Feliz Navidad!

“Oh, Father, bless this site and the people who have come in it over the past year.  Keep them safe and in Your care over this Christmas season.  Si tu quieres (if it is Your will) bring us back again in January to serve You again.  Amen.”

We were leaving the Social Work Site in El Callejon for the final time this year.  Making sure all the windows were closed, all the doors locked, and the water turned off.  We had gone around the El Callejon ‘loop’ saying goodbye, talking and praying as we went. 

We are two weeks from celebrating Christmas.  Sadly, when we should all be focused on Jesus emptying Himself to come and save us, many focus instead of being as filled up (with alcohol, food, gifts, fights, flirtations) as they can.  It’s true back in the U.S., it’s true in El Callejon, too. 

So, we pray.  We pray for the families of El Callejon and the surrounding communities.  That they would resist the temptations of overspending and over-indulging, which are so common at this time of year.  That the partying would not get out of hand and dangerous. 

That the Prince of Peace would reign in the hearts and minds and souls of those He came to save, both here, and throughout the world. 

We ask you to join us in lifting up this community.  Over the past year we have seen progress, ‘thin places’ where God’s kingdom is breaking in.  The little ones learning to say ‘please’, the teens eager to explore difficult questions of faith, couples like Luz and Fermin and Kathy and Richie becoming legally married.  We’ve welcomed students and outreach participants from the U.S. who have come and shared their lives and the love of Jesus. 

We have also watched relationships between parents and children struggle, seen teen girls ‘get married’ at 16, lost members of our fellowship to sickness and death.  There have been days and weeks when it’s felt futile to continue. 

But, we remind ourselves that Jesus came, He died for our sins, He rose again and is returning.  In Him, the hopeless find hope.  In Him, everything is able to be redeemed for our good and His Father’s glory. 

We thank each of you for your support, love, interest, and most especially, your prayers.  The work is not easy, but nothing worth doing is! 

As we go home to visit family and friends (Daisy to Columbia, Kimberley to the U.S.) we know we can trust in our all-powerful, all-loving God to care for His beloved people in El Callejon.  He was there before we arrived, and will stay even if we leave.  All praise to Him!

We pray that each of you has a wonderful Christmas celebrating God-with-us.  We look forward to sharing more stories of Meeting Jesus in El Callejon in 2013.  Until then, Dios te bendiga!!

Love Is In the Air!!

Another Wedding Week has ended, and wow, are we tired!  From rushing around to get all the needed paperwork, to visiting the Pollera (where you buy live or dead chickens – ours were dead!), to perching on plastic chairs and the railing to hang up streamers and balloons, it’s been a crazy time.      

Kathy & Richie

But, like anything worth doing, especially things involving God’s kingdom breaking into communities in darkness, vale la pena.  It is always worth the frustration, inconvenience, aggravation and pain.  And, to see the two brides and their grooms yesterday, well, we’ll just let the pictures do the talking!!

Luz wanted to have traditional touches,
including having a ring-bearer.

Jayson (with SI) shares God's Word

Symbol of love and commitment

Luz and Fermin share a toast

Luz & Fermin with Franci,
their adopted son (and Fermin's grandson)

Cutting the Wedding Cake

Kathy & Richie with their son, Richileu

the happy couples with Brian & Sissy (SI Director),
Daisy and Jayon

Smooch!

Isn't it romantic?!?

Tossing the bouquet

Awwwww!!!! Too, too sweet!

(Special thanks to our friend, Daniel, for allowing us to share all these great pics he took!)

Weddings Part Two

On Thursday another of our couples, Kathy and Richie, became legally married.  They have been together for two years and have a 13 month old son named Richileu.  Over the past year their faith has been growing, and they want to live in a way that pleases God.  Getting legally married is a part of that desire.

As we’ve written about before, Kathy’s life has not been easy.  Sadly, her troubled relationship with her parents continues.  They still held out hope that she would leave Richie and find a wealthy man to marry who could help out the entire family.  

Richie signs the Certificate of Marriage

Although Richie has proven himself to be a loving, steadfast companion, her parents refuse to accept him, and have made it clear her marriage will not change that.  It all makes us so sad, but we pray in time God will redeem even this relationship through His love and power.

While Luz and Fermin’s marriage was smooth, this one was another story!  One of the witnesses did not show up at the Courthouse, so after several frantic calls to other friends, the groom had to hop on his moto to try and find another friend. 

Sealed with a kiss

The attorney was not happy with the situation, as it was 45 minutes late, but thankfully allowed them to get married with the substitute, who had to rush off and have a photocopy made of his Sedula (like a Social Security card) as the Courthouse does not have a copier available and one is required for the paperwork.

We kept reminding each other, Kathy and Richie, and even the attorney (who is a Christian), that Satan does not like it when we are trying to live according to God’s will, and so often makes things more difficult.  But, our God is stronger! 

Legally married!

Although it wasn’t a ‘dream ceremony’ it was still a joyful time.  We ask you to join us in praying that Kathy and Richie will continue to grow in love for each other, and in their faith in Jesus.  That they will raise their son, Richileu, and any other children, knowing Jesus and His love for them. 

I Now Pronounce You...

Okay, I’m not sure that those were the actual words the attorney used, but yesterday, Luz and Fermin were declared legally married!  Although the legal ceremony only took a few minutes, it was the culmination of a long journey. 

Luz signing the Certificate of Marriage as Fermin
and the witnesses look on.

Luz and Fermin have lived together for 30 years.  There have been many ups and downs in their relationship.  There has been infidelity, prison, pain and struggles.  But, God has been at work in both of them, using those very things to draw them closer to Him, and closer to each other.  And, yesterday they made the choice to honor Him through their marriage. 

Even though a lot of couples choose not to exchange rings for cost reasons,
Luz and Fermin exchanged beautiful rings as an outward symbol of
their commitment to love and honor each other.
 

When the short, simple ceremony was over, and Luz had the Certificate of Marriage in her hands, she began to cry.  Over the years there have been plenty of tears, but these were tears of joy.  It was wonderful to see her face glowing with happiness!

Tears of joy!

God transformed an angry, bitter woman who really didn’t want to hear about Jesus, and a man who engaged in illegal behavior who went to prison, into a loving couple desiring to live for Him, and for each other.  What a testament to His power and love!

While this is a significant step in their journey, we know in many ways it is only the beginning.  We also know that as natural leaders in El Callejon, others will be looking at them, and their new legal marriage.  They desire to have their lives be a witness to what God has done in them, and we're so excited to see that desire in them!  Please pray for them as they continue to grow in love for each other, and for our Father.

The wedding party.
Luz isn't going to let go of that certificate any time soon!!  :O)

We’re still working on firming up details for the other two couples, so please continue to lift them up in prayer.  Our celebration on Friday is coming together, and we’re looking forward to sharing the happiness with the community.  So… stayed tuned for more pictures!!

Wedding Planning & Prayers

We wrapped up our regular activities last week, with more Christmas parties and the wonderful LIFT outreach.  Now, our attention has turned to… Weddings! 

Si Dios quiere (the Lord willing) we will have three couples getting legally married in the next two weeks, ending with a reception at the Social Work site on November 30. 

There is a lot to be done, and we’re getting a bit overwhelmed.  So, we need your prayers!

-Please pray for Luz and Fermin, who have been together for 30 years.  Fermin met Jesus while serving a prison term, and has become a ‘new man’.  Luz was once a bitter, hard woman, but God has been at work transforming her.  She glows now, with the love of Jesus, and of Fermin!  It is a joy to see them both eagerly desiring to be married. 

-Please pray for Kathy and Richie, who are a young couple with a one year old son.  Kathy has been coming to the Social Work site since she was a young girl.  She has not had an easy life, but God has been faithful, and both she and Richie have been growing in their faith.  When we asked them why they wanted to become legally married, Richie said he wanted to live right before God, and for love.

-Please pray for Dinora and Luis, who have been together 13 years, and have two children.  Dinora’s dream is to be legally married so that she can be an example for her children, and to live in a way that pleases God.  Luis is still ‘on the fence’ about it, and goes back and forth, one day saying Yes, another No. 

-This morning Daisy, Luz and Fermin will be meeting with the attorney who performs marriages here in Jarabacoa to make sure they can get married.  Please pray for this meeting, that God’s will is done, that any barriers to their marriage are quickly resolved.

-Please pray for the final Reception details to come together – food, decorations, cake, gifts, etc.  It’s a lot to pull together, but we know it is worth it!

Thank you, friends, for your faithful prayers.  We’ll report back soon on how God has been at work in this important part of transforming El Callejon for His glory!

UpLIFTing!

This week we welcomed a team of LIFT students from Camp-of-the-Woods in upstate New York.  LIFT stands for Leaders in Further Training, a semester-long program to disciple a new generation of Christian leaders (ages 19-26).  Check out their website for more about this great program: http://www.camp-of-the-woods.org/lift-discipleship/?view=mobile

The Social Work site is blessed to have Larissa and Laura working with us.  Both are enthusiastic, out-going and really interested in connecting in El Callejon.  They’ve already jumped in with both feet.  Sara, our Bethel Semester Student, has been with us for two weeks now.  She, too, is a great addition to the Site!

Sara (front left) leads an activity
for the teens - the LIFTers!

We started our week with a party – a Christmas Party for our Teens.  (It’s early, but we wrap up regular activities in November to focus on Weddings.)  Even though they don’t speak a lot of Spanish, as the teens arrived Laura and Larissa both began talking with them, doing their best to communicate.  It was so wonderful to see! 

It’s been a good year with our two teen groups, and we pray that as they end the year, they will continue to seek God in their lives.  We know it can be challenging for them, when so much of the world is telling them to live only for their own pleasure.  We’ll be praying for them, and invite you to do so, too!

Some of the girls got more into the growling than others...
but they are all simply adorable, don't you think?!

Today our Little Girls were treated to an awesome craft that Laura and Larissa came up with yesterday.  The Bible story was Daniel in the Lions’ Den, and so they made pie plate lion masks. 

It was great fun – and quite messy! – for the girls to paint with bright yellow, red and orange.  By the end, some of the girls were ‘wearing’ as much paint as their masks had, but thankfully, it was water-based!

In the afternoon, we shared a special time with the women.  We want to end the year focused not on the parties and gifts and extravagances of Christmas, but instead, on the true gift, Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 

We began with a time of praise and worship.  The women love to sing, and it is a joy to hear them lift up praises to God.  Accompanied by Daisy on handheld drums, and the women’s claps and keeping time on the table, they sang song after song.  One of the kind of funny ones talks about Satan being a fireman but he cannot put out the fire of God. 

After singing, we watched a short ‘animated’ video from the Biblia iLumina showing Jesus and the disciples at the Last Supper.  It is in Spanish, and helps the women who cannot always read to understand the story better. 

Daisy then explained that we would be ending our year by sharing in the Lord’s Supper.  She explained the importance of it, how it symbolizes Jesus body and blood given for us on the cross.  Sara read Psalm 51, and Daisy invited the women to pray and confess their sins and then join in remembering Jesus’ sacrifice.

It was beautiful to be sitting in the Social Work site, sharing together in this simple Communion of crackers and grape juice.  Our prayer is that the women continue to grow in their understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice, increasing their desire to live lives obedient to His good and perfect will.

What a privilege to share together as sisters in Christ, across cultures, languages, experiences, and even ages.  We rejoice in God’s work this year, and look forward to the rest of our time with our ‘LIFTers’ as they are known.

Oh, Sandy

As you may have seen (or may be experiencing yourself!) Hurricane Sandy has been causing problems everywhere she goes.  Many of you have been praying for us, and have asked how we’re doing, so we wanted to give you an update.

On Thursday morning, power to the entire nation was lost.  It was hard to fathom that not just some areas, but all areas were without electricity!  In El Callejon the power came back in the afternoon.

Sandy hit hardest down south, including the capital of Santo Domingo.  Streets flooded, bridges washed out, communities were cut off.  We have been fortunate here in Jarabacoa, where the rains have been heavy, but the overall damage has been light. 

According to dominicantoday.com as many as 625,000 people have been displaced by the storm.  This would significant no matter the population, but when you consider that the population of the DR is only around 10 million, well, it is huge. 

El Callejon began after such a storm wiped out people’s homes.  The new president has declared a state of emergency, and we pray that unlike 15 years ago, there is more help available. 

We didn’t have great attendance for our Thursday activities, which is understandable.  Our Young Moms don’t want to take their babies and toddlers out in the weather, and several of our Pre-teens live a 15-minute walk away. 

The roads in and around El Callejon were filled with red mud.  The feet and legs of the little ones who stopped by the site were caked with the stuff.  In most parts of the US, a parent could throw all the wet, dirty clothes into the washer and get a nice, hot shower going. 

Here, that’s not possible.  Even for those with washing machines, there are no dryers, and so the clothes hang inside from every surface.  They won’t completely dry until the sun returns. 

The schools were closed on Thursday and Friday, so the kids in El Callejon were a bit stir-crazy.  They don’t mind getting wet (or dirty!), but even for them, the rain was too much. 

On Friday we let as many of them as wanted to come sit in the site and watch VeggieTales: Jonah (in Spanish).  We were all slightly damp and dirty, but sitting with 10+ kids, enjoying the silliness of Bob el Tomate y Larry el Pepino was so much fun!  Thankfully, the power stayed on, so we could watch all the way through to the end.  

The storm has passed us by, but many Dominicans are still worried.  New York City is considered the second largest Dominican city in the world because of the number of Dominicans who live there.  So, plenty of families down here are concerned about relatives up there. 

Please continue to pray for all those impacted by the storm.

A Week

What happens at the Social Work site?  It’s a question we get asked a lot, and sometimes it’s hard to answer.  Every week is a bit different.  We try to have a schedule, but it’s really just a guideline. 

It can be frustrating to plan things and then have them changed at the last minute, but sometimes (a lot of times!) it's those unplanned moments where the Spirit does the most amazing things. 

This week was no different.  Here are just a few of our adventures:

Praising God together

Praise & Worship with the Women.  Using our new projector and speakers we invited our Adult and Young Women’s groups to an afternoon of prayer, Bible readings and singing praise to God.  As we get closer to the end of the year, we want to remember all the ways God has been with us.

Bible Lesson & Craft with the Chiquitas.  The age range was from 4 all the way up to 10, and so it was a bit crazy, but fun to share the story of Elijah and the priest of Baal, and then to make a cute foam frame.

Conversation and Crafts with some of our teens

Dominican Spanish Lessons.  Our Adolescents and Treces (13 year olds) taught the ladies some words unique to the DR.  It helped them see how frustrating it can be when we want to share the truth of God with someone who just cannot understand.  But, if we ask God for His Spirit, He is patient with us and helps us understand.

Sewing quilt squares with the Treces and Pre-teens.  When we started this project, we weren’t sure if the girls would finish it, but with the help last week and this week from outreach participants, they are getting close!

Visiting Annie and enjoying her twin baby boys

Home Visits.  We visited Francia and Annie to learn more about their lives and struggles.  It gives the outreach participants and opportunity to see a bit more of how the women here live... and more importantly, an opportunity to lift them up in prayer. 

Francia shared problems she is having with her youngest son (age 14).  Annie has 4-month old twin boys.  She is not with their father, and lives with her grandparents.  We prayed for all of them, particularly for work for Annie, as jobs are very hard to find and there are plenty of costs.  She is a loving mom, and her boys are adorable.

Taking a look (and a sniff!)
at Annie delicious cooking

Amelie enjoying a new friend

Dominican Cooking Lesson.  Another Annie invited us into her small but clean and pretty home to show us how to cook Moro (rice with beans) and Pollo Guisado (stewed chicken).  We also spent time on her front porch enjoying conversation and playing with her adorable daughter, Amelie.

Dinner in the Community.  Alicia had us over for a wonderful dinner of rice, beans, chicken and tostones.  We were able to pray for her and her family, which includes two sons, one with special needs (age 8) and one who is 13 months.

Bible Lesson with the Young Women.  A lesson focused on our separation from God through our sin, and the hope we have in Jesus.  They were reminded that without Him we can never reach God, but that through His free grace we have eternal life.

Our work truly is a partnership.  The projector and speakers were brought down by friends from Virginia, and made possible by a donation from VBS kids in a church in Florida.  The materials we used came from even more donations.  The four ladies who served with us this week were from California, Nebraska and Virginia. 

And, of course, our perfect Partner is the God we serve together.  We love seeing how He brings people from various places, with a variety of experiences, passions, education, to share His love in El Callejon. 

This week has been another great one.  We've got plans for next week, but we know that God does, too.  We pray we'll always be open to His leading, confident that He is at work.

Babies and Sisters in Christ

It’s team time again!  In the next five weeks we will have three teams visiting us.  Two one-week teams, and then a two-week team at the end of October/beginning of November. 

This week JoAnn and Amy are serving with us.  Both have been to El Callejon (JoAnn on an outreach, Amy as a part of the SI staff) and it’s so great to have them back!  Even though it’s been three years, lots of the women and girls recognized one, or both, of them.  That’s one way to know for sure what an impact they made! 

Solani and her 3 month old son

Solanji and her two week old daughter

Yesterday we started off the day in prayer and sharing before heading out to see the community… and babies!  Two of Coco’s daughters have had babies within the past few months.  Her grandson is now three months old, her granddaughter just two weeks.  Both moms (as well as another sister) live with Coco, which makes for a full house. 

Before leaving, we prayed for the family.  And, we will continue to pray that God will provide for these precious little ones, and that their moms (and dads!) would recognize the need for Jesus in their lives.

Sisters Denis and Luz with their gorgeous trees!

In the afternoon, JoAnn shared some of her testimony with our women.  And, our women shared their beautiful Arboles de Navidad (Christmas Trees) made with fabric and beads.  Each one was a work of art, and the women were justifiably proud.

Today JoAnn brought a wonderful craft for our Little Girls (ages 4-10), decorating a cute plastic purse with stickers and glitter glue.  As we’re written before, the girls just love glitter! 

The Treces hard at work drawing

Amy taught the Teens and Treces (13-year olds) an art lesson about focal points, and then had them draw some ideas for an El Callejon ‘logo’.  We have a dream that we can develop it and then put it onto the various things that the women make and sell.  They did some great drawings!

Some of the best parts of the past two days have been sitting together sharing our hearts.  We look forward to even more of this wonderful fellowship as the week continues. 

What a blessing to pray with and for each other, and for the people of El Callejon!  We praise God for these sisters in Christ and the opportunity to minister together.

Quinceañera!

Daisy welcomes the teens to the party.

A Quinceañera is a special occasion in the life of a Latina girl.  It's when she goes from being a little girl to a young woman.  It’s similar to a ‘Sweet Sixteen’ and typically involves a party, cake, dressing up, and friends and family.  This year five of our teens have turned 15. 

To celebrate, we held a small Quinceañera party at the Site.  Balloons, streamers, a cake… and most exciting of all, a ‘photo shoot’ with the girls and their friends. 

Anna getting the girls organized.

Anna, one of the missionary kids (and truly, a missionary herself!) is also a great photographer.  She came and took lots and lots of pictures to help remember this special time.

Mira las chicas bonitas (Look at the pretty girls!)

Posing on Kimberley's car in front of the Site.

Several of the teens have been coming to the Site for a long, long time.  It’s been fun to see them growing up.  Our prayer is that as they continue to transition from little girls into young women, they will grow in their relationship with Jesus, too. 

The concerns and priorities for a 15 year old in El Callejon are similar, and at the same time very different, from those in the US. 

In both countries, there is the desire to be pretty, have stylish clothes, beautiful hair, good friends, and, of course… boys!  Here, sadly, the pressure is not only to have a boyfriend, but to find a ‘husband’ or companion. 

Please join us in praying for these precious young women.  Please pray we will be able to share with them the wonderful truth that they are of great worth in Jesus.   That because of His sacrifice, they can have hope for their futures.  That God has a perfect plan for each one of them. 

Please pray that they will stand up to the pressure of starting to live with a man, often many (many!) years older than themselves.  That instead, they will wait and seek someone who loves God – and them!

Vale La Pena

Last night we had our final banquet for our final summer team.  Over the course of this summer we have had 19 outreach participants at our site, plus an intern.  (As a ministry, SI-DR welcomed more than 250 participants plus 7 interns this summer.) 

Our participants ranged in age from just 14 up into their 50’s.  They came from all areas of the U.S., with different interests, passions, motivations for coming. 

We watched them confront the poverty of El Callejon, wrestling with our American desire to ‘fix it’.  It is never easy to see the dirt and garbage, the small homes, to hear the stories of broken families. 

The unfairness of it all can leave the students feeling overwhelmed and guilty about their many material blessings.  It’s a balance to let them struggle with this, while at the same time helping them see that there is hope.

Over the summer we also watched them fall in love with the people of the community, particularly the little ones who reveled in their care and attention.  Despite barriers like language, those who came opened their hearts to make connections with El Callejon. 

saying goodbye means lots of tears...
but lots of laughter, too!

It often takes them by surprise – how quickly the relationships come, how hard it is to say goodbye after what is, in fact, a short amount of time (one or two weeks). 

We heard their stories.  Each one different, like each of them.  On the surface, they seem to have so much – living in a wealthy country, with more choices than the people of El Callejon could ever imagine.  But, as they shared, the pain and brokenness of their lives was revealed. 

Some have been on journeys far more intense than almost seemed possible for their young ages.  Like us, each one continues to seek God, some days more intensely than others.  Each has come a long way, each has still many steps to take.

It is a privilege to spend time sharing, serving, listening, speaking, and praying with and for these participants. 

Looking back over the summer, we are humbled at how God has been at work.  Over the weeks we have seen some seeds planted, others watered, we’ve seen first green stems pushing through.       

We’ve taught most of the groups the Spanish phrase “vale la pena” which means worthwhile, or worth the pain.  That’s how we see this work to which God has invited us. 

No, it’s not always easy.  Yes, there are days we’d rather walk away from the stress and demands of ministry.  But, vale la pena.

We continue, not in our strength, but in the strength of the One who looks at us and says, You are My beloved child.  I sent My only Son to die so that you might live.  You may not think you are worth it, but I know differently because I knit you together in your mother’s womb.  Vale la pena, My child, vale la pena.

We praise You, Father, for what You have done in El Callejon over the summer.  We praise You for the students, for the community, for the blessing of serving You. 

Thank you, Jesus, that You considered us worth the pain.  The pain of being despised and rejected, worth the pain of the cross. 

Holy Spirit, continue to be at work in and through us, here in the DR, back in the US, and throughout the world, so that one day, some from every tribe, tongue, nation and language will be before Your throne singing out praises to You for all eternity!  Vale la pena!  Vale la pena!

About a Broom

With all the dirt and dust, floors in El Callejon need to be swept every day.  In fact, at the Social Work site, we sweep several times a day, and still never feel like it’s quite done! 

When your floor needs to be swept, what do you do?  I imagine that for most of us, the process is so simple we don’t even think about it: 

1.  Go to the ‘broom closet’ or corner of the kitchen

2.   Grab the broom

3.  Sweep

If for some reason we don’t have a broom at home, we can jump in the car, drive down to Target or Walmart, and buy one for a few dollars.  Such a small, simple thing, isn’t it?

In El Callejon, not everyone has a broom.  When there is barely enough money for food, buying a broom is an extravagance not everyone can afford. 

And, even if they can afford it, the colmados (little stores) in El Callejon don’t sell them, so it means catching a ride (often a ‘moto-coche’ or motorcycle taxi) into Jarabacoa, and then riding one back again, balancing your purchases as you hold on behind the moto driver.

So, without a store-bought broom, what’s the solution?  This past week, Tago, one of the women who comes to the Site, showed our students:



Tago cutting the branches

1.  Get your machete or other big, sharp knife

2.  Go out into the field near the golf course

3.  Search for a specific shrub that has leaves that work well for sweeping

4.  Cut a bunch of them

5.  Find a long, strong branch for a handle.  Clear off as many of the side branches and twigs as you can

Tago and Daisy tie the branches

6.  Tie the leaves to the branch using a piece of hemp rope

7.  Sweep

8.  The broom will last 2 or 3 weeks, so be ready to repeat again

Trianne gives the new broom a go

As we watched Tago efficiently cutting the branches and tying them up, we realized how lost we’d be if we had to make a broom for ourselves! We don’t want to belittle the gifts and opportunities God has given to us, but spending time with Tago was humbling and powerful.  

You see, it's not just about us coming into El Callejon to be a blessing.  In showing us how to make a broom, it was Tago who blessed us. 

Tago's family is one of the poorest in El Callejon, but she, too, has gifts to share, because she, too, is a child of God.  This is part of the goal of the Social Work site.  To help restore the dignity of the women of El Callejon by showing them the truth that God loves them, and that in Jesus, they are beloved daughters of the King.  To help them see themselves in that Light, and to know that God has a plan and a purpose for each one of them.

We pray that as the students (and we, too!) go home and sweep our floors, we will remember Tago and her family.  That we will remember that while we have much to give, we can also allow others to fulfill their God-given purpose to be a blessing, too.  That by allowing Tago and the other women to teach us, in a small, simple way, we are helping to show them how valuable and important they are.  To us, and most of all, to our loving Father.

Presents!

“It’s like Christmas!  There are all these presents out there, and soon we get to find out which ones are ours!”  Our intern Kaylee stood expectantly looking at the group of new students.  And, she was right!  While we get to review their applications and send them emails ahead of time, we don’t get to meet our students until we’re standing with all of the SI site leaders in the chapel at the SI base.

Once again, God has blessed us with enthusiastic, gifted participants.  For these two weeks, we have three young high school aged women and one adult leader.  We’ve had a busy week, including helping the Adult Women with a sewing project, playing and interacting with the little kids from the community, helping the Treces and Pre-teens with projects, and visiting women in their homes.

One of the highlights of the week was when Debbie talked with our Young Women about handling conflicts in their relationships.  She is a counselor who works primarily with youth and women in crisis situations, so she was able to bring a lot of practical suggestions to them. 

As a Christ-follower, she also emphasized the Bibles call for women to respect their spouses, even when they are frustrated with them.  The women really connected with her, and we’re planning to continue the conversation next week. 

Kaylee blowing out her candle...
withMelissa ready to help out!

Debbie doesn’t speak much Spanish, but Daisy and Kimberley were on hand to help translate.  That’s one of the things that typically worries folks before coming – how will I connect when I cannot speak the language?  The Holy Spirit shows us again and again that despite that ‘barrier’ He truly is in our midst. Yes, it’s important that we can help translate, but the sincerity and wisdom and love were all Debbie’s!

We’ve also had the gift of some great food.  On Thursday Kaylee celebrated her 21^st birthday.  Daisy bought iced coffee (one of Kaylee’s favorite things here in Jarabacoa) and bizcocho (cake).  We all enjoyed the yummy treat, and are thankful for Kaylee and God’s work in her life.  We know that as she enters this new year, He will continue to be her guide.


Getting ready to dig in to some amazing food!

Last night Joemny cooked us a wonderful meal.  Moro (rice cooked with beans), Pollo (chicken), Ensalada (a fresh salad with a simple, delicious dressing), and Tostones (friend green plantains).  We ate at the site, as her small home couldn’t fit us all.  We love being able to show off the amazing cooking skills of the women of El Callejon! 

Joemny is one of our young women, and today we visited her home where she shared some of her testimony.  We’ve written about her before, how God used a moto accident to draw her to Himself.  While their lives are not easy, she and her husband continue to look to God to provide for them and their blended family.

Joemny and three of the children

We praise God for another group of amazing outreach participants for this outreach.  Each is different, and each brings something different and wonderful to El Callejon, and to us. 

The summer has flown by.  After this two-week group, we have a one-week group, and then it's vacation time.  While we’re ready for a rest, we’ll be sad not to be meeting new ‘presents’ until later this fall!  God, You are so good!!

Dining Out and Partying In

It’s been another full week in El Callejon.  We welcomed four new outreach participants (3 students and 1 leader) from Hopewell, New York.  This team has been coming down for years – in fact, all three students were here last year, although not at our Site. 

We love when students want to come back, because it shows the impact Students International is having, not just on lives here in the DR, but on them, as well. 

From helping the women cut out fabric, to giving the Treces (13 year olds) advice about obeying their parents, to playing with the kids who stop by, the students have jumped right in.

On Thursday mornings we have our Young Women’s group, along with all of their little ones.  The students did a great job caring for the kids (ages 8 months up to 4). 

That night, they got a yummy reward for all their hard work when we went to Denis’ home for dinner.  It’s one of our favorite parts of the outreaches, as it gives students the opportunity to be in the homes of some of the people of the community… and it means delicious Dominican food! 

When one of the students took a third helping, Denis told her she was going to get a “bebe de comida” (Food Baby).  She has hosted Semester Students for the past three years, and they’ve taught her some English, as well as some of our sayings.  It was wonderful to hear how God has been at work in her life, and yes, the food was amazing! 



Taking pictures of the sunset.

On our way back to the truck, we stopped and looked out at the beauty of the area.  The sun was setting, painting the sky red and pink, and we were surrounded by lush green hills and vibrant flowering trees.  What a creative God we serve!

Friday afternoon we had our semi-annual birthday party for the three younger girls’ groups (ages 5 up to 13).  All the girls were invited and we celebrated the birthdays of the first six months of the year. 

Birthday girls!

We told them they didn’t need to dress up, but our younger girls (5-10) came in party dresses.  They love the chance to get fancy!  Even though they looked all grown up, they soon dissolved into laughter and screams as we played a variety of games. 

Our Treces explain the next crazy game.

Our Treces helped lead the games, and it was fun to see them taking charge.  Some have been coming to the Site almost all of their lives, and we continue to pray for them as they grow into beautiful young women.

We’re looking forward to next week, when each of the students will lead one of our groups.  We love the opportunity to see their faith in action as they share with our girls, teens and women!  Lives truly can be transformed as people from different countries, cultures, languages, are united in the love of Jesus.