Location: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Since we have 8 members on the trip and only 2 of them are new, it’s easy to have moments where there are “vets” and “new peeps”. Rogers and I talked over coffee about the best ways to include Janie into the girls group in the hope that by the end of the trip she would be seamlessly adopted into the DR Discipleship family. Of everyone on the trip she is the most “new” to the group, even Connor is somewhat previously known by the group because of our meeting at Beka and Sean’s wedding. So we, Rogers and I, worked on ideas of how to get her to be a closer part of the team. Yet, even in the proposed ideas of how to do that, it was a massive blessing on us in seeing how God would brings us here and force us to grow in the perspective of getting outside of ourselves. *mindblown*
Since we’d been talking about Janie and Connor, Janie came over to talk with us. So we asked her for a bit of her background and how she arrived here with us. Her beautiful story not only captured our attention, but attracted almost everyone in the room to come over and listen to her speak of God’s Providence.
After breakfast Janie and I packed the cooler with the 11 left over sandwiches and water bottles for our trip to visit a Sugar Cane plantation. Our van was supposed to arrive at 9:30am, but we weren't ready to go till 9:50am, so it was a good thing that we were running on DRian time because our ride wasn't there. So at 10:00am we began to place bets on when the van would arrive. It was an hour late but at 10:30am the van arrived and we were unable to leave because Patrick and his aunt had left and gone somewhere. So, even with an hour extra we weren't ready. Welcome to the DR y'all. A while later Patrick returned and we got on our way.
During the ride Patrick gave us a lesson in Spanish.
Napkin - servilletas
Fork - tenedor
Knife - cuchillo
Spoon - cuchara
Cup - vaso
Plate - plato
House - casa
Face - cara
Hands - manos
Shirt - camisa
Feet - pies
Hair - cabello
Shoes - zapato
Pants - pantalón
Car - carro
Road - carretera
Food - camida
After the lesson, I wasn't feeling very well and when I would close my eyes I would see crazy colors. I didn't like admitting to myself let alone my team that I was getting a migraine. Due to crazy flights, food schedules, and the stress of traveling, I got a lovely migraine complete with the nausea. Rogers so kindly gave me a neck and head massage. Knepps gave me a painkillers and a pill to help with the nausea.
The car ride became miserable for me very quickly. I tried to sleep as much as I could just to check out of the pain and nausea. When we picked up the lady who ministers to the Haitians her spanish was so loud that sleep was impossible. When we hit dirt roads and the sound of the road changed it hurt more because it was bumpier and louder but at the same time was more comforting because it reminded me of Oklahoma. We picked up the daughters of the lady with us, and began to learn her family's vision.
The people of the Sugar Cane Plantation are considered by Mr. R as the poorest people in the DR. The plantation is staffed with men and families from Haiti, the company has an agreement that allows them to travel between the two countries for free. As soon as the people get their money from the company money lenders come and take it. The children of the people go to the burning dumpsters to find food each day.
The lady's family has a vision to preach the gospel to all those in the plantation. So far, there are THREE church plants because this family has been blessed by God to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It was very inspiring to see her work.
Unfortunately, I was too sick to get out of the van at the Plantation so Patrick stayed with me. I was sleeping and when I opened my eyes, I saw out the window the most beautiful green tree. I was reminded that even in the midst of incredible poverty and hopelessness God still provides beauty and His creation continues to display His glory.
The drive home was even more miserable, but by His grace, I made it back. By the time we were back I was starting to feeling better. We went inside and I laid down. After a while we decided to go to Barra Payan for juices. I (predictably) got chinola Ca. There was a kitten that came over that looked just like my kitties. But we can't play with the cats or dogs here in the DR. When we went home I rested again. The deal was that if when the evening study Janie would come check on me, if I was asleep she'd leave me be, if I was awake then she'd fetch me for the study.
The study was just intros to both the I Thessalonians Study and the Biblical Thinking Study. After that we went over some small rules like "please drink all the water in your water bottle before getting another one" and the like. Then we had our evening prayer with the group, then were dismissed for bed.
The girls decided that we would read I Thessalonians each night, one chapter each (and someone reads a second until Jenn arrives). We finally settled into bed at 11:00pm.
God has been so good to us so far, I know He will continue to be just as good.
Prayer Requests:
- Jenn would heal and come to the DR
- Continued health for the team
- that I would feel better
Much love from the DR,
Jessie Bear
Galatians 6:9
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
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