We've set up a website to tell about our project to help kids in Barahona. Go to www.ninosparacristo.org to find out more and watch Kristen's testimony below:
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Last day in Barahona
Today is our last day in Barahona. Here's what we've been doing...
Yesterday it was pouring down rain and we thought the day was wasted, but we were flexible and shook our fist at Satan and headed out to do our days work. After we scurried about making changes to our schedule the sun came out! Suzanne headed to the caricatures, visited the hospital pediatric ward (a sad example of socialized medicine), prayer walking in the mud--I've got some great "kid water splashing" videos, AC & Jim have a great story about the scripture on the dugout that I'll post when I get back, Warren, BJ & Andy built a latrine, they worked on two houses and finished construction today. We had Bible studies & kids Bible activities. Then we had a youth rally which is actually a scavenger hunt. We probably had about 100 kids divided into teams and running through the streets looking for items such as a euro, crab, photo of president, etc. Nick's team won first place. Also to celebrate Nick's 21st birthday, Nick & Riley played Dominican dominoes with a couple of men at the park & Nick & Riley won! The usually play for eggs, but they passed on the prize.
At the businessmen's lunch today there were 15 Dominicans, 5 Americans, & 3 TV cameramen + Franklin. We shared our testimonies about what God has done in our lives. How God influences us in our work. We were very well received. Franklin said it was an incredible response. Some of the men got up and shared their testimonies of how they were inspired and how they can share this with their own families. They were excited about us being in the Dominican and our actions spoke louder than words. The guys in charge of the TV station did a recording of Franklin and said he would show it on TV as much as possible this year and next year when we come back we need to let them know and record us a couple of times while we are here, then show it on TV as much as possible.
Domingo, a hotel employee, brought Suzanne, Pat & Sandi a pitcher of water & napkins while we were eating lunch in the breezeway and told us we were his "mothers". Then he sang and gave testimony. He's 21 years old and a pastor. Now when he sees us carrying bags through the hotel, he offers to carry them.
Mike says it's amazing how much value they place on an empty paint can that's given to them. Mike gave a can to someone and now he sees them carrying it proudly through the streets.
We're getting ready to go to our last afternoon Bible studies and tonight we will have a celebration of the week.
Sorry I haven't had time to post pictures. But I will soon.
Bye--Sandi
Yesterday it was pouring down rain and we thought the day was wasted, but we were flexible and shook our fist at Satan and headed out to do our days work. After we scurried about making changes to our schedule the sun came out! Suzanne headed to the caricatures, visited the hospital pediatric ward (a sad example of socialized medicine), prayer walking in the mud--I've got some great "kid water splashing" videos, AC & Jim have a great story about the scripture on the dugout that I'll post when I get back, Warren, BJ & Andy built a latrine, they worked on two houses and finished construction today. We had Bible studies & kids Bible activities. Then we had a youth rally which is actually a scavenger hunt. We probably had about 100 kids divided into teams and running through the streets looking for items such as a euro, crab, photo of president, etc. Nick's team won first place. Also to celebrate Nick's 21st birthday, Nick & Riley played Dominican dominoes with a couple of men at the park & Nick & Riley won! The usually play for eggs, but they passed on the prize.
At the businessmen's lunch today there were 15 Dominicans, 5 Americans, & 3 TV cameramen + Franklin. We shared our testimonies about what God has done in our lives. How God influences us in our work. We were very well received. Franklin said it was an incredible response. Some of the men got up and shared their testimonies of how they were inspired and how they can share this with their own families. They were excited about us being in the Dominican and our actions spoke louder than words. The guys in charge of the TV station did a recording of Franklin and said he would show it on TV as much as possible this year and next year when we come back we need to let them know and record us a couple of times while we are here, then show it on TV as much as possible.
Domingo, a hotel employee, brought Suzanne, Pat & Sandi a pitcher of water & napkins while we were eating lunch in the breezeway and told us we were his "mothers". Then he sang and gave testimony. He's 21 years old and a pastor. Now when he sees us carrying bags through the hotel, he offers to carry them.
Mike says it's amazing how much value they place on an empty paint can that's given to them. Mike gave a can to someone and now he sees them carrying it proudly through the streets.
We're getting ready to go to our last afternoon Bible studies and tonight we will have a celebration of the week.
Sorry I haven't had time to post pictures. But I will soon.
Bye--Sandi
Monday, July 20, 2009
Update on Monday morning activities
From Sandi - Thank you for your comments. I'll pass them on.
Now it's hot & humid! We encountered many muddy puddles as we walked down the streets in the neighborhoods. But we also encountered many prayer needs in the homes. Jobs, health, money, etc. which sounds a lot like the needs in the US, but so much greater. How thankful we are for what we have at home! These homes are barely standing, the men of the home are sitting outside with nothing to do, no jobs, no incentive, maybe babysitting a young child. Even the businesses in this neighborhood seem desperate. Rhonda pray with a mother whose child was in a shack, she was pouring water over him, he seemed handicapped or something. Franklin went back and they visited and prayed with them again. So sad. This is a culture shock for the girls, but they are loving the children anyway. We're very proud of them.
All I know about the baseball is that there were lots of kids there - even after the rain to play baseball in the mud. Then I saw Steve pass through the neighborhood on the back of a guy's motorcycle. Don't know where he was going yet.
Construction DID begin painting the inside of the dugout. It's a bright green. They also cleaned up around the outside so they can paint it this afternoon. The sun is shining now.
All I've heard about basketball is that they had lots of kids there too.
We've had a little rest at lunch - now for the afternoon activities.
Please pray that the ladies and kids will enjoy learning more about Jesus.
Sandi
Now it's hot & humid! We encountered many muddy puddles as we walked down the streets in the neighborhoods. But we also encountered many prayer needs in the homes. Jobs, health, money, etc. which sounds a lot like the needs in the US, but so much greater. How thankful we are for what we have at home! These homes are barely standing, the men of the home are sitting outside with nothing to do, no jobs, no incentive, maybe babysitting a young child. Even the businesses in this neighborhood seem desperate. Rhonda pray with a mother whose child was in a shack, she was pouring water over him, he seemed handicapped or something. Franklin went back and they visited and prayed with them again. So sad. This is a culture shock for the girls, but they are loving the children anyway. We're very proud of them.
All I know about the baseball is that there were lots of kids there - even after the rain to play baseball in the mud. Then I saw Steve pass through the neighborhood on the back of a guy's motorcycle. Don't know where he was going yet.
Construction DID begin painting the inside of the dugout. It's a bright green. They also cleaned up around the outside so they can paint it this afternoon. The sun is shining now.
All I've heard about basketball is that they had lots of kids there too.
We've had a little rest at lunch - now for the afternoon activities.
Please pray that the ladies and kids will enjoy learning more about Jesus.
Sandi
The RAIN came down!
It is Monday morning in Barahona. But wait, some rain came too! It decided to interupt us during our morning group bible study. Luckily the constuction group is painting tommorow! The baseball and basketball groups have already left (we could not convince them to not play) and those that are about to prayer walk are waiting togther in the lobby as I type this out to you. Its funny that yesterday we over emphasized the rain in the story of Noah!
Sunday- A GREAT DAY!
Our group attended the first church service on the mountain with the blind community there. Suzanne drew their pictures, we sang with them and had a sermon. Next, we went to the lot next to the baseball field where Franklin's church services are held. It was a blessing to worship with their church and enjoy the cool breeze of the Lord's presence. I was involved in the children's time during the service. We sat in the dugout with the kids and acted out stories, games and pretended to be animals aboard Noah's ark!
** To those of you that may think that over seas mission trips are a way to eat less and loose weight, I am sorry. Our savory pork chops and fresh fish will only make you want to eat more.
Well, today is our first day of the start of our sports, childrens, womens and construction projects and clincs... Pray for lives to be changed. This morning we talked with Paul about making our lives' bridges. There are many bridges that we can be in leading those to Christ. If we do our part, there will be many bridges over all of Barahona!
Hasta luego =] Spanish word of the day- el perro (the dog)
Sunday- A GREAT DAY!
Our group attended the first church service on the mountain with the blind community there. Suzanne drew their pictures, we sang with them and had a sermon. Next, we went to the lot next to the baseball field where Franklin's church services are held. It was a blessing to worship with their church and enjoy the cool breeze of the Lord's presence. I was involved in the children's time during the service. We sat in the dugout with the kids and acted out stories, games and pretended to be animals aboard Noah's ark!
** To those of you that may think that over seas mission trips are a way to eat less and loose weight, I am sorry. Our savory pork chops and fresh fish will only make you want to eat more.
Well, today is our first day of the start of our sports, childrens, womens and construction projects and clincs... Pray for lives to be changed. This morning we talked with Paul about making our lives' bridges. There are many bridges that we can be in leading those to Christ. If we do our part, there will be many bridges over all of Barahona!
Hasta luego =] Spanish word of the day- el perro (the dog)
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday Morning Baptisms
Franklin's church is growing--this morning three ladies and a young girls were baptized in the pool at the El Quemaito Hotel. This past week at the El Quemaito Hotel while pastor Franklin was making reservations for the group, one of the workers wanted to know what was happening and what was it all about and pastor Franklin explained to her and in doing do she accepted the Lord as her Savior.
more later!!!
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