slam poetry

I've been journaling in slam poetry this week.




Unfortunately, my journal is in the car. My toothbrush is there, too.

But it's cold out.

So, I'll just go to sleep.


Funny little reality, right?


Moments like this make me long for Heaven. No stepping out into the dark, cold, scary outside.

gratitude

It keeps raining. I'm grateful that God promised the earth won't wash away in a flood.

I'm also grateful that conferences are over. Last week, it felt like life might just wash away in a flood of work-related tasks. Now, there's some hope.

Twelve hours from now I'll be enjoying the 4.5 day Thanksgiving break. Enjoying with gratitude.

Education is a beautiful tool of transformation. But it's not the only one. Tomorrow evening some friends will host the annual newlife.youth hunger banquet. We'll talk with teenagers about the purpose of fasting. The purpose of giving. The purpose of changing the world with the Gospel.

I'm grateful to be a part of a movement that changes the course of history.

Today, a student interrupted our 7th grade science class to suggest a class challenge of raising 1000 grains of rice each day for students in Africa.

Tonight, I met with a group of young adults who are confident that the church can end global poverty.

I'm grateful for Starbucks peppermint mochas. I'm grateful for rainy afternoons, watching That 70s Show with my mom. I'm grateful for friends who live nearby and let me sit in their living rooms to research mission trips and hiking adventures.

I'm grateful for the Kingdom-focused brothers and sisters that I've met this month, in Barahona, in Gressier, in Kitsap county.

Praise our generous, gracious King.

back at the Quality hotel: Part 2

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)

back at the Quality hotel: Part 1

I've processed a trip in this hotel before.

The second time around, I feel like I have a lot more to process, though. Twenty four hours ago, my dear friend Megan was driving me to the airport. Tomorrow night, my wonderful parent(s) will pick me up from the same place. But a lot of things have happened in the short week that passed.

First, I had the opportunity to reconnect with old friends. People who take the mission seriously. Battle buddies.

Then, our team was blessed to join with the bold missionaries of Batey Los Robles. Their church has burst its seams at the small building on the bottom of the village. Now, they have a brand new cinder block sanctuary at the top of the hill, right a t the entrance to the community. It is sturdy. It is large. But it is not even enough space for Sunday school! Some classes still have to meet outside. The church is led by a brave man named Juan Jose. He leads a fearless band of young adults and teenagers, committed to seeing change in their community. Evil is very present, darkness is very strong in this community. But light always wins. These young leaders are learning the reality of spiritual warfare. They cling to promises in Scripture, memorizing it every week. They pray with expectation and experience the power of the Holy Spirit.

The body of Christ in Los Robles joined with our home churches to shower our team in prayer before we left for Haiti. The air was already hot and thick in the cinder block church, but as they prayed we felt God's Spirit so deeply. It was like an extra humidity in the sanctuary, filling our lungs and our spirits.

The trip to Haiti was "smooth" according to our staff guide, Malou. Still, we had to wait a few hours at the Dominican border because of a missing vehicle insurance document. Then, the staff from COTN-Haiti drove to the Haitian border to meet us. They had "rescued" their old Toyota van from the shop a few days too early. It kept spitting black smoke and dying on the side of the road.

We drove into Port Au Prince in the dark. Piles of rubble still line the streets. There are still tent cities, nearly two years after the major earthquake. In the dark, the roads are lit by the constant stream of traffic, but it is still hard to see each pedestrian as they cross the street. Many fires burn on the side of the road to get rid of the garbage generated that day.

I wasn't sure what I expected Haiti to be like.

Daniel, the COTN-Haiti country director welcomed us with open arms. He shared his nation's history. He introduced us to his entire family. Brian, the COTN-Haiti startup coordinator prepared a delicious American meal for us at the office/ mission house. His dog, Maverick, also greeted us with big pitbull puppy paws.

There is a lot of pain in Haiti. A lot of brokenness. Churches next to voodoo temples. Tents next to new construction. There's a lot of hope, though.

We sat in on a board meeting of Haitian men and women committed to seeing their nation change. They expressed the vision of sharing God's love with children, to empower the future of a nation. We interviewed beautiful children and teenagers with wisdom beyond their years. We heard stories of life before and after the earthquake. Stories of redemption. Stories of revival. Stories of powerful answers to long weary years of prayer.

Then, we prayed for our brothers and sisters in Gressier (the town of the COTN-Haiti base) and loaded back into the big white van. Our driver, Allejandro is fearless. It took seven hours, but we finally traveled the 100 miles back to Casa Betesda in Barahona. (On this trip, I experienced two new locations for the ever-changing list of "grossest bathrooms ever.")

Thursday ranks high on another list: Best day of my life. More to come...

madrina

This is Isaura. She is finishing high school this year. She hopes to become a nurse.

May God bless her and her family.

Isaura already goes door to door in her village, inviting members of her community to know Christ. She has the giftings of a prophet. God clearly brought our lives together for the greater accomplishment of his plan.

Glory be to God.

enchante

In Creole, it means "pleased to meet you."

That's what you say when you meet someone in Haiti. I feel like I have "met" Haiti.

I don't know Haiti yet, but I am pleased to meet it.

The last few days