I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you,
you will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Coming back from break has been refreshing after having spent a good amount of time in God’s Word, socializing with friends old and new, and resting. Slowly, the American missionaries who left for the States have started to trickle in. Some people who I haven’t seen in months are now back. And, I settle into what seems like “normal” again. Hugs. Catching up. Thankful to have the whole Makarios crew back. School starts. Kids are back. Normalcy. Routine. Relief. Teachers are excited to see each other, kids are grateful to be back again.
A week after school starts, my reading lessons begin again with kids. Pulling them one by one into my office (or sometimes in twos or threes). The kids don't skip a beat even after having been gone for 3 weeks for vacation. I now have two more kids with whom to work and one little girl who no longer needs to come to me. Kids are slowly inching up on the train in my office that has their pictures and a group of frequency words attached to each car. They should be able to read each word quickly. Others still struggle to get off of train number one. "I have to be creative,” I think. I pray for them, for God to open their little brains to understand how reading works. Other kids are flying through zoo phonics, a program we are using to teach the youngest kids and those with learning challenges how to understand letter and sound relationships. From time to time, high fives are given. The reality sets back in of how far behind some of these kids are. Keep praying.
We start meeting again in her small house in Chichigua each Monday morning. She is beginning to read simple words and is learning how to think. She can read some words in the kid’s Bible that I’ve given her, even though it is a struggle. She is starting to warm up to me and ask me deeper questions about the Bible, things that she has heard in church but cannot check on because of her illiteracy. There are two others interested in learning. They are timid, but desiring to join the Monday lessons. Praying for God to give them confidence to learn and that the Lord would encourage them through me. Hoping that this year the one I’ve been working with since summer will finally learn to read.
I prepare for a reading workshop for teachers about the meaning and importance of being a fluent reader. In all classes less than 1/2 of the kids are able to read fluently at their level. I give statistics. The teachers recognize the reality and importance of engaging this skill with their kids. We play games that can be played as a whole class or in smaller groups. We talk about the importance of frequent words, regular practice, speed, and making it fun. The teachers have sat in a workshop all morning at the local church so I’m scared that their minds will be tired. Yet, when it’s all done, they’ve laughed, moved and thought of gleaned how to help their children become better readers.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11
I get invited to a weekly meeting on Wednesdays for the people involved in Family Ministry where we talk about the communities, families that are struggling and how we can pray for direction in how to help them and develop the program more. I learn that the main areas of focus will be empowering the parents spiritually, academically and with skills. Three families are highlighted that are really struggling — especially after the flooding in November, and who also have some spiritual and relational difficulties. One of these families, I am very close to. They’ve moved. I need to know where they now live and visit them. It is good to feel a part of a team. A small group of us spends a day at the Mak House (a big house where the groups stay when they come, where we have “family night” once a week with the other American missionaries, and where one of the host couples lives). Leadership has been working over the last few months on defining Makarios’ vision. They share with us. And in teams we come up with the vision for the school, family ministry, and groups. Jesus is at the center. God has answered so many prayers.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
The teacher is teaching algebraic equations to the high school sophomores from the front of the class. I am in the back, 60 pairs of eyes glancing my way from time to time, wondering who I am and why I’m there. I am in the last four weeks of the class that I am taking at the local university to know more about Dominican curriculum. It’s been an insightful 10 months. Observing the teacher, I notice some kids not paying attention, others passing notes, and still others very much engaged. He seems to be a knowledgable teacher. This is the first of three observations this week. And in two weeks I will finish by teaching at the same school. I am hoping to teach English since it has to be in a high school. During my visits, I am reminded that the town I live in is small and that it has paid off to be out an about in the various communities. In each class, I know at least one student that I have a connection to, either from the street I live on, someone at Makarios, or from Chichigua. I witness the reality of the public education system and the positive work that Makarios staff is doing with our kids in seeking to give them a non-traditional, Bible-based education.
The director asks me, “Adrienne, did you hear what happened?” The fourth graders all accepted Christ. The teacher, who also helps pastor a church in one of the communities that we serve, has been going through a tract with the kids that was given to me from one of my supporters during Bible. He’s been slowly taking them through the Gospel using the Roman Road and his life experiences and testimony. The kids on this day decide to accept Christ. He talks with me about discipleship and what he wants to do next. There are 12 kids in that class. They are the class that I have gotten close to because I helped them with writing workshops in the last 2 months of last semester. Praying to the Lord in how I can help. I have bought resources and been given things to help. Finding good discipleship books for kids in Spanish has been hard. Praying for provision and wisdom for their teacher in guiding them. Thankful to have strong male leaders who love the Lord.
He has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. this grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. 2 Timothy 1:9-10
I’m walking early in the morning and decide to head to Pancho Mateo. It’s the first time that I have felt comfortable to walk there alone since I moved here. It’s one of the communities that we serve where about 40 families come from. I cross the orange bridge that leads there, the river which was high just months ago is now low again. Each week I feel like I know more and more people and feel more and more comfortable visiting. I pray for the various families that come to mind. The mom that I visited the day before whose son I work with. She accepted Christ recently and has started going back to church. She cannot read but has a desire to learn to be able to read the Bible. I think about the little girl I work with who is raised by her grandmother and seems not to have much contact with her mom, and then I pray for one of my little boys who has some unhealthy relationships in his family. I find two kids swimming in the nearby river while the mom and sister wash clothes nearby. I thank God for giving me a quiet early morning walk as pass by the perfect view of God’s mountains that extend far out there, the reddish blue sky in the background.
I’m sitting in my roommates car at the entrance to the dirt road that leads to Chichigua. I’m waiting for her. It’s her birthday and we made plans to eat ice cream. I have 200 pesos on me (about $5). I cannot go up and get her because the road is too bumpy and the car is too low to the ground. I decide to pay a moto driver and father of one of the students to go get her from her home. About 20 minutes later I see her… riding behind him side-saddled on the motorcycle. She gets down, hugs me and gets in the car. She smells clean and is dressed nice for a trip out of her normal to get a treat. "Feliz cumpleaños!" I greet her. (Happy birthday!) We head back towards Montellano and stop at the gas station where they have a small area where they sell ice cream. She orders strawberry, and I order an ice cream sandwhcih. We get some chips and have a seat. I learn more about her family…. about her life in Haiti... about when she lived in San Pedro and more information about how she came to Chichigua. We pray for this new year and thank God for the 28 years that He has given her, praying that this year she will learn to read.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
I have my first Bible Study in Chichigua. 6 ladies attend, 3 of whom are new. 2 cannot come because of prior responsibilities but will hopefully attend in the future. 2 are not-yet believers who have so much interest in learning about God’s Word. I tell them that our Bible Study for this season will be on the book of John, and while I don’t know everything, I am excited to learn and share what God is teaching me in His Word. We talk about who the “Word” is and what it means that He was with God in the beginning and that He was God. I read in Spanish, someone else reads in Kreyol. Then we go back and read again. I draw. We talk and are amazed at just who Jesus is and what God did in coming to earth in the flesh. Most do not have a Bible with them. 1/2 of them cannot read for themselves. They understand and ask lots of questions. We talk about creation, about God’s chosen people, the Israelites, and about The Holy Spirit opens their minds and guides me to explain. When I am done, I meet up with another missionary and her daughter who have spent the last hours playing with the neighborhood kid and teaching them a Bible story using a flannel board. I am so grateful for help and the kids continued interest in the Bible.
For Christ compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all,
and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live
should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them
and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Roosters crowing. Dogs barking. A baby cat sadly meowing.
(…and all of this is seemingly happening outside of my window as I try to get in a few more minutes of sleep. It's Sunday. I don’t have to be anywhere until after 9:00. I’m going to church in Chichigua this morning instead of my usual church service here on my street.)
“Go back to sleep, Adrienne.” I roll over.)
Crow. Bark. Meow.
"I’m up.”
Bathroom. The kitchen. Coffee. I light a match and try to light the stove. Nothing. I try again. Nothing. We are out of gas. My roommates are asleep. I head back to my room and start to watch a documentary about Jesus’ life. The internet stops working. I think about coffee again. “Mami." She’s a sweet neighbor who sells coffee on the street. She and I have also become friends. During the break I got to sit on her front porch, enjoy a cup of coffee and some crackers with her and talk about life and pray. She lost her husband on Thanksgiving day just a few months ago. She goes to my church. She raises her grandson. “Mami!” I think to myself again. I grab the keys and head to her house about 50 steps away and like always she is sitting out on her porch. I carry in my hand the coffee greca that I had already prepared before knowing we were out of gas. She and her friend Clara giggle as they see me. Everyone else on the street is sleeping, numb to all of the animal sounds. Quiet. It is great to see their faces. “Se acabó el gas” (You’re gas ran out) they say as Mami opens the porch gate and lets me in. I followed her into the kitchen and she lights the small countertop stove. A year ago, months ago even, I wouldn’ve have felt comfortable to do that. But, it feels natural. It feels like family. A grandma taking care of her grandchild. A sister in Christ caring for another sister in Christ who has a deep need for coffee just an hour after being awake. I sit down in a rocking chair and chat while waiting for the coffee to brew. We laugh. I appreciate that they are early risers like me. I am grateful to learn that even if I wake up at 5:30, I can go down there and enjoy some good morning conversation. She’s got to be lonely now that her elderly husband has passed. I don’t think that Clara is a believer. She seems friendly. God is making this place more and more like home.
I arrive at church on a moto after traveling about 20 minutes first on asphalt and then on an outstretched dirt road. I hear songs in Kreyol as I walk into the tiny yellow church and sit on a wooden bench. I greet her and another women with kisses on the cheek and continue listening, understanding words here and there. The men are all seated to the left and the women to the right. Some women have their heads covered. In the front are two rows of wooden benches with about 15 small, dark and cute children quietly seated. A few point fingers and smile. Two hours later, I find myself in a circle in the front to the side of those same kids listening to a mix of prayers, praises and Bible readings about the Last Supper. I’m sitting next to another missionary couple and the woman I am teaching to read. The pastor takes his time breaking the thin bread and pouring the wine. We partake in the Holy Supper. We pray. The pastor explains what Jesus did after the last supper, and the believers in the circle start slipping off their right shoes. There are about 15 of us, mostly women. I take off my right sandal and the pastor’s wife passes by with a large bowl filled with water. She dips my foot in the water, washes and then dries it with a towel. I am humbled and touched by the memory of what it must have been like for Peter and the rest of the disciples to have lived alongside their servant Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
(typical Dominican fruit trees from top to bottom: cajuilito, cherry, limoncillo, guanabana, avocado)
