Survivor Trip 2015

We just completed our fourth “survivor” trip and guess what… everyone survived! To see some highlights, don't miss the video at the end of this post! As part of our discipleship program, we took the varsity and JV team up in the mountains where they had to rough it for a couple days.  The weekend was full of challenges that stretched the girls physically and emotionally.  The goal is that as they run out of stamina, they learn to depend on the encouragement of their teammates and that they ultimately seek God for strength.  So what did this Survivor weekend look like?  We hiked up into the mountains to a little community called Manabao to do some camping. Different activities were planned that helped them to learn about the importance of putting on the amour of God. The girls had to walk to a waterfall, all holding on to the same rope. Oh and they couldn’t talk.  They had a relay race where they had to get through different obstacles and answer questions about the amour of God.  The biggest highlight of the weekend was having 20 out of the 30 girls stand up and make decisions to follow Christ. 

JV & Varsity Team

It’s amazing how when we get out of our comfort zones, we often hear God more clearly.  The girls talked at the end of the weekend of how it actually was freeing to not have their cell phones.  They actually TALKED to each other and built relationships. Imagine that! I don’t know about you, but I am guilty of this.  I “distract” myself with music, tv, or even facebook and put my relationship with God and others on hold.  This weekend was an encouragement to me too of the importance of getting rid of the those distractions and making time for the most important things in my life. Thank you for your support and prayers of this ministry. Please pray for these girls and that they would take steps in their relationship with the Lord and pursue a church.

On their way up to Manabao

Check out the video that Courtney (one of the leaders on the trip) made of the weekend!

Thank you to Chelsie, Heidy, Mabelis, Esther and Courtney who did a great job leading this trip and really made it a success! 

Watch me do it.

Watch me do it.   Let’s do it together.   Now you do it. 

Brian Entrekin, our field director here in the DR, made this quote summarizing of how to do discipleship.  As I think back to this summer, I get excited to see this model being carried out especially in our two site assistants, Mabelis and Esther.  Mabe and Esterlita, as I call them, are both players who played in our VC Revolution volleyball ministry for about 4 years.  They now have graduated and are college students, but are starting to run the show at our women’s sports site! Normally, each American that comes to serve shares a testimony or devotional at the beginning of every practice. I normally translate those. However, by the last half of the summer, Esther was translating all the devotionals! Both girls preached up storm every single practice that I just got to sit back at watch! In addition, the last two outreaches, both girls shared their entire testimony to the teams in English.  As we look forward to this new school year, I am excited to see these girls lead their own teams so that we can expand and reach more girls in Jarabacoa. For four years as players, “They watched me do it.”  Now for the past year, “we have been doing it together.”  And now this next year, I am excited to step back and “watch them do it!”

Esther translating at graduation for Intern Taylor

Esther & Mabelis with some of the players from Olivet Nazarene 

Our high school graduates!

GRADUATION: In other news, we had solid four girls graduate from Varsity. What are their plans? Starting from the left, Micah Trautwein, will be headed to Stanford to study medicine.   (I taught her everything she knows… haha… not!) Ashley, will be on scholarship and is interested in studying Industrial Engineering and will be doing her volunteer work at Genesis (a school for special needs children).  The next in line was our intern, Taylor!  She headed back to Shorter College in Georgia and I know will continue to show God’s love to others, just as she did here.  Edely will also be on scholarship and will be studying Bioanalysis and serving alongside Dianny & Caroly at the Community Health Site.  Last but not least, Ambar will be studying Physical Education and serving as the assistant coach of the JV team. I am so proud of these girls.  They are ALL so strong in their faiths and I have full confidence they will do GRANDE things in the future!

What’s in store for this next school year? 

1.     Coaches clinic- We will host our first coaches clinic this year.  We want to train our coaches up so that they will be equipped to serve in the sport of volleyball.

2.     New coaching staff! We have 7 teams this year! Not only that, but between we have coaches for all teams and other younger varsity players serving as assistant coaches of those teams!

3.     2 new college students- we still need college sponsors for Ashley and Edely.  If you would consider helping these girls to get a college education, click on the “college sponsorship” tab to see how you can get involved.

Páez Support Status Update

We are at $250 of our $500 of what we would like to raise for 2015! We were so blown away that just this past summer, we had 9 more people join us as monthly supporters! If you are interested in joining our team, please send me an email and I can give you more information. One-time donations are also great! If you would like to set up a donation online today, you can do so directly at

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

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We are so excited for what this next year holds.  We hope to continue to training up girls, so they can train other girls, so they can train more girls! You get the picture right?  Adios! 

Summer Snap Shot!

Summer is super busy with new teams coming in every two weeks. Each day I come home exhausted, probably a bit sunburnt, somedays a bit dehydrated... but my joy is renewed because I get to serve the Lord using volleyball! Does it get any better than that?  I wanted to give you at update in how God has blessed Breddy and I with new monthly supporters and how the women's sports site is going Also, at the end are some prayer requests!

Support Update: So I mentioned just 2 months ago that we needed to raise our monthly support by $500. Well in just two months, God has moved in the lives of many of the outreach participants that have come down and we now have 5 new monthly supporters!  With those new supporters, we currently have $200 of the $500 we need. And just this last outreach, 3 men approached Breddy and said they wanted to support him!! Here are some pictures of Breddy working at the mens sports site during this past outreach.

Coaching in Buena Vista

Breddy giving a talk before practice

Women's Sports Site Update:  This summer has been really great. Two of our varsity graduates have been helping as volunteers this summer and that has been a HUGE blessing. Esther now translates the messages every morning and Mabelis helps run the practices. It's been so neat to see them step into coaching roles and be such great role models for the girls.  We now are coaching 4 main groups of girls and have about 75 girls in our program! Now that we have 2 new coaches (Mabelis and Esther) and one more senior graduating this year, I hope to expand the program even more so that those girls start coaching their own teams and we can reach more girls through volleyball! 

Praying after practice with one of our beginner teams

Olivet Nazarene Volleyball team with some of the varsity girls 

Prayer Request: Please pray for energy during these last two weeks and that we will fully invest in each group of students, even though they each come for just a week. (During the summer, normal outreaches are 2 weeks long).  Also pray that we can reach our donation goal soon!

Breddy!

I want to take a couple minutes to let you know what's going on in Breddy's life and how you can get involved in helping our family. Also, see some pictures at the end of Breddy in action! 

Breddy has always had a huge passion for sports.  In November of 2014, he started serving as a volunteer at the boys baseball site.  Breddy had a rough childhood with no support from his parents.  When he started working at the boys sports site, he connected well with the boys who come from tough situations.  With the amount of energy this man has, he fits in so well because he is like a 13 year old kid in a man's body! We have been praying that more support will come in so that we will both be able to continue to do what the Lord has called us to do. In just the last month, we have had 4 people, who through getting to know Breddy, decided to join us as month supporters.  Really awesome! THANK YOU! 

However, for us to be at a safe place to start a family, we still need to raise $500 more of monthly support. So if we break that down, we need six $50/mon supporters and eight $25/mon supporters.  

If you would like to give a one-time donation or support us monthly, you can do that through my account. LINK: https://www.stint.com/donate.php?id=s46594

If you are interested in becoming a monthly supporter for Breddy, you can donate through the men's sports site and they will give that donation to him. Be sure to make a comment that your donation is specifically for Breddy. 
LINK: https://www.stint.com/donate.php?id=f89  

Breddy on the truck with the LIFT team

Hanging with some boys at the sports site

One of the baseball teams

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: CAROLY TRINIDAD

This week's student is a English speaking fiend! Graduating as valedictorian of her class, this smart gal is going to do big things in her life.  Presenting this week's player of the week...

CAROLY TRINIDAD 

Major: Dentistry

Ministry Site: Community Health Medical Site

Sponsorship Status: Fully Sponsored

What is something you have learned serving at the medical site with missionaries Rachel Snider P.A. and Fernando Gonzalaz M.D?

I have learned so many things about the practice of medicine, like how to take care of patients and how to take care of their health.  I have also learned that I can seek God for wisdom that I need in order to take care of patients.

What has college taught you?

Going to college has taught me to be more independent and that I need to believe in myself in order to obtain the goals I want to achieve.  I have liked everything that I have learned about my major (dentistry).

What is God teaching you now?

God has taught me the value of sharing with others things that I am struggling with. He has taught me that he is always with me and he is the one that will provide everything I need.  He has taught me to see things in a different way and that I should do everything according to his will. 

A word to your sponsor?

Thank you so much for your donations to our scholarship program. I am so thankful that you have given me the opportunity of a lifetime to study.  You have given me the chance to grow as a person, both academically and spiritually.  I feel so fortunate. I know that not everyone gets this chance, and I want to take advantage of it to the MAX! THANK YOU!

If you want to donate to Caroly or any other college student, click the "COLLEGE SPONSORSHIP" tab above to see how!

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: DIANNY MORONTA

Today, we have the honor of talking to star student and athlete, Dianny Moronta.  Dianny is one of the first girls in her community to go to college. She is a light in her small country community in Corocito.  Dianny was one of the first members of the varsity team and was an excellent outside hitter.  Lets take a second to hear from this weeks "Player of the Week"...

DIANNY MORONTA

Dianny(far left) serving with Dr. Fernando and Caroly

Major: Dentistry

Ministry Site: Community Health Medical Site

Sponsorship Status: Needs a Tuition Sponsor (100/mo)

What is something you have learned serving at the medical site with missionaries Rachel Snider P.A. and Fernando Gonzalaz M.D?

I have gained lots of new knowledge of medicine such as how to take someone’s blood pressure, how to take care of patients and about different medicines.  I have learned how to relate to patients better and to pray with them. 

What has college taught you?

I have learned to value all the things I have.  I have learned to become more independent.  I have a close relationship with my family, so college has helped me to defend for myself better.

What is God teaching you now?

One of the most import things that I am learning is to put everything in the hands of God. He has showed be how big his power is and that gives me strength when I think all is lost.  He has taught me that all He has for me is perfect. 

A word to your sponsors?                                                                                                                      Thank you so much for your donation to our college program. You can’t imagine how appreciative that I am.  Your donation helps me to be able to study and achieve my goals in life. I hope that God will continue to bless you and your family. Thank you so much!  

Dianny on the job!

                       

Visit the "COLLEGE SPONSORSHIP" tab to see how you can sponsor Dianny or any other of our STAR STUDENTS!                  

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: LOREIDY HERNANDEZ

This weeks player has been a part of VC Revolution for almost 6 years! She can jump through the roof and has a heart for her community. May I present to you this weeks all-star student...

LOREIDY HERNANDEZ

Major: Psychology

Ministry Site: Genesis Special Education

Started College: Fall 2013

Sponsorship Status: Needs a Tuition Sponsor (100/mo)

What is something you have learned serving at the Special Education ministry site?

I have learned to put myself in others shoes, no matter what their condition is. In Genesis, I have learned how to take initiative and help others when they need me. I have also learned to put everything in God’s hands. Without Him, nothing would be possible. 

What has college taught you?

In college, I have learn to prioritize the things that are most important.  I have also learned to be more independent.  This has helped me to grow as a person and it is preparing me to be a professional one day and have great success!

What is God teaching you now?

He is teaching me to have more integrity. I also want to be a more humble person.  I have also learned how important God is in our lives and the only way to Jesus is through the Father. 

Any words to your sponsors?

Thank you so much for your support our college program. I am so thankful for this huge opportunity. For me, it is a huge blessing to have your help. One day, I dream of having a good job. I know that with God, and your help, that dream will become a reality. Really, your help is a huge blessing to me. 

If you would like to help donate to Loreidy's college fund, click the "COLLEGE SPONSORSHIP" tab above! 

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: MABELIS ACEVEDO

Over the next 4 weeks, I would like to highlight our four sponsored college students! They have done a great job and they deserved to be honored!  For these girls to earn their scholarships, they have to serve within the ministry at least 12 hours a week. Its a cool way for them to give back to the ministry and apply what they are learning in a tangible way. So, without further ado...

Player of the week

MABELIS ACEVEDO

Major: Psychology

Ministry Site: Girls Sports Site 

Sponsorship Status: Fully Covered 

What is something you have learned serving at the girls sports site with Chelsie & Jess?

I have learned no only about volleyball, but more of how we can use volleyball to teach others about God.  The thing that has really impacted me most about this site is that we all sin in different way, yet in God’s eyes, my sin is just the same as others.

Assistant Coach Mabelis serving on the states trip

What has college taught you?

One that thing that I have liked a lot is that each day, I am learning more about myself as well as others.  I also like that I can daily apply things that I learn in my psychology classes.  

What is God teaching you now?

He is teaching me to trust in him and to know that I cannot achieve things with my own strength, but with His.   I am learning to focus less on what God’s “answers” may be and focus more on adoring him. When I praise him, my strenth is renewed and my faith gets stronger. 

Any words to your sponsors?

Thank you so much for your support our college program. Thank you for your love for me because I don’t know where I would be in my studies. Without this scholarship, I would no be able to study. I have been able to move forward in my life because of your help. I have seen the hand of God in all this and without Him, all that you and I do would not be possible.  I hope that God continues to bless you and providing for your family.

If you would like to help donate to Mabelis' college fund, click the "COLLEGE SPONSORSHIP" tab above! 

STATES TRIP SUCCESS!

Wow, I still can't believe what an incredible experience the girls had in their trip to the states! Thank you to so many of you who helped out with this trip whether it was financially, providing a meal, hosting girls or opening your gym.

During this trip, they got to serve in the community, play some local teams, live with host families and experience the culture in a more tangible way.  They also got to visit Bryan college and even practice alongside their team.  Oh and you can't forget the Easter fun! They got lots of goody baskets everywhere they went, had an easter egg hunt, and dyed eggs. The trip ended with a blast as we travel to Tampa, FL to play in a big club tournament.  They also grew a lot spiritually on the trip.  We had a lot of really great discussions of exactly what God did for us in sending his Son to the cross.  Especially since it was Easter week, I feel like they had that gospel message presented in various forms and they were able to gain a deeper and clearer knowledge of what that really means for us. Here are some pictures of the trip! Also, you'll hear from some of the varsity players of what they learned on the trip!

SERVING IN THE COMMUNITY

Emely helping clear out a park

Assistant Coach Mabelis helpin' out!

Not afraid to get dirty!

"One of the best parts was helping to cut grass at that park so that the kids could have a place to have fun. I learned that if you trust and have faith in the Lord, you can achieve anything!" ~ Edely Herrera

Teaching merengue to a local elementary school

Ileana sharing her testimony to the elementary kids

Helping with gym class at an elementary school 

They even got on the news! They're famous!

"My favorite part was cooking for my family. God has shown me is that he will spread his love around anywhere." ~Naomy Reyes

Praying with Candies Creek youth

Experiencing the Culture

Playing against a local team at Chelsie's old high school!

"My favorite part was our game and Walker Vally and spending time with my host family playing dominos and cooking. I learned that even though we were from another country and used another language, we could still relate to others and have fun through Jesus Christ!"  ~Ileana Pena 

Cool boat ride!

We were hosted by so many wonderful families! 

Did a tour of Bryan college and played with their team!

Easter fun! 

Host family sister!

"My favorite part was getting to know my family and getting out of my comfort zone because God has lots of surprises for us!" ~Genesis Rodriguez

Another host sister!

"My favorite moment was when some of the families went to spend time at a park. I was able to see different things like Americans do like use hammocks and a slack line" ~Erika Cruz

Tournament in Tampa, FL

Cool Tennessee shirts. BYE YA'LL! 

Thanks to everyone for making this dream a reality.  We all grew a lot on this trip and were changed for the better! If you want to see more details of the trip, visit the trip blog at 

http://dominicansserveitup.blogspot.com/