Homesick

True confession:  I sometimes still look at Target’s weekly ad online.  I look at the clothes and shoes and DVDs on sale, and think about what I’d like to buy.  Even worse, I sometimes go onto Entertainment Weekly’s website to see which new movies and TV shows are coming out.  Yeah, I know, it’s silly and more than a little embarrassing! 

Why do I do this?  I don’t know.  Maybe it’s to read something without having to grab my Spanish-English dictionary.  Maybe it’s to think back on that life when I felt confident and comfortable and understood the rules. And, as goofy as this is probably going to sound, I think I may do it because I’m longing for a sense of the familiar, a sense of home.    

When I was a freshman in college, my family moved from Calgary to Long Island.  I left home and got on a train headed east towards Grand Rapids and Calvin College.  My family moved to East Islip, NY, partway through that first semester. 

When I went home for Christmas, I went to a place I’d never been before.  I walked into a house I didn’t know, and put my suitcase on the bed in 'my' room.  My mom had put my familiar bedspread on it, with all my stuffed animals.  I can still remember that first night.  Familiar furniture and things, my family there, and yet, I felt so very alone.

Long Island never did become home.  Not because there weren’t lovely people there.  Not because there weren’t lots of things about Long Island to love.  No, it didn’t become home because I pretty much only spent a couple of weeks there a year.  Not enough to really get to know a place. 

I “visited” Long Island.  Even the summer I lived there between my freshman and sophomore years of college was simply an extended visit. 

My time here in Antigua has been an extended visit.  I arrived knowing it was short-term.  As I’ve shared, I’ve been so blessed to have found a home and a sense of community here.  But, as rich and amazing as this summer has been (and continues to be!) I’ve known from Day One that it was temporary. 

Now, I’m looking at three more weeks before I leave.  Like my freshman year of college, I’ll be heading home to a place I’ve not really been before.  Yes, I’ve been on two short-term trips to the D.R., but this is way, way different!  For some reason, it is finally dawning on me that I’m really, truly not going back to Harrisonburg.  My head knows this, but my heart is way behind in grasping it!

I’m a lot older than I was when I was a freshman in college, and I’ve moved a lot of times since then, so in some ways it’s easier to settle in and accept new surroundings.  But, that eighteen year old who had trouble feeling at home is still part of me. 

It took me a while to really feel at home in Harrisonburg.  But once I did, oh, it was glorious!  I remember driving home down I-81 from Washington D.C. after flying back from a trip somewhere.  Looking out and up at the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Getting off at Exit 247-A, and heading up crazy East Market Street… Turning the key in 623 Stonewall Drive, breathing in, knowing I was home.

I don’t want to just visit the Dominican Republic.  I want the apartment I’m going to step into for the first time to become a place of joy and peace.  I want the D.R. to be where I feel a sense of belonging.  Where I have people who love me, and people I love.  I want to get to a point where, after I’ve gone on a trip, I get a little thrill as I start seeing the familiar things.  Where I breathe in… and I’m home. 

I know this is not going to happen overnight.  Maybe that’s why I’m apprehensive about it.  I know how amazing it feels to be home - and, I know how lonely it feels to be out of place.  But, I am reminded of how many others throughout our world are displaced each day.  Unlike so, so many, I have a place to go to, and people in the D.R. who already know and love me. 

I have the assurance that no matter what happens, I am never alone because the One who has been leading me, leads me still.  He has called me to this home that is not yet home.  He has promised never to leave me alone, and to continue to draw me to Himself until I am truly and completely Home forever.  Until then, I pray I continue to breathe deeply of His love and grace. 

And, I'll probably still check out the Target ad on occasion!  After all, I am going to need bedsheets and a few other things! :O)  

Forty-Four

“Do you want us to take you out tonight?  You shouldn’t be alone on your birthday.”  One of my sweet new friends at school said this to me today.  I was able to assure her that I am not alone.  In fact, I continue to be overwhelmed by the community God has provided here! 

Along with Dona Cristi, Juanita and Maria at home, I have my wonderful teacher, Sonia (whose birthday is tomorrow!), other friends and familiar faces at school, the friends who I’ve met through SI here…

In fact, right now I’m sitting at the SI office next to Nivia, who just received and email from a family wanting to sponsor FOUR of the kids of El Gorrian!  Oh, yeah, God is great!! 

Two birthday gals - my & mi maestra, Sonia.

I brought Sonia a small gift for her birthday, and she gave me some yummy chocolate cookies from her favorite Panaderia.  I got hugs and well wishes from the teachers and Arturo, the Director. 

I shared with Sonia the passage I read last night in Ephesians 4, where Paul talks about the fact that there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all (vs 5&6).  I told her it made me think of how she was from Guatemala and spoke Spanish, I was from the U.S. and spoke English (si, poco-a-poco, espanol, tambien!!) and yet, because we serve the same Savior, we are part of the same one body of Christ.  How awesome is our God?!

Today I turn forty-four.  I think back to where I was at 43.  Physically I was in a completely different location, of course, but so much else was different, too.  At that time, I was still thinking about the D.R., but it didn’t seem like it could be real.  I was still not sure about so many things! 

sisters in Christ!

I look back and think of how much has changed in the past 365 days.  And, the crazy thing is, the changes of the past year are nothing compared with what’s coming up!  But you know what, in the midst of everything changing, a couple of things are still the same.  Sadly, some of them are things about me that continue to need God’s (daily!) strength and mercy to overcome.  That's not going to stop, is it?

Others are an assurance and blessing and benediction – the way God has continued to meet me at each step of my journey to date.  The rich friendships I have been given in Him.  Yes, I am very far away from my family, my friends, my ‘Madre del Corazon’ (mother of my heart), my ‘Holiday Family’, my sisters and brothers in Christ back in the US and Canada, but they are still a part of my prayers and a part of who I have become to this point. 

How will I look back on the coming 365 days?  I have no earthly idea!  But, no matter what the coming year brings, I pray that at the end, I will have had more days in which I lived all-out for Jesus.  That each year will increase in me a desire to give up more and more of my small, safe life, for the large plan and purpose of our Father.  

You shouldn’t be alone on your birthday.  My friend was so right – and I most decidedly am not!!  Thanks to each of you who read this for your part in my journey, too.  Some of you I know, others I’ve never met.  But, I pray that, like Sonia, you, too, are a part of this crazy, big, diverse Body of Christ.  May He increase in each of us a desire to live together for Him!!

P.S. One other fun thing:  my new school friend and her roommate are both from Lynchburg, VA!  That’s around 90 minutes from Harrisonburg.  They are Christ-followers, too, and plan to come along to church with me Sunday and then to hear the director of our school and his family sing at La Catedral Sunday evening.  Dios ha proveido otra vez! (God has provided once more!)

One Month

One month.  That’s all I have left in Antigua.  One month.  I bought a plane ticket last week, and (Primero Dios) will be flying to Santiago in the D.R. very early on Thursday, September 22. 

I had two options:  (a) fly Copa Airlines by way of Panama City, or (b) fly an American airline (like American – tee hee) by way of LaGuardia (as in, New York City).  The former would get me to the DR mid-afternoon of the same day.  The latter would mean traveling for more than 24 hours.  Oh, and cost $200 more – American dollars, not quetzals!  I checked with friends (yay, Facebook!) and was told that Copa is a good airline.  So, Copa it is! 

I told someone that I’m beginning to accept that fact that I’m not going to leave next month knowing all I need to know to survive – and thrive! – in Jarabacoa.  There is simply too much to learn.  But, I feel good about the strong foundation I’m gaining here. 

Yesterday Sonia, my teacher, started me on the Gerund tense.  That’s tense number six.  Not sure how many more I’ve got!  She told me we need to work a little harder because my time here is so short.

One of my favorite things to do with Sonia is to read in my NVI Spanish Bible.  It’s the equivalent of the NIV and it is fun to share favorite verses and our thoughts about them.  On Sunday morning before church I spent some time reading Ephesians (Efesios).  It was slow-going (in one hour I was only able to read 3 chapters), but in some ways it was like reading something I’d never read before. 

Once again, it made me grateful for the gift of the Bible.  I have friends working for Wycliffe, translating it into the heart language of unreached people groups.  I think of how my heart burns in me when I read a familiar passage and it’s as if I’ve never read it before. 

The Word of God is alive and truly does pierce my soul at times!  What a gift!  How often do I take for granted the fact that I can open it up and read it (now in two languages!) without any concern for my safety?

Oh, Father, forgive me for taking your living, Spirit-inspired Word for granted.  Forgive me for the lazy, sloppy ways I sometimes approach reading Your Word. Thank you for revealing Yourself in it.  Pierce my soul once more.  Daily. 

Today I lift up my sister and brother serving You so others may discover the power and life in Your Word.  May they feel Your presence as they struggle and strive for the sake of the Gospel.  I lift up those in hidden churches around the world thirsting for just one Gospel in their heart language.  Move those of us in the free world to be faithful in intercession for them.

I hope that you who are reading this have access to a Bible.  I invite you to join me in praising God for this gift.  If you do not, I pray that in His time, in His powerful, mysterious way, God will make His Word available to you. 

If you have one, but choose not to read it, I pray that today will be the day you pick it up, open it to a Gospel like John, and drink deeply.  Ask God to meet you in its pages.  But mean it!  Because He will, and your life may never be the same again!!

Blessed... Further Thoughts

Things are going really well.  I mean, really well.  And… I don’t quite know how to handle it!

I’ve written before about my tendency to be uncomfortable when things are going too smoothly.  I don’t like that about myself, and I continue to struggle to surrender my negative thoughts to God, but I have to admit, it’s a little freaky right now.  Allow me to elaborate!

When people asked me where I was going to live when I got to the D.R., I would tell them the truth – I have no idea.  Will you live with a family?  I don’t know.  Will you have a roommate?  I don’t know.  Will you live close to the SI base?  I don’t know. 

What are you going to do about a car?  I don’t know.  You can’t take your Corolla?  No, it would be too expensive.  But you need a car?  Yes, El Callejon is too far (and not really safe) to walk.  So, what will you drive?  I don’t know. 

I’m sure at times I sounded rather flippant, but it was mostly just to keep myself from needing to sit down and breathe into a paper bag!  It was bad enough to realize that I was ‘homeless’, but to not be able to do anything to address the situation was even worse.  Having no control was decidedly uncomfortable! 

I have several amazing prayer warriors who are lifting me up.  They have been praying since the earliest days of this journey.  In the U.S., Canada, in the D.R., people have blessed me by their tireless intercession.  And two of the things they’ve been lifting up are my housing and vehicle needs. 

my home-to-be in Jarabacoa!

Well… their prayers have been answered!  A lovely little studio apartment kind of ‘fell into the lap’ of one of the SI leadership team.  It is fully furnished (including dishes!), in the upstairs of my landlady, in a good neighborhood, with a locked gate.  The rent is very reasonable - the same as I'd budgeted to share with someone else!  I’ll be able to live alone, but still have to security of someone else in the home.   

my 'new' used Tracker!

As far as the vehicle, they have a 2000 Chevy Tracker that I was able to buy for less than I had budgeted.  It’s a bit hilarious that becoming a missionary has meant getting a newer model vehicle!  (My Corolla was a 1997.) 

All of this is incredible.  With me unable to do a single thing to help myself, God has provided in really big ways.  I should be turning cartwheels, right?  Instead, this is making me uptight again.  Sigh!

So, this morning I was praying, asking God to help me surrender this odd feeling of panic growing in me because of how well everything is going.  The Holy Spirit helped me ponder how wonderful that those who have been praying have had their prayers answered in such powerful ways. 

I suddenly realized that God’s blessings to me have been a real blessing to others.  It was a new way to think about God’s words to Abraham in Genesis 12.  Yes, we are to be a blessing in the things we do for others.  We are to take our blessings and share them generously. 

But… and this is so important for me to remember! – so often our blessings are not the things we do, but the things we are given by God.  I don’t know if I’m explaining this well.  Abraham was a blessing, not because of all HE did, but because of all God did through him.  He wasn’t alive when the biggest blessing of all, Jesus, was given. 

It wasn’t all about what Abraham could do.  And, it’s not all about what I can do.  I keep thinking of the ways I am going to bless others.  The truth is, God doesn’t NEED me to be a blessing.      

I have been blessed with a place to live and a vehicle.  I did absolutely, 100% nothing for this blessing.  I didn’t make phone calls, appointments, inquiries.  I didn’t even ask for help.  The leadership in the D.R. (and lots and lots of others!) prayed on my behalf and God provided.  It’s so awesome!  What an encouragement to all of them to see God working in such tangible, powerful ways!

I am blessed, and it is a blessing to others.  Again, please don’t hear me saying that we are not to go and do and share and work and strive!  But, instead of simply spending my time thinking about all the ways I am going to be a blessing through my life, today I was reminded (again!) that God doesn’t need my help in pouring out His blessings.  Sometimes, my part is simply to receive.

I know that when God answers prayers in the lives of others, particularly when I have been praying for their situation, it encourages and strengthens my faith.   So, I’m sharing how God has blessed me, not because I deserved it (we all know none of us deserve His great gifts!!) but in the hope that it will be an encouragement to you. 

That it will renew in you (and me!) a passion to intercede for others, because God truly does hear and respond!  That we will continue to spur each other on to do and give and share out of the abundant blessings we have been freely given by our Father.  Blessed to be a blessing.  What an amazing God we serve!!

El Cielo y La Piña

My homework assignment yesterday was to write something using Past, Present and Future tenses.  I decided to share something that I've thought about in English. 

Basically, for me, Earth is like pineapple in the U.S. and Heaven is like pineapple in the Dominican Republic.  The pineapple I ate in the U.S. seemed really good until I tasted pineapple in the D.R.  It made me think about how we think things here in the world are pretty good, but compared to what they'll be like in Heaven, they are like the kind of acidic pale tasting pineapple of my youth. 

Since we are made for Heaven (Philippians 3:20) nothing here quite tastes right because our citizenship is in Heaven.  So, when I think about Heaven, I think about pineapple.

It was challenging to try and find the words I knew to say what I wanted to say.  I wanted to see if I could do it without using 'Google translate'!  I didn't quite get the Preterit and Imperfect tenses right, but I felt good about the fact that my teacher understood what I was trying to share.  In case you are interested, below is what I wrote (corrected!) 

And... I invite you to come and taste the pineapple of the D.R. with me and see what I mean!  I bought my plane ticket yesterday.  Primero Dios (the Lord willing) I'll fly over on September 22!! 

El Cielo y La Piña

Cuándo yo pienso sobre el cielo yo siempre recuerdo la piña.  Usted pensará yo estoy loco, no?  Yo voy a explicar!

Cuándo yo era una niña, mi mamá hacía gelatina con piña de una lata.  Yo pensaba que era delicioso.  Yo no sabía que piña de una lata no es buena porqué yo no comía una piña fresca.  Aún cuándo yo tenia más años, la piña que yo comía no era buena porqué la piña no la cultivan los estados unidos.

Dos años después, yo fui a la Republica Dominicana.  Yo comía piña, pero no como la piña que yo comí antes.  Esta piña era la mejor piña que yo comía en toda mi vida.  Yo me dí cuenta que la otra piña era fingida la piña que cultivaba en la Republica Dominica.  Cuándo yo regresé a los estados unidos, yo sabía que la piña no era la misma.  

Hay cosas en el mundo que parecen buenas y hermosas, pero ellas son como la piña en los estados unidos.  Cuándo nosotros estaremos en el cielo, encontraremos que las cosas buenas aqui eran fingidas.

Nosotros “somos ciudadanos del cielo, de donde anhelamos recibir al Salvador, el Señor Jesucristo" (Filipenses 3:20).  Nosotros pensamos que este mundo es bueno ahora, pero en el cielo toda será buenísimo!  Un día, nosotros comeremos piña real porqué nosotros estaremos en nuestra casa verdadera.

Pues, cuando yo pienso sobre el cielo yo recuerdo la piña.

(Si la piña en la Republica Dominicana -y en Guatemala! - es tan delicioso, yo no puedo esperar comer la piña en el cielo!)

SI-Guate

I wanted to share a little more about my week helping with the SI-Guate Child Sponsorship site.  As I think I mentioned earlier, I worked with a wonderful young lady named Nivia.  I was in the SI office one day one in July, and we got to chatting.  Nivia’s dad is Fernando, the Director of SI-Guate.  Her parents met doing mission work, which is how my parents met, so we had an immediate connection. 

I was taken with her love for Jesus and passion for the children she helps match to sponsors.  When she mentioned having a lot of paperwork, I volunteered to help out.  It’s not always ‘glamorous’ work, but it’s something I’m good at.

I spent the better part of two days emailing pictures of the sponsored kids receiving birthday presents SI buys on behalf of the sponsors in the U.S. and Canada.  Nivia gave me the opportunity to revise the template she’d been using, and it was fun to put my writing skills to work.  Looking at the pictures of the kids was wonderful! 

Along with editing that template, Nivia asked me to edit some of the site’s other documents.  Since I love writing, and even like editing, it was great!  Nivia sends out a ‘regular mail’ mailing to each sponsor, so I volunteered to address the envelopes.  That way, when Nivia gets the information together (including a new picture, progress report, letter written by the child, etc.) they'll be ready to go. 

First up, I needed to buy envelopes.  I wrote the name in the little notebook I carry everywhere, and headed off.  I was a little surprised to find that the Supermercado did not have enough.  So, it was time to do a bit of exploring!  It took two more stores, but after the third attempt, I walked out with my box of envelopes.  I felt kind of proud that I had been able to do it… en espanol! 

In case you ever need to buy white business sized envelopes without windows, in Spanish, they are sobres oficina blanca sin ventanas.

It took a while because I tried to write as neatly as possible (if you've seen my handwriting, you know that's a major problem!), but I got all the envelopes addressed (including a 6-line return address).  It was actually 108!  What a joy to know that so many people are helping make a difference in the lives of children here! 

On Friday I translated a sponsor’s letter into Spanish (with help from an online translation site!).  Nivia checked it, and while there were some corrections needed, she said it was good.  That felt great! 

Sponsor Bonnie with her arm around Cindy
along with other members of the family

That afternoon I went along on a visit to one of the sponsored kids.  Her name is Cindy, and her sponsor has been here working with SI for the summer.  Bonnie and her husband Sal both work in schools in the U.S. and are great.  I met Bonnie one of my first weeks in Antigua, when I went on the tour with SI.  She is wonderful!

The visit went well, although Cindy was a little shy.  I think that after reading letters and seeing pictures, it was a bit overwhelming to actually have her sponsor right there in person!

heading down a very bumpy road
in a 'chicken bus'

To get to the El Gorrion site we had to take two ‘chicken buses’.  These are old school buses that have been painted wild colors and serve as public transportation to outlying locations, often on incredibly poor roads.  I’ll bet the Blue Bird manufacturers never pictured their buses on roads like this! 

All in all, it was a great week. Along with helping out, I was able to take some time to review and digest the 1 ½ notebooks of notes I’ve taken!  It also allowed me to connect with some of the amazing SI staff here.  I feel even more blessed to be a part of this great organization!  And, it made me even more eager to learn Spanish so I can get to El Callejon!

Quick Update

Hi, everyone!  I just wanted to let you know that Hannah did get discharged yesterday.  It took most of the day, but she did get back to us - and was able to eat!  No small victory!!

She has made the decision to go back to the U.S.  I think she felt overwhelmed and frightened, since she still is not sure what got her so terribly sick.  We don't think it was anything from our house, but she was planning to change houses after this week, and was worried about that.  She had planned to search for a job, but that isn't fun at the best of times, and when you've been knocked down by lots of sickness, it's even less appealing!

Her mom booked her a flight leaving tonight from Guatemala City.  I am sad that she's leaving, but thankful that she feels relieved to be going back.  I know that being home with her mom will help get her fully well. 

Even though we didn't get to spend much time together, I praise God for allowing our paths to intersect.  It was a good reminder of how important it is to try and see the world - and those I encounter! - with the eyes of Jesus.

Thanks for your prayers and concern.  One of the things I love most is how even though you don't know Hannah, you are still willing to lift her up!  What a powerful thing the Body of Christ is when we pour out our concerns for each other to our loving Father! 

The sun is out, so I'm off to read El Caballo y El Muchacho (The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis).

El Sabado - Parte Dos

My Saturday afternoon took an unexpected turn… My new housemate, Hannah, had been feeling under the weather.  In fact, for more than three days she had been unable to keep much of anything in, including water.  I hadn’t been around much, so hadn’t really seen how poorly she was doing.  On Saturday it was obvious she wasn’t going to get better without medical attention. 

Thankfully, Dona Cristi’s daughter, Ana Lucia, comes over every Saturday afternoon, and she took Hannah and me to Hermano Pedro Privado, the same private hospital where Dona Cristi stayed when she was so sick.  I have to say, it was very nice.  Very clean, and the staff was very attentive. 

The doctor told us that Hannah needed to be admitted because she likely had a bacterial infection, and possibly parasites.  Since she couldn’t keep anything in, they’d need to give her an IV for fluids and antibiotics once they determined exactly what she had. 

After six weeks of language school I was able to understand most of what the doctor said, but thankfully Hannah’s Spanish is really good, so she understood it all.  It was overwhelming for her, especially since she’s only 24 and her mom is way up in Chicago.  Like me, Hannah hates needles, so I held her hand and kept her distracted as they put in the IV. 

We got her settled in, and I headed back home to get her laptop and a few other things to bring back.  I included a picture of her family, since I knew she was really missing them!  Thankfully the hospital is only around a 25 minute walk as Ana Lucia couldn’t stay.  I was thankful that Hannah was staying in our house where we have such an attentive Ama de Casa in Dona Cristi.  I was also thankful that I was able to be there.

Unfortunately, the WiFi at the hospital didn’t work, so when I visited her yesterday morning, she still hadn’t been able to talk with her mom.  I went back home, grabbed my laptop, and headed to the SI office to send an email to her mom to let her know Hannah was okay but in the hospital.  I also sent on the phone number. 

I was so relieved when I got a response saying she’d been able to talk to Hannah on the phone!  I know the times I miss my mom most are when I’m really sick.  Just hearing her mom’s voice was a huge help!

Today is Monday, and after two days in the hospital, Hannah is being discharged.  She wound up with a ‘perfect storm’ of a serious infection and two parasites!  The good thing is, down here they know how to test for, and treat, parasites.  I feel good about the hospital and its care.  Of course, I hope I never have to do more than visit other people there! 

Even though my weekend didn’t turn out how I’d planned, I am thankful that I was able to be a part of this ‘mis-adventure’.  Being able to be a comfort and a ‘big sister’ to Hannah was a blessing.  Now, I’m praying she continues to get back her strength and soon will be eating more than plain bread and jello!

I hope that however your weekend turned out, you, too, were blessed as you were a blessing to others!  Hasta pronto!

El Sabado

Today is Saturday, the first full Saturday I’m all by myself.  I’ve been running errands, and thought I’d share some of the sights of my day.  First up was a trip to El Mercado to buy some fruit and veggies for tomorrow (the one day we don’t get meals at home). 

I have to admit to being a terrible barterer.  I’m pretty sure the vendors can tell that, and not just because I am clearly not Guatemalan!  Last time we went, I bought a big, delicious mango for only 5q - which was less than 70 cents.  I thought that was awesome for a mango out of season, but was assured later that I paid way too much. 

a small part of El Mercado

This time I checked with Juanita to find out what I should pay for a pineapple.  10q, she told me.  So, off I went, determined to not overpay!  The market is crazy, especially on Saturdays where all kinds of people come to sell and buy and visit.  I walked around looking at all the lovely produce, squeezing mangoes.  Sadly, all that’s available now are ‘duro’ which means hard, or unripe.  I wanted a suave (soft or ripe) one, but to no avail. 

Gorgeous fruit and vegetables... can't wait for tomorrow!!

I did find some lovely sweet smelling pineapples and paid only 6q for one!  I also bought a pound of tomatoes, an avocado, a lime and some cilantro for 8q.  Tomorrow I’ll make up some salsa fresca to go with my black beans.  All in all, a great shopping trip!  Yeah, I probably spent too much, but for less than $2.00, that’s a whole lot of gorgeous fresh stuff!!

view from my elliptical

After that it was off to the gym.  I tried to take a picture of the inside so you can see how part of it is open air.  It’s fun to see the mountains and Volcan Agua (although today it was covered by clouds.  Pretty sure we’ve got lluvia this afternoon!)  The roof is metal which means it gets pretty hot midday.  The ‘sauna’ effect is free of charge, of course, so that’s another bonus!

As I walked, I saw lots of cars and people and tuktuks.  It’s the weekend, which means Antigua is full of tourists.  Oh, yeah.  I don’t think I’ve talked about tuktuks yet!  These are the fastest, cheapest way to get around town if you don’t want to walk.  One or two average sized Americans would fit comfortably. 

Tuktuk

Since the drivers charge by the person, and since folks here are quite small, you often see three or four women, plus a kid or two, squashed inside.  I heard about one driver fitting eight, but I think that might have been an exaggeration!      

The clouds are getting darker, so I think a trip to the park is out.  Maybe a nap, and then reviewing some Spanish, as I'm back in class again next Monday. 

Tonight I plan to watch a cute movie I brought along called Danny Deckchair.  I'll watch with Spanish subtitles... does that count as homework?!  :O) 

Tomorrow is church and a day to rest and relax.  I love God's invitation to 'come away' with Him each week! 

I hope that whatever you’re doing today, it’s a very good day!  And… I hope tomorrow you are able to take time to Sabbath, and enjoy time being freshed and renewed in Jesus. 

Stepping Out (o quizas Over)

I’m sitting in the Students International office getting ready to send out emails to people in the U.S. who are sponsoring children in El Gorrian (one of the small communities with which SI is working).  I’m including one of my favorite quotes:

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove.  But, the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” -Forest E. Witcraft

I first heard it back when I served on the board of the Bertie County (N.C.) Partnership for Children.  This was a non-profit which helped children aged zero through five to be healthy and ready to start kindergarten.  Another name was Smart Start.  I served on two different boards and it gave me a love for helping out which has stayed with me.

This week I have ‘stepped out’ of language school to spend some time helping here.  I’m also giving my poor brain a bit of a break from learning new things!  Of course, I’m trying to use some of the Spanish I’ve learned, so it may be less ‘stepping out’ than ‘over’.

Last Friday night I went to the final SI Banquet of the summer.  As we do in the D.R., at the end of each two week outreach the students, leaders and staff gather together to celebrate.  To celebrate what God has done in and through the outreach, in and through the students and also the members of the communities in which they had served.

some of the Edmonton team

I had met some of the awesome staff here, as well as some of the members of a team from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  That was especially cool as I was born in Lethbridge, and also lived several years in Calgary, Alberta!  It’s so wonderful that SI is reaching students thousands of miles away.

in the center is Nivia, the awesome SI staff
I'm helping with Child Sponsorship this week.

Meeting new friends in Christ, hearing about God’s faithfulness in their lives made for a rich and lovely night.  Oh, and the food was as incredible as everything I’ve eaten here!  :O) 

On Saturday I was able to spend a couple of hours with dear friends in Christ from the D.R.  Nate and Maggie are moving to Nicaragua this fall, along with Lowell and Cheryl, to begin work on a Students International presence in that country. 

Nate and Maggie were here meeting with members of the Guate staff, to encourage and uplift them.  Each time I am with them, I feel as if I have been in the presence of Jesus.  They are such an inspiration to me!

Best get back to work!  I hope that each of you is having a terrific week.  I hope you find ways to reach out and make a difference in the life on one (or more!) of God’s children here on this broken earth.  And, of course, children of God come in all shapes, sizes, nationalities – and ages!  I also hope you will remember, even in the midst of some tense economic times, that our confidence – and our citizenship! – is in Heaven!!

Quinceanera de Rosa Mary

A couple of posts ago I mentioned that Juanita had invited me to attend her daughter’s 15^th birthday party.  Yesterday she told me that it was happening today.  I was really excited, because Haley and Myles were back for the weekend, so that meant they could come, too! 

The quinceanera was held in a pueblo called Santa Maria de Jesus, about halfway up Volcan  Agua.  To get there we had to take a microbus (15-passenger van) for 3.50q (less than 50 cents).  These microbuses don’t have signs on them, so you stand on the corner and as they drive by, you flag them down and ask where they’re going. 

Myles & Haley in the microbus. 
She and I were squatting on the floor,
whichseemed to amuse the other 20+ riders!

There were already more than 20 kids and adults on the one we caught, so three bigger Americans squishing in made them all laugh. 

Before heading up we had gone to the local Supermercado to buy a card and some nail polish in fun colors.  We also bought some nail polish remover, and I added some of the stickers I carry everywhere with me.  Dona Cristi sent along a prettily wrapped package for Rosa Mary, too. 

walking in Santa Maria de Jesus

Juanita was waiting for us when we got off in Santa Maria de Jesus along with her aunt and another woman.  I don’t think the pueblo gets too many visitors because we got lots of stares.  One sweet little girl almost tripped as she twisted around to get one more look at the three gringos! 

After a stop for a cake, we headed to the little compound where the father of the children lived with extended family, including her abuela on her dad's side.  His name is Jose, and he was very kind.  He and Juanita seem to get along okay.

Rosa Mary (l) and one of her friends.

The compound had around 10 little shacks, some made of cinderblock, others of bamboo.  There was one shack that served as the kitchen.  There were two pilas (concrete tubs and flats stones for washing clothes, dishes, etc.)  The floors we saw were all dirt.  There were also lots of chickens and ducks, a rooster, a dog and a horse.  The central area had plastic hung to help keep off rain, and it was decorated with balloons in honor of Rosa Mary’s quinceanera. 

Rosa Mary came out of one of the little shacks wearing a pretty dress and a pair of shoes borrowed from her mom.  She is a shy and pretty girl (a lot like her mama!).  Along with Rosa Mary, two other girls were also 15.  They were playful and silly with each other and it was fun to see the obvious affection they shared. 

(l-r) Walter, Juanita, Rosa Mary, Miriam and a cousin

Juanita has an older son, Walter, and an older daughter, Miriam, who is a mom herself.  I think she’s around 18, and baby Samuel is less than a year.  We guessed Walter at around 20.    

We sat down and were served pepian, rice and corn tortillas on styrofoam plates.  We also had a sweet white liquid to drink.  Pepian is a special dish made for important occasions.  It has a dark sauce with an almost smoky flavour to it.  It is made with up to three different meats (chicken, beef and pork) although most poorer families only use chicken.  Since this was a very special occasion, this pepian was made with beef!

Birthday girl with her dad and grandmother.

The food was delicious and it was fun to sit and try and chat with people.  We didn’t understand everything, but smiles are always universal!  One of the other girls was also named Kimberley.  Juanita called out, “Kimberley” from the kitchen, and I yelled back, “Si” which caused them all to laugh. 

After blowing out candles... before the face-plant!

After lunch we took pictures of the birthday girl and her family.  Then it was time for the cake.  Juanita counted out 15 candles and after lighting them, everyone sang.  Rosa Mary blew out the candles and then at the urging of her friends, leaned in to take a bite of the cake. 

As she did, her big sister pushed her face into it.  It reminded me of how some couples shove cake into each other’s faces at wedding receptions.  She took it well – and got revenge later by smearing the whipped cream frosting onto her friends and Miriam! 

The rain that had held off during the party started as we headed back to where we could catch another microbus home.  We were so glad it had stayed away for Rosa Mary’s quinceanera!

What a day!!

Juanita lives on the other side of Antigua, so she rode down with us and made sure we got off at the right street.  She was going home to get some sleep because she has to be back up and at it at 5am tomorrow.  “To get Kimberley’s breakfast”, she teased. 

This wasn’t something on any tourist brochure, or anything we’d have been able to experience staying in a fancy hotel.  Instead, it was being included in a part of the life of a family.  Sitting on a plastic chair eating yummy food with a plastic spoon, chatting with new friends in broken Spanish… wow, what a day!