Day 30

I am thankful that the Lord sustains me every minute- regardless of the circumstances or my emotions, God is constant and faithful and always brings me through. Thank you Lord!

Day 29

(From yesterday) We had a party day at the care center today for all the staff and their families celebrating, "Dia de la Familia" (Day of the Family). I am grateful for 20 or so Dominican and Haitian adults who are committed to teaching and supporting our kids at the care center. I am grateful for their dedication and friendship! Thank you Lord for providing the people we need to run the care center!

Day 28

This week the care center had a small dental team from the U.S. come to work on all our kids! I am so thankful for their time and efforts so that the kids can have better dental health and even more brilliant smiles!

Day 27

Happy Early Thanksgiving! This year, Karen and I hosted our first ever Thanksgiving meal in the DR! I'm so thankful that my dad and sister were here to celebrate. It was so special to share it with them, my roommate Karen, and my American neighbors! Thank you Lord for friends, family, and traditions (there and here!)

Day 26

Today we went for a little beach adventure! It was really fun and also relaxing. Today I am grateful for God's POWER that is displayed in his Word, in his character, and in creation!

Day 25

Today my dad and sister got to experience Caraballo and the care center with me! I'm so thankful that I got to share the experience with them. I loved having them meet the kids I work with and the kids loved meeting them too! We got to see all around the care center, help a little with a dental team, observe classes and devotional time, help with sponsorship, eat lunch with the kids, and my favorite part: do home visits in the community!
I treasure this present time but also for the future because now when I talk about things, they will be able to picture it and know exactly what it's like!

Day 24

My love language is quality time. Today I am so grateful with quality time with my dad and sister Lydia. It is wonderful to catch up, laugh together, and have a DR adventure!

Day 23

I am so thankful that my dad and sister Lydia arrived today!!! What a blessing to have them come for a visit :)

Day 22

Sometimes I joke about living on a deserted island ;) but really I am so blessed to live in a part of the country where so many things are available to me! I am pretty near to two grocery stores that carry both Dominican products and American imported products. I can find all sorts of things, from American brand shampoo, to coffee creamer, to Peter Pan peanut butter, to quinoa...I am thankful to have access to lots of items that "feel like home". Not only does God supply all of my needs but he is also aware of my wants.

Today I went to one of those grocery stores that's called La Sirena (translated- "The Mermaid"). Lately this store has felt like a winter wonderland- they blast their AC, are playing Christmas music, and have all the Christmas decorations out! 

Don't you wish you went to a grocery store called The Mermaid? ;)

Day 21

I read Sarah Young's devotional called, "Jesus Calling". Today's entry was so appropriate as I strive to have a thankful heart and reminded me to specifically thank God for his PRESENCE and his PEACE.

"Thank me throughout this day for My Presence and My Peace. These are gifts of supernatural proportions. Ever since the resurrection, I have comforted my followers with these messages: Peace be with you, and I am with you always. Listen as I offer you My Peace and My Presence in full measure. The best way to receive these glorious gifts is to thank Me for them.
It is impossible to spend too much time thanking and praising Me. I created you first and foremost to glorify Me. Thanksgiving and praise put you in proper relationship with Me, opening the way for My riches to flow into you. As you thank Me for My Presence and Peace, you appropriate My richest gifts."

Day 20

Today I am thankful that God is in the details and that He takes care of EVERYTHING!

This morning, Karen and I pulled out and headed down our street in our trusty SUV. I started hearing a little ticking sound coming from the back tire and was worried maybe it was a nail or screw in the tire making the noise every time the tire went around (this happened to me in the States one time and it was a similar sound). So, at 7:30 am, we weren’t sure if our tire place, “Rafaelitos” would be open to get it checked out. We drove around the block and back to our street to try to come up with a plan.

 Just as I drove back onto our street, our neighbor was walking by (I call him “Abuelito”-Grandpa). He is really caring and friendly and always watches out for us. Karen rolled down the window and said, “Can we ask you a question?” Grandpa- “You can ask 2 if you want!” Anyway, we explained our predicament and he was happy to help. We pulled over and he got a tool out of our trunk (that we didn’t even know we had!) to check to make sure nothing on the tire was loose (sorry I know NO auto terminology in English or in Spanish- but he checked some stuff). After determining that everything was ok, he rubbed his hand around the tire and found a rock that was stuck that was making the noise! He pulled it out, sent us on our way, and wished us luck!

Sure enough, the sound stopped and it was smooth sailing all the way out to Caraballo!

As I was driving, I had to stop and think about all the ways that God takes care of me always- but specifically all the ways he took care of me this morning. It was just a rock in my tire, but it could have been much worse! I could have been stranded somewhere with no one to help, but instead my trustworthy neighbor “Abuelito” was there to save the day! Thank you God for taking care of me J

Day 19

I've been a little sick these past few days and today I stayed home to rest and get better. I am thankful to God for the gift of rest. I praise him for how he restores me, body and soul. Have you heard that Kari Jobe song? "Come to me you weary ones and I will give you rest..For my yoke is easy and my burden is light...take me upon you, and I will give you rest"

Day 18

Today I am so thankful that our kids are going to get Christmas presents! Without the generosity of donors and Kids Alive supporters, many of our kids would probably not receive anything for Christmas. The Care Center is able to give all 320 kids new underwear, new socks, and a brand new item of clothing- all wrapped in pretty paper and placed right in their hands. Each kid will also get a special meal for themselves and to share with their family, and a treat bag filled with candy and fruit. All these gifts get handed out on the day of our big Christmas program and party. This is such an exciting day and I can't wait to see the looks on the kids faces when they get their gifts! I've loved working with Lidia on picking out clothes for each kid and wrapping the gifts. As I wrap, I pray that the each gift will bring encouragement and remind each child that they are dearly loved by our Heavenly Father.

Day 17

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!

For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!

For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron. Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!

And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!

Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in.; they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish.

When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks.

The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

Day 16

I am thankful for beach days at Playa Alicia. On Saturdays, I like to hop in the car and go 15 minutes down the road to this beautiful place! I am grateful that no matter what my week was like, I can count on refreshment and relaxation on Saturday at the beach :) Thank you Lord for your creation and for how you refresh and restore!

Day 15

I am so thankful that 30 days from right now, I will be home with my family! What a blessing to get to go home for Christmas this year. Dad, Mom, Lydia, Becca, and Megan- you are my favorite people to be with! I'm SO looking forward to spending time with friends and family and doing some traveling in the Midwest.

Day 14

Today, I am so thankful for my supporters. I feel so blessed to have an amazing team of people who give financially and also pray faithfully so that I can be here.

I know that without you, I would not be able to live and serve here in Caraballo. Thank you for investing in God’s kingdom here and also for investing in me personally.

Many of you have known me many years and have supported me as I have grown up- thank you for believing in what God was doing in me all along (even before I really realized it).

I am often struck with how God supplies just what I need when I need it. There are times when I feel discouraged and suddenly the Lord lifts me up. There are times I am afraid and he instantly brings his peace. There are times I am upset and he brings joy. I am confident that He is answering your prayers. At times the Lord might lay it on your heart to pray for me or pray for the ministry here- Thank you for doing that. You may not know all the minute to minute reasons why I need prayer, and I don’t always either, but the Lord does…and He answers!

Thank you for being a part of loving kids in Caraballo in the name of Jesus. I pray that God will bless you for your investment in His Kingdom. 

Day 13

Today I am thankful for Alberto and Lidia. They are the directors of the Park Care Center and so much more!

They are selfless, wise, hard working, funny, welcoming, God-fearing, and the list could go on! They are a joy to work with and I respect their leadership and wisdom as they minister to this community. 

In addition to that, they have taken me in as one of their daughters. They call me "hija" (daughter) and I know they are always here for me. They invited me to spend the day and night with them on my birthday, they invited Karen and I to family Christmas last year, they've helped us with any issues with our car, they made sure we had everything we needed for our apartment when we moved in, they give spiritual guidance, and most of all I know that they pray for me every day. I am so thankful for them and for the opportunity to learn from them, work with them, and be one of their honorary daughters. 

Day 12

There are some kindergarten girls that are quickly becoming very dear to me.  They are in their first year at the care center and many of them are learning Spanish. Since we have a large Haitian population, many of our little ones come to school having only spoken Creole in their homes. It’s fun to try to communicate with them- there’s some Creole, some Spanish, some facial expressions, and lots of laughing and hugging.

I’m so grateful for this little group of girls that I affectionately call the “Maripositas” (little butterflies). During recess, they are always together- playing on the playground, doing hand clapping games, and playing tag.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to get to know these little ones and I’m so grateful that they are here at the care center. It will be exciting for our staff to watch them grow up and hopefully one day decide to follow Jesus.