Alabama Conference

Well, I finally have time to sit down and write about our trip last week to Alabama. To say it was "incredible" would be putting it mildly. We felt welcomed before we ever arrived. The correspondence with several from the church in the weeks preceeding was so encouraging.
Of course, stepping off the plane into 38* temps was a little eye-opener! Fortunately, the couple who came to pick us up had an extra coat in their car and Patsy is my size!
We had expected a church of about 1,000 from all we knew they were involved in. This is actually a church of about 350 where everyone is very committed to serving the LORD. They just do the work of a 1,000 or more people who love the LORD! Of course, we were there for a missions conference so the emphasis was on missions. But everyone we talked to ---and this was a very friendly church, so we talked to a lot of people!!!--- had either been on a missions trip at least once, was in the planning stages of a trip, or someone in their immediate family had been or were going on a trip.
There were 5 other missions represented. A *retired* couple serving in Nicaragua, a young single lady serving in Peru, a couple going to Togo, W Africa (He grew up there as an MK), a family with 4 small children home on furlough from Brazil, and a young couple serving in the local public schools. This man has actually been given an office in the local public high school and is able to do Bible-based counselling, share at assemblies, etc. He had an incredible testimony (all right I know God saving anyone is incredible, but you know what I mean). We had such a blessed time just meeting and getting to know these other missionaries and to see what God is doing in other countries and other mission agencies. Astounding! God blesses more than one mission agency! :)
What was really encouraging to see was the church involvment in this conference. The kids were part of everything. Some stuff was obviously geared just for them, but many things were included with the adults. The kids had little booklets to collect info on the missionaries and their countries. I was asked for my autograph countless times along with my favorite verse!
But so many things that have grown to become part of their conference are not *church sponsored*. In other words, the pastor didn't at some point say "We are going to do.....now I need a group of volunteers to do it" A few years ago one retired couple decided they wanted to host a supper on Sunday evening as a way for the missionaries to get to meet one another along with the pastors and their families. So, that's what they did. They cook the entire meal, set up the tables, decorate, etc. On Sunday after the service we got to spend time just getting to talk to the other missionaries. What a joy that was!
Another lady thought a few years ago that there should be a luncheon with the missionaries and the retired adults. So, on Tuesday we had a delicious meal with the retired adults. This woman and her friends put on a spread that would put any restaurant to shame! By the way, these adults may be retired from their secular jobs, but they definitely have not retired from the LORD's work! These people had questions and have been on numerous trips! Not church sponsored but held at the church with the pastors there.
What ever vision these people have, they run with it and people fall in to help. The spirit of this church was so warm, and vibrant and ALIVE!
Another woman a few years ago wanted to take the words "exceeding abundantly" (*perissos* in Greek)and apply them to giving to the missionaries. We were asked to send a list of items we needed or wanted. No item too big or too small. Then she took the lists, wrote tickets with stubs and displayed them on a bulletin board. People had a ticket then to attach to their purchase and she had a stub to know what was going to be purchased and supplied.
Wednesday night was the International Dinner and Operation Perissos. I don't really want to focus on the gifts, but let me say these people gave in big ways!!!!! The couple going to Togo have to actually build the camp they will be ministering from. Their pile basically looked like someone had transferred Lowe's power tool department to them! The couple working in the public school now has more than enough $$$ to completely outfit their office along with a laptop, and scanner/printer/fax etc, etc. Some men in church have delivery companies-- or attachments to them-- so they are taking care of the delivery fees for those out of state as no way would any of it fit into their vehicles.
Along with all the candy (remember *exceeding abundantly* hence 15 pounds or more)we have a new generator (Honda---super quiet) for use in the med clinics when the power goes out or for running the video projector for showing gospel films in villages on Saturday evenings. I don't have to feel guilty about taking pictures as I have an *exceeding abundance* of film.
Like I said earlier I don't want to focus on the gifts, but these guys were sacrificially generous. We have been saying we want and need to go to language school in the Fall in Costa Rica from the end of August to near the end of December. We have been hoping to collect enough money so that we would only have to use part of our regular support to supplement it, as our regular expenses will continue here (apartment, health insurance, etc.) Someone on Wednesday went into this lady's office and said they wanted to underwrite our entire language school expenses....airfare, tuition, apartment in San Jose, living expenses...everything! This is no small amount and thru this *nameless* person the LORD has covered it totally! The two of us stood in front of the church embraced and sobbing, but that's okay because they were crying and rejoicing with us.
The couple we were staying with told us to use their phones to call our kids whenver we wanted and to talk for as long as we wanted and not to feel guilty...just to enjoy it! What a blessing that was to talk to y'all without having to worry about our phone card running out. Anytime we go back for a conference there, this couple also told us to invite our children and their families so that you could be with us for a few days. AND they mean it!!!!
Please, don't just see the material things in this post ---and there are many--- but I wish you could see their hearts, their love, their concern for us. Of course, they wanted to know all about SCORE and what we are doing, about the medical aspect of our work, about the villages, the new med clinic (Oh, by the way one man is purchasing all the cabinets we need for the clinic, took Bob to Home Depot to be sure that Bob could pick out exactly what was needed, is paying the shipping on them thru MFI, and in May he and his wife are coming for a week to install them in the med clinic! That will go along way in helping in the ministry!). But as I was saying, they not only wanted to know about the ministries, they wanted to get to know each missionary.
We came away rejoicing, laughing, crying for joy, encouraged.....I can't even begin to describe how the LORD used this week. To know that this group is supporting us in prayer is tremendous. I KNOW that the LORD has called us to the Dominican, but last week when we were flying home I just felt that extra big confirmation that we are definitely where the LORD wants us. Can't put it into words properly, but I hope you know what I mean.
We now have more missionaries to pray for and to correspond with. We can see how the LORD is working around the world, not just in the Dominican. We saw other missionaries being encouraged and blessed. Wish you all could have been there to receive the encouragement and blessing we received. PLEASE, don't just read this and see the material items...that was all just an outward display of what the LORD is doing in their hearts and lives.
Every week, every conference, every church can't be like last week, it would be too overwhelming; but to experience it for just those five days was an incredible encouragement.
Hope you all have a blessed week!

Back from 'bama

Incredible time! Will write more later....too busy unpacking all the goodies! Now where should I store the 25 pounds of Hot Tamales????

Down in Alabama

Well we arrived Saturday night to 38* temps when we got off the plane. The people have been wonderful. Every person we have talked to who has either been on a mission trip, or has a family member who has been on one. The main speaker is fantastic. He was a missionary in Okanawa for 25 years with his wife. He knows what the missionary life is about. I felt refreshed after just one service, and he's spoken twice more since then! He looks sort of like Lyndon Johnson, but has a far superior message!
From all we had heard about this church's involvement in and commitment to missions, we were expecting a huge congregation, like about 1,000. There were probably 350 people total between the 2 morning services. There are 4 other missions represented here this week. One couple going to Togo, Africa; a family of 6 returning to Brazil: a single lady returning to Peru; one couple that works within the local school system here in town. So, much fun to sit with other missionaries and hear what the LORD is doing in their lives and ministry.
Last night they had a dinner at church after the evening service for all the missionaries, so we could fellowship with one another. This morning the Pastor and his wife are hosting a brunch for all the missionaries in their home. We're going out with another couple from the church for dinner followed by a service tonight. Tomorrow Bob and I share at the luncheon for the retired adults. They may be retired from their secular jobs, but these people have definitely not retired from life.
Bob and I also present our ministry in tomorrow night's service. So, please pray for clarity of speech and wisdom in what the LORD would have us to share.
We're having a wonderful time, are keeping busy but definitely feel recharged and energized!

forgot again....

Okay, brain is totally not functioning this morning. Forgot to include the 'thanks' I originally was going to post.
1. For bright sunshine....it is gorgeous outside!
2. For Kermie---my *pet* 4" lizard that inhabits my laundry room. I see him several times a day, usually scurrying away from me...but he eats mosquitoes!
3. That Bob was finally able to find the part that connects the hose to my washing machine. I do NOT have an American style machine, but I love what I have. But I had been having to drape the hose over the edge of the machine, then lay part of it in the bottom and cover it with the laundry to hold it in place. this works, but if I forget to set a timer to remind me the tub is filling, then it over fills, the hose is released from under the clothes, and I have a fountain in the laundry room. I can go weeks without a problem, and then this week I had to mop up the laundry room twice in two days! Now I know why they build laundry rooms with drain holes out the side of the wall! HONEST! But Bob found the right connector, now the hose is actually attached, it will not become a fountain! and an added bonus, because the hose is connected, I can flip the switch that will then allow the water to flow into the 'centrifugado' and rinse the clothes while they spin. I couldn't use that feature for the past 16 months. NOW I CAN!!! I am truly a happy camper! I love my washing machine!
4. That we get to go to Prattville, Alabama for this mission conference. Always fun visiting churches. This one we only know one person. He's a lawyer, who makes regular visits to the DR and is a big supporter of SCORE.
5. That this time we get to fly Delta and NOT American Airlines. Everyone who has done the Delta flight says they will never go back to AA. Delta actually serves a meal...for those of you who have not flown recently...the size of the peanut bags is about a 2" square with about 12 peanuts max!
6. I checked and this flight is showing in-seat movies, and one of them is "Pride and Prejudice". I saw a preview on it one day and it looks so good. I sure hope I didn't misread the Delta site!

okay...time to go.

Sheesh!

Well, guess I need to get my fingers and brain functioning first! Hit the wrong button and sent an empty post....oops!
We leave in a few minutes for the airport and then to Montgomery, Alabama, by way of Atlanta. Five hour layover in Atlanta....actually looking forward to the layover time. I love airports and people watching. Fun times!
We will return on Thursday after a four day mission conference at a church in Prattville. Our correspondence with them has been great, they truly seem to want to serve Christ thru this time. Please pray for us for health (going in to 40-50* weather from 85*); travel safety (we'll now be driving on US roads and have to obey travel laws-church is providing us with a vehicle while we're there); rest (we arrive at 10:30 tonight Alabama time-12:30AM for us!); clarity in speech and thought as we present the LORD's ministry here in the Dominican; and anything else the LORD brings to mind for you to pray about regarding us!
love y'all,

So many 'thanks'

Every day is NOT like this....

Bob has had 4 weeks of non-stop med teams without a day off, other then to go to Santiago to get our mail and go grocery shopping. One med team would leave on a Saturday at noon and three hours later the next team would arrive at the airport. So.....today was OUR day!
We had heard that there was a beach we could go to near our apartment but had never gone there. WOW! Such a nice surprise to find so close...3 minutes from our front door by car. We pulled up to the parking lot and the guard let us in. We walked down to the beach and indulged in 5 hours of relaxation...no phones, etc. There are comfy beach chairs, little tables, or tables to sit at. a huge beautiful crystal clear pool with a waterfall (lounge chairs and tables with umbrellas around that), an open air restaurant. It is actually owned by the Guavaberry Golf Resort about 8 miles away. But the resort is not on the beach, so they purchased this to have beach access. If you stay at the resort, this is free. The only thing we had to do was buy a beverage (coke for 25 pesos = approx 75 cents). Since it was our first real day off together in about a month, we opted to also buy lunch. We could have had it served to us right on the beach, but we opted for the restaurant. I got the most delicious hamburger. Well the menu called it a hamburger with portabella mushrooms and cheese. It was a 1" thick steakburger! with fries, etc. Bob got a "cesar ensalada con pollo" He did ask them to hold the anchovies! But then had to send the salad back and ask them to please put "el pollo en la ensalada" For those w/o Spanish knowledge --he had to ask them to put the chicken in his chicken salad!
But this beach is very quiet, soothing music playing in the background and the sound of waves hitting the coral reef. No street sounds, no merangue music, no construction sounds...just total relaxing sounds... Not very busy either. The entire time we were there there were never more then 30 people there at the most. There is a guard so it's okay to walk off and leave your stuff on the chair.
We relaxed, we walked on the beach collecting pieces of big conch shells for our coffee table display (we decorate different here) and pieces of sea glass (broken glass that has been worn smooth by the water and sand (again, we decorate differently here!), we each had a coke, we read, we walked some more, we went into the ocean, we read, we ate lunch, we went into the pool, we walked on the beach, we read...we didn't want to leave.
What's nice is that this is a very safe place I can go to by myself on occasion. There are very few places I can do that. Even going to the store requires going thru SanPedro traffic (NOT relaxing).
So, we are grateful that the LORD has provided this place that is close to home that if we just had a free morning we could go to. We can order cafe con leche and sit on the beach and read and not feel guilty about spending money. Cafe con leche was only 35 pesos ($1.00).
I am totally relaxed ...and my hair is back to blond compliments of the glorious sunshine!

Another week in *Paradise*

Well here it is another Monday. I met with Erica and Lucy for our prayer time this morning. Erica is another SCORE missionary serving here with her husband, Nate. They've been here about a month and are living in the house here at the ministry center. Lucy is an intern that is here until the end of July.
Last week held lots of interesting events. I drove by myself for the very first time to San Pedro to Jumbo, (which visiting Americans say is a Dominican Walmart---yeah, right!) This may not seem like much but, believe me, it is MAJOR! Esp. given the driving conditions in San Pedro. The whole trip was bathed in prayer---part of that prayer was that I wouldn't get lost! Considering that in the States I regularly drove to Lynchburg, VA, by myself (also Roanoke, Longview, TX, etc) to suddenly lose *driving rights* is hard. I won't be driving their often, but it's nice to know that I can at least do it if I want to.
The med group that was here last week did a clinic at the fire department in San Pedro for the families of the firemen. At the end of the day, they were all given certificates. Bob is now a major in the San Pedro Fire Department. His certificate has an official embossed seal. He had already been there last year, so he has a higher rank than those that were there last week. He was able to repair some of their med equipment, train them in how to use some of it and give them a blood pressure cuff. Previous to this, they had one BP cuff to use between two ambulances!
On Friday Bob and I went in to Santo Domingo. We went to a section of the city with lots of little shops that manufacture by hand a wide variety of items~~~mattresses (remakes from the hotels, etc), cabinets, metal items, iron works, etc. There are a gazillion fabric stores. Eliminate any pictures of JoAnn Fabrics from your thinking. These are just very dimly lit, some what clean, no frills tiny shops with huge bolts leaned up against walls; plastic bags full of trim from major companies (Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, etc) jars of buttons (many of them cut from old clothing), odd colored zippers in every size and style. I got dropped off at a 3 story fabric store, while Bob actually walked to some cabinet makers checking on prices and styles for the clinic. If you could even picture this area, you would understand how busy our guardian angels were! When he got back to where I was, we walked down this one street checking out little sewing shops. I have to make some divider curtains for the rooms in the clinic and I wanted some open style rivets for the curtain hooks. Found them in one shop ~~84 rivets for 49 Pesos (about $1.50) While Bob was waiting for the clerk to count them out, (they were stored in a jar) I was browsing the store. I got up near the front looking at the trims, when Bob called for me to come back. It appears the owner wanted me back where it was safer! Guess men in the past have rushed in, grabbed women's purses and made a quick get away. But the owner did give me a piece of candy. Delicous hard caramel candy!
However, when we left the store we were walking back to our vehicle and from out of nowhere a man appeared and tried to take my purse. Fortunately, I had it over my neck and across my chest. he never got hold of the strap (YEAH, for my guardian angel!) I twisted to the right, tightly grabbed my purse and loudly said, "OH NO YOU DON'T!!!" He turned and ran down a small walking alley between bldgs. Bob said he had an accomplice who opened the gate to the alley to allow him a quick escape. So, I'm fine and still have my purse, but I twisted both of my ankles in the process. My feet were 'derecho' (straight)my body twisted 'a la derecha' (to the right), and my heart was POUNDING! So, other then church yesterday morning I have once again had to stay off my feet and rest them. Back on pain meds for 3 days...yuck! But all is well and the LORD is my shield and my defender!
Needless to say, we decided not to do any more shopping that day...bummer.
This week, Bob is doing more organizing in the clinic with the help of Lucy and Wilkins. Wilkins is now on staff full-time with the medical ministry. He is a graduate of Jay's Timothy Project and has always had an interest in medical. He's 23 and a very godly young man. He has been a real blessing. Bob is teaching him about medical, replacing brakes on cars, sterile techniques, etc. Richt now, while I type he's in the hallway singing hymns in Spanish.
So, all is well. Tomorrow is mail day which means we have a trip to Santiago! YES!!! FUN!!
and hopefully, lots of mail! Saturday we fly to Montgomery, Alabama, for a missions conference at a church in Prattville. We're there until the 23rd when we fly back here. So, close to our family and yet so far!
So, did y'all get any residual fallout from the blizzard going up the East coast? How I wish I could see snow! But thanks to David and Lyndid and our InstaSno, we have periodic snowfalls in a little dish on our coffee table. Thanks guys. By the way, I really like those purple pens you sent. When we opened the box, there was no doubt that those were NOT Papa's : } Although, I did offer him one....

love you all,,,,

Before I was a missionary

This was inspired from something we read from a church bulletin for a mission conference. The one we saw was only a few short statements. But I had to make it personal, and once I got started, well....
This is in no way to be taken as whining or complaining...it's just our life as we live it here in the Dominican....

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Before I was a missionary - I never knew what it felt like to be a race car driver. I never imagined that if we obey and acknowledge the policemen on the side of the road when they lean on the side of their car and half-heartedly gesture for us to pull over, we will just be adding to their corruption. I never realized that stop lights were only suggestions.

Before I was a missionary - I never realized that traffic actually flows easier when everyone pretty much disregards the lights, signs and laws. I had never known the real value of being able to ask for directions --- derecho and derecha are NOT the same (straight and to the right)

Before I was a missionary - I had never panted between songs to keep cool while worshiping in church. I did not know that all creatures great and small visited church services. (goats, dogs, chickens, roosters, along with mosquitoes and wasps )

Before I was a missionary - I never knew the real value of window screens. I never had to plan how I should kill the taratula at the back door or the cockroach scampering across the floor. Crabs were at the beach; NOT scurrying out of my bathroom. The same could be said of frogs! (By the way, frogs stink when they decide to jump down the bathtub drain and then proceed to die! And, it take days for them to clear!)

Before I was a missionary - I never suspected that I could almost cease to be bothered by vehicles coming at me on the wrong side of the road. I just make allowances for them. The next time I'm on that same road, I may be traveling in the wrong direction, and they'll make allowances for me.

Before I was a missionary - I suspected that the U.S. used far too many orange construction barrels. 1-3 small cones 10 feet away is more than enough warning for any and all road changes; and they only need to stick a branch in a really deep pothole if it has filled up during a rain storm.

Before I was a missionary - I never knew that headlights and taillights are luxury items. CD's serve well as reflectors on the front or back of any vehicle. Spare tires on the other hand are a necessity, and several can be stored on top of a vehicle.

Before I was a missionary - Learning to cook from scratch never seemed a necessity of life. (That's what take-out was for) I drank water out of the tap and did not worry about the ice in restaurants. At the market, I never had to choose my spices by smell alone. I did not know that what I threw away would later be gone through and eaten.

Before I was a missionary - I never knew how many pieces a chicken could be cut into. I never thought to cut the chicken breast into 3 pieces. I never knew how many ways rice could be part of a meal. I thought that *supersize* was just a regular size portion.

Before I was a missionary - I never thought I would use my mini-Dreml to remove the rust from my kitchen knives, serving utensils, and my graters and sieves. I never imagined having to periodically wash my wooden spoons in bleach to remove the mold caused by high humidity. Or, that upon returning from the States after two months, I would have to wash ALL of the clothes left in our apartment to rid them of the smell of mildew.

Before I was a missionary - I never thought I would be telling my guests: "We love lizards! Lizards are our friends. Lizards eat mosquitoes. Please don't chase or in any way attempt to harm that lizard. He is valuable. I want him in my apartment!"

Before I was a missionary - I never knew how much I would look forward to *Mail Day*. I never imagined how important the Internet would become. Or, how precious an envelope filled with family pictures. Any and all Christmas family newsletters are worth their weight in gold! (And when they include pictures of the family---even better!)

Before I was a missionary - I never knew that a rat could climb up the side of a frig. Or, that the same rat could drag a loaf of bread across the top of that frig, and then devour a large portion of that loaf of bread. I never knew that if I trap and kill the rat, I should discover first if it is a mama-rat; and, if so, where she has lft her nest of babies. I never knew how much 3 very small baby rats could stink up a sewing room once they die and go undetected for 2 weeks.

Before I was a missionary - I never knew how blessed and encourged I could be while worshiping in a church service where, at most, I understood 25% of what was said. I never knew that "Surely the presence of the LORD is in this place" could be so real! I never knew how much it would mean in the middle of a sermon to have the Dominican pastor stop, turn to us and in English say: "Do you understand? I was just saying...." and then go on to give us a brief sysnopsis of his message up to that point.

Before I was a missionary - I never knew how real "We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the LORD" would really become. I never really comprehended the power and love behind "Mi hermana en Cristo"

Before I was a missionary - I had never seen love expressed through actions when words could not be shared.
I never completely understood the sacrifice Jesus made leaving His home in heaven.
I had never known it was possible to be so homesick and at the same time be so content knowing I am serving the LORD in a foreign country that -- though it is far different from what I am used to --also feels like home!

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Have a great one!

Chin y Chon

Well, this is it! Nothing spectacular but it is a start. The title Chin y Chon is Spanish. Dominican Spanish actually...it means * a little and a lot*

More later...