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

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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!!