Poinsettias!

Ramona came with her flower all done!

Hello, everyone!  We just had to share the pictures of the ladies finishing their poinsettias!  Keep in mind, this project was made with pantyhose, paint, glitter, wire and tape.  The women worked at the Site, as well as at home.  The results... well... we think these pictures speak for themselves!

Elena (on left) put her flower together and then helped
several of the other ladies with theirs.

transforming ordinary objects into something of beauty -
what a lesson for how God works in our lives, too!

Chelsea (far right) and Taryn, our Semester Students,
were big helps - and have the glitter to prove it!

Sobieda didn't think she could do it, but with Elena's help,
she proudly shows off her pretty flower.

The women loved this project so much they next want to try a Mariposa (butterfly) made out of hose.  We'll need lots of pairs of White ones, which are hard to find here.  If anyone is interested in helping send us some, please email Kimberley at kimjstreeter@gmail.com.  Thanks!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like...

Outside the temperatures are in the 80’s.  The tree leaves are green, as is the grass and other plants.  The hibiscus bushes continue to bloom, and although mango season is coming to an end, other fruits and vegetables are growing away, full of color and flavor. 

In the midst of all this tropical beauty, Christmas lights are beginning to show up on some of the Jarabacoa houses.  Stores in nearby Santiago have been displaying Christmas trees, lights, and toys, for several weeks already. 

Teens working on a felt project in red & green.

Pre-teens with their Arboles de Navidad

Not to be outdone, the El Callejon Social Work site is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, too!  The groups have been working away at special projects to help decorate their homes for Navidad.



Flower 'petals' drying out back

While they are all clever, one in particular stands out.  What do you get if you take pantyhose, wire, paint, glue & glitter?  Who guessed a poinsettia?  No one?!  No, I wouldn’t have, either.  But, Daisy’s crafts are always a little unexpected… and amazing! 

The women have spent weeks patiently forming the wire, stretching the hose around it, painting, gluing and glittering.  I can’t wait until they put all the pieces together – and I think they can’t, either!

The women sharing conversation - and glitter!

Along with these crafts, we are looking forward to our year-end fiestas with each group.  There will be times for sharing and praising, times for fellowship and fun, and… si Dios quiere (the Lord willing) we will also have a wedding or two in December!

As they prepare to celebrate God’s perfect gift in Jesus, we’ve challenged each woman, teen and girl who comes to the site to spend time every day thanking God for His many gifts.  Although there are many challenges in their lives, there are also many reasons to give God thanks.   

When we ask the different groups, almost the first thing everyone mentions is their family.  Family is very important in El Callejon.  Even though there are quarrels and fights, family is the main focus and center of the lives of the people in this community. 

Our prayer is that the Social Work site can continue to help strengthen the families of El Callejon by teaching the women, teens and girls how to live their lives reflecting Jesus.  As they grow in Him, we pray their families will grow in Him, too. 

As we, too, look forward to Jesus, we, too, thank God for His many gifts, including several of YOU who have partnered with us in ministry.  Thank you for being a part of the lives of the women, teens & girls in El Callejon.  We hope you will stop by this site often for more of our year-end fun, reflections, and looking ahead to how God will continue to provide opportunities to meet Jesus in El Callejon in the new year.

On Today's Schedule...

Today we welcomed our two Semester Students, Chelsea and Taryn.  These two young ladies are here with Bethel College in Indiana.  The Semester Students have spent the past two months in intensive Spanish classes, learning about the D.R., and missions.  Now, they’re taking all of that equipping, and joining our ministry sites. 

Along with helping with the different groups (the Teens can’t wait for some English classes!) Chelsea and Taryn will also do a longer-term project.  In the past students have helped put together a brochure for the site, and also a policy manual.  We are excited to get to know them both better, and to see how Jesus meets them, and works in and through them.

This morning we planned to go over their schedules, tell them a little about El Callejon’s history, what we do at the site, etc…

All of that changed when we unlocked the door and walked in.  We were greeted by the unmistakable smell of something no longer living.  The smell was especially strong in one of the corners, filled with different projects and plastic containers. 

Daisy called in a couple of the neighborhood boys and asked if they would be willing to help us find out what was lurking there.  And, gracias a Dios, they were!  It was a rat.  A big, dead rat.

Once the rat was found, everything else needed to come out and get a good washing.  One of the women in the community comes on Monday mornings to clean.  Negra isn’t squeamish, and scrubbed away.  We moved stuff out back and began looking in all the various containers and piles.      

Chelsea and Taryn were amazing!  They helped sort through plastic bins of material, yarn, and other things.  Even though we encountered some mouse-y ‘leftovers’, as well as cucarachas (thankfully, all were dead, or at least, nearly dead!), both worked without complaining.

In the afternoon we met with the Women’s Group.  Nearly 20 women came to sing praise to God, to hear a Bible lesson, and to work on their Christmas flower craft. 

Daisy shared with them about a young mother in the community whose son fell at school, cut open his head, and now seems to be having seizures.  Our icky morning faded into proper perspective as we lifted up petitions for Ana Mercedes and her child.

One of the songs we sang says, “Submerge me in the river of Your Spirit, My dry soul needs You, When I come up, I will be filled with You.”  That is our prayer for Ana Mercedes, her son, for the women, teens, and girls of El Callejon, for Chelsea and Taryn, for ourselves. 

Today didn’t turn out how we’d planned.  But, it was still a great day, because it was another day to serve and share.  It was another day to pour into the lives of the people of El Callejon… and to be filled, in turn, by the presence of Jesus.  It was another day to be submerged in the Holy Spirit’s power. 

Sure, schedules in El Calleojon are often a ‘wash’, but our dry and thirsty souls will continue to find all we need in Jesus, our Living Water.

And Give God Thanks

This morning we met with the Young Women’s group.  Daisy wants to encourage them to live more thankfully.  What?  They have so little!  Yes, in many ways they don’t have a lot.  But, we believe the Bible does not limit thankfulness to those with lots of material stuff.  True, there is much poverty, but cultivating a habit of thanking God is as important for those living in El Callejon as it is for any of us.

And, a special surprise awaited us… Katy was there, with her son!  Earlier this week Daisy brought Katy’s mom, Tona, with her when she went to visit.  Knowing she is loved, and that Daisy, her mom, and others care for her, helped to change Katy’s whole demeanor and outlook.  Daisy was quite firm with Tona, explaining that Katy does not know everything she needs to know about being a mom.  She told Tona that she needs to help her daughter be a good mother.

The visit seemed to go well, with both Katy and Tona enjoying their time together.  As troubled as their relationship has been, we continue to pray for healing and restoration between Katy and Tona. 

Katy and her son Richiel

Richiel is quite small and skinny, but was dressed in clean clothes, and didn’t appear unwell.  He has long, long fingers, a full head of dark hair – and is completely adorable!  Katy seemed very attentive and loving toward him.  She spent the entire day visiting her mom and family in El Callejon.  When she left her mom’s house, she had a big smile – as did her mom, sister, and other family.  Praise God!

The verse we shared with the Young Women was Philippians 4:6.  In Spanish, the word order is a little different.   “Do not be anxious (disquieted) about anything, instead, in each occasion, with prayers and pleas, submit your requests to God, and give Him thanks.” (NVI) 

After our Bible lesson, the Young Women enjoy
time together working on a craft.

We pointed out to that we are to give God thanks when we offer Him our prayers and petitions.  Not wait until He answers, but as we pray.  Before He answers, in faith and trust that in His perfect timing and in His perfect manner, He will answer.

Today, as we continue to bring our requests to our loving Father, we also give Him thanks.  We give Him thanks for another day of life.  For another day to grow in Him.  For another day to meet Jesus in El Callejon. 

In the midst of our struggles, as we face frustrations and difficulties, we choose to give God thanks.  He has done so much for us!  He has done so much for the people of El Callejon! 

Wherever you are today, we invite you to join with us in lifting up voices of praise and thanksgiving for God’s good gifts.  We invite you to join us in presenting our requests to God… and to give Him thanks!

Katy's Story

Yesterday Daisy shared a tough story about a young lady with a newborn son.  Really, Katy isn’t a ‘young lady’, she’s a girl, a girl of 16.  Katy lived with her family in El Callejon.  She attended our site, as did her mom and younger sister. 

Katy is beautiful.  This may seem like a blessing, but because of her beauty, her parents hoped to have her marry a much (much!) older man.  As in more than 50 years old.  Katy’s family is very poor, as are the majority of those who live in El Callejon.  A rich son-in-law would be a way to improve the living conditions of the entire family.  That Katy was only 15 and absolutely did not want to marry him was beside the point.

Thankfully, Daisy was told about the situation, and did her best to intervene.  She helped Katy find another place to live when her parents made it clear she was no longer welcome in their home.  Daisy and others began to pray that God would remove this man from the picture.  God heard these prayers, and within a month the man had moved on.

Katy was understandably angry with her parents for what they had tried to do.  Unfortunately, the way she ‘got back’ at them was by running off with a boy of 19.  He lives around 15 minutes from El Callejon.  For most of us, that’s barely one neighborhood away.  Here, where not everyone has transportation, it is like moving to another state.  Katy became pregnant, and last month delivered a baby boy.

This week Daisy went to visit Katy.  Katy’s mom has not been to see her in three weeks.  When Katy calls her with questions, she responds with short, angry answers.  The home is tiny, dirty, filled with flies.  The boyfriend isn’t a lot of help. 

Katy is not able to nurse much, as she is not eating or drinking much.  The baby is very quiet, and very skinny.  Katy seems apathetic, and is likely suffering from post-partum depression.   

So, what do we do?  How do we best help Katy, her precious son, her ‘husband’ (the boy she lives with), her parents?  How do we show her the love of Jesus? 

It’s not just one little girl with one little baby.  It’s entire systems which are ineffective, it’s a history of apathy among the families of El Callejon.  If we simply swoop in and fix this, have we truly helped, or have we hurt? 

Have we made a positive, lasting difference, or reinforced the feelings of worthlessness and helplessness?  What impact will it have on the families of El Callejon if we take away from them the responsibility of seeking to care for themselves? 

But, it’s a baby, a precious, tiny child of God.  Everything in us yearns to bundle him up and save him.  God help us!  How do we help?

Daisy will continue to visit Katy.  On Friday she talked with Katy’s mother, telling her the seriousness of the situation.  For this week, the mother seemed to respond positively.  Next week, we’ll need to follow up. 

We share Katy’s story with you, not to fill you with despair, but to help give you a glimpse of what we face in El Callejon.  There are many Katys, with many stories.  The reality is, poverty is complex and complicated.  It’s not just material, but spiritual and emotional, too. 

If ending poverty was simple, we’d have figured out a way to fix it by now.  Instead, it is a long, slow process with lots of back-tracking and disappointment.  Faced with Katy’s situation, all we can do is cry out God Help Us!

But friends, God has not forgotten Katy.  She is His beloved and beautiful daughter, bought with a price.  We don’t know what needs to be done, but God does.  He knows Katy, He knit her together in her mother’s womb, just as He knit her son in hers. 

Our hearts are heavy, our minds overwhelmed, but we know that Jesus is right here with us, in the muck and mess of El Callejon.  We can do nothing, but He can do all things! 

We ask your prayers for Katy and her son, for her parents and the boy with whom she is living.  We ask your prayers for us, as we seek to find appropriate ways to help her. 

Ways that will first of all show her the love of Jesus.  Ways that will encourage her to take responsibility for her life and the life of her child.  Ways that will allow her baby to grow up – and grow up knowing that he is loved, by his family, and by Jesus.  

Thank you for being willing to enter into Katy’s story.  Thank you for praying with us and for us.  You are a blessing to us, to Katy.  With God's help and your prayers, we will find the way to minister to Katy and her son, to the people of El Callejon.

Gotta Dance (Tengo Que Bailar!)

A couple of times a year, our site hosts parties for our different groups.  It’s an opportunity for the women, teens and girls to dress up, eat cake, and have fun together.  This morning, it was one of the Little Girls’ groups (ages six through nine).  Our wonderful outreach participants brought down decorations, gifts, stickers, and a Strawberry Shortcake game - kind of like Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey. 

Getting Stickers with Angie

The girls showed up – 30 minutes early! – wearing adorable dresses.  They flocked around Angie as she handed out stickers.  Before long, everyone had them – on their arms, faces, dresses.  The girls made sure not to leave us out, either! 

Daisy welcoming the girls and explaining that this party
helps to celebrate how much Jesus loves them!

To officially start the party, one of the girls prayed and they all joined in singing songs for us.  They told us their names, ages, and favorite colors, and wanted to know ours, too.  Like girls back home, Pink was one of the most picked! 

Kristina helping to guide one of the girls
to the Strawberry Shortcake game.

The girls had a great time playing the Strawberry Shortcake game.  Kristina was on Blindfold and Spinning duty.  The game was followed by yummy chocolate cake (thanks, Daisy!) and orange soda, and presents – a cute box they could decorate with stickers, and lip gloss. 

Caitlin giving a ballet lesson to the girls.

Of course, no party is complete without dancing, so Caitlin, a 16-year old dancer from Oregon, showed the girls some ballet moves.  Too soon, it was time to say goodbye.  The girls left after giving hugs to us all.  The perfect way to end our party morning!

In the afternoon we had one of our Teenager groups.  Last week we started a Bible Study called Living a Life that Shows Jesus to the World.  We’re using the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) as our text, and hope to look at a different characteristic (fruit) each week.

Last week we talked about Love, and praying for others even when they are unloving toward us.  This week’s fruit was Joy.  It was wonderful to hear the teens recite their memory verses (the Galatians passage).  We had some lively discussion – not always on the topic, but that’s okay!  It’s great to hear them asking questions and trying to understand what the Bible says. 

The teens try their hands - and feet! - at ballet, too!

And… what better way to show Joy than to dance!  We headed out back again, and Caitlin walked (or danced!) the teens through some basic ballet positions.

Shining out the love and joy of Jesus

Before we knew it, it was time to close up the Site and head back to the Base.  Another wonderful day of ministry.  Wonderful, not because all the problems of El Callejon are gone, but wonderful because in these seemingly small ways, we are showing the women, teens and girls of El Callejon that they matter, that they are precious and loved.  We are showing them Jesus, and helping them show Him to each other, too.  Now that’s something worth dancing about!!

Meet Caroline Holloway

Caroline and her husband, Ryan, both work with Students International.  They are wrapping up their time here in the D.R.  It is a bittersweet time for them, for us, for all of those whose lives they have impacted.  Below are some thoughts from Caroline on her years ministering in El Callejon.  Please keep Caroline, Ryan, and their sweet baby, James, in your prayers as they transition away from here, and back to the U.S. (Check out their blog at:   http://hollowayministries.blogspot.com/)

I remember before I moved here 3 years ago daydreaming about what my ministry would be like in the DR. I remember imagining leading a profound Bible study (in perfect Spanish) to an attentive group of women. I remember imagining seeing lives transformed over night because of my ministry. I remember imagining myself having deep heart-to-heart conversations with women and girls.

Caroline working with the Little Girls

The reality of how it was when I did move here was quite different. I remember feeling overwhelmed and intimidated by 30 shouting women crammed into our tiny site. I remember stumbling through Spanish and getting lots of blank states and nose crunches (a Dominican gesture for “what?!”) I remember feeling like I had nothing to offer the women and girls.

Looking back 3 years later, my ministry did not end up like the perfect picture I imagined it would be. And thankfully, it got a lot better than my initial experiences also.

There are so many stories I could share, like how several of the couples who have been living together for years finally sanctified their relationships by getting legally married. Or the bittersweet time when Lourdes was diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer, and as a result gave her life to Christ. Or the trips to the beach, or the pool, or to the pizza place. Or how several students who came down on outreaches decided to return as interns or staff.

But there are also so many sweet memories that I alone cherish. Like hearing the young girls recite their memory verses week after week. Or the joy in the women’s’ faces when I told them I was pregnant, and later when they saw James for the first time. Or hearing students’ stories of how God used their time at the site to grow and transform them.

l-r:  Caroline, Angie, Daisy

There is no doubt in my mind that God is working in El Callejon. It’s a long process transforming this community. Many days it seems as though we take one step forward and two steps back. But the past 3 years I have been a witness to the growing spirit of hope and light that exists in the community. And I trust that God will continue to use this and other ministries to grow His kingdom in El Callejon.

Meeting Jesus

Hello, and welcome to our new blog!  We’re excited to have you join us as we continue to work in El Callejon.  First things first, we want to thank Angie for the work she did this past summer to begin the blog.  Her heart for the women, teens and girls of El Callejon was an inspiration to those who came for outreaches.  What a blessing!

We wanted to take a little time to explain our new name.  Our part is not to ‘bring’ Jesus to the women of El Callejon.  Instead, our part is to help them to see that He is already there.  Through our lives, we can help show different facets of Jesus.  Each one of us has our own stories of how He met us.  These are a beautiful way to help each other grow in our faith. 

We love hearing the testimonies of students and others who come down on outreaches.  We love hearing those who come to the Social Work site share their stories, too.  Each story helps us see a little more of God’s bigness. 

And so, we are meeting Jesus here in El Callejon.  We do not carry Him in with us; He is there, waiting for us. 

Of course, that doesn’t mean everything is great and wonderful!  Satan has infested all places with his lies and hatred.  There is much brokenness in El Callejon.  The needs - physical, emotional, spiritual, are great.  By ourselves, we cannot hope to make a difference.

But, we cling to the promise that there is no place on earth that God has forsaken.  There is no place the blood of Jesus does not cover.  Through the Holy Spirit, lives are being changed.  Through His power, we are seeing glimpses of glory.  We are meeting Jesus. 

God has invited us to join in what He is already doing.  We have been given an awesome and compelling task and we do not take that lightly!  We strive to continue to show the people of El Callejon Jesus, through our lives, through teaching the Bible, through discipleship, through helping them to grasp His deep, wide love.  What a privilege to join in God’s redeeming work! 

We hope you’ll stop by often to read more of what God is doing in El Callejon.  We plan to have those who come down on outreaches share parts of their stories here.  We’ll share ways you can connect with El Callejon through prayer requests, needs, joys and struggles.  And, of course… we’ll share lots and lots of pictures! 

And, we hope that today you go out into your part of the world with the hope and assurance that Jesus will meet you right where you are, too!