Sunday, August 7, 2011
Trip Home!
It has been an amazing trip with lots of memories that we will never forget! Thank you all for your continued prayers throughout this week, they were definately felt.
Sincerely-
Coach Fisk
One God, One Father Of All
fellowship of the spirit, if any affection and mercy, fufill my joy by being
like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interest of others." ~ Philippians 2:1-4
We didn't think it would be this hard to leave. The connections and relationships that we made with these girls in just one week are beyond what we though would be possible. The vulnerability these girls showed on the first day took us by surprise. We came on this trip expecting to touch their lives somehow, but what we didn't expect was that they would impact our lives as much as they did.
It was so hard to say goodbye, but we can leave with the joy of knowing that this won't be the last time we'll see these girls. We pray that they will continue growing in their faith, and rise above the standards their culture has set for them.
Its been an amazing week and we can speak for the entire team when we say that our outlook on life will never be the same. We thank God for this increbible opportunity, and we pray that we never forget our time in the Dominican Republic.
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptisim; one God and Father of all who is above all, and through all, and in you all." ~Ephesians 4:4-6
Love, Lo and Terra
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Last day of adventures in the DR
With love,
Aja' Walker and Lauren Howard
Round 2: Success
Afterwards we headed down to the river with the girls and shared lunches. We took turns jumping into the river from various rocks and heights. The water was so refreshing and was a great experience for all of us as that was the last time we would see the buddies we had for the week. My buddy, Leslie, told me that she was inspired by the way we play volleyball as a team. She said it was never just a one person show, but that the whole team worked together well.
For dinner we went to a location by a different river and the scenery was beautiful. And of course we ate ALOT. Upon arriving back at base we were able to watch a recap video of the week and see the work that God had been doing in not only our area but in the other sites as well. Each of the Varsity girls had written us a letter on the back of our team pictures. Although some of us had to get a translator to tell us what they said, the sincerity behind each message really touched our hearts and our tear ducts.
Today is the last full day we have here in the Dominican and may be our biggest adventure together yet. We will be taking off from base in just a couple minutes to experience the river swells and go rafting. It will be an experience to remember.
~Rachel
Friday, August 5, 2011
Our team/ Dinner in the community
-Mo and Phil(Lauren)
P.s. The hurricane is gone.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Into the City
Our first stop was to drop off one of the girls we work with at her home. Nana, around 12 years old, happily lead us through the streets to where she lived. As we passed through tight dirt alleyways, littered in trash, we finally reached her home.
Quietly we approached a small structure, hidden by other small shack-like structures, from the main road. We realized we had reached our destination. As Nana entered, she smiled as she invited all 21 of us girls inside. With content, she pulled back curtains that divided a standard-US-bedroom-sized room...which revealed a kitchen, and three cots. Through the middle of the concrete room was a string, used for drying clothes.
With a heard filled with joy and greatfulness, Nana opened up her home to us. I could not help but fight to hold back my emotions; not only did the conditions break my heart, but even more so the complete love and content that was pouring into us through Nana's welcome.
As we traveled around the city to drop off more girls, the reactions of the families were the same. All greeted with a kiss and a hug, we were accepted happily and thankfully into their homes...they all offered what they had to us. Today I am filled with a overwelming feeling of thankfulness for the blessings God has given us. Surrounded by people that love me, and the comfort of having somewhere to sleep, food on the table, and my loving God are more than enough to quiet my heart. Looking forward to meeting more families and experiencing the mercy and grace of God as the week goes on.
-Kaitlen Laine
P.S. The storm passed, it barely rained last night and we are safe and sound!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Awakening
Steph
Hurricane Emily
We will continue to keep you posted on the weather!
Have a great day!
Coach Fisk
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Day Two
We are beginning day two of our adventure in Jarabacoa. The girls are doing amazing! I am so proud of the women they are and their ability to open up their hearts to the children of Jarabacoa. They are truly already making an amazing impact on these girls. I will have one of them write on the blog later today so that you can here directly from them, but I wanted to get you a little update to start the day.
One highlight from yesterday is one of the directors took us out for Dominican Republic ice cream last night - it was a fun experience! Ice cream is always good for the soul :)
Today we will be holding two practices, one for a JV team and one for the Varsity team that we worked with yesterday. It should be a great fun day today!
We miss you all! Please keep praying for continued health (no one has gotten sick yet!) Also, please continue to pray for continued energy throughout these long days of serving. We are having sooooo much fun!
Have an amazing day!
Coach Fisk
Monday, August 1, 2011
First Experiences
Thanks again for all of your support!
Coach Fisk
Sunday, July 31, 2011
FIrst Impressions
Unfortunately, when we arrived it was dark and we were not able to see much. However, that just made waking up this morning even more incredible. Everything is lush, green, and so obviously alive. Although we haven't had too much interaction with the local people, just observing their way of life has left many of us awestruck. The zest for life is written on their faces and is completely apparent in the way they interact with others.
We attended a church service this morning and the passion for worship was enough to leave goosebumps. There wereno reservations. No boundaries. Simply the most incredible worship for the same God we worship. In a completely different way. Every word, every movement, every drumbeat and guitar-strum was from the heart.
The passion and love and deep appreciation without reservations is inspiring.
-Shelby
Saturday, July 30, 2011
We have arrived!
Please continue to pray for our health and safety, our growth as a team, growth as individuals, and most importantly the impact we will be able to have on this community over the next few days.
Coach Fisk
Today is the Day!
Please pray for safe travels!
Until next time......
Coach Fisk
Friday, July 29, 2011
t-minus...
19 hours until take off from LA to Miami.. 3 hour lay-over while in Miami.. 2 hour flight to Santiago, Dominican Republic.. and finally a 40 mile bus ride into the town of Jarabacoa. Excitement and anticipation arise as our destination approaches. I have yet to pack, my Spanish is rough, and so much seems like it needs to be taken care of before we leave. It is only by the grace of God that I have an extreme since of calmness for all of the unknown. All I can think about is what God is going to do and the radical experiences we are going to have. Ecclesiastes 3 talks about a time to gather stones. The first thing that comes to mind, was when something really profound happened in the Old Testament, the Israelites memorialized events by gathering stones. They called them the “stones of remembrance”, a reminder of the greatness of an extraordinary event. The point of these stones was to commemorate what God has done- rescued them from impending destruction, mounting stupidity, wrong turns, and other general lapses in judgment. I assume this practice was necessary because they, like me, were quick to forget what was really important. In one mind blowing example, God altered the flow of the Jordan River so His people could cross safely. Joshua ordered twelve men to each gather one stone from the riverbed and place all of them together to serve as a sign, a memorial, that God had intervened yet again in their lives. These stones were reminders to wake up and see what is possible, to notice the miracles, to even participate in a miraculous event now and then – to stop worrying and making excuses and “should of” –ing and instead simply believing. Through this trip I hope we are more able to step out into the current and see what happens. That when we come back we can get our feet wet more often instead of paralytically wondering how cold the water might feel or how strong the current might be or even how on earth we are going to explain the miraculous occasions God allowed us to be apart of. I pray that as we find ourselves in the midst of the unknown in Jarabacoa and when we return home that we can gather stones and remember how God moved us, because I know that He will.