More of Our Week

Here’s a bit more about our week with this wonderful group of women who came and shared so much of themselves with the women, teens, and girls of El Callejon, and also with us. 

On Thursday morning, Tara talked with our Young Women.  She told them how important it is to pray for their children, how she and her husband pray together for their kids, and even for their future spouses.  She also shared the importance of reading the Bible with their kids, even at a young age. 

Tara helping Katie with Richie's handprint

It can be difficult, as sometimes the women don’t seem to be paying attention, but we know that hearing other moms talking with them plants seeds.  After that we did a fun craft, using paint to make hand- and footprints of their little ones.

That afternoon we met with the Treces, our group of thirteen year olds.  Our topic was their menstrual cycles.  Our outreach women helped us tell the girls what to expect, what’s normal, how they might feel, etc. 

It was an open and frank conversation.  It is important to help these girls understand this process, especially as many have moms who choose not to discuss it. 

And, since in this community boyfriends and early sexual activity are common, it is critical for them to be told in simple, straightforward terms about the risks involved.  We want them to cherish their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, which includes waiting to have sex.

the boys with their awesome (& colorful!) model

On Friday we were blessed with visitors in the form of Tara and Julie’s older sons.  They were along on the trip, working in Construction with their dads, helping to build our new Social Work site.  

Daisy gave them a special project, constructing our new site… out of play dough and popsicle sticks.  It turned out great, and they even included our new bathroom!

In El Callejon Dads are often absent or not very involved.   This week they were able to see men interacting in loving, positive ways with their sons.  We praise God for this example of what He desires for families, particularly husbands and dads. 

That afternoon we had our Pre-Teens.  This group is one of our largest, and has been a real challenge.  About half the girls are from El Callejon, the other half from another small community called Los Catorces.  Even though the communities are only 15 minutes’ walk apart, there is some animosity and hostility.  And, sadly, it trickles down to these young ones. 

Daisy and Kimberley decided we needed to outline some basic rules, like listening to each other, obeying, respecting others. 

We asked our awesome ladies to help us out by modeling bad behavior.  As Daisy and I tried to talk, Phoebe and Julie started fussing at each other.  Tara also started talking and giggling.  They got up, started playing with things… including our drums, and even ran outside.

Wow, Daisy said.  Girls, what should we do with these Americanas?  Throw them in the trash!  Do you ever act like that?  No.  Hmmm, really?  Well… And most of them admitted to how badly they've been acting.

We talked with them about the need to respect their compañeras.  But, who is that?  Kimberley asked them Should I only respect the Americans, since that’s where I’m from?  No.  No, that’s not right.  You are right, we need to respect everyone because we are all daughters of God. 

Julie helping the Pre-teens make bracelets

We know we’ve got a long way to go with this group, but we know that they have few people in their lives who care enough to be firm.  We know that they choose to come, and we want to have them learn more about Jesus and about living for Him each week.

We said goodbye at the Base, which is never easy.  But, we know that God will continue to work in the lives of Lee, Phoebe, Tara and Julie, and their families. 

Kimberley taught the boys a Dominican phrase, Si Dios quiere (the Lord willing).  Si Dios quiere, we’ll meet again here in the D.R.  If not, we know that what our amazing Lord wills is the best, and we look forward to His plan being worked out in their lives, as well as ours.