READING. I continue to work at the school helping with reading and have recently started to help the first - third grade teachers with their library time by providing an organized lesson or time to read. I'm excited to see the third graders especially, learn how much fun chapter books can be! Please continue to pray for the continued love for reading among the kids and maybe even that that love would extend to their families. In this culture, which is a very aural one, which while not bad, people often forget to read for themselves -- especially the Word of God. My roommate and I also try to have books with us whenever we're in the community and have found ourselves with kids in our laps reading to them more than a few times in the past month.
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| I work with kids 4 years old through 4th grade! This was a great day... He wrote his name correctly for the first time without looking... first try!! |
CREOLE. Over the past month, I have continued to visit communities and practice Creole. Creole learning is not easy -- especially since it is not the necessary language for me to know in order to get around and I am working at the same time. But, even so, I see God's hand and His desire for me to continue to pursue Creole as a language. I had the opportunity to visit a community a few times called Los Algodones and a church there. I was able to introduce myself in Creole and share that I worked with some members of their church! Please pray for endurance, for wisdom in my creole schedule, and for a language helper who has time to work with me in the way that I best learn.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH & BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS. God is blessing me in that I can see Him helping me to develop relationships with people in two specific communities. The first is Chichigua which is a small Haitian community of about 100 people whose families were originally brought there to pick sugar cane. I am learning more about the complexity of their relationships, the spiritual needs that the church body and individuals have, and about the way that the kids are growing up there in general. Please pray against spiritual warfare that is present there and pray for God to show His plan in how I can better work with the local church in Chichigua.
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| This is Chichigua. I visit this community to practice Creole, play with kids and read! Chichigua means "kite" in Spanish. |
The second community is the one in which I live right now. I am on a street called "El Silencio" where many people from my church reside. It is in general a middle class neighborhood with a good mixture of people who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and people who are unbelievers. In general, people are very friendly and slowly, because of just being present, the "newness of being a new American living on the street" is wearing off. I am starting to meet more and more neighbors. In fact, my roommate and I have intentionally been shopping in Montellano in order to foster relationships.
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| This is a view of my street from my patio. |
DR PRIDE, ELECTIONS & PROMISES. February was the month where we celebrated and remembered the forefathers of the Dominican who helped to free this nation from Haiti in 1844. We got to spend this day with our friends who spend Saturdays with us.
Just as in the United States, the Dominican is having it's elections and campaigns. So, one of the most fun moments in the last few weeks has been watching the "parades" go by of various candidates. Unlike in the States, where campaigning is often quiet or at least contained in a room with people who want to hear what the person has to say, here, campaigning is loud music often about the candidate, parades, waiving flags and wearing hats that were passed out just hours before. There are posters on every poll with catchy slogans, nicknames and clear distinctions between parties by color. Calle Silencio, my street was the street that the president and the rest of the fanfare drove down in order to exit Montellano just two weeks ago. I don't know if I have ever been in a president's presence before in my life, but as you can see... HE WAVED AT US! As with any election, there are lots of promises... the biggest right now being 24 hour electricity.
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During Semana Santa (Holy Week) in the Dominican there is no school and traditionally it's a time to be with family, travel, and go to the beach. At a time when the church body has an opportunity to reflect on Christ's last week alive before dying on the cross, Satan enjoys tempting believers and non-believers alike with distractions. This week, I have heard the music of gaga (a reminder that voodoo is a part of life here) and I've seen bits and pieces of carnaval (where the main protagonist is a woman dancing with the devil.)
BUT GOD! He sent His son to die and Rise again!!!
Yesterday we celebrated Easter. I had the privilege of taking time to remember Jesus' life, death and resurrection with some of my fellow Makarios missionaries and their families… Going to church, making lunch together, putting eggs out for an easter egg hunt for missionary kids, and enjoying hamburgers cooked on the grill, and chips and watermelon, all made for a traditional American Easter celebration.
FINDING NORMAL. The past month has been one of me finding normal rhythms, continuing to build relationships, and just finding my place. I have had some great days and hard days. Normal looks different than it did in Quisqueya and looks different than it did in Atlanta. I am grateful, though, for a routine. As a teacher, I think I missed some of the natural rhythms and breaks that a school year follows.BUT GOD! He sent His son to die and Rise again!!!
Yesterday we celebrated Easter. I had the privilege of taking time to remember Jesus' life, death and resurrection with some of my fellow Makarios missionaries and their families… Going to church, making lunch together, putting eggs out for an easter egg hunt for missionary kids, and enjoying hamburgers cooked on the grill, and chips and watermelon, all made for a traditional American Easter celebration.
Right now, I am on the second leg of a two week break from working at the school! It has provided a great chance to do some things around the house, visit friends in communities for long periods of time without something to do next, spend time with co-workers, get to know some neighbors, and to do some fun things nearby.
HIS WILL BE DONE. There are times when I wonder, "Lord, am I doing this right?" or "Lord, what am I doing exactly." And I am reminded of a missionary from Juan Dolio who told me when I had first moved to Quisqueya… "The fact that you are here is enough." That is a hard truth to swallow, but I do believe it to be true. I'm here and God has a plan. I just need to allow Him to use me.
Another former missionary and friend in Atlanta told me before moving here that the thing she remembers most about being a missionary was that God taught her how to live… how she lived while in China, she knew was a lesson in how we all should live as Christians -- no matter if in our home town, a foreign city or another country.
I have been reminded over and over again that... it is God who is working in me
to will and to act in order to fill His good purpose.
God has a purpose so GREAT with the people that He has placed in my life. Please come alongside me and pray that His light would shine through me, that I would become less and less and that He would become more and more!
PRAISES:
- Just last week, my roommate and I were invited into two of our neighbors homes to eat and chat. This is a big deal and a small nudge of encouragement that our efforts to intentionally shop and spend time in Montellano is paying off. Please continue to pray for patience as deep relationship building is often slow!
- The Emanuel House new building is complete. There will be an inauguration soon for the new building. I will do my best to attend!
- One of my Bible Study ladies from Quisqueya accepted Christ last week! Please, please pray for her as the enemy does not like that decision. God is SO good though, isn't He? His timing is perfect!
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| The Emanuel House new building is finished! |
My biggest personal need is encouragement and prayer. I have appreciated the small gestures from supporters that remind me that God is in control, that people are praying, and that I am not alone. I could not do anything that I do without the financial support and prayers of those back in the States. God has been so good to work through you all to encourage me to keep going as God has me in a period of learning, waiting and seeking Him more intimately.
If you would ever like to send a letter of encouragement or a small care package, I would love that! Small gestures truly go a long way!
Mail to:
Adrienne Christian BM - 112046
8400 NW 25th Street
Suite 100
Miami, FL 33198-1522
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| One of the most encouraging times in the last month was a quick visit from one of the pastors from my home church and some of his family... and a quick visit with them to Young Life, Dominican Republic! I've always wanted to visit... It was a great reminder of Wesleyan life in Atlanta! Gotta love Young Life! |
**A list of more specific prayer requests will be sent to a smaller group of prayer warriors soon. If you would like to receive those prayer requests, and don't think you're on the list, please email me at: acorinnechristian@gmail.com.**
