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.