Yubi's 25!!

We went to Yubi's birthday party last night which was fun, as usual. Yubi is one of the teachers at school and also goes to church with us. We had a group of gringos which was always entertaining and even had to perform at birthday song for her.

Women's Retreat

I got to go to an amazing women's retreat this weekend. It was so great and I was surrounded by incredible Dominican women and learned so much. We talked and talked and talked some more. They're still amazed that I can wash my hair daily and I don't have to wrap it around my head at night...and were stumped at the eyelash curler, we continue to learn from each other!!

Good things come to those who wait

Sorry I've been a bad blog-updater, I'm working on it tonight, so long as the lights stay on. Check in later, I'll do my best! Sorry.

Youth group

Tonight our little dinner for a few turned into all the youth in the church! It was excellent in the end and fun to have everyone over. It's been amazing to be a part of this church and how they have welcomed me in and made me really feel like I am a part of them. The friendships I have made in these last few months are so great and I look forward to building on them in the time ahead. So it turns out I can still be a part of youth group...who would've guessed?!

Roof is on!

What a production! Saturday was the day to fill in the roof on the classrooms and bathrooms. What an incredible project. A whole team was brought in who has a lot of experience with this and it was interesting to watch...and a lot of work for them. So now the roof will "set" for about a month and we'll otherwise be moving forward with all the other projects that are to be done! We are still set for bringing in a new class of 4 year olds in November which is exciting and overwhleming. I took applications for 4 hours and had 167 kids that want in...now we have to pick about 50. It is overwhelming, the need is huge, how do you pick one poor kid over the other poor kid? It's hard but I trust that we'll pick the ones that need it the most and pray for wisdom in doing so!

Happy Thanksgiving

All is well...I knew it would be! Candace is back and settling into the swing of things and it is perfect. Today is Canadian Thanksgiving so we had mashed potatoes yesterday and corn on the cob from the street man today. We started sponsorship work like crazy today since Candace will be taking over that job (!!!!!!!) as I am freed then to work more towards medical and being a nurse! So many ideas abound right now about the direction I could take and the needs that we have. So for Canadian Thanksgiving, I say that I am thankful today that life is back to normal, that Candace is home!

HOOOORRAYYY!!

Candace is back!!! I'm so excited...life is good!

Ew

So unfortunately, the ugliest dog on the island, perhaps the world, has found its way to my garage. He is disgusting. He is skinny, losing hair all over, gross, and the worst part is that he won't leave. Anytime I go near he growls so it's quite hard to kick him out. Even harder is keeping him out because he's scrawny enough to fit through the bars on the gate. I hope he doesn't die in my garage...

Retreat!

What an incredible weekend! I went on my first Dominican church retreat! It was so fun. I was a little nervous as I don't know people that well in the church yet, but that was one of my main reasons in going. Anyhow, it was so much better than I expected (it always goes that way) and I made lots of new friends and got to know many more people. We slept little and played a lot but it was well worth it!

As I shared a cabin with Dominican women, I also learned a few things...mostly about hair! I stepped out of the shower and as I was walking to my bunk I heard one lady say in shock "she got her hair wet!" You see, Dominican women wash their hair about once a week and otherwise keep it dry so that it doesn't get all kinky. Anyhow, they were also amazed that I don't have to dry my hair and keep it in rollers to straighten it, and that I can even go to bed without doing anything...they wrap their hair around their heads every night to keep it straight! Oh, the things that I'm learning! What a fun weekend!

Bye bye Etheridges

As quickly as they've come...they had to leave. Today we spent the afternoon in Playa Dorada which was so beautiful. It was amazing to have them here, it meant more than they will ever know! It's been so long since seeing them and hopefully won't be that long until the next visit!

Photos

So I thought I better put some more update photos on. The top two are baby Jessica who's already a month old. She's chubby and happy and doing really well. It's fun seeing how quickly she has changed and watching her grow! The bottom is of Princesa and her older brother, Julio, who loves her and kisses on her everday at school. It must be so confusing why his little sister is raised by someone else, but at least he knows her and loves her a lot. And of course, a photo of the amazing sunsets here... one of the great things about living in the D.R.!

Visit to the village

I got to take Dan and Sarah to show-and-tell at school yesterday and loved it! We walked around the school and to Caraballo and through the village. They played with kids and we had lunch with all of them and it's so fun to see them loving on the kids I get to love on everyday!

Etheridge time

It's been so fun having Dan and Sarah here...we've gotten to play a lot and just chat. We've been to beaches and waterfalls and the mountains and it's great! Really special to have them here with me. We're going to the village tomorrow which is always the best part of having anyone here!

Smiles

Yup, THIS is what makes me happiest each day.

Etheridge visit

The Etheridges have landed! Dan and Sarah flew in from England last night and will be here for 2 weeks. It is amazing to have them here, it's been a very long time since last seeing them. We've already had a bit of time to play in Sosua and catch up...but I'm excited that we still have 2 more weeks ahead. Dan managed to get himself a nice sunburn in the first 24 hours of being here, but hopefully that'll be brown soon. Looking forward to all that is ahead.

Princesa

I LOVE this kid! The good news is that she's back onto loving me...for awhile there she only loved Zeneida-mom. We had fun at school today and got to play and cuddle. It's so great being back in school!

Can you hear me now?

So I was just talking to my mom about cell phones and it made me think...LOTS of people have old cell phones. Do you know we need cell phones?? Okay, so if anyone has a phone they're not using, SEND IT! It doesn't matter what brand it is, as long as it isn't ancient. We just take it to the phone store and they do some magic and it's ready. Chargers would also be great to come with the phone...otherwise it isn't that useful after a few hours. So let me know after you dig them out of the closet (you're not ever going to use it anyways!) and I'll tell you where to send it to. We'll use them at the school for keeping in touch with various people there (kitchen staff, construction staff, professors, etc.). Don't think everyone else will just do it, YOU do it! Thanks, from all of us that are hoping to talk soon. :)

Uniforms

Yesterday was Uniform Day where all the kids got to come in and receive a big bag of goodies to get them ready for school. The biggest thing they received, thanks to lots of fundraising of those involved, was the uniform! Each and every kid walked away with a new shirt, new pants, and a pair of sturdy shoes. It's exciting to be able to do that and give the kids something that truly helps them get to school. It was also exciting because, well, I got to see my kids and...I missed them. School starts at the care center on Monday and I'm looking forward to it!

Gazebo

Look how amazing our gazebo is! it's coming along so well and I can't wait to be in it! The work is so hard though, these guys sit on top all day nailing the thatch to the boards. It's the first actual place the kids have to go when the sun is beating down...as it always does. And for the off-chance that there's rain, the kiddies will stay dry. The classrooms/bathrooms are also coming along well. Can't wait to have more kids be able to come to school.

Baptism day

Today little baby Jessica got baptized and it was special to get to be a part of that. Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky, or is blessed the better word, to get to be here. To be welcomed so openly into their family, to come alongside them...it's not actually easy to describe.

It was interesting to see how it's done here (or at least in the village), with a little branch dipped in saltwater while the pastors says prayers over the baby whilst wiping the wet branch around her head, mouth, hands...like I said, interesting.

I can't wait until she's old enough for sleepovers and to learn English. I've got a lot of plans for this kid!

Change

Remember when the school looked like this: Now look at what we have!!!

Just flipping through photos today and couldn't actually believe all the changes that have happened in one year at the school. We've got a new cafeteria, lots of new paint on everything, bathrooms, classrooms, a gazebo, and speaker system...I can't wait until all these things are done and for all the projects ahead. Even more, I can't wait to see all the kids at school.

Growing

So this kid went from baby to girl overnight! I can't believe how big she is getting. It's just that I love her SO much...she's pretty much the best baby (except now she only wants to go to Zeneida, but I'm working on that.)

One year

525,600 minutes
How do you measure
Measure a year?

I can't believe I'm doing this...

So I hate these things, I really do. But it's Sunday afternoon, Alison had "tagged" me and I really have nothing better to do so here I go:

1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts
2. Each player startes with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules. (If you don’t have a blog, email me)
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

#1 I like strawberry-flavored things. I didn't know this until Josie pointed it out to me, but it's true. Stawberry Dinos, strawberry icecream, strawberry SkimIce...

#2 I love sugared cereals. I tried to deny it for awhile and buy things like Muesli and wheat Chex, but have now fully embraced the fact that I love sugared cereal. In fact, the more colors it has, the better it tastes...Fruity Pebbles, Fruit Loops, CoCo Puffs, Reese's Puffs...and the new favorite Marshmallow Safari.

#3 I go to the bathroom quickly. I was once told it is one of my best qualities. I often beat boys out of the bathroom.

#4 I am living my dream job but never knew this was the job I was dreaming of! I get to love on Haitian and Dominican kids all day, I get to tell others about Kids Alive, I get to mend knees and de-parasite kids, I get to help raise babies...who could want anything else??!!

#5 I love mangoes. They are the fruit from heaven.

#6 I don't like sunbathing. I love the beach and ocean dearly and spend a good amount of time there, but don't like to be in the sun. I'm white and have come to realize that that will never change. I go from white to red and not a lot in-between. I love the beach when it is raining and storming. In my heaven, I will have a beach and be there all day.

#7 I love babies. Thankfully I am in a place where I am surrounded by babies. If I have a hankering to love on a baby, I do. If I want a baby to stay the night, they do. Maybe someday I'll get my own, but thankfully I've been placed somewhere to fill my arms with endless amounts of babies!

#8 I listen to songs on repeat. If I like a song, I play it over and over and over until it's time to not listen to it for awhile.

Okay, that's it. Now I'm supposed to tag some people so it's going to be: Pamela, Allison, Josie, Naomi, Kylee, Bekah, Lauren, and Jonathan (yah right!)

Play day

We got to have a great day yesterday! We went to a beach called Las Canas with friends and had a nice getaway. This is one of the beaches that is completely empty...we didn't see anyone else the whole time which is a big difference from the other beaches in the area! We had a BBQ of sorts (more of an oven maybe) where we made hot dogs covered in sand, we got to play and swim and nearly drown in the waves...it was a good day. I'm definitely thankful for my friends here and amazing beaches and time to play and get out of the house for a bit!

Hungry babies

This is Jonathan and "Mini Spice" who were both being starved by their families...

They have had great care over the last weeks and are now doing so amazingly. I love to be a part of this and see their recovery and how much their personality changes as they are given constant care and love. It's hard imagining what their lives were like before, but it's encouraging seeing that they are well-cared for now.

To compare

Q:What's worse than sleeping without a mosquito net?
A: Having a mosquito trapped inside your mosquito net!

Maltreatment

So this 1.5 year old girl, Wonji (or something like that) is her name. She was discovered in a nearby village while the Crossroads group was going through. They were scheduled for other things so I had the opportunity to take her to the hospital in Puerto Plata. She was severely dehydrated (see top left photo) and malnourished, along with being very itchy and spotted with rash, bug bites, and skin infection. We went to the E.R. first where she was then transferred to the peds ward. She got an IV and fluids started into her body again, for the first time in an obviously long time. She was well enough to leave after a few days, but on the follow up, the family was without any milk to feed her. As the mom was just given cans of milk to feed the baby, she made it clear she had sold the baby's food. The baby was then offered to be cared for by Crossroads (the other group in the village, their link is on the right), so she is back in the village in the warm arms of lots of people that love her and feed her. She is scared, cries a lot, and doesn't like to be left alone or laid down. Hopefully she will be strong enough and stable enough to think about what her future is...if she'll go back with her family or look for someone to long-term care for her. For tonight though, she is safe and well-fed.

More baby Jessica

So this little girl is getting cuter by the day! I got to go into the village today and cuddle for a little bit and she's just so sweet.

Trip home

Mom and baby got "discharged" this morning and I got to drive the family home. She's even cuter today and I love cuddling her, it's hard to put her down! What a gift it is to be a part of this!

Happy Birthday

Today may have actually been one of the best days I've ever had. I got to be a part of welcoming my friend Pena and his wife Silvania's baby into the world. It's a little girl and she was born this afternoon at 3:13 with huge amounts of hair! They said she was a bit gringa because of her white hands...but she'll be black soon! It was so special to get to be there, I really feel privileged to be able to take part in their family and how they welcome me in. I'm going back in the morning to help them all get home, so they don't have to do the family moto on first day postpartum! It's hard in the States stepping out of "maternity nurse" role, so you can imagine what it was like for me watching here in the D.R., where most of the times things seem backwards. But I'm thankful mom and baby are amazingly healthy and look forward to helping this little one grow up.

Poverty, Pobreza, Mize, Malsite

I hate poverty. I hate inequality. I hate how inadequate and helpless it makes me feel.

He tells me it's his birthday on Wednesday. When I congratulate him, his mother asks what for, so he reminds her as well. With 8 children, how can she remember birthdays, especially with no literacy or knowledge of the calendar? I make him a birthday cake, because that's just what I do, and wonder if this is his first one in his 21 years. My heart hurts.

She tells me she has no milk for her baby, who cries constantly in agreement. So I give her four cans of formula from my stock, that should last them awhile I think. She tells me the next day her neighbors baby was hungry, so she gave her 2 of her cans...and I am changed. This is giving. I give because I have plenty. True giving is when you don't have anything else to give, yet still find a way. I have a lot to learn here.

So what do I do? I can never make it right. I can't stop the dependency on those who have more, I can't lessen the gap. But I do all I know how to. I continue baking birthday cakes, I continue to spend time at her house drinking coffee, even knowing she has no extra money for this.

Sometimes it is a struggle living on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, with all the beautiful beaches and high tourism. In the village a few months back, I was visiting families, going house to house and learning about their children. At the top of the hill, I sat outside with some children chatting, as out of the tall grass came 6 tourists and a guide on a horse-back tour. I was speechless. My feelings ranged from shock to anger as they rode their literal high-horse through the village, my village, snapping pictures on all sides. I wanted to run, I wanted to shout at them, "Why don't you get off your horse, shake hands, heaven forbid even smile at these people! That kids picture you just took? That's Carlitos, he's 8 years old and is the man of the house. And that cute little black girl? She's Jeuli and she arrived from Haiti 10 months ago starving and weighing 28 pounds...and she's 8. And that one..." But I don't. I can't. I pray that this "adventure" can somehow touch them deeply in their lives as they develop their photos and remember.

I'm not here to change it all. Maybe not even change a big part, but I've found myself being changed. I am passionate about making it better. I want desperately to see Andres go to highschool and will fight what I have to to get him papers. This isn't fair, none of it, but we weren't promised fairness and justice, were we? So I just try to help in all that I can, to make a difference in the world that I'm placed in , and hopefully that'll be enough. I pray it is enough.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you".

Dixon time

What a more perfect way to end the summer than a visit from my brother John, sister-in-law Rachel, and Josh and Emily!! The biggest problem was that, as always, the time went way too fast. It was so amazing to have them here, to share this piece of my life and heart and see them loving the same things I do. The kids played endlessly in the water, only falling in love with the ocean on the last few days. Josh's favorite thing ended up being Coke in the bottle! We did some kayaking and swimming and walking and playing.

One of the most special things for me that week was taking my family through the village. The kids brought some toys to give out which was fun to watch. Within the first few minutes, some of my girls from school took ahold of Emily's hands and were leading her through the village. They connected to her so quickly and remembered her when we went back again. She brought along 7 of her own My Little Ponies to give out and each girl in the house was able to get one (big family!). She got to ride on the back of Jonathan's moto, the fearless one that she is! It was also fun to see the kids interact with the Trautwein kids, something I have thought about so much and it became sort of surreal to actually see these two lives mixing. Of course it was also amazing to wake up to thumb-sucking Josh in my bed or Emily telling me that she couldn't sleep because the roosters and monkeys woke her up (P.S., there are NO monkeys in the D.R!)

The time with John and Rachel was very special too. I have been blessed endlessly with a close family and realize that more and more as I grow up and experience more of life. The closeness we have is irreplaceable and I am so thankful to have been able to share with them. Many things happened over these days that I know were planned long ago. Again, it was the best way to end a busy summer and so fantastic to see my family here, something I'm still thankful for.

Summer teams

Wow, we said good-bye to our last summer team today and I can't believe summer is actually over for us. I feel like we were just heading into this with all the fears of having never lead teams before. Thank you to Grace Bible, Cape Bible Chapel, Plano Bible team #1 and #2, and Valley Community Baptist team #1 and #2. With your help we finished the batherooms, painted the bathrooms and the school, started and nearly finished 2 new classrooms, started and did amazing work on the gazebo, and saw about 500 patients in surrounding villages. It was a busy summer, I think we're all exhausted, but so grateful for the work that was done, the new friends we made, and the time we got to spend together. What an accomplishment all around!

More mobile medical

We had an amazing week doing mobile medical clinics. Some of the villages we went to were so incredible, the people, the location, the things we got to do. It was overwhelming sometimes, but mostly just special to be a part of it. The turn-out was huge, often we had to turn people away as we just didn't have the time to stay in each village. What a team we had working, I was able to learn a lot and grow in many ways.

Moblie Medical clinics

With the team this week we have been going to the surrounding villages for mobile medical clinics. It has been challenging and amazing. The amount of people we have seen is incredible, from 75-100+ each day. Many of these people would otherwise not have healthcare, and it's evident on many that they never have had healthcare. I've been learning a lot and seeing a lot as I work alongside the doctors and team in this group. We've got 2 more days and 3 more villages to see.

What keeps me here

End of summer program

What an amazing day it was today! It was the last day of summer program for the kids and it was a game day. The kids got to do lots of different games, crafts, and then had a special lunch of hot dogs and french fries...for many of which it was a first! They were all given a bag of goodies which had toys and some sweets to take home. The biggest hit of all was the umbrella hats!!!
(Tommy and Wilson, first graders, cuddling Estefani and Gira, Marquito & Andres)

I love each one of these kids so much, I hate to see them have a last day...but hopefully I'll still see them around the village.

(Jessi & Andres, Zeneida & Jeta, Pablito and his new amazing hat, summer interns-Tommy, Amanda, Emily, Gina)

Park Care Center staff along with the summer interns.

Put to use

I got to use my new otoscope twice today! So thankful to be able to actually look in ears when kids tell me their ears hurt. How cute is little Julio by the way? This is my baby Princesa's older brother...she's going to be really cute!

Yay for supplies!

Yes, that's right, we officially have a shiny, real, amazing otoscope! I can't wait to be able to use it...I've already got a client waiting for the morning! It's so fantastic to have so much support and people willing to help meet our needs. Very, very exciting.

Boys

Baby Jonathan is doing so much better after only one week. He's been well taken care of all week and is now laughing and playing and climbing...being a real baby. He's still tiny for a 9-month old, but he's on his way to growing up! Here's Aaron and Jonathan trying to impart some manly vibes with him as he's constantly surrounded by girls!

more and more

5 eggs today...things are looking up!

Huevos

One more egg was laid today...and inside the nesting box. What good hens we have, and smart too!

Finally

Well after almost 3 months of waiting and watching...we've got eggs! Our lovely little hens laid 2 eggs for us yesterday and it was an exciting day. We put them in the nesting boxes so that it'll encourage them to lay inside the box and not on the ground. Hopefully this is the start of many happy egg-collecting days!

Donations

So when the electricity is out for days (or so it seems) and it's hot and sweaty, it's photos like this that keep me happy. We got these "hats" donated by the last group and they are nothing less than amazing! Layne and Tommy decided to try them out and they loved them.

Weekend in review

It was a busy little weekend. Saturday our team left after 2 great weeks of solid construction and hard work. The classrooms are really coming along and I can't wait to see a new group of 4 year olds this fall! Sunday I went to the village because there is a big soccer tournament for the next 3 months. I got to cuddle little Jonathan for a bit, who was being starved by his mom and is now being re-hydrated and nourished while plans are made for him. I never actually got to see the game as it started so late...but I was able to talk with lots of friends and play with my kids so it was all worth it. Princessa even came and played with me for a bit!

Tough guys

These are two of my favorite boys...so long as I'm allowed to have favorites that is. They both have really tough exteriors but look what happens when you get to know them, hug them, and love on them-they smile and love back! I've seen so many changes in these two over the year and I hope to see more as they continue at the school and grow up. Life can be hard in the village, either having no parents or 12 siblings, each kid comes in with their own story, their own background, their own issues. I only hope that the love I get to give them reaches a part of them.

Sin Agua

So for water in the house, we have two big black tanks on the roof. When the street water arrives, it fills up the tanks and we use that in the house. So what happens when the street water doesn't arrive for a few days and you have 20 people showering, flushing, and washing dishes?? You run out! We had a big truck come with a fireman's hose and fill up the tanks...for only 500 pesos ($16). Hopefully street water comes later in the week as it'd be great to not have to do that again!

Just a day

What a week, I can't believe it's already over. The team worked really hard and got the two classrooms well under-way and ready to lay block. Gira (top left) is still as cute as ever and is really warming up and loving on everyone which is great to see.

Today was an amazing day, despite everything. I was given the day mostly off by my fantastic Kids Alivers and I went to a new beach with friends and then came home to flowers and more flowers from friends that are so pretty (my friends and the flowers!). I'm reminded how special my days are here, how loved and protected I am, how supported I am...and I'm thankful to have gone through another "day".

And as one team was sent on the plane, another one arrived 2 hours later. We've got a full week ahead again as the school continues to be blessed by the work and friendship that they bring!

Beach day

We spent the afternoon and evening in Cabarete at the beach. It was a nice time to hang out and swim and enjoy the sun. The best part was dinner at Casanova, one of the greatest restaurants. Not such a bad evening!

P.S.

Their luggage all arrived on Monday night and we were all very excited.

Dump day

We spent yesterday morning in the Sosua dump. It was interesting to walk through and see it all. There are all sorts of people who work in the dump, sorting bottles and plastic, food and clothes. Trying to find things to eat, sell, save. It was a hard reality that this is their daily life...they were there yesterday, they will be there tomorrow. I don't know where their hope comes from to keep going back, to keep looking through the garbage alongside the cows. They sang for us and then we gave them a bit of lunch and water, and even that whole process was hard to take in. It reminds me that the difficulties I face in life are nothing. They are absolutely nothing.

First full day

We had our first full day with the Plano Bible team. We had to shuffle things around a bit because luggage didn't arrive and going to the beach isn't as fun without swimsuits. We went to Haitian church then went up the Puerto Plata mountain on cable cars and walked around for a bit. It's been a good day and we're still hoping for the bags to make their way here...or else it might be a long week in the same clothes!

Growing baby

I just have to show off how cute my little Princesa is now. She can roll over completely and is smily and happy and I love her so much.

Flexibility

Our newest team arrived yesterday afternoon...all 16 of them, with no luggage! Apparently the connection was too tight in Miami and not even one suitcase made the switch. They are being great though about it all and hopefully we'll see 30 suitcases on our doorstep later today! Looking forward to another fun week ahead.