Bearing Fruit

  

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)

The Son's Reflection

I will never forget a couple months ago when we had the flooding here.  It had rained hard for three weeks straight and even before then had been raining so much.  Sun was not something that peaked out regularly, clothes wouldn’t dry, and trying to light a match for the stove was a process.  

And then one day I remember my roommate standing outside of the door and seeing a bright, bright reflection and saying, “What is that?”  It turned out it was the sun reflecting off of a nearby neighbor’s tin roof.  In such a short time she’d forgotten what the sun’s reflection looked like.  

Not long after, more days became sunny than rainy, and only memories and physical evidences were left behind of the heavy rains and rising rivers.  

Today, the water has long receded, the saturated furniture long dried or thrown away, and left behind are eroded roads showing evidence of the storm. And fortunately, the bright sun peaks out each day like clockwork.

When I think back through the past few months, transitions, flooding and life's challenges, I am reminded of how out of control I’ve felt and how much in need of a break I was. I decided months ago to stay in the Dominican during Christmas break this year.  Over the past two weeks I have been intent on focusing my attention on the Lord, seeking rest (emotionally, spiritually and physically), discerning direction, and spending quality time with people who live in this country who I haven’t gotten to spend so much quality time with in over a year.

I have also gotten a good amount of time reading.  In God’s Word, I’ve been reading over and over again   Galatians, Romans 5-12 and 2 Corinthians 3-6.  Also, I finally finished The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (Yes, for the first time.) and am about halfway through The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller.  Reading —  it’s one of the things that really fills me up, but if I am too tired or if there are too many things going on in my mind, reading doesn’t happen. I often don’t get to sit down and read a good book and many days my quiet time is a lot shorter than what I would like it to be.

Like my friend who forgot what the sun’s reflection was like, in many ways I feel like over the past two months I have been the forgetful Israelite, along with the task-oriented Martha, and the scared Moses.  Like Peter, I often took some steps of faith staring clearly at God and then found myself looking at the waves instead of  Him and starting to drown.  But, fortunately, God does not give up on us.  He reaches out His hand and helps us up.  He’s used a hard semester to teach me and remind me and to relax the often high strung, perfectionist Adrienne.    

This break, God has been teaching me about some adjustments I need to make in how I do “life” here.  He’s shown me that He is merciful, forgiving, and has an abundance of grace for all of our shortcomings.    He’s reminded me how much nature, rest, quiet, long walks, and quick trips for ice cream with friends can fill me up. He’s shown me that doing those things help me to better reflect the Son.  He’s taught me that time and patience and intentionality with people is how I developed such deep relationships and trust in the past and that He is the same God that He was then.  I’ve been reminded that His call for my life is one of boldness, speaking truth, and often being different for Him.  He’s encouraged me in my gifts and He’s reminded me over and over again who I am (His) and who He is (God)!  In essence, God grabbed my face and pointed it directly at Him.  And only looking directly at Him can I even begin to reflect the Son.

To Him be all of the glory!

We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.  All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.  Therefore, we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:14-18

My Dominican family, whom I met in 2009 on a Wesleyan mission trip, has ever since provided a home away from home for me in Santo Domingo. This year, I got to spend Christmas with them.  It consisted of a traditional Christmas Eve dinner of roasted pig and chicken, "Christmas rice", salad, and spaghetti.  I learned that up north where I live now, instead of spaghetti, families eat pastelón (a dish similar to lasagna but made with sweet plantains instead of pasta).  One of my favorite parts of being here this break has been learning about the Christmas traditions... Instead of buying gifts like in the States, it is more common here to change something in your home (curtains, cushions or even furniture). Many Christians do not put up a Christmas tree but there are many parks and homes with outside lights. One thing that I knew was popular was painting your home a different color, but since I had never spent a Christmas here, I didn't realize that the change in paint most often occurs around Christmas.  It's tradition!

 

Deepening relationships with other Makarios teachers.  Not 20 minutes away is a mountain called Mount Isabel. On top is a Christ statue modeled after the one in Brazil.  It is definitely one my favorite places here.  This break, I got to ride up the mountain by cable car with a Makarios friend and spend much of the morning just walking and talking and enjoying nature! Later, she introduced me to a few cheap places to eat and to the Puerto Plata pulga which is like a beyond- massive garage sale.  (Most of the items come from Haiti and have been donated by the United States.  People then sell it here to the Dominicans.)  Going to a wedding, spending time in the park and eating with Dominican friends have been other ways that the Lord has allowed me to deepen some relationships and enjoy the city nearby in a way that I usually don't get to.

On January 1, I had the opportunity to spend time with Mirqueya in a stadium in Santo Domingo.  We worshipped, prayed and listened to a sermon based on 2 Corinthians 5 and the ministry of reconciliation.  This free and annual event is called "Battle of the Faith" and occurs the first day of every year.  It is highly attended by many Christians.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Discipline. Please come alongside me and pray for continued good time in His Word and discipline in memorizing Scripture. May the things that I am learning during my quiet time and during my class on Systematic Theology stick with me!

Prayer life.  This time has allowed me to really get to listen to others and see how I can pray for them.  May I renew an intentional habit to pray for all of those on my prayer list here, where I used to live, and in the States.

Mirqueya and my friends in Quisqueya.  I had the opportunity to spend about 4 days in Quisqueya just days ago.  Great things are happening at Emanuel House and many are coming into deeper relationship with Christ through the work there. I am grateful to still be able to be a part of it even though I am not physically there. Mirqueya and many of my former Bible Study ladies have been going through a really hard time.  Please pray for God’s protection of her and that God will get all of the glory.  

Personal Care.  Although the Lord has grown me so much in this area, please continue to pray that I will do what I need to do to take care of myself physically, emotionally and spiritually so that I can reflect Jesus in all that God has called me to be and do.  Please also pray for protection against sickness.

Not-Yet-Believers. There are a number of non-believers with whom I have a relationship and others whom I see daily.  Please pray that the Lord would help me to be loving and intentional with them and that He would provide opportunities to share Christ with them.

Reading and Outreach. I will continue working at the school with the kids who are behind helping them learn to read, bringing books to the communities to read with children and adults, and leading discipleship groups of women. Please pray for God to be my guide and strength and that people would see Him and not me.

Thank you for all that you've done and continue to do to support me in the last three years and in this last year of transition.  Thank you for your prayers, financial support, encouragement, concern and love.  I see God's hand in my ministry here and I could not do any of it without my team!  May you know just how appreciative I am for you and your sacrificial time and gifts. May God bless you and your family in 2017 and may He be glorified by you!

A Morning in my Life

What's in this blog?

• A glimpse into my life two weeks ago today
• Prayer Requests
• Ways that you can help me before the end of the year or in the new year
• Pictures (they are rare, so don't miss them!)

Two weeks ago today... I met a "prophet"
I was told that I am not a Christian.  I was told to convert.  And after I asked about it, some quotes came from Amos and from Exodus as to why I wasn't a believer.  

Lately I have also come across a good bit of false doctrine, atheists, and others who do not believe in Jesus as God.  I have also been taking a class that is helping me be able to defend my faith and have a deeper understanding of truths from the Bible and where to find them through another missionary at the local church.  

Just thinking about the way in which he was "preaching" at me and others and the words that he was claiming as truth made me remember one of my consistent prayers to be gentle and that people would see Jesus in my words and actions.  I had walked up to a group of about 5 were sitting on a patio in the front side of Chichigua (3 believers and 2 non-believers) listening to the craziness that he was spewing.  He declared, “I am the only one on this island who knows Christ.  Convert… how does it feel to know that you don’t have Jesus?  He looked at me and asked, "Will you except Jesus today?"  This was not asking me if I had Jesus, just telling me that I was going to hell.  The people giggled because they know that I am a Christian and a missionary. I see them two to three times each week once for a Bible study and once for a reading lesson and sometimes just to spend time... 

I was reminded of a few things because of the encounter :
a) that I should not be a stumbling block for anyone in how I present myself, even though I was dressed very modestly and had on very modest earrings it is a stumbling block for many who do not understand 
b) to be careful not to assume or judge someone else about their salvation but to be quicker to listen than to speak
c) the importance of always being prepared to defend my faith. 

I was reminded of the people in college with their signs screaming and clumping every college student together as promiscuous and dead to sin.  This man had taken one look and while I was dressed very modestly and had on my most modest earrings, and had a Bible in my hand, he assumed that I wasn’t a believer, along with the 3 other believers that were standing there with me.

I, in all, was at a loss for words as I listened to him go on and on.  I tried to speak but was very quickly shut up. What do you say to someone who will not listen to truth… or even allow you to speak?

I remembered something that was told to me… not wasting time with people like that because it doesn’t matter at all what you say, they are just enjoying the “battle”.

And so while everyone else was laughing at him and spurring him on, and even though I was offered a seat to be a part of it, I decided that the conversation wasn’t going to go anywhere.  I didn't want to argue or make fun or join in on the laughing.  I felt sorry for him.  My heart had already started to beat fast… sensing the spiritual battle going on around me.  I didn’t want to be a part of it.  It would have been a great conversation had he wanted to talk and to listen, but he hadn't.  He just wanted to talk.

Reading Lessons
So, I keep walking toward’s S.’s house for her reading lesson.  I knock on the opened door, take off my shoes, and step into her small wooden house.  She’s ready.  She cleans off the round wooden table and grabs her notebook and kids Bible that I have gifted her.  She reminds me that I must have packed her pencil in the plastic box that I took with me.  And sure enough it’s there.  

Middle schooler Taisha and toddler Abigail are there, soon to be joined by their next door neighbor and toddler friend Christian and eventually enters 3 year old Freddy.  They work on the floor with blocks while I work with S at the table.  It’s so neat to see her progress… It has been slow but steady.  Once a week.  vowels, beginning sounds, letters.  She’s making progress.  She is using her brain.  Once it clicks, she is going to read.  She is starting to already but it’s just a very slow process.  She matches some simple words with their pictures, distinguishing between the sounds that M and N and L make, which seem to be a bit difficult since her first language is Spanish.  She finishes with some help and sees if she can do it again faster.  I assign some homework and encourage her to write her first and last name on the top of every worksheet… Up until this point, she only knows how to write her first name on her own.  

The kids are getting louder and louder.  Crying.  Arguing.  Playing cars with the blocks.  For the first time, I recognize the smallness of the house.  They cannot handle it anymore so we get them to clean up and go back to their houses.    Some crying and “NO”.  I’m reminded of the difficulty of fighting against the toddler’s stubborness and the importance of consistency.  Lord, please provide someone who would like to play with them while I read with S. in the future.

She works with beginning sounds.  Looking at the picture and reading the syllables, trying to figure out how the word would begin.  1,000 “mil" she reads mi, mu, mo… which does it start with?  We move onto making words with blocks.  She gets it.  amo mamá, ama, mapa, mil, mesa, esa, etc.  She’s getting it more than she did the last time.  She is starting to understand that each letter has its own sound.  She still confuses the “o” and the “u”… again I think because of Creole influence… but, she is progressing.  Then we read a Bible lesson. We are in the third chapter of her Kids bible.  The one that talks about the fall of man, the temptation and the consequences. Adam sent to work.  The first sacrifice of an animal for clothing. The couple thrown out of the garden.  We pray. Patience, love, growth in spiritual walk.  Salvation for family and prayer for her nephew who was at Makarios last year but moved back to live with his siblings.

Bread
I walk out of S's house and decide to visit N, her next door neighbor.  During my reading lesson, I had heard pounding music coming from her home.  "It’s her husband and some of his friends," I'm informed. I don’t get to sit and chat with her every time I visit.  It’s about 12:30, and I just need to be back home by 2:00.  I hadn’t had a good conversation with her in about a month or so when God led another missionary and me to sit under a tree where she was with a group of men.  We shared the gospel and prayed with her.  Even though it’s midday,  she hasn’t started eating lunch yet, so I invite myself in and take a seat on her traditional Dominican couch.  Typical — it’s has a pretty flower designed cushion on the seat and wood backing.  There is a soap opera playing in the background.  I notice steam coming out of a bowl on the counter and realize she has been cooking.  Yet, she starts telling me that she had been wanting to tell me that she was moving, separating from her boyfriend.  He is the father of her child and here she would call him her husband, although they are not legally married.  They live together and do all that married couples do without the commitment and with the ability to leave at any time. She’s decided to leave.  Fighting.  Arguing.  Bad environment.  She’s headed close to where I used to live and will leave on the 15th.  She has no plans on coming back.  Her dream is to get a job and use the little bit of English she knows to work as a waitress in a tourist spot and send her son to a private school.  

We’re interrupted by her neighbor, J. She’s another girl who’ve I’ve gotten to know in Chichigua. She has a little baby who's less than 1.  I watch her sitting in a big bucket (like bathtub or pool for babies) outside of her house outside the way.  She’s giggling, biting the edge of the tub and looking at her 8 year old aunt.  J. walks right into the house and greets me with a kiss on the cheek, a hug and a big smile.  “Tanto tiempo.”  I’ve missed seeing you.  She continues chatting with me like we are just old friends and it feels nice to just be there chatting without an agenda or being in a rush.  

Eventually J. leaves and N and I pick up our conversation where it left off…. She sits back down and I ask her what will happen if she doesn’t find a job… not to be negative just realistic. It’s a possibility.  She could move and not find a job.  I talk to her about prostitution and to make sure that whatever she does to make sure it is honest work.   I imagine it must be scary.  I tell her that it’s good that she is trying to get out of a bad situation… especially since it’s not necessarily how God would want it… having a child out of wedlock, not being married, her abusive relationship.  But we talk about even with the stress and hard circumstances, her getting away, finding a job and having money (while maybe good) is not sufficient.  I ask her if I can read to her and read from John 5 and 6 which I have been studying over the last week.  I talk to her about how Jesus is the bread of life.  How, without Him we are dead.  I tell her that in the midst of so many scary scary things, it’s so important to be able to have hope in Jesus and be sure about my eternal future.  I told her that when she leaves I will continue to pray for her and that in the meantime, I will be around and she is always free to talk to me and ask questions.  I pray that wherever she goes God covers her with people who can continue to plant seeds.  May he call her towards Himself.

Rain
I walk out and greet various ladies from my Bible Study to see if they want to meet on Tuesday.  It’s a shy but true “no”.  The rain.  We just don’t know.  I was trying to make up for the one that we missed two Thursdays ago when the roads were flooding.  But, it doesn’t seem like we will have a formal Bible Study again until 2017.  My kid helpers are going to the States and I have a feeling that the next few weeks will be inconsistent.  I look forward, though, to being able to establish a plan for next semester that will hopefully include some of the non-christian families as well.  Please pray for how God wants me to continue to study His word in 2017.

On the way out
I walk to the front of the small village and hear “Aniana”. Robin, a 2-year old who was named after a former missionary here who spent a lot of time in Chichigua and who succeeded in learning Creole — She peeks out of one of the tiny tin row houses that were built for the sugar cane workers and stares up at me.  She has on a t-shirt.  Her mom comes over and puts some more clothes on her.  And there she is with me, pulling on my lips, touching my eyes and repeating “Aniana” over and over again.  She babbles some other things that I don’t understand as I appreciate the many hugs and opportunity to steal kisses from her.  It’s nearing 1:30.  Now, I do have to go.  I tend to skype my friend on Mondays at 2:00.  I have some work to do for the rest of the day.  She won’t let me go.  She holds her feet up as I try to put her down, reminding me of a koala bear hanging on a tree.  Awww.. a few more hugs.  Her dad telling her in Creole to let me go… I am finally able to put her down, crying… I walk away.  

I head to the car where a beat up little car is parked behind my roommates car with a whole bunch of used clothes on it.  They tell me, “Pulga” in creole “pepe”. It means that they are basically having a “flea market” sale right there on this guys car.  "Mwen pa gen good." (I don’t have any money).  I get in the car along with Na.  (a niece of one of my Bible Study ladies) and head to Montellano.  A blur of memories, conversations with N. Wanting to get her a Bible in English and Spanish.  Wanting to write down some verses for her about salvation and also her identity as a woman and creation of God. Na and I chat some.  She’s picking up her deceased mom’s papers, hoping to get to become legalized in the country. She’s just 17 and orphaned.  She’s smart but has no hope without papers.  Another non-believer that God has put in my path. 

I pray for those who are dead to realize … and be alive in Him.  May they come to know the truth that I know. Thankful for good time in the Word today.  Thankful for glimpses of God's Kingdom here on Earth.  Grateful for opportunities to share about Jesus and for growing conversations.

Continued Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for me as I look to move at some point in early 2017.  Living where I am has been great, but I believe that I will better minister living closer to the people whom I serve.  Please pray for wisdom and guidance to live where God leads.
• Please pray for Makarios and for all of us to be lead by the Spirit in all that we do. Pray that we would be unashamed of the Gospel and of His direction in ministry.
• Please pray for me to be content right where God has me.  
• I've stayed here in the Dominican this Christmas.  Along with taking a class that is still happening over the break, I will have my first opportunity to spend time here and see what Dominican Christmas is like.  I am actually excited to have time "off" and still be here to deepen relationships with people who the Lord has placed in my path.  I am also hoping for many restful days and some travel days to both the capital and Quisqueya.  Please pray that I may rest, that I may deepen relationships, and that God will protect me in my travels.  (I hope to visit the states sometime during the Spring.)
• I have about 8 more weeks in my university class about Dominican education.  Please pray for opportunities to speak God's truth to my current professor and for the U.S. paperwork that I need to get authorized by the time we finish.  
• Please also pray for my Creole.  I have not been able to study it like I want, but when class is finished would like to dedicate more time to it again.  Please pray for God to open my brain to keep on learning.
• Lastly, please pray for my students with whom I work.  The fall semester had lots of breaks and irregularities in it due to rain and other things.  There are still lots of kids behind in reading. Please pray that this break would be one where I get to re-focus in how to lead them well.

Looking to give before the end of the year? Interested in helping out this Christmas or in the New Year? Here are three ways that you can help me:

ONE. I have a running list of books that I am hoping to get in order to strengthen reading and discipleship ministry in the communities.  If you come across books that you know would be good for discipleship or if you are interested in purchasing some books from Amazon, please go to: http://a.co/8Hyl3l9.  

TWO. I have a couple of Bible Study ladies who cannot read for themselves and have met some relatives of kids I work with who also cannot read but who have interest in learning God's Word. I have found Audio Bibles in Haitian Creole and in Spanish that would be great for them.  If you are interested in supporting them that way, go to: www.audiobible.com and search for the Creole Bible Audio Player or the one in Spanish.

Have books and Audio Bibles sent to:

Adrienne Christian

BM Cargo 112046

8400 NW 25th Street

Suite 100

Doral, FL 33198

THREE. I am planning to move early next year.  I expect to incur some moving costs and will have to buy a lot of new things.  I have estimated that those new household items will cost around $4000 as most big items that I use here were here when I moved in.  If you would like to make a year-end tax deductible donation to Makarios on my behalf, it would be a great blessing to me!  If not, please pray that the Lord would provide for my needs. A list of the items that I think I'll need are below.  Donate online at www.makariosinternational.org or here.

Bedroom Furniture and Mattress 
Kitchen Table and Chairs 
Sofa Set 
Refrigerator 
Stove 
Pots and Pans 
Kitchen Plates, Cups and Utensils 

Thank you so much for your continued prayer and financial support.  

I could not do what I do without you!  

The kids I get to pull from class and help with reading

One of my reading students using Zoo Phonics

The entrance to Chichigua where I spend much of my time

Went on a field trip with these kids a few weeks ago to Chichigua to learn about farm animals

Makarios and soon to be Makarios kids.  I work with the two on the right.

S during a reading lesson

Children playing during the reading lesson in S's house. 

Some ladies and their children.  Two are in my Bible study.

This is N.  She moved just last week.  I was able to get her a Bible and will continue to pray for her salvation.

S and her little friend, Abigail. 

A typical washing day in Chichigua when there is water for a family with a washing machine.

The original houses in Chichigua for those who came to work the sugar cane fields

This is a dear friend. She loves learning about Jesus.  She is a new believer and is one whom I disciple.  Her son is one of the latest additions to Chichigua.

Ronald and my little friend Robin

One of my friends whose real name is Adriana like me with her new addition to the community.