Jamie's home visit

Algos photos mas

Miguel's family

        Lunch at Jeremy's

                                            Mal and Nathan

                                                 Miguel and Toni

                                                 Miguel's family again

                                            Mal getting her nails done at Jeremy's



About yesterday

Hey Fam,

Yesterday was last day.  It was very emotional for everyone.  We went to Church this am and Pedro spoke from Exodus 15:1-21 with Wilson translating.  God the warrior King.  It was powerful.  For any of you who know Pedro, he is a man of very few words- except when he is preaching.  He was on fire!  The church was packed.  Yolanda came with Joselito, Angelina, and Denis Claudel.  After church I had my home visit and then we were invited to lunch at Alex’s new friend Jeremy’s house-what a blessing and an honour.   The visit to Miguel’s was very relaxed and our prayer time was meaningful.  I found out that this family has saved enough money to purchase a piece of land and they are praying for the means to have their own home.  We have been praying for this eventuality for 3 years.  Praise God!

  Lunch at Jeremy’s was tons of fun.  He just loves Alex so much he could not stop hugging him, playing with his hair, sitting together listening to Lecrae…  So beautiful to see the young people bond.  As I said before, they are the future partnership.   Good-bye was very hard.  There were lots of tears.  Bernabe escorted us back to the hotel and I was not prepared for my own emotions as I was saying good-bye to this amazing man of God.  He is such a faithful, joyful servant and such a friend to all of us.  I cannot forget Benjamin as well.  We said good bye to him in the village because he had a surprise visit from his girlfriend.  Ben did such an amazing job with co-ordinating the entire visit and especially the Friday night youth night which was a total blast.  When I had a chance on Friday night to share my testimony with the youth I said that I was so excited for them that they have found God{or are on the path toward God} at such a young age because I wasted so many years without Him.  Benjamin is such an amazing example of a young person totally surrendered to Christ and God is mightily using him in his community.

Two of my favourite songs by Switchfoot are “I dare you to move” and “This is your life”.  If you put the two together the message is something like this; 

Now that you know, and now that you’ve seen-what are you going to do about it?  I dare you to move like this trip never happened.  You cannot.  Look at your life and examine yourself.  Are you who you want to be?  If not then what are you going to do about it? 

Tough questions that I am sure this team will be wrestling with over the next while as they experience the reverse culture shock of re-entering their Canadian lives. 

I am going to ask each of you reading this to seek out someone who has been on this team and listen to their stories.  As we have all said over and over you can’t really understand missions until you go, but maybe hearing first hand stories will start a fire in you that would help you take that step to go.  I swear to you, you will NEVER regret the time/money sacrifices you make to go.  In fact you will kick yourself for waiting for so long.  Here are some more pics that would not load last night!  Hasta Domingo, Michele

 Jennifer on the right accepted Christ

Bernabe Mendosa Gil and Fam

DR according to Suzanne :)

Wow! Friday was almost too much to put into words.

We spent the morning visiting the homes of Mirabel and Yolanda. There are in two different communities in the area of the project. We arrived at the first community and walked in the alley way. The homes on both sides of the alley were like nothing I had ever seen. I don't know how to explain it. The poverty was so evident and inescapable. The newly built home was like a beacon of hope in the alley. We got to meet the owner and her family and tour her home. I am so proud of my Sequoia family for the beautiful home I saw!

Then we got on the bus and went to the community of the second build. When we got off the bus and started walking in, I thought this place looks pretty nice. As we got deeper into the community and walked down the path to the slum, my heart ached with what I saw. I can't really explain it. If I hadn't seen it and someone described it to me, I would have thought they were exaggerating. The poverty was so significant and so extreme. When I saw Yolanda's home in the midst of it, I almost wept. What a beautiful home for a beautiful lady and her family. She was so pleased to give a tour of her home and especially excited to show pictures of Donna and Mike that she has on her kitchen wall. She hugged me many times and was so friendly with me. 

Michele and I (and Glen and the boys) walked deeper into the community and visited the home of Jason and Moses and chatted with their mom. This home is a shack made of sheets of tin and there is one room, divided into two by a curtain. I got to talk with her quite a bit as she spoke French and I was actually able to ask and answer quite a few questions. My heart breaks for this family as I am SURE God's heart does. We prayed for the family outside of their home and then headed back to the Yolanda's home. There is a community square (of sorts) right in front of her home and there were many many people, especially kids gathered there. They hugged us and played with us and it was such an amazing time!!! We prayed as a large group right in front of her house. It was a powerful experience. 

As I describe those two communities, I truly can't find the right words. I have a lot of pictures (some on Michele's camera bc my battery died) that I can't wait to share, NOT because the poverty is so extreme and overwhelming (which it definitely is) but BECAUSE of how happy and joyful the people were!! They were clearly thrilled we were there. And they were so extremely welcoming and warm. And watching the people, and especially the kids, loving and taking care of one other it was clear that we had MUCH more to learn from them than we ever have to teach or give them.

I have been documenting our experience here in the DR daily in a private FB group - if you'd like to be added to see what the Pye family experienced, send me a message on FB!

Blessings,
Suzanne

I wanted to add type but my kids need to get to bed.  I will finish tomorrow!

My 2 Cents - by Blanca

How do you summarize a life changing mission in a few words?  What can I share that would let you take a quick peek at what we have seen?  I will share a few of countless moments that have changed me and made me realize just how truly blessed I am.  The kids here are beautiful both inside and outside.  I cannot in words explain how much I have fallen in love with them.  But here in point form are a couple of instances where I was speechless and my heart broke:

1. A home visit where I was asked to translate, this little boy carried a Ziploc bag of fruit which I back home would have thrown into the trash.  He carried it carefully and when we got to the house he promptly opened up the door to an empty fridge and proudly put the fruit in there.  That is correct, he had an empty fridge and put fruit in there that I would have thrown out.  My kids will look into an overflowing fridge and say there is nothing to eat, this boy proudly put in there what I would have thrown out.  Humbling?  No question!  Made me realize we are wasteful?  Absolutely!!!

2. God and the Holy Spirit have been working through me and around me the whole time.  I have done things that are way beyond my comfort level.  If you had asked me before this trip if I would do these things, I would have said no.  And I am right, I can`t do this by myself, but I can with Him!  Philippians 4:13

3. Met these 3 little girls that I absolutely adore and whom we worked with the days we were in the school.  They would run out at hug me as soon as I saw them, and remain glued to my side for the rest of the time I was there.  During the day of the home build visits, after we got off the bus and while walking to the first house, I was once again almost knocked off my feet by the girls.  I did not realize they lived close to there and when they saw me they quickly ran over to hug me.  I asked them to come with me but they quickly looked over their shoulder to check with their big sister who quickly told them no.  Might I add the oldest sister is around 10 or 11, the other 2 are younger.  Then the oldest looks at me and asks me if I want to buy a little bag of popcorn for 5 pesos.  That amounts to probably around $0.14 per bag.  These little girls were standing by the road selling popcorn bags.  My heart broke.  I bought 4 bags of popcorn and gave them back to the girls as a gift for a snack.  They promptly and happily ate it.  I made their day with less than $0.60.

4. Random conversation, completely a God instance (I need to point out that being able to speak Spanish during this trip has moved mountains!) where this lady tells me how much she loves God, how blessed she is to have a home and how God always provides.  And how sometimes they get 3 meals a day but sometimes God only provides 1 meal that day, but they are still so thankful that he did provide something for them that day.  This of course while we are at an all inclusive hotel and where I am sure we are eating a minimum of 5 times per day.  She is thankful for one meal a day! 

5. A home visit once again, and while talking to this lady she tells me a piece of her house fell off last Thursday.  I repeat this to her because I am sure I have not heard right……she quickly gets up and shows me where there is a 2 foot per 1 foot piece of floor completely gone.  This piece of floor fell off while she was probably about 1 foot away from it.  Yet here she is, giant smile on her face, laughing and welcoming us into her home.  Let me say it once again…….a piece of floor in her house fell off!!!  And I think of the amount of times that we have talked about doing something to do the house just because we would like to cosmetically change the house, not because it’s needed. 

I could go on and on but there just would not be enough space in this blog.  However I do hope that some of the examples I give, will give you food for thought.

Thoroughly humbled,

Blanca

greg says;

I was humbled by the LORD big time on our tour of the houses our church have help build.  I have so missed the mark in the past. Seeing all the community come just to play and have fun made their day. I saw Bruce be a man and hold this little girl for a really long time because she did not want to let go.  He is so going to be a missionary, and I am proud.  Last night at the youth night the hair on my arms stood up for the whole thing. The LORD was in that church.  Check this out, the skit that our youth was doing for them turned out to be almost the same thing they did for us… amazing to see that no matter where you are the same problems happen. I missed on an opportunity to talk to someone to bring him to CHRIST, please PRAY that I get the chance at church tomorrow, his name his Jose.  In case it has not been mentioned, a girl named Jennifer gave her life to Christ at the youth night.  We ask for prayers that she gets the full understanding that JESUS is our freedom and salvation. That she just feels the presence of the LORD, and that the understanding of the gospel will come.  So pastor Ryan  if you get this before the service please pray at church. And this for our church family, our relationship is important.  Being here has helped me realize just that. And if knowing some one came to CHRIST doesn’t sell it for you, then you need to come here to see it for yourself. GOD bless you all…………….Greg  aka soldier for CHRIST

algunas photos mas- P.S. postings began at 7 this morning

Saturday night reflections

Marie is very happy to share tonight! 

Dios es bueno, todo el tiempo!  God is good, all the time!  It has been five years since I have been able to return to Monte llano and it has been an awesome experience to see how God is at work with our Dominican friends.  Not only was I ecstatic to reconnect with our sponsor child, Elizabeth, but to see how she has grown is heart warming and affirming about how we can help make a difference in a child and a family through the Compassion program.  We love her! 

The most profound moment for me was yesterday when we went to see the last two builds – in particular Yolanda’s house – the last build.  The difference in her and the two oldest children Joselito and Angelina was the best gift that I have received so far this week.  They love their new home and both are doing well at school – they love Jesus and are so happy to see us.   Five years ago they were frail, tiny and living in a tiny closet house – our family remembers it very well.  Now they are healthy, robust, loving their Lord Jesus.  The Light is shining in them and they have dreams and hopes for the future.

Praise be to Jesus!

Today the group had a chance to enjoy the sun, a walking trip to Cabarete and of course the ocean.  Body surfing, boogie boarding and volleyball have been a highlight at the beach.  Everyone is having fun and the fellowship is great – God is working in each of us during this trip and it is awesome to observe!

 Stay tuned for our very own Alex and Donato starring in the resort’s show tonight.

Trish Scott here.

 After 5 trips here, you would think I would be a little tired of it by now, but each visit with these people surpasses the previous ones.  Through all of the lows and highs, and unexpected events, I am continually reminded of the necessity of continuing to build lasting Godly relationships with the locals here.  This week, God has strongly reinforced the Compassion model in my thoughts and beliefs.  I feel very strongly that we cannot change the circumstances where these people live and struggle to meet basic needs, but we can introduce many of them to Christ and offer them a real hope for a changed heart to assist them in all they endure, and we can encourage many of them in their Christian walk as they do the dirty work in the trenches here daily, literally.  We come bearing gifts and excitement, but really, the only thing we can offer them that makes a lasting difference is Jesus.  He will remain here with them long after we fly away and go back to our luxurious lifestyles where we have virtually few needs.  Jesus will hold their hands on dark nights in the village when their stomachs are empty and their houses have three feet of water inside.

I am looking forward to the days when there is a house here in the village where we gringos can visit for weeks at a time and really share ourselves and our faith without the restraints of language or a limited and brief visit.  We NEED to BE here for them, sharing in their sorrows and struggles if they are to ever really trust us, and ultimately trust Jesus.  There is so much more we could build here for the Lord that will last for an eternity.

Michele has had her eye on an awesome little piece of property in the center of the village.  By our standards it is relatively cheap.  But the means to acquire it is not yet clear.  Your prayers are coveted with regards to this property.  How could we get it and use it to further build God’s kingdom?  I can see so many possibilities, and none of them are impossible for God.

I could have written you fifty interesting stories about my experiences thus far with the Dominican peoples, but I will leave that for another time and for other team members.  Just know that God is working here, in the Dominicans, as well as the temporary Dominicans.

day 5 con't

Day5 written on day 6

Michele says;
Hey guys, sorry I could not post last night but I did not have one more grain of strength left when we got back.  With a day like yesterday you literally leave all of yourself there.  I have often said to people that you really can't know whay missions are like unless you go.  So if you really want to know what yesterday was like "come and see"{Mother Teresa used to say that and I now understand why}
But since you are not here now I'll try to share as best I can. 
First off I have to tell you all that the D's arrived safely but late and a gain true Dominican style they had only one bed in their room for 4-Ai yi yi!  But on a positive noteTom was well enough to come to the village and I was really thankful for that!  We started off at the church to show Tom and to drop off the rest of the cleats which the D's brought.  Then we went to Maribel's house.  She, Vielka and the twins were there and greeted us warmly.  Their house looked beautiful and so did they.  One thing that really concerned me though was that she still does not have a bathroom.  If any of you on the last build remember their outhouse-this is a real house concern-well possibly a reno project???  She told Blanca that she is praying to find a way to make a bathroom for her kids.  Anyway Papa was there and he went and put on his team shirt which was still in 'like new condition{obviously a treasured possession}  He was talking about the glory of the Lord in his life{he accepted Christ after the house was built}.  Then I went and called on Felix-the other older man who let us use his house to store materials.  He was very happy to see us and we had a big hug.  I wonder sometimes what these old men think about us crazy Canadians that keep showing up but it can only point to the Lord's light-that is what I pray for anyway.  I went to check on the Hatian guys at the end of the street-Michael-father of James was there.  He said that he and Alessi are still looking for work but they haven't been able to get much at all.  It makes me wonder how they are living at all but I did not dare to ask.  We met lots of beautiful little ones and some of them will be available for sponsorship{Yay!!!} 
From here we went to Saman.  Many in the community showed up as the 'Gringos' arrived.  We saw lots of our little friends-Vanessa, Nikauri and her sisters, Los Tres, Roberto, Franf-Jeef, Jason, Moises, and many more-but of course the best was seiing the Tomas family!  Yolanda and her sister and Johnny were there with all of the kids.  Jenny even smiled at me!  Conspicuously absent was Mickelson.  We were told he has moved to Cabarete.  We hope to find him on the beach today.  I was sad about them not being there but can only hope that their move was for their betterment. 

I don’t even know how to describe being there again.  This morning I was listening to one of my fav songs.  Its by Gungor-its called ‘Beautiful Things”.  The lyrics remind us that God makes beautiful things out of the dust.  It says ‘All around hope is springing up from this old ground.  Out of chaos life is being found’ That’s kind of how it is there.  It’s ugly but beautiful.  Those people have broken but ready hearts just like we all do.  They are joyful.  There was as much or more boisterous laughter around the Tomas house yesterday than I have seen anywhere.  The team was talking in devotion the other day and saying that their joy proves that they don’t actually need us.  God has given them everything they need.  We think in terms of material wealth because that is our culture.  It is not theirs, and I hope we NEVER infect them with this.  That is not to say that fixing a leaking roof or building some strong walls is not a blessing to them, surely it is but we just have to remember our place.  We have to remember that we do not have it all sewn up and that our way is not necessarily the best way.  The song I was referring to has a chorus that says this-‘you make me new, you are making me new’.  I was made new again yesterday with fresh perspective and I hope God continues to make me new through missions.

We visited the house for sale that some of us have been praying would be the future Sequoia mission house.  I am going to continue to pray that God will make a way for this to happen.  I am going to stop here and write later about the youth night.  I have also asked the other team members to do some posting today so I am hoping this will happen late afternoon.  Today is family day and we are going to have some much needed down time.  Thanks for following!  M

Day 5 early in the morning

Hey guys had some time early this morning so here is an awesome pic that Blanca took last night at the beach.  The kids were all practicing their dress rehearsal for the skit they are performing on youth night tonight.  At the end Blanca got this awesome photo.  The youth are all having a blast!  Praise God for them!  If I can post a video to this blog{not sure its possible}, I will post the skit video late tonight.  We will not be back until late but I will really try to get a posting up before bed!  Anyway pray for us because today is a big day.  We are heading to both build sites.  The poverty in these areas in so heart breaking and I know some of the team will be crushed with compassion.  Speaking of Compassion, many of the kids we will meet today are going to be available for sponsorship and so I'm hoping some connections will be made, then when the new child packs arrive the team will recognize some of the faces.  Praise God that he will break our hearts and for the new relationships we will form today.  Anyway, love you guys, miss you guys, thanks for praying!

more pics day 4