Return to Jaibon-Week 2

Practicing pure and faultless religion in Jaibon, Dominican Republic

After the short time in the Dominican Republic, I am already back at home in Oregon. Everyone keeps complaining about the heat, but it feels perfect to me! :-)

My second week was also full of adventures, but before I update you all on what I did, I want to tell you what I learned about myself.

To be honest, the first week was pretty difficult because my attitude was in the wrong place. Everything that was going on that was different from last year was "wrong" in my mind, which affected the whole experience. By the second week God helped me to overcome that just to be thrown another attitude battle. There were a lot of volunteers the second week and not enough jobs for everyone. It was like 3 volunteers for every kid. My attitude the second week was one of complaining and being upset by the fact that others were taking all MY jobs and taking up MY time with the boys. I had to really overcome the inner struggle with pride and jealousy. By the end of the week, God also helped to find victory. It showed me how much attitude can make a different with the experience and what comes of it. If nothing else, I learned that I am capable of changing my attitude with God's help and that it is not an impossible battle.

Ok, so now for the adventures of the week:

*One thing we got to do this year that we didn't get to do very much last year was attend church with boys. Once to their self-run service and then again with the one led by the pastor. Church services here are very laid back and simple. The boys get to go up front of quote Bible verses, lead a worship song or share something. Then others are asked if they want to sing anything. Then the pastor does his sermon. Seeing that their were Americans there who didn't know Spanish, he made sure someone was available to translate the service.

*We did another Bible class for the boys in the morning. We kept the same format and did lots of craft projects. There were so many volunteers this week, it was hard to find someone to work with. I usually sat back and watched and helped with translation. There were a few precious moments when I got to help color or draw pictures for one of the boys.

*This week the work project I took part in was organizing and cleaning the almacen (the big room we keep everything in). I did this so many times last year, and it never ceases to be needed to be done again! New donations are constantly coming in and new ideas of how to organize things. And the group last week built brand new shelves in there, so we got to put things away and work with new space ^_^

*The camp in the afternoon was in Laguna Salada at a church I went to last year. (If you remember, I'm pretty sure it is the same church where little boys became sheep...if you don't remember that story, look back in past blogs!! :)). We had teams that came in that had some ideas about what to teach and had certain talents, so we catered to those needs. We had a station just with music, and then recreation, Bible and art. I was a group leader for the little girls (FINALLY!!--All of last year I always wanted to and never got to). However, there were 3 other group leaders too and I was seen as the mean teacher wrangler leader so the kids clung to the others and I didn't get to bond with them as much as I wanted (but someone had to be the wrangler!! ;)). The girls were a lot of fun and very cute.

*One of the little girls was too shy to come and so her grandma joined her. She was the sweetest elderly lady and kept saying "Que bueno que estan aqui. Dios le bendiga mucho!" and grabbing my hand. When I hugged her goodbye she called me her hija . I love Dominicans!!

*We had a movie night with the boys on Saturday and Monday. On Saturday, they wanted to watch Spirit but they watch it all the time and it was scratched and kept stopping. Miraculously, the volunteers that had JUST arrived had brought a brand new copy of the DVD as a donation. Praise God! On Wednesday night we had a game night/activity night with them and most of the boys were off at other stations so I just sat and watched and took it all in. Walki came to me and sat down to listen to a book and I ended up helping him make a bracelet (he taught me how to do it because I had no idea!!)

*I spent almost every moment I could with the boys this week knowing I wouldn't have another week to do it. One day I took coloring books and crayons down and we literally colored for 3 hours (with several interruptions). Many of the boys came and went but at any given time there were like 2 or 3 with me coloring. It was relaxing and an excellent time to just talk and hang out. I also read many more books, swung on swings, just sat with them asleep by my side or on my lap or just ran down and gave them countless hugs and love.

*This blog is getting longer and longer, but since many of you were praying for this I think I should share it: I got to have a "fruitful conversation" with several of the boys this week, but one in particular really stands out. One of the boys was being a pill during Bible and went out to the back deck. He climbed over the railing and out to the ledge on the side of the orphanage. I went out to try to get him back in and told him he had to get off or he might fall and die. He told me he wanted to die and although I think he was mostly joking, I also believe at that point there was some truth to it as well. I just looked him in the eye and said: (in Spanish) "No you don't. If you die, I would be very sad and so would many others. God has a purpose for you and wants to use you in so many ways. You have a plan for you life and God does not want you to die yet. He eventually made his way to the railing and laid on it, still threatening to fall off. I rubbed his back and said: "Get down, God has a plan. You have talents that he wants to use, etc...". He was quiet after that and looked pensive as he finally got off the railing and went back inside. I don't know if he understands fully, but I hope someday he will!

*I was a spider-hero this week! Late one night, 4 or 5 girls came running out of their ramada screaming and yelling my name (I had saved them from a spider earlier in the week). They had come running to find me to save them from a huge spider in their bedroom. And when they said huge, they meant it! After researching the situation, I ran to the comedor to get a cup and something to cover it with. When I went back and tried to catch him, I realized he was TOO BIG to fit in the cup. He was also very hairy. I searched around and with the help of another volunteer, we found a small garbage can. I tried to catch him, but he ran under a bed. we had to use sticks and an umbrella to push him out and then I dropped the can over him. NOW WHAT? I was far away from the door and I couldn't slide the can all the way out without losing him. With help, I slowly lifted the garbage can up and slid a plastic lid to cover it, hoping he was actually in the can. Lifting it up, I noticed the lid was not big enough to cover the whole top. But I ALSO saw between the plastic bag folded over and next to some duct tape some hairy brown legs sticking out. I had caught him. But he could still get out. With the can slightly covered, I bolted to the door, past the other ramada and back to a tree by the fence. I had no light so I called for someone to bring a flashlight so I could make sure it leaves. I set the can down and shook the plastic a little. I saw it there and watched it walk away into the grass. WHEW! Spider saver strikes again! :D

*On Friday I got to go on a tour of Mangrove trees in a little boat. It was basically a rowboat with a motor. It was relaxing and fun to see all the trees and wildlife out by the sea. We also went back to El Morro to enjoy more warm ocean waves. And don't forget the weekly ice cream stop at Bon! It was a great end to my trip.

You know you are in the DR if...
the pastor answers his cell phone in the middle of the sermon and has a full conversation in front of everyone

people spend their days conversing with one another on their front porches

you get invited to share a beer with men on the beach

you converse for only a few minutes to someone and instantly become family

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For those that want to hear about my trip home...

It started at 4:00 am East Coast Time. I woke up and got in a taxi with 3 friends to head to the Santiago airport. We got there before it was open and had to wait. We eventually got in but didn't know what gate to wait at (there are only 6 to choose from). We got on the plane and landed in Miami. We had to go through customs. I marked that I had been on a farm, so they had to sanitize my shoes. We had to part ways. I got confused and went to the wrong gate and then had to get on a train to take me to another gate. I called Human Resources and found out I got the job at Auburn! I bought a ridiculously priced sandwich and then got on the plane heading to LA. I got there and had no idea what gate to go too and had to change airlines and didn't know where to go. I waited at customer service and after 15 minutes of not moving I gave up and left. I had 5 hours anyway. In order to go to the other airline, I had to leave security, walk out of the airport, past a few terminals and then back in. I went the wrong way and had to turn around. I eventually found the RIGHT place and went through the dumb LAX security (full body xrays---aaawwwwkward!!). I still didn't know what gate...I ate at Burger King (again--highway robbery!!) and sat around and walked around for hours. I finally boarded my plane to Portland and got in at 11:40. My luggage never came through. I found out it was tagged as Brianna Anderson who was ending in Chicago. By the time I left (suitcase-less) it was 12:45. I made it home and collapsed!! BUT I MADE IT!

Thanks for all yours prayers and support! Stay tuned for pictures! :D
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The Returm to Jaibon--Week 1

Practicing pure and faultless religion in Jaibon, Dominican Republic

Hola de la republica dominicana!

My first week has come to an end and I can't really put into words what it has been like. It has definitely had its usual ups and downs. However, it has been so good being back to the country and place that is like a second home for me. To better explain what it was like first coming back, I am going to quote my journal entry upon first arrival:

"The moment I caught a glimpse of the DR from the plane, tears began to form in my eyes. I could hardly keep from smiling and shrieking out of pure excitement. As soon as the plane landed I was anxious to get off and feel the heavy air touch my skin. I zoomed through the airport, a pro at where to go and what to do and in a hurry to be out into the country again. I met up with another OO volunteer and together we walked outside; eyes peeled for the familiar OO tshirt. There was the driver. Instead of taking us in the bus I was expecting, he pulls up in his personal car. (Riding in a car on the streets here is a LOT more scary and intimidating than riding in a large bus that owns the road!!!) The car could not go fast enough. The closer we got to the orphanage, the faster my heart beat with excitement. My eyes were feasting on all the familiar sights. I didn't realize how much I missed this place until I arrived. As the car pulled into the orphanage, my heart leaped for joy. I quickly got settled and then ran to sit with Reynaldo, one of my brothers. As I sat there, the other boys worked their way over to greet me. To my chagrin, they all remembered me. They all gave me hugs and wanted to know how long I was going to stay. It was then that I knew I was home. It felt as if I had never left."

This week has been full of many adventures. Here is some of what I have done this week:

*Every morning I was on a team that helped teach Bible stories to the younger boys here at the orphanage. After an epic fail on Monday (consisting of the boys doing kung-fu with each other, running around like crazy and not listening to anything we said...), we decided to add more structure and hands-on projects for the rest of the week. The boys loved doing crafts and we had them make many things. My favorite day was when we taught Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. We had the boys make trumpets and use them to walk around the "wall" of chairs. After each "day" of walking, I had the boys sleep and then I woke them up with a rooster call and they got up and walked again. They were singing and counting and loved it. They really got the story too. It has been fun getting to teach my brothers important concepts from the Bible and watching their growth.

*We also did some work projects in the morning. This year we got to work with the boys in the fields. We did a lot of weed-hacking and planting of new plantain trees. We also weeded the un-used building down the street that used to be the girls' orphanage. They are going to turn it into new classrooms because their school is bursting at the seams.

*In the afternoon, we held a Vacation Bible School at a locals' house-turned-into a community-feeding-program that they call a church but isn't. (How's that for a name?! :)). On the first day, we started with only a few kids but more showed up by the end. This year our camps have 4 stations: crafts, Bible, Health and English. I taught the Bible station alongside a pastor from a church in Arizona. We chose to teach Biblical concepts about who the children are in Christ instead of only teaching Bible stories. We did a lot of fun activities to teach our points and it was very enjoyable and encouraging to see the children fully understand who they are in Christ.

*At the afternoon camp, we learned how to be very flexible. The second day we showed up and they were in the middle of an important meeting in the place that we were supposed to hold camp. We were going to leave and ccome back, but the Domican adults were very concerned that we would not come back. So instead we went back to a bball court through a field behind the house where many kids were sitting and waiting for our arrival. When they saw us coming to the court, they ran to the church to get chairs and carried them back so that we could hold the camp. We were stuck under the hot sun for hours, but the kids got to learn very important things and everything still flowed nicely.

*I have spent many hours with my brothers at the orphanage. My favorite thing to do is just to grab some books in Spanish and read to them. I start reading to one, and soon there are 4 or more sitting on me, beside me, behind me...just to listen to the story.

*We had an awesome family, a church group and a few individuals serving here this week with me and they were great to work with. The dynamic was amazing.

*On Friday we went to Dajabon and Monte Cristi. Dajabon is on the border of Haiti where they have a huge market. It was intense. Many Haitians were rushing back and forth to sell their goods. If you weren't paying attention, it was very easy to be run over or separated from the group. Only pictures and videos can better explain what it was like, which will come soon :-). We got to enjoy good food, a good hike and some big waves in the warm ocean for the rest of the afternoon.

*Today we have been saying good-bye and preparing for new teams to come in. It has been thundering and raining all day, which is always fun. And it keeps it cooler =)

Thank you all for your prayers! I need them! Despite all the good things that have been going on, it has been hard being here without my friends that were with my here last year. It is not the same without them to share the experience with. The people here don't understand what it was like last year, so I miss their companionship.

Sorry this is so long to read, but I hope it was enjoyable! More to come next week!!!

You know you are in the DR if...
*It takes forever to say good-bye

*People here you singing and come running

*You ger stuck behind a herd of cows on the highway and have to slow down for a herd of goats crossing the road

Practicing pure and faultless religion in Jaibon, Dominican Republic

Hello to all my Dominican Republic blog followers! I thought I would write a little update to all of you to let you know that....I AM RETURNING TO JAIBON!!!!!

On July 15th, I am leaving Oregon to fly back to my second home at the orphanage. I will arrive there early on July 16th. This summer I decided to only stay for 2 weeks in order to enjoy summer life at home and be around for job interviews in August. I am hoping to have a fun-filled reunion with my brothers at the orphanage and hopefully have another chance to teach camps in the local community.

I am excited to go back, but at the same time I know it will be different. I need to remember to go with that mindset so that I am not disappointed. It will not be the same, but it can still be good.

Please pray for me! Here are some ideas of what you can pray for:
1) Safety in travel
2) Health and safety while there
3) Fruitful conversations with the boys at the orphanage
4) Re-connecting with the boys and the community
5) Courage to do the hard things
6) Ability to teach well and organize/manage at the camps
7) That my eyes will be open to needs and my heart will be open to be changed (again)
8) For the boys at the orphanage
9) For the teams serving long term and short term
10) That God will change the Dominican Republic to be a place that glorifies himself!!

How the DR Changed Me

Well, it has just about been one month since I have returned from the Dominican Republic. It seems like so much longer. Did it really happen? It wasn't just a dream? In my heart and in my mind, I cannot forget that I was ever there. I may not be there anymore, but the time I spent there is still changing me and making me different. God has used the DR in so many ways in my life, even still today.

*Little things do not bother me as much as they used to. Well, little things to me anyways. For instance, when my mom and I first moved into our new house only one week after I came home, there was no hot water turned on yet. As many people would freak out and avoid the shower at all costs. I was determined, however, and jumped right in (:D). After all, cold showers are all the rage in the DR, why not here? No problem.

*Just last week we encountered an emergency in which the plumbing system at our new house was plugged with roots and the fix appeared to be no less than 10,000 dollars (not going to happen) Everything we flushed in the house went out to the yard (yeah, not pretty). My simple solution? Well then, we will flush the littlest possible. If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down. Please, no flushing down the paper. If you drop it in, fish it out :D. Thankfully, we didn't have to do that because God sent help. BUT, I was not stressed by a situation in which before, I probably would have been.

* My organizational skills and ability to throw out things that will not get use has improved (thanks to countless times of cleaning out the almacen). I have thrown out things I don't need, also realizing that I lived without so much in the DR and was perfectly happy.

*When planning for teaching, or for anything really, instead of stressing when I don't have all the supplies I need, I use my creative juices and get by with what I have.

* On a more serious note, one thing the DR taught me was how quickly things can change. At one moment I was playing with a boy, the next moment he was gone. And then new ones came in at the drop of a hat. Events were canceled, time was flexible, people came and went. I hate change and always have. But when I was in the DR, something happened. I learned to live with it. I learned to enjoy the moment (this is it, why wait?), and not hold back-- because tomorrow it might be different. Don't put off until tomorrow what you can get done today. And with that, don't worry about tomorrow, because today may be all you have and you can't control tomorrow anyway. I have been constantly reminding myself of this and it makes changes so much easier to deal with. Just go with it, enjoy it, embrace it, you never know when it might change again. And change is not the end of the world, just a new opportunity and a new adventure.

*Some of my biggest fears in life are losing loved ones and having to go through natural disasters. I imagine I would never be able to handle it. But when I think about my brothers in the orphanage who have been through so much(losing parents, being abandoned, living on the streets, living through an earthquake and seeing your country be in shambles...) and the joy and peace they had...I know I will be ok if I ever have to live through what they did.

*Back to a humorous one...those dang mosquitoes can't touch me now! A few nights ago my mom and I were standing outside and she was complaining about all the mosquitoes biting her. I felt nothing and had no reaction to any of them. (Take that nasty blood-sucking bugs!)

*I learned how to play. This may sound strange to you, but I have never been one to get dirty or to wrestle or to play hard. But living with 25+ boys changed that. They taught me to have fun without worrying about getting dirty or hurt (although I successfully avoided getting injured). I even held a snake in my hand...I learned how to "play fight" and carry numerous people on my back. I also learned to throw a baseball (although after Jonel (age 5) hit me in the forehead with a ball, I was a little more scared the next time). But I did it anyway. The fear was not going to stop me from playing with my brothers. Hmmm...what else. I climbed a swingset, sweated like crazy playing tag and didn't get horribly upset when bubbles were spilled all over me or dirt accumulated on my clothing. After all, there is nothing a little soap and water can't take care of!

*I stepped out of my comfort zone so many times and stepped into a leadership role with an ability I didn't know I had. Now I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Now, I could probably go on forever and maybe I will write more when it comes to me. But for now, that will do (I know, it's a lot). BUT, before I sign off today I have to tell you a HUGE way that the DR has blessed me. It's a long story, but I think you will like it. Here it is...

This is a story of God's power and uncanny ability to take care of his children in ways never thought of:
It all started back in February. At the Salem-Keizer Public Schools job fair, I went through countless interviews and tests and came out of it being told basically that I was guaranteed a bilingual teacher job by May. I was super excited because I had just signed up for my trip to the DR, so I knew I would be gone all summer when they would be most likely interviewing and hiring. Well, after they finally started to post teaching jobs (like in April...) I started applying for the few bilingual positions that came up and was not hearing anything from any of them. Pretty soon I was called by the HR department and they told me that I was not qualified to be a bilingual teacher and should stick with ESOL. This was a shock because of what they told me and I was mad. I went to school to be a BILINGUAL teacher, and that is what I was going to be. I was determined. Well, no interviews and no jobs and it was well past May. June came, and at the end of June when I left for the DR, still no news of any jobs. While I was down there, a few jobs were posted, and then closed and filled without me hearing from any of them. I was getting super disappointed and figured I would just end up being a sub again. People kept asking me what I was doing when I got home and I kept telling them that I was just trusting God for a job, because that is all I could do. I was far from home and had no job, but I knew that God wanted me in the DR. Well I did end up getting email,ed by a few in August, but the interviews were happening before I arrived back home. Well at the end of my time there, I heard from a friend who works at Auburn (the school I most I wanted to work at) that there was a possible job opening. But it wasn't posted and it wasn't posted and it wasn't posted. I was very frustrated.

When I arrived home, it was finally posted and after fighting with Edzapp for a few days, I had successfully applied. However, it wasn't long before I found out that the job at Auburn was canceled (go figure). Well shortly after applying for a few other bilingual jobs, I got called by HR and they were questioning why I was applying for bilingual jobs (at this point I had forgotten they had advised me not to). I told her I wanted to and then she started asking me questions in Spanish and I was answering her fluently (this was within a week after returning, so my Spanish was excellent!). After the phone questioning, she changed her mind about my ability and instantly called the directors and told them I was now qualified! (Going to the DR to work on my Spanish was definitely a factor in choosing that location, but it was definitely not what I expected to get out of it). God had a plan all along. Well as soon as she changed her mind, I got called for an interview for a bilingual job. I was excited (even though it wasn't a place I wanted to work). But then, within the hour, the principal called back to cancel the interview. (This was all in one day, and it is not over yet). Later that day I got called back by HR because they wanted me to go in to take a Spanish written/comprehension test. On the way there, I got called by the Sub Department to sub for a bilingual vacancy at Grant Elem. (which could potentially become a job). I accepted it, in wonder at God's provision. After I completed (and passed) the test at HR, I was informed that the Auburn job was, after all, not canceled but still available. And she said she was going to call the principal there to tell him I passed the tests. So confused and excited, I left the office.

I went home and contacted the sub department and asked if I could sub at Auburn's vacancy instead of at Grant, since that is where I really wanted to be hired at. After a huge ordeal (not going to go through details) with the sub department, me and Auburn, I was finally placed at Auburn to be a sub for a first grade bilingual vacant position. In hopes to be hired, I went all out setting up the classroom and greeting them the first days of school. After being there for awhile, and going through the interview process with them, I was hired!! Now I get to continue the rest of the year at the school of choice, in the grade of choice, in the language of choice, with people that I already love working with :D

This whole situation was just such a God thing. The job was basically handed to me because I didn't even really fight for it. God was fighting for me (along with some great friends :)). I was simply trusting God to be in control, and he worked out all the details. The job opened when I was home to go through the process, it happened to be at the right school and the right time. So many of you were praying for a job for me, and I was trying not to stress (because I was fine with being a sub again). But God knew what he was doing and had a plan all along. I cannot take the glory for any part of how this happened. There are better teachers out there than me, more experience, better Spanish speakers, more educated, you name it! But God didn't want them to have this job, he chose it for me. It was all him, and to Him I will give all the glory!!

Thank you for praying and for having a part in all the changes that have occurred in my life through the experience!

My Time in Pictures

These are the skinnies. And Carlos.
Sorting books in the new education room
Hanging out with Jeffrey and Ramon
Jimmy thinks he looks like this boy.
Showing the book to Lorenzo and Jimmy.
Reading "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands"to Galan
My sleeping quarters
The historical district of Santo Domingo
Back to the batey with the precious kids!
Teaching Arts and Crafts in Damajagua
Beach Day with the Boys
My brother Luis Alberto and me
The house of the Mirabel sisters in Salcedo. They are famous, look them up!
This baby is one of my favorites. Only a few mos. old.
My friends from Laguna Salada
Teaching about Jesus in Laguna Salada
After many camps we were chased after, I loved it.
This little girl attached herself to me--ADORABLE!
Teaching at camp in Jaibon
The local Baskin Robbins--and amazing!
Sorting through donations
Loving on the batey kids!
The batey
On a hike over the beach in Monte Cristi
The Clock Tower in Monte Cristi
The boys got to join us for dinner
Relays with the boys, Best Day Ever #2
Camp in La Caya
Me at the beach in Cabarete
Sumo Wrestling with pillows
Best Day Ever after cancelled beach trip #1-Team Azul!!
Teaching English in Laguna Salada
My tent set-up team with our tent
The Monument in Santiago
Beautiful post-storm sky
Teaching Bible (Jer. 29:11) in Damajagua
The camp in Esperanza with 350 kids

The boys playing at the orphanage













The orphanage



I wish that I could show you all of my pictures, but it would take forever to upload them. This hopefully at least gives you a taste of what I did and what I saw. If you have facebook, all my pictures are posted on there, if not, I hope you enjoy these few!

Once again, thank you for living this journey with me! ENJOY!

Practicing pure and faultless religion in Jaibon, Dominican Republic

Well, here I am writing to you from my home in Oregon. It seems unreal that I was ever in the Dominican Republic, like it was all a dream. Yet I was there only 2 days ago. As I left the country I came to love and the people that have become family, tears flowed from my eyes. I told people when I got home that I cried leaving Oregon, and I cried leaving the DR; showing that they have both become my home. I have comfort in my heart however, knowing that the boys are in good hands. God has not left and there will always be people there to love them. The time there was beyond description and the memories and the people will never leave who I am. The Dominican Republic and all my brothers there have forever changed me and part of my heart will always belong to them. Once brothers, always brothers.

So the last week was a good conclusion to everything that went on over the summer. John called it the "beginning of the end". Here's what the week looked like:

*On Sunday we got to go to church in Laguna Salada, a nearby community. The church was tiny, but family. The service had Spanish, English and Creole. Americans, Dominicans and Haitians all worshipped together. Little kids played the worship instruments. It was great!

*Since the kids started the school year on Tuesday, we threw an "End of Summer Vacation" party for the boys. The day started with tie-dying(which they LOVED). We had more of a party planned, but it turns out there was a professor there who was researching physical fitness of kids around the world, starting with the kids at the orphanage. Therefore, the day turned out to be a day of giving the presidential fitness test to the boys. They loved it and excelled. Little Alex (6) did 10 pull-ups. They are so strong and fit. But they also work all the time and are constantly playing and running around.

*On Tuesday and Wednesday we started tearing down camp and cleaning up. We organized the almacen (the big storage room with lots of toys, art and educational supplies) and the laundry room. We stacked mattresses, took down mosquito nets and tents, put all extra bedding together and swept and closed down the dorm that wasn't in use. We cleaned banners and picked up around the dining/hang out area and moved heavy cabinets into the almacen. Everything we did was putting away and cleaning so that when teams come in December, it will be ready to go. Ending the summer activities while preparing for future people coming down to bless the boys.

*In the midst of cleaning, another very difficult thing occured. Jimmy (one of the Haitian boys) came and started hugging everyone and told us that he was leaving. We were all very sad because Jimmy is awesome and friends to a lot of the boys. We were worried that his best friend Lorenzo would be left without him. However, soon Lorenzo came and started hugging us and took us down to the front of the orphanage where we realized that all of our Haitian brothers were being taken from the orphanage. It was heartbreaking saying good-bye and watching them leave. We were crying and they were crying. A part of our family, gone. Just like that. And all of those boys were close to us and brought so much life to the orphanage. Despite being sad, we also realize that they were being taken away for a good reason. They were only there temporarily after the earthquake because none of their family was found. The fact that they were taken means that most likely their family was found and they get to be reunited. Haiti is a place full of turmoil and fear, but God is there too. God will bring comfort to my brothers and take care of them. They still have a hope and a future, because God is with them. They were at the orphanage for a reason. They brought joy to us, and we got to bring joy to them.

*On Thursday we took care of personal business like journaling, packing and cleaning. All afternoon we played with the boys in our hang out spot. We hugged, laughed, played board games and were crazy together.

*Thursday evening we left to go to Monte Cristi, the sight of the other orphanage. As we were leaving, the boys were attacking the bus and teasing us through the windows. They waved as we drove away. When we got there, we went out to eat at a delicious pizza place run by an Italian. The building looked more like a warehouse than a place to eat food, but it was cutely decorated and served great food. The only problem was the attack of the mosquitoes as we ate. That night the interns and some of the staff went up to the roof at the Monte Cristi orphanage and looked at the stars while singing to the One to created them. It was a great way to end our time together. We spent the night there.

*On Friday we went back to one of my favorite beaches--Cabarete! The water was once again wonderful and the sun was nice and bright. I ate lunch with the Hopkins family (the long-term OO family living in Jaibon at the orphanage) at an Irish pub and restaurant, on the beach front. I spent all afternoon on the beach and in the water. What a great finish to an awesome two months!!

*When we got back to Jaibon, we all ran down to the boys and played with them until we had to say good-bye. It was extremely hard to part this particular night, knowing it was the last time I would see my brothers for what could be a very long time.

*Saturday was a day full of travel. I left the orphanage at 5am and after 3 flights and long lay-overs, I made it back to Salem after midnight. But all is safe and well with me!

Somewhere along the way, this became more than just a trip. It became life. Thank you for sharing it with me and for all of your prayers. I know they were heard and I wouldn't have been able to do it without all of your at my side.

And now, for one final time...

You know you are in the DR if...
the little things excite you

you get bombarded by salespeople on the beach a hundred times that will not leave you alone

you eat pizza INSIDE a restaurant and still get attacked by mosquitoes


Well, that's the end of this journey. Thanks be to God for all that it was and all he will continue to do with this country, even when I am miles away. With every boy in Jaibon (and now the city of Mao and Haiti) in my heart para siempre, yo voy con Dios y el queda alla todavia, cuidando por mis hermanos con un amor eterno. (in my heart forever, I go with God and he remains there still, caring for my brothers with an eternal love).

Signing off,
E-li-se
ayleesay (the DR pronunciation of my name ;D)

I am going to post one more blog with a few pictures of my trip, stay tuned! :D

Practicing pure and faultless religion in Jaibon, Dominican Republic

Well, I sit here writing to you for the last time from the Dominican Republic, my next update will be from Oregon! I cannot believe that the time here is coming to a close. I have had good times and bad times, but God has been there using me and teaching me through it all. As I sit here, the thunder is booming and the raining is pittering on the tin roof top. I'm hoping the rain stays and cools it off for the evening. The time here is starting to wind down as the boys start school on Tuesday and people are dwindling away. However, there is still time to love on the people here, so here's to the last week! This last week has been full of many adventures. Here's what went down:


*We had a church group here from Los Angeles and a family group from Pennsylvania. Both were awesome and all three teams (those two plus the interns) worked together well and became family quickly. There was a total of about 40 here this week.

*We had several groups this week and traded off what we did. More about that later. All the groups did a camp in Esperanza in the afternoon. We did one there my first week here, and we had over 300 kids. This time around, we ended with only about 150(which is still a lot). The camp went well, but the last day ended abruptly because a fight broke out on the street between some teen girls and guys. Some of the older boys at the camp were being rude and sexual towards some of our volunteers, so the men kicked them out. We think they might have been angry about that anyways, and the fight was the last straw. We skipped the closing and all left to the bus together. The kids grabbed on to the back of the bus and wouldn't let go. Thank God for safety!

*In the morning, two of the days we went back to La Caya to do a camp again. The little boys were crazy, the older boys would not participate, but other than that the camp went well. One of the girls (Jasmin) that was there before recognized me and we talked for awhile. It was awesome.

*The other days we stayed here to do work projects and activities with the boys in the morning. The boys are getting crazier and grumpier because it is the end of the summer (among other things, I'm sure). None of the games worked out. Remy spilled bubbles on my shoes and I went barefoot for awhile (ouch), about 5 of the boys got mad at me because I wouldn't give them marbles. But through it all, we had a great time just hanging out and being together. I still love them.

*Monday afternoon we went back to the Batey. I loved it, again. As soon as I got there a little boy grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go. Little boys and girls longed to be held by me and dragged me all around to color, or just be together. It is one of my favorite things to do here.

*Another new boy came in this week. His name is Martin. He is a little crazy, but has already acclimated to being here.



You know you are in the DR if...
swimming, jet skiing and/or jumping into the local canal is a day;s worth of entertainment.

chickens and roosters (with occasional goats, horses and cows) roam around freely.

you see a 15 yr old driving a big suburban, even though the legal age is 18 and he doesn't have a license...

(for those that know Spanish)...pescado and pecado are the same thing because the s gets dropped...



Well, that's it for now! Please pray for me during my last week. Thinking about leaving is hard for more than one reason. One, having to leave this country and my brothers behind, and also being afraid of the reverse culture shock and reacclimation to life at home. I want this week to be rich with blessings for me and for the boys.

Signing off for the last time from Jaibon,

See you soon and thanks for everything!!