This is Lucy
Well today is our last day and ive been trying to blog all week but it keeps messing up, so here's my last try. Friday evening Our group went to El Circulo and got into groups with translators and went around the neighborhood asking people for prayer needs and inviting them to church. I was paired with Lynsey. We went to a few houses and prayed for the health of people. We were on our way to certain house when Lynsey and I stopped at an older ladys house(her kids were in their midfiftys.lol). We asked her to go to church and then asked if we could come onto her porch(which was guarded by an iron gate) and she looked at us for a second and said yes. So she unbolted the door and let us in. She then started talking to us about how when her husband died in the 60's she started searching for God and prayed, but didnt acccept Him cause she never found the right time or exactly what she was looking for. Our translator shared his testimony and we shared Christ with her. Right after that she wanted to accept Christ into her life. Chills ran down my spine. We prayed with her and for her. As we were leaving she told us that she had never let other people in to talk about God before. But she let us in because we seemed different and she could tell. It was an amazing experience!!
Saturday we went to an orphanage for a little bit and it was so heartbreaking. The children clung to us like we were their life line. I think its good we didnt stay long because it would have been worse. That night we went to a "screamo/rock" concert that El Circulo was doing and it was EPIC!!! haha We all moshed and did "ska circles" together, it was amazing. At the end of everysong we were all SOAKING wet with sweat. ha Tessa is an awesome mosh..er.lol
Then Yesterday we did affirmations and shared what changed us on the trip. ill share mine: As we were in Cotui i watched Janiece,Nichole, and Lynsey with children hanging off them and surrounding them, and it gave me the picture of Jesus on kids bibles, where He is sitting, shining in the light that He is with the children just in awe of Him. Right then it hit me, it was like that song "i wanna be your hands, wanna be your feet, ill go where you send me." This trip was totally God sent and we are Gods hands and feet, we werent working for God, we were working WITH Him. It was awesome.
Last night we went to church and said our last goodbyes...i will miss everyone so much.
Trish is freaking out on me so ill go, see you guys this week!
-lucy-
Monday, June 30, 2008
Bombtastic
Hello,
This is Jake. I have never blogged before so this is an adventure. The trip is starting to rap up and I am happy to say that no one was hurt. Jeniece just came and was a jerk to me no joke I never liked her. It is really hard to sell sarcasm when typing. I do like her but she was just mean to me. I will forgive her later. I hope everyone is blessed with long life and I have to say that I am so proud of little Mary she has come so far, and is an amazing person. She is sitting right next to me.
Schafer out.
This is Jake. I have never blogged before so this is an adventure. The trip is starting to rap up and I am happy to say that no one was hurt. Jeniece just came and was a jerk to me no joke I never liked her. It is really hard to sell sarcasm when typing. I do like her but she was just mean to me. I will forgive her later. I hope everyone is blessed with long life and I have to say that I am so proud of little Mary she has come so far, and is an amazing person. She is sitting right next to me.
Schafer out.
June 29, 2008
Yello! It’s Carly here. I haven’t blogged yet, so this should be fun!!! Today our team slept in ‘til 10 a.m. Glorious! Then we spent the entire morning eating muffins and donuts, doing affirmations, and sharing what God has done in our lives. This was a very exciting, fun, and emotional time for our team. First, we shared what God showed us this week. Tessa said that she had expected some huge “God sightings” or miracles and forgot to look at the little things. That is totally how I’ve felt this whole trip. I had such high expectations for the trip and felt empty. Yet, today I realized God has shown me his love through so many people and in so many ways. I think God has shown the whole team His love the most through the sweet kids of Cotui. They come up and just want to spend time with you. They don’t care who you are or what you look like. They just love. I couldn’t walk down the street without 12 kids tickling me and grabbing onto me! Another thing that I was reminded of by Lucy was that we are the hands and feet of Christ. Not only are we loved on by the kids, but it is our job to embody Christ. We shouldn’t be there for us, or even for the kids, only for God.
Hola! It’s Cassi J. I don’t even know where to begin in talking about our trip. Our group is so much fun and it feels like we are at church camp again! It’s crazy how many amazing experiences I’ve had throughout this week. One incident really stuck out in my head and I would like to share that with you guys. It was Friday night and we went around the community of El Circulo in small groups. We would go to people’s houses and give them a goody bag that we made which consisted of a bible, a sermon tape, and candy and then invite them to church at El Circulo Sunday night. Sometimes that’s all we would do but other times, we would sit down and pray for the families. One of the most memorable and moving experiences of the trip came when Nicole, Ana (our translator) and I came up to this hair salon. Inside were about 10 women and so we talked to them to them and soon found out that most all of them were Christian. Before we were about to leave we asked them if there was anything we could pray for them about. One woman had a nephew in jail, one had a bad leg and knee, another had health problems and one of the ladies, Ramona, had cancer. So we all gathered in a circle, joined hands, and Nicole and I split up the requests and started praying aloud for these women. Ramona was one of the few I prayed for. After the prayers ended, I looked around to a room of women with tears falling down their faces. Ramona right away then asked if she could pray for us. In her prayer she said “Thank you God for these three beautiful angels.” Right then, I got choked up for the first time. My goal this trip was to make an impact on someone, someway, somehow. This was that moment. I totally felt like God had really used me for something. Just knowing that I had such an impact on someone who I had just met 10 minutes ago was so awesome. Anyways, I’m excited to get back home to everyone and tell them more about my experience. Mom, Dad, KK, Kymberli, and Caralee- I miss you guys so so much! I know you are just miserable without me, right? J KK-THE ROOM BETTER BE CLEANED when I get home!! Haha. Adios and see you Tuesday! XOXO <3
Hola! It’s Cassi J. I don’t even know where to begin in talking about our trip. Our group is so much fun and it feels like we are at church camp again! It’s crazy how many amazing experiences I’ve had throughout this week. One incident really stuck out in my head and I would like to share that with you guys. It was Friday night and we went around the community of El Circulo in small groups. We would go to people’s houses and give them a goody bag that we made which consisted of a bible, a sermon tape, and candy and then invite them to church at El Circulo Sunday night. Sometimes that’s all we would do but other times, we would sit down and pray for the families. One of the most memorable and moving experiences of the trip came when Nicole, Ana (our translator) and I came up to this hair salon. Inside were about 10 women and so we talked to them to them and soon found out that most all of them were Christian. Before we were about to leave we asked them if there was anything we could pray for them about. One woman had a nephew in jail, one had a bad leg and knee, another had health problems and one of the ladies, Ramona, had cancer. So we all gathered in a circle, joined hands, and Nicole and I split up the requests and started praying aloud for these women. Ramona was one of the few I prayed for. After the prayers ended, I looked around to a room of women with tears falling down their faces. Ramona right away then asked if she could pray for us. In her prayer she said “Thank you God for these three beautiful angels.” Right then, I got choked up for the first time. My goal this trip was to make an impact on someone, someway, somehow. This was that moment. I totally felt like God had really used me for something. Just knowing that I had such an impact on someone who I had just met 10 minutes ago was so awesome. Anyways, I’m excited to get back home to everyone and tell them more about my experience. Mom, Dad, KK, Kymberli, and Caralee- I miss you guys so so much! I know you are just miserable without me, right? J KK-THE ROOM BETTER BE CLEANED when I get home!! Haha. Adios and see you Tuesday! XOXO <3
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Hey Buckweat!
Its torrie! ok so this trip is officially awesome, i absolutly love it in the Domincian. God is doing some really cool things here. So we went to Cotui, i absolutly adored the little kids, they followed me absolutly everywhere! They were so stoked to just play and have fun for a little while! There was this one little girl who was about five years old who followed me absolutly everywhere i went, she kept on giving me flowers and temporary tattoos. it made my week just to see someone so happy just to spend time with. yesterday we went to an Orphanage. And of course, i wanted to adopt all the little kids and take them home with me! i feel the same about all the animals here, they have no Animal Shelter, so all the poor animals roam the streets endlessly, searching for food and water. Its really sad becase i have whitnessed alot of cruelty and abuse towards these animals, [and you know how much i love them]. Give Taffy and MiMi/Foxy Cleopatra a big hug and kiss for me. I miss them more then you can imagine. [Baby Voice:] I love you grama, see you in a couple days!
ps. i am searching for a small flute for willy! hahaha
now he can play his flute as i walk away!
ps. i am searching for a small flute for willy! hahaha
now he can play his flute as i walk away!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
June 28
Hey, It's Tessa again. I brought the computer up for some girls to write but they were all asleep. That explains the kind of day we had today. Exhausting yet very powerful!
We started the day by getting up early and heading out to Cotui again to see the completed construction. The roof was done but there was still a bit more to add to the wall surrounding the (soon-to-be) playground. The whole group helped round up as many children as possible and headed to a field to play. A baseball game was started while others played with the younger kids. This also gave us another chance to decide if we could sponsor a child in the community to be enrolled at the Christian school. Again, it was very hard to leave this community for a lot of us as we have all given part of ourselves to them.
We headed back to our house (with a quick stop through Burger King for lunch) to get ready for the orphanage. Jeff, Sam and Carly headed to El Circulo for band practice as they will be playing/singing for part of worship tomorrow night. The rest of us went to an orphanage close to our house. We helped the children make braclets and color bible protectors. Leaving the orphanage, you could feel somewhat of a somber mood on the bus. A lot of us just want to rescue these children from their situations and give them everything we have. But it breaks our hearts knowing we can't.
We were back to the house getting ready for the evening and off we were again. We headed to a local park in the historic area of Santo Domingo. El Circulo was hosting a concert and were inviting the locals to attend. Hard rock music is very popular right now so a lot of us got our fair share of moshing. Quite funny that it was only with our group. I think most of the spectators were enjoying watching us flail around. Sam and I gave our testimonies during the concert. It was amazing for both of us but especially for me as this was somewhat of a fear for me. From the moment I got up there, God allowed the words to flow freely. It truly moved me. When the concert was finished, we had been informed that this is also a local hang out for the homosexual community. We were challenged to go with a translator and to talk with different people. Some great stories came out of it and many were invited to tomorrow nights service at El Circulo. We made it home and dragged ourselves through showers and dinner, and now I'm the last one up typing away.
We are all excited to sleep in tomorrow and it will be a more relaxed day. We'll make sure to have some more people blog tomorrow. Good night and we'll talk soon!!
We started the day by getting up early and heading out to Cotui again to see the completed construction. The roof was done but there was still a bit more to add to the wall surrounding the (soon-to-be) playground. The whole group helped round up as many children as possible and headed to a field to play. A baseball game was started while others played with the younger kids. This also gave us another chance to decide if we could sponsor a child in the community to be enrolled at the Christian school. Again, it was very hard to leave this community for a lot of us as we have all given part of ourselves to them.
We headed back to our house (with a quick stop through Burger King for lunch) to get ready for the orphanage. Jeff, Sam and Carly headed to El Circulo for band practice as they will be playing/singing for part of worship tomorrow night. The rest of us went to an orphanage close to our house. We helped the children make braclets and color bible protectors. Leaving the orphanage, you could feel somewhat of a somber mood on the bus. A lot of us just want to rescue these children from their situations and give them everything we have. But it breaks our hearts knowing we can't.
We were back to the house getting ready for the evening and off we were again. We headed to a local park in the historic area of Santo Domingo. El Circulo was hosting a concert and were inviting the locals to attend. Hard rock music is very popular right now so a lot of us got our fair share of moshing. Quite funny that it was only with our group. I think most of the spectators were enjoying watching us flail around. Sam and I gave our testimonies during the concert. It was amazing for both of us but especially for me as this was somewhat of a fear for me. From the moment I got up there, God allowed the words to flow freely. It truly moved me. When the concert was finished, we had been informed that this is also a local hang out for the homosexual community. We were challenged to go with a translator and to talk with different people. Some great stories came out of it and many were invited to tomorrow nights service at El Circulo. We made it home and dragged ourselves through showers and dinner, and now I'm the last one up typing away.
We are all excited to sleep in tomorrow and it will be a more relaxed day. We'll make sure to have some more people blog tomorrow. Good night and we'll talk soon!!
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Leprosy Center
Well hey there Big Mary here (...I'll explain later). Oh how this trip has opened the eyes of my heart. It truly has. We went to Cotui a couple days ago and i witnessed poverty at it's peak, yet..everyone is so appreciative for everything they receive. We did so much and the construction was intense to say the least. We knew it needed to be finished as quickly as possible because it benefited the education and future of the Cotui children. Mom, i want to adopt these kids. Picture an African-esk village with smiling faces and a tropical terrain. Check out Romans 1:20, my verse for the trip I'd say..Today we went to a Leprosy Colony, the only one in this country. I have to admit i was a bit taken back upon our arrival. I had no idea what to expect. Once we did our meet and greet i felt instantly comfortable and communicated to the best of my abilities with them. These people were abandoned, they were shunned, and most do not have families. My heart felt so heavy today and the little elderly guys called me their granddaughter and this made me weep. They are people just like everyone else, people who need affection, people who should be able to live where they want without feeling a social barrier. The stories i recorded i can not wait to share with you. Every situation has made me stronger, in faith, and mentally. My team is my family. I'm truly blessed to be living this life. Cant wait to see you all again. p.s. mom: you failed to pack the camera charger, it died the second day, along with my cd player :[... JALA, your cd's were awesome the 1st 2 days, thank you again. i cant find that moon here.. oh and another p.s. i am glad i did not bring my cellphone, it has been a breath of fresh air to say the least
Ciao,
Mary Crabill
Ciao,
Mary Crabill
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Back in Santo Domingo
Hey everyone!! its June 26 and everyone is doing pretty good!
Kaylee fell and hurt her ankle but is still truckin :) keep her in your prayers!
Hola! Es Lucy. ha my mind is in espanol when i should be speaking english.
Today was really chill, which was nice after a long 3 days in cotui.
Today we first went to Margara and visited a few people that were seen by a ROCKHARBOR group last year. The kids were so sweet!! A few wanted to play "slaps" and some other hand games. I made shapes and stuff with a little boy with rubberbands and our fingers, these kids are smart, and a few spoke pretty good english too!! After Margara we went to a hospital and did a few skits and songs with the kids, and prayed with all the parents and guardians that asked for prayer.
Quick amusing story: There was an elderly lady who was talking to Tessa and I and we kept trying to tell her "no hablas espanol" but she just kept talking! so we got one of our translaters to help us and she ended up talking about her nephew with pnemonia(spelling?) and how she read to him from a track everyday. She also told us the story of Noah's Ark...this story gets better..i promise.lol The translater we had needed to do something else so we got another one, miguel, and he was telling us more Noah's Ark and about random things, we were trying to leave for the bus and she wouldnt give any of us time to talk so miguel said, "Adios, God bless you!" she kissed us and said goodbye..then came back and talked more, knowing we didnt have a translator and didnt speak spanish. She left again and Miguel stopped her and wanted to pick on me so he said, "come talk to my friend, lucy!" so she talked up a storm about how she is learning to play the guitar and copies hymns from books and learns them. everyone was trying to leave and she started singing!!! it was so funny but very cute!
its so sad to see how desperate people are to talk, and how lonely they are. She didnt know us yet was so open and wanting someone,anyone to listen...but hey, thats why we are here, isnt it?
On the way home, i taught a guy from El Circulo some english, he is doing so good, its really funny to hear him say "mi name is erickson,how are you? i am goob" or "goobda" he is trying :)
After that we came home and chilled and decided to hit up the Dominican mall!
So we ate some chinese food(or in my case, a chocolate muffin..dont say it, mom, ive been doing good) and got all dressed up in tourist clothes and went to the mall to get Bon(amazing DR ice cream)
Now i am sitting on my bunk about to pass out, so goodbye until tomorrow.
thanks again for everyones prayers, God is good!!
I love you mommy, daddy, Ginka, Grandpa and especially Lilly(fart nugget)!!
In His name, Lucy Lima Bean(we also played a name game with food as the catagory.! lol)
Everyone is asleep now, i took too long, so this is it.
much love to all the family and friends! You are missed!!
Kaylee fell and hurt her ankle but is still truckin :) keep her in your prayers!
Hola! Es Lucy. ha my mind is in espanol when i should be speaking english.
Today was really chill, which was nice after a long 3 days in cotui.
Today we first went to Margara and visited a few people that were seen by a ROCKHARBOR group last year. The kids were so sweet!! A few wanted to play "slaps" and some other hand games. I made shapes and stuff with a little boy with rubberbands and our fingers, these kids are smart, and a few spoke pretty good english too!! After Margara we went to a hospital and did a few skits and songs with the kids, and prayed with all the parents and guardians that asked for prayer.
Quick amusing story: There was an elderly lady who was talking to Tessa and I and we kept trying to tell her "no hablas espanol" but she just kept talking! so we got one of our translaters to help us and she ended up talking about her nephew with pnemonia(spelling?) and how she read to him from a track everyday. She also told us the story of Noah's Ark...this story gets better..i promise.lol The translater we had needed to do something else so we got another one, miguel, and he was telling us more Noah's Ark and about random things, we were trying to leave for the bus and she wouldnt give any of us time to talk so miguel said, "Adios, God bless you!" she kissed us and said goodbye..then came back and talked more, knowing we didnt have a translator and didnt speak spanish. She left again and Miguel stopped her and wanted to pick on me so he said, "come talk to my friend, lucy!" so she talked up a storm about how she is learning to play the guitar and copies hymns from books and learns them. everyone was trying to leave and she started singing!!! it was so funny but very cute!
its so sad to see how desperate people are to talk, and how lonely they are. She didnt know us yet was so open and wanting someone,anyone to listen...but hey, thats why we are here, isnt it?
On the way home, i taught a guy from El Circulo some english, he is doing so good, its really funny to hear him say "mi name is erickson,how are you? i am goob" or "goobda" he is trying :)
After that we came home and chilled and decided to hit up the Dominican mall!
So we ate some chinese food(or in my case, a chocolate muffin..dont say it, mom, ive been doing good) and got all dressed up in tourist clothes and went to the mall to get Bon(amazing DR ice cream)
Now i am sitting on my bunk about to pass out, so goodbye until tomorrow.
thanks again for everyones prayers, God is good!!
I love you mommy, daddy, Ginka, Grandpa and especially Lilly(fart nugget)!!
In His name, Lucy Lima Bean(we also played a name game with food as the catagory.! lol)
Everyone is asleep now, i took too long, so this is it.
much love to all the family and friends! You are missed!!
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