Our friend, Shawn, told us this about living in a developing country: "You will make a list of 10 things to do. Feel good if you get 3 accomplished. 3 out of 10 is a very, very good day."
And we understood that. We thought we were prepared for that. But the thing is, we didn't realize it would be EVERY day. We didn't realize that every time TJ comes home from an errand, I would eagerly ask, "So... How did it go?" There's no way to prepare myself for what will come out of his mouth next. It's always something different. Sometimes a great victory. Usually not.
Here's the list TJ woke up to today:
(Keep in mind, our plans for this morning were to prepare for Sunday worship.)
1) Go to the cell phone store to complain - our phone just ate 200 minutes and now we can't make any calls. Attempt to rectify that situation somehow???
2) Call the water guy to deliver a truck of water - the city water inexplicably hasn't arrived in our cistern in weeks.
3) Call our friend, Joaquin, to see if he can fix our TV - the power spiked SUPER high last night. The TV went "BANG" and started smoking. (We're not hopeful, here. And TV's are expensive in the Dominican.)
4) Drive the car to buy five 5 gallon bottles of drinking water - we're out.
5) Pick up paper towels, juice & 2 different allergy medicines. (That's 2 grocery stores & 2 pharmacies.)
6) Drop drinking water off at home.
7) Pay water truck guy.
8) Pick up TV & take to TV repair guy - Joaquin didn't answer his phone. We have no prior experience with TV repair guy, so we're hoping he doesn't steal parts from our TV. (Again, we're not hopeful here.)
9) Drop car off at the mechanic. It isn't starting properly. Henry changed a part yesterday, but it didn't fix the problem. This is TJ's 12th trip to Henry's this week.
If we don't get all of these things done today, we can forget about it. Next week is Semana Santa, and NOBODY will be working. Maybe I'll post an update later and let you know how things went.
Life in America can be like this, too, though... Can't it?
UPDATE
---------------------
So, how did it go?
Three days later, we're sitting at 7 out of 9. Not too shabby. But the two things that we couldn't cross off - the car & the TV - those are the things we'd like to have fixed the most. Maybe today???
Friday, March 30, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
lots of little, wet signs from heaven
Let me just say, Sunday nights are always crazy. This one might have taken the cake.
These days, we are averaging 50-60 kids for the youth service at 7:00 pm, and even more after we start the movie at about 8:00. When we first arrived to the island, we would sometimes have less than half that amount, but thanks to the new sound system can drown out the bar, motorcycles, and the hoppin' church next door, and after making an effort to be more and more consistent in our hours and activities, our numbers have grown and our relationships with these kids and the community have deepened.
Lately, with Brian and Tammie (our bosses/mentors), and as recently as this afternoon, we had been discussing the need to find a piece of property and build our own facility, as the one we are in is tentatively loaned, termite ridden, and in major need of some expensive work we hate to put into someone else's investment. We found a property a few blocks from where we are, in the heart of the barrio where almost all our kids and their families live. With Brian's direction, we could build a concrete building that would be a great asset to our youth ministry and could double as the site of a church plant, if God sends the right workers.
Sunday afternoon- after two weeks of solid rain, there was a break in the clouds, which allowed our kids to come streaming in, excited to sing songs, play games, and watch a movie. As soon as they all got settled, the rain came back. Thick, pounding, torrents of lluvia came crashing from the heavens and collided with our tin roof, making even our sound system irrelevant. We usually have a few little leaks when it rains, but with the volume of water we were getting, it seemed more like it was raining inside. Soon, the floor was wet, the equipment was getting wet, and the kids were going crazy. They were trapped in the building to escape the rain, yet were having to dodge the now streams of rainwater coming through the roof. We realized this was not a good situation, but we couldn't just tell the kids to go home- at this point they would have had to swim through the streets!
Holly ended up holding down the fort, while I started shuttling kids, five at a time, through the twisting barrios, turning our Honda CRV into an aquatic transport. The people were bailing water out of their houses and cursing me as I drove by, creating waves that crested front doors. Others were bailing water with one hand, and drinking either cerveza or rum with the other, using this monsoon of a rainstorm as as good excuse as any to watch the ensuing mayhem and have a little fiesta.
I eventually dropped off all the kids to the approximate locations that they live- several had to wade through waist deep water to get to their house- and returned to our little "coffee shop" to help Holly clean (mop and squigee) up.
It was a loco, crazy evening, but it was fun, too- and helped us realize that we are on the right track to begin praying and planning for a permanent, functional building that would have safe, constant power, running water and serve as a base for both our activities and those who might work with or after us at some point.
I went today to try and get a price- praying that my white skin wouldn't raise the cost by three hundred thousand pesos. It went well- a starting point, at least. Now we have a number to pray about and a goal to reach for. We just pray that we continue to listen to God's guidance in these dreams for his ministry- even when his voice isn't as loud as the rain on our tin roof!
These days, we are averaging 50-60 kids for the youth service at 7:00 pm, and even more after we start the movie at about 8:00. When we first arrived to the island, we would sometimes have less than half that amount, but thanks to the new sound system can drown out the bar, motorcycles, and the hoppin' church next door, and after making an effort to be more and more consistent in our hours and activities, our numbers have grown and our relationships with these kids and the community have deepened.
Lately, with Brian and Tammie (our bosses/mentors), and as recently as this afternoon, we had been discussing the need to find a piece of property and build our own facility, as the one we are in is tentatively loaned, termite ridden, and in major need of some expensive work we hate to put into someone else's investment. We found a property a few blocks from where we are, in the heart of the barrio where almost all our kids and their families live. With Brian's direction, we could build a concrete building that would be a great asset to our youth ministry and could double as the site of a church plant, if God sends the right workers.
Sunday afternoon- after two weeks of solid rain, there was a break in the clouds, which allowed our kids to come streaming in, excited to sing songs, play games, and watch a movie. As soon as they all got settled, the rain came back. Thick, pounding, torrents of lluvia came crashing from the heavens and collided with our tin roof, making even our sound system irrelevant. We usually have a few little leaks when it rains, but with the volume of water we were getting, it seemed more like it was raining inside. Soon, the floor was wet, the equipment was getting wet, and the kids were going crazy. They were trapped in the building to escape the rain, yet were having to dodge the now streams of rainwater coming through the roof. We realized this was not a good situation, but we couldn't just tell the kids to go home- at this point they would have had to swim through the streets!
Holly ended up holding down the fort, while I started shuttling kids, five at a time, through the twisting barrios, turning our Honda CRV into an aquatic transport. The people were bailing water out of their houses and cursing me as I drove by, creating waves that crested front doors. Others were bailing water with one hand, and drinking either cerveza or rum with the other, using this monsoon of a rainstorm as as good excuse as any to watch the ensuing mayhem and have a little fiesta.
I eventually dropped off all the kids to the approximate locations that they live- several had to wade through waist deep water to get to their house- and returned to our little "coffee shop" to help Holly clean (mop and squigee) up.
It was a loco, crazy evening, but it was fun, too- and helped us realize that we are on the right track to begin praying and planning for a permanent, functional building that would have safe, constant power, running water and serve as a base for both our activities and those who might work with or after us at some point.
I went today to try and get a price- praying that my white skin wouldn't raise the cost by three hundred thousand pesos. It went well- a starting point, at least. Now we have a number to pray about and a goal to reach for. We just pray that we continue to listen to God's guidance in these dreams for his ministry- even when his voice isn't as loud as the rain on our tin roof!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Colorado Bound?
Congratulations to my brother Bret, and his girlfriend, Jaimy (Isn't she pretty? Way to go, Bret!) - they were both accepted to University of Denver's graduate tax law program!
After 3 years of law school at George Mason in the DC area, they're leaning away from litigating and towards estate or tax law. The program at Denver is a masters degree in tax law. I don't know just how hard it is to get in, but I know its very competitive & I obviously couldn't have done it!
So, congratulations, Bret & Jaimy! They haven't made a final decision - moving across the country is a big deal, and there are still lots of details to work out. Nevertheless, we hear Denver is a great city, and we'd love to come visit!
My brother and I spent countless hours sharing the (very small) backseat of a 1989 Acura Legend, singing along to John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High." He was hands-down our favorite cassette tape. I think my brother even dressed up like him for Halloween? White blond hair, little round glasses - the works. Anyway, it would be a nice full circle if my brother moved to John Denver's homeland - the soundtrack of our childhood.
Besides, I'm sure Elsa would make herself right at home in the snowy mountains...
Friday, March 23, 2007
Culture Shock, Part One
Several weeks ago, I was sitting in our car, waiting for TJ. And I felt like I had something in my nose. Like maybe I needed to pick it. (Too much information? Sorry.)
But that got me started thinking - it really is okay to do that here. Grown men and women will literally start digging around in their nose while you're having a face-to-face conversation. No problems, no shame.
My mind quickly raced to all of the other things it literally is OKAY to do here. Completely accepted. Cultural norms, if you will. Honestly.
I started jotting things down on the back of an old receipt. As I read over it now, I think my list would be too overwhelming for one blog. So I'll publish it in parts, a few here and there.
If you read it all at once, you might get the idea that we don't like living here. That we think, in general, that Dominicans are a stupid people.
Truth?
Sometimes we do feel that way.
We are quick to see the flaws in others. But we're caught in a vicious cycle here, living in a different culture. We're reminded ALL the time that we are a fallen people. We are broken. All of us. None of us are perfect, none of us have it right.
And yet, as Brian Wallace often quotes, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." And that's why we're here. To share that good news.
So, without further ado, off the top of my head, 5 things that it is completely okay to do in the Dominican Republic.
1) Pick your nose in public
2) Pop each other's zits. (No joke, complete strangers
will come right for your face.)
3) Tell people how fat they look.
4) Give people directions, even if you don't know
how to get there.
5) Spoon feed children until they are 10 or 11.
But that got me started thinking - it really is okay to do that here. Grown men and women will literally start digging around in their nose while you're having a face-to-face conversation. No problems, no shame.
My mind quickly raced to all of the other things it literally is OKAY to do here. Completely accepted. Cultural norms, if you will. Honestly.
I started jotting things down on the back of an old receipt. As I read over it now, I think my list would be too overwhelming for one blog. So I'll publish it in parts, a few here and there.
If you read it all at once, you might get the idea that we don't like living here. That we think, in general, that Dominicans are a stupid people.
Truth?
Sometimes we do feel that way.
We are quick to see the flaws in others. But we're caught in a vicious cycle here, living in a different culture. We're reminded ALL the time that we are a fallen people. We are broken. All of us. None of us are perfect, none of us have it right.
And yet, as Brian Wallace often quotes, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." And that's why we're here. To share that good news.
So, without further ado, off the top of my head, 5 things that it is completely okay to do in the Dominican Republic.
1) Pick your nose in public
2) Pop each other's zits. (No joke, complete strangers
will come right for your face.)
3) Tell people how fat they look.
4) Give people directions, even if you don't know
how to get there.
5) Spoon feed children until they are 10 or 11.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
"Muchachito" Cherries
Yesterday, we had some visitors. Alfredo, who looks about four but is actually ten years old, stopped by with his brother and cousin. When asked why he came by, he let us know that he only wanted to introduce his family to us (as they all eyed our cherry tree, full of fruit). Now- since these guys are so short, they usually lose out to the taller boys who come by to steal a snack. But since Alfredo and his buddies asked permission first, we found a way to even the score.
What started as a fun time picking and eating cherries, soon morphed into a full-on olympic event, as these tiny little dirty boys took turns hurdling our bushes, doing front and back flips in our yard, and challenging both Holly and I to arm wrestling competitions. (You think the cherry-overdose had anything to do with this?)
After about an hour, this whirlwind of little boys decided to pack up and look for fun elsewhere. And with their faces sticky and their limbs tired from breakdancing on our patio, they they declared their thanks and vowed to return the next day - or whenever there were more cherries.
Monday, March 19, 2007
I'm back.
Back to unreliable power & running water. Back to mold and mosquitoes and never quite understanding what people are saying. Back to blaring discos & car alarms in our bedroom, back to constantly calculating exchange rates. Back to life without Blake & Mo, back to being the only Americans in town, back to not yet having met a brand new little person, Hannah Rivkah Brown. Back to entire days full of laundry, back to life without Ranch dressing, cheddar cheese or barbeque brisket.
I'm back to my adorable, talented husband who greeted me with flowers at the airport & took me to dinner at the only bowling alley in the Dominican Republic. (It's brand new, actually, and super-swank.) I'm back to our furry friend, Gus, who's our best buddy when we're feeling lonely. I'm back to kiddos who run up to me all over town & give me huge, for-real hugs, and ask how my grandma is doing. I'm back to realizing how much this place, these people & God's work mean to me, even though I hate it at times.
I'm glad to be back.
I'm back to my adorable, talented husband who greeted me with flowers at the airport & took me to dinner at the only bowling alley in the Dominican Republic. (It's brand new, actually, and super-swank.) I'm back to our furry friend, Gus, who's our best buddy when we're feeling lonely. I'm back to kiddos who run up to me all over town & give me huge, for-real hugs, and ask how my grandma is doing. I'm back to realizing how much this place, these people & God's work mean to me, even though I hate it at times.
I'm glad to be back.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Friday, March 09, 2007
I dont like being single.
As some of you know, Holly is in the states right now, visiting her Gma who is sick. We were so excited for her to be able to go, but now, about a week and a half in, I am ready for the drive to the airport on Tuesday to pick her up. (There is a Domino's pizza in Santiago... mmmm.)
It's not just that the dishes are piled and all my clothes are dirty- I can do all of that- I just don't actually get it done often when she is not around. Its not that Gus and I are having trouble sleeping without her- he actually enjoys having piles of clothes on the bedroom floor to sleep on. Its just that I (and Gus, too) miss her.
It really has been a blessing in disguise, being here, just the two of us. While it has been lonely at times, we really have learned to rely on each other, enjoy each other's company more, and, generally, be a better married couple. I dont know that many couples could say that being together 24 hours a day would do that for them.
Holly's absence makes me aware of how much I really have made her a part of who I am- and also how this being single thing is just for the birds.
Love you babe- Ill be in the limo to pick you up on Tuesday!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Good to have friends
Last weekend, some friends from the nearby city of Santiago came to visit us. They are teachers for Santiago Christian School, an english-speaking school attended by missionary kids and rich Dominican students.They are all also involved in a ministry to teens called YoungLife, and have given us lots of ideas for our ministry here in Rio San Juan.
They have been such a blessing to us! Just having Christian Americans who are our age within two hours is a relief. We stay with them when we go into town, we borrow their movies, they come to visit us (and the beach). Just another way that God finds unexpected ways to bless.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Happy Birthday, Grandma!
Today is my grandma's 83rd birthday... And for the first time that I can remember, I was able to celebrate with her on her special day.
And a special day it was. Full of pink roses, friends, family & well-wishes. I am so proud to have this faithful daughter of God as my grandmother. She has quietly served & changed so many lives, and I was reminded of that many times over today. I love learning more about my grandma's life, who she is as a person. Most of my life I've known her only as my doting grandma, who absolutely adores her grandchildren and is everything that a grandma should ever be.
I am beyond grateful to the Park Plaza church, who made it possible for me to be here today. And I'm so thankful for my sweet husband, who's fending for himself in the Dominican for the next two weeks so I can spend this time with my family.
Last week we found out that my grandma is in kidney failure, and it isn't likely she'll get better. But I don't know how to do this - I've never lost anyone close to me. So I have to hope and pray that she will get better, that we'll have more time together.
No matter what, I am thankful for this day. Surely the most beautiful, sunny February 28th southern Kansas has ever seen, when my family got together to celebrate the birth of our grandmother, mother, wife & friend, Doris Rose Lewis. Today is enough, but I'm reminded to treasure tomorrows even more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)