Here we are. The last day. This morning some of us went to “The Tent” where we had done VBS the last 2 days. The rest of us went to Bombita. Both locations had a Fun Day, where we played games, did crafts, and some face painting. Those of us who have sponsored kids got to see them again in Bombita.
My kid, Lisandro, was there and I put him on the phone with Michelle. I don’t think he was used to a cell phone, so he couldn’t really hear her. I was able to pass along some toys to him, and Mike had a spare Baseball Glove that I could give him. It was awesome!
I must interject here to say that today was the first day, I ended up dealing with some illness. I’m surprised I lasted this long. This morning, I woke up with some stomach issues, but by the time we left I felt a little better. Even when we went out in the afternoon, I was good. Then when we got back to the hotel, it hit me hard again. I thank God that he kept me through the times I needed to do the work. I’m feeling better now too.
This afternoon, we walked to an open area in a place called Villa Carolina. It’s the same area we did VBS the first day. We had sporting equipment and some crafts. When we got there, some of us went into the housing areas (alleys and apartment complexes) and told the kids that some missionaries were there to play with them. I think that’s awesome. It’s also very odd to be referred to as a “missionary.” A bunch of kids came out and we spent the afternoon having a blast with these kids. We invited them to come to church this evening and a bunch came.
Church was great. We actually walked there which was cool. They had a full band that was surprisingly very tight for their age. They also had a drama, a dance, and the Pastor share some thoughts on following God’s call. Afterwards, we said good-bye to the kids we had met and some of the missionaries we won’t see tomorrow.
It has been a life changing week. It put a lot of things in perspective. What we take for granted, joy in hardship, what Christ means when he says to love the unlovable, and so much more. As we leave this place we hope to bring our personal change back and let it be something that will encourage and challenge our families and church. Thank you for your prayers. We look forward to sharing with you all of the stories and lessons learned from this week. Believe me, you will be hearing them.
PS-Kevin has dreadlocks!
Dave
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Day 6
Hey Everyone,
Day 5 was a good one. We were back at the same location as yesterday for VBS. The kids were easier to work with and much more attentive. I actually made a friend without realizing it yesterday. I went up next to one of the little girls yesterday who was playing a game and started dancing to the music. Without missing a beat, she stopped what she was doing and started mimicking my dance. Today when I came back she ran up to me and was very pleased that I remembered her name was Alisandra. She sat next to me during the large group meetings and I told everyone she was my sister.
This afternoon Pastor Mike Williams shared challenged everyone to listen to how God was speaking to us and what we needed to do as we left here on Saturday so not to forget this experience. After that we headed to a village called Polyclinica. It was nice then yesterday's village but still very poor. It was actually kind of weird, because there would be semi/nice places and then slums right next to it. Some of us did crafts with the kids, while some of us played games, and also some of us went from house to house to meet families and pray. I was also able to get a Coca Cola. It was awesome.
I played games with some kids and was once again disturbed by the conditions these kids live in. There is very little supervision and kids just climb on whatever. A ball went up on the room of a house and a kid just climbed up there to get it. I must confess though that it happened again, and Mike scooted up there and got it himself. Now Mrs. Savchuck, if you're reading this, he was up there before I could stop him. Anyway, I also saw a 3 year old climb a wall and just stand on top of it. It's very scary and sad to think about this.
Once again, a lot of them don't wear shoes and socks. I mention this because I noticed in some grass, where a lot of them were running, there was a shattered glass bottle. Glass was everywhere. I found a plastic bag and gathered up as much of it as possible. Some of the kids came over to see what I was doing and almost seemed surprised like the thought had never crossed their mind to pick it up.
Kevin and Jen went with the group that went house to house to pray with people. Kevin took a bunch of pictures and explained to us tonight the horrible conditions in which a lot of people were living in. There was dirty water used to clean both clothes and dishes. There were naked kids, no floors in houses, and water problems. They were amazed though at the joy and faith a lot of the people had.
They actually went to visit a blind man, and Kevin was actually asked to pray. I will share with you a paraphrase of what he prayed. He basicall said that Jesus healed the blind, but in reality without him we are all blind. When we all are in heaven with him though we will all see. I can't tell you how much this encourages my heart to hear a student I have worked with over the years, pray such a bold and insightful prayer.
Keep us in your prayers. Tomorrow some of us will be going back to Bombita where we will see our sponsored children again. Tomorrow night we will have a big church service and hopefully see a lot of the kids again and their families. Thanks for your prayers and support!
Dave
Day 5 was a good one. We were back at the same location as yesterday for VBS. The kids were easier to work with and much more attentive. I actually made a friend without realizing it yesterday. I went up next to one of the little girls yesterday who was playing a game and started dancing to the music. Without missing a beat, she stopped what she was doing and started mimicking my dance. Today when I came back she ran up to me and was very pleased that I remembered her name was Alisandra. She sat next to me during the large group meetings and I told everyone she was my sister.
This afternoon Pastor Mike Williams shared challenged everyone to listen to how God was speaking to us and what we needed to do as we left here on Saturday so not to forget this experience. After that we headed to a village called Polyclinica. It was nice then yesterday's village but still very poor. It was actually kind of weird, because there would be semi/nice places and then slums right next to it. Some of us did crafts with the kids, while some of us played games, and also some of us went from house to house to meet families and pray. I was also able to get a Coca Cola. It was awesome.
I played games with some kids and was once again disturbed by the conditions these kids live in. There is very little supervision and kids just climb on whatever. A ball went up on the room of a house and a kid just climbed up there to get it. I must confess though that it happened again, and Mike scooted up there and got it himself. Now Mrs. Savchuck, if you're reading this, he was up there before I could stop him. Anyway, I also saw a 3 year old climb a wall and just stand on top of it. It's very scary and sad to think about this.
Once again, a lot of them don't wear shoes and socks. I mention this because I noticed in some grass, where a lot of them were running, there was a shattered glass bottle. Glass was everywhere. I found a plastic bag and gathered up as much of it as possible. Some of the kids came over to see what I was doing and almost seemed surprised like the thought had never crossed their mind to pick it up.
Kevin and Jen went with the group that went house to house to pray with people. Kevin took a bunch of pictures and explained to us tonight the horrible conditions in which a lot of people were living in. There was dirty water used to clean both clothes and dishes. There were naked kids, no floors in houses, and water problems. They were amazed though at the joy and faith a lot of the people had.
They actually went to visit a blind man, and Kevin was actually asked to pray. I will share with you a paraphrase of what he prayed. He basicall said that Jesus healed the blind, but in reality without him we are all blind. When we all are in heaven with him though we will all see. I can't tell you how much this encourages my heart to hear a student I have worked with over the years, pray such a bold and insightful prayer.
Keep us in your prayers. Tomorrow some of us will be going back to Bombita where we will see our sponsored children again. Tomorrow night we will have a big church service and hopefully see a lot of the kids again and their families. Thanks for your prayers and support!
Dave
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Day 5
Welcome to day number 5! I apologize if these messages have poor grammar. I’ve been writing them late, and not proofreading. Today was the craziest day yet. It literally felt like 2 different days. This morning our devotions were led by Dustin, who also played guitar last night at church. He’s a full time missionary here with New Missions, who also leads a surf ministry as well.
We then headed off to “The Tent” where we had VBS for a different group of kids. There weren’t any fights to my knowledge, but these kids were a little unruly and disruptive. This week comparing all of the kids, yesterday’s were the best behaved and most respectable. This is a testament to their teacher, who was there and had trained most of these kids throughout their schooling. It’s awesome.
Today was a big day during Bible Time. We were trying to relay to the kids how one achieves Salvation. We taught them 1. Admit (your sin) 2. Believe (That Christ died for their sins) 3. Confess (That Christ has forgiven them and is their Salvation). I was dreading doing it for the youngest group because it’s some heavy stuff for 5 and under. Turns out, they were the best behaved group. The really followed what we were saying and answered a bunch of our questions. If one kid took everything seriously and accepted Christ today, it was all worth it. Actually, at the wrap up I was very encouraged, because I had them all repeat the 3 points several time. They all did. No matter what now, these kids know how to accept Christ and why.
This afternoon we went Redemption Village . There are no words to describe the poverty we witnessed. Run down shacks for houses, dirt floors, naked kids running around, and so much more. We were kind of expecting these things, but what we weren’t expecting was the swarm of kids. When we got off the truck, about 100 kids came running and swarmed us. They wanted to ride on our shoulders, take our hands, braid our hair (obviously not mine), and ask us for money or whatever we could give them. The whole scene was incredibly overwhelming. The streets had garbage and other wastes in them and the majority of kids ran around without shoes.
I was very proud of our team. They jumped right in. Without missing a beat Mike threw a kid right up on his shoulders and put his sunglasses on him. Jess had kids in her arms and girls braiding her hair. Austin was lifting kids up to hang on the basketball hoop. Kevin took pictures of kids as they posed. Alex played soccer. Jen organized jump rope. Gail even got her hair braided. We were able to personally deliver the clothes that we had donated to the Lucien family (The Haitian Pastor), that has something like 7 or 9 kids. Pastor met them and prayed over Pastor Lucien and his wife. Pastor and I went into the home of the Dominican Pastor and prayed for his family and ministry.
Like I said it was very overwhelming and it’s going to take a while to process. We all had a lot to share tonight during our team devotions, but I’d like to share something that Jessica told us. While she was playing with the kids, a bunch of girls started attacking 1 girl and they all were grabbing her hair and pushing her around. They got it broken up, but the little girl was left alone and the other kids just laughed at her. She was pushed off to the side and everyone, including adults went back to what they were doing as if nothing happened. The little girl was by herself crying and upset. Jessica went over with another little girl who was holding her hand, and tried to console her. At first she didn’t want to be talked to but Jessica continued to touch her arm and tell her it was going to be ok. Finally, the little girl calmed down. When the other little girls around Jess saw her being nice to the little girl, they started to go over to her and console her. They all ended up playing again.
Jess showed the love of Christ to this shunned, broken little girl, and it spread to those around her. What a testimony and lesson. Today we saw the poorest of the poor, the outcasts if you will. Appreciate what you have. Love the unlovable. Pray for Redemption Village .
Dave
Day 4
Hey,
Greetings from the DR! I wanted to start off by thanking you for your prayers! They are much appreciated. God is doing some great things in each of our lives and we will not leave this trip the same.
Last night, my friend and local Pastor, Mike Williams, asked our Pastor if he’d like to join him in visiting one of the local Pastors here in town. The local Pastor is actually one of the ones that we donated clothes for. His son just had surgery and they were going to see how he was doing. I know Pastor will share more with you in the upcoming weeks, but I know he was asked to share from the Word and pray with the family.
Today was a great day. We went to the village of Bombista , where New Missions holds church services and has a School. Before we went, Mike Williams, lead the whole team in a devotional. After he spoke, a few of us made decisions to start sponsoring a child. The cool part is, we were all able to meet them today because they were all in the village of Bombista !
The students today were a little easier to work with because they were better behaved and used to the school setting. Yesterday’s kids were tough, but it made us realize how much they need to see the love of Christ. They aren’t used to church and being in that setting because it isn’t readily available to them. Somehow these kids in Bombista who meet in a tent and have dogs running around are blessed. Yesterday’s kids need to see more of the love of Christ and we thank God that New Missions is bringing it to them.
On a personal note, I got to meet my new sponsored child, Lisandro. He was very shy, but the interpreter explained to him that I would be doing (sending letters, money, pictures) he started to smile. At the end of the day when we all loaded on the truck, I looked out and he was staring at me. When we made eye contact he got a huge smile and started waiving good-bye. It was awesome! I will be seeing him on Friday at the organized game day. His mother works, but they are trying to see if they can get her to come, so I can meet her as well.
This afternoon was our free time. Pastor, Jen, Gail, and Jess went up a mountain in Puerto Plata. I don’t know much of what happened, but I do know they got stuck up there during a heavy rain storm and then had to ride a cable car down in heavy wind and rain. I wish I could’ve been there.
Myself, Alex, Austin, and Mike went snorkeling with a group from Orlando . It was great. They took us to 2 spots, one place where the reef was deeper below us, and another where we literally were able to swim through the reef. We also were able to get a wonderful nasal cleansing with salt water. I also invited our guide to come to church with us later that night and he came! We think he may somehow be related to the family of the girl Pastor is sponsoring.
Finally, we went to a Spanish Church service back in Bombista. By no means is there worship high tech or refined by any means, but their hearts are beautiful and I know that God is more then pleased! There were many distractions, sound issues (and somehow I became the sound guy who fixed them), kids running around (including on to the stage), a torrential down pour, and even a dog coming in and looking for pets (which I gave and I hope he didn’t give me anything in return!), and a woman even challenged the Pastor in the middle of his sermon because she didn’t believe the Bible said what he was preaching! In the midst of all this, the Gospel was preached, and God was glorified.
Keep tomorrow in your prayers because it will be a pinnacle day on our trip. In VBS there will be an invitation to Salvation. Then in the afternoon, we will be heading to Redemption village. From what I hear it is where the poorest of the poor are. We will be meeting families, going into homes and praying. Thanks again for your support.
PS- Check out this video of something we’ve been doing in our spare time. We even got a random hotel guest to join us:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgcrV3w19LM
Dave
Greetings from the DR! I wanted to start off by thanking you for your prayers! They are much appreciated. God is doing some great things in each of our lives and we will not leave this trip the same.
Last night, my friend and local Pastor, Mike Williams, asked our Pastor if he’d like to join him in visiting one of the local Pastors here in town. The local Pastor is actually one of the ones that we donated clothes for. His son just had surgery and they were going to see how he was doing. I know Pastor will share more with you in the upcoming weeks, but I know he was asked to share from the Word and pray with the family.
Today was a great day. We went to the village of Bombista , where New Missions holds church services and has a School. Before we went, Mike Williams, lead the whole team in a devotional. After he spoke, a few of us made decisions to start sponsoring a child. The cool part is, we were all able to meet them today because they were all in the village of Bombista !
The students today were a little easier to work with because they were better behaved and used to the school setting. Yesterday’s kids were tough, but it made us realize how much they need to see the love of Christ. They aren’t used to church and being in that setting because it isn’t readily available to them. Somehow these kids in Bombista who meet in a tent and have dogs running around are blessed. Yesterday’s kids need to see more of the love of Christ and we thank God that New Missions is bringing it to them.
On a personal note, I got to meet my new sponsored child, Lisandro. He was very shy, but the interpreter explained to him that I would be doing (sending letters, money, pictures) he started to smile. At the end of the day when we all loaded on the truck, I looked out and he was staring at me. When we made eye contact he got a huge smile and started waiving good-bye. It was awesome! I will be seeing him on Friday at the organized game day. His mother works, but they are trying to see if they can get her to come, so I can meet her as well.
This afternoon was our free time. Pastor, Jen, Gail, and Jess went up a mountain in Puerto Plata. I don’t know much of what happened, but I do know they got stuck up there during a heavy rain storm and then had to ride a cable car down in heavy wind and rain. I wish I could’ve been there.
Myself, Alex, Austin, and Mike went snorkeling with a group from Orlando . It was great. They took us to 2 spots, one place where the reef was deeper below us, and another where we literally were able to swim through the reef. We also were able to get a wonderful nasal cleansing with salt water. I also invited our guide to come to church with us later that night and he came! We think he may somehow be related to the family of the girl Pastor is sponsoring.
Finally, we went to a Spanish Church service back in Bombista. By no means is there worship high tech or refined by any means, but their hearts are beautiful and I know that God is more then pleased! There were many distractions, sound issues (and somehow I became the sound guy who fixed them), kids running around (including on to the stage), a torrential down pour, and even a dog coming in and looking for pets (which I gave and I hope he didn’t give me anything in return!), and a woman even challenged the Pastor in the middle of his sermon because she didn’t believe the Bible said what he was preaching! In the midst of all this, the Gospel was preached, and God was glorified.
Keep tomorrow in your prayers because it will be a pinnacle day on our trip. In VBS there will be an invitation to Salvation. Then in the afternoon, we will be heading to Redemption village. From what I hear it is where the poorest of the poor are. We will be meeting families, going into homes and praying. Thanks again for your support.
PS- Check out this video of something we’ve been doing in our spare time. We even got a random hotel guest to join us:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgcrV3w19LM
Dave
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Day 3
Hey Everyone,
Today was a busy day! We joined with a team from Orlando, FL and went with Joe, Cathy, and Melissa (Missionaries) to an abandoned apartment complex to lead a VBS. They say it was abandoned, but we noticed that a lot of the rooms seemed occupied with people.
The kids were very happy to see us there and we played a variety of games with them. Kevin lead the opening exercises with the help of an interpretor and he also lead us in our song. A few of us helped with the dance and I assure you there will be a video to come! The rest of us ran various stations and lead kids around. It was very very hot. I lead the Bible Story, co-lead the Memory Verse Station with Gail and Mike, and did the closing. This involved me staying in the little room all morning that had no ventilation and was very hot. Needless to say by the end of the morning I was a little out of it and a little sick, but felt a lot better after lunch.
After lunch, we joined with a team from Georgia and went over to the main campus of New Missions to paint the ceiling of one of their buildings. This probably would've been a lot easier had there not been a horrible downpour on the way over and the whole time we were there. Remember we ride in the back of trucks. There is a roof, but the rain pours sideways here when it wants to. We had a great time though. There were enough of us that it wasn't that difficult and the time moved quickly.
We are back now, and will have dinner soon. Then we will have devotions and do some prep for tomorrow's VBS. We'll be heading into a different village and work with some different kids. Tomorrow afternoon, is our free afternoon. It sounds like Pastor and some of our group will be heading up a mountain in Puerta Plata that has some sites. The rest of us are going to go snorkeling. We'll tell you all about it tomorrow.
Thanks for your continued prayers!
Dave
Today was a busy day! We joined with a team from Orlando, FL and went with Joe, Cathy, and Melissa (Missionaries) to an abandoned apartment complex to lead a VBS. They say it was abandoned, but we noticed that a lot of the rooms seemed occupied with people.
The kids were very happy to see us there and we played a variety of games with them. Kevin lead the opening exercises with the help of an interpretor and he also lead us in our song. A few of us helped with the dance and I assure you there will be a video to come! The rest of us ran various stations and lead kids around. It was very very hot. I lead the Bible Story, co-lead the Memory Verse Station with Gail and Mike, and did the closing. This involved me staying in the little room all morning that had no ventilation and was very hot. Needless to say by the end of the morning I was a little out of it and a little sick, but felt a lot better after lunch.
After lunch, we joined with a team from Georgia and went over to the main campus of New Missions to paint the ceiling of one of their buildings. This probably would've been a lot easier had there not been a horrible downpour on the way over and the whole time we were there. Remember we ride in the back of trucks. There is a roof, but the rain pours sideways here when it wants to. We had a great time though. There were enough of us that it wasn't that difficult and the time moved quickly.
We are back now, and will have dinner soon. Then we will have devotions and do some prep for tomorrow's VBS. We'll be heading into a different village and work with some different kids. Tomorrow afternoon, is our free afternoon. It sounds like Pastor and some of our group will be heading up a mountain in Puerta Plata that has some sites. The rest of us are going to go snorkeling. We'll tell you all about it tomorrow.
Thanks for your continued prayers!
Dave
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)