DR Update - adios amigos

even though i spent the day with my compassion kiddos on thursday with darin and megan...the rest of our group went back to wrap up the time we had in both centers...CWAH and cienfuegos.  it was a full day of activity!  there was a roof to be completed, more teeth to clean, games to play, Bible to review, school supplies to be given away...not to mention the countless hugs and and goodbyes.

Before

THE ROOF IS COMPLETE!  the boys did an amazing job...through many bent nails, falls, bumps, bruises, laughter (BBBBBBB!) sweat, and extreme heat...CWAH now have a new roof (without holes)...an example of love and dedication to provide a desperate need.  way to go boys...we are so proud of you!

After

the dental team cleaned over 150 sets of teeth...gave away dental packs with toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and other goodies.  they did their best to educate them and give them hope for dental health!  they not only touched their teeth...but touched their hearts as well..."tres mas" (three more) at a time!  in their very small, very hot and sweaty clinic...they followed what Jesus had called them to do.  they even had a chance to go in the streets to pass out spanish Bibles and share the love of Jesus outside the walls of CWAH...God is sooooo good.

my "spanish jen"...dulce...(darin calls her carmello abuela..grandma caramel)  led Bible review and lesson time for over 3 hours!  (needless to say...she gave everything...even her voice!)  the children remembered the Bible points and Bible verses and were reminded how much they need Jesus.  they need their own relationship with Him.  she continued to teach how to follow Him...how to Shine for Jesus everywhere they go.  we both loved the older group of kiddos and how much they held on to every word.  we encouraged them to be an example for the others...and to believe that God has a plan for each of them.  dulce sang with them songs that we taught them...laughed and "excercised for Jesus"...then they blessed her with songs they knew as well.

our team played games and cheered...making memories in their heart about the children with a hope...moments in time that are forever a part of all of us.

cienfuegos was a tiny place stuffed to capacity with children and excitement.  it was difficult as the children would ask, "manana?"  (tomorrow?)  and the team would answer no, with tears in their eyes.  the children here are starving not only for food and water, but for love.  the team brought love everyday.  they poured out hugs and smiles and prayed for these lives that came searching daily.  

Cookie told the story of mary at the tomb...sharing the excitement about how Jesus is Alive!  9 more little hearts asked Jesus to be their Savior...a few of our construction boys were able to come and experience this little place...amazed at how the kids welcomed them and wanted them to hold and love them.  the cienfuegos team were able to bless the children with "prize bags" and school supplies.  they could not believe the items were "theirs"...truly belonged to them.  they proudly filled their backpacks with treasures to take home and share with their family.  and all of us who experienced cienfuegos have treasures to take home in our hearts to share with our families too.

our whole team was invited to a wonderful dinner...a final "dominican style" meal...complete with rice, beans, plantains, meat, eggplant and salad.  we sat in a beautiful room with new friends from the states and new friends from the DR.  we had become a family.  all of us.  51 new hearts found Jesus and asked Him to be Lord of their lives...but all of our hearts were different...changed from this amazing experience together.  Pastor Pablo and his wife (mi hermana sangre...my blood sister) Elizabeth presented plaques to the leaders of the different projects completed while there...what a nice gift!  and their beautiful daughter closed out the evening with an angelic version of "amazing grace" in spanish.

we returned to the hotel to pack our bags and rest before our 515am departure.  we all came to the Dominican Republic to find what Jesus had in store for us.  we knew we would come home different, changed, inspired to live in a new way.  we all saw things we had never seen before...things so etched in our hearts and our minds...that even our dreams at night find us there again.  but one thing that is common for each of us...one thing that none of us can deny or even explain well...we saw Jesus.

we saw Him in the people, the places, each other...we saw Jesus.  And when you see Jesus...He changes everything...we will NEVER be the same...and THAT is what we all needed most.