managua, Nicaragua |
After 3 long years of waiting, I finally returned to my beloved Latin American this past August. This time to Jarabacoa, Dominica Republic. It's much different here than what I expected, in many ways. In particular, the boundaries between rich and poor aren't defined like I've seen them in the past. Costa Rica has Los Guidos, San Pedro, DR has the sugar cane villages, Nicaragua has the cardboard and plastic camp. Even in the States, it would take about 5 seconds to name as many towns known to be 'poor' in Lake County, IL (and a contrasting wealthy one to go with each as well). In Jarabacoa, mansions and shacks stand side by side, and regular homes (like the one I've been living in) are mixed in between. One of my students at school was proud to show off his new backpack--his dad got it from New York. At OANSA (AWANA), I see children with decayed teeth and who consider the simple snack of bread and juice their breakfast. One dear boy had broke his arm and when they took the cast off he couldn't move his elbow. It's been that way for several weeks now and there's no telling if he'll ever be able to move it again.
Each student at school and each OANSA clubber are dear to me; I love their hugs, their smiles, and personalities. It breaks my heart to see the incredibly differences between their lives. Why do some have so little and others so much when each one is precious? I've also become increasingly aware of the prevalence underage prostitution here. I don't mean aware in terms of facts or statistics; those I've been aware of for several years. Now I am aware in a much more real way; real because this may very well be how the neighbor girls I met a few weeks ago earn money. (This topic could easily become a whole blog post of its own, maybe I'll write that one day. For now, if you want more details on this read these blogs by my missionary neighbors the Ostberg's and Plankenhorn's.)
I'd been thinking about all this recently and I read Psalm 9 one day. What an encouragement that was!
"The Lord reigns
forever; he has established his throne for judgment.
He rules the world in righteousness and
judges the peoples with equity. The Lord is
a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold
in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in
you, for you, Lord, have never
forsaken those who seek you. Sing the praises of
the Lord,
enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what
he has done. For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted. The Lord is
known by his justice."(9:7-12, 16)
And also verse 18, "But
the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever
perish."
Even though it may seem as if the world has forgotten about the lives of these precious children and their families, God has not. I am thankful that God has given me the privilege to be a part of the hope a refuge that he provides for those in need. I love my Saturday morning at OANSA were I can simply be. Be a friendly smile, a lap to sit on, a hand to hold, or a hug goodbye. Be a cheerleader during game time and a dancer during worship songs. I'm not a leader, a planner, a director, or an organizer; that was very strange to me at first. I've worked with kids my whole life. I don't think I've had such an undefined role since middle school. Once I got used to this new place I realized how much I enjoyed it. It has been a chance to be with kids and simple be. To be Love.
 |
| at OANSA, Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic |
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Wishes
Teaching in the Dominican Republic may be one of the hardest things I've done.
There's so many things that I wish were different.
I wish....
we had a one-on-one aid for my student with Asperger's, or better yet a whole Special Ed department
math class hadn't been interrupted with maintenance men and a ladder to fix the light
I could understand my student when they speak in Spanish
that we didn't use A Beka math books
we had tables rather than desks
there was a social studies curriculum so I didn't have write my own
my students could set their pencils down without them rolling off the desk
the power would stay on all day
that I could print without the copier jamming
there was soap in the bathroom, always
I could give my students directions in Spanish, or that they could understand my English
my phonics lesson could have been heard over the sawing outside our window
we had enough scissors and glue sticks for each student to have them, all at the same time
grades weren't due every month, and that we had a computer program to average them for us
the chalkboard worked well enough for the students to see it
Yet in all my wishing, there's so many things for which to be thankful.
I'm thankful for...
a former employer who shipped 600 used tennis balls to the DR so that we don't have to hear metal screeching against
concret every time the desks are moved
the moment when I see a student sounding out a word, mentally considering what sound each letter makes
the endless hugs, and yes kisses, I receive everyday for my students
the smiles on the face of my Asperger's student when he does something independently for the first time
a classroom aid who translates directions, instructions, and does a million other things
Tuesday chapels were we sing worship songs with crazy motions, just like I did growing up
an experienced co-operating teacher
that we do in fact have math books now
for all my Ed professors, but most especially Dr. Wright for giving me a love for Special Education and preparing me for
teaching with Special Education students in my classroom
the simple things, like the teacher who let me use her rubber bands and the day I found Popsicle sticks in the supply
closet
the moment my LD student told me 2+2=4, before counting it out on my fingers
a bugger zapper to kill the mosquitoes in our classroom
each time I hear one of my ELL say anything in English
a kitty cat watch from Mickey D's that has lasted much longer than the one I bought at La Sirena
that I'm learning new Spanish words everyday from my students
to be living my dream after waiting so many years to be here
Teaching in the Dominican Republic is one of the most amazing things I've ever done.
There's so many things that I wish were different.
I wish....
we had a one-on-one aid for my student with Asperger's, or better yet a whole Special Ed department
math class hadn't been interrupted with maintenance men and a ladder to fix the light
I could understand my student when they speak in Spanish
that we didn't use A Beka math books
we had tables rather than desks
there was a social studies curriculum so I didn't have write my own
my students could set their pencils down without them rolling off the desk
the power would stay on all day
that I could print without the copier jamming
there was soap in the bathroom, always
I could give my students directions in Spanish, or that they could understand my English
my phonics lesson could have been heard over the sawing outside our window
we had enough scissors and glue sticks for each student to have them, all at the same time
grades weren't due every month, and that we had a computer program to average them for us
the chalkboard worked well enough for the students to see it
Yet in all my wishing, there's so many things for which to be thankful.
I'm thankful for...
a former employer who shipped 600 used tennis balls to the DR so that we don't have to hear metal screeching against
concret every time the desks are moved
the moment when I see a student sounding out a word, mentally considering what sound each letter makes
the endless hugs, and yes kisses, I receive everyday for my students
the smiles on the face of my Asperger's student when he does something independently for the first time
a classroom aid who translates directions, instructions, and does a million other things
Tuesday chapels were we sing worship songs with crazy motions, just like I did growing up
an experienced co-operating teacher
that we do in fact have math books now
for all my Ed professors, but most especially Dr. Wright for giving me a love for Special Education and preparing me for
teaching with Special Education students in my classroom
the simple things, like the teacher who let me use her rubber bands and the day I found Popsicle sticks in the supply
closet
the moment my LD student told me 2+2=4, before counting it out on my fingers
a bugger zapper to kill the mosquitoes in our classroom
each time I hear one of my ELL say anything in English
a kitty cat watch from Mickey D's that has lasted much longer than the one I bought at La Sirena
that I'm learning new Spanish words everyday from my students
to be living my dream after waiting so many years to be here
Teaching in the Dominican Republic is one of the most amazing things I've ever done.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)