Rescued by Jesus
Hello from Kingston, Jamaica! Two and a half days after dropping last week's short-term team from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (HTLC) in Tampa, FL, off at the airport, I find myself squeezing in a quick post after day one of bunk bed building with fellow missionary Charles and two volunteers from Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston, TX.
The HTLCers kept me busy! Monday through Thursday, we drove to Kilometer 28 (two facilities for abandoned adults with varying levels of intellectual and developmental disabilities) in the mornings before leading VBS at Ozama (mission plant in a middle class neighborhood of Santo Domingo) in the evenings. Friday, we hightailed it to Santiago and back for quick stops in Palmar and Licey and then closed out VBS with a pizza party.
Isaiah 55:9-11 was running through my head all week. The verses are beyond applicable to Kilometer 28 but transitioned to rambunctious preschoolers, as well. When it felt like I spent more time telling them to stay seated, stop shoving, and not eat crayons than telling them about how Noah, Gideon, Zacchaeus, and Peter were "Rescued by Jesus" - and that He rescues us, too - clinging to God's promise helped.
Enjoy the photos below - they're a combo of mine and the self-proclaimed team photographer's.
Pastor Maita told me during yesterday's debrief that a few of the older kids who came asked about starting catechism classes soon. He's planning to use the crafts and lesson worksheets that were left behind as an excuse to call on others. Also, the first planning meeting for a Holy Week-themed mini-VBS is tomorrow; I may get to go back and help with that!
Time for bed while the hallway outside my hotel room is relatively quiet...the place is overrun with high school athletes participating in "Champs," the high profile track and field event that put Usain Bolt on the map. Until next time, blessings!
The HTLCers kept me busy! Monday through Thursday, we drove to Kilometer 28 (two facilities for abandoned adults with varying levels of intellectual and developmental disabilities) in the mornings before leading VBS at Ozama (mission plant in a middle class neighborhood of Santo Domingo) in the evenings. Friday, we hightailed it to Santiago and back for quick stops in Palmar and Licey and then closed out VBS with a pizza party.
Isaiah 55:9-11 was running through my head all week. The verses are beyond applicable to Kilometer 28 but transitioned to rambunctious preschoolers, as well. When it felt like I spent more time telling them to stay seated, stop shoving, and not eat crayons than telling them about how Noah, Gideon, Zacchaeus, and Peter were "Rescued by Jesus" - and that He rescues us, too - clinging to God's promise helped.
Enjoy the photos below - they're a combo of mine and the self-proclaimed team photographer's.
Welcome to Ozama! These Tampa Bay Lightning fans appreciated the pattern in the ironwork gates
Saturday afternoon Noah's Ark craft prep.
Tuto's will live in infamy. Let's just say we're finding a new barra (sandwich counter) before the next Santo Domingo team.
Pizza at a place in the Colonial Zone with a fun ceiling after church on Sunday.
FINALLY made it to the Fortaleza San Felipe!
Participating in a newly formed women's group on Sunday evening was a real highlight of the week for me and the ladies on the team.
Nikki and her crafts.
We led Bible stories and did coloring sheets, puzzles, and crafts with the people at the Happy Angels Home Monday through Wednesday. I had been a few times previously but really feel like I got to know several of the people and their quirks after three successive mornings.
Manuel, for example, needed 1-on-1 attention, which Ryan willingly jumped in to provide.
Sack lunches in the lobby.
Pastor Sergio Maita's wife Yoxa gives our signage a thumbs up.
Each day of VBS started with an opening (welcome, prayer, songs, and Bible story drama) before we divided the kids up by age for three rotations: Bible lesson, games, and crafts. I learned some new Spanish children's songs that I really like!
Renee and I during crafts on Monday.
Hensi with his mosaic cross, one of the projects from later in the week.
P.E. teacher Brad ROCKED the games rotation.
Tagging along with Isaac to the local public school he visits every Friday to hand out VBS flyers and have some fun with the kids.
Bus devos one morning!
Thursday we stopped briefly at the Happy Angels Home to hang up the crafts we'd done earlier in the week...
...before touring the Social Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center AND leading indoor (beaded jewelry making) and outdoor (tennis and archery) activities there. It was the first time we had ever done so, and I feel like it opened up a whole new world of possibilities! Photos aren't permitted on social media.
Being in Licey on Friday was especially meaningful for Nikki, who was part of the 2015 short-term team that began construction of the sanctuary.
Kids performing "Hay Tormentas" for their parents before proceeding to devour 16 pizzas!
Time for bed while the hallway outside my hotel room is relatively quiet...the place is overrun with high school athletes participating in "Champs," the high profile track and field event that put Usain Bolt on the map. Until next time, blessings!
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