Tuesday, November 30, 2010

406. 450. 30.

DR Trip Nov. 2010—Journal Entry #1
This past week I had the pleasure of co-chaperoning a group of 23 travelers from Watkinson School who spent one week in La Romana, Dominican Republic. My first trip to this area was in February of 1990 with a group of 11. My second trip was a four-day jaunt with my nephew (Josh), brother-in-law (John) and my brother-in-law’s brother (Todd). Despite having been there twice before, this week was a new adventure for me in several ways.

First, I was traveling with my husband and two sons. What a joy to see my boys leaning into the work they did and friendships they made this week; but more on that in a subsequent post. Second, I have never been in La Romana with a group this large. In one week we were able to treat 406 patients, distribute 450 food kits, and make 30 water filters. Third, I was managing the work and schedule for the team. I am a doer, and my focus on managing was a huge shift away from my natural tendencies.

After having arrived at dinnertime on Saturday evening (and being greeted by Josh and John who were there working on another project), our team settled into Casa Pastoral (dorms and a dining hall, part of the mission of the Maranatha Baptist Church). After a scrumptious meal, team members relaxed and realized our hosts were going to take very good care of us this week. Our living accommodations were very comfortable (though spare) and we even had wifi in spots to be able to blog and post photos to facebook. After dinner the team had its first taste of working together, bagging almost 200 food kits using food purchased in bulk with team funds that were sent to the mission prior to our arrival. A food kit consisted of about 20 oz of rice, 20 oz of beans, a 12 oz bottle of oil, a pound of spaghetti, a 10 oz package of corn meal, a 5 oz can of hot dogs, and a 6 oz can of sardines.

We had a problem-free travel day, and easy pass through customs, and team dynamics were excellent. All in all, a great first day.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

The Nature of Hope

What is it that you hope for? I know my youngest son is hoping for a kindle for Christmas. Paul hopes that we will be able to afford college for our kids. Well...I guess that's not really a hope. Affording college is somewhere between a prayer and something you plan for. You can't plan for a hope. When your hopes are met, it is usually from an unforeseen source, and in a manner you can't control.

As we head off for our week of service work in the Dominican Republic, I am almost giddy with hope. My brother-in-law often says that the poor Haitians who live in the sugar cane work camps, called bateys, know that when the big yellow school bus filled with one of the work teams hosted by the Maranatha Baptist Church rolls in, their hopes are about to be fulfilled. Their prayers are being answered.

What an awesome privilege: to be and to bring what someone hopes for. My hope is to meet and succeed the expectation of their hopes by bringing joy, full hearts, and compassion along with the food and medical supplies we bring. I am humbled to even have the chance.

My deepest thanks to all my friends, family, neighbors, church family, extended church family, etc., who have prayed for and contributed to the Frenches having this adventure in any way. I am deeply grateful. We covet your prayers for good health this week. And we are eager to share stories with you all when we return.

To God be the glory for the week that's ahead.