DR Missions Team

We are coming home tomorrow!!!!

2010-08-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

Hello Family and Friends...just wanted to let you all know what time our flights will be going out and coming in on saturday. We will be flying out of the Dominican Republic at 4:20pm Dominican time. We will be coming into LAX at 11:59pm, California time. Hopefully if everything goes smooth, we will try to be home by 1:00am. We will be returning to the church office. We dont know what the internet will be like tonight so if you have any questions. Please be patient if i cant answer them until tomorrow. Love you all...please continue to pray for our trip home.
-Arnold

Nicole Racky's post!!!

2010-08-06T13:15:00.000-07:00

Hola Everyone!

Sorry this is late friends and family...we have been having technical difficulties. We are trying to catch up.
-Arnold

It's been a long two weeks here in the Dominican Republic, but I can't believe we are leaving in just three short days. As a team we have been exposed to so many cool and different ways of life. The culture here has taught us a lot, like how important building relationships and keeping them can truly be. Working at the Preschool in El Callejon has been a blessing. It's so cool to see God working in these kids at such a young age. Tonight we had a graduation ceremony for the seven preschoolers that are now ready to move on to elementary school; I got to spend the day decorating the chapel for it. The other four girls on my site and I had a blast being able to do these last few things for the kids in our school. One of the teachers told us an awesome story about a man who walked among a beach full of starfish throwing them back into the ocean. Because there were so many, the few he threw back made no difference. When asked why he was trying to throw them back knowing he wasn't making a difference he replied that for everyone one he throws back he's changing their life. This story really put our trip into perspective for me. I felt that even though I was here for two weeks I wasn't making any sort of change in these kids’ lives. I felt like I wasn't being used like God had called me to be. I was completely wrong, God doesn't look at the larger accomplishments that show, but instead he looks at the little impacts we make along the way.
As for my time here, as much as I miss my family and friends at home, I love it here. The weather and bugs are not nearly as bad as I had expected. To look around and see so much green is so incredible. You can really see God’s beauty when you look up in sky at night and can actually see so many stars. My time here has been life changing and I can’t wait to see you all soon!

Love Always,
Kolee

Dana Loth's Post!

2010-08-03T18:34:00.000-07:00

Hi!
The Dominican Republic is SO HOT! It isn't dry heat like we have in Santa Clarita, but it is so humid! Coming off of the plane I felt like I needed a snorkel to breathe. However, all that humidity has done the environment some good, because everything is so green! It is amazingly beautiful, there are amazing pieces of scenery in between the gaps of houses. The people here are so much more open than we are back home, we've all noticed how much more they focus on relationships rather than the tasks they have before them. I think that is something we need to bring back to California, if nothing else.
I came here expecting to help people and support them in any way I could, and to tell them about God, but, as most missionaries have said, they are helping me. They are so personable! My site is leader, Francisco, is an artist (I work at the art site!) and he speaks to us constantly about... everything! Each day he sits us down, before we go out into the town to paint our mural, and asks us to ask him a question. Any question. We asked him how we would know if our families were saved, if it was easier to sin or to stay holy, if we were holy, what the hardest thing about being married is, and so much more. I can't wait to tell you all what he had to say to each question! He is such a light for God, it is inspiring to speak with him (through Katie, our intern/translator!). He has crazy white hair and is always singing and saying "Today is the best day!" His smile and infectious laugh reminds me of my dad, his children are adorable and his wife makes the best food!
Working at the art site has been an awesome experience, we are painting a mural for the community, in order to bring them hope and inspiration to live out their lives for God. We've been able to speak to them as they come out to watch us paint, and even paint along side them as they smile and talk. I can completely see God shining through them! It is so exciting!
Of course I loved the rafting- it was a blast- mom, I am okay and did not get injured. I will tell you ALL about it when I get home! I love it here, but I can not wait to see my friends and family! I met a little boy here who made fun of me while I tried to speak spanish, and he reminded me of Justin (I miss you little brother). And I see my mom's face in every mother I pass on the streets with her children. I love you all, I miss you, I am having so much fun and growing in God and serving everyone here as best as I can. Love you! Adios!

Lizzie's Post :]

2010-08-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

It's been such a crazy, exciting, and exhausting adventure out here for me- and for all of us I'm sure! I have so much to say but there are not enough words in English, Spanish or any language to accurately illustrate what I've experienced thus far. There are few times in the Christian walk where everything we know ceases to make sense because our eyes are opened so much to a broader reality that encapsolates us. For me, this is that time. I have been assigned to the art site in El Callejon, a small very impoverished community on squalor land. It is nothing like I expected and I'm so glad! My site leader speaks nada Ingles but is a man after God's own heart for sure! His insight and transparency inspire me to be not only a better Christian, but a true disciple. "Today is the best day!" he always says with his contagious and renown smile, "You make the decision to be joyful today. And every day. If you have a problem and you cannot fix it, what use is it to complain? And if you have a problem and you can resolve it, why complain? It's going to be resolved." This among many things are incredible lessons he's taught me and my peers at the art site. There have been many doctrinal things I didn't agree with, and it challenged my faith. He always tell us not to take his word for it- go and study it. Only Scripture can be trusted. He always encourages us to pray, pray, pray. Every day we spend at least two hours talking about Christ or questions about life before starting on our mural. I've learned a lot. I feel like I'm been more spiritually fed than I have in years! It's so refreshing to be around believers in true unity, transparency, and genuine love- which is nearly unheard of in the States. Fran tells us to ask his wife and his kids anything we like about him or his life and they will not lie. Ask them so that he can improve. He says its good for him for his life to be on display. In America, we wear masks everywhere we go and typically, to church even. Here, the church is the people not the place. Here, we eat together, pray together, convict each other and build one another up just as the first disciples did. It IS possible!! He welcomed us to his home and when we left we were unified in such a love....such a God-given love it's literally indescribable. We understand everything Fran says because our intern, Katey, translates everything for us. She is an INCREDIBLE young woman- someone I aspire to be. Her humility isn't on display. It's just who she is. She doesn't pronounce it. She just lives it, without thinking twice. There is not a shred of judgement in her. Not a shred. I've loved working alongside her and learning from someone who is older, wiser, and more in love with the Lord than I.
I'm LOVING my friends here too. There have been moments when I've felt so alone and I'm reminded to lean on Christ. But the friends I have made have sharpened me as I have sharpened them. I've realized that I don't need to leave the country to have fellowship. If I want unity in the church, it starts with my life. My first mission field is my home and family- who I love and who know my ugliness and my flaws more than anyone. Then it's my neighbors. I don't even know my neighbors. I've lived on Hydrangea Way for years and years, and I don't even know their names. I sit around and pray for change in my community, in my country, in the Church, and I've never once loved my neighbor. Fran lives this too. I've never seen anyone love like he loves, and I have been GREATLY loved in my life.
There's no doubt I'm missing home. I honestly didn't think I would. I thought home was so mundane and so- familiar. I wanted adventure and I got it. I went on a mission's trip- so that people could witness to me, and not the other way around. I have an ENORMOUS appreciation for several things back home: hot and cold running water, consistent electricity, lack of humidity, air conditioning, a washing machine, houses without bugs, etc. But I'm most greatful for the people in my life who change me and love me every day that I never think to thank. Firstly, my Grammie. She provides everything for me and shows her love every single day- even when I don't notice or don't appreciate it as I should. She requires so little of me and talks about how proud she is of me all the time. She's done more for me these past few years than I can even count- and it brings me to tears to think how blessed I am to have her for a Grandmother and a very, very dear friend. I love her more than I can say, but I hope to say it a lot more often. I forget how much I am loved. I like to sit and complain, despite what Phil. says about complaining. As Fran reminds us, and a lesson I've learned a hundred times from Mrs. Wyllie, we can't simply read the Word and take it to mean what we want or we imagine. We have to read it as it was written to mean. We have to ALWAYS look at the context- it's everything. ;)
I've loved what SI has done for us here too. Tonight was "poverty night." We ate a typical poor man's meal for dinner- one egg and some rice. No salt. No ketchup. No luxuries. Our electricity is out. We went for a prayer walk around the two poorest communities in Jarabacoa- El Callejon and Mounte Gorda. sp? I have come to know and love the little children where I work and it was cool to walk by their houses and pray for them. We also did a foot washing, which you all may have heard about and an excursion to the rapids. Tomorrow is outreach- and I'm sure someone will post about it. I'm excited because I get to be "creation girl" in a skit we're doing for kids' club. It's the silent drama done to Lifehouse's "Everything." SO EXCITED!! :)
My favorite part of the trip however, is not the little girls doing my hair or tugging at my side. It's not the chapel and prayer time and yummy food- although all those things are wonderful. My highlight as been getting to know people on a deeper level- sharing my testimony over and over. Hearing other people's story. Being equipped and eager to answer the tough questions people ask me about God's goodness, soveriegnty, and justice. I'm so blessed to have gone to a Christian high school and be surrounded by extremely wise and loving people who teach and encourage me to know and live out the Truth. I've been able to explain the answers to questions that used to haunt me. I'm able to make disciples, as I've been made into a disciple. My faith is challenged. I hear God speaking in so many crazy coincidental ways. My purpose is clear, my path is steady, my heart at peace, and my whole self eager to serve here, at home, and everywhere else I travel as Jesus did. I will walk boldly through the door God has set before me in faith. I don't know what next God has planned for me. But I trust Him. I mean, He IS the Almighty God. :)

I miss you all SOOO much and I can't wait to wrap my arms around some of you and tell you everything I'm learning and seeing here. Help me pray for the bug bites and the separation anxiety! Can't wait to get some IN-N-OUT and nice hot shower!!!

All my love,
Lizzie

Markyyy's blog!!!

2010-08-02T13:27:00.001-07:00

Hola everyone,

Wow I have no idea where to start!! This trip has been everything I have wanted and a little more than I asked for haha. But first off the plane ride was pretty cool besides the fact that the pressure, going down really hurt my ears. But seeing cities from above at night is awesome. So when we got there the country is soooo beautiful, and so green. I totally feel like I am in Hawaii but I have never been to Hawaii haha.

So my site is the sports site and it is what I pictured it to be and ten times better. The kids are so fun and nice, two older guys like Moreno and Popo are my age and really funny. Raul the leader is so passionate and caring to all the kids and has been used so much for those kids. He is truly an amazing man of God and is preaching all the time like my Dad. Even this week like a young kid died from a rock throwing accident. It was very sad but Raul talked to the kids for at least 25 mins in the hot sun about Jesus. But the set up of the sports site is sick, we get to warm up with his team that he has, then play baseball, then a devotional, then a Siesta. These kids are baseball maniacs and are extremely talented in baseball. Very fun to watch them take the field. I like playing shortstop still just like my dad. Second base is still fun as well.

Overall everyday has been an experience that I will never forget. Meeting people from all over the country, seeing a culture that is so relationship oriented, having prayers being answered, and going on some crazy rapids in the river. I just love everything about it and there is still a week left! So excited to be with these kids for more days and get to share my story to them. Thank you for all your prayers people back home God is moving here in the DR. Continue to pray for the DR people and our Hearts. Love you all

Familia- I love you Mom, Dad, Erin, Scotty, Lenny, Mimi, Mama K, Joe, and the rest I love you dearly and have so many stories.
Friends- Sick stories to tell all you guys and miss you all
Work People- I miss you all as well. Tell the kids I miss them so much and hope you get to see the photos. Shout out to Van =) haha

-Markyyy

More PIcs for your pleasure

2010-08-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures that we picked out for your entertainment. The rafting was awesome. Just remember that we are all safe and doing just fine. I know the pictures are intense. We have great stories for you all when we get home. Love you all.
-Arnold

Laura Alvares' post

2010-08-01T12:55:00.000-07:00

Hiiiiiiiii! =D

The DR has been such an experience! I absolutely LOVE my site. So far we have helped the girls make aprons, which I will def try to make when I get back home! They also make blutos (bags) that they sell on base and the girls use it as their income. I’m having one of the girls make me one =). My site leader Arlene took us into town to personally pick out material for our blutos. I could basically keep going on and on and on but I wont. It is way too much. We went water rafting today. IT WAS CRAZY! Ill fill everyone in when I get home but def a LIFETIME experience that I will NEVER forget.

Other than that the DR has been completely different than I expected in so many ways. It truly does not feel like a missions trip. It is more like summer camp in a foreign country. Simply because of the way base is set up. For that very reason the only thing I love is actually LEAVING the base. Although I def feel like God has His purpose in bringing us out here and me personally. He has really called me out to take ACTION on the things that He has been putting in my heart back home. He is calling me to live a simpler life. That will cause me to be completely dependent on Him in every sense of the word rather than in my things, friends, family and busy life. He wants me to be hungry, needy and thirsty for Him. With out all my daily distractions. There so much that I need to let go of when I get back home and spend my time in a more efficient manner.

Well I’m going to rap up because I’m in the cafeteria and the some people are playing this REALLY annoying game and are testing my patience because they keep banging the table. I can’t wait to get back and tell you all the fun stories! One more week! Woooooo! PLEASE pray that within the last few days God shows me something new and that He reveals something to me that will completely change me. I appreciate all the prayers! Please continue to pray for us. By the way please update me on our bible studies and how they are going ((how many peeps?!)). I cant wait to go back for those! Evelyn PLEASE tell me its if they really did hire you at sizzler!?? Patti said she thinks they did. I love you all!

My SPECIAL love and Heart go to
Ama, my sisters, Apa, Darlene, Kim, Luis, Adrian, Pablo, and I cant believe I am saying this Sizzler! I LOVE YOU ALL Gbu!

JCLU! <3

Ty Brand's posto :]

2010-07-31T11:03:00.000-07:00

Hola! Where to start!? It's so beautiful here in DR! It's so green and the temp is perfect. When we arrived, we were picked up from the airport and quickly thrown into this culture. The way they drive!! WOW!! Talk about loco! They drive, basically, however they want. Usually, there are no lanes, so they drive on both sides of the street, swerving around each other. Surprisingly, we all like it and laugh in shock. We all love the drive in the trucks to our sights everyday, they are such an adventure!! I spend all day with beautiful Laura <3 she translates for me alllllll the time! I've been frustrated with the language barrier, but then the women at my sight include me in baking, or a child sits on my lap, or splashes me (Walldi! the little boy that has the most pics on my camera!) he even helped me clean dishes, and then i am reminded of God's grace. Man is God so good! Our team has grown so much together, we are so united and understanding of each other, and wow do we have some funny stories to come back with. I miss you soooo much mommy!! And daddy and jen and bay....HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LITTLE SISTER <3 I hope u had a beautiful day, we celebrated by going river water rafting! Thank you to everyone who contributed to this life changing experience and for all your prays, God's listening, because he's doin some work in all of us.

All my love - ty :)

Bailee Marshall's post! :)

2010-07-31T10:47:00.001-07:00

(7/29)Hola everyone! So I must say, I have been having the best time here in the DR. Currently, I was just playing a game of "Pass the Ball" with a whole bunch of random people from other churches. I have really made a lot of new friends and it's been really awesome.

I am working at the physical therapy site, where I give ultra-sounds, massages, and other stuff. It surprised me how much everything at the physical therapy site reminded me back to my physical therapy days. I even met a guy who had the same knee surgery as I did and it immediately brought back memories to those painful days when I had to strengthen my knee. The site leader, Dan, is really awesome. He's from the States so he knows English, which has been such a relief. However, the langauge barrier has been very frustrating, especially when trying to communicate with the patients. But God has been good, and I have people who can translate for me. The receptionist at the physical therapy site, Rosie, is so hilarious. She doesn't speak a word of english but her facial expressions and everything is so funny.

Anyways, I feel so amazingly blessed to be here. Last night I ate at a host familys house, who happened to be Rosie. She served us chicken, rice and beans. After we played dominoes and she taught us a typical Dominican style dance. It was thundering and lightning too! So crazy.

(7/30)So today we went white water rafting! I won't say too much because I could go on and on, but I had the best time. I was nervous, but God truly was with us and me on our raft and our guide. We had some crazy things happen to but we all are safe and sound and WET! I have a few bruises from it too!

Anyways, I have been having much fun. God has shown me how blessed I am and I'm so honored to serve Him. Tonight we go into town so I'm really excited for that!

Thank you to everyone who supported me and has prayed for me! I love you all!

Ps. I miss my family! I love you mom dad Audrey and Logan. Xoxoxoxoxoxo Can't wait to share the stories!! :)

Bailee Marshall

2010-07-31T10:47:00.000-07:00

Hola everyone! So I must say, I have been having the best time here in the DR. Currently, I was just playing a game of "Pass the Ball" with a whole bunch of random people from other churches. I have really made a lot of new friends and it's been really awesome.

Anyways, I feel so amazingly blessed to be here. Last night I ate at a host familys house, who happened to be Rosie.

Hope Ekholm's post

2010-07-30T13:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys, internet was out last night. We will try to blog twice today. The website is not working correctly right now... So our pics are not downloading... Maybe tomorrow.

Hello Everyone! [Que Pasa Todos!]

I am excited to share with everyone what has been going on since Sunday. First off, I just have to say that I love this country. The beauty of this country is indescribable. The mountains surround the location in which we are staying and every so often we'll hear the deep roar of thunder and the surprising visit of heavy rain. I have been placed in the dentistry site and have enjoyed it so much. My day consists of waking up at 6:20 to be ready by 6:45[after falling asleep around 12 am] and taking part in morning worship until 8, then we eat breakfast. Once 9 o'clock hits, everyone loads the bus-trucks [not sure which is a better description] and are off to our sites. I am the only participant in the dentistry site, so I am really connecting with the dentist, Vanessa. My responsibilities include controlling the suction tube in the patients mouth, preparing and assisting Vanessa during procedures such as, root canals, fillings, correcting chipped enamel, pulling teeth and deep cleans. Let's just say I have seen a lot of blood and a lot of plaque. I am really encouraged to clean my teeth well while I'm here. We do this until about 12, which is when siesta starts, and we eat our lunch together and drink cafecito [a strong coffee in the size of an espresso shot] until 2 when patients return for appointments. I get picked up around 3:40 and rest until dinner.

God is really working here with the full time missionaries and they are awesome. Vanessa is such an example of a Godly woman and encourages me in so many things ranging from my family to friends, my career and how I can look at things in a positive, Christ-like way. Plus, she is a Dominican with a great sense of humor, and it makes the day a lot more fun!

I'm sorry this post is long, I guess I have a lot to say. I could easily say more but it's time to end. I want to shout out to my mom, MONIQUE! I love you mom and think about you daily. I know your surgery is coming up and I have been praying for you :] Vanessa and I talk about you a lot :] I can't wait to see you next saturday [I think is when we come home].

Tengan un buen dia todos!

-Esperanza or Hope

2010-07-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

Today we spent our first full day at our sites!!!

2010-07-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

Wow!!! its hot and we are all very tired!!! Last night we all learned how to dance "merenge" if thats how you spell it. It was awesome...we all found out we have a latin side to us. It was found in our hips. We also learned a game called "Don Ramon" which includes cups and singing out loud in spanish. We also found the best candy ever, coconut candy! MMmmm yummy! We love you all and miss you much. Talk to you tomorrow.

-Arnold

Quiz of the day:

Out of the following what did not happened today?

A.) Dana Loth peed her pants.

B.) Laura fertilized plants with human urine.

C.) Nicole got a bug bite on the tip of her nose.

D.) Arnold got hit in the chest with a baseball.

E.) Dominican kids tie dyed Brittany's hair.

The answer to yesterdays quiz is.....Beatrice Franklin's leg. She is in pain and very itchy.

Day 2 is over!!!

2010-07-27T15:19:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family, today we all had orientation here on campus and at our designated sites. The students seem really excited to get started. They get their chance tomorrow. We learned a bunch of things today. Some of those things are...that we need to wake up at 6:45am every morning. That did not go over very well with all the students...lol. We also figured out why people are so late all the time at heart of the canyons. We found out that here there is an "american time" always on time an in a hurry, and there is a "Dominican time" always 15 to 30 minutes late. So HOTC must have Dominican roots. We fit right in...thanx HOTC for preparing us well. We are having a wonderful time. Please keep praying for us. We love you all!!!

- Arnold

P.S. guess who's leg this is. Bugs bites have begun.

Kim Patricks post

2010-07-27T15:06:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Wow I can't believe the first day here has come and gone. We are enjoying the bugs and cold water, its great! Im already seeing God working in me. When I first got to the island and on the way to the SI base I was already feeling like I wanted to go home and I was mad because I wasn't enjoying anything. Today I got to go to the physical therapy site, Woah! I fell in love with the people and the outreach. I've never enjoyed being told what to do quite this much! God took my heart and shook it! I love it! The team is getting along so well and there have been almost no problems here. The food is so good! I enjoy the fruit at every meal! I feel like there is so much more to say but I can't fit it all in a blog!

Feliz Cumpleanos from the Dominican Republic to my sister, Kelsey! I love you so much, I can't believe we haven't killed eachother over the past 16 years! You have grown into such a beautiful young women! Kayde and Mom & Dad I miss you too much! ((Wanna bet?!))

- Kim

We have arrived!!!!

2010-07-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, we have arrived in the DR student international camp grounds. Its 6pm here and we are just about to have dinner. Here are some pictures for your entertainment.

DR team has arrived in Panama

2010-07-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

Hey guys the flight from LAX to Panama was smooth but tiring. We are in panama for a couple of hours and then we head off to the Dominican Republic. Please continue praying and comments on our blog would be awesome. Love you all.

-DR team

We have arrived at LAX

2010-07-26T00:13:00.000-07:00

We are now sitting enjoying the wait time at LAX!

DR team leaves tonight

2010-07-25T09:48:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, just testing our blog. We are leaving to the airport around 9:30pm tonight and flying out at 2am. Please keep us in your prayers. Love you all.

-Arnold