Week 10

I'm HOME!!! It is crazy to think that this time last week, I was still in the DR. Even though adjusting has been a bit difficult at times, God is faithful and I am continually amazed at the things that God is teaching me. The last week in the DR I had the distinct opportunity to organize the "Almacen", which is the storage building for all of the materials that are used by Orphanage Outreach at the Monte Cristi Site. Things include everything from sports equipment to art supplies that are used at camps. I spent literally 3 and 1/2 days organizing this building. At the end of it, I had set aside a bunch of baseball equipment that can be used to be distributed at a nearby baseball organization and the cabinets where is such a way that future camp planners won't have to rummage through materials that they are looking for. For most people this project would have seemed overwhelming and I'll have to admit that there were times during the project that I would think, "What would happen if I just shut the door on this and ran away, fast?" For me though, for the most part, it was strangely comforting. Aside from the fact that I LOVE to organize things, it was a good start to debriefing for me. I spent the whole summer around lots of people, which, for me, is very draining. I was able to spend time thinking about this past summer all the while organizing the almacen. God is great how He has things to work out.

So I have been back for almost a week now and I will return to school on Sunday (hopefully to start training for the soccer team...given that we have enough girls to play). I am excited about returning to a schedule and routine, but kinda hesitant because I don't want my old way of doing things to swallow me whole. I will share one of the main lessons I learned in the DR.

In the DR there are porches on most of the houses. Nothing extravangant, but more times than not they have a couple of rocking chairs on the porch. Because in the DR they do not have large front yards, the porches are part of the town activity. The rocking chair to me represents relaxed time with someone else. Often times you don't have an agenda or a specific purpose, but just willing to spend time sharing hearts. That is view that I want to take in taking "Rocking Chair Time" (RCT) with God, friends and family.

And so I want to thank you once again for all of your thoughts, prayers, encouragment and support. I will be sending out a summer recap with some pictures very soon. I hope that one day we are able to sit down so I can share the stories, relationships and conversations that captured my heart this summer.

Blessings to you,
Monica

Week 9

Wow... I can't believe the title for this entry. This past week has flown by!!! On Saturday a group of 30 volunteers came down from Tom's Church in Arizona and then another group came down from Central Michigan University, His House. This week it was different having volunteers here, but it brought much needed energy to this place. My role this week was being Heather's right hand gal... so I did a bit of everything... I also was able to teach a few English classes, which was great as well.
This week groups worked on the foundation of another Ramada and helped to put on some finishing touches on the Ramada that KUC helped to start. We also did a VBS in the morning at the school on the orphanage campus. We did a camp on God's Love. Monday: Days of the Week, Months of the Year (Creation)/ Tuesday: Emotions (Jesus Calms the Storm)/ Wednesday: Prepositions (Jesus Feeds the 5,000)/ Thursday: Family Members (Martha and Mary). Megan and I worked on the English class together. It never gets old to see the lightbulb go off after they learn and remember a word. In the afternoon we did a VBS in two different locations: both in rural places. We went to a town called Damajagua and Batey Libertad. Both provided their own set of challenges and blessings. For the English part we taught numbers and colors to the VBS in the afternoon. Along with teaching English I also got to lead the opening and closing for the camps. One very special part of the opening and closing was the puppet show that CCV (Tom's church) prepared and presented. The kids were absolutely astounded at the show. They did a great job!! We also got to spend the remaining time in our day with the boys. They continue to amaze me and bless me!!

There are so many stories that I have to share from this week, but right now I am in the empty volunteer center with the boys and the volunteers with so many emotions running through me... I might have some more time to write later because I have the chance to do airport duty... I will be home in a week and I will be able to share many pictures and stories!!! Thank you so much for your support and prayers. I look forward to sharing my summer with you soon.

In Him alone,
Monica