Hey, Friends!
I just returned from support staffing a trip to the Dominican Republic. We had two teams on this trip, one from Florida and the other from California. It was incredible getting to know them and serving God with them. Below is a blog entry, written by Connie Rock, about our time in the DR. I enjoyed reading it so much I asked her permission to let y’all read it as well!
Hopefully this blog gives you a glimpse of how God used you this week in the DR! Thank you all so much for praying, encouraging, and financially supporting me. I am just so thankful for each and every one of you.
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Remember When…
“Remember When” is a game I like to play after returning from a trip. Here are the rules:
1) You must play it with others who were also on the same trip.
2) You are to alternate with a “remember when” and no repeats.
3) You
must include a funny memory, sad memory, something that broke your
heart, something that brought joy, something specific to that location,
and something that changed you.
must include a funny memory, sad memory, something that broke your
heart, something that brought joy, something specific to that location,
and something that changed you.
4) Share your remember when’s.
Sunday, I was fortunate to be sitting by a pool in a neighborhood
where my travel buddy from the last couple of years lives. Here’s one some
of our most recent “remember when” conversations.
where my travel buddy from the last couple of years lives. Here’s one some
of our most recent “remember when” conversations.
Connie: “Remember when…that pigeon pooed on your head in Santo Domingo?”
Kristen: “Not funny, Friend…. Remember when you ‘drugged’ our host with Benadryl after he was stung by a bee on his lips?”
(Photo by Connie Rock)
Connie: “Remember when…that pigeon pooed on your head?…Sorry, I broke the no repeat rule!”
Kristen:
“Um… I was there. Remember when you thought
someone was breaking into the house and we grabbed bunk ladders to
defend ourselves?”
“Um… I was there. Remember when you thought
someone was breaking into the house and we grabbed bunk ladders to
defend ourselves?”
Connie: “Yes, and I turned around and you were a whole flight of stairs behind me. Thanks.”
Kristen:
“The doors were locked! I knew no one had broken in. Besides, I was
going to take them from behind! Next time we need to make a plan.”
“The doors were locked! I knew no one had broken in. Besides, I was
going to take them from behind! Next time we need to make a plan.”
Connie: “Ladders were my plan. Remember when …we met a woman
who at age 78 was living alone in a small 2 bedroom hut with little to
nothing? She was overjoyed when we stopped by to visit and pray with her
and her family.”
who at age 78 was living alone in a small 2 bedroom hut with little to
nothing? She was overjoyed when we stopped by to visit and pray with her
and her family.”
Kristen:
“Remember going into the adobe kitchen that was so filled with smoke
that we had to run out with our eyes burning, while they watched and
laughed?”
“Remember going into the adobe kitchen that was so filled with smoke
that we had to run out with our eyes burning, while they watched and
laughed?”
Connie: “Remember going door to door with those kids watching them
interact…building relationships, sharing their faith, and praying?”
interact…building relationships, sharing their faith, and praying?”
Kristen:
“Remember how they called you a proud mama because you would stand in
the back of the church grinning ear to ear while they sang and shared
testimonies?”
“Remember how they called you a proud mama because you would stand in
the back of the church grinning ear to ear while they sang and shared
testimonies?”
Connie: “Remember when we and the group of gals had our nails painted, just so we could talk with them?”
Kristen: “Remember all the times we visited Margarita and Pablo at the corner tienda and bought sodas and talked with them?”
Connie:
“I’ll never forget the children who lived in the corner house, who we
took all our left-overs to. How they would celebrate like we had just
given them a car.”
“I’ll never forget the children who lived in the corner house, who we
took all our left-overs to. How they would celebrate like we had just
given them a car.”
Kristen: “Remember Missy’s (Group Leader’s) encouraging words about the growth she has seen in her group?”
Connie:
“Remember the joy on the faces of the team as they shared about how we
have 9 new brothers and sisters in Christ as a result of relationships
built?”
“Remember the joy on the faces of the team as they shared about how we
have 9 new brothers and sisters in Christ as a result of relationships
built?”
(Photo of both groups with members of a local church)
Kristen: “Remember how I got us lost going to the store and you got us lost coming back?”
Connie: “Remember my little guy friend, who lived on the streets near Pollo Rey. I wonder if he has eaten today?”
Kristen: “Remember the mid-afternoon worship and time of sharing?”
Connie: “And remember those sweet times of prayer. How He healed
the sick. How He lead. How He revealed himself through His Word! I
loved our late night talks with some of the girls…and how God was a
part of those.“
the sick. How He lead. How He revealed himself through His Word! I
loved our late night talks with some of the girls…and how God was a
part of those.“
Game over. (Until we randomly recall something else in the days, weeks, months to come – I guess this game never truly ends)
Friends, family, churches, prayer warriors, partners – THANK YOU
for all the “remember when’s”. YOU make them possible! YOU are a are a
huge part of the “remember when’s”. We thank God often for you!
for all the “remember when’s”. YOU make them possible! YOU are a are a
huge part of the “remember when’s”. We thank God often for you!
Some of my favorite of Connie’s photos:
(Picture above left- Miguel, Kristen, Tica, and Nicole Shaul, our amazing hosts!)
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