A Wonderful Week With Red Bank

This past week, a group from Red Bank Church of Christ in Chattanooga, TN, was here to finish up some work projects that had been started by the previous work groups here.  This group was absolutely fantastic, and I really enjoyed getting to know each one of them and spending time together.  They were able to finish putting the roof on the dorms, and they were also able to hang some doors and do some electrical and plumbing jobs.  Besides all of their hard work, they were such an encouragement to all of us.  We had lots of fun together, and I was really sad to see them go.  Thanks again to this awesome Red Bank group for all of their hard work and for all of the fun times we were able to have together!  Can't wait until all of you get to come visit again!

An Application Celebration

This past Friday, the students' applications were due. Literally all but two of them who were given an application turned one back in. We were so excited by this outcome, and we know God's hand is at work in this school. Please continue to be prayerful about these kids and their families as they move into the next phase of the application process. Also, say a prayer of thanks for the great success we've seen so far!

A work group from Red Bank in Chattanooga, TN, is coming in today. They're planning to finish up some construction on the school and will be here until next Monday. Pray God will bless their time here and give them safe travels. 

On a completely different note, we've had very limited Internet connectivity since I've been here. I've tried to post some pictures on here a few times, but the connection is too slow. I'll keep trying, so hopefully you'll get to see some pics soon. Love and miss you all very much! And Happy Valentine's Day!

The Parent Meeting

Last night we had the first parent meeting for the new school.  We invited kids from Bobita and Rio San Juan to come to the meeting with their parents and learn about the school.  The meeting went so well!  All of the kids from Bobita who were invited came, and most of the kids from Rio San Juan came as well. 

The meeting started off with Rachel welcoming everybody and telling the families there how happy we were that they came.  Ronald said a prayer, and then the mayor of Rio San Juan spoke for a few minutes.  After that, Rachel and Chad talked about what the school was going to be like and some expectations we have.  Finally after Evan closed things out with a scripture and a prayer, we got to pass out the folders that contained some information about the school and an application.  The parents seemed very interested in the school and several stayed afterwards to ask questions. 

We were all so excited about how this meeting went.  It was the first big step in getting everyone involved, and it went over so well.  The applications are due Friday, February 11, so be prayerful about these kids and their families as they work to fill out the application.  Thank you so much for all of the prayers offered up about this meeting.  I know they had a part in the success that we had.  Love and miss you all so much!  More updates soon.

Here's What's Happening in the DR!

Well, I finally made it to the Dominican Republic!  I can’t believe I’m actually here!  So far, everything has been wonderful.  I flew in Friday along with a group of men from Northside Church of Christ in Jeffersonville, Indiana.  These men were flying down to the Dominican to do some construction on the buildings that we will be using for our school.  Chad and Rachel met us at the airport and we all drove back to camp on the Daihatsu.  When we arrived back at camp, some of the men who had flown in a day earlier from the Northside group already had completed a lot of work.  It was so exciting to see what they had done, and to anticipate what will be completed by the time they leave. 

After eating dinner with everyone, Rachel and I drove back to her and Evan’s apartment in Rio San Juan where I will be staying until about the first week in March.  I was able to get unpacked and get kind of settled in.  I’m so glad that I get to stay with them for a bit while I’m getting settled.   I love Evan and Rachel, and they have been so helpful with this transition.  I’ll try to post pictures soon of my new place. 

On Saturday Rachel and I got to go pick up Chris and Angela Lowe, two of the members of our advisory board, at the airport.  On the way we were able to do a little shopping and I even got a Dominican cell phone!  I feel so official now.  Haha.  Anyway, we picked them up and headed back to camp.  It was so good to see Chris and Angela and spend some time catching up with them on the way back to camp.  Once we got back, we were able to look at all of the school supplies that had come in on the UPS container that flew in with the men from Northside who came in early.  It was so exciting to see all of the desks, books, and supplies that will be used in the school!  It made everything seem more real, and I’m very excited to do more work on the school.  I’m also very thankful for all of the people who took the time and the effort to make sure that we were able to get all of those supplies.

Sunday morning we had church at the Outreach Center.  Afterwards, Evan, Rachel, Ronald, and I went to visit with the aunt of Milagros, a lady who is a member of the church in Rio San Juan.  Her aunt is very sick so we went to pray with her and visit.  Afterwards, Evan, Rachel, and I went to eat at La Casona, a restaurant here, and had a meeting with Nubia, Manna’s secretary.  We spent Sunday afternoon working on some documents for the meeting we have later this week.

Today we've come out to Bobita to inventory the supplies we have for the school.  Later this afternoon we're having Princesas and Pescadores and then coming back out to Bobita to spend the night out here.  

On Thursday night, we are having a meeting with the parents of the prospective students of the school.  Please be praying that the parents show up, that the meeting goes well, and that we are able to effectively communicate what we will be doing.  Pray that the parents will have a desire to have their kids be a part of the school, and pray that they are willing and ready to do whatever needs to be done to make that happen.  I will try to post again soon.  Love and miss you all very much!

The Time Has Come

Wow!  I can't believe the time has finally come.  I leave tomorrow morning bright and early to start a new chapter of my life in the Dominican Republic.  I feel extremely blessed to be given the opportunity to be a part of this work, and I am so excited about getting started.  I'm so grateful to my friends and family who have helped to make this a reality.  I'm especially grateful for my Jefferson Avenue church family and the countless words of encouragement and prayers they have said for me.  I'm also so thankful for my mom, my dad, and my sister.  They have been so encouraging throughout this entire process, and I don't know what I would do without them.

The next time you'll hear from me on here will be an update with what is going on in the Dominican Republic.  Thanks again to all of you have supported and encouraged me.  And most of all, thanks be to God who has made all of this possible.

Thank You Jefferson Avenue!

Yesterday at church, my dad was able to make a quick little presentation about the work that I'll be doing when I move to the Dominican Republic.  While a lot of people at Jefferson Avenue were aware that I was moving, most people were not aware that the date for my departure had been moved up.  After services were over, I was blown away by the love, support, and encouragement I received from my family at Jefferson Avenue.

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful sponsoring congregation and to be a part of such a loving church family.  The people at Jefferson Avenue are some of the greatest people in the world.  Their love for the Lord and His Kingdom is uplifting, and they have a genuine desire to help His people.  I am honored to be a part of this congregation, and I am so thankful for the love and support they've shown me through the years.

Days like yesterday make me realize just how important it is to have a church family.  I can't imagine going through life without people like that being by my side and encouraging me along my spiritual journey.  I am so grateful to God for the people at Jefferson Avenue and I pray that He will bless His church there for years to come.

January 28, 2011

Well, after much prayer and discussion, I have decided to leave earlier than originally scheduled to begin my life in the Dominican Republic.  I will be leaving the country on January 28, 2011, to start God's work in the DR.  I am so excited, and I feel so blessed that I am able to leave sooner than planned.  I have been overwhelmed by the love, support, and encouragement I have received from friends and family, and I know that I am doing what the Lord would have me to do.

So basically I write this to say thank you.  Thank you to my Lord and Savior who has made all of this possible.  Thank you for my parents and sister and their unending support and help in this process.  Thank you to friends and other family members who have shown interest in this work and are already providing support through prayer.  Thank you to the team already in place in the DR for making this an easy and exciting process.  I'm overwhelmed with gratefulness, and I truly feel that my cup is overflowing.

Pictures From Magi Week

Mom and I ready for her first trip to the Dominican!

The kids at Acapulco school ready for Santa to come!

Two sweet little girls who loved their gifts!

The Princesas decorated me like a Christmas tree!  It was so much fun!

I love these boys.  They are so much fun to be around, and they always put a smile on my face!

This was our whole team for the week.  We had a blast together!

A "MAGI"cal Week

This past Saturday, I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic with my mom.  The Dominican is a place I've always wanted my family to be able to experience, and to have my mother come with me was such a blessing.  It was so wonderful for her to finally be able to meet all of these people I had told her about and see all of the places I had tried to describe to her.  We had a wonderful week together, and I'm so glad she now knows why I want to move there.

Our week was spent dropping off Magi boxes for the kids of the Dominican Republic.  We did four separate drops, and each one was a blast.  All of the kids we saw and interacted with were so sweet and grateful for the gifts we gave them.  There is nothing like playing "Santa Claus" and seeing a kid's eyes light up when you hand them a present.  While Magi was a blast, it is also sad to think that this might be the only present these kids get for an entire year.  It really serves as a reminder of just how blessed we are.

Seeing all of the kids I got so close to this summer was probably one of my favorite parts of this trip.  They have all grown up so much in just a matter of a few months, but they are still the same kids at heart.  Jordan, a boy I interned with this summer, and I got to lead singing Sunday night at movie night, and it was so much fun!  I love spending time with all of those kids and just playing with them.  On Monday night, we had a Christmas party for the Princesas and Pescadores, the older boys and girls in Rio San Juan.  It was a blast!  We played games, gave out gifts, had ice cream, and I even got decorated like a Christmas tree.  It was hysterical and probably one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Jordan, Jarred (Jordan's brother), Mom, and I were able to walk through Bobita one afternoon and visit with all of those amazing people.  I think we literally drank our weight in coffee, but it was worth it.  No matter how many times I go to the Dominican, I'm still amazed at how gracious and hospitable the people there are.  Each person we saw invited us in and genuinely wanted to catch up with us and wanted us to stay for a while.  That's one of my favorite things about the people there.

Leaving the Dominican is always tough, but this time seemed a little bit easier.  I'm grateful for this trip, and I'm so happy my mom was able to experience it with me.  I'm excited about moving to the Dominican, and this trip just further confirmed that that is where I need to be.  Please keep Rachel, Evan, Porfi, Carla, Abi, Dani, and Norm in your prayers as they'll all be traveling the next few days to be with their families for Christmas.  Also, keep Chad, Ronald, and Rosi in your prayers as they are staying in the Dominican and will be away from their families for Christmas.  I'll try to post pictures of our trip soon!

What The Lord Has Done In Me

Well...I'm back to writing a blog after about a five month hiatus.  For some reason, I don't feel like my life in the States is blog-worthy.  However, though I'm still in the States, I finally feel like I have something to write about.  As some of you know, the Lord has placed it on my heart to move to the Dominican Republic and teach at Manna Christian School which will begin in the fall of 2011.  As of now, the plan is for me to move at the end of June and stay there for two years.  I am so excited, and I feel so blessed that God has shown me how I can serve Him and His people doing something that I absolutely love to do.  I feel honored to be joining the Manna team, and I know this experience will shape me for the rest of my life.

I am currently in the process of fundraising which has proven to be somewhat stressful.  Pray that I will trust in the Lord to provide as He has done time and time again.  I also ask that if you are interested in helping with this effort that you will contact me.  My email address is jillrenee29@gmail.com and I would love to hear from you!  And as always...prayers are much appreciated and needed.

My plan is to use this blog to keep friends and family up to date on my life as I prepare to go to the Dominican and while I am there for a few years.  I will try my best to keep everything current and exciting.  Thank you all for your love, support, and encouragement.  Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I prepare for this next phase in my life.