El Día de las Madres

Sweet Marjorie is ready to party!

Yesterday we celebrated Día de la Madres (Mothers’ Day) at the site.  We combined both our afternoon Adult women and morning Young Women for a roomful!  In all, close to 50 women (and 20 little ones!) came to celebrate being moms.  It was also time to celebrate those who had birthdays during the first half of the year. 

Angie and Sarah gave the Site a thorough cleaning while Kaylee, Charity and Shelby joined Kimberley to shop for gifts to raffle.  Since we have so many women, we draw names for gifts like serving trays, plastic containers, umbrellas and more.

One of our moms, Negra, was not able to join us, as she was in the hospital having a baby.  Daisy spent some time with her in the morning before she was wheeled into surgery.  Negra’s water broke last week, but the contractions did not start, and so our SI doctor, Fernando, performed a C-section yesterday.  We are waiting to hear news of how it all went.

Shelby reminds the women they are 'fearfully
and wonderfully made' (Ps 139)

Our wonderful students helped decorate, and read passages out loud (in Spanish!) from Psalm 139 and Proverbs 31. 

Daisy invited the women to share some of their greatest joys and difficulties in being a mom.  What a blessing to hear older moms share wisdom with the younger ones!  What a joy to see all the little kids running around!  We are so grateful for more space, allowing us to spread out, stand up, raise hands in worship. 

Daisy’s son, Mateo, was our ‘tech guy’ setting up a laptop, speakers and projector to show a video called El es mi Rey, which means He is my King.  This is a wonderful Spanish language version of the English, where the many names and attributes of Jesus are powerfully proclaimed. 

Lifting up praises to El Rey, our King, Jesus

Milagros shares a poem about Mothers

When it was done, the women burst into spontaneous applause.  “Now, let’s worship Him!”  How beautiful to watch and hear the women praising God together. 

The women seemed to really enjoy the gifts we picked out.  The raffle is always a highlight of our parties!  Then, it was snack time.  The students served up Dominican finger food and Tang, and then birthday cake.  They worked really hard, and we’re so thankful for their servant hearts!

Oh, What A Night!

Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.  (Psalm 127:1)

we look forward to ministering to the
next generation of El Callejon girls.

Last night we gave glory to God and celebrated our new site with an Open House for the community.  Even though our ministry is to the women, teens and girls, this night was for everyone.  We especially wanted the men to see the place where their spouses and compañeras, their daughters and little sisters, come each week. 

We were a little anxious about whether they would come, since a Casa Abierta is something new… But, come they did!

It was great to see many of our women come with their spouses and companions.  Out back the number of kids grew and grew.  It was loud, but oh, what a joyful noise!

Daisy welcomes the community
to the new Social Work site.

Daisy welcomed everyone and talked about the ministry of the Social Work site.  We do lots of things here, but the most important is teaching about the Bible.  We’re only human, but the Bible is God’s truth, and that’s what we want the women, teens and girls to know.

SI-DR Director Brian praises God for His faithfulness.

Our SI-DR Director, Brian, shared how the site was a dream come true, and how SI desires that this building be a blessing to the community of El Callejon.  He reflected back on the women who have worked in the Social Work site over the past ten years.  He commented on the passion and love we have for the women, teens and girls who come each week.  We know that is only the Holy Spirit working in us and through us! 

Our Ministry Sites Supervisor, Jayson, told the group that while the building is wonderful, it is the people inside the building who are the temples of the Holy Spirit.  Both praised God for what He is doing.

Daisy called up a couple of the women who’ve been coming for years.  What do you like best about coming?  Lalia picked up a Bible, and talked about how much she has learned.  Dinora said that at first she was a little scared about studying the Bible because she didn’t think she could understand, but that with Daisy’s help, she did. 

Couples who became legally married last year.

Yajaira and Luz shared laughter and stories about the crafts they had made.   Two of the couples who became legally married last year came up and shared how God has blessed them through the site, too. 

Our Treces (thirteen year olds) were too shy to come up, but our Little Girls and Pre-teens did.  How precious to hear Katherine share how she had learned how to show Jesus’ love by helping her mom! 

There were lots of littler ones, there, too, and we’re excited to think about the next generations coming to learn how much Jesus loves them!

Enjoying a slide show of God's work in El Callejon
through the years

Everyone loved seeing pictures from the past several years of ministry, especially seeing how the younger ones have been growing and changing.  God is so good!   



Our awesome students ready to jump into action
serving snacks to everyone!

Our amazing outreach students worked hard serving snacks to everyone.  We bought snacks (crackers, cheese, salami) for around 50 people, but God multiplied it as with the kids we had closer to 100! 

We pray that God will continue to multiply our small efforts to impact the people of El Callejon in the great and amazing ways only He can.  It was a wonderful night, and we give Him all the glory!

Notice Anything New?!

So... notice anything new about our blog?!  (Look up, look up!)

I have to admit, I LOVE this picture!! (This is Kimberley speaking.)  No, it’s not because we both happened to wear headscarves today – although, I do love how we match!  But, because of where we’re standing… in front of the new Social Work site!!! 

Sharing the Word of God in Matthew 2
with our Young Women's group.

This morning we welcomed our Young Women’s group.  This is a big group, with lots of little ones.  It gets a bit crazy, but we love that these women come to fellowship, do crafts, and most important, hear the Word of God. 

Today we continued in Matthew, reading the first few verses of chapter 2.  This is where the Magi come from the East seeking the newly born King of the Jews.  King Herod, of course, is less than thrilled.  The scribes and Pharisees are consulted, and they are able to quote Micah’s prophecy, which says the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. 

We pointed out to the Women that while the Magi, who were not Jews, traveled for miles and miles to meet the promised King, the ‘wise men’ of His own people never left Jerusalem.  They knew exactly what the scriptures said, yet did not follow them. 

How often do we know what the Bible tells us is the way we should go, and yet we, too, choose not to?  The women seemed to understand.  We pray that all of us are like the Magi, not just knowing with our heads, but then following with our lives. 

Little ones outside coloring, playing, and running around!

While their moms were inside, the little ones were on the back patio area, coloring, playing with toys, and running around.  The grass has been planted in the back yard, but it will be a while until it’s ready for these busy little feet!  In the meantime, the kids seemed to enjoy their time out back.

This afternoon we had our first try at running two activities at once.  Daisy met with our Treces (thirteen year olds) in the main room, while Kimberley met for one-on-one discipling with one of the Adult Women in our Office room.  It went great!!

What a joy to be ministering separately, yet united in our desire to see the women, teens, and girls of El Callejon grow in Jesus as they continue to learn more about Him… and all under the same roof!

We are so humbled and amazed at this beautiful new place, and continue to pray God would show us how He would have us use it – for the good of the people of El Callejon, and for His glory. 

And so, how could we not smile big smiles as we stand in front of this gift from God?!

Our First Week!

Painting together (with all natural light thanks to our
big windows ad sky light!)

This week we’re meeting for the first time in our new space.  It was fitting that the first group was our Adult Women, since this is the group for whom the Social Work site in El Callejon was established 10 years ago. 

Lindsey (the wonderful wife of Jayson, our SI-DR Ministry Sites supervisor) came and led the second in a series of lessons about having a genuine relationship with God.  We had lots of women, even some who haven’t come for months and months. 

Perhaps the ‘draw’ was the new building, but our amazing God used that to allow them to hear the truth of Jesus’ sacrifice.  How through His blood, our dirt and filth, our sin and disobedience, is taken from us and put on the cross.  How we need to come to Him, but that when we do, He welcomes us with open arms. 



A Sweet 'Site' - the women learning and working together!

After the lesson, the women worked on their projects, painting a pretty flowered border on table cloths. 

This morning our very energetic Little Girls came running up, yelling in excitement.  To try and tire them out a bit, we spread out in the big space and did some exercises.  It was so great to see them all stretching, laughing and having fun! 

Talking with our teens about Matthew 2

This afternoon our teens came to continue reading through Matthew together.  We were missing a lot of them, but hope that by next week they’ll all come back! 

Tomorrow we are holding a ‘pulga’ (yard sale) at the old site to raise money for things we still need to purchase.  It also gives the women and others an opportunity to purchase clothing, towels, shoes, and other items for a low price. 

On Thursday we’ll try having two activities at the same time.  One of the reasons we built such a large space was just for this.  Si Dios quiere (the Lord willing) Daisy will meet with our Treces in the main room while Kimberley disciples a couple of the women leaders in our little office area. 

Mixing up concrete isn't for wimps...

Neither is planting grass!!

Outside, the Construction team continues to work on the fence as well as planting grass out back.  Construction – and landscaping! – are very different here, with concrete being mixed up by hand (well, with shovels, but you know what we mean!) and tufts of grass being planted bit by bit using a machete or other tool to loosen the ground. 

It’s hot work, and we so appreciate their efforts! 

We’re working on plans for the students and intern who will come next week.  And, for our Open House next Thursday night when we’ll invite the community to stop in and take a peek! 

Please pray as we continue to settle in… that as we do so, we won’t 'settle' for anything less than sharing Jesus and His love in every class and activity.  He truly is worthy of all our love and praise!  We thank Him for washing us clean, and allowing us to serve Him in El Callejon!

Moving Day Two

Yesterday with the help of Dick, one of our awesome brothers-in-mission, we packed up the majority of the things in the old site and moved them over to the new. 

Packing up the old site

Several of the girls and women stopped by to visit as Daisy organized inside, and Dick and Kimberley packed up the truck.  It’s not all that far, but the condition of the two roads in El Callejon meant the truck’s 4-wheel drive was most welcome! 

Dick backs in the first load

El Callejon has two ‘roads’, both narrow dirt-and-rock tracks.  The current site is on the road closed in by the large cinderblock and razor wire wall.  The wall makes the track even narrower, and gives the area a closed in feeling. 

Our new site is on the other road.  It’s still not wide, but is more open.  The houses are all on one side, with our site on the opposite side, where there is a strip of land bordering a golf course. 

moving on in!

There is still more to be moved, but it felt great to stack our plastic containers of yarn, scissors, beads and more into the supply closet.  Opening the doors and windows let in a lovely breeze as we worked and planned.

Dick, Brian (our Director) and Daisy.

The Construction crew is working on our fence, and will also be planting grass in the back yard, painting the outside and more.  We continue to be so blessed by them! 

In the coming weeks we’ll experiment with how best to configure the tables, organize the supply room, and prioritize our list of things we’d still like to purchase.  Please pray for us as we settle in and seek to go from our ‘small site’ mentality, to seeing what ‘big site’ things our big, amazing God would have us do.

And, please pray for the women of El Callejon as they adjust to the new site.  Although everyone who has visited loves the new space, several of those who live on the side where we used to be are worried that we’re going to forget them now that we’re on the ‘other side’. 

Although it’s really not that far away, it’s a change, and that’s never easy!  We know we need to be intentional about going and visiting our old neighbors, and encouraging them to walk over and visit us, too.

We’re excited to officially begin meeting with our various groups next Monday.  The El Callejon Social Work site was started back in 1999 to work with the women of the community.  How fitting that in this new space, our first group will be our Adult Women. 

We rejoice in all that God has done in the 10+ years Students International has been working in El Callejon.  We pray that we will glorify Him as we continue to meet Jesus in this new place, this new chapter of ministry.  We continue to trust in our Triune God, Father, Son and Spirit, to work out His will, in our lives, in the students, and in the precious lives of the people of El Callejon.   

The Move: Cleaning Day

Today was Cleaning Day at the new site.  Yesterday Daisy asked for volunteers from our Adult Women’s group, and approximately eight women committed to coming this afternoon to clean.

Kimberley bought the essentials for a thorough Dominican scrubbing – a gallon of bleach, and a large bag of powdered clothes detergent.  Cleaning here is done with water, lots and lots of water.  One of our fellow missionaries joked and told us not to forget a garden hose...

¡Gracias!

This morning some of our Little Girls came for class.  We painted signs spelling out Gracias and Thank You, and the girls got to work decorating them.  They did such a great job! 

We switched the order so Rosalyn could have her "U"

Getting them to stand in order was pretty hilarious, as they only wanted to hold the letters they had decorated! 

It took some convincing to stop a determined Rosalyn (age 7) from holding up her “S” (from Gracias) and “U” (from Thank You)!  Finally, we got the pictures snapped.

And, truly, we say Gracias and Thank You.  For those of you who contributed financially, for those who have been diligently praying for this new site , for those who have come and helped minister – both in Social Work and Construction, Gracias!! 



"Wet" cleaning
(notice how much natural light is coming in from above!)

Most of all, we say ¡Gracias a Dios!  You know, it’s amazing if you think about it.  Through His Spirit, God has led people from many places, many walks of life, to give, to pray, to come and serve. 

Like the signs, each one had a part.  Perhaps it may have seemed small, but like each individual letter, it was an important part of God's perfect plan.  And now, in His perfect timing, the pieces have come together to make something beautiful.

After lunch, the women came, armed with their brooms.  Unlike back in the U.S., brooms here are used to move water, not dirt.  As one of the women told me, you Americans clean Seco (dry), we clean Mojado (wet). 

Fastest way to a clean counter - hose it down!

Ramona came in, surveyed what had to be done, said something, and disappeared.  Soon, she returned… with a hose!  Some of the women wore flip flops, others kicked off their shoes and cleaned in bare feet.   

Scrubbing & Singing praise!

As they cleaned, the women sang praise songs.  It was so awesome to see them sweeping the water, laughing, praising God.  It wasn’t a church service, but, oh, it was worship! 

One of the songs said, Your Spirit is in this place.  Another said, The Spirit moved across the waters, now He moves in me. 

The way Dominicans clean is different from how most Americans clean.  The songs they sang were in Spanish, not English.  And yet, the same Spirit was present.  What a blessing, what a privilege, to serve Him together!

The women left with their brooms, having used most of the bleach and detergent, with the floors and walls still wet.  But, everything was lovely and clean, and the sense of fellowship and of the Spirit, made it a sacred space.

So you can see more of the girls' pretty drawings!

Holy Father, we praise you, we worship you, we sing out Gracias and Thank You.  May all of our lives be worship, praising You together. 

Oh, Jesus, may we be faithful to use our new Site to proclaim that in only in You, we are redeemed and set free. 

Holy Spirit, we are humbled by Your presence with us today, and every day.   Continue to move in us, and through us, we pray.

The Move 2012

Next week.  Si Dios quiere, we're moving NEXT WEEK!!  After a fuerte (strong) final push, the inside of our New Site was complete this week.  And... it is gorgeous!

Outside the fence still needs to be built, and we'll take some time to decide if we want flowers, grass, possibly a small vegetable garden.  Inside, there are still things we'll need to purchase, as well as figuring out what goes where, how to shift around our weekly schedule of groups, etc., etc. 

But, all that will come in time.  We know that until we are actually in the Site, working in the space every day, it's hard to even think about how to set things up.  Oh, friends, what a blessed 'difficulty' to have!

Please join us is lifting up praises to God for all He has done, all He is doing, and all we know He will do, in El Callejon.  It's humbling to see how He uses our small ministry to have a huge impact on lives - both here in the D.R., and also carried back with the students who come for outreaches. 

Check out the latest photos (under New Site tab), and then check back next week for updates on The Move 2012!