Hello all.
I have been struggling this week to find something deep and interesting to write about haha. So for the purposes of keeping everyone informed and up to date im just going to share what we are doing and things. Sorry if this one is a little boring.
We are in San Juan, Dominican Republic.
This month I am with 3 other teams on my squad, the 4 teams are all living together in a big 4 bedroom house. We usually have running water and I get to sleep on a mattress which is nice.
2 of the teams are partnering with churches this month. My team along with Team City Lights will be working in a slum area called Juochapita (spelling?). This area is a place where the very poor live. It is a place where disease and illness are normal. Almost every child has a parasite. Dont worry, we are being very safe and as aware as possible…I will probably write an entire blog on the process it takes every day to rid yourself of possible parasites haha, not fearing sickness but could always use prayer for that as well. Our days consist of throwing a vbs in the morning for the children. We have a siesta in the middle of the day, which is a culture thing, shops, market and everyone basically shut down for 3 hours in the afternoon. Then, we go back in the evenings to do evangelism, home visits, prayer walks, and community development as well as some construction and things. On Saturdays we will be throwing a sports camp.
Also they have asked us to as god for a specific child or two. They want us to really invest in that one or those two children. This is a full time ministry that goes on year round, every day so we are here to just bring more and more life and more teaching and more joy and hope etc. Investing in one or two children each for the month will make a more meaningful long term impact. We have to really focus on the way we act, the way we respond etc. Gentleness and patience and love are what I am focusing on. Most people here in Dominican will say they believe in God but dont know what the fruit of knowing God looks like. People keep a close eye on us “christians” so it is a great opportunity to let the Spirit flow and let his light shine.
This morning I think I met the child I was sent here for. We went on a prayer walk the first day. I asked God to bring me someone to really share his love with. I knew I would know when I met him. This morning as I was ushering in god’s presence to our vbs location I was hanging with some haitian refugee children and all of a sudden I saw him. He is 2. He was all alone. I could tell he didnt feel good. He was curious, attracted to what was going on but not sure how to participate. God told me to go. I walked over, sat down and within minutes… we were in love. His name is “Raton” or litte rat… thats his nickname anyway. noone seemed to know his real name haha…
and not little rat because he gross… but just because he is cute and like a little mouse. Ill get pictures later, we dont have cameras the first week… Pray that this opportunity to pour into him continues.
That is the basics. We have wednesdays and sundays off to rest and recover and grocery shop etc. I am able to respond to emails in 3 days or less this month so write me!
Your support has been so great. Sorry it took me a while to post this. more to come!
Rach
