Top 12 Things I'll miss this Christmas

As I sit listening to Christmas music, my heart is filled with mixed emotions.   Christmas day is coming close and for the first time in 26 years, I won’t be spending this one with my family.  I’ve been doing a lot of traveling over the past 6 months and I just felt like I wanted to take a break and stay “home” this year.  The DR has become my new home and I am truly excited to spend time with my girls and my Dominican community here.   I’ll leave details of my Dominican Christmas for a later post because today's blog is tribute to my AMERICAN family. So, with no further ado, the top 12 things I will miss this Christmas of 2012.

1.     Opening stockings with my siblings (getting the my yearly dosage of socks and underwear)

2.     Eating a great big Christmas day breakfast (which is always topped off with candy that we got in our stockings)

3.     Listening to dad read the Christmas story in the living room

4.     Watching tv with my sister for hours while mom, dad and Josh golf (because mom isn’t a fan of us watching tv all day).  So the second they leave, Heather and I become couch potatoes. 

5.     We normally spend Christmas in the pan-handle of Florida in a condo. Normally weather is in the 60’s- lower 70s. Every day, dad tries to convince us it is hot outside.  So, in efforts to catch some rays, Heather and I always try to lay-out.  Our efforts normally end with us getting wrapped up in our towel because it’s too cold to actually lay-out. But at least our faces get some vitamin D.

6.     Seeing family.  Most years we see our Florida Gator family.  This pic is from one year that even the Wyoming Gates family came down to Florida to join us.

7.     Acting like I don’t really like playing games (but I really do) so that my mom feels extra special when I do decide to play. I really do love playing games with my mom and siblings (ticket-to-ride and a monopoly card game  have been recent favorites)

8.     Any day that I beat Josh in a game J

9.     Sharing a room with my favorite sister

10. Playing “up the river, down the river” with the whole family. Especially if the Woodard family is there, our family has such a great time!

11. Going to the movie theatre and eating LOTS of popcorn

12. Just being with my family. I love you Dad, Mom, Heather and Josh!  I miss you guys already! 

Spicy Christmas in the DR

“Coach, can you put one of those songs on that we sang at your church?”  Stephanie asked.  Even though the trip to the states was four months ago, there are still many things that have stayed with our girls (in addition to belting the songs they learned at church).   Since they were stretched out of their comfort zone, their self-confidence has grown, making them better leaders here.  Before the trip, two girls consistently went to church. Now, eight of them have been attending regularly.  In addition, on Friday mornings at 6:30 am, we do a breakfast prayer meeting and 10 of them have been coming. Last week at bible study, Esther, in tears, asked if I would be willing to go with her when she breaks the news to her devout catholic parents that she wants to become a Christian. These may seem like little things, but they have been big steps for these girls. 

We just had our Christmas party with our varsity and JV teams.  Check out one of our competitions.  Kinda the same idea with marshmallows in the game "Chubby Bunny", yet we did it with Jalepenos. Hehe. 

Each team had to dress up for their dance competition.  Check out the varsity team! 

Some of our JV girls before their dance! 

The "Nana" after the cake eating competition! 

Overall, a super fun day with the girls.  For the first time in 3 years, I'll be spending Christmas here this year.  I will definitely miss my family, but I really wanted to have a restful time where I wasn't traveling. Plus, I really want to see what a Dominican Christmas is like!

In other VC Revolution News... 

In February of 2013, another American woman will be joining me on staff, which I am super excited for! She played volleyball in college and has the same passion for working with young girls.  This will allow us to start even more teams and be able to disciple more girls at a more intimate level.  Four of our varsity girls will be graduating high school this year and will no longer be able to play with the varsity team.  We hope that some of them will continue to stayed involved in our VC Revolution volleyball program as coaches, but we want to push them out of the nest so that they can pursue a college education.  We’ve also been brainstorming ideas to figure out how these girls can financially support themselves to go to college.  Please pray for these girls that they will all be able continue to take the next step and go to college.

Burning Down the House

So I want to brag on my parents a bit and show the power of what can happen when wives submit to their husbands.  It has a great funny ending. Get ready.

So one day, my dad was watching some special on TV that homes should have their fire extinguishers visible and handy in case of fire.  First of all, I think all of kids were not even aware that we had one.  Being the responsible caring dad that my dad is, he asked my mom where ours was located.  She said in the closet by the kitchen.  Great, we have an extinguisher and its in a central location easily accessible.  Good enough?  Not for Big Ray.  He decided to put it in the kitchen on top of the shelf.  Super tacky.  Right when you walk in our front dour, your attention is immediately drawn to the big red  fire extinguisher.

Now, my mom is not a nagger by any means.  But this was so not attractive and even in my limited homemaking decorative skills, I would agree with her.  However, she decided it was not a fight worth picked at decided to let it go. (I think secretely hoping he would realize how tacky it was).  Well a week later, after a long record of 0 fires in our house... guess what happened?  This is my sister Heather and her friends. :)

And think... all because my mom kept her mouth shut and respected my dad! Way to go parents! P.S.  When someone's house is on fire, who thinks... lets film it!!! But hey, would not of had this good laugh if it wasn't for Kelly Baker.

Christmas... Journeys Beginnings and Ending

I was told today of a poem.  It is a epic poem that tells the story of Christmas.   As I say the word Christmas, I get excited to jam out to Christmas music, but it is much to early to talk of Christmas music (at least according to some of my roommates).   Today, I am actually going to talk about a part of this poem and how it applies to my life now.  In addition, it also applies to all of our lives and the beginning and ending of chapters, as well as our inability to go on to the next chapter. 

In this poem, the author describes the lives of the shepherds.  They are men who care for their sheep, an overall mindless task and gaze at the stars.  There is very little purpose or meaning beyond looking at the stars, but more out of a way to pass the time.  They acknowledge that the stars are there and that they are good, but very little thought is put into the meaning of the stars. 

The wise men on the other hand, devote their lives to studying the stars.  They try to predict the future through the stars and have developed their own philosophies based on the stars.

One day, the shepherds are called out of their mundane task of being “lil bo-peep”  and see a starry host of angels.  Really, can you imagine what that would be like?  As they follow the star to see the messiah, their journey begins. 

On that same day, the wise men know they have an important task of following this star.  They are not exactly sure of their steps, but they know there is great meaning to finding where this start leads.  When they follow this star and see the messiah, descover that they have found the a true meaning of life, and their journey ended.

Now, I am no poet, nor really a famous story teller like my good friend, Eric Miller.  However, I hope you were able to understand the story and have it impact you like it did me.  I find myself at the manger ending one journey and starting another.  I find that the past three and half years, I have served in the Dominican Republic with purpose.  I was clear of my call there and felt real direction in all that I have done there.  My vision was clear as I trained girls in volleyball, discipline and responsibility.  They were taught about Christ and how they can be leaders in their communities.  To “end” this chapter, it seemed that everything was mounting up to a final goal of our trip to the states.  English. Following the rules (so as to not get kicked off the team).  Practicing hard to beat the tough states teams.  Fundraising for the trip.  Using all my free time to organize and plan every single detail of the trip.  Everything seemed to be leading up to the trip. 

And then we came to the states.  Our team bonded together in an incredible way.  The girls grew in so many ways.  I have even seen fruit in this as many of them and am thankful that we had the opportunity to go on the trip.  However, I find that a new journey is beginning.  Now what God?  I find myself going back to the beginning and remembering why God has called me to the DR.  What are some new things that I need to focus on that I may have lost sight of in my intense efforts to plan for the trip. 

If you have made it this far in this long blog, I encourage you to examine where you are in your journey.  Have you just gotten complacent and now just look at the stars and say, “Oh, those are pretty”  ? Are are you like the wisemen and continue to examine things and search out the deeper meanings of things?  As a teacher, remember back to the beginning of your journey and remember that you entered teaching to to make an impact on kids lives, to inspire.  As a husband, remember why you love your wife and remember what it was like to win her heart.  As we reflect on our past journeys, we also have to continue start new journeys.  What kind of coach do I want to be a year from now?  How can I better love my husband better like I used to when I was his girlfriend? (I’m speaking for those married ladies, that is). My prayer is that we can all continue to remember our past and use them to actively begin new journeys that bring us closer to Jesus.  So yeah… Merry Christmas!!! Never to early to start celebrating right? 

Funniest Video YET!!! Olympics 2012!

Okay well, I am currently in recovery mode from a great trip, but I wanted to post our final video of our own olympics.  Probably the funniest one yet.

Watch it on youtube at the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT6CbLqIe0A&feature=youtu.be

Until I post another entry, I wanted to tell you some of the highlights and outcomes of the trip.
1. Great bonding of the team.  We really became a lot more united.
2.  A lot of girls really stepped up to share testimonies and be leaders.
3.  Shakira and Loreidy accepted Christ.
4.  We all learned a lot of how to love each other better.

Homestay Video

To see it bigger on youtube visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0J1PD6sBns&feature=youtu.be

This past week the girls had the opportunity to stay with 6 families from my home church.  It was a neat thing for the girls to get to know the family dynamics of families here.  One girl was asked by a waiter the other day, "so what have you been doing this week?"  She said, "Swim, eat. Swim, swim, eat eat." So yeah, they've done a lot of swimming and a lot of eating! In addition to these activities, we had a shopping day, tubing with some of the youth from my home church, and tonight they played against my alma mater, Rockford High School.   We have had a blast.  Enjoy the video of some of the highlights of this past week.

Site-seeing, Service and Salty Water!

Our time in the Windy City truly was a whirlwind.  After we got of the plane, we went and visited the Lincoln Park Zoo and other touristy type places in the city.  The girls were in awe of the bigness of the city.  However, after multiple days of getting up early, they were eager to get home and crash.  

Thursday consisted of serving at a homeless shelter during the day and then a play at night.  Friday we served at a kids outreach event for over 1000 inner city kids.  The girls did a great job helping in both activities.  It was a neat thing for them to see that poverty not only exists in the DR but also here in the US.  A pastor in Chicago named Tito helped facilitate our serving experiences in Chicago.  He was a man on fire for God and many of the girls were very much impacted by his teachings throughout the two days.  One highlight that left all of us speachless was when we were closing out our time in prayer Thursday night.  I shared with the group that my dad had just been taken into the hospital because he had been having internal bleeeding.  He offered to pray and in the middle of the prayer, he prayed for Carol (by name) and that God would help her through this.  Well, the crazy part of all this was that in all of my time (one day) with Chicago, I had never told Tito my mom's name! Folks, the Holy Spirit is real.  I'm not sure how one could explain that one without involving GOD!   GLORIA A DIOS!!! Tito was a light to all of us showing us what a man on fire with the Holy Spirit looks like.  He even came out to support the girls on Saturday when they played an EVP beach tournament.  Super fun time, but our time is Chicago left us physically drained, but very much spiritually filled.

Prayer Request: Please continue to be in prayer for my dad.  He has been having internal bleeding.  It has now stopped and just came home after being in the hospital for a week. Please also pray for my mom.  This has been really hard on both of them as they deal with this as well as feeling sad because they can't spend this time with my girls. It's been tough on all of us. However, I know God has had a plan in this and has allowed me to be here during this time to support my family in whatever way I can.
What have we been up to since Chicago?   The girls got to share in my home church on Sunday.  Sunday night, they played some ice-breaker games and then moved into their homestay homes.  We all went to Grand Haven beach and they got to experience agua dulce (translates to sweet water) instead of salt water! Today they spent the day with their host families.  I'll try to get maybe one or two more updates before we head back Monday. 

This week.... Thursday- Shopping and volleyball game against my high school. Friday- Buggy rides and dinner at Amish Restuarant Essenhaus. Saturday- Tubing with family for FFM  Sunday-Church at FFM, picnic, bowling with Bethel Pilot vball girls  Monday- FLY HOME!

Video to come! We've been trying to work on it... we are just so busy!!!

Success

The camp was a success if you’re judging by sore muscles, scratchy voices and a really smelly pile of laundry.   This past week, we have had the privilege of joining Northwestern and over 100 girls in their team camp and skills camp.  The girls were able to show what the DR is made of and compete against 9 other teams during the team camp.  Then the past couple days in skills camp, the girls have gotten their butts kicked as they practice 8 hours a day!  Besides playing some great volleyball, we have been so welcomed by the Northwestern coach and players.  Today, we received an incredible surprise from the team.  Coach Kyle made all the girls and coach special NW t-shirts that only the varsity team members have.  Not only that, but he had each girls’ name printed on the back shirt printed on the back.

Outside of volleyball, we’ve enjoyed watching the Olympics, pulled pork sandwiches from Subway have become their favorite American food, and they are still trying to conquer the skill of flushing toilet paper down the toilet.  Even though they’ve devoured over 15 bags of cereal, 4 big bags of apples, and 50 string cheese, they still crave rice and chicken more than anything.  Don’t worry, we’ve been feeding them more than just these items, they still miss mom’s arroz con pollo. 

Slight height difference? 

Must be all the cornflakes that Americans eat!

Anna and Leslie

Steph and Keysi in serve recieve

Today we flew into Chicago and did some site seeing.  Tomorrow they will serve at a homeless shelter in town! Stay tuned as we’ll keep you posted on their impressions of the big “windy city”!

Forgiveness

Here's a post from another leader of the trip: Courtney Barlow
(Courtney was my intern this past summer and when the other leader of the trip wasn't able to go, she was a perfect fit.  She knows volleyball and is a great addition to our trip)

"absorption is at the heart of forgiveness, it involves the ability to deal with pain in a way that it will not be passed on to anyone else. To forgive is to “swallow” evil and prevent it from going further." (Redemption)

Yesterday in church the pastor talked about forgiveness. how we as followers of Christ should turn our cheeks to the offences of others (Matthew 18:21-22) and how our capacity to forgive is proportionate to our reservoir of experiencing God. The girls are living in close courters and experiencing eachother in a new setting. It was not a coincidence that the Lord wanted them to learn more about forgiveness and what it requires to actively forgive those who offend us. We are continually reminded that God's love for us does not depend on our faulty obedience, but on His steadfast love. 

After church the Northwestern Volleyball Team invited us to a picnic at a local park. The girls invaded the play area and devoured an amazing selection of food. Thanks to Edwin (our Dominican friend) the girls piled their plates high with a craving from home. RICE. Not long after the food was gone, Edwin shared his testimony with the girls. An amazing story of God's provision and Edwin's faith and trust in his God is one that inspired many, especially the girls. I think his story was also a way for the girls to see that coming to the states for college is a possibility, and that no obstacle is too big for our God. 

so thankful for God's mighty hand. He is good.

Entering the playground! So excited!

Esther shows her moves!

Anna with the Edwin's daughter (left) and Coach Kyle's daughter (right). 

So cute!!! 

Lili and Esther

Dianny

Pictures of the last couple days of camp to come soon! We head to Chicago tomorrow.  We'll be doing some site seeing tomorrow.  Then Thursday-Saturday includes volleyball clinics at a hispanic church, music man play, volleyball game and a beach tournament! Don't miss it! 

Rants and Chants

The past three days at Northwestern College have been an absolute blast.  The team has just welcomed us in way that has made the girls feel right at home.   

Thursday: 

On Thursday they had a campus tour.  This was a really neat experience.  I feel like it opened up the girls eyes that college could be a realistic option for some of these girls.  I think the walls of poverty often leaves the girls thinking that college is not even a possibility.  That afternoon, a pool party was organized with a lot of the NW players.  The girls had a great time playing with the other players and it helped to release some of their nerves.

Friday & Saturday:

The girls had a really great team competing against many different teams over the course of Friday and Saturday.  They got to face a lot of tough competition and by the end of the day Saturday, they were back to being themselves.  Those girls love to talk trash, be funny and get super competitive… I’m just thankful the other teams don’t understand Spanish!

Low Lights So Far

·      Loreidy sprained her ankle the first day and won’t be able to participate in camp/games for at least a week. Pray for quick recovery.

·      Some girls have started to feel homesick

Highlights

·      Watching my girls do their crazy chants… and then watch the American girls watch them in bewilderment

·      My parents surprised us with a visit on Saturday.  They were at a family reunion out west and stopped by on their way home.  So they were able to see some games and join us for night activities.

·      The girls were able to spend some time with a guy named Edwin.  Edwin grew up in the DR and by God’s soverign power, allowed him to come study and graduate from Northwestern College.  He shared his story that inspired everyone to trust God’s power and that with a lot of hard work and determination, anything is possible.  It really shoed the girls that a college education is actually possible. 

·      Watching the Northwestern players and coaches pour out into my girls.  They have been very intentional in playing with the girls, joining in their crazy games and getting to know them.  I’m excited to watch those relationships develop even more as the girls will start a High Performance Skills  on Monday!

Thank you for all your prayers! For some reason, the only thing that works on the internet is my gmail, so if you want to get a hold of me, contact my email or call my phone.  We should have another video for ya after the volleyball camp by Wednesday or Thursday! 

Up, Up, and Away!

Adventure Part One: You Will NOT Be Traveling Today

Well, so far things started out a bit rough.  On Monday, I sent my assistant down to the airport to get all the forms and to confirm that all the documents we had were correct and ready. Affirmative.   However, this morning, when we approached our last checkpoint, we were asked for our parent permission slips. Again, affirmative.  Months ago, I had gotten legalized permission slips and had them ready.   Despite my “good” preparation, they did not have the correct certification.  So when I asked the woman, “Okay what do we need to do?”  She said, “well, your group is not traveling today.  Each of you need to get each parent to travel to Santiago and get the $75 permission slips and then come back and get on the evening fight. “ Not good.  Many parents live far away and it would have been nearly impossible to get them together again in Santiago.  The worst part of it all is that we most likely would have to pay some sort of fee to get new flights.  Trying to keep my cool (because I’m supposed to be the calm and collected adult right?),  we asked to speak with the manager (or whatever they are called), and finally we were given permission to pass if my director agreed to go to Santiago with the parents.  We also had to pay the $825 dollars to get the form signed.  I am thankful to be a part of an organization that is so supportive and I know will do any leg work that needs to be done DR side over the next couple days.  Thanks SI. 

So, after running to catch the plane, we sat down with a sigh of relief.  Luckily the stress didn’t take away from the excitement of the girls.

Adventure Part Two:  Marathon Exercise

Once we got off the plane in Miami, we had to print to make our next flight to DFW.  It was slightly nerve racking to split up with the girls because they had to go through a different set of customs.  I was super thankful to have Miriam.  She is a Dominican woman who is also a missionary with SI that also is serving as a chaperon on the trip.  Anyways, long story short, I am now sitting still wet with sweat because we ran here and got on just as they were closing the door.  I really hope I don’t have anything eventful to report on our last leg from DFW to OMA, Nebraska!

Adventure Part Three:  Yo Quiero Taco Bell

The coach from Northwestern College picked us up from the airport and then we got to enjoy a Walmart and then the classic Taco Bell for dinner!  Two of the girls were feeling sick afterwards… so maybe Taco Bell wasn’t the best idea for their first American meal! 

Here’s some highlights from the eyes of Keysi and Esther (for those of you who don’t speak Spanish, Google translate is the best! 

Lo que fue incomodo para nosotros es que estamos acostumbradas a compartir las comidas  y para mi se veía egoista comer delante de Americanos en el avion y no poder brindarles porque es nuestra comstumbre. Otra cosa extrana fue que la mayoria de las personas no hablablan, usaban sus computardoras y su cellular  u otro obejeto tecnologico.

Cuando llegamos a Miami notamos todas las  comunidades que podíamos ver del avión ocupaban un cuadro especifico y eran todos iguales, esto quiere decir que hay una buena organización.  También al  presentarse  el problema que Coach Jessica planteo  tuvimos que correr casi todos todo los pasillos del aeropuerto desviando personas y casi tumbando cosas, esto sucedió porque estábamos retrasadas.  Cuando llegamos a Dallas pudimos notar que el agua se puede tomar de la llave cosa que no hace el dominicano.

Here’s a video of some of our adventures the first day!

Squemish

The girls have been squeamish with excitement for the trip! The neat thing about this trip is that it has allowed me to disguise certain things as "preparation" for the trip.  For example, they have been taking English classes for the past year to help prepare them.  When really, English is a skill they will use for the rest of their lives.  Yesterday, all the varsity girls shared their testimonies to their American team.  It was a beautiful thing as we debriefed with the American girls afterward and they were impacted greatly by the stories of the girls.  We will be doing clinics for kids when we are in the states, so I hope my girls can continue to open their hearts and impact others.  Well, I gotta go.  Last day before the trip! We still have a team here so I gotta finish up with them and finish last minute details!!!

One other note... I do have a issue that I could use some help on.  Remember my visit from the amebas?  I'm having a hard time paying for my time in the hospital.   So. If you are able to donate to my account, that would be a huge relief for me! You can donate online at

https://www.stint.com/donate.php?id=s46594

Or if you want to just send a check to me, I can pay it off that way.  You can send a check to my house and I'll get it when we visit there.  My address is 7328 Ramsdell Rockford MI, 49341


Thanks so much! Hopefully we'll see ya soon!!!

In Bed or in Jail

After a perfectly clean 3 year record of never getting sick (yes… never), I had the unfortunate fate of being attacked by an army of amoebas last Monday after a visit to McDonalds in the capital. Funny how McDonalds would do that.  So what happens when one gets a visit from amoebas (and their eggs)?  Well, I’ll spare you with the details, but it involves trips to the bathroom every 10 minutes, thus dehydration because you can’t keep up with that and then a fever.  After day one of this, my body could not keep up and I had to be taken into the hospital.  I went kicking and screaming because I was not looking forward to staying in the hospitals here.  However, God used my dreaded visit to the hospital to teach me how loyal friends can be and how Dominicans really do care for their sick. 

Within 30 minutes of being taken to the hospital, 8 of my friends were at the hospital to check and see how I was doing.  My 3 roommates argued over who got to sleep with me.  Then the next day is when more of the fun began.  Starting at 7:30am, I was bombarded (or should I say blessed) by visitors.  During the entire day, I maybe had one hour that I was able to take a nap. One highlight of the day? The entire freshman team came screaming into my room after they won their game.  I was thankful too because the cook kept getting mad at me for not eating my cheesy potatoes and the girls helped me out.  At 9:30pm, my amazing intern Courtney and I settled down to watch some Castle thinking, SURELY no one would still come and visit.  False.  I still had 4 more visitors from my panas Moreno and Melvin as well as another one of my freshman girls and her dad at 10:30!

“En la cama o en la carcel se conoce a los amigos.” (In bed or in jail is when one gets to know his friends). One of my friends taught me this phrase after I had expressed how impacted I was by all this visit.  I think this is true about our lives.  When we are “sick” and weak, we can see what friends take the time to pursue us and help us get strong again.  Thanks amoebas for helping learn that lesson. I owe ya.  

Important Visa News:  Tomorrow at 4am, our team departs for the capital to apply for our visas.  Please PRAY that the team will be granted the visas so we can head to the states July 25!!!

We are all geared up for our trip! Thank you so much Jenn Oltoff and all others who help donate so the girls could have new bags, waterbottles, shorts, socks and t-shirts! 

Enjoy some pics of the past couple weeks. 

Courtney working with the hitters 

So, Funny Story: Bethel's basketball team came to the DR to do basketball clinics for the kids.  One stop of their trip was to come to Jarabacoa.  My job was to try to find a game for them.  After calling (and confirming multiple times) with a team from La Vega, I had high hopes that the game would be a success.  As I pulled up to the court to make sure everything was going as planned, my stomach dropped to see 10... women.  Somehow lost is translation, a womens basketball team came instead of a mens team.  However, since living in the DR makes one an expert at plan B... we quick called up our varsity team and we played a volleyball game against the guys!  So fun!

 pre-game chant

Great times. 

            

Quick Fix

This past month  has been one of the most intense months of my three years serving here in the DR.  One of the big lessons I have been learning is that the quick, American way of fixing things doesn’t always apply here. This has been a frustrating lesson to learn, but one that has taught me patience and made me trust in God more as things have not gone “my” way. Also further down, you can see some of the fun parts of this month including the parts of the visit of the Bethel Pilots and a planking video... Dominican Style!

Lesson #1:  Physical Abuse

Keysi is one of our varsity players. You may remember that Keysi shared her testimony in our states video about her biological dad abusing her mom when she was a baby.  What is not mentioned in the video is that since then, she has had a step dad who continues to do the same.  It came to a peak a couple weeks ago when her step dad beat her mom with a glass bottle, resulting in her mom having to get 25 stitches in her head and in her hands.  The more devastating result is watching Keysi try to deal with all this.  Within the 24 hours after the event, Keysi had two violent panic attacks in which me and 4 other friends had to hold Keysi down in order control her fighting limbs.  Keysi blames herself because she wasn’t there to protect her mom. She also blames God for letting this happen to her and her mom.

Quick Fix? 

Of course! Her mom went to follow a police report in La Vega (30 min away).  The police said they would come at 7 that night to arrest him.  Did they?  Nope.  Of course, everything in me wanted to go marching into the police station and get this guy arrested.  However, after talking with other Dominican staff, they all said that if we took that action on Keysi’s behalf, it would end up a lot worse for her in the end.  Even if we got him put in jail for a year or two, he would then come after Keysi.  Does the mom seem to care?  Nope. The other day, Keysi found a text on her mom’s phone addressed to the step dad saying, “Guess what?  Keysi is trying to get you put in jail.”  Real sensitive mom.

Another quick fix?

Yeah, get Keysi out of that home! However, Keysi loves her mom deeply and would never leave her mom alone.  She feels it is her responsibility to protect her mom, despite how insensitive she may be.  Please continue to pray for Keysi and her family.

Lesson #2:  Patience in Visas

Having collected all the paperwork for our visas (which is a ridiculous amount), we applied for our visas three months ago.  We had contacted the embassy numerous times and the responded the same, “we have a long list of people needing group appointments. Just wait.”  Yeah, uh huh. Finally this past week we received our date for our appointment, July 16.  Date of departure: July 25^th. 

Quick fix?

Well in America, all you need is a passport and a flight to get yourself to the DR.  Getting a visa to go to the states can be a nightmare.   For our group of 15 people, we need passports, letters of invitation, detailed itinerary, lawyer issued parent permission slips,  school issued letters of conduct, completed governement form (which takes about 2 hours per girl to fill out), $160 per girl to pay for appointment, and proof of financial support of the trip.  Once you’ve gotten all this information, there is still the possibility that they tell you no.   We have been told that we have a good chance of them granting us the visas because they are minors, female and it’s a sports team.  We were told that we shouldn’t buy flights before the appointment because of this possibility of them saying no.  Well, now since the appointment is so close to our departure date, we are looking into what we can do to get reimbursable flights. If you have any knowledge about that, let me know.  Please be praying that we are granted the visas and the girls do not get too nervous at our appointment.

Fun Updates

In other news, one of my dreams came true a month ago when the Bethel Volleyball team came with an outreach.  They were a huge blessing to me and my girls.

Pilots and varsity before their games in the capital 

Heather sharing her testimony and big sis translating

Pilots with the kids from Corocito

To read their blog about their time here, visithttp://pilotsinthedominican.wordpress.com/

We also had another high school volleyball team come from Chico, California.  It was a really neat thing to have a team that could compete against our varsity team.  In addition, they did a great job in sharing their testimonies and really being examples of what a Christian girl looks like.  Here is a fun video that we put together after they taught the girls the skill of "planking". 

Gringa in the eyes of a dominican

"Coach, are we going to eat rice when we are in the states?  Because I think I might die if I don't have rice and chicken!"

This is one of the many great questions I've been recieving from my girls over the past few months.  As the trip comes closer, the girls get more and more curious of what our time will be like in the US.  A week ago, I planned an activity for the girls to stay with some American families to give them a preview of what there time will be like when they get to the states.  After spending Thursday and Friday night with the families, the girls were BEGGING to stay longer.  At the end, we had some time for reflection. Here are some of their responses of what living with an American is like in the eyes of a Dominican.

Caroly and Lili with their "brothers"

How are American families different?

Esther- They like their desserts! We never desserts after dinner.  We sometimes have sweet foods during the day, but not like the Americans do.

Lili- They always pray before they pray. My family never prays before they eat.

Leslie-They are very united as a family.  They wait  for everyone to come to the table to eat.  My family doesn’t do that.  One person eats at the computer, another in their room and another in front of the tv.

Nana- They eat earlier than my family.  My family always eats after 8.  

Steph- They eat healthier food. My family sometimes eats healthy food.

Keysi- They hang out together.  For example, the parents play with their kids. In my family, my parents never played with us. 

How are the marriages of your “parents” different than the typical Dominicans family?

Shakira- They never argue in front of their kids. Normally here, they yell, go in the road to yell more, throw things, sometimes hit each other.  After that, they just separate from each other.

Steph- The husband actually helps the mom! Here, the man eats and then goes to the couch because these chores are just for women.  When the husband gets home, the food should be ready or almost ready.  If a husband gets home and the woman is watching tv, HA! Get ready because she is going to get yelled at.  “I’m out working and you are here in nothing!

Just to give you an update on the trip, we have been working hard on getting all the paperwork done for the girls visas.  We will go to the American consulate within the next week. Please pray that they grant us the visas. I'll post again when we know the exact date so you can pray EXTRA hard. Thank you for all your support and prayers!