Honest Conversations -- Similar Sentiments

Just a few months ago, I read the article below about a missionary heading home for the first time in three years and her thoughts and fears and expectations.  And I can relate to many of the sentiments before and when I am in the states.  So, I saved it with a note to myself to send it out to my supporters and friends in March or April. Well, here it is April, I've already arrived in the States and while it has not been quite so long since I came back to my first home, it has been almost four years since I moved to the Dominican Republic. In that time, lots has changed. I realize that it's been a year and a half since I had any formal dinner for supporters in the Atlanta area, and probably about 6 months since I've seen some of my loved ones here in Florida and in South Georgia.  And I realize that I need to try to plan a more formal trip later this year for those who are so gracious to support what God is doing through me in the Dominican Republic. The main purpose of this trip is to bring artwork from the ladies from Quisqueya (where I used to live) and some rings designed by a man from the Puerto Plata area where I am now in ministry to support their work and hopefully benefit both Makarios and Emanuel House by buying books with the proceeds. In the midst of that, I get to see lots of people that I haven't seen in a while, hug necks, chat, and be reminded of things in this culture that are different than where I have rooted over the past 3 1/2 years. And, I get to introduce a close Dominican friend, Nicole to friends and family here and show her some of my old stomping grounds.  I am looking forward to it all, along with a couple of days of just rest and exploring. Needless to say, this article is a great read and sheds some light on some of the feelings of anyone coming back stateside after time away.  I hope you will read it as a way to help you understand some of the many emotions as I jump back into a place that I love but that I've been out of rhythm with for so long. My Pre-Furlough Mind By Anisha Hopkinson on Feb 08, 2017 12:10 am In 32 days, it’s furlough time! After 3 years serving overseas, we’re heading back for 6 months. We are completely and ridiculously over the moon excited. My son keeps asking if we can go straight from the airport to the mall. The other day my husband sighed, “Right now I just want to be sitting in front of Simmon’s Bakery eating an iced bun.” As for me, I dream daily of swimming pools and running in the woods. I can’t wait to see everyone, hug, laugh, and hold on tight because for the first time in years we are actually standing in front of one another. But, oh boy, there it is – the plain fact that it’s been years since we left. A lot of life happens in 3 years. As I prepare for furlough, I’ve got 7 things on my mind… 1)When we left, Downton Abbey was on season 3 Is Downton Abby even still on? The last I know, Lady Mary and Matthew finally got engaged. Popular music? No clue. New words to make their way into pop culture? Again, no idea. Three years ago, the Harlem Shake ruled the internet and pre-teens lost their minds over Bieber swag. 2)My son is going to think something “normal” is really funny and weird. My son has spent half his life in Indonesia. We’ve been coaching him on how things are done differently back in our family’s passport countries, but I’m sure we’ll miss something out. Last trip back, he loudly pointed out all the bare breasted statues at the garden centre. While other children walked by without so much as a glance, giggles and shouts of, “Look Mom, more nipples!” trailed after me through potted plants. 3)I’m afraid I won’t remember names I feel really bad about this one and I might be panicking for no reason, but I’m still panicking. I can see it all play out in my mind – We’re at church. A familiar face heads towards me. I’m smiling and wracking my brain but no matter how hard I try, I just can’t remember a name. Perhaps this is all completely irrational, but it’s still freaking me out a bit. 4)My clothes are awful Before going overseas, I promised myself I wouldn’t be one of those odd looking missionaries showing up to Sunday services in old, worn out clothes. Unless I make it to the store before Sunday, I absolutely am one of those missionaries. My clothes are old. They have holes and stains and are stretched from line drying. I need to go shopping. And a for haircut. I really need a haircut. 5)We’ve experienced trauma We’ve had some bad things happen to us. We’ve scheduled a debriefing retreat, are getting counseling, and are working through hard things. We’re putting structure in place to better care for ourselves. Still, I worry people will think we’re a bit off or perhaps emotionally raw, but won’t understand why. 6)I need more than 5 minutes When friends say, “So tell me about life in Indonesia”, I have no idea how to answer. I might say, “It’s good!” but really, what does that even mean? I’m holding out hope someone will say, “Welcome back! Let’s go for coffee and long catch up.” and we can both listen and share about our lives over the last 3 years. 7)My ‘Thank You’ isn’t enough How can I adequately express just how thankful I am for everyone who prays, encourages, and supports us? I’ll bring back a woven bracelet or some other unique thing from my overseas home and say, “Thank you. We wouldn’t be here without you.” but am still so aware how short words and trinkets will fall. However sincere, my ‘thank you’ isn’t enough. Copyright © 2017 A Life Overseas, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at alifeoverseas.com. Our mailing address is: A Life Overseas 710 Pinon Ridge Drive, Woodland Park, CO, United States Woodland Park, CO  80863

The Perfect Wave

Right around Valentine's day, the Makarios staff had a retreat at the Makarios House where teams usually stay.  It involved worship, revealing of the re-vamped Makarios vision and mission statements, devotion and lots of food and fun games.  We took a scavenger hunt around town and had a shaving cream fight. 

I graduated!  YAY!  Since May of last year, I have been taking a class with one of my co-workers, to learn more about Dominican education.  It has helped a lot to understand the legal side, the history, and the new curriculum that is being implemented country-wide.  

Since graduating, Creole language learning has started back up again.  Meet Odilsia. She's the cook at Makarios and one of my favorite people to hang around. She let's me encroach upon her space at home and ask lots of questions about Creole.  Did I mention there is a lot of repeat please?  God continues to amaze me with what He allows me to learn and say.  I have gotten to attend Church service in Chichigua a few times and while I don't understand it all, hearing Creole, building relationship with the local church members and participating in worship is good for the soul.

  Three pastors and the head pastor's daughter came to visit, encourage, and see how Trinity can continue to support the ministry here.  What a treat it was to have them around, travel with them to a Young Life camp, and have them see life on this side of the island.  Good news? They will be back, Lord willing.  Even better news?  They will be blessing us next year with some much needed staff care.

 

Both Makarios little kids and Adonai Big kids participated in the celebration of Dominican Independence Day on Feb. 28.  Along with a presentation given at the school with third graders as the highlight because of a traditional dance that they presented, there were songs, explanation of the Dominican Flag, and later that week a parade in the town.  Que viva la Dominicana!

Here are some kids from Chichigua who have just listened to a Bible story with fellow missionary and good friend, Christine. And then they spend time reading, writing and playing.  Of course, I have a hard time snapping pictures of my Bible Study group, but at least here is a glimpse of what happens with the kids while we study.  Bible Study is in both Creole and Spanish and we are memorizing John 1 in Creole.  May God give me the brain power!



March 18-25, 20 Wesleyan high school girls and 4 teachers made their first trip here to Makarios. It was a great week encouraging the girls in their faith, letting them meet the people I've come to love here, and serving alongside with them. While here, they taught chapel to the Mak kids, did various projects around the school, and visited the three communities we serve.  I am so grateful for this community that God has allowed me to continue to be a part of!  Jesus Others Yourself!

Second Saturday meetings have started with women from various areas of ministry here.  In March, we had our first study of John MacArthur's book Fundamental of the Faith which is an in depth study of Bible basics.  Women from each community that we serve were present, along with Makarios teachers and missionaries.  American, Dominican, Haitian... old, young... rich, poor... married and single.  For me, it was a small glimpse of the body of Christ, and I look forward to seeing how God will continue to grow this group of believers to know more about His Word so that they can teach others.  They are being challenged to study, to learn the books of the Bible ,and to memorize a Bible verse each month.

The new Family Empowerment Ministry.  

So far we've been working on the vision, structure, and relational aspects of the ministry so that we can get 2016-2017 school year started off on the right foot.  Lots of prayer, staff meetings,  planning, home visits, and parent meetings have been happening over the last two months.  God has definitely filled a void by letting me be a part of this great group of people.  

Meet the staff:

Wilson (top left) -- He is the logistics coordinator and also helps families who need help processing documentation since many of our kids don't have their birth certificates.  He will be encouraging families to be responsible in this process along with helping them where he's able.  He speaks Creole which is a plus and lives in a Haitian batey about 15 minutes from the school.  

Benjamin (top right) -- He is the Family Empowerment Manager.  He's in charge of making sure that everything is working as planned, coordinating our meetings and encouraging us to continue doing what we do.  He used to be a compassion kid, and has now graduated college, gotten married and is an incredible leader who loves Jesus! 

Andrea (bottom left) -- She is from Pancho Mateo, one of our communities.  She loves Jesus and loves the community where she lives. She has a heart for Jesus, the local church, and drawing those around her to Christ. She helps Wilson a lot and serves as a great link between the community and Makarios.

Bernabe (bottom center) -- He is one of my neighbors and also a member of the same local church that I attend. He is the Spiritual leader of the group and has 20 years experience working with Compassion International as director before working with Makarios.  He is highly relational, respected, and loved! I met him during the floods, as he helped me find some of the kids who were most in need.

Yep, that's me (bottom right) -- I am connected to 12 families that I get to visit and pray with, encourage, and share the gospel with.  

"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness 

and the world's deep hunger meet."  

Frederick Buechner, American writer and theologian 

If I were surfing, I would imagine that over the last two months, I caught the perfect wave and have been riding it in towards shore pretty steadily.  I've been in my "happy place," the place where my gifts and the needs here have met.  Relationships continue to deepen and small opportunities to point to Christ abound.  

My prayer is that in the ministry that God has me doing here, the people who meet me or see me, wouldn’t see what I do nor who I am.  May they recognize that anything good that they see in me, glean from me or hear from me comes only because of Christ who lives in me. 

Most days, I feel weak, unable, and sometimes overwhelmed.  I have a routine of going to the school, visiting the communities, praying with family ministry, and helping wherever I can.  Then out of the ordinary, God tugs on me to offer up a prayer, make a visit to someone who has been sick, or ask how someone is doing.  And in those small moments, I am reminded how strong, able and good God is.  

My Hopes:
My hope is that people would see that I am serving a king the best way I know how, not because I have to but because I love to.   My hope is that God would continue to guide, give wisdom, and encourage me to have boldness to do His will. My hope is that I would always walk in His strength and not my own.

My Prayers:

May the Lord help me know what He does not call me to do, may he help me be JOYFUL in all that He has called me to.  May I work in the little and the small in the same way that I work for the seemingly important -- as if working for the Lord.  May I find balance and space to fill up and exhale.  May God's mercy cover me when I mess up and may those around me see Him and not me.  May I be thankful for the blessings and encouragement that surrounds me.  May He become greater and I become less.

What's coming up?
I will be in the States from April 15 - April 30 to share with everyone what God has been doing here and to share about the new Family Ministry needs.  I will also be selling some artwork made by Dominicans in the Wesleyan Artist Market April 27-29.  Proceeds will go to buying books for the communities.  I hope to spend some good quality time with friends, family, and previous co-workers while in the States.  My friend, Nicole will be traveling with me to help with the Artist Market.  Please pray for all of the little details.  I cannot wait!

“People from my first home say I'm brave. They tell me I'm strong. They pat me on the back and say, 'Way to go. Good job.' But the truth is, I am not really very brave; I am not really very strong; and I am not doing anything spectacular. I am simply doing what God has called me to do as a person who follows Him. He said to feed His sheep and He said to care for 'the least of these,' so that's what I'm doing, with the help of a lot people who make it possible and in the company of those who make my life worth living.” 

― Katie J. Davis, Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption