Thursday was the day I got to spend time talking with children and teachers in the COTN schools. I talked to many future teachers, professors, engineers, doctors, nurses and one future guard. These children envision a future for their community full of hope and life. They behave much like the students in my classes, calling out answers whether or not it is appropriate! But they diligently complete their homework, knowing that education is the key to changing their community.
I met with a girl named Nicole who wants to become a nurse and told her about my dear friend, nurse Nicole. I heard stories of families that are learning about Jesus, and families that do not want to know him. I met with young adults who have received schooling and nutritious meals from COTN since they were small children. Now, they are the apostles of change, moving the mission forward.
I personally witnessed three sponsors connect with their sponsored children. And, I got to meet Isaura, the young woman that my financial support is empowering to finish high school. Her mother is a cook for the school, making sure that every sponsored child gets their portion of "lentils, spice, chicken, rice" packaged at meal marathons in the states. The cooks also use local foods like bananas, plantains, and vegetables to supplement the meal for the growing Hatian-Dominican children.
A medical team was visiting Barahona at the same time. They performed numerous surgeries in the Barahona clinic, providing health care for those who would otherwise be unable to access local hospitals. In the short week, a visiting pediatrician screened children in every village. A team of surgeons, an orthodontsit (turned dentist for the week!), professional nurses, and others trained in clerical tasks, helped to heal Barahona. My church in Kitsap often talks about the purpose of the church: Help heal the world. This medical team literally brings healing, with the hope of Jesus Christ. The Dominican clinic staff work so hard to provide high-quality care to the children and families that visit, and they are so grateful for the assistance of the visiting medical team from my own hometown.
Finally, on Friday morning, I had the privilege to spend time with children at their schools. In the Dominican barrio of Pueblo Nuevo, Jackeline and her co-teacher let me crash recess. The children were using their break time to play with various puzzles. We huddled into a circle and took time to review the names of fruits, animals and Bible stories. These pre-schoolers are very bright. Hope rests heavily in this classroom. While a relationship with Jesus Christ is the true key to freedom from extreme poverty, the education these children earn will only increase their opportunities.
Next, my team arrived at another hillside Dominican barrio: Don Bosco. I made many friends in my make-shift interview station outside the big yellow school. In Don Bosco, the young girls are happy to welcome any visitor, holding your hand and styling your hair. One young woman shared the same name as me! Then, she told me about her sister, Juane, so I told her all about my sister, Jeannie. Guess what Laura wants to be when she grows up? Yep, a teacher.
Laura's teacher, Isabel, was gracious enough to allow me to interview her. She shared a long list of prayer requests for her 2nd grade class. Pray that her students will know God. Pray that her students will be safe. Pray for her students families. Pray for Isabel, too. Teaching is a tough job in any culture.
The last time I left Barahona for the states, I did not know if I would ever come back. This time, it is different. My Spanish is now understandable. My philosophy of mission, significantly refined. My stomach is stronger. My classroom management is better. How could I not want to stay awhile?
The needs in Barahona, the needs in Gressier, and the needs in Silverdale are very great. Ultimately, our world needs to know of the God who formed and loves all humanity. Will I come back to the DR any time soon? Si Dios quieres! (If God wills)
Saturday, November 12, 2011
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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