End of Year Wrap-Up

Season’s Greetings

As I took time to celebrate and reflect on my past 3 years in the Dominican Republic, I was reminded time and time again of God’s faithfulness.  It’s kind of crazy how fast, and yet slow, three years can go by, and I am forever reminded of the generosity of you, those who support me, in helping me to continue my work here.

A few weeks ago, Solid Rock International (SRI) and our Dominican partner, the Christian Association for the Promotion of Integrated Health (ACPSI), celebrated the groundbreaking of a revolutionary new clinic to benefit the poor here in the southwest region of the Dominican Republic.  To celebrate the event, many individuals who have played integral roles in the beginning of the organizations gathered together.  It was incredibly inspiring to hear the stories, the tears, the effort that have formed part of the history; to watch individuals who stepped out in faith, now see the realization of things they only once dreamed about.  What an awesome blessing (and responsibility!) to be apart of SRI, here in the Dominican Republic.

As the first pieces of construction come together for the new clinic, I also like to let my mind dream of the role that social work services will be able to play in the integrated care that patients and their families will receive.  It is fun to catch the vision of what could be, while remembering the roots that were planted that have formed a strong foundation.

This year, I have enjoyed digging more into my role within the Child Nutrition Program (CNP). In the Guachupita neighborhood, three of the eight children will be successfully graduating from the program in December!  I am so proud of the efforts and commitment of their parents in ensuring a healthy beginning for their children.  In El Cercado, we welcomed a new doctor to the CNP in July.  Dr. Jazmin is all heart.  I love her desire to serve and to improve the care that our families receive.  There are currently over 120 families from the surrounding mountain communities in the CNP.  This year we have formed partnerships with social services through the Catholic Church and with public health doctors in Hondo Valle, and are currently organizing plans to offer more organized health education not just in the clinic, but in the communities as well.  SRI also just joined forces with Amway, who is now providing our families with their Nutrilite Little Bits product, providing key micronutrients to combat malnutrition in children.  Additionally, in October, monthly physical therapy services were initiated for some of our kiddos in need.  Given the families’ remote locations, needed services are nearly impossible to obtain.  The El Cercado staff are really coming together as a team, and I love being a part of it!

Student Sponsorship is wrapping up the busy season of updating student profiles and photos for just over 1000 students.  While hair-raising at times, being able to spend time in the five schools with the students and the administration really is one of my favorite things.  It is difficult at times to see the great needs that exist in the schools and have limited resources to help, but it is also incredibly motivating to see how the school staff work with what they have to pour into their students and the lives of their students’ families.  It is exciting to see the sponsorship numbers consistently growing, especially when you know the power that sponsorship really has in children’s lives.  It’s hearing Dr. Lebron share with the medical “barrio” groups that come down about his experience being sponsored, and how that is a driving force for him to “give back” when groups are in need of an extra doctor to work with them during their week here.

It can be easy to get lost in the details at times, but it’s in refocusing to the “bigger picture” that provides the encouragement and motivation to continue.  I’m excited to see what Year Four has for me here in San Juan and within the programs of SRI.  I already know that personally, it contains big changes, as Wellington and I will be getting married in January.  Along with this change, comes the desire to continue to dig into relationships and community here, as it is a whole new deeper layer of creating my life here that is occurring.

I also need ongoing financial support to continue my work with SRI.  It’s difficult to ask, but it is the nitty-gritty of my self-funded position here.  My current term is through December 2016, and my funding is running low.  I believe strongly that this is where I am to be, the work that I am called to do, during this season of life.  Would you consider partnering with me in this work through financial support?  Monthly pledges and one-time gifts are both appreciated.  Donations can be made online through the SRI website at www.solidrockinternational.org (click HERE) or checks can be made out to SRI with “Laura Demastus” in the memo line and mailed to PO Box 20867, Indianapolis, IN 46220.  All donations are tax-deductible.

As always, I continue to be humbled by the love poured out on me through you, my supporters.  Your encouragement, prayers, random emails and notes, give me strength and always seem to arrive right on time.  Thank you for your generosity, not just financially, but in so many various ways.  You are what makes the difference.

 

Love and blessings,

Laura Demastus

Please keep up with me and keep in touch!

ljdemastus@gmail.com / laurademastus.blogspot.com 

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3 Years!

I'm reading one of my favorite books again- Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way by Shauna Niequist.  "Bittersweet is the idea that in all things there is both something broken and something beautiful, that there is a moment of lightness on even the darkest of nights, a shadow of hope in every heartbreak, and that rejoicing is no less rich even when it contains a splinter of sadness.  It's the practice of believing that we really do need both the bitter and the sweet...  Bittersweet is beautiful, nuanced, full of depth and complexity.  Bittersweet is courageous, gutsy, audacious, earthy."  I first got this book 4 years ago when I was living in Nicaragua.  It's been interesting, to say the least, to see the notes, the underlines, the highlights from that first reading and remember where I was during that season of life and the journey that my life has been since.  Lots of thoughts swirling around my head these days. Highly recommend the book.

My first photo after moving to Nicaragua, May 2010

I blink and the fall is nearly past.  Student photos and profiles are in full swing.  If you can guess from the photo below, there is never a dull moment out at the schools with the kids...

Smile? What? You want to take my picture?

Students LOVE hearing from their sponsors

This year has brought some new faces to the process...  I am always glad to work with Kamanda during this busy season, and this year Wellington has stepped in as our photographer and Pamela has been a super help as well.  Even my pastor from PA, Steve, jumped in for a day when he was here in October.

Kamanda & I in El Cercado

Pamela & I updating photos & info in Elias Piña

October was a bit of a rough month for me- a surprise appendectomy (well, I guess appendicitis is usually a surprise!)-- but totally a God thing in how it was resolved-- general surgeon Dr. Caceres was still at the clinic and the American team ready and willing to help with anesthesia and all my other needs.  Amazing really how it came together.  A week later a bug bit my eye- yes, hard to believe, but this is the kind of luck I tend to have. haha.  :)  So there were a few days of swollen eye, which was later followed by two separate bouts of a stomach virus.  I am thankfully, thankfully on the other side of all of that now.  

Being in a bit of a valley made the fact that there was a team from my home town here in mid-October all the sweeter.  LOVED these folks being here.  Cathy did an AMAZING job organizing the team.  Got my social work fix with Kim. Was encouraged beyond measure by pastor Steve, and SO enjoyed getting to know the new faces on the team.

The Maple Grove Team

Awesome things continue to happen in the Child Nutrition Program.  October brought the first visit from Physical Therapist Johanna Fernandez.  She will be traveling to El Cercado monthly to provide PT services for some of the children who would not otherwise be able to receive this much needed service.  (If you're interested in supporting this side project of the CNP, please click here- CNP PT)

Johanna loves on one of the little-bitties

We just had a visit from Amway DR in El Cercado.  We are super excited to start this new partnership with them to better serve our families and children in need...

So, today I celebrate 3 official years with Solid Rock.  Crazy to think about this journey of life, and to look forward into the next year.  I continue to create my niche and grow confidence here.  I truly am excited for what year 4 has in store, not just for me, but for SRI as well, especially as Groundbreaking for the New Clinic is celebrated next week.  In personal news, this new year brings huge changes as well.  Wellington and I will be getting married in January, and I could not be happier.  He is truly a gift. and I am SO grateful.  Please remember us in your prayers (and maybe some extra prayers in this crazy, overwhelming planning phase that's happening at the same time of my SRI busy season!).

This morning as I took time to just "be" and reflect, this song came to mind. "Be Thou My Vision." One of my favorite hymns, and now my prayer; not just for me, but for Welly and the life we will create together, and for my SRI family too...

Finding Reasons to Smile

The end of summer has come quickly, but what a good summer it has been.  

It was great to hop back into things after my time in the states by joining Cora and Tammy's group in El Cercado and as they poured love into the shoeshine boys. 

Weaving my work for Student Sponsorship and the Child Nutrition Program around getting to know the groups can be a challenge at times, but I sure do appreciate the folks I get to meet and the stories I get to hear about the work they are doing, even if I don't get to spend as much time with them as the other SRI staff.  

I am truly excited about Doctor Jazmin joining the CNP as the doctor of the El Cercado clinic.  She brings passion and care to our families and a desire to increase the health education that the families receive.  Like me, she loves to get out into the communities and spend time with folks in their homes.  Most recently, I was able to introduce her to the families that I visit in  mountain town of Hondo Valle on the Haitian border.  God's timing is perfect, as that day a public health doctor, who had learned of the CNP from one of the families, was there to meet us; a connection was made, vision shared, and an ongoing supportive partnership might just be born.  I am hopeful for the directions that the CNP is taking, and also gearing up for this year's Rice and Beans Challenge. (Check it out here!)  

Life here can be challenging sometimes too.  It's difficult to see people you care about struggling with the realities of poverty, to recognize the untapped potential for individuals who haven't had the opportunities for education and development that I have had.  At least for me, it sometimes takes more effort than I'd like to admit to watch for God moving in the midst of these realities and focus on blessings, to not let the difficulties paralyze me into non-action but rather to spur me on to action, to choose joy.  This is part of the reason that I am thankful that SRI is recognizing the need to expand support and encouragement for us, the workers here.  One way they've done that is by providing the opportunity to enjoy a couple meetings with pastor Brad Burkholder from Kansas the beginning of the month, and SRI is committed to looking at on-going ways of support.  I'm thankful for that.  I'm also looking forward to having my pastor and a couple folks from my home church here in October on their first-ever SRI trip.  

God continues to show Himself and his love.  I will admit that last week I was having a pity party for myself, and then I stepped out on our back porch and was met with an amazing rainbow.  "Good grief, God," I thought, "even when I'm being a brat, you find ways to overwhelm me your love and faithfulness... and I'm so glad that you do." 

I also got to visit Joselin and Yelisa in Derrumbadero.  Seeing them enjoy their new home with their children made my heart smile.  If only I hadn't forgotten my camera! -because besides oohing and aaaahing over the homey touches Yelisa has added to the house, the neighborhood boys were playing robots- using their imaginations and creativity to the max with a "robot suit" they had crafted out of cardboard boxes.  It doesn't get much better than that.

So yes, we are group-less here in San Juan for a bit, which allows for a slower pace of life, and has lent itself to some amazing trips to the river, tubing adventures in an irrigation canal, playing in a waterfall, and celebrating our fabulous translator staff at the beach.  

I am now gearing up for my busy time of year as school is now in session and sponsored student lists are being organized and updated.  It's a crazy-making process, and I LOVE it!  But first, I will be celebrating my birthday on Saturday- Hurray! Yes, I LOVE birthdays too. Almost as much as this thrift store outfit that I picked up back in the states ;)  

May you always find reason to smile...

CURVEBALLS

I’m just settling back in after a month visit to the States, and quite frankly I’d like this calm Sunday morning moment lying on the couch, letting the sounds around me soak in, to last just a little while longer.  I am honestly blessed by my friends and family- people who save coupons for me to use while I’m in the area, who give of their homes, beds, hairstyling abilities and vehicles. Most of all they are people who welcome me with open arms to slide into the routines of their lives and make me feel loved and accepted.  I had the opportunity to teach Sunday School in the Women in Leadership class, to share with my church’s youth group, and tell a little of my story in the DR during a church service.  Numerous meals shared, conversations from silly to deep, fun side trips, time to snuggle my nieces and nephew and my friends' children and play checkers with my 91-year-old Grammy.  Too many moments to count for you here, but it’s remembering these moments and counting them as blessings that renew me and give me strength for the journey.

Life has also thrown me some curveballs lately too.  Some have turned out just the way you would want them too- like my dad’s scare with emergency surgery, cancer diagnosis, more surgery, and now the awesome news that he is cancer free.

Then there’s the visa paperwork to try for residency here in the Dominican Republic in order to legalize myself here.  As my ticket back grew closer and no word from the DR Consulate, my nervousness grew. Finally at 10:30am the day before I was set to fly back, I got the word that my paperwork had been processed. Visa denied (which we were expecting, the regulations have been in flux since the beginning of the year- but still disappointing). But that also meant a quick whirlwind trip from Philadelphia to Washington DC to pick up my passport. And while that wasn’t how I had planned to spend my last day in the states, my gracious mother wiggled her clients around so that she could go with me and at 7pm I was back in her Philadelphia home paperwork in hand, and having been complimented by the workers there on my almost Dominican Spanish.

My day of travel included 1 cancelled flight, 4 delays, 1 changed connection, and 1 lost suitcase.  But I Made It. When my plane hit the ground in Santo Domingo at 11:40pm, I breathed a sigh of relief, and when my suitcase was delivered to my apartment the next evening, I said thanks.

The most difficult curveball I’m trying to manage is having had my computer completely erased in a freak incident during backing up the information in the Apple store.  And as of now, they’re not willing to take responsibility. Since it happened during a back-up of my data, everything is gone. While it’s sad and inconvenient to lose exercise videos, music and some photos, it also means ALL of my personal and professional documents- critical stuff. Right now, it most affects me with all of the “unofficial” notes that I keep on Child Nutrition Program families and Sponsors and their Sponsored students, but the impact will be felt for the years to come. It Hurts. BIG.

I am reminded that things often don’t always work out as we planned.  Sometimes they work out even better.  Sometimes it’s small inconvenciences.  Sometimes life-shattering losses.  Sometimes anywhere mixed there in between.  And while I can’t say that I always easily take things in stride, I am learning about holding onto things and people more lightly.  More lightly as in trusting more and more of daily life details, things, relationships to the hands of God. Ultimately it boils down to the fact that regardless of what does or doesn't happen, He CARES FOR ME. And I will continue to Breathe and take hold of His hand.

Life these days

I'm again at a loss for what to say, but that doesn't mean that there hasn't been a whole lot going on!  So here's a little glimpse into the randomness of my life right now.

The mountain community of Derrumbadero outside of El Cercado

As the school year winds down, there are plenty of visits to the schools to tie up details for student sponsorship with the principals.  It's been exciting to see our sponsorship program grow, to watch the joy and fun of sponsors visiting with the students, and see how we are closing in on reaching the 1,000 sponsored students mark!  Kamanda and I have made a great team recruiting new sponsors. I so appreciate the support that she has brought to this aspect of the program.

Tomorrow I'll be heading to the school in the capital for one final visit this school year.  The heart and tenacity of this woman, Alba, the academic secretary, is admirable.  It is always inspiring to meet with her.  

 

I've been spending more time in El Cercado these past couple months.  We're going through some changes in the Child Nutrition Program, and trusting God to lead us and give us wisdom. There are a few families that I have been getting to know better lately, and I am excited by the chance to partner with one family as they plan for their future.  Stay tuned for updates on our joint project over the next month.  

 

Being in El Cercado has also brought refreshment for me these past two months.  I so appreciate the friendships and family that I have developed there, and the strong, loving leadership that Pastor Morales brings to the community.

We got a chance to get away for a staff retreat for a couple days after the Scary Room/Clinic/Guesthouse major organization project in April.  How nice it was to get to spend relaxing and regrouping time with this group of folks that I get to work with.

Gearing up to finish the school year strong.  Looking forward to a visit from Mandy Wright and some of the coolest folks from Bradley University physical therapy in June that will once again pour love and knowledge into our CNP.  And then I will be heading to the states for a month. It's time to spend in-person time with those I love there to renew and grow relationships, work on raising financial support to continue here in the DR, focus on my health with my great doctors, and work on getting my visa.  

Thank you again for all your support, encouragement, and prayers. They do not go unnoticed or unappreciated!

A Little Bit of Everything

Can it possibly be March already??? This new year is just a flying by...

It sometimes feels very weird to no longer be living at the Guesthouse, but quiet times on the front balcony of my apartment help keep it all in perspective.

I am still in the always continuing journey of learning the balance of work and personal life, as here, in ministry, that really all gets mixed together.  The only downside I've discovered so far of Nik's and my new pad are the wasps... yup, unfortunately, I'm of the allergic to wasp stings variety.  Tally this year so far- 4 stings.  Three of them occurred on a sunny Sunday afternoon as I was standing up in that grating of our front balcony, with a mop in my hand, trying to reach up to sweep my keys off the roof.  I will leave you with the fun of imagining the reason why my keys were on the top of our 3-story apartment building to begin with.  As I proudly heard the "clink" of my keys hitting the sidewalk below, I spun around in pride to jump down from my perch and right into a wasp nest. Oh the joy. Glad I live with a nurse ;)

But really, these first couple months of this year have been a mix of all that I love about work and life with SRI in the Dominican Republic.  January started, and I got to play translator for this great group of folks from VIMM (Volunteers In Medical Missions) during their barrio clinics.

It is always inspiring to see our various programs feed into each other and compliment each other so well. During the VIMM week, a young albino teen with a lesion on his upper lip arrived with his family at the barrio clinic- the docs were concerned that the lesion was cancerous. The family was given counseling about the importance of skin and sun care, and the great news that a general surgery team was going to be at the guesthouse the following week-- Within a week's time, the lesion had been removed and sent for testing in the capital. Weeks later, the results returned and the lesion was benign. Praise!  The team also travelled near the stomping grounds of the Child Nutrition Program, and we were able to refer a couple new families to the CNP in El Cercado.

A dear CNP family

Hanging out with my Dominican Dad and Grandpa in El Cercado

I've also enjoyed time in El Cercado with the folks of the CNP, and some quality time with my family there.  It is always a gift to spend time with Cora Hunse, as she worked with the Spartansburg teams, as well as Liz, our pharmacy intern extra-ordinaire. One afternoon we were able to follow-up with some CNP families, and provide in-home healthcare to some pretty sick kiddos who needed it.

I've gotten to tag along with Kamanda Bucher for craft time at the Lucille Rupp School, make visits out to all the sponsorship schools, translate sponsor letters to students, and organize activities for Sponsors and Sponsored Students. (Side note: If you are interested in Student Sponsorship and meeting your sponsored student is not one of your highest priorities, could I please interest you in looking into sponsoring a student at Eastern, the school that SRI partners with in Santo Domingo?  The staff at this school are pouring love into their community, trying to fight against inner-city issues of teen pregnancy, drugs, and violence, and support the many grandparents in their area who are raising their grandchildren. Check them out here Eastern Evangelical School). 

Little ones start the day singing at CCED

Craft Time at Lucille Rupp

We've celebrated birthdays! Miss Braegan Mae, our favorite little lady, turned 1! Nicole, our fabulous nurse and friend/sister, celebrated her birthday with a fun adventure to Hondo Valle. and my sweet Dominican nephew Jose Alfredo turned 3!  These birthdays also gave me a chance to get back into cake decorating- thanks to the Christmas gift of decorating tools from my momma (She came to visit for the first time in December and it was SO fun!). I'm a little rusty, but it sure feels good.

I've been learning a lot about community and our little SRI team, and I like the direction we're headed.  I am thankful for the sense of community that we are reclaiming, and I wish that blessing on each of you in your own communities as well.  Happy March! May the snow in your yards quickly melt away as the promise of Spring nears :)

Getting a group picture is harder than you would think :)