Game Highlights Video

Bonao Victory!

Last weekend our team played a team in Bonao.  With great teamwork, the came out victorious.  Check out a quick video my intern Sarah (THANKS SARAH) put together of the games and practices leading up to the game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wTxty5wX5E

U.S. PROMO VIDEO

DOMINICANS WITH DREAMS

PROMO VIDEO 

I never thought it could be done... but I made my own video! The video shows clips of the girls, some interview questions about the trip as well as a testimony of one of the girls.  ENJOY!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huTHUz7WGSM

Hard at Work!

Hey friends and family! Just wanted to show you a little bit of what's been going on here! The girls have been hard at work trying to raise money for the trip.  We have been picking up random jobs here and there.  The girls are great workers and its fun to see them really putting in their part for this trip! With the money that we have collected online these past two weeks, we are now up to $7,620!  Our goal is 20,000, but it'd be amazing if we can get to at least 12,000 by January.  Please help us pray that money will come in! :)

Keysi scraping away at some paint

Steph helping a family with a paint job

Thanks so much for your prayer and support.  The girls are getting more and more excited as more money comes in and the trip is getting closer!!!

Dominicans with DREAMS!

Okay, you can now donate for the states trip ONLINE!  In just two minutes, send your donation and help these girls make their dreams come true! Click on the link and see more info on the trip!

https://www.wepay.com/donate/domicanswithDREAMS

Discipleship

I sometimes get intimidated to update my blog because I feel like I need to do an update on everything that has happened since the last blog.  And now, since it has been over a month since I wrote last, it seemed even more overwhelming.  However, I've gotten over it and am just going to write about a new project that has began.  Also, I am going to include an email from an American coach who played against our team recently.  I know I'm not supposed to brag... but its not bragging if someone else does it right?

Discipleship Project:  Even though I coach 4 teams, I spend the most time investing in our varsity team.  They have practice 3 days a week, English class 2 nights a week and games one or two days a week.  So, I've felt like I could not add another commitment of a bible study to their schedule.  This year, we've developed a 3-strike policy for the varsity team.  For every subject that they fail during the year, it's a strike. This also includes their English class they are taking.  And just like baseball, 3 strikes- you're out. Off the team. No states trip. No more varsity.  Some people suggested that I have some sort of redemption system that they can get back on the team.  Even though my immediate reaction a was NO WAY, I have developed an excellent alternative.

Deportistas para Dios (Athletes for God)
This program is a three phase or  "strike" program.  For each strike, they must complete a list of activities.  Phase or strike one includes reading the New Testament, Purpose Driven Life and selecting 5 books from a list of books such as Every Young Woman's Battle, Captivating, Radical, etc.  Strikes 2 and 3 contain similar activities as well as memorization of scripture and finding a mentor.   Once they complete the activities involved in each phase, it will take away an existing strike or give them a "bonus" strike that they can use if they ever get a strike.  If they complete all three strikes, they will receive a $100 shopping spree when they come to the states.  I wasn't sure how they were going to respond when I told them about the program because they already have a lot on their plates.  However, they were SO EXCITED! At that practice, they asked, "can we start this today!?"  and they ALL came over to my house after practice to start "checking out" books.  It's been so fun watching them read their books and talk about them with each other.  These books offer such great teaching for these teenage girls who don't recieve ANY type of guidance when it comes to boys.  Most parents decide the best way of teaching about boys is that all are bad and its bad to even think of liking one. I find it just leaves my girls confused and without proper guidance.  Thus, these books will help give them great in depth teaching on these life changing issues.  I'm so excited for this program.  Our goal would be to do it for our other teams as well if it continues to work well with varsity.  Keep praying!

Just a little letter about Varsity from an American coach in Santiago... 


Hey Jess,
I wanted to say Thanks for bringing your team down to play yesterday. I think it was exactly what our girls needed to see and although we didn't give you the competition that you would like, I think this match alone will have a strengthening affect on our girls longer term.

Please pass along my compliments to your team. The abilities of your setter are just beautiful. The fact that you can get consistent hard driven offense says something about your consistent passing, the strength of your setter and the versatility of your hitters. I can honestly say that I have not seen a team in this country with the level of skill that you brought yesterday - and it brings great joy to see the talent exists. 



So that's about it.  God is working and the girls practices are paying off!!! We are working on a way to donate money online for the states trip.  COMING SOON! 

Santo Domingo Highlights!

After months of my girls asking to play in the capital, Santo Domingo (SD), we finally got ourselves a tournament in the placio de voliebol... in gringo terms- the volleyball palace... in Jess' terms- MY HEAVEN.  This is the place where they train and recruit players to be the players that represent the DR in any national tournaments.  A couple months ago, I went and saw one of their teams play (girls ages 14-16) and they beat a college team from the states.  They have a facility that has 5 courts (my girls have never played anywhere with more than 2).   It seriously is any volleyball players dream to be in a facility like that.  I am super exhausted because we spent the night there but I want to give you some highlights of our trip!

#1:  Watching my girls line up to give high fives to the other team and noticing that all my girls are about 5'5 average height and the other team's was about 6'.  Then, watching my girls play their hearts out and watching them BEAT the other team... 1 out of 3 games.. BUT STILL!

Dianny, Sarah, Anna and Esther 

#2:  Estephanie said she wanted to give a devotional talk to the SD team before we arrived. So, the oportune time came right around the time we sat down to eat with the other team (keep in mind there was a table of food and drinks set out).  I asked her if she still wanted to do and she jumped up with such enthusiasm that she tripped and took out the entire table of food and then continue to fall HARD and spralled out on the floor.  So not only did she fall, but got red pop and cheetos everywhere.  She then just popped up and ran to go get her bible and give the talk. UNPHASED!  Satan can't stop this team!!!!

#3  Watching my girls continue to play volleyball, buck buck, ninja into the night Saturday night.  You would think after 7 hours of volleyball, they'd get tired or something!

JV Girls in the Van

#4  Watching our 2 new JV teams play in their first tournament ever!    We currently have 9 players on each of the JV teams coached by two new GREAT coaches, Melisa Gomez (great friend and quality female example for these girls) and Adan (Dominican who is an AMAZING volleyball player and brings so much knowledge and skill to coaching JV practices and helping me coach varsity).  Both teams played great and it was so awesome to have 3 of us to coach all the girls. Above you can see a picture of the JV. The totally held their own at the tournament.

Overall... and AMAZING trip!  We plan on continue practicing so we can beat those giants ASAP!

Check out a video taken from one of the games.  Place close attention to number ten, Nana as she continues to pass the ball from the FLOOR! Man, I seriously LOVE these girls.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150297562797797

Fall Update

Hey Friends and Family, I just wanted to give you a overall update of what has become of the girls sports site in the past year or so.  Also, enjoy the pics of some of the girls on the varsity team! 

Shakira: Wears Uniform #7

Home Barrio:  Corocito (lives up in the mts 15 min away from practice)

Statistics:  Dominates the position of setter for the varsity team. Has a mean top spin serve. Still a bit timid, working on being more vocal and running the court.  

“My personal goal is to better my relationship with my dad.   He does not want to continue being my dad like before.  I need to continue fighting for my dad and giving him what he deserves.”  This was said by a 15 year old Mabelis in response to the question, “What is a personal goal for your life?  Most 15 year olds do not take it upon themselves to “fight” for their dads.  However, girls here in the Dominican Republic are forced to fight for all kinds of things that may not seem natural. 

Mabelis:  Wears Uniform #1

Home Barrio: Cristo Rey (shares a two bedroom home with mom, brother, grandpa and mom)

Statistics:  Mabelis has a strong attack from the outside as well as the middle.  She leads the team not only on the court, but is a dominating force in motivating her teammates to live for Christ.  

Through the avenue of volleyball, we are able to help girls see beyond their hard home lives and seemingely hopeless situations and start setting goals for their future.  We currently are working with 5 volleyball teams throughout the city of Jarabacoa.  Within that larger circle of 80 girls practicing and playing games weekly, I have worked hard to invest in a smaller circle of 12 girls that belong to the varsity team.  This is the group of girls that, God willing, will be traveling to the United States in August of 2012.  In addition to a more intense game and practice schedule, these girls have been sponsored to attend a private school and a rigorous English program.  In addition to their education, discipleship is a key component in transforming these girls into well-equippedwomen who can rise to be world changers for Christ.  

Keysi:  Wears Uniform 6

Home Barrio: Pinar Quemado (20 min from court yet has never ONCE asked for a ride) 

Statistics: Keysi has the passion that drives this team to excellence.  Keysi plays right side but its her dedication and work ethic that make her unstoppable.  Keysi became a Christian last spring and continues to grow and push her teammates in the same direction. 

I feel so blessed to have the support of my church family of Blythefield, friends and family.   Your prayers and support have been huge.   I hope that next August, you will be able to meet this group of girls when they come. The will be attending volleyball camps, participating in homestays, and going on a youth trip.  These girls have been such a blessing in my life, and you are a big part of making that possible. Thank you so much for investing in me and the lives of these girls."

Prayer Requests

1.     Girls can grasp hope for their lives through Christ who empowers them.   
2.      Fundraising and logistics of trip (visas) can go smoothly and quickly.

Leslie: Wears #5

Home Barrio: Vanessia 

Statistics:  Leslie is one of our biggest weapons in the front row.  She plays middle and has a wicked slide approach around the back. Leslie's high level of play continues to motivate her teammates to work hard... and BLOCK to try to slow her attack down!