Catching Up

It has been way too long.  I apologize.  I will do my best to fill you in on these past two months- ooph that's a lot!  In other words- Go get your coffee. Sit back and relax. and Prepare to read a LONG post. :)


The end of June, I was excited to be able to share the Child Nutrition Program with a few folks in efforts to grow relationships and brainstorm for the program.  I had to laugh at myself as we bumped along in Morales' little car, scraping bottom at some of the bigger bumps in the mountain roads, and praying we'd get through the river okay.  I then remembered my manners and asked if my guests minded walking a bit to a couple homes because we wouldn't be able to reach them by car.  They graciously agreed.  Unfortunately (for them), my definition of "walking a bit" apparently has changed over the past 8 months because I had these poor people SWEATING, as we HIKED up a mountainside- oops! it was longer and steeper than I previously remembered.  Thank you Terry, Amanda, Elly and Dawson for being such good sports!

It wasn't this mountain in the distance, but it very well could've been. oops :)

I have hands-down the greatest host family in El Cercado, and I was honored to be able to share with them in the baptism of 1 year old Jose Alfredo.  I don't have the words to describe it.  God was so "there."  The message, the songs, the baptism ceremony, it was truly moving.  It was family and friends sharing in love.

I LOVE this shot. Jose Alfredo with his mother and godparents.

LOVE

The beginning of July brought a chance encounter with Julian.  For those of you who know some of our history, you will know how much this meant to me and to Nicole.  I have known Julian since 2005 on my first trip to the DR.  I have seen him struggle.  I have celebrated his perseverance always and steps to reach out to others and attempts to make good choices. I have loved him and will continue to through it all.  Running into Julian in Bastida on this particular day was a precious gift.  It came with us letting him have it for the junk he recently pulled, but with grace too as he was open and processing some of it.  He actually accepted encouragement and compliments (that's huge!).  Julian will most likely continue to struggle.  But that doesn't take away from the beauty of what was that day.  A reminder of hope and of redemption.


After taking a group to the capital, Nik and I were able to get away to Las Galeras in Samana for a few days.  It was breathtaking.  and a much needed time to process life.  To just be AWED by God's creativity in creation.  Having time to just "be" and to journal confirmed for me that despite the ups and downs, this is where I know God has called me to be.  I don't have the answers by any means for a lot of the why or how.  But I am so glad, so grateful to be living this life.

Playita

Good morning! :)

Playa Rincon

Nik and I at Las Galeras - YAY

On the way driving to the capital, we stopped to give a ride to a Haitian family who was walking along the highway carrying a young child who appeared to be ill.  As we continued on our way with the family in the back of the pick-up truck, I kept catching the mother's eye in the rearview mirror.  I don't know where they started walking from, but we drove them over 40 kilometers before they reached their destination and disappeared under the guardrail into the wilderness.  It was a moment that will stick with me.  A holy moment where I saw the face of Christ. where my heart was bursting with compassion and my thoughts full of prayer.  How we often only scratch the surface of truly knowing another's reality.


Towards the end of July, I got to spend time with a youth group that Cora and Tammy were leading.  They spent a few days in El Cercado in homestays helping with barrio clinics. They did dramas, and outreaches.  These young people were truly inspiring.  They truly wanted to learn and experience.  Share and love.  I loved getting to be with them, to share some of my life with them too.  One of the many highlights of the week for me was the Sponsored Student get-together on Thursday night.  This is always one of my favorite parts of helping to coordinate the school sponsorship program.  We invite the sponsored students and their families to meet their sponsors.  Well, this week a sibling group of 3 teenagers sponsored a first grader, and he, his parents and little brother came to the guesthouse.  It was fun to hang out with these two families as they got to know one another, and extra special to see the father nearly moved to tears as he talked about how incredibly inspiring to see these three young people commit to sponsor his child's education.  He commented about how different the world would be if we all learned early on these types of values and if we were all committed to loving and caring for one another.  and these three youth seemed to really take that in too.

Sponsors and Students getting to know one another

Other cool things that happened during June and July- having Emily, an awesome college student from North Carolina, spend two months working with us in the clinic in El Cercado.  Having Cora visit- I always appreciate being able to talk out Child Nutrition Program details with her in person and visit families.  Having Emma Wilde- one of the absolute coolest 18 year olds I know- spend a week with us before beginning her 5 month adventure with YWAM in Jarabacoa.  And I'm sure I'm forgetting things as well... maybe I shouldn't wait 2 months to blog, you say.  Point taken. :)

And now I've had a week back in El Cercado, reconnecting with my coworkers at the clinic, and the families in the nutrition program, and just being with my host family here.  This weekend has brought some really good conversations with my mom/friend/sister here- I'm not quite sure what to call her- Yudi fills many roles for many people. :)  She has encouraged me in ways that I will be eternally grateful for.  and it has been fun to keep learning how to cook, to wash my clothes by hand again (I don't lie- I actually enjoyed this yesterday-another keep your hands busy while your mind processes and prays time), to take Jose Alfredo to the park with my host brother who's in town for the weekend.  Sharing Santa Cena (Communion) in church this morning.


So in the midst of the difficulty that is present, I see the beauty too.  I cling to hope.  I give thanks for all supportive ears and encouraging voices.  I give thanks for random dance parties in the kitchen, for my friends' new baby, for dominos, and making juice.  I give thanks that He has given me life.  and more so this life.  and I PRAY. and I learn more about TRUSTING Him.


And just in case you'd like a glimpse into how Nicole and I roll on a roadtrip, here you go... Ridiculosity at its best :)