Tessa Comes to Visit

Whew!  What a week we had.  One of our new counterparts within AIM came to visit the Dominican and it was a fun, crazy, exhausting week.  But I do believe she is now up to par with the Dominican and all the people in it!  :)  We had a wonderful week with Tessa and have decided we are going to adopt her into our family.  (I know there will be some competition as others will want her, but I am making it official on our blog that we want her!)  She arrived a week ago Tuesday and we hit the ground running with the Rivas family, Gary's practice and the softball game with Banco Santa Cruz.  We visited San Luis and Pastor Joaquin, visited many of the fields in Sosua, La Cienega, Sabaneta, and others.  Visited the school Salomon is volunteering and got to take part in another event planned by the Service Club at Freysy's school (more on that later).  Participated in a 1 day camp planned completely by Dominicans, interviewed lots of people and attended an end of year party with the Christian Sports Association and the majority of our coaches in the greater Sosua area.  It was one of those weeks that flies by.  We traveled back with Tessa and arrived in the States a few days ago.  As always, our girls traveled very well, praise God!  And we are here, unpacked, enjoying the cooler weather and time with family and friends in the States.  Praise God for these times of rest and rejuvenation.  And Praise God for this time of refilling in spirit.  One of the things we have seen (and something our enemy will use against us) is that it is unbelievably easy to pour out, pour out, pour out until there is nothing left but an empty shell.  Just sheer exhaustion and mental blockage.  As Christians, it is so important for us to be poured into so we can continue pouring out, and these times of rest, family and quiet are a blessing.  It is very hard for me to see the times I need to be refilled, and even harder for me to take the time to allow that to happen.  One of my prayers throughout these few weeks back in the States is for us to be renewed and rejuvenated and ready to hit the ground running. 

And now for a few pictures of the week:

A picture of Aubrey at the school in Villa Liberacion.  Merry Christmas!!  (Or Mele Kalikimaka from the DR)

During our time at the Pier Giorgio hotel.  The breeze and waves were crazy high but beautiful as always. 

For a few years now, Freysy's school has gathered food items to provide Christmas dinner to local families in need.  This year, the service club Freysy leads took charge of the event.  Last year they had 22 boxes of food (which often gives the family enough food for 1 month).  This year they provided 54 boxes!!  Praise God!  We were asked to attend the luncheon in honor of the event and as a representative of AIM in the community.  It was one of the most spirit filled Christmas parties we have ever attended.  And to top it off, one of the Assistants for the Superintendent attended the luncheon and is planning on incorporating this event into all the schools next year!  Can you imagine how many people will be reached?!!  God is good all the time!!

During the luncheon they invite the people who will be receiving the boxes.  (You can see a few of them at the table behind the boxes.)

Some of the service club gathered together before the luncheon.  (Aubrey with her friend again!)

 

After arriving in San Luis with Tessa, we met up with Pastor Joaquin and visited several leagues where we had camp this past Summer.  Here Pastor Joaquin is delivering a small message, singing and praying with the boys.

During the Christian Sports Association party in honor of all the work the coaches do within the greater Sosua area.   Here is Tessa, Pastor Rivas and Victor.

Many of our coaches gathered together.

Alfre and Ryann.

More coaches and more fun!

Freysy saying a few words... but little did we know J and I (and our girls) were about to be honored and recognized with a beautiful plaque.  These guys are mischievous!  :)

 After arriving in Guaragao for camp, Tessa is loving on some kids.

We got to spend a day playing with 200 kids, and 5 adults accepted Christ as their Savior!!  Praise God for His faithfulness!

 

 

We are humbled and grateful for the time we get to spend in the Dominican.  We are blessed for our brothers and sisters who are growing and learning how to disciple and use their God given talents to reach others.  Please continue praying for these men and women to share their hearts and love for Christ on and off the field!



Blessed

Happy Tuesday!  It's crazy to think in 1 week we will be heading back to the States for Christmas, work and fundraising.  I cannot believe it has already been 3 months since we came back.  This past week was so much fun and if you cannot tell, we are having too much fun here with this work. (But don't tell anyone, especially Fred, I don't want him finding out how much we enjoy it here.)  :)

This past week we had our regular meetings and gatherings with a few special events.  One of the amazing things God has been doing through our guys is incorporating AIM into schools here (kind of like FCA in the schools).  Both Freysy and Salomon have been working extra hard in this, and on Friday we were invited to the school Salomon has been volunteering for a "special presentation".  From what we gathered, they had cause to celebrate and wanted to meet us in regard to the great relationship they have built with Salomon.

All the kids are gathered here and the "directora" (principal) talking to them.

 

Speaking to the kids and saying our appreciation.

 

The students currently participating in the solidarity club (a community service club) in Salomon's school.

As a special gift for us, this girl prepared a song and I must say this girl can sing.  She is 11 years old and has a voice that will bring tears to your eyes (it did mine at least).

A picture with her.

 

After the presentation we were asked to stay and watch a gymnastics performance they are working on.  It was more of a rhythm gymnastics but was awesome to see.  Again, how do children interpret love?  By playing with them.  And how can we show them Christ's love?  By spending time with them and playing with them.  So, who wants to come love on these kids and teach them gymnastics?? 

Who wouldn't want to play on this court??  The Dominican is a BEAUTIFUL country.

 

It was such a great afternoon and as always Aubrey and Ryann were well loved on.  :)  (Sometimes a little too much for Aubrey's own comfort.)

I told J we need to have more "gringo" kids for all the Dominicans.  :)  Hahaha

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Also on Friday, Juan Salazar, a Dominican born and New York raised man who lives in Santo Domingo with his family and works in the community presenting the Gospel and discipling athletes through basketball (sound familiar?), came into town.  He was asked by a basketball team in Puerto Plata to come hold a 1 day camp for them.  We met up with him and a few local pastors on Friday.  As we are always trying to outreach with other people and organizations with the same heart and goals, J and a few of our guys participated in the camp on Saturday.  Juan Salazar did a devotional with the athletes (boys between 12-16 years old) and did a basketball clinic.  Everyone involved was very motivated by the experience and on fire to continue spreading God's love through sport!

After the meeting on Friday with Juan Salazar, J, Rafael and several pastors in Puerto Plata.

 

Juan Salazar doing the devotional on Saturday.

The group of boys.

 Some of the drills.

 Recognize him??  :)  Jhose was able to join us for this camp.

Another drill.

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On Sunday, we were invited to the Rivas's house for a special lunch.  They were celebrating 27 years being here in Sosua.  Pastor spoke about him coming here 27 years ago with nothing and thanks to God has been blessed abundantly.

Ruth (Pastor's oldest daughter) with Ryann.

Praying over the Rivas family.  (And something extra special is they specifically took Aubrey and Ryann into this prayer.  We are beyond blessed for this family who truly loves us like their own.)

With Christine.

Ryann with Niriel (Jose and Flor's daughter.)  Ryann looks like a beast here.  :)

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Please be praying for the work this week as we currently await the arrival of Tessa (for those who don't know, Tessa is working with AIM and is an expert at all things computer-ical)  :)  If you haven't visited the AIM website in awhile, you should see it.  She has done a phenomenal job with it (http://aimissions.net/).  We are very excited to spend the week with her working and showing her to the Dominican family and life.

 

 

Much love to all of you!!

 

I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God;

I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you -

I, whom you have redeemed.

Psalm 71:22-23



Giving and Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving (a little late) from our family to yours!!  I hope each of you had a wonderful day celebrating with friends, family and loved ones.  Our Thanksgiving was fantastic.  At first we were unsure what we wanted to do and after the Supermercado ran out of stuffing (yes they receive Stovetop stuffing mix, cranberry sauce and other Thanksgiving fixtures around this time) we decided to change things up and do something extra special for the day...

This was our first time to visit the beach since returning and Ryann's first time ever.  It was very relaxing and the weather was perfect!  Great day of family and rest and more importantly giving thanks.

 

We were able to participate in a special project with Freysy and his school on Friday.  November is the rainy season here in the Dominican, and at the beginning of the month we received a ton of rain flooding several areas (including the Sabaneta area).  One of Freysy's students came to him wanting to start a service club in the school and one of her first projects would be a clothing drive to help the areas that were flooded.  The club grew very quickly to about 25 kids and they received so many clothes they were able to outreach in 2 separate areas.  We accompanied the group to the second outreach.

 Loading up the safari with the donations.

 

 Organizing the clothing in women's, men's and children's.

 

 People from the community waiting for their numbers.

 

Black Friday lines here in the DR.

 

The entire group with Freysy, J and Rafael.

 

Later on Friday, the director of the school asked the club to share their experience with the entire school.  It was a time in which many of these students let their guards down and showed the emotions of what they were feeling.  Presently, 29 more students want to join the club (effectively doubling the size).  Gloria a Dios!!  It's amazing what a group of students can do when their hearts are set on Christ.

 

On Saturday, J accompanied Alfre and Alfre's baseball team to Moca (about an hour drive) to share and spend time with a team there.  After hearing God's word, 27 kids prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior!!  They played 2 games and then passed out tracts in the community.  To add to the amazing day, Alfre's team stopped on the way to purchase some chips and snacks so they could give them to the other team after the game showing love.  God is so good all the time and so kind!  Praise Him for the life changes He makes in all of us when we begin a relationship with Him!

 

 

 

One of the amazing things we have seen since moving here is the change of heart of the community.  It is changing from what others can do for me to what can I do for others.  Praise God for this change.  I pray we continue to lead and grow in service.  I pray God would continue to work on the hearts of the leaders of this community.  And I pray God would continue to use us in whatever fashion He desires. 

And a quick shout out to our brother Salomon who turned 32 and 34 yesterday.  (His paperwork all says 34 but he was actually born in 1982 thereby making him 32.)  After our weekly meeting we had a surprise party.

The birthday kid!  (And like the nerds we are we spent the extra pesos to get the magic relighting candles.)

Aubrey enjoying her cupcake and orange soda in the party.  In the background are Alfre and J messing around.  Alfre took his cupcake outside to eat it so he could claim he didn't get one.  We are on to him.  :)

Freysy with his cupcake.

 

Our Dominican brothers are a big reason we have so much fun here!

He must become greater; I must become less.  John 3:30