we have started our work at Pico Escondido. One thing that has just been amazing is the ability to return year after year. Each year we get to see projects that have been completed by other teams after we have left. The biggest change has been the pool area that we have been working on for the past two years. Take a look through the Instagram or Facebook pictures to see what the finished project looks like. It truly is amazing!
This year we are working on a few projects. One project has been some beautification/upkeep of the camp entrance gates that are the first thing campers will see upon arriving at camp. Another project was mixing lots of wheelbarrows of concrete to make a drainage ditch outside of camp to help protect the road to camp from rain runoff. That project was completed on our second day of work. Our third project is building a gazebo at the challenge course carrying cement blocks, mortar, and concrete up a steep hill by hand and buckets. We joke each year with our DR friends about what the work is that we will be doing at Pico as it always seems to incorporate lots of concrete work. But our kids are seasoned and willing to do whatever is needed to make this camp speak loudly about the love of Christ. And many hands make concrete work easier. The positive of concrete work and painting is you really get to see major progress at the end of a very hard week of work.
We have filled our free time with walking to the corner market for DR coke (made with cane sugar), ice cream and cookies - but it's well deserved with how hard our daily work is. And last night we had our yearly DR dancing lesson which always produces lots of smiles and laughter. Good memories are being made.
In the midst of all the temporal things we are building and the sweets we are enjoying some eternal is also being built thru team debreifs and our time spent with the Lord each day. Pray over this moments. Pray for the Spirit to enter into our hearts and command our attention to the work he is calling us into. Pray for our team to hear Gods voice and to be overwhelmed with Gods love for us. Pray also for strength and patience today as our bodies are tired and our muscles are sore. Pray for our attitudes as tired bodies and minds can produce sharp responses.
We are grateful for the ability to be a part of what God is doing here in the DR! The team thanks you for your continued support and your prayers for us. Until next time!
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
DR Update - Homestays
First a quick apology for the first blog update coming after about the first 4 days in the DR. This year we have started our time in the DR in our Homestays. This has made it nearly impossible to find the opportunity to post an update and the WiFi has been a little spotty. When you have returned year after year our close Dominican friends have a lot of catching up to do from the moment we wake up to the minute our heads pass out on the pillow. We are so incredibly grateful for this partnership! God is on the move in La Vega and it is so evident by the story's of his provision and the transformation happening in the lives of our VJ friends. Wally is now the Area Director for La Vega and is doing an incredible job. He lives just a street over from Chulo and has begun leading Club in the backyard of his home with his new wife of 2-weeks Anna. As others in La Vega have told me, the work of Vida Joven is making God famous and it's awesome to see! We met Manuel this year, a new Vida Joven friend, that has just come to Christ in the last year due to the work of Vida Joven. He will have his first camp experience this summer in July.
The Homestay was amazing and has so much more to say. But our favorite part of the stay came on the morning of our departure to camp. Yesterday morning we traveled to a women's home, Jeanie, who has been partnering with the La Vega VJ team to host club in the street in front of her home. Wally has told us that she is very poor and does whatever she can to earn money to feed her family of six kids - who are adorable by the way. So he wanted to do something that would bless her that would say thank you for her gifts of storing the VJ chairs for club and allowing them to use her electricity to run the music for club. He found out the she doesn't have a bathroom in her home and has had to ask her neighbors to borrow theirs. Wally took the opportunity of having us in town to build her a bathroom to bless her. And it was awesome! Although we were not able to finish the build for the lack of time, we were able to start the project, pay for the project and pray over the work happening in this home. So so grateful for this partnership.
Today we start work at the camp and I'm being yelled at to grab some breakfast. Until next time. Check the Instagram account for pictures. Www.instagram.com/hsmfirstpres
The Homestay was amazing and has so much more to say. But our favorite part of the stay came on the morning of our departure to camp. Yesterday morning we traveled to a women's home, Jeanie, who has been partnering with the La Vega VJ team to host club in the street in front of her home. Wally has told us that she is very poor and does whatever she can to earn money to feed her family of six kids - who are adorable by the way. So he wanted to do something that would bless her that would say thank you for her gifts of storing the VJ chairs for club and allowing them to use her electricity to run the music for club. He found out the she doesn't have a bathroom in her home and has had to ask her neighbors to borrow theirs. Wally took the opportunity of having us in town to build her a bathroom to bless her. And it was awesome! Although we were not able to finish the build for the lack of time, we were able to start the project, pay for the project and pray over the work happening in this home. So so grateful for this partnership.
Today we start work at the camp and I'm being yelled at to grab some breakfast. Until next time. Check the Instagram account for pictures. Www.instagram.com/hsmfirstpres
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Arkorado 4.0 - 2015
Apologies for this being the very first blog update for our trip here in McGehee! We have completed two of our four work days and are even more excited for the next two. This years time in AR has looked a bit different because of some changes in personnel from the last years. If you have kept up with out last trips you know that we started this trip to work with FPC McGehee because of a family connection between the head pastor Kenny and our children's pastor in COS Danny Shaw. Kenny is no longer at FPC after spending a number of years in AR. But the connections that fostered between our youth group at this amazing town have continued to thrive. We've continued in our partnership with FPC McGehee thru our many evening fellowship nights like Ice Cream Supper, a cookout at Chicot State park and contributing to worship in the service this past Sunday. What has changed is our connection the community has grown more central. Kenny was the liaison for our work projects during our stay - this trip that role has shifted to a new person in the community, Tommy Carroll, who is the director of the Girls and Boys club. It has been an amazing partnership!!! Because of Tommy's willingness to work with us we have also been able to include the kids and the BGC into the things we are doing here, from working on some construction of picnic tables and a wheelchair ramp, to caring for a community garden, to today's amazing adventure of visiting a special needs school in Arkansas City - a town of 356 ppl. This is the same school that Charles Graham's, the home base host and community contact for Dermott, brother attends. We visited with them and sang some songs with them which was amazing. One song in particular got all of these wonderful friends to their feet clapping and signing along!!! I wish we could have got a video of it as the entire room, our COS team, a group of 7 BGC kids and these wonderful friends at the school sang loudly about wanting to be nowhere else than in the arms of Jesus' love! Powerful.
That's probably a lot for today and a bit disjointed as it's the first post with about half the trip completed. One thing that seems to keep being preached to us through our interactions with our friends here is the power of the ministry of presence. What we construct is meaningless in comparison to what God constructs thru our willingness to be sent. One day the picnic table will need to be replaced but these friendships and memories being made will last forever.
Until next time - continue to pray for our U.S. To step out of our comfort zones and to continue to open our hearts to Jesus' leading.
-Scott
That's probably a lot for today and a bit disjointed as it's the first post with about half the trip completed. One thing that seems to keep being preached to us through our interactions with our friends here is the power of the ministry of presence. What we construct is meaningless in comparison to what God constructs thru our willingness to be sent. One day the picnic table will need to be replaced but these friendships and memories being made will last forever.
Until next time - continue to pray for our U.S. To step out of our comfort zones and to continue to open our hearts to Jesus' leading.
-Scott
Thursday, June 18, 2015
DR Day 7
Day 7 We spent packing and playing at Pico before leaving for our home stays in the city. We are down the mountain from the cold air at Pico. We have found the real heat of the Dominican! But despite weather we love being here with our Dominican friends playing games and doing ministry with them. We arrived just before noon in time for lunch with our hosts. We then headed to a local park to play basketball and vitilla. After we had played for a bit we headed back to chulo's for some dominos before heading out through the streets to invite kids to Vida Joven club that evening! And Vida Joven was awesome! Unlike any club in the states. Kids everywhere and poking their heads into the carport fence and into the streets. Unfortunately it was difficult to capture an adequate picture of it all because it was so dark but suffice it to say that even if we had double our amount of chairs we would still have people standing. Our kids got in on the games even though they had little idea of what was happening :). But laughter was all around. It's also just like God to work in this way - a quick story.
A kid named Kevin is here in the DR. We don't knowing of his back story except that he was born in the U.S. and has spent a few years there and a few years here in the DR. He is here visiting for the summer and found his way to Vida Joven last night for the first time. He speaks English and therefore we were able to tell him more about Vida Joven and more specifically about camp this summer at Pico. And he is pumped to go. In addition, our buddy that we have come to know these past 3 years, Michael, who now wants to go by Mike, has come by to visit us. We are trying to get him to camp for the first time this summer as well. Good things are happening here in the DR - God is most certainly on the move.
Today we will spend building relationships with the Dominicans and praying for their city - that God would do mighty mighty things here. Continue to pray for our team as the end comes near and with it, tired souls that are on edge. Also the heat is real here in town. At 10am this morning the weather app is saying its a "feels like" 91 with 80% humidity. Pretty different from the 60's currently being experienced in the Springs. Pray for strength to really reach out to our friends here and finish strong.
A kid named Kevin is here in the DR. We don't knowing of his back story except that he was born in the U.S. and has spent a few years there and a few years here in the DR. He is here visiting for the summer and found his way to Vida Joven last night for the first time. He speaks English and therefore we were able to tell him more about Vida Joven and more specifically about camp this summer at Pico. And he is pumped to go. In addition, our buddy that we have come to know these past 3 years, Michael, who now wants to go by Mike, has come by to visit us. We are trying to get him to camp for the first time this summer as well. Good things are happening here in the DR - God is most certainly on the move.
Today we will spend building relationships with the Dominicans and praying for their city - that God would do mighty mighty things here. Continue to pray for our team as the end comes near and with it, tired souls that are on edge. Also the heat is real here in town. At 10am this morning the weather app is saying its a "feels like" 91 with 80% humidity. Pretty different from the 60's currently being experienced in the Springs. Pray for strength to really reach out to our friends here and finish strong.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
DR Day 5 and 6
Our last two work days were hard but very constructive. We made some great progress on the pool and were knocking out painting jobs left and right. You can check out progress on the pool on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/hsmfirstpres. The most exciting things have been hard to capture on camera and will even be hard to describe through a blog update. We have seen our kids really step out of their comfort zones and lean into having conversations with our Dominican friends - learning more about their stories and, for some, really pushing themselves to learn Spanish. In the midst of this our devotional times in the morning and evenings have been fantastic. Great conversation that we pray will really invade hearts and provide a lasting transformation that only the spirit can do. Last night we had our last evening at Pico celebrated with s'mores and a campfire. We have had an absolutely wonderful and memorable time here at Pico. And I think some could say they really met and saw God on this mountain. So thankful for this place, for the people here that just seem to overflow with the joy and love of Christ but most of all for a God that meets us in our searching.
Today we spend packing, going on the big YL swing and have a short prayer walk around camp before we leave for our home stays in La Vega. Continue to pray for our spirit of willingness and for our memory of Spanish to encourages us as we go and see what Vida Joven is doing in the midst of the city. It will most definitely be an exciting time!
Remember that WiFi may be spotty during our homestay. So the next time you hear from us may be from our last day the resort or in the airport - essentially from where ever I can get WiFi. But now I have to run to go catch some screaming kids on the giant swing!
Today we spend packing, going on the big YL swing and have a short prayer walk around camp before we leave for our home stays in La Vega. Continue to pray for our spirit of willingness and for our memory of Spanish to encourages us as we go and see what Vida Joven is doing in the midst of the city. It will most definitely be an exciting time!
Remember that WiFi may be spotty during our homestay. So the next time you hear from us may be from our last day the resort or in the airport - essentially from where ever I can get WiFi. But now I have to run to go catch some screaming kids on the giant swing!
Monday, June 15, 2015
DR Work Day 3 and Day 4
A little catch up is in order. Our work day on day 3 went smoothly. You can see some pictures of the progress around the pool where we continue to back fill the pool and cut out another spot in the side of the mountain for some bathrooms. In addition there are some pictures of our painting process that continues around camp to give camp a face lift for the campers that arrive in July. There were lots of sore muscles and the heat was real that day but we were surprised by an early end to the day in order to give us some rest for our tired bodies. But, despite the fatigue, spirits were high and many of our students stepped into conversations with the Dominicans we work with. It was a great day.
Day 4 was the sabbath day and therefore we had the entire day off from working around camp. Instead we were able to get to know our Dominican friends more. In the morning we took a hike just outside of camp up to a waterfall. A good 30-45 minute hike up and through the river to the base of the falls. Our kids loved it and the water was so refreshing. After the falls we returned to camp for some napping before heading to church. In the afternoon we all headed to church where we had a translator for the message that many of our students found very relatable. The message was about the things we attempt to fill our hearts with - attempting to find purpose or meaning to fill our hearts through work, electronics, friends, ministry, etc. but that in reality the only thing that fills, the only thing that quenches our thirst is God. Our students loved the service. That night we had some dance instructions from our Dominican friends. It was awkward but smiles all around as we attempted our best at mastering Dominican dance steps.
But in the midst of these awesome events the coolest thing to see happening with our group is continued unity as we work together. And even more so, the devotional times that we have had each morning and evening has been amazing. Good conversation about what it looks like to follow God and put him first in our life to what it means to trust in his provision and plan. Students have been leading these times for each other which has provided some growing experiences and provided good insightful topics and questions.
Continue to pray for our time. Today we begin work day number 4 and many of us are tired. Pray for stength and energy. Pray for joy to be felt in the midst of the work understanding that we are not just painting or moving dirt but that we are truly preparing a place for the love of Christ to be felt this summer. That the dirt we move may just become the place someone sits and meets Christ. In addition, continue to pray for the team to grow together in order to go even deeper in our conversations about Christ in our life. And continue to pray for encouragement to step into Spanish in order to show love to our Dominican workers here at camp.
Day 4 was the sabbath day and therefore we had the entire day off from working around camp. Instead we were able to get to know our Dominican friends more. In the morning we took a hike just outside of camp up to a waterfall. A good 30-45 minute hike up and through the river to the base of the falls. Our kids loved it and the water was so refreshing. After the falls we returned to camp for some napping before heading to church. In the afternoon we all headed to church where we had a translator for the message that many of our students found very relatable. The message was about the things we attempt to fill our hearts with - attempting to find purpose or meaning to fill our hearts through work, electronics, friends, ministry, etc. but that in reality the only thing that fills, the only thing that quenches our thirst is God. Our students loved the service. That night we had some dance instructions from our Dominican friends. It was awkward but smiles all around as we attempted our best at mastering Dominican dance steps.
But in the midst of these awesome events the coolest thing to see happening with our group is continued unity as we work together. And even more so, the devotional times that we have had each morning and evening has been amazing. Good conversation about what it looks like to follow God and put him first in our life to what it means to trust in his provision and plan. Students have been leading these times for each other which has provided some growing experiences and provided good insightful topics and questions.
Continue to pray for our time. Today we begin work day number 4 and many of us are tired. Pray for stength and energy. Pray for joy to be felt in the midst of the work understanding that we are not just painting or moving dirt but that we are truly preparing a place for the love of Christ to be felt this summer. That the dirt we move may just become the place someone sits and meets Christ. In addition, continue to pray for the team to grow together in order to go even deeper in our conversations about Christ in our life. And continue to pray for encouragement to step into Spanish in order to show love to our Dominican workers here at camp.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
DR Work Day - 2
Our second day of work was another great one. It was a slow wake up but we made it to the construction site. Day two is usually when we start to see the turn in our students willingness to reach out and try Spanish with our Dominican friends. And this year didn't disappoint. Our kids tried their best to speak Spanish during construction and of course that comes with some teasing both ways and laughter. But the best part was at durning our short break after lunch and our kids started to teach our DR friends some of the games they know from home. So an international game of ninja was formed and a bunch of other "line waiting" games. It seriously was awesome with smiles and laughter on faces. After work finished we went to a local river near camp for swimming, which our team hooted and hollered about! They had a blast. We followed that with many games of signs and devotionals that night. It was a great day. We look forward to what will happen today as students begin to become even more comfortable with their surroundings, with our hosts, and with the Dominican workers here at Pico. Pray for those walls to be broken down. That the reason we have come in person is because of the chance for relationship to happen - the work and building is secondary to that call. Again you can see pictures and some videos on http://www.instagram.com/hsmfirstpres
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)