Hola Americanos!
I don’t even have words that begin to describe my experiences here in the Dominican. I still feel as if I am completely at home and I am loving every minute of it.
It just began raining here. All of the children (and yes… even some of the adults) will gather in the streets to enjoy the coolness of the rain. Last time it rained here, Cierra, Lindsey and I ran through the streets with several children and we saw some people taking showers outside! I even had the opportunity to pet a wild horse in the rain! When it rains here, it becomes more like a flood – but when it is over, everything seems to dry within minutes after the sun comes out.
We have begun meeting with our girls Bible study. There are 15 girls in their early teens that we will be working with throughout our time here. Yesterday we all got together and played soccer at 4pm. (It still amazes me how they are able to wear long pants and no shoes as they run around on the rocks.) Soccer soon turned into volleyball and Frisbee and football (Americano). Many other neighborhood kids joined in on the games and we played until the sun went down. We ended the day by joining one of the Dominican Bible Studies and by prayer walking on our way home (under the most beautiful clear full moon).
This morning Lindsey and I got up at 6 AM and walked around the main strip of town. This strip is where many of the locals walk and run in the morning to work out before it gets too hot. Last Thursday Cierra and I went running along the same strip – today I saw many familiar faces that waved and said “Good Morning” to me in English.
Something that continually amazes me is how the children love unconditionally. Since I know very little Spanish, we have to find other ways to communicate with one another. The children just want to be with you. They want to be accepted into the game(s) you are playing. The joy on their faces with a simple high five or a hug, a sign of love and acceptance – no words needed. I am continually amazed how sports, card games, and hand games are a universal language. I am currently reading a book called The Hopeful Skepticby Nick Fiedler and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud when he wrote: “People are the same anywhere you go. You probably have some compelling stories about your travels when you realized that children from [the Dominican] act exactly like children from your home country. Or, maybe, as a female, your trips to Italy, Spain, Ireland and so on have led you to conclude that young men are the same everywhere – or that construction workers in any country will whistle at you. We are all similar. These experiences are part of the traveling life, and if you haven’t traveled or experienced the commonalities in humanity, then you’ve missed out on something big.” My heart is being changed and humbled everyday by these children who wear the same clothes day in and day out. The kids here are like some of the kids I know back at home. They are bored. They need a friend. God’s unfailing love shines through so brightly in the ninos’ smiles.
Thank you so much for your continued prayer and support of this journey that I am on. I currently have a little more than half of my funding in ($3,200). I would like to ask that you continue praying that the rest of the funding would come in and that if you are able to give financially that you would. God is working together great things here at MIVA through this ministry that I am blessed to be a part of because of you.
Yesterday I was able to watch a five minute commercial advertisement on television with the Pastor and about ten children from the church. They were advertising the upcoming 15 year celebration for MIVA! I have talked to many many different people here who are all saying the same thing that I feel… something AMAZING is about to happen here. God is taking back HIS City of Pimentel.
I love and miss all of you. I am adding on praises and prayer requests below:
<3
Theresa
Praises:
1. Zoila (Pastor’s wife) just gave me a fresh mango!
2. The building of relationships with the children and specifically the girls in my Bible Study.
3. Good health and safety
4. We are getting many things together for the child sponsorship website
5. Rain!
Prayer Requests:
1. For continued financial support
2. Language Barrier – that I will be able to pick up the language while I am here
3. For the girls Bible Study group in general
4. For continued movement for the 15 year celebration!
5. Wisdom, strength, and leadership
(If you are able to give financially please send a check with my name in the memo line to: Youth for Christ 8900 Belair Rd Baltimore MD 21236)
“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” ~Jeremiah 29:7~
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