ok folks this is definitely a third world and here you learn to go with the flow! so once again we do not have internet and this week my phone signal has been very week but ...all of this is to be expected! so here we are once again at the internet center and this particular one is a bit yukky so this will be quick!
School is going well, and life is basicaly good. I have just joined a women´s soccer team which is one of four in the nation so it will be fun to play with them. Otherwise I am gearing up for the missions team to come in one week.
Prayer requests for a few students in my class that are having behavioral issues and also for the coherance of the teachers in the building. Prayer for the new project that may begin or is being planned to have an all day school-community program for poor children. Pray for the breaking of strongholds over this nation as there is a cyclical pattern of poverty due in part to government relocation of people to new areas for ¨protection¨ from floods but then these people who were supposed to be moved back, after 2 weeks, in 10 years! are unable to make a living in their new location and so they steal, sell drugs, prostitue, etc. to live! I am realizing that we small people are able to make a difference in small areas and we celebrate this but God can only bring revival in mass. Pray for the missions team to be safe, wise, and have lasting affect on the people they reach this week. They will be arriving Nov. 4 - Nov. 12
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
presentation and lessons
so this week concluded our unit on community Health. Grade 1 and 2 focused on healthy eating, manners and how to treat your friends. I was happy with how well the kids performed for the parents on Saturday morning! The seventh grade concluded with how to solve societies issues attacking the 5 sectors business, government and education were the major areas of need. they did power points and a little skit related to the novel...they had fun and parents were very pleased that their kids are loving reading! (mom you would be proud!) I felt good and they were excited too.
Life lessons for this week are:
1. that compassion often times we look at this work as "pity" but I am learning that compassion is seeing a man his circumstances and giving him grace despite his deserving it...that is compassion.
2. if youare a new creation in Christ, you are constantly being made new and you can't fit the "new wine" into the old wineskins so often we need to shed the old habits and patterns even people so we can walk in our new selves and our testimony must look different!
3. trust is laying aside your pride, what you think you can and should do, and allowing GOd to take control.....not easy!
This week please pray fo rthe mission team as they are in the final 2 weeks before coming here. Pray for my youngest sister CHristina as she has been heavy on my heart lately, and I urge you to enter your private times boldly, when we as individuals receive revelation in solitude, we bring power to the congregation of believers so seek and keep on seeking! Pray that my meeting goes well this week with the other missionaries who have asked me to help them with a new project, I am excited to see where God is leading this ...I will keep you posted!
guarda sus corazons con la palabra de Dios!
Life lessons for this week are:
1. that compassion often times we look at this work as "pity" but I am learning that compassion is seeing a man his circumstances and giving him grace despite his deserving it...that is compassion.
2. if youare a new creation in Christ, you are constantly being made new and you can't fit the "new wine" into the old wineskins so often we need to shed the old habits and patterns even people so we can walk in our new selves and our testimony must look different!
3. trust is laying aside your pride, what you think you can and should do, and allowing GOd to take control.....not easy!
This week please pray fo rthe mission team as they are in the final 2 weeks before coming here. Pray for my youngest sister CHristina as she has been heavy on my heart lately, and I urge you to enter your private times boldly, when we as individuals receive revelation in solitude, we bring power to the congregation of believers so seek and keep on seeking! Pray that my meeting goes well this week with the other missionaries who have asked me to help them with a new project, I am excited to see where God is leading this ...I will keep you posted!
guarda sus corazons con la palabra de Dios!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Americana y perspective
Isn't it great to have freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the ability to have free education! It's great to have Target and malls, internet and of course Starbucks! To be able to call the cable company, the electric co., the phone co, the cellular co all in one day! To go to the bank on a regular day and not wait for 2 hours.
We Americana's have luxuries and out right priviledge! Did you know that other countries even begin certain traditions and customs bc they have seen it done in the States! WOW (are you pickin up on my sarcasm?)
Us Americanas, with all this priviledge, still find time to complain and ask GOd why this, and why that, what we need to do is recognize that we are born into opportunity and with that is a power that many don't have. We must realize (especially in the Northeast) that MANY MANY nations are being directly affected by our actions. So what?
So I believe it is a time when we are to be models of grace, love strength and obedience to CHrist. If you share the love of Christ to even one foreigner, do you realize that this action can change whole pueblos and places in the world. Please stand firm in who you are wand what you have as an american and let's begin to show the world we are not frivilous with our favor.
I have been increasingly seeing in me the need to show other people grace. If something looks insignificant to me, it may be a huge accomplishment for another, we don't know from whence people came and we must celebrate the small things and realize what comes easily to us may not for another. To give the glory to God for what we have and give thanks. I believe bc I have never been in want, it is easy to cry about the small stuff. But thank God he has given me all I need and more. I hope we can realize that others are not as fortunate ... we can be the catalyst for transformation through giving what we have in grace and freely.WOW
This week please pray for my students Jose Miguel, he is working so hard and he has a sweet spirit his father passed away a few months ago but I know God has great things for him. He lives in a Brrio but I believe he will be a mover and shaker in society if he continues to fight to learn! Please pray for my boss to have peace, please pray for the upcoming missions trip, and safe travels for my roommate as she is in the uS this weekend.
I encourage you all to eneter into HIs gates with thanksgiving and in His courts with praise. The silent times alone with Him reveals much about who we are and who HE is. WOW and did I say WOW. paz y bendiciones! (peace and blessings) Jaime
We Americana's have luxuries and out right priviledge! Did you know that other countries even begin certain traditions and customs bc they have seen it done in the States! WOW (are you pickin up on my sarcasm?)
Us Americanas, with all this priviledge, still find time to complain and ask GOd why this, and why that, what we need to do is recognize that we are born into opportunity and with that is a power that many don't have. We must realize (especially in the Northeast) that MANY MANY nations are being directly affected by our actions. So what?
So I believe it is a time when we are to be models of grace, love strength and obedience to CHrist. If you share the love of Christ to even one foreigner, do you realize that this action can change whole pueblos and places in the world. Please stand firm in who you are wand what you have as an american and let's begin to show the world we are not frivilous with our favor.
I have been increasingly seeing in me the need to show other people grace. If something looks insignificant to me, it may be a huge accomplishment for another, we don't know from whence people came and we must celebrate the small things and realize what comes easily to us may not for another. To give the glory to God for what we have and give thanks. I believe bc I have never been in want, it is easy to cry about the small stuff. But thank God he has given me all I need and more. I hope we can realize that others are not as fortunate ... we can be the catalyst for transformation through giving what we have in grace and freely.WOW
This week please pray for my students Jose Miguel, he is working so hard and he has a sweet spirit his father passed away a few months ago but I know God has great things for him. He lives in a Brrio but I believe he will be a mover and shaker in society if he continues to fight to learn! Please pray for my boss to have peace, please pray for the upcoming missions trip, and safe travels for my roommate as she is in the uS this weekend.
I encourage you all to eneter into HIs gates with thanksgiving and in His courts with praise. The silent times alone with Him reveals much about who we are and who HE is. WOW and did I say WOW. paz y bendiciones! (peace and blessings) Jaime
Sunday, October 14, 2007
simplicity, surrender and silence
WOW is all I have to say. This time here is way more challenging than I thought it ever would be. I guess I mean in a personal an d spiritual sense. It is so simple really, "humble thyselves under HIs mighty hand, and He will lift you up" yeah right if it wereonly that easy....but it is. SIMPLICITY there are struggles and needs everywhere but learning to lean on His promises and silence the indignation I feel towards circumstances...this is tough. But in that silence there is obedience and in that there is TRUST. Ultimately I believe I am being called to a greater level of surrender that it is not about me, and all things will be clear when i rest in His hand.
Today I watched as about 1000 people young and old worshiped and cried out shouting for God's presence. It was amazing to see young boys, grown men and women whose hearts are longing to find God. And you know what? They could care less what anyone else was thinking or how they looked.
Oyte (listen) when you need a breakthrough and need life to change in a serious way, you have to yearn and hunger for it....it doesn't even matter who's lookin! Today, I realized that all things are made to draw us closer to Him, in joy and despair....WOW I wish you all could see but taking a picture would have ruined the sight. I (yes me!) am truly speechless.
I feel a new motivation to listen and watch like I am at a post for a time and in order to move to the next stage of the journey I must gain from this station. Mostly by watching and then moving! I will be asking the missionary this week or next to have a meeting and discuss how to start up a new center in an area of need. i am hoping to share with her my pla and see what hte procedures will be and where the greatest area of need is. She has the ability through her organization, to provide some fundng for this type of project! So pray for that!
Also this week I met achristian man in the computer place, and we had a great chat and then I met one in the publico and we chatted too. God is moving here! Its cool to watch so I better not be distracted! ok to my peeps in the US keep up the prayer and after to learn to fight, learn to soften and trust! love yall jaime
pray for the treatment of children around te world and pray for missions and chrits church team whose coming in 2 weeks. read Isaiah 58.
Today I watched as about 1000 people young and old worshiped and cried out shouting for God's presence. It was amazing to see young boys, grown men and women whose hearts are longing to find God. And you know what? They could care less what anyone else was thinking or how they looked.
Oyte (listen) when you need a breakthrough and need life to change in a serious way, you have to yearn and hunger for it....it doesn't even matter who's lookin! Today, I realized that all things are made to draw us closer to Him, in joy and despair....WOW I wish you all could see but taking a picture would have ruined the sight. I (yes me!) am truly speechless.
I feel a new motivation to listen and watch like I am at a post for a time and in order to move to the next stage of the journey I must gain from this station. Mostly by watching and then moving! I will be asking the missionary this week or next to have a meeting and discuss how to start up a new center in an area of need. i am hoping to share with her my pla and see what hte procedures will be and where the greatest area of need is. She has the ability through her organization, to provide some fundng for this type of project! So pray for that!
Also this week I met achristian man in the computer place, and we had a great chat and then I met one in the publico and we chatted too. God is moving here! Its cool to watch so I better not be distracted! ok to my peeps in the US keep up the prayer and after to learn to fight, learn to soften and trust! love yall jaime
pray for the treatment of children around te world and pray for missions and chrits church team whose coming in 2 weeks. read Isaiah 58.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Baila, Baila, Baila...and more
ok folks, we have lift off! I found a church and we got free wireless at my house! (well I must say it is not all glory cause if you aren't sitting in the precise location on the balcony it doesn't work but he, beggers can't be choosers!)
This week has been very eventful and entertaining as I went to the phone place 3 times and 3 times tey were unabl to help us bc we do not have a phone at school and they can't verify that I live here! Also, I don't have tv but I suspect there is some tropical storm in our path as it has rained here everyday! BUt we dance, whenever, wherever, we dance! In the rozen yogurt store, we dance, in the street on a rainy night, we dance. With the native hotdog vendor, we dance! Truly I think our silliness brings joy to the dominicans but they laugh at us everywhere as we try to learn bachata, marenge and salsa. I think we ask everyone to show us and this week we even had 2 guys in the yogurt store dancing together as a model! hee hee very funny.
Yesterday I met with a friend called Jeanine andwe planne d abeach day but bc of the rain it became a food road trip! I goto to see where many baseball players are from and have pasteles en HOjas which is a food native to here...very good! On the way the roads were all very flooded as te drainage here is awful, and I proceeded to fall into a hole in the ground...we laughed but later I realized ...all soaking wet, that I was fortunate not to break my leg cause the holes here can be 4 ft deep.....the day was great bc we shared good conversation and I net another friend of hers too who hopefully will accept the Lord in the DR b4 returning to CHicago...God is working on him! I came to remember the phrase in the bible that says "don't forsake the gathering together of the bretheren!" Just being with someone who knew CHrist and listening to worship together and chatting was refreshing for me! Anyway, on to do more homework.
Please continue to pray for the children of El Cafe and that God would raise up warriors in this country who will fight to take back the land and the spiritual climate in this place.....I found a church which is great for me, though in Spanish, and today I watched as almost 30 people gave their lives to CHrist...even better than that, they were mostly all teenagers! Praise be to God as he continues to develop HIs army here....love y'all Jaime
This week has been very eventful and entertaining as I went to the phone place 3 times and 3 times tey were unabl to help us bc we do not have a phone at school and they can't verify that I live here! Also, I don't have tv but I suspect there is some tropical storm in our path as it has rained here everyday! BUt we dance, whenever, wherever, we dance! In the rozen yogurt store, we dance, in the street on a rainy night, we dance. With the native hotdog vendor, we dance! Truly I think our silliness brings joy to the dominicans but they laugh at us everywhere as we try to learn bachata, marenge and salsa. I think we ask everyone to show us and this week we even had 2 guys in the yogurt store dancing together as a model! hee hee very funny.
Yesterday I met with a friend called Jeanine andwe planne d abeach day but bc of the rain it became a food road trip! I goto to see where many baseball players are from and have pasteles en HOjas which is a food native to here...very good! On the way the roads were all very flooded as te drainage here is awful, and I proceeded to fall into a hole in the ground...we laughed but later I realized ...all soaking wet, that I was fortunate not to break my leg cause the holes here can be 4 ft deep.....the day was great bc we shared good conversation and I net another friend of hers too who hopefully will accept the Lord in the DR b4 returning to CHicago...God is working on him! I came to remember the phrase in the bible that says "don't forsake the gathering together of the bretheren!" Just being with someone who knew CHrist and listening to worship together and chatting was refreshing for me! Anyway, on to do more homework.
Please continue to pray for the children of El Cafe and that God would raise up warriors in this country who will fight to take back the land and the spiritual climate in this place.....I found a church which is great for me, though in Spanish, and today I watched as almost 30 people gave their lives to CHrist...even better than that, they were mostly all teenagers! Praise be to God as he continues to develop HIs army here....love y'all Jaime
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Felizidades a mi!! and other things...
Gracias to all who sent me birthday greetings! I FINALLY GOT MY COMPUTER!!!! It will be at least a week b4 I get internet at home but yippeee! The week was good and we had a slammin party in my 1st grade class...limbo and everything! This week has been very loong since I have written but here are some things I have learned...
Did you know you could sweat on your eyelids? Did you know if you walk in a tropical storm you might not get wet? Did you know that almost on almost every guagua bus there is ALWAYS enough space!!! Well this past week we (my roommate and I) shared a bunch of laughs while riding to and fro! She jokingly asked a man whose butt was in her face in a jam packed bus , to sit on her lap....and he did!!! for the whole rest of the ride! If you need entertainment...use public transportation! This week I also met a new tenant who is from Italy and she is a travel agent, her husband is from Cuba hmmmmmm. . . maybe some places to visit? OK so on a work tip...
This week I had to realize when to speak and when to be quiet. I am doing the Experiencing GOd study and my roommate is going to be sharing in it with me...funny how GOd works as He has been speaking to her in many ways lately, it is very humblling to watch how purposeful he is with her. THe chllenge for me is the minute by minute standing in His will and adapting my life to His plan rather than having Him change things for me...I think the plan for the DR is already laid out ...now I have to see where or why He has placed me as part of it. This week I began to see a bit through my roommate and the Nazarene project...
I met a woman whose child goes to my school, she is a missionary coordinator type for an international compassionate ministry. I went with her to a place called El Cafe which is soooo poor and it was amazing to see a woman who had a heart for kids opened a school in a very small house and in each room there are ancient desks squeezed into four small areas about 50 kids! But these kids can´t afford school and without her they would be illiterate! It is awesome, how with these american eye I look and see chaos, but to these kids it means safety, life and nutrition! Perspective anyone! Then we went to another small house around the corner and I volunteered with an after school program equally chaotic but they have a nurse who checks the kids and they are fed daily...I will be volunteering there each week. I believe this place is the learning groud for GOd´s purpose and His expectations and shattering of MY WAY!
The potluck last weekend was good we met some people and had a chance to hang out with some other missionaries ..they have a gathering each month so I will stay connected but on the church scene I was not really feelin their service so I am still looking.
Basically I am remembering what God spoke to me while running in Bloomfield, He told me of this time for being about trust and learning compassion and gentleness. It is amazing how we often fight the very thing that we need to make our purpose perfected. I am honestly in an uncomfortable growth spurt but...He Reigns and there is so much to be grateful for and so much evident that His people, our people need HIs love. Today I was saddened by a Haitian man on the bus who wouold not smile at me even when I asked him to...the roots of pain and dispair go deep.
Lastly, I ahd a great conversation with my seventh grade class and we realized that money, education and opportunity are necessary for human development and prosperity but without HOPE and inner MOTIVATION and emptional well'being all of these things can be watsed...only god can provide this....so people I urge you to pray this week for the roots to be shattered and the wellspring of hope to burst into this place. dejame aqui, hay much o trabajo hacer!
Did you know you could sweat on your eyelids? Did you know if you walk in a tropical storm you might not get wet? Did you know that almost on almost every guagua bus there is ALWAYS enough space!!! Well this past week we (my roommate and I) shared a bunch of laughs while riding to and fro! She jokingly asked a man whose butt was in her face in a jam packed bus , to sit on her lap....and he did!!! for the whole rest of the ride! If you need entertainment...use public transportation! This week I also met a new tenant who is from Italy and she is a travel agent, her husband is from Cuba hmmmmmm. . . maybe some places to visit? OK so on a work tip...
This week I had to realize when to speak and when to be quiet. I am doing the Experiencing GOd study and my roommate is going to be sharing in it with me...funny how GOd works as He has been speaking to her in many ways lately, it is very humblling to watch how purposeful he is with her. THe chllenge for me is the minute by minute standing in His will and adapting my life to His plan rather than having Him change things for me...I think the plan for the DR is already laid out ...now I have to see where or why He has placed me as part of it. This week I began to see a bit through my roommate and the Nazarene project...
I met a woman whose child goes to my school, she is a missionary coordinator type for an international compassionate ministry. I went with her to a place called El Cafe which is soooo poor and it was amazing to see a woman who had a heart for kids opened a school in a very small house and in each room there are ancient desks squeezed into four small areas about 50 kids! But these kids can´t afford school and without her they would be illiterate! It is awesome, how with these american eye I look and see chaos, but to these kids it means safety, life and nutrition! Perspective anyone! Then we went to another small house around the corner and I volunteered with an after school program equally chaotic but they have a nurse who checks the kids and they are fed daily...I will be volunteering there each week. I believe this place is the learning groud for GOd´s purpose and His expectations and shattering of MY WAY!
The potluck last weekend was good we met some people and had a chance to hang out with some other missionaries ..they have a gathering each month so I will stay connected but on the church scene I was not really feelin their service so I am still looking.
Basically I am remembering what God spoke to me while running in Bloomfield, He told me of this time for being about trust and learning compassion and gentleness. It is amazing how we often fight the very thing that we need to make our purpose perfected. I am honestly in an uncomfortable growth spurt but...He Reigns and there is so much to be grateful for and so much evident that His people, our people need HIs love. Today I was saddened by a Haitian man on the bus who wouold not smile at me even when I asked him to...the roots of pain and dispair go deep.
Lastly, I ahd a great conversation with my seventh grade class and we realized that money, education and opportunity are necessary for human development and prosperity but without HOPE and inner MOTIVATION and emptional well'being all of these things can be watsed...only god can provide this....so people I urge you to pray this week for the roots to be shattered and the wellspring of hope to burst into this place. dejame aqui, hay much o trabajo hacer!
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