Life here in the D.R. has taken some adjustment this first month. The language barrier is an obvious one, but we do have some help, and we have been learning a lot. We didn’t realize how amazing air conditioning was until we got here, the heat has taken some getting used to. Sandy even suffered from some heat exhaustion after the first couple weeks. The electricity is another thing we took for granted at home. Oh, we do have it here, but you never know when it will be on. We find ourselves celebrating when we come home at night and have lights! Our water situation is better than most, there is a pump on top of our house, so we can usually count on having water. Many people here have to fill up jugs to take showers or to do dishes. The garbage truck comes whenever it wants, I think we’ve seen it once so far since we’ve been here. You never know what you will find when you walk down the road. Perhaps an entire family riding on one small scooter, also trying to carry a gas tank or furniture, a herd of cows in the middle of the road, or wild dogs lying around. It has been an interesting first month!
We started teaching at La Vega Christian School two days after we arrived. We both teach classes for the school’s afternoon English program. Also, Sandy has been teaching Physical Education a few days a week. On top of that we are working to establish a sports program for the school. Right now we are holding practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays for all ages. The school has been a significant challenge for both of us. With our limited ability to speak Spanish, it is often difficult to explain what we are teaching and it can be quite frustrating. Please pray for our teaching abilities and also for our students, we believe the Lord will help us as we continue to do the best we can there.
Our most favorite opportunity so far has been working with the children in the outskirts of La Vega. These areas are desperate for basic human needs and the love of Christ! Two places we have been spending a lot of time in are called “The Rails” and “Arinoso”. Sandy and I both enjoy serving the Lord in these areas. Already we are visiting the children weekly in both of these communities. We are desperate to do more with these children, they are starved for love and attention. Pray for us as we attempt to be a vessel of God’s grace and love pouring out on their lives. May the Lord grant us this desire!
“The Rails” and “Arinoso” are not the only two communities in La Vega in such desperate need. Unfortunately there are many more. I tell you this in hopes of your prayers. Every day that we are here, Sandy and I feel more and more drawn to these communities. We are praying that we would be able to build relationships with the children in these areas. We are hoping that those relationships will begin harvest entire families. We are also praying that our efforts will be pleasing to God and that His grace will always be with us. Thank you for taking the time out to read, please take a few more moments to pray. Pray for these children, and pray for us.
"I'm so glad Jesus didn't suggest they group all the children together for a sort of general blessing because He was tired. Instead He took time to hold each child close to His heart and to earnestly pray for them all. . .then they jofully scampered off to bed. One is tenderly reminded of a beautiful messianic passage from the prophets. 'He will feed His flock like a shepherd, He will gather the lambs in His arms, He will carry them in His bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young' (Isaiah 40:11). I think there is a lesson here for anyone who would seek to set any kind of false condition concerning just who should be the recipients of God's grace. He blessed them all."
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