Jen in the Dominican Republic

learning to be a woman of God

2011-11-29T07:34:00.001-08:00

Since my pastor Aristides died last December I have been to several more Dominican funerals. One was of Montans mother. She was like 107 years old or something. She was alert until the last month or so. She liked having someone sit on the bed with her while she rambled about life. I only understood about 40% but still enjoyed it.

Another funeral was for someone I had never even met.

I was blessed this year to go to the women's conference. Nikki and Samira along with a fabulous team of women put together the beautiful theme of "submerged in Living water". The decorations were something out of my fantasies as a child and the foot washing at the end of teh prayer walk was heart melting. My favorite though was the communion. There were women I respect from various parts of the Dominican serving the others.

Left to right. Griselda (los guandules), Reina (la mosca) Yudi and friend (the hole)
'praying' Modesta (Hato del Yaque), Alexandra (Batey 9), Fior (Via Cafetelera),
Tata (Hoya del Caimito and retired DR first lady of GO), Kendy (Hoya del Caimito
and present DR first lady of GO)

The women in the church wait all year for this. They make things to sell in order to pay their way. It very well may be the biggest event in their lives all year save the birth or marriage of a family member.
I roomed with all of the people from Hato del Yaque. One of the ladies was named Lucia. She really hadn't come to church in a long time. Her son, Christian, has been coming on and off since he was a child, but she has never been very consistant.
It was a great opportunity for Lucia to reconnect with the church body and get to know our new Pastor's wife, Modesta.

The ladies from the church in Hato del Yaque, La Mina, minus Lucia

Unfortunatly Lucia received a phonecall during the conference with the news that her mother had died. Once Modesta was able to get me to understand what had happened, we instantly looked for a vehicle to take her to her mother's house where they would be holding the funeral.

As quickly as I could I grabbed my purse and the van keys. Someone asked if they could go with us so that I wouldn't be driving alone. I said "of course" and opened the door. I jumped in the drivers seat and looked in the rearview mirror. What I saw made tears spring to my eyes. Not one person came with us, but the whole entire group of women from two churches in Hato del Yaque came. They prayed and comforted and loved on Lucia all the way to Moca where the house was. They all missed a quarter of their precious conference.

We arrived before any other family. We stayed during the preliminary wailing of Lucia until stronger friends and family arrived.

The thing is... Lucia was not a faithful member of the church. It would have sufficed if the Pastor's wife and maybe one other had went. But thats not how these women do things. The whole group went.

True, I am here to teach and support and help people. But I have so much to learn from these ladies about being a woman of God.

2 Corinthians 6:10
as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.

Princesses

2011-02-22T18:42:00.001-08:00

I'm reading this book called "When Helping Hurts". The author talks about poverty and how it effects our world view and view of self.

After Aristides died Adams, Arelis and I were talking about what the people in Hato del Yaque need to change their lives. One of the things they said, which surprised me, is that people need to change how they view themselves. That they have a low self-esteem which prevents them believing that God has a better life for them.

This book I'm reading has excersices at the end of every chapter. In one of the excercises it asked that I write key words that come to mind when I think of poverty. Some of the words I wrote were...

Dark-optionless-unknowing-scarce-inventive-hopeful-hopeless-scary

Then it shared some of the answers that thousands of people living in poverty across the globe.

Some of their key words were...

garbage-ashamed-depressed-low self esteem-inferior-powerless-never-destiny-always.

I was surprised to note that while my words weren't positive, theirs seemed grim and boxed in.

Last september I started working with girls ages 10-14. For the first three months all we talked about was how they were God's princesses if they chose to recieve his salvation and with that comes destiny and responsibility. We call it "the princess project"

Last week we started reading the book "The battle of every young woman"

A large percentage of girls in Hato del Yaque are pregnant before the age of fifteen. The father of the baby are often much older and sooner or later move on. At 25 it is likely that they will have several children with different Fathers. They will be without work, without education and without the maturity to raise the children they have.

It is a cycle that will never end. Unless... unless these girls realize that they are worth more than a passing fling. That if they stay in school and work hard their dreams really can come true. That they are an important part of society. And that each one of them is the apple of God's eye regardless of what the world says of them.

So, we started reading "the battle of every young woman". The cover discribes it as "Guarding your mind, heart, and body in a sex saturated world"

So before getting started we talked about our dreams that God has placed on our hearts. We talked about how God has a purpose for each of us. These dreams are worth the fight. Each girl is worth the fight.

Some of them want to be good mothers. Some teachers and doctors and lawyers.

One girl said that her goal was to be sexy. I thought "Oh my! we have our work cut out for us" and its true.

But like Arelis says, it will be worth it. Each week there are more girls. I have to keep ordering more books. They are so hungery for a different option than following what society has laid before them.

Each one of these girls is a jewel. Please pray for us. Pray for each girl to step into the beautiful destiny that God has for them and for me and the other leaders to have wisdom and patience.

"You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God." ~Isaiah 62:3

So, I didn't know what the word diadem meant. I looked it up and the definition was simply "crown". Synonyms...coronet, tiara, halo, dignity.

Being a princess means you have dignity and power and responsibility.

May we all learn what that means and live like we are God's crown.

This link is really on the topic of HIV in young girls, but it does a great job of communicating what it is like for young girls in poverty. Please check it out. http://www.girleffect.org/

The end of the year.

2010-12-29T19:11:00.000-08:00

This has been a memorable year for me with the nutrition center opening in Hato del Yaque, resuming girls’ discipleship ministry, and hosting many great teams.
But something that happened this year that is both sad and impactful. On Thursday night December 16 Pastor Aristides Pimentel, Pastor of the church in Hato del Yaque died suddenly. I then received a crash course on the mourning process of Dominicans.
About twenty minutes before midnight Quirsis Montan called to tell me that the Pastor had died and I needed to come. She said that they were on their way and we were to meet at Aristides’ house. John Martinez and I arrived at the house before anyone else. The family and the body arrived from the hospital and right away I could hear crying and wailing. Arelis, Aristides’ wife hugged me as she cried and told me the story of what happened.
Friends and church members trickled in and each one hugged the family. Arelis continued to tell the story as she and her sister cried out loud. The body was prepared for viewing by the mortician being helped by friends and family. Until late in the morning we all sat around crying and comforting each other. The neighbor came over and made a big batch of tea for everyone.
The following day, many more people including many of the other pastors that work with GO, showed up. Everyone mingled at the house, ate and told stories of their connection with Aristides. At the burial later that day there was wailing and tears, but there was also singing. I was especially touched to see Adams, Aristides’ son, with some of the construction workers shovel the dirt over the grave. GO had sent a large flower arrangement. After the grave was covered the woman and children disassembled the arrangement and planted the flowers and greenery on the grave. It was an incredibly beautiful gesture. Several days later there was a memorial where we celebrated Aristides’ life of ministry for God to others.
The whole process was a very loud and open affair. Different from any funeral I’ve been to in the states. The Dominican culture, like most Latin cultures is incredibly communal. I was shocked at the openness of friends and family showing their grief.
I started thinking about the story of Lazarus. Even though Jesus already knew that Lazarus was going to die, He wept when he found out he had died. Jesus knew he would live again, yet he still wept. Jeff Rogers says Jesus wept because he knew that death is not the way it’s supposed to be and I agree.
God created the garden so that we could all live in community with him. When he told Adam and Eve that if they disobeyed they “would surely die” he didn’t mean just them. It must of broke God’s heart that we chose being separate from him, that we chose death over being with him. That’s why we cry though. We cry because we are separated from the ones we love. We mourn the loss of them, but we also deep down mourn the loss of the life we were supposed to have. The eternal life with God.
Aristides favorite passage is Psalm 133
1 How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.

Aristides understood what God wants for us. Like Jesus did when he wept for Lazarus and when he died on the cross, so that we could live for eternity with him like he originally intended.
So I am morning for my friend, but I am looking up and ahead to a loving God that draws us to himself.

2010-08-23T18:58:00.000-07:00

The Ministry Center in Hato Del Yaque is a work in progress.
The first floor of the main building is finished. Short-term mission teams stay in the dorms while they do ministry here in the DR. The children and young people are always excited to see the bus arrive and love spending time with the teams. The kitchen is open and working. Nena and her accomplices work diligently to cook for the teams and for the 83 children eating in the nutrition center six days a week. All this takes place on the first floor.
The local church congregation meets on the first floor also while they are waiting for the sanctuary on the second floor to be built.
The teams have been working on the ministry house across the street which is where I will live eventually. It will be a duplex on the first floor, apartments for interns and staff on the second and an open area on the top where teams can meet for devos and etc.
That’s just what we are working on right now. We haven’t even started on the basketball and volleyball courts so that we can have before and after school sports programs. Or the playground so that the kids can have a safe place to play. There is so much potential there.
Not potential in the cement or block or re bar or our skills to build, but in every child that is eating at the center. For every boy that comes to play baseball even though we don’t have a big place for them to play yet. There is potential for every church member that comes to a meeting and prays for their neighbor.
My friend Tata and I were talking the other day. Her husband is out of work… again. Five of her kids are in the nutrition program. She said that sometimes the kids would cry and she didn’t know if it was because they were sick or if it was hunger pains. She didn’t have anything but a tiny bit of rice to give them. But now they are in the nutrition center. She said she didn’t know what they would do without it.
There is a bunch of potential in her and those kids.
The roads are really bad in this part of Hato Del Yaque. So the last couple of weeks the teams and I have been trying to even them out a bit with picks and shovels. The kids have been helping too by throwing rocks into the big holes. Pastor Aristides said it was a good example of the church to be working on the road for everyone else in the community. I started thinking that this is who is going to change this community. The church, missionaries and these kids. There is so much potential in these kids.
When Joshua was entering the promise land there was still allot of work to be done. We still have a long way to go, but lives are being changed at this moment.
Thank God for every opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~Joshua 1:6

The baseball ministry meets and practices at the ministry center

Mixing concrete for the foundation of the ministry house

Kids are eating lunch at the building six days a week.

Relief

2010-02-24T06:29:00.000-08:00

This year has started in the usual way. I helped facilitate some wonderful teams do ministry here in the Dominican Republic. That is what I do on a regular basis. Facilitate people, encourage nationals and develop relationships between the two. We are good at that here at GO Ministries.

On January 12 I was in Hato del Yaque visiting with the Montan family in thier little tin roofed, wood house. As we were visiting the whole house began to shake. It was long enough for us to realize and discuss that an earthquake was happening. There wasn't any damage to the house and we went on our way.

A few hours later I learned that the earthquake was massive, Port Au Prince was flattened and the death tole .... insurmountable.

Brook Brotzman, the president of GO heard about the quake and sprang instantly into action. Within a few days we had a fund for people to donate to Haiti, a cargo bay at the airport in Santiago to move supplies and volunteer pilots with planes to fly it all to different locations in Haiti. The church here in the DR stepped it up. The youth volunteered their time to move cargo and many people in my neighborhood donated supplies.

Many different organizations and businesses wanted to contribute, but many didn't have an avenue.

From the cargo bay we facilitated donations coming in and going out.

There were no commercial flights going into Haiti so we began flying doctors and rescue workers. We were able to make a schedule for people going in and out and even house them for a night when needed.

Most of my job consisted of taking care of the people as they went into or came out of Haiti. Many times I sat down to dinner with people coming out of Haiti and they could debrief and share of their time. The stories that I heard are heart wrenching. Stories of people under rubble for days. Of children needing amputations and then dying anyway. Of the smell of death so strong people took up smoking just to keep from vomiting.

I also heard stories of found loved ones and hope for a better Haiti.

It is amazing how God is able to use a horrific event like this to bring together so many people together for a common purpose. To help mankind. After all, that was the point of Jesus coming here, wasn't it?

Right after the earthquake I remember feeling like I wish I could do more. I wished I was better at school so I could have been a doctor. I wished I was a pilot so I could fly there or something...else.
But as people and supplies kept coming through I began to realize that our ministry was doing what it always does. Facilitate people, encourage nationals and develop relationships.

God places each one of us where we are and gives us the talents he gives us. After years of doing the same thing it can become clear in a moment when it really matters why God has placed you where he has.
One of the amazing people I met sent me this email which may shed a little more light into what I have been doing the past few months. God bless each and every one of you.

Good morning Jennifer Goodenough ~Greetings. Hope everything is well with you, Ken and the rest of GO Ministries. I know you've met a bazillion people, so let me try to refresh your memory... My name's JEFF and Go Ministries helped me and two other Wisconsin guys get home from Haiti a little over a week ago. One of your planes picked us up at Jacmel and brought us to Santiago. Ken picked us up at the airport and delivered us to you. You then took us to a little roadside cafe where we had Empanadas, talked about Go Ministries, Corvallis, fund-raising and a few other things, then you chauffeured us to your dormitory for the night. Next morning you returned, made coffee and dropped us at the airport where we caught a plane for home. Hopefully that tweaked something to help you recall us, but if not, it's OK.My purpose in emailing you is just to thank you and Ken for what you're doing. It's huge, spirit driven and very badly needed. Please convey my/our gratitude to Ken, your pilots and to everyone who's had a hand in supporting your work. Thank you so much!It's good being back in Wisconsin and reconnecting with family and friends. The air is a bit brisk and we have plenty of snow for snowshoeing, one of my favorite pastimes. My plan is to return to our Orphanage at Grand Goave Haiti sometime the first week of March. I miss the kids and my thoughts are always on the work that needs to be done there, as everywhere in Haiti. I expect American Airlines will have resumed their regular schedule by then, so shouldn't need help getting in or out of the Country. In any case, Go Ministries truly blessed us and it was a pleasure to meet you and Ken and to learn more about the good work being done in the name of our Lord and Savior. Take care of yourself and God Bless. I've attached a couple of pictures for your scrapbook...Go Beavers! On Wisconsin! JEFF

Celebration of Partnerships May 2009

2009-05-24T10:23:00.000-07:00

You know when a special time really is special. It sticks with you. Like one year my sis and her family got a run down cabin in the snowy cascades for Christmas. We had to keep the whole drafty place warm with this humongous fireplace. So many interesting little things happened that bonded us together that week in a way that had never happened in our usual surrounding. A log fell out of the fireplace in the middle of the night that we had to get back in. A bat needed to be rescued from the chimney. We went for long walks in the snow looking for beaver wood. It turned out to be one of the best Christmas' that we've ever had.

It has always stuck with me, that Christmas.

That's kind of like what the Celebration of Partnerships was for me this year. The kind of time that inspires you in those subtle ways that last.

All of the American GO staff were down for the event. We had a couple pre-conference meetings and it was really great to be together.

For the conference our entire purpose was to encourage the National and American partnerships and I think we accomplished what we set out to do.

The celebration was held at a resort in Puerto Plata. When the nationals arrived they brought a great energy of anticipation with them and it was contagious.

Pastor Gabriel has been the national president of GO ministries since its conception thirteen years ago. At the conference he announced his role change to "international representative". He passed the torch to his eldest son Pastor Eduard Gabriel who is now the National president of GO ministries. It was a very emotional time for everyone.

Above: Pastor Gabriel gives blessings to his daughter in law Kendy

for there new adventures as the National President of GO

Gabriel is still very much in action and an essential part of the ministry. The transition was so emotional because we all reflected on how much Pastor Gabriel and his wife Tata have impacted our lives.

Several people stood up to say how God used Gabriel to save them. Yeni, who pastors with her husband in the Hole talked of how Gabriel helped her mother with all their family needed as she was growing up and she met her husband Felix at Gabriel's church and now they Pastor in one of the most difficult areas in Santiago. Gabriel was an essential part of Yeni meeting Jesus and now Yeni is essential to so many people meeting Jesus.

Fran, who works construction with the work crew talked of how Gabriel helped get Fran's wife and children to the DR so that they could be together and now Fran has steady work and his children are getting an education at the GO sponsored school that Gabriel began. Fran was a Haitian immigrant worker that most people thought of as nothing, but Gabriel saw someone worth investing in.

That sticks with me. All the people that Gabriel invested in so long ago and for many years he didn't see immediate fruit. But he remained faithful and steady and now the fruit is evident.

Yeah.... that's inspiring to me.

A wonderful partnership exists between Discovery church in California and The Cuerpo de Cristo church in Hato del Yaque. I met Pastor Todd Clark from Discovery Church for the first time during the celebration.

My favorite times were meal times. At our table always sat Pastor Todd, Pastor Aristides and his wife Arelis, Adams, Montan and his wife Tina, Pastor Eladio and his wife who also have a church in HdY, and me. We all talked about ministry and family and laughed and broke bread together. There is so much that I enjoyed about that time. I learned more in those few days of eating together about each person there than I had in the last year of ministry.

Below: Aristides, Arelis and Adams sang in the

Dining room and the lobby

Now we are back in Ministry and in our usual schedules and going forward with plans and service.

But this special event that really did turn out to be special will stick with me.

Aristides has been quoting Psalm 133:1 a lot lately.

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!"

It is easy to forget that even when we are doing life together as we do in ministry here in the DR and with you in the US.

together we are building churches and homes, feeding children, encouraging the body of believers, bringing medicine to the sick, sharing the love of Jesus... and the list goes on.

The last verse in psalm 133 says "...For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore."

There is a blessing in unity that makes an eternal impact.

Thank you for your partnership.

Febuary 2009

2009-03-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

Since the Dominican has a semi tropical climate, there is plenty of rainfall to keep everything green and growing year round. The only problem with that is the flooding that happens frequently. People live in flood plains because it is cheap. Especially in the Hole where people don't pay for electricity or water because its not supposed to be inhabited. But it is home to hundreds of families.

Pastor Felix has been working in the Hole for eight years now and has seen his share of frustrations, especially when one of the children in the Nutrition center falls into drugs or gets pregnant at 13 to 14.

In addition to drugs, prostitution and all that goes along with those issues Felix battles unsanitary conditions. The Hole is an unofficial landfill and all of the runoff water from the surrounding streets runs down into it.

When the waters rise, it carries the trash into people's homes that they generally keep very clean.

Here is Pastor Felix standing where a home was just the day before.

At the end of 2007, Hurricane Olga washed away the bridge that people use to cross the contaminated river.

What was so neat about that is that in the following months the community actually built a new one themselves. Different people pitched in with mixing concrete and welding the scrap iron together to make it so people didn't have to jump on wobbly tires or wade across. I felt proud, as did they of their work

Last month there were some heavy rains which washed away the foundation of the bridge breaking it in two and carrying away a nearby home.

Now the kids walk up and down this steep walk way over the water to come to the nutrition center and to go to school.

Life can be like that can't it. Just when you've pulled together to make things right, a big storm moves in to tear down your accomplishments.

I'm Thankful that life isn't all about accomplishment, but the lives we encounter along the way.

Despite any setbacks or discouragements Felix continues to work in the Hole. More and more people are coming together to glorify God every week, who not only builds a bridge over water, but in their lives for a cleaner life and salvation. God gives the strength to resist drugs and gives the love to care for each other.

Despite the storms, God continues to rebuild lives.

"And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint."

~Galatians 6:9

The bridge in the Hole will get built again, but more importantly lives of the people who live there will continue to be touched and offered help during the storms that come in the flood plain of life.

Thank you for being part of all this, for your partnership and encouragments.

January 2009

2009-02-07T14:11:00.000-08:00

One of the things I love most about the Dominican Republic is all the tropical plants. The greenness reminds me of Oregon, but warmer. So I get the best of both worlds.

One plant that grows here has two names. Its official name is "Christ's Thorns" because of the strong sharp thorns that grow on each branch. But people refer to the plant as "You and Me" because the flowers always grow in pairs.

Go ministry functions through partnerships. In January I was blessed to help host the first team of the year.

Real Life in California is one of the partners for Felix and Yeni Abreu who pastor the church in the Hole. Real life came along side Pastor Felix, his family and his work in a remarkable way.

They took an interest in the community by doing some spontaneous evangelism and playing basketball with the teenagers, Construction on the sanctuary that will be on the second floor, and more.

For the past seven years the 120 children that participate in the Nutrition program have eaten on a few benches and the rest on the floor. Real Life wanted to change that and they bought 12 tables on the spot for the Nutrition Center. I think this blessed Felix more than anything.

They also joined us in taking all of those kids out to ice cream where all of the kids went down the slide for over an hour. There aren't any slides down in the Hole, so this was a real treat.

It was really neat to see this partnership develop. Even Felix's five year old son, Nathanael understood this to be an important friendship. While we were at the beach at the end of the week eating lunch, Nathanael said "Now this is living". He was right. Being in the company of friends, breaking bread together and just fellowshipping. You see it makes us strong for the struggle. It gives fuel to our faith. It puts the passion in our compassion.

I have been spending allot more time in Hato del Yaque lately. I have been trying to get to know Pastor Aristides and his heart and the heart of all the community there.

Pastor Aristides is driven to see change. He longs to have the dreams realized for the people's sake.

Our hearts ache together as we all dream of the nutrition center in action, work for more families, for sports programs and a playground. For people to know Jesus and have their hearts enlightened to all that God has for them.

Psalm 142 was written by David while he was hiding in the cave from his enemies. He cries out in desperation to God to hear him and deliver him. But the last sentence stood out to me when I read it this time."Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me."Because of God's goodness our friends and family in Christ support us and gather around us.

Without each other we can not make it. Christ is our foundation, but we are each other's support.

It reminds me of that plant. The branches with its thorns represent Christ as our foundation supporting the flowers that only bloom in pairs.

Thank you for all of your encouragment and support. It goes a long way.

December 2008

2009-01-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

December second I arrived in the Dominican Republic after three months stateside.

I've spent time reacclimating and getting reacquainted with friends.

Christmas is by far the biggest holiday in the Dominican. Overall the country doesn't celebrate Halloween or Thanksgiving so people are free to start Christmas festivities months in advance.

People take time off of work to relax and spend time with each other. One of the best ways to spend time together is to eat eat eat. And eat we did. I attended four different Christmas dinners!

One of the dinners was in Hato del Yaque. I have been trying to go out there on the weekends and spend time with the church there. I love just being able to sit with people and talk and get to know them. It helps me remember why I am a missionary.

A young lady with an amazing testimony invited me to her house to chat after church one day.

Her name is Tata. She is 19 and has five children. She got married when she was 13 because her mother didn't want her at home.

As I sat with her in her house she shared with me some of the changes that have taken place in her life. She said that her husband used to drink and they would argue.

She started coming to church and felt God touch her. Her mother noticed a difference in her and so did her husband. He began to come with her and stopped drinking. Soon they were baptized together.

She said that where there used to be contention, now there is tranquility. "Now we sit on the patio together and talk"

Tata and her family have been through allot and continue to struggle economically and spiritually. Her husband continues to look for work to provide something for his family while tata tries to keep her kids healthy. The one she is holding in this photo was two pounds when he was born and was supposed to die. But God has other plans for him.

I am excited because her kids will be part of the nutrition center as soon as it is up and running.

Tata also said something that especially touched my heart. She said that people judge her because she is so young. At the time she had no choice, but now she sees that God has a plan and will only worry about what He thinks.

There are many young girls that are in Tata's position that haven't fared as good as she. As the hub in Hato del Yaque continues to grow, I know that God will use the church members, the teams, and all the programs to change the lives of this wonderful group of people.

May your entry into 2009 be blessed!

Sept-Nov 08

2008-11-19T14:51:00.000-08:00

These times have been good.

I was stateside for almost three months. It was a time of reflection and refreshment

I was blessed to visit my home church in Corvallis Oregon, Celebration Church, as well as some valued members of my support team, Abundant Life Center in Jefferson, New Wine Open Fellowship in Corvallis and New Life Fellowship in Philomath.

Thank you friends for your welcome and encouragement.

I also spent valuable time with my family. We celebrated my Mom's 60th with a white water rafting trip. I won't lie, I was terrified.

Also I was present to welcome a new addition. Madeline June is my sister's fifth child. It was very special for me to be near for this great event.

After my time on the west coast I went to Kentucky for G.O. Ministries annual meetings. All of the American G.O. staff missionaries were there along with the board were together.

We had three days of meetings, worship and fellowship.

I will be celebrating Christmas in the Dominican Republic for the first time this year.

My heart is full already from time spent with family and friends in the US. So full that I can only imagine how overflowing it will be after also being with my Dominican brothers and sisters during this special time of the year.

Blessings to all of you as we enter the Christmas month. I pray that God be with you and yours and that Christ reveals himself more to you each day.

This is my favorite time of year because I am constantly reminded of why I am a missionary.

"Praise be to God and Father of out Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade..."

~1 Peter 1:3-4a

June - August 2008

2008-08-18T10:37:00.000-07:00

The last three months have been a fantastic whirlwind of activity and ministry.

I can honestly say that every team that I encountered this summer has been a blessing to work with. Each each team has brought thier own talents and hearts to serve in whatever way they can to participate in God's great plan he has for us all.

One of the Highlights for me this year was getting to know Yoandi.

I have mentioned him before in previous blogs. He lives in Hato del Yaque where G.O. has branched out by housing teams. I spent four weeks in Hato del Yaque this summer facilitating these teams.

Yoandi lives in a house that includes four adults and three children. Only one of the adults in the house is working.

Yoandi was born deaf. He doesn't know how to read, speak, or write. He doesn't go to school and has no hope of a better life. His Grandmother does her best to care for him and his two younger cousins.

As I had mentioned in previous blogs, when I met Yoandi I tried to teach his some signs from the alphabet. He seemed very smart and capable.

This summer we had a team come from Pathways Christian Church in Illinois. They hosted our very first Audiology clinic. They tested people and gave out hearing aides if nessecary. Another ingrediant that is worth mentioning is that an Audiologist and four national students came up from the Capital to participate and help. It was a complete success in every way.

I had mentioned to Pastor Aristides about the clinic and that it would be good for Yoandi to come. First thing in the morning Aristides put Yoandi on the back of his motorcycle and drove about fourty five minutes to the clinic.

Yoandi was tested and diagnosed as profoundly deaf. He recieved a high tech hearing aide for each ear.

Now, Yoandi is very shy. Around new people he always keeps his head down. He had entered the clinic just like this, trying to hide his face.

But a transformation accured after he recieved the hearing aides he slowly began too lift his head. It was apparent that he was trying to LISTEN to a conversation.

He will never be able to hear clearly. But these hearing aides will at least give him a leg up, so that he can identify certain sounds and learn a little easier.

About a month later I had recieved some sign language cards that you can post around the house. Vicki, (my fellow missionary whome I have mentioned before as well) had brought them to share with families who have a member with hearing loss. She wants to help the families to communicate.

So I went to Yolandi's house with the Pastor and a team member who also used hearing aides. Yolandi was very shy, but as we posted the signs around thhe house and practiced them together he became more and more animated. His Grandmother, Maria, was more than happy to help Yolandi learn in any way that she could.

The next step...

When the nutrition center in Hato del Yaque is up and running, Yolandi is already entered into the program.

My hope is to get him nourished and healthy and strong in the knowledge of Christ. Then to get him into the school for the deaf in Santiago.

The reality is there are many children who are in a similar situation to Yoandi's. They might not be profoundly deaf, but they are trying to grow up malnourished and uneducated. Many of these same kids don't have a Grandmother as dedicated as Maria. They are fighting against the odds.

With every team that serves, with every National giving thier all, with every partnership... WE are fighting with them.

April - May 2008

2008-05-17T17:46:00.000-07:00

April and May have been great times of preparation, but the most memorable was the Kentucky Derby.

I left The DR for Kentucky April 24 and right away began working at Church Hill Downs. Every Year GO Ministries partners up with a company that sells merchandise at events such as the Kentucky Derby. This year we had close to 100 volunteers selling merchandise in order to raise money for GO. Financially it was a huge success for GO and the company appreciates our service enough to want us to continue doing it. It is a huge undertaking for GO trying to organize all those volunteers as well as housing, but it is worth it.

The best part is to see so many people come together from different churches and different states.

I was fortunate enough to stay with my friends the Rogers. Jeff Rogers organized everything on GO's end of things.

My good friend Jolleen flew all the way from Oregon to hang out with me and work the Derby. (I think I should win a prize for having recruited the furthest friend)

Also staying there was Brent Bellinger who was an intern with GO last summer from Michigan.

As well as Lisa and Michelle from Crosspoint Community Church in Nashville who partner with Moise, a Haitian pastor here in the DR.

So we had missionaries, partners, interns and friends all under one roof simply to work the Derby.

Jolleen and I worked in a trailer with some great young men from a Youth group in Illinois. Caleb and Grant are part of Eastview Christian Church who not only bring a team of over 60 mostly youth every summer, but also partner with two different pastors.

Different parts of the Body serving for the same purpose. To bring Glory to God, reach the lost, and encourage believers.

That is what it is all about.

"What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Gather of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven-- and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all -- life healed and whole.

I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put with every kind of aggravation in thee meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of His victory."

~ 1 Peter 1: 3-7 Message Translation

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER FOR DERBY 2009 PLEASE CLICK ON THE GO DERBY LINK IN THE RIGHT HAND COLUMN.

Jan-March 2008!

2008-04-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

2008 is going great!

Teams have been steadily coming to put on baseball camp, medical clinics, children's ministry etc...

But most of all they have been steadily working along side construction workers on the new building in Hato del Yaque that will serve as a church, feeding center and dormitory to house teams.

In June I will be moving into this building in order to facilitate teams from there.

Pastor Aristides is preparing the church for the opportunities for ministry that lay ahead. And if there is a community in need of ministry it is Hato del Yaque.

As we were doing children's ministry one day the pastor showed me a wound that one of the girls had on her leg. She said that it had been there for about a year without healing and she also had been bleeding form the gums. She just lives that way. The Pastor and I talked to her about going to our free clinic so hopefully she will get the care she needs.

That same day pastor Aristides introduced me to a mother carrying a child that looked no more than two. In reality the child is six years old and has some sort of cerebral handicap. The mother has been carrying him around for six years. I wondered with some therapy and education, what is this family capable of. But they are spending their time battling poverty. Anything else is a luxury.

Then I met a little boy on the job site who is deaf.

Not to change the subject, but as our offices are in Louisville Kentucky I often spend time there. When I am in Kentucky I get to stay with my good friends and fellow missionaries Jeff and Vicki Rogers. Over two years ago they found out their twin girls are profoundly deaf. Jeff and Vickie and the girls have all been learning sign language and the girls have gone through countless therapy sessions. When I am with them I am fortunate enough to get to sit in on some of Sophie and Raena's therapy sessions and try to learn a little bit of sign with them. I really enjoy them. You can read more about their story at http://www.blotter.com/profile/17641218804086086523

So I met this little deaf boy while doing construction. People here often call deaf people "mute" because they aren't typically taught how to speak. This little boy doesn't speak, sign, read or write. What opportunity does he have in this world? Like the girl with the wound, his family is battling poverty. "Opportunity" is a luxury. I tried to teach the boy some words by putting his hand to my throat and mouth and He did a pretty good job. We worked with the other kids saying "te amo" which means I love you. If you listen carefully he says " teh aaaah poh" Not bad for his first time eh?

Through Jeff and Vicki, we have contacted the deaf community here in Santiago. I attended a Church service entirely in sign. It was very fun. They accepted me with open arms. Hopefully we can get this boy connected with them and see about an education.

All of this, to say that there is a great need in Hato del Yaque. The Christians there are up for the challenge though.

The Montan family have been part of the church there for years. They have been pillars of the church since it began and continue to be a steady rock in the foundation of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Montan have raised 11 children and know what it is to battle poverty.

Pastor Aristides and his family moved out to Hato del Yaque this year to be the Pastor of the church. He has been in ministry for over thirty years and is ready to make impact.

Discovery Church of California partners with Aristides and the Church in Hato del Yaque. They came in March and worked on the building and encouraged everyone including myself.

I know God can change the lives of those living in Hato del Yaque through all of us working together.

En Cristo,

Jen

2 Corinthians 8:12-14

12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality,

December 2007

2008-01-21T16:33:00.000-08:00

Bring on 2008!

Over the months of November and December G.O. Ministries held our annual meetings. All of the American staff come together to plan for the coming year. There are a lot of exciting changes.

As I have mentioned before we are building a church/feeding center in a community called Hato del Yaque. In this same building there will be dorm rooms to house teams that come for short-term mission adventures.

A construction crew is working hard to get the building ready for the summer.

I will be moving out to Hato del Yaque for the summer to host the teams that will be staying there. As ministry opportunities grow I'll be living out there on a long term basis.

There will be a nutrition center that will feed about 120 children daily.

The church family that is crunched into a small space will have room to edify each other and their community.

Hato del Yaque is where I did my internship when I first came to G.O. Ministries three years ago so it is incredible that God is leading me back there. It has remained close to my heart. I did weekly children's ministry with some of the youth in the church. We had on average 80 children packed into the church. They are still doing weekly children's ministry. They hold two services. One in the church and one in the unfinished building, at the same time.

the community of Hato del Yaque came into existence almost thirty years ago after hurricane David destroyed much of the local farmland and any homes in its path. The government placed all those farmers in a single community who ended up working for larger agriculture companies. The land where Hato del Yaque now sits was originally owned by a wealthy land owner or the electric company. Ironically much of the community still has no electricity or running water.

Many people work at the factories in town or with the agricultural companies. But work can be seasonal or hard to find.

With God's help and yours we can help the people of Hato del Yaque change thier community!

I believe that God is going to touch a lot of lives through this area and the wonderful people that live there.

I just can't wait to see what God is going to do in 2008!!!

November 2007

2007-12-07T09:05:00.000-08:00

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

The month of November provided lots of Opportunities to give thanks.

The Hurricane season in the Carribbean ended November 30th, but not soon enough for those effected by the turrential downpour and high winds of the tropical storm Noel.

It was hard for the team from Discovery Church in California to wait the storm out in the Dorm, but as soon as the rain eased up they were off and running and finished the week off having done everything they had set out to do. They canceled their trip to the beach so that they could keep ministering in Hato del Yaque and encourage Pastor Aristides and his family.

Discovery Church partners with Hato del Yaque where GO is constructing a church/nutrition center/dormitory that will feed at least 120 children daily as well as teams housed as you all come to the Domincan for short-term mission adventures.

In order to sign up for an absolutely unforgetable experience click on the GO Ministries web site link. You can also email me at jennifer.goodenough@go-ministries.org

After the tropical storm the water dried up pretty quickly up north in Santiago, which is where I live. But in the south, in the Batey's where there is only flat agricultural land, it began to look like God may have forgotten his promise to Noah about not destroying the earth with a flood ever again.

But God didn't forget his promise

Back in Santiago, the Church announced that they were taking donations of food and clothes to the Bateys. This is a community that is usually on the recieving end of the donations that come through GO. When the opportunity came for them to give to those in greater need than themselves they didn't hesitate.

The church of Cuerpo de Cristo in Santiago gave enough clothes and food to fill two vans.

I was fortunate enough to join the caravan to Batey Nueve to deliver the supplies.

Pastor William of Batey Nueve told us of the experience in the storm. He was able to house 153 women and children in the GO dormitory. Instead of just feeding the children enrolled in the nutrition program, he fed the whole community.

The graciousness and determination of the people I am blessed to work with is sometimes overwhelming.

I am so Thankful for God and his faithfulness and for the family of God that is growing ever closer.

"...You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed."

~Joshua 23:14

October 2007

2007-11-19T10:56:00.000-08:00

Before I moved to the mission field I had the pleasure of doing children's ministry for over six years at Celebration Church. Many of the kids had been in my classes almost the whole time I was there. So they know me pretty well, and my heart for missions.

While I was stateside in September I was surprised by what the kids presented me with.

The kids had collected things to sell at a yard sale in order to buy school supplies for the children in the Dominican Republic. They ended up making enough money to buy three boxes of school supplies with three hundred dollars left to by supplies down there.

I am so proud of them.

In October, the boxes arrived in the DR. Half of the boxed supplies were given to El Colegio Isaias Emanuel, which is the elementary school in Hoya del Caimito that the GO kids program sponsors. The other half were given to Pastor Jonas who runs a school in Santa Lucia.

Two of my friends from Oregon Joined up with Crestwood Baptist Church for a mission trip to the DR. Crestwood partners with Pastor Jonas in Santa Lucia which is also known as "the fly". It is called the fly because the community lies at the base of the cities main landfill. Literally a mountain of garbage overshadows Santa Lucia.

Nobody wants to live there, but some people have to.

Crestwood came to put on a soccer camp and medical clinic for the people in Santa Lucia.

They brought a dentist that pulled teeth for two days straight with a small selection of tools and almost no water or electricity.

So, because of one churches dedication to one church in the Dominican, an entire impoverished community received Medical care, a sports event for their children, and encouragement for their Pastor.

And Because a small class of kids in a small church in Oregon, cared enough to try, hundreds of children in a third world country received school supplies for another year.

"And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it....vs 14: At the present time your plenty will supply what they need."

~2 Corinthians 8:10+

August 2007 - September 2007

2007-10-09T16:09:00.000-07:00

"So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body."

~2 Peter 1:12-13

August was the last of the summer rush of teams.

The first week included a trip to the Bateyes. The Bateyes are camps where People who work in the sugar cane fields live. Haitians often cross the border to the Dominican Republic in order to find work and a better life. instead, their papers are often destroyed and they become a people who don't exist. A people that no one cares about. But God sees their suffering and is raising up people among them.

Wiliam Desenes grew up in the Bateyes. Voodoo was his family's religion and He can attest to the painful and detrimental ceremonies that accompany voodoo. Over the course of time Wiliam came to know Jesus Christ and is now a Pastor in Batey Nueve.

Christian Church of Clarendon Hills is partnering with Pastor Desenes. A team from Clarendon Hills joined Pastor Desenes in pouring the foundation for the new church and nutrition center. There is a nutrition center in effect now, but with the new building Pastor Desenes will have an increased impact on the community.

Pastor Desenes and his wife Alexandra are already prominant figures in the Bateyes. When I am passing time at their home there is a constant stream of people coming to them asking for basic needs ranging from a glass of water to an injection for their hogs to stay healthy. I had the opportunity to accompany Alexandra as she injected some pigs to keep them healthy and parasite free. Healthy pigs mean healthy meals for the people living in Batey Nueve.

Pastor Desenes went to the local government pleading for access to clean water. The community was using water from the canal for everything. They bathed and even cooked in the same water the pigs swam in.

To every ones surprise the government has built a water tower in Batey Nueve. Pastor Desenes recognizes the pump that keeps fresh water flowing as "the most valuable item in the Bateys"

Thank you Clarendon for partnering with Pastor Wiliam Desenes so that he can be available to be the hands and feet and voice of Jesus.

Also in August we had a fresh new team from The Ridge Community Church. The Ridge moved block, rock, and sand with gusto! The team moved materials down into "the Hole" where a church/nutrition center is under construction. They did a fabulous job of caring for Pastors Felix and Yeni and listened intently to his testimony.

Felix shared how he came to the Hole almost seven years ago and for several years there were only about five people coming to church every week, but they continued to serve. He saw that the children were often going to school without eating breakfast and then coming home to an empty house with no one to cook lunch. In short, they were hungry. When Brook Brotzman, the president of GO Ministries, asked Pastor Felix what he might need help with, Pastor Felix knew the answer right away. the Children need food and clothes.

Over 80 children now receive a meal six days a week in the Hole.

Thanks to the Ridge for a job well done.

I flew to the US on August 28. I spent some time with my friends and family. I had the opportunity visit Discovery Church in Simi Valley California who faithfully partner with the community of Hato del Yaque. A team from Discovery will be coming again October 27-November 3. They are building yet Another church/nutrition center in Hato del Yaque!

God is doing Great things!

While stateside I was honored to be in the wedding of a friend that I met while on the field. One of my first, fast friends here in the Dominican was Viviana. Viviana worked as a translator for GO Ministries for over 5 years. She was married September 29 in Mesa Arizona where she now lives. Because it is hard for people to enter the US her family was unable to attend except her Uncle who gave her away. The Syler family that partnered with Viviana stepped in for her family as well as another missionary and I. So Vicki, Brittney and I stood in as the bride's maids and Lisa Syler stood in as Mother of the Bride since Viviana's mother could not be there.

Congratulations Viviana!

The Sylers also partner with Amaury Gresesqui who is a fantastic asset to our work team. The Sylers belong to Crosspoint Community in Nashville who partner with Pastor Moises (I spoke of them last month) and the story GOes on and on and on.

It is incredible. from California to Illinois to Nashville to the Dominican Republic, we are all connected.

Thank you to my friends and family and those who partner with me. You have allowed me to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

En Cristo,

Jen

"I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints."

~Philemon 1:4-7

July 2007

2007-08-08T18:32:00.000-07:00

July has been the busiest month of the summer. The amount of people that have been ministered too and through is astounding.

We started off the month with an incredible team of 62 from Eastview Christian Church in Illinois. Approximately 53 of the members were teenagers. These teenagers did construction on two different church/nutrition centers, took trips to Haiti, and did kid's events in three different locations. The thought of this many teenagers at one time might sound like chaos, but it was just the opposite. They put their energy and Spanish classes to great use. The youth group from Eastview was a complete joy to serve. They made a positive impact on a lot of lives during their week in the Dominican Republic.

Next I had the honor of working with Lincoln Christian church who is also from Illinois. Tracy Thomas and his family partner with Marisol who heads up our housecleaning crew. This woman works hard and is raising two teenagers single handedly. Through Lincoln Christian Church, GO is building a house for Marisol. The house that was purchased is now significantly below water level and needs to be raised, so we started by tearing down the existing house in order to add fill and make the foundation for a new home. Tracy and his family just adore Marisol and do a wonderful job of encouraging her and lifting her up.

The third week of July was a great example of friendship.

Crosspoint Community Church came to encourage and work along side their partner, Moises who is a Haitian Pastor here in the Dominican. Moises and Crosspoint worked hard together constructing the church/nutrition center in Briza del Campo.

Crosspoint also supports some fellow missionaries of mine, so Jeff and Vicki Rogers were here in the DR working along side of Moises and Crosspoint.

The Rogers are good friends with Pete and Brandi, the Pastors of Crosspoint. The Rogers and Pete and Brandi are good friends with Harold, from Morgantown Community Church. So Harold and a team from Morgantown joined the party.

So we had missionaries, Dominicans, a Haitian Pastor, Crosspoint and Morgantown. All come together for the same purpose, the same goal. To touch lives and grow the kingdom of God.

The final week of July, I worked construction with Northeast Christian Church from Rockford Illinois and Children's ministry with Hikes Point Christian Church from Kentucky.

What was so great about these veteran teams is how they really uplifted their Dominican and Haitian partners.

July was crazy busy, but the great teams that were here and the friendships that are continuing to grow made it the best month of the summer so far!

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder ....Yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."

~1 Corinthians 15:10

June 2007

2007-07-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

The busy season has officially begun!

During the month of June we hosted 7 teams in the DR and Haiti. It has been a high concentration of love and ministry! I have been so impressed with the teams and their effort to serve nationals and each other.

First we hosted 3 teams. I had the honor to assist with the team from Moweaqua Ill. Many of the team members have been coming since way before my time. They did construction and children's ministry and of course did an outstanding job, but what I loved was hearing those veteran team members say " I remember when..." and they would talk of GO ministries before there were dormitories or an air conditioned vehicle. There was an easiness to them with the nationals. Being with the team from Moweaqua reminded me of how far GO ministries has come and how many lives are now intertwined by the grace that only comes through giving.

The Moweaqua church has been partnering with the Church in Los Salados for a long time. The Church in los Salados is mostly made up of young people. Dominicans say there are a lot of Tigers in Los Salados. That means it is a rough neighborhood. The youth of the church have been through a lot, but through the continuous encouragement of the Moweaqua church, they have been relentless voices of hope in their neighborhood.

The following week we hosted 2 teams and I worked with the team from Windsor Road Christian Church. They were a blast! They worked super hard constructing a church/nutrition center. Plus they lovingly partner with Pastor Fabio and Antonia who pastor a church in the mountains. One day the team took a bunch of balls and frisbees and went to a field in the community up there and played with the kids all afternoon. They understand partnership.

For the Final week in June there was a team that held basketball camp here in the neighborhood, But I got to tag along with a medical team to the Bateys.

The team was from Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine. The Bateys are the communities of those who work in the sugarcane fields. Everyone is poor in the Bateys. In order to translate for the two day medical clinic that we held, I needed another translator who could speak Haitian Creole. About 40 percent did not speak Spanish. Most of the people in the Bateys are either Haitian or of Haitian decent. They work hard, dangerous jobs for little pay.

It was a little comical though.

The American would say in English "what do you have today"

Then I would say the phrase in Spanish to the translator.

Then the translator would say the same phrase in Creole to the patient.

Then patient would respond in Creole "I have a headache"

Then the translator would then tell me in Spanish that they have a headache.

Then I would tell the American in English "they have a headache"

We worked through colds, diabetes, blood pressure issues, wounds, skin problems.....etc. Miraculously we saw over 800 people in those two days. There were three different cultures, three different shades of skin, three languages speaking the language of the universe... God's great love.

That Sunday we went to Batey Cuchillo where there was a young boy with Cerebral Palsy and a young man who is paraplegic. The Medical Students were able to give advice and hope to the mothers and grandmothers. They shared some exercises that can be done and prayed with them. It is possible that the little boy with CP may walk someday with exercise. Something that doesn't require money, only information.

June has been such an awesome month. God is moving and I am so privileged to be part of it.

"Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us"

~Isaiah 26:12

May 2007

2007-06-04T16:16:00.000-07:00

I have enjoyed working on some different projects this past month.

The first week of May, all of the American staff of GO Ministries was working at the Kentucky derby. Yes... I said the Kentucky derby. GO Ministries was invited by a company called "The Game" to sell merchandise at the derby and all of the races leading up to the derby which ends up being about four days. But what was truly incredible was how so many people came from all over to volunteer and support GO. Volunteers came from Atlanta, Indiana, and even one from Oregon. Many slept on air mattresses and couches and then worked long, hard hours. It is truly touching for me to see the level of support and sacrifice that was demonstrated Stateside.

Sometimes it can seem easier for people to be sacrificial while on a short term mission trip. There can be a sense of being "on", so I was very encouraged to see so many of our friends come together to serve while in the States. It was all worth it too. We raised twenty three thousand dollars that GO Ministries can do a lot with. Thank you all so much.

Click on the GO Derby link for information about Derby 08. Its not too early to volunteer for next year.

After the derby, I was blessed to be able to spend a few weeks productively working in The headquarter office of GO. I enjoyed spending time with the stateside staff and being a part of all the workings of GO there.

While I was in Louisville working in the office, it was brought to my attention that I am seriously under budget. Each month I have been receiving on average only Half of my bare bones minimum. GO Ministries has supplied where I lack, but that is money that needs to go to other sources such as national pastor support. I am supplying a link to help inform you of my needs. Right now the biggest need I have is monthly support.

Click on Jen's support team to learn more about my financial needs and how you can help.

When I returned to the DR I had the pleasure of being assigned to Document several locations. I traveled to Haiti to take pictures of Ouanaminthe and Phaeton.

Ounamenthe is a border town just on the other side from the Dominican Republic. It is where we work with Pastor Arsenio who runs an orphanage, school and nutrition center. The town had been hit by a tornado. All the children are safe, but the roof of the orphanage was seriously damaged leaving the children and all their belongings to the wind and the rain. But that hasn't stopped the school or the nutrition center from continuing. Just another daily struggle in Haiti.

Phaeton is a fishing village along the upper coastline in Haiti. It is situated in the middle of nowhere and the people struggle to find work of any kind. There once was a factory where people worked. The factory has long since shut down, but the people are still there.

Northeast Christian Church of Illinois partners with Lucner who is the Pastor in Phaeton. I cannot wait to see how this partnership develops and how they can reach the people of Phaeton together.

Celebration Church of Oregon is planning a short-term mission trip in October. I would love it if you would join this team and come see the wonderful culture and people of The Dominican Republic.

Celebration Church is going to have a informative launching meeting on Saturday June 10 at 2:30 in the afternoon.
Celebration Church is located at:
2700 SW 3rd St.
Corvallis, OR. 97333

I know that God has great plans.

"As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me"
~Jesus

April 2007

2007-04-29T16:53:00.000-07:00

April has been a very interesting month,

It started off with the team from Simi Vally California working with their partner church in Hato del Yaque. I loved the way they served and enjoyed the community despite the many road blocks that came up during the work week. Road blocks such as having to wait two hours for a load of rebar before being able to continue, and so on. There are often unexpected happenings but it seems like the week with Discovery Church from CA had more than usual, but it didn't deter them from the goal of encouraging and supporting the nationals they worked along side.

Something unexpected that I don't consider a road block is when several of the team members were able to meet the kids that they support through the GO kids program. It was alot of fun watching people be united in person to a child that they have committed to support financially, through prayer and encouragement. One little girl that was there that day is Lisette. She is supported by children in a sunday school class at Discovery Church. Earlier this year her mom stopped me in the street with some seemingly important news to tell me. She happily told me that both of her small children were supported through GO kids. She was almost in tears so I hugged her and simply said "Felicidades!" I didn't know that it was Discovery Church who is supporting her, so it was a lovely surprise to get to translate for that reunion.

There is a link on this page to our GO kids blog. I encourage you to take a look and see what you can do.

The following week we had a staff retreat where we were joined by the GO board of directors, John Kohlor who is our missionary to Mongolia, and Pastor Ernest Tate who we will be working with in Belize.

John Kohlor lives in Mongolia, ministering to alcoholics and prostitutes. He was our guest speaker for our retreat and encouraged us greatly.

Pastor Ernest and Barbara Tate are Belizians who have been ministering there for over thirty years through Belize Faith Missions. They run an orphanage for abused and neglected children. Belize is a fascinating place. It is considered part of the Caribbean and the main language is English. There are alot of refugees from Guatemala in Belize leaving a large population of people without homes and provisions. GO Ministries is planning to start sending teams to Belize next year.

After our staff retreat we held a national conference with special guests Pastor Ruben Ramirez and Jhon Dario. The great part is that most of the Dominican Pastors and their wives were able to come and be encouraged through Pastor Ramirez. Jhon Dario (yes that's how his name is spelled) taught a wonderful worship training session that I attended myself. It was incredibly inspiring and I learned alot. We are excited about continuing to share in ministry with our friends in Columbia. What I especially like about this friendship is that they give and share so much with the Dominican Republic.

The sad part is that all of the Haitian Pastors were stopped at the border and unable to attend. Please pray that in 2008 they will be able to attend our celebration of partnerships. I know they would be greatly encouraged. But I also know that God has a good plan and will take care of every situation

Needless to say, GO Ministries is growing at an alarming rate.
I am honored to be a part of it.

March 2007

2007-04-03T09:22:00.000-07:00

We started in March with a soccer clinic. The men's soccer team from Indiana Wesleyan University, did a camp for the kids in Los Perez. They also played in a tournament with local teams including the Dominican national soccer team. This group of young men were a joy to have around. Their energy and camaraderie reached the kids in a unique way. One young man formed a little, unofficial team with the kids that were either to young or weren't signed up. He played games and goofed around with then all day sometimes ending up at the bottom of the dog pile. But he helped the little ones know that he cared.

There were two teams that came this month that are always a pleasure when they come. The first was Crosspoint Community Church from Nashville and the second was Northeast Christian Church from Illinois. Both Churches have developed a strong partnership with a national pastor that they support financially, but they also genuinely care for their partner and the community in which they work.

Northeast partners with Rafelito, the pastor in Los Guandules. For those of you who know about "the Hole" los Guandules is like the Hole but without the landfill. But the same basic idea of shacks by a dirty river along with drugs, flooding, stealing, disease, poverty...you get the idea. Well Northeast came along side of Rafelito. They didn't just support him, but they have believed in him and in a God that can change the lives of the people who live in Los Guandules. With their support we were able to buy some property and tear down the bar that was on the property. But this wasn't just a bar. This was a gambling bar, with a mysterious room. Several wives have said that their husband would gamble his entire paycheck there. So this was a place of many vices for the community.

So we tore it down and in time built a church with a feeding center. It is a beautiful building. Rafelito will always say that God isn't in a building, but it sure makes it easier to do his work with one. The kitchen is big and industrial so that the cooks can cook for the 100+ kids who are fed lunch Monday through Saturday. The kids sit in chairs at little tables. There are different colored plates depending on how much the kids eat. I myself have noticed a marked difference in the Health of the kids since the program has been up and running.
So the team came and encouraged Rafelito and his family in ministry.

The week before Northeast, Crosspoint had come. They partner with Moises who is the pastor of a Haitian church here in Santiago. Moises faces a lot of challenges because of his nationality and the political and racial tension between the two countries. He is a quiet stoic sort of person when you first meet him. But you soon realize the depth of his relationship with God and desire to help the Haitians who are struggling to make it in the Dominican Republic. Crosspoint are a jovial group and like to have a good time as well as work hard. So they make a funny partner for Moises. But beyond, cultures, races, and everything else, is the Love of God that doesn't fit within our boundaries of cultures, races, and everything else. See what I mean?
While Crosspoint was here last year they poured the foundation of the church/feeding center in Briza del Campo. This year they poured the floor. Moises worked hard along side the team to get his church under way.

On the lot behind the church a Haitian family lives. They have a little girl who is about the size of a 15 month old, but in fact she is two. As the family cooked peanut brittle to sell, I lamented in my heart about the little girl's future. I had seen it before, and I knew that because of her size and living conditions she would probably be sick most of her childhood.

Then suddenly I remembered what the kids in the Guandules looked like before the feeding center. They had runnier noses and more skin issues etc...
Soon there would be a feeding center here and she will be able to go to it. She will get the nutrition she needs as well as other things the program provides, such as uniforms for school and clothing.

I am excited for what God is going to do through Moises and Rafelito and their partners.

February 2007

2007-03-05T17:37:00.000-08:00

No two weeks have been the same in February.

We finished art class in Hoya del Caimito with a trip to the museum. Many of the kids have a real talent. I gave each participant a set of paints and brush at the end of the classes. One of the students I saw at church. He wouldn't shake my hand. I finally got him to tell me why. It was because his hands were all dirty with paint. His mom then said that ever since the class, he has been painting all day long. Later on in the month, I had the opportunity to teach a paint class in Santa Lucia, also known as "La Mosca". There is a link on this page about La Mosca that I hope you will enjoy. I am really excited about the opportunity to reach the children using a talent that I love, but the most important part is teaching them who the greatest artist in the world is...Dios.
This wonderful artist created them and loves them more than any other creation. I hope to be able to teach this truth through art more extensively.

There was a baseball camp this month. The team that came was from Kansas City Bible Temple. They did a great job working with Jose Luis who is the Dominican in charge of baseball ministry. He is the one with the boys every day, mentoring them. Some of the boys that go to the camp are from the church and/or good homes, but many are in very difficult situations. They are in neighborhoods where theft and drugs are prevalent and rarely is there a good male role model in the home.

During baseball camp I was translating for a team. There were a couple of days where I would get choked up, but I wasn't sure why. It all surfaced as I was praying for my team to win. I don't usually pray for my team to win, because somehow I don't think it's fair, but I was praying for this team to win. There were several boys on the team that had already made some pretty bad life choices. So, I was praying silently for them to win, but the prayer became more and more fervent in me, and I began to even cry for them. I prayed, "Please God, can't they just win this game? They never win at anything. Life is so cruel to them. Please let them win!" I was thinking of one boy in particular. His mom used to live next door to me and she was almost always high on drugs. He had been adopted by another family, so he doesn't live with her, but he looks exactly like her and everyone knows she is his mom. The adopted family, judging by appearances, provides for his basic needs, but not necessarily a loving home. So I asked God, "How is he supposed to make the decision to follow you? Nothing in his life points to you. It's not fair. Now he is angry and making poor choices. Why does he have to suffer at the hands of others?" At that moment it was as if God lifted my head to see the whole field. I saw all the role models that had come from Kansas city to teach baseball, but also to share the love of Jesus. I saw Jose Luis investing and caring for them every day.

God is making opportunities and He wants to use me and you to bring those opportunities to those who are suffering.

I had the pleasure of going to Ouanamenthe, Haiti, for five days to help with a team from Indiana. The team did children's events and construction to build a school. It was a blast! We ate meals in the orphanage so we got to spend a lot of time with the children there. But again, I found myself wrestling with questions as there were children without all around and we only had enough to give to some. Even what we gave wasn't all that they needed. How is it possible to meet this need? And even if we brought enough "stuff" for everyone it wouldn't change the poverty they have come to know as everyday life. Poverty is deeper than material things. It seeps into the very thought pattern of a person's being. Once it grips you it never lets go. Many of us have known poverty at times in our lives, but it is a different poverty when not only you are struggling, but so is everyone around you. A poverty where you cannot turn to the government or the church or anyone because they are just as poor as you are. There is a strange numbness that comes with this poverty.

During an evening devotional a teenage girl from the team said that she saw the "opportunity for hope". I milled that phrase around in my head over and over. She didn't say she saw hope, she said that she saw the opportunity for hope. Part of me wanted to say "where?". Again I looked up and I could see what she saw. Arcenio is the Haitian we work with in Haiti who oversees all of our ministry to Haiti. He is the person who started the orphanage and the school and who is there everyday investing in lives for a better and different future that doesn't come instantly or without trials.

So the month of February has been a month of remembering why we do what we do.

"Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity,

let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

~Galations 6:9-10

January 2007

2007-02-02T08:51:00.000-08:00

Back in the DR....again!

The weather is just perfect here. Its a breezy 80ish degrees and I love. I felt a sigh of relief when I returned. I don't know why, but I feel like I am home more than I had in the past.

As soon as I got back we had a double medical clinic to do. No time to settle in, but who needs it anyway. The doctors did a great job ministering to the patients in Los Salados and Hato del Yaque. One particular incident stands out in my mind.

I was translating for Amy, a med student who was seeing patients. It was fun bribing the kids to take the parasite pill even though it tastes terrible. Family after family came to our table and Amy was able to prescribe meds, administer first aid and even send a child to the hospital who was so dehydrated that the doctors said he could have died that night.

While we were working a woman came in with her child. I didn't look up at the woman at first because I was staring at the little boy. I thought that he could quite possibly have been the most beautiful child I had ever seen. Even if he had been small for his age he couldn't be more than three years old. His skin was almost charcoal black and his features were perfect except for the red damaged eye. His countenance was serene showing neither fear nor acceptance. To me he was stunning.

When I looked up at the mom I saw that she was lighter skinned and in the Dominican style dress. The boy was obviously Haitian and the woman was obviously Dominican. Given the racial and political tension between the countries I thought it was interesting that she should bring him, maybe for a neighbor or something.
So I asked "Is he yours?"

It caught my throat when she simply replied "I found him."
"You found him?"
"Yes, on the side of the road. There was no one around. He is with me now."

The boy had fallen on a stick and hurt his eye, Amy prescribed medicine as well as children's Tylenol and whatever else they needed. But that answer kept playing in my mind over and over "I found him."
The woman, by all appearances, didn't have much herself. And here she was taking in a child that was not her own to feed and clothe.

I wonder, how many children are not so fortunate to be found. And if they are found, by whom.

I had my first art class for the kids here in the DR this month.
It went very well and I think the kids had fun. The theme was shapes in everything and next week we will be painting which is my favorite. And hopefully we will take a field trip to the art museum.

December 2006

2007-01-17T15:38:00.000-08:00

I hope that you all had a wonderful December.

The first couple of weeks in December I was in Louisville Kentucky where the G.O. Ministries headquarters are and the rest of December was spent in Oregon, celebrating Christmas with friends and family. In Louisville, we had several days of meetings while we talked and planned for the upcoming year and beyond. I left Louisville rejuvenated and excited for all that is going on within the ministry.

There are lots of plans and lots of changes. Even though we work with nationals throughout the DR and Haiti, the ministry has always been based in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Soon we will have a base in Ouanamenthe, Haiti and in Barahona, DR which is in the south of the Island.

There will also be a small hub in Hato Del Yaque, a community about 30 minutes from our central hub in Santiago. In the future I am hoping to focus on ministry in and around this location where I will facilitate teams and continue helping churches grow their children's ministries.

GO has now expanded to Mongolia as well. We are working with a missionary there who is helping prostitutes learn skills and get jobs so that they don't have to continue working within the sex trade. Women are often in this trade from the time they are children and haven't learned skills for a decent job. Even if they have skills, too often the "decent job" just doesn't pay enough, so GO is building a sponsorship progran that will supplement a young woman's income while she works. For instance when a woman that is in "the business" was asked if she could do something else, what it is she would do, she replied that she had won a metal in judo and would like to have a judo school. Through Jesus GO hopes to partner with this ministry in assisting hundreds of young women get out of the forrific cycle of prostitution in Monglia. Not only for a healthy life, but for eternity.

In 2006 GO hosted over thirty teams in the summer alone. Through those teams and the partership of nationals, churches and homes were constructed, children were fed, medicines were distributed, and much much more.

This is the time of year when I need to raise suport for the upcoming year. In 2006 I was on average about $700 under budget per month. GO Ministries supported where I lacked, but that money that could be supporting nationals. I want to be a blessing and a giver to GO and to those the ministry reaches.

Please pray about how you may play a part in all that's going on with GO and my role within ministry. There are so many ways to give and share and be a part of all that is in store.

Many thanks to all who have given and encouraged me in 2006. I don't know how to say thank you enough. May God bless you in all that you do.

please look for more information at go-ministries.org

November 2006

2006-12-01T12:56:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, I like to travel. The month of November was especially fun for me because I got to travel a bit.

The "Bateys" are communities where the families of those who work in the sugar cane fields live. The people who work in the sugar cane fields are usually Haitian or of Haitian descent. Fifty years ago the people who worked the fields were the slaves that Haiti sold to the Dominican. Now they are not considered slaves, but they are looked down upon almost as such and the wages they receive are shameful. The Bateys are possibly the poorest communities in the Dominican Republic. In my opinion they are more desolate than the mountain folk because at least in the mountains you can grow your own food and the rains supply fresh water. In the Bateys the water collects in canals that catch run off and are the source of bath, laundry, and even cooking water. Voodoo is still prevalent, as it is in Haiti, offering fear and false hope, but only for a price. We passed by a voodoo temple on our way to Batey Dos.

In Batey dos there was a woman with three children. The oldest who is about 6 years old obviously had some sort of mental disability. He didn't walk or talk, but I wondered that if he had the appropriate therapy, would he be able too? For now he crawls around in the dirt with no clothes on. The mom doesn't know what is wrong with him because she has never taken him to the doctor to find out.

Batey nueve is where we stayed with Pastor Wiliam who oversees GO Ministries to the Bateys. We are expanding and now have a Dormitory there. The Schwulzt family is planning on moving to the DR to help William host teams from the US. Being there I realized how much the people in Batey nueve rely on Wiliam by the way they respond to him when he walks by and how they come to him when they need things. He loves those people and knows first hand how life has tossed them around. Wiliam grew up in the Bateys in the Voodoo religion. I cannot wait to see what God will do down there as there are more and more opportunities for us to partner with Him for the people of the Bateys. This is a pic of a voodoo temple we passed.

I also Traveled to Haiti. It was a hot market day on the border of the Dominican and Haiti. There were people as far as the I could see carrying their weirs. I went there to see an orphanage there called "Hope for Haiti". It is a dream of mine to someday start an orphanage. I had a great time with the ladies who are running the school and orphanage. There are 47 kids in the Orphanage plus 500 kids in the school. It was very inspiring to me to be with women with similar ideas who are already doing it. A single woman founded the Orphanage and now three single ladies are facilitating the entire place. All of the staff is Haitian including the school directors. It was a wonderful visit, but I am confident that I am where God wants me for now... in Kentucky.

Just kidding although I really am in Kentucky. Every year, after the busy season, we all go on a staff retreat. This year we went to the Bahamas, which may sound exotic but remember it is not a far cry from the Caribbean, where I live. What made it so fun was all the people that I was with. The GO ministries crew can be a lot of fun... but don't believe any stories they tell you about me and karaoke.

So now I am in Kentucky preparing for our annual planning meetings that will be held all next week. Then I will spend Christmas in Oregon with my family and fly back home to the Dominican in January.

So The Month of November was alot of fun. Besides all the traveling there was alot of partying. At my house we had a Birthday party for my puppy Panther, a Happy Birthday Jesus party, a dinner party with the weekly discipleship ladies, and several other small bday partys and such. I just love ministry. There are alot of unorthodox ways we can make a difference to someone. Like inviting the kids to come play games and using your dog's birthday as an excuse.

I look foreward to planning for the upcoming year and will keep you all informed on the excitment awaiting.

Que Dios les bendigan mucho.

Jen

October 2006

2006-11-06T10:58:00.000-08:00

Back in the DR!

Well, when I returned from the states this month it was good to have some fun with my roomies and reconnect with them. Here we are at an Aguilas game. As you may know, baseball is huge in the Dominican Republic and the Aquilas are the local professional team. I love to go see them play when I get the chance.

Celebration Church, my home church in Oregon, came on a short term mission trip this month. I loved being with them as they experienced all the wonderful things that can happen when you GO to a different place that needs something you can give. Most people discover that no matter how much you give, you always end up recieving so much more.

They did a number of different things while they were here including assistance with a soccer camp, a medical clinic, and children's ministry. Here I am with Jasmine, Pastor Jeff, Kevin, Jolleen and Pastor Rafelito (can you guess which one is Rafelito).

On a more somber note.

The medical clinic was held in a barrio called Santa Lucia but is known as "La Mosca" which means "the fly". It is easy to see why it is called the fly if you have been there. The community sits at the feet at the city's largest land fill. Flies, among other things, come with the garbage that is brought in and stirred daily. The clinic was held in the church/feeding center/school from which Pastor Jonas does everything possible to shine the light of Jesus daily.

From the building I could see that there was a funeral being held by the people sitting outside the house and the tarp that shaded them. Our trusty bus driver who makes it his job to understand what is going on around the work sites told me that a baby had died. Thinking that I could say a prayer for them, he asked if I wanted to take a look. I did. But I confess I was not prepared. I entered the room and there was small wood casket housing the beautifully adorned body of a chubby baby girl. She was surrounded by flowers, wearing a lacy white dress and a crown made of aluminum foil. And that is as far as I will go on how she looked other than to say she was perfect.

Yes, it is sad that she died, but to me the greater tragedy was the curcumstances which surrounded her brief life.

The mother was no older than fourteen, possibly thirteen. The baby had died of internal injuries. The rumor is that two people in the house were fighting and one fell on the baby, killing her. I kissed the mother sending blessings and hugged a couple of the other women, then I walked away. Just walked away.

As I was walking, I was thinking on these things. "The mother so young. Was there fighting alot in the home? They were not believers, what were their chances now? Even if the child had lived, what would her fate have been? It seems certain that the mother will be pregnant again within the year. Will the cycle ever end?"

I looked up at the mountain of trash looming above. It seemed to seeth a toxic spell of possesion to all below. It supplies their material for housing among other needs and in return only requires any hope that they may entertain of a livelyhood. Is there hope?

Then I looked in another direction. The building that was swarming with people. People waiting for medicine. Doctors, pastors and others running around trying to do all they could, whether it was diagnosing a disease, painstakingly trying to communicate in a different language, or just entertaining the children. And among them all was pastor Jonas, who didn't have to choose this place to build his church, but did. It was the antidote to the spell.

There is hope.

It only takes one person to break the cycle. That one person is Jesus. It doesn't matter who you are. Jesus died that there may be hope, and he rose that we may know it.

Pray that I may see hope in dark places, and I will pray that you may know the great hope that God has for you.

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.'

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what then shall we do?'

Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off -

for all whom the Lord our God will call."

~Acts 2:36-39

September 2006

2006-10-07T11:15:00.000-07:00

Well another month has gone by and I am safely in the Dominican Republic.

September was unusually spent for me. It seemed calm. I was in Oregon long enough to become part of the usual swing of things for awhile and it was very nice. Even though I was still visiting and fundraising, I was able to relax with friends and family too.

We got sooo much done this summer and it was great! It was awsome to see the kids in "the Hole" eating thier meals in the new building, even though its not yet finished they were enjoying the space to sit and eat in benches instead of everyone on the floor.

But because it was so busy it was a releaf to be at my mother's for awhile. I ate things that I missed like blackberries and sushi (not together). But by the end of the month I was longing for chicken prepared in the Dominicin fashion. And on TV, when there was a blurb about AIDS in Africa, or children living in the landfills of central America, an indiscribable ache called me.

I guess that I am trying to say that I needed the time away to recharge and be with God. But I cannot deny that God has called me to missions. I do not pretend to know all that God has for me or the plan in the years to come, but going "home" helped me to know that this is my home. Not a place made of wood or concrete, but a place in the Spirit where God lives. And as long as others can see Jesus through me, then I am home.

There is a Spanish worship song, I confess I forget the name, but roughly translated it sings "You have given me my name, I am your child, the center of your eyes, because you have loved me"
And I am reminded, this is why I do what I do.

ps. A reminder to you... you are God's child and YOU are at the center of his eyes

August update

2006-09-01T11:46:00.000-07:00

It has been great catching up with family this month.

I have three nieces and a nephew. I was a little worried that the youngest, who is two years old this month, wouldn't recognize me. In fact at first she didn't, but after about half an hour she was inviting me to jump on the "tambagine" aka trampoline, and was sad when I left. So I am having a fun time reconnecting with my family.

My trip to California was rerouted. I flew to Pheonix Arizona and recieved a call from our travel agent that the rental car situation wasn't going to work out like I had planned. So I stayed in Pheonix for a week and then returned to Oregon.

I had never been to Arizona before and really enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the warm... ok hot, climate.

I am dissapointed that I missed seeing and visiting with the people that I was going to visit on my "road trip", but I am thankful that God brought me here where I am able to rest up and get some much needed work done.

One of the things that I have always loved doing in Oregon and have missed the last couple of years is the State fair.

When I was young I used to raise pigs for 4-H and take them to the county fair every year. I always loved that time, so it was fun to revisit that. But what made it especially fun is that I got to go with Bill and Ted. Yes, those are the boys I nannied for almost five years. We had a blast looking at all the animals and riding the big ferris wheel. Bill even won a stuffed puppy for me.

So the month of August has been a fun and refreshing month after a fruitful, but busy summer.

I do not take for grantide this time or the wonderful people in my life.

I am very blessed to have all of my friends and family.

Thank you for being who you are.

Jen

July update 2006

2006-07-09T17:14:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my very first blog.
I thought that this might be an easier way to keep you all updated every month.

I now live in a house that is on the first floor of the dormitory. Right now there are six of us living here now. Three full time staff and three interns.
I went from living in an apartment all by myself to a house filled with people. I have enjoyed the company of these young women of God.

They have helped lighten the load this summer. In the month of June we had a basketball camp, medical clinic, and ongoing construction.

I myself am doing very well. I believe that God gave me an apartment to myself for a year to adjust and process all the newness of living in a different culture, but even more to process all that he wanted to do inside of me. As the new staff are arriving they are finding themselves feeling the same feelings and frustrations that I felt a year and a half ago. Hopefully I can continue to encourage them from all that I learned last year. Not that I have arrived at some sacred hilltop. OH no!
I still have a looooong way to go, but God is faithful to teach us and grow us. With his help we can face all the new experiences ahead with confidence.

I will be spending alot of time in the States this fall. I'll be fund raising, recruiting teams, and visiting family. I am going to be taking a road trip through California.

Please let me know if you would like me to stop by while on my road trip. I would love to stop by.

My favorite thing from the month of July was the spontainious eye clinic.

An optomotrist came with crosspoint community church of Nashville. He brought all the equipment needed for an eye clinic including hundreds of glasses to hand out. All he needed was a dark place to check eyes. We threw a tarp over the van. I helped a little with translating, but mostly I worked with the developing crowd. We saw over 150 people for eye exams out of the back of a van. It was a fun day.

Con el amor de Cristo,

Jen