Haitian Villages

I saw my sweetheart today! It literally made my entire day, she is really the most beautiful little girl. Today we went to some Haitian Villages to see the conditions along side the Medical Group.
Dr. Frank, the doctor with the Medical Group, took a look at my spider bite and told me I'd need some medicine, (unfortunately Vicks VapoRub doesn't work!).

Then when we got to the village Amistad, I prayed I might be able to see her again before I left. It also looked better than the previous village we'd been too. When I finally got there I looked around, but no where did I see her. Eventually I asked some of the girls "Donde es Annanicole?" and instantly they replied "En Ella Casa!" and they pointed to a house down the path. They quickly went and got her and immediately she recognized me. She still had the hair clip I'd put in her hair but her bracelet was gone. I thought she needed a bracelet, so I gave her something to remember me by, my bracelet. It was something that I made at "Winter Blast" in 2007 at an event which was the start of my conversion. Her clothing was dirty and she appeared to have quite a bit of dirt and scrapes on her. Unfortunately we barely got to stay there... When it was time for us to go, I waved so big to her and she smiled hugely, waving back at me! Her smile just made my heart melt! When I got onto the bus, I saw her from my open window again and smiled at her, with her bright and cheery little face smiling back. It was in a way saying goodbye, but also saying see you again. As the bus began to move I lost her in the crowd.

Before the bus left though, Frank came over to my window and handed me a bag full of green anti-biotics and anti-bacterial cream for the spider bite. I'll have to take the pills four times a day now... I hope I can get through all of this. What a crazy, beautiful few days this has been. Sadly, there is only 6 days left. I can't imagine leaving this place. Mass has been great by the way with Father Michael, praise God! I miss you Mom and Dad and Family and Friends! As much as I want to stay though, I know there is so much work to also be done at home. I can't leave this place without my heart staying her to some degree. I will never forget all the things that I saw, breathed, smelled, heard, tasted, touched, felt and affected...


Fun Fact:
Gringo is sort of an insult! Green... Go!

Spiders Bite

So I was just lying in my bed, and just as I was about to turn off my flashlight I saw something move... There was a brown spider crawling across my bed! I just killed a horrible spider... At this point I'm fairly certain that thing must have bit my hand last night, which, by the way, still hurts and seems to be getting more red and sore. I am guessing it's the root of all evil. Yeah! Now it's dead!

PS... I got tube socks now so the leg eating should end tonight! Even though I'm being eaten and bit by spiders, I am so thankful to be here, I love the children! I don't know how I will ever be able to say goodbye...

The bite the next morning...

Little Pieces Of Heaven

Girls Club was so much fun! All the beautiful young ladies really got into all the planned activities and they so much enjoyed participating and just being there. Some of the younger ladies struggled with making bracelets, but coloring books really came in handy as an alternative!

Following Girls Club, we went on home visits and never in my life have I seen such poverty. At the same time, never in my life have I seen such joy, so much happiness and just thankfulness for what they have. I was so amazed at the living conditions though, it would be so hard to be the eldest daughter in a Dominican family or even just a little boy. Their childhood happens in a blink. I was so excited though to see Lorani (really beautiful young girl who loves doing hair, but her last hair supplies given to her were stolen) and give her the bag of hair supplies! She really did look so happy to have received it, and boy did that young lady deserve it!

While building benches at Loase was the boys from Boys Club, one of the little boys was so sad. Louise Manuel had been picked on by the older boys. I went over to him as he sat sorrowfully and got out some of the cookies I had brought from home on the trip as a snack. We had a blast together, just hanging out and though I couldn't really understand him, we understood eachother, speaking the universal language of laughter, smiles and agape. What a cute kid! I also met Domingo, who needed a new pair of shoes. Luckily, he got some! :)

Biggest Excitement:
Visiting the Haitian Villages tomorrow and possibly seeing my sweetie! I really hope she might be in one of the villages, but then again, I hope she is somewhere clean and safe for her.

Communication

"If you spend the day dreaming about tomorrow, you just missed out on a perfectly good day. Those living in the past forget what is right in front of them. Live in the present, just as you breath, see and feel."

Yesterday we went to Mustard Seed, and such beautiful Children did we see! Jeffery was a bit of a 'trouble maker' and a little flirt as well! I met so many children, three of which especially touched my heart.

There were two little girls, who were both laying down on a pillow, I talked to for over an hour. They smiled at me, laughing and communicating in what ways they could. I saw there struggle to communicate with me, and it really made me realize how much we all long for a connection with someone, to be heard, to be acknowledged, to be understood. The other little girl I met at the very end of the visit. She smiled at me so big and, as I said goodbye, she wrapped her arms around me and gave me a huge hug. It was like Christ was hugging me!

Today has been so busy, I've been thinking a lot and reflecting and praying. I am hoping that I get some tube socks tonight as well. Something bit my hand last night and it's starting to get pretty red. Ahh the joys of being able to offer things up! Thanks Christ for the many opportunities! :) haha!

Biggest Excitement:
Getting to meet all the young girls in Girls Club today! I can't wait to FINALLY meet them!

As The Bus Drives On

We hung out at the beach today with 22 beautiful orphans and I made a really precious friend, Annanicole. The ocean was so cool, and with little Annanicole holding my hand as we stepped into the salty ocean, it was amazing! We splashed around and played and finally I got a smile on her precious little face, a really big smile! It made my day, this shy little girl smiled at me. She even tried to tell me her name, though I couldn't hear her soft words.

I didn't want to leave at 12:30pm but I guess I need to go where Christ wants me, and right now that is on a bus to Mustard Seed. And now, as the bus drives on, I can't help wishing I wasn't here, but with Annanicole. I know Christ has something else in store for me. So, after brushing the sand off myself, I'm going to Mustard Seed. I love you Annanicole!


Biggest Fear:
Things are moving too quickly.

Eaten Alive

Well, I was eaten alive last night by bugs! All over my legs I feel the intense desire to itch! I am hoping to get some tube socks for tomorrow night.

I am so excited to depart for the beach today though! We are going to hang out with 22 beautiful orphans near the ocean, which will be the first time I will see it from a ground (and not a plane). Pretty cool huh? The ocean is only 6 blocks away from my room in Loase.

I caught a gecko in my room last night, it was really little.
Random Thought Interruption: I just noticed a mass of ants devouring a bug, which I now feel bad for.
Back to the gecko, I let it go today, after I proved I was tough and not as girlishly scared as bugs as I may have appeared. It back fired when they saw how tiny the gecko was. :) The other excitement is we are going to Mustard Seed after lunch!

Hopes For The Day:
Today I feel like I need to especially let go and really just let God.

Tourist 4 a Day

Oh my what a beautiful day! We took a tour of Puerto Plata with "Monster Truck Safari." I saw some of the most beautiful children today as well. We went on a tour and saw so many fruits, but also many people and places. We saw houses, vehicles, scenic routes and river fronts, but the people made the tour. I greeted so many smiling faces, they we really so happy.

Swimming in the river was so fun. I really enjoyed the intense activity, oh my was the current strong! After the tour, I bought some more ponytails and clips for Lorani (I think that's how you spell it). Then we all went to Loase for dinner. Playing basketball with Rhenol and his friend was fun, well after we pumped up his flat basketball. We made it into a little competition and as it turns out, I'm not incredibly bad at basketball! :)

Today was a good day!

Biggest Excitement:
A good nights sleep and rest, and for what tomorrow holds!

Fun Fact:
I learned that Pineapples grow near the ground on a bush and they take a long time to grow.

On The Ground

Well, I'm here! Boy is it hot! Being from Minnesota, I don't mind extremely high temps since they usually last too long (plus indoor Air Conditioning) but this humidity is higher than I ever imagined. I suppose it will probably be good for my skin, though I feel so sticky! :)

The plane ride was really cool. I could not believe how beautiful the sky and the stars could be at such a height. I enjoyed gazing out the window, at least for a little while. There is such a big world, it's incredible. I saw Liz McKie soon after we went through Customs. She made my day, inspiring me so greatly. I truly can't wait to serve by her side.

The Lord has really been present for me today. As I run around on such little sleep, I know He is looking out for me and making sure I am safe. God's will baby all the way!!! Even though I am all sticky and sweaty, and smell like sunscreen and heat, I know He really, really, really loves me. I hope I can share this same love with the people of the Dominican Republic and everyone I meet.

12 Hours Til Lift-Off

Journal Entry: Written 7/12/2009 at 2:18pm

The day for my first mission trip approached and my excitement is great.
Sleep deprivation has hit me really hard. I will be leaving in less than 12 hours, which brings so much joy to my heart.

So also faith itself, if it does not have works, is dead. - James 2:17

This verse is particularly one of the reasons I will be departing on Tuesday at 3:00am, the other reason is that I have felt, for some time now, that Christ is calling me to be his hands and feet in the Dominican Republic. Now, this isn't something that everyone is called to do. Some are called to never leave their state, let alone country but Christ has a mission for each of us. (ex. St. Therese: Patron Saint Of Missions). I really believe that Christ just called me to this, and all I am doing is listening, following and trying. Truly without Him though, I am dead.
I feel SO extremely blessed to have this opportunity and I pray that through this mission I will come to know Christ deeper and more intimately.

My Biggest Fear:
That I will mess up/do something wrong or that the Dominican people won't like me.

My Biggest Excitement:
I can't wait to meet the children and Liz, plus deliver bags at the Hospital.