Dominican Republic Mission Journal

Free Throw-a-thon for Kids

2012-02-25T07:36:00.001-08:00

Here is a snapshot of some of the 2012 COTN Hoop Camp team. All of us couldn't make it for the photo. We are missing: Carly Woodward, Fred Woods, Austin Scheffer, Otis Cooper-West and Isaiah Hauck. We will take another team picture soon with everyone. Pictured are: Lizzy Starr, Monique Woodward, Ellie Woodward, Collin Williamson, Vinnie Carter, Vic Woodward, Mandy Turnbull and C.J. Woods. We are having a Free Throw-a-thon, every team member is shooting 1,000 free throws on March 17th at Friday Harbor's Turnbull Gym, seeking to raise funds for our short term mission trip to the Dominican Republic. We are asking for pledges per made free throw.

My partner, see photo, Lizzy Starr and I expect to blow the other team members away. (-: We all need your help. Sponsor a shooter today! Proceeds go towards our travel costs and to support young people in the Dominican Republic through Children of the Nations. All giving is tax deductible. Call (360) 378-8435 to find out how you can sponsor someone on our team.

2012-02-19T15:39:00.001-08:00

Planning for the summer of 2012 in the Dominican Republic has begun and a basketball camp/clinic is in the works. This is where our initial journey began with Children of the Nations 4 years ago and because the young guys in the bateys have been asking us to do another camp...here we go again. God is stirring some high school basketball players and others to join us during the week of June 23-July 1st. This short term team will help with the camp and lay cement floors for several families who are in desperate need.

Pictures of this team will be forth coming soon. Monique and I are going to be hosting teams at Casa Batesada again for Children of the Nations. Our stay will be from around June 9-July 10th this summer. Stay tuned...more news coming soon.

community...church...Altagracia

2011-09-09T07:27:00.000-07:00

This summer we spent quite a bit of time with a community called Altagracia. It is located about 10-15 minutes outside of Barahona. We would call it a village, but in the Dominican, these particular villages are called bateyes. The people who live in Altagracia are of primarily Hatian desent and live in poverty. Children of the Nations serves the children in this bateye, providing education, spiritual direction, health care and family support. In the photos above, you will meet Wilson, Manuel (pictured with Vic) and Yelin (pictured with Carly). These three young men, in their early 20's, are leading this community spiritually in the way of Jesus. (see group photos) They have stepped out in faith to lead courageously ever since their pastor died unexpectedly four months ago. The community of Christ followers (church) is a small group made of predominately of young people and children. There are a few adults, but not many. Each Sunday, Yelin teaches the children Bible stories from the life of Jesus and others. It is a precious sight to see the children gathered around Yelin each Sunday morning. Manuel and Wilson teach and share truth with the adults and teens. It is beautiful to see this team of young guys share the love of Christ with their community. Wilson is also principal of COTN's pre-school - kindergarten program in Altagracia. He and Manuel also attend university in Barahona. Yelin is also taking classes. They need our support. Learn more about the mission of COTN and the Dominican Republic from this website - http://cotni.org You can also donate to this mission here. We, the Woodwards, have a special place in our hearts for this community and these young men. We love them! Please join us in prayer for Altagracia, specifically Manuel, Wilson and Yelin.

Interns serving

2011-08-26T06:13:00.000-07:00

The interns, Julia pictured with a little boy on her back, Carly giving swimming lessons, Laura helping a girl with her decoration and Olivia teaching volleyball, served in their giftings and passions this summer. Most of these pictures were taken at a kids camp where around 90 kids from the bateys came for three days of fun, games, lessons and encouragement. These intern ladies were a big part of making the camp a success.

Las Internas

2011-08-19T05:29:00.000-07:00

Monique and our friend Bethany (see pictured with Carly W.) were blessed to serve as intern leaders for COTN's intern program in the Dominican Republic. The young women, Carly, Olivia, Julia and Laura lived with Dominican families for their 8 weeks in country. Here is a little more info. on this program.

The 8-week Global Internship Program is a hands-on, cultural immersion opportunity for students 18 to 24 years old to serve for eight weeks during June, July and August. As an intern, you will work and interact daily in COTN villages/bateyes with national staff, other interns, and our children. You can read more about this program here - http://www.cotni.org/pages/intern

Laura and Carly, pictured with health clinic lead nurse Yaneth, helped out in the clinic and also taught hygiene and health classes in the bateys for teen girls. Olivia and Julia, pictured with one of their English classes, taught classes and helped out in the office with staff. One of the growing experience each of these young women had was living with a host family; such an excellent way to be immersed in the culture.

Monique and Bethany led morning devotionals, evening times of sharing and a retreat throughout the summer. It was a wonderful summer for all...growing in trusting God and others. Our Ellie and Carly were enriched by the relationships that developed with these young ladies. They also took part in serving alongside them in their ministry. Beautiful! Thanks be to God for all He is doing.

Origami and Dance

2011-08-12T06:29:00.000-07:00

It was so much fun watch the Jacobsen family serve with their gifts and talents. Pete, Lauren and Eric showed the teen girls origami and taught a priceless lesson on living for Christ in freedom. The verse Eric taught was Galatians 5:1 - It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoik of slavery. Kate and Liz taught dance to a praise song with the other group of teen girls in Don Bosco. After the dance, she and Kate spent time with the girls, getting to know them and letting them ask questions. Beautiful! Both of these lessons involved learning while engaging the girls with a hands on activity...something they will always remember. I think the family learned from the teens while giving too. We've seen several family teams experience the love of Christ and share their hearts over the last two years in the Dominican Republic. I love the fact that the COTN Venture program makes this possible. Check it out - http://bit.ly/pWigj1

Jacobsen family team

2011-08-09T06:01:00.001-07:00

During our last two weeks at Casa Batesada we were blessed by the Jacobsen family, who stayed with us for a week. Eric, pictured with origami, and family were on the final week of a 5 week sabbatical spent in the Dominican Republic. Eric pastors 1st Presbyterian Church of Tacoma. His wife Liz, pictured with a Bible, brought their kids to the DR to be immersed in another culture. Eric spent some of his time completing his second book...check out his first one on Amazon -http://amzn.to/ojrg08 It is titled, Sidewalks in the Kingdom.

Liz and Kate shared interpretive dance with the girls in Don Bosco and Altagracia. They used contemporary worship music and put a dance together for the girls to learn; beautiful and the girls loved it. Eric, Pete his younger sister taught a Bible lesson, following Jesus in freedom, grace and truth, using origami. Awesome! More photos of this coming in the next blog.

Knicker bocker - Knicker bocker

2011-08-06T04:38:00.000-07:00

Click on this link to see the fun -http://vimeo.com/27369830
Laughter is such good medicine and our family took in daily doses of laughter this summer in the Dominican Republic. Sometimes the laughter and fun were provided by Americans and often by our Dominican friends. In this little video, our friend Paula from Des Moines, Wa, shares a little activity with the children in Altagracia. Paula is such an encourager for our family and everyone I think. Can you tell she is a music teacher among her many other talents.

Home with more stories to tell

2011-08-05T13:54:00.001-07:00

We arrived home in Friday Harbor at 5:30 a.m. on Thurs. Aug. 4th. We left Santo Dominog on Wed. at 2:50 p.m. and arrived in Seattle at around 12:30 a.m. on Thurs. There was some concern that tropical storm Emily might cause delays in our flight, but thanks be to God, the storm stalled in the Carribean and our flight left on time. The damaging high winds did not hit the Dominican Republic, but heavy rains caused some serious flooding in the DR and Haiti. Please keep these people in your prayers. The photos we've seen show flooding that is displacing people from their homes.

There are so many stories yet to be told from our time in the Dominican Republic...so we will continue to write...stay tuned. Our family really became good friends with the Casa handyman Leo. What a great guy! He and his wife are expecting there first child and he announced this to us a week ago. We are so excited for them.

Speaking of Baseball

2011-08-04T10:59:00.000-07:00

I Love Baseball is a program that COTN offers young guys in Barahona and the nearby bateys. I love the goal of the program...

“Our goal is to help develop young men into leaders and encourage them to pursue an education and spiritual growth while training for a career in baseball.”

I had the opportunity to check in with manager Rudy and coach Maximo and see the guys on the team. The day I stopped by the field the older guys were playing a game against another local team. The younger ones, ages 11-14 were on the sidelines. This baseball program is unlike any other in the Dominican Republic as most young baseball prospects in the Dominican Republic abandoned their education to pursue baseball with a baseball academy located near Santo Domingo. The percentage of young men who ever make to Major League Baseball is very very small. When baseball is over for young men they are left without an education or any direction in life. ILB offers them an eternal perspective as well as an education. Would you consider sponsorship of one of the players? This program needs our support today. It goes against the cultural grain in the Dominican Republic and offers hope to these kids. Check out the website for more information. Check out the website at...http://ilovebaseball.org

Native Shoes for kids

2011-08-03T06:23:00.001-07:00

My last trip out to the bateys was a trip to Algodon to see Barclay Klingel's team from Seattle, distribute new shoes to the children who are in COTN's program. Native Shoes, see this website, http://www.nativeshoes.com Barclay is pictured in the truck off loading shoes. This is his second visit to the DR and after his first visit he saw the huge need for shoes for kids. A boy in Algodon, Luis Sneaks, inspired Barclay and birthed a vision for shoe distribution for these needy kids. He researched on the internet all weather shoes and found Native Shoes which is located in Vancouver, B.C. Barclay shared with them the need and they generously donated 1,200 pairs of shoes.

God's leading again evidenced here through others, for the sake of others...Hallelujah!

New Smiles

2011-07-30T06:19:00.001-07:00

Dentist Paul was assisted by friend Ana and medical student Johani in the clinic two weeks ago. Paul made teeth for a number of adults and chlldren and gave them new smiles. Everyone was so grateful for his tireless work here. He and Ana went non-stop for at least 10 hours a day it seemed. They did get an unexpected break when their air compressors died one day. Oops!

Larimar Mine Trip

2011-07-29T17:23:00.001-07:00

Last weekend we took a very wild ride up the mountain to see the Larimar mines. Larimar is a beautiful blue stone and when polished make beautiful rings, necklaces and bracelets. The roads up to the mines are horrendous and on this day we encountered torrential rains on the way up. It was really very dangerous. Once we reached the mines, the miners were running for cover and getting out of the mines as fast as they could to avoid being electrocuted. The lifespan of a Larimar miner is much shorter than most any other work here in the Dominican.

The hole is owned by one man and he hires workers to dig the mine and mine it. You can probably guess who makes most of the money from the mining of the stone. The mine owners have just three more years of mining and then the government takes over the land. It looks like there is much exploration going on right now. Time is running out for the mine owners. The government will probably lease the land and take some of the profits.

Fun and Games

2011-07-27T04:08:00.000-07:00

I'm always blessed by seeing children and their creativity in the bateys. The games they create remind me that God has created us (humans) with curiosity, desire and passion for living. These children encouage me each day I visit and play with them. All of the Americans who come here experience the joy of the children...yes there are some difficult scenes, I don't deny that, but the joy and laughter often prevail here in the simpicities of life refreshes my soul. I'm including a little video of some girls in Don Bosco who got together for some fun hand clapping.

I'm convinced that American life is robbing children of the creativity God has placed in them. The beauty of play and relationship building in the midst of play can be a missing link for many American kids. God knows how we can reconnect with the simplicities of living...will we listen.

Child Sponsorship

2011-07-26T04:26:00.001-07:00

Child Sponsorship through COTN is a huge blessing for our children here in the Dominican Republic. Monique and I were riding the bus the other day with two precious girls, Marilese (pictured with me) and Francisca (with Monique). They are so cute. To the best of our knowledge, the two of them need sponsors. Our good friend Goose Torres from Summit Church in Orlando, FL sponsors three boys, see photo, and has built a beautiful relationship with them through letters and visits here. Would you prayerfully consider sponsoring a child in the Dominican Republic?

Here is some more information from the COTN website...www.cotni.org

Village Partnership - $32/month

Our Village Partnership Child Sponsorship Program provides for a child living with destitute caregivers or a family who is unable to properly provide for them. Monthly sponsorship provides for a child's enrollment into our program which includes education, medical care, daily nutrition through our feeding center, and more. Each child in our Village Partnership Program is assigned multiple sponsors to fully fund their care. Sponsors are encouraged to communicate via letters with their sponsored child and will receive at least three updates from their child per year. (View available children now.)

Special Needs Kids

2011-07-24T04:28:00.000-07:00

Last week, Jenna and Chris Dennard's team from Summit Church in Orlando, Florida were here to work with children who have special needs. They played games and shared many fun activities with the children, who came from three different bateys on three consecutive days. The kids spent the whole day with the team and they all had a blast. Sometimes the activity was just plain old tickling, see Chris and Gaby on the ground getting tickled to death. What a joy and blessing to see the beautiful children and their interactions with our new friends from Summit.

Serious Dominoes

2011-07-24T04:06:00.001-07:00

It is not uncommon to see a game of dominoes going on out in the front of a house or on the side of the street...anywhere a table and chairs can be set up. People young and old play dominoes for fun and sometimes the games are a little more serious. As a way of signifying a game lost, clothes pins are used and as you can see, they are placed on ears, cheeks or eyebrows. Ouch! There are a couple of guys pictured who were having a rough day at the table.

Diego and Diana

2011-07-19T06:05:00.000-07:00

These two twins, brother and sister, are an example of COTN's impact in the batey of Los Robles. Last year Ellie and I held them during a visit to Los Robles. They were sick and weak; abandoned by their mother. See the photo of the two of them with Ellie and I last year. When they saw us this year they immediately came up to us and cuddled us. See this years photo, me with Diego and Diana. Look at how much healthier they are now. They are getting regularly fed through the COTN feeding program and are now cared for by their aunt, who works as a cook in Los Robles.

I repeat..."Love is the process of meeting needs". The cost of one meal is 25 cents. Diego and Diana are living examples of people like you responding to meeting the needs of "the least of these". I hope you will consider partnering with us to be the hands and feet of God in the Dominican Republic.

Many gifts...Many projects

2011-07-17T04:02:00.000-07:00

Last Monday the team from Southminister Presbyterian was thrown a curve ball as far as their daily schedule was concerned. As a result of "The Huelga" (political protests) for security reasons they stayed at Casa Batesada for the day. There are many projects available to Venture Teams right here at the Casa. Improvements and "fixer upper" projects are most welcome.

On Monday, God's giftings were displayed in many ways around the Casa. Doug, a former hardware store owner, created his own project; cleaning out and organizing the pump house which is also used to store tools. The room is called the "cuartito"...little room. What a great gift! Karen made a list of all the tools and later, Leo (see pictured with Doug in the cuartito) and I put the list in Spanish. We now have an organized storage room with a list of tools so that the Venture Teams coming down here to do construction type work will know what tools are available. This list will also help the DR staff keep track of the tools when they are used for other jobs.

A couple of other team members took on the project of planing doors so that they open and close easily...see photos. So much was accomplished on this day and it wasn't in our human plan...God is good!

Enough Mosquitos

2011-07-15T17:50:00.001-07:00

Okay...enough already Mr. Mosquito...you are plentiful this year in the D.R. and I'm on the attack. Kung Fu Off!

Judas, The Man Who Never Knew

2011-07-15T03:54:00.000-07:00

I read this today from Max Lucado. I love his writing and his ponderings. This is an excerpt from one of his books and it fits in the context of our journey with these impoverished people in the bateys of Altagracia, Los Robles, Don Bosco and Algodon. When we visit these bateys and build relationships with these children and adults, we discover they are just like us, hard wired by God with the same needs and desires. The Bible speaks over and over again about caring for people who are poor and destitute, who are living in environments and circumstances that are beyond their control.

This Max Lucado piece speaks of how he (we) may have stereotyped Judas Iscariot, intriguing. Hmmm...I wonder if we don't do that with the poor. Lucado also talks about Judas as a man who practiced religion and never knew Jesus intimately. I wonder if those who practice religion (in the church) are looking and not seeing the needs of the poor.

I’ve wondered at times what kind of man this Judas was. What he looked like, how he acted, who his friends were.

I guess I’ve stereotyped him. I’ve always pictured him as a wiry, beady-eyed, sly, wormy fellow, pointed beard and all. I’ve pictured him as estranged from the other apostles.

Friendless. Distant. Undoubtedly he was a traitor and a quisling. Probably the result of a broken home. A juvenile delinquent in his youth.

Yet I wonder if that is so true. We have no evidence (save Judas’s silence) that would suggest that he was isolated. At the Last Supper, when Jesus said that his betrayer sat at the table, we don’t find the apostles immediately turning to Judas as the logical traitor.

No, I think we’ve got Judas pegged wrong. Perhaps he was just the opposite. Instead of sly and wiry, maybe he was robust and jovial. Rather than quiet and introverted, he could have been outgoing and well-meaning. I don’t know.

But for all the things we don’t know about Judas, there is one thing we know for sure: He had no relationship with the Master. He had seen Jesus, but he did not know him. He had heard Jesus, but he did not understand him. He had a religion but no relationship.

As Satan worked his way around the table in the upper room, he needed a special kind of man to betray our Lord. He needed a man who had seen Jesus but who did not know him. He needed a man who knew the actions of Jesus but had missed out on the mission of Jesus. Judas was this man. He knew the empire but had never known the Man.

Judas bore the cloak of religion, but he never knew the heart of Christ.

We learn this timeless lesson from the betrayer. Satan’s best tools of destruction are not from outside the church; they are within the church. A church will never die from the immorality in Hollywood or the corruption in Washington. But it will die from corrosion within—from those who bear the name of Jesus but have never met him and from those who have religion but no relationship.

Judas bore the cloak of religion, but he never knew the heart of Christ. Let’s make it our goal to know … deeply.

From Shaped by God (original title: On the Anvil)
Copyright (Tyndale House, 1985, 2002) Max Lucado

Hygiene in Altagracia

2011-07-14T04:55:00.001-07:00

The women on the Southminister Presbyterian team taught basic hygiene to the children in Altagracia. They used a variety of ways to actively engage the kids with the lessons; song, games, writing, coloring, etc. It was an incredible blessing for me to see the kids connect with these gifted women; each one had their gifts for loving on these precious children. Later in the week they shared the same teaching with the moms in small group. Then the wrap up...an ice cream party. Needless to say, there was much joy and appreciation received from all who participated.

Oh yes, you are probably wondering who that young man is with Carly at the header of the blog. That is Wilson and he is the principal of the school in Altagracia. Wilson is just 20 years old and has taken on the responsibility of caring for the children in the COTN school. The COTN school in Altagracia is pre-school and kindergarten and has one teacher who serves 20 children in the morning and 20 in the afternoon. There is a public school right near the COTN school which serves children in grades 1-8.

Wilson has really stepped up his service to his community after his pastor and the principal, Manuel, died suddenly a few months ago. I will write more about Wilson and his friends; Yellen and Manuel Emilio, who are leading and teaching in the church. Please keep these young men in your prayers and the community of Altagracia. The Southminister team really bonded with the community in the week they served there. Seeing Christ cross cultural barriers this past week was a touch of heaven for me.

More to come...God Bless You this day!

Vic for the fam

Constructing latrines

2011-07-13T08:10:00.001-07:00

We just said good-bye to a team of very special people from Southminster Presbyterian Church which is located in DesMoines, WA near Seattle. One of their projects was building 5 latrines for families in the batey we call Altagracia. The work ethic and perseverance of our new friends from Southminister was amazing; a testimony of God's love and power to the people of Altagracia. They worked in the rain and in sweltering heat to complete the project.

The latrine was a simple structure, with metal siding as you can see from the photos. The floor made of cement makes it much more sanitary and easy to clean for the family. One of the families that received a latrine in their backyard was so happy and blessed that I had to snap their picture.

The ladies on the team taught basic hygiene principles to the women and children with songs and games. I will post pictures of their excellent work next time.

A Living Wage

2011-07-10T05:09:00.000-07:00

Good Sunday morning friends and family!

While searching for current news about the Dominican Republic in the NY Times online...I came across this video news story...titled; A Living Wage... I pray that more of this can happen here, especially in Barahona.
Check it out here:http://nyti.ms/aTUAKT

Fraser's reflections

2011-07-09T04:17:00.000-07:00

Meet our new friends Fraser and Holly Ratzlaff. Fraser works for COTN in the Seattle office as a director of Meal Packaging events for the greater Puget Sound area. He made his first visit to the Dominican Republic last month and was here when we arrived at the Casa. Holly joined him a week later. What a blessing it was for us to meet the two of them. We hope to have them up to Friday Harbor this year for a Meal Packaging event in our town.

While Holly was here, she helped Austin and Jordan with their mural in Altagracia.

I thought you'd be interested in Fraser's reflections on his time here...Read his most recent blogpost at:

http://web.me.com/fraserratzlaff/thevoice/Blog/Blog.html

Lots of Laughs

2011-07-07T11:15:00.001-07:00

This is the first in a series under the title of "Lots of Laughs". Not a day goes by when we don't engage in laughter with the Dominican staff, translators and other people we talk with in our comings and goings. The pictures of the dangling dead tarantula were part of some funny antics with doctors Jerry and Johannes, who were part of a medical team for So Calif. I caught our translators digging into a cake at the back of the Casa after lunch one day. They were laughing so hard and I just happened to have my camera in my pocket...We love the laughter...good for the soul.

Telling His Story

2011-07-05T04:20:00.000-07:00

I begin this blogpost with an exerpt from John Eldredge's book, Scared Romance.

Tuesday, July 05, 2011
The Question Lodged Deep in Our Hearts
The question lodged deep in our hearts, hidden from our conscious minds, is: "Do you care for me, God?"

What's under that question?

Blaise Pascal, in his Penses, says, "The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of." What's under that question is our personal stories, often punctuated by the Message of the Arrows: parents who were emotionally absent; bedtimes without words or hugs; ears that were too big and noses that were too small; others chosen for playground games while we were not; and prayers about all these things seemingly met with silence. And embedded in our stories, deep down in our heart, in a place so well guarded that they have rarely if ever been exposed to the light of day, are other grief-laden and often angry questions: "God, why did you allow this to happen to me? Why did you make me like this? What will you allow to happen next?" In the secret places of our heart, we believe God is the One who did not protect us from these things or even the One who perpetrated them upon us. Our questions about him make us begin to live with a deep apprehension that clings anxiously to the depths of our hearts . . . "Do you really care for me, God?"

This is the question that has shipwrecked many of our hearts, leaving them grounded on reefs of pain and doubt, no longer free to accompany us on spiritual pilgrimage. We might be able to rationalize away that question by telling ourselves that we need to be more careful, or that sometimes others are just bad. We can even breathe a sigh of relief when we realize that trouble has come from our own sin. But even the careful, legalistic, and constricted lifestyle that arises out of thinking we can avoid trouble through our own devices shipwrecks when the Arrows seem to strike us out of nowhere. What are we to make of God's wildness in allowing these things to happen? (The Sacred Romance , 49-50)

Meet Pablo, pictured above with Yaneth. Pablo serves as the director of Spiritual Development for Children of the Nations here in the Dominican Republic. I stopped into see him yesterday to talk about reaching out to young men in the bateys with a message of hope for the fatherless. Unexpectedly, he told me his father story. He has a story that is "punctuated by the Message of teh Arrows", mentioned above, yet Christ has lifted him into freedom by his forgiveness and grace.

Did you see Passion of the Christ? Remember the difficult scene in which Christ is flogged and beaten on the way to the Cross. Pablo tells of beatings he received from his father that reminded me of that scene. He and his brother endured incredible abuse, emotionally, physically and spiritually with their father. The beauty of his story begins with receiving the love of Jesus Christ and the transformation of Pablo's heart and life. The question for him, "does God really care for me?", has been answered and now Pablo lives to tell others of this amazing love and grace. His relationship with his father is healing and he prays that one day his father will receive the love of Jesus.

Needless to say...God gave me an amazing day...the 4th of July...real freedom experienced by one of his children.

VBS in Don Bosco

2011-07-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

July is the time of year when Vacation Bible Schools are happening all over the U.S.A. I know there will be one at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church in a couple of weeks as good friend Susan Alps is the childrens ministry director and she was planning for it before we left for the DR. This past week part of the team from Mission Viejo planned a week long VBS in the community of Don Bosco. They had a blast, so did the kids and so did Ellie and Carly. The three translators, Joselito, Daniela, and Cookie joined in on the fun too. Click on the photo for a larger image.

Brother and Sister

2011-07-02T14:20:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago, while taking pictures of the motorcycle repair project, one of the guys in the repair class told me of his uncle who needed a bicycle tire. We went to meet Dominique, the uncle, who just happened to live right across the street. He introduced me to his wife and two little children, pictured above. The little boy, Alberto, was very shy towards me. I took the bike tire and wheel and told him I thought I could help him. The next day we bought a tube, tire and axle, as it was frozen. I figured this small gift was something simple I could do for him. They literally have nothing.

He was very thankful to recieve the tire and parts and I asked him if I could take a picture of his family. I also asked him if I could pray for him and specifically how I could pray. He told me that they don't have anything and his greatest need is to feed his family...thus we prayed for work, for love, for protection and provision. He spoke Creole and Spanish and I did my best to pray so he could understand. The fact that he speaks Creole told me he is Haitian. He knew about COTN and the school. Please join me in prayer for Dominique, his wife and children. I am reminded of these truths about our loving God and how he speaks of His love through the Bible.

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1 I know you when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28 For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16 I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26 You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6 I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44 I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Motorcycle Repair Workshop

2011-07-02T06:38:00.000-07:00

This week I was blessed to witness a fantastic project lead by Dick Payne's team from Mission Viejo, Calif. Along with mechanic, Papin, from Barahona, they taught a motorcycle repair class for 15 or so young guys in the community of Algodon. The photo on the left shows the initial assessment of the motos and getting names of the guys who were going to attend the week long workshop.

Each session started with a Scripture reading and a time to share thoughts and questions. Chandler, a high school sophomore shared a passage from James (see photo above) The young man in the yellow shirt is responding to the Scripture and sharing his faith in Christ.

Motorcycles (Motos) are the main means of transportation here in Barahona. With gasoline prices hovering just over 6 dollars a gallon it is easy to understand why. The Dominicans transport people and anything else they can fit on their moto. I missed gettting a picture of a guy hauling a double sized mattress on his moto. They don't hesitate to haul water and propane tanks. Wow!

So...you can see how this moto repair project was recieved...with much excitement and gratitude. The place where the team repaired motos was buzzing every day. The chatter was crazy and once a moto was fixed and fired up the guys were exurberant.

Beauty

2011-06-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

A Hole in our Gospel

2011-06-28T17:55:00.000-07:00

http://www.amazon.com/Hole-Our-Gospel-Thomas-Nelson/dp/0785229183

I am reading "A Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns while here in the Dominican Republic. Monique read it last year before coming to the DR and loved the book. Here are a few quotes from the book that might prompt you to consider reading this book. I recommend it to you. So far it is very engaging and challenging.

What I have discovered in my travels to more than forty countries with World Vision is that almost all poverty is fundamentally the result of a lack of options. It is not that the poor are lazier, less intelligent, or unwilling to make efforts to change their condition. Rather, it is that they are trapped by circumstances beyond their power to change.
-Richard Stearns, p. 118

Here I want to make a key point: it is not our fault that people are poor, but it is our responsibility to do something about it. God says that we are guilty if we allow people to remain deprived when we have the means to help them.
-Richard Stearns, p. 123

Bob Pierce once said, "Don't fail to do something just because you can't do everything." These are wise words to anyone overwhelmed with the magnitude of human suffering in our world. We are not asked to help all of them at once, just one at a time.
-Richard Stearns, p. 152

Baseball is like church. Many attend, few understand.
-Leo Durocher, p. 169

If we in the Church are truly dedicated to the Great Commission, then we will first have to do something about the "Great Omission." We will never effectively demonstrate Christ's love to the world, if we cannot first demonstrate it to the Church-the whole Church, and that includes those struggling just to survive.
-Richard Stearns, p. 187

If charity cost nothing, the world would be full of philanthropists.
-Jewish proverb, p. 210

Doctors, Nurses and Leaders

2011-06-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

Last week we were blessed not only by Austin and Jordan's work, but a team of doctors, nurses and leaders who shared their gifts with the children and young adults here. I'm including pictures from COTN's medical clinic and from some small group teaching in Altagracia. The teaching in Altagracia was focused on leadership prinicples, encouraging young people in their walk with God and in leadership of their communities.

The doctors and nurses spent much of their time organizing and inventoring supplies at the clinic. This was so necessary and a great blessing to the COTN nurses. The clinic is a shining light for COTN and really is developing into an excellent facility for health care.

Meals for children in the D.R.

2011-06-27T04:41:00.000-07:00

Austin, Jordan and I had the opportunity to see COTN's feeding program in action while we were in Altagracia. COTN believes in holistic care for this precious children. (caring for the whole child; spiritually, physically, educationally) COTN's feeding program is one way we attempt to meet nutritional needs. The meals are packaged in the U.S.A by people like you...see this link:
http://www.cotni.org/pages/meal-packaging I know I speak for our family and Austin and Jordan when I say it is our desire to see a Meal Packaging event happen in Friday Harbor this fall. Would you consider helping us?

We believe love is the process of meeting needs. These kids experience our love through these meals. For just 25 cents, you can provide a meal for these children. Please consider joining us in this project. Take a look at the link above.

Blessings...

Vic for the fam

Painting murals

2011-06-26T14:01:00.001-07:00

These photos are of Austin and Jordan's mural project in the batey Altagracia. They made their own colors by mixing the primary colors of the paint they had to work with for the project. What an amazing job they did with the help of the children. Austin shared when the mural was completed the significance of the mural in each batey. Again... I think these pictures tell the story of the impact of this project...an impact that will last for years to come. Thank you Austin and Jordan for sharing the gifts God has given you with these children.

Smiles

2011-06-25T04:21:00.001-07:00

Meet Maria and her children...it is her family who is getting a new floor thanks to Austin and Jordan...She would never have been able to afford a floor on her own. What a blessing! She is so grateful! Thank you God for leading Austin and Jordan in the project.

New Floors

2011-06-25T03:12:00.000-07:00

I have been reading the Proverbs while here in the Dominican Republic. A proverb a day seems to pour wisdom into my head, heart and soul. There are quite a few proverbs that speaking of caring for the needy and our attitudes towards the poor.

Proverbs 14:21 in The Message says; It’s criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor ---- what a blessing. Proverbs 13:25....An appetite for good things brings much satisfaction, but the belly of the wicked always wants more. Proverbs 17:5...Whoever mocks poor people insults their Creator, gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime.

The first two COTN Venture teams who have visited the children and adults who live in the bateys have demonstrated a compassion and concern that God brings to our hearts when we step out in faith to serve Him in developing countries. It is beautiful to witness God doing what He always does when we are open to his leading; He teaches us how to love well.

This video shows Austin and Jordan in a demonstration of love towards and woman and her kids in the batey, Algodon. Beautiful! They had fun too...a smile on everyone’s face.

First teams leaving today

2011-06-24T06:09:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that our first teams are leaving the Casa today. Wow! Time is just flying by here. Austin and Jordan spent their morning yesterday pouring a cement floor for a woman in Algodon. I know I have shared with you this project before, but it was so good to see friends Austin and Jordan experiencing this work. Maria...the woman pictured with her children, was so grateful to have this cement floor. She would never have been able to afford it on her own.

The Casa is quiet now. Monique and I, along with other Americans just finished making and each lunch for the Dominican staff here at Casa Batesada. We made them hamburgers and french fries. Oh yeah, we served Coka Cola too, made with sugar not high fructose corn syrup. We are going to a campana tonite in Altagracia. A campana is an outreach/revival meeting from what I can discern. A small church in Barahona is doing the outreach for the Altagracia community and it will be another new experience for us.

Adios for now..

The Juggler and Pato Pato

2011-06-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

Jordan Nash "The Juggler" and Austin Scheffer the taxi are here from Friday Harbor, WA, our town....the pictures tell the story of how they are fitting in here with the children in the batey - Altagracia...so good to have them here. More pictures coming soon.

Tour with the interns

2011-06-20T03:51:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we toured the villages (bateys) with the interns. It is always special to see the children and how they melt the hearts of people. The children love to see Americans and love the visits. The tours give the teams a glimpse of life in the batey, before they do their specific projects. Our first two teams arrived Sunday evening, a team from California and our friends Austin Scheffer and Jordan Nash from Friday Harbor. This morning will be a time to see Austin and Jordan connect with the children. It is so good to have them here, as well as the doctors and nurses from So. California.

Our work begins...facilitating the communication and plans each group has for their week here. We also help with organizing the living arrangements here at Casa Batesada. The interns met their Dominican host families yesterday afternoon and they are gone now but will be back in the morning for a time of devotion before going out to the villages to teach math and english. Some will work at the medical clinic too. Monique and Bethany are leading them and are doing a great job. They had so much fun with the Flag Page, getting to know and understand each other, as they will be working together all summer.

That is all for now...Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. It is very hot and humid here. The Dominicans tell us it is unusally hot for June...coming from the northwest it all seems relatively HOT, no matter if it is just a few degrees different. June is usually the finish of a rainy season, but this year the sun is blazing so far.

Adios, hasta luego,

Vic for the fam

Container here

2011-06-17T18:04:00.000-07:00

Last night we got a call here at the Casa, around 8:00 pm, to tell us the a container was arriving at the COTN office and we could go to help unload it. So...Carly, Olivia, Bethany and I hopped in a truck and went down to help out. See photos. Many young guys from Algodon were there too and were ready to help. It was quite a group effort as you can see. Generous gifts of food packages, furniture, beds, educational supplies, etc. poured out of the container in a few short hours. This particular container was shipped from Florida.

Late evening excerices have never been better. No problem getting a sweat up in this evening heat...whoa!

From island to island

2011-06-17T14:55:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family!

Above are some of our first photos: adios San Juan Island and arrival on the island of Hispanola, Dominican Republic - the airport in Santo Domingo. Bethany and Carly are rolling their suitcases to be greeted by our interpreter, Juanchi, who is in the midst of a throng of people who are at the airport to greet arrivals. There has always been a crowd of folks when our plane has arrived, as there are usually several planes arriving in the afternoon. It is quite a scene. We are thankful Juanchi has a COTN sign and we can easily pick him out in the crowd.

One of the interns, Carly, yes two Carly's this summer at the Casa, came in about an hour or so after we arrived. We waited for her. She is pictured in the van photo.

All of the other interns arrived a day later...see them pictured in the other photos I took during their first tour of one of the schools, Pueblo Nuevo. They immediately were surrounded by children, which they loved, as we toured the COTN school and skill center in Pueblo Nuevo.

Meal Packaging Program

2011-06-17T04:41:00.000-07:00

One of the blessing of being here is the opportunity to meet so many people, both Dominicans and Americans. Fraser Ratzlaff is here at the Casa. Fraser is on staff with COTN and is in charge of meal packaging projects in the U.S. COTN is now providing meals for the children in the bateys here in the Dominican. This is a year around feeding program. I hope to go with Fraser today to observe the preparation and distribution of a nutritious meal for the kids.

A churches in Florida and California have participated in the Million Meal Marathon, packaging a million meals to send to the children in the various countries served by COTN. These projects also happen on a smaller scale and I will be talking to you about how we can be involved in Friday Harbor. See this link for a video that will give you a look at this fantastic program. http://www.cotni.org/pages/meal-packaging

On another note...all the interns, 4 of them total have arrived at the Casa. We look forward to getting to know each of them. Monique and I had them do their Flag Pages, www.flagpage.com, so we are going to have some fun learning about how to understand each other this summer.

Hopefully I can post some pictures of everyone before the week is completed. Sometimes the internet and power outages prevent me from downloading pictures. We will see how it goes.

Hasta luego mi amigos!

Ellie's Blog

2011-06-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Ellie is blogging too and I want to connect you with her...so here is her blogsite: http://mydominicanadventures.wordpress.com

We are looking forward to seeing Austin Scheffer and Jordan Nash this weekend. It will be so good to have more San Juan Islanders here at the Casa.

More later.

Blessings.

Vic for the fam

Arrival at Casa Batesada

2011-06-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

Greeting friends and family,

We are here now and after a great nights sleep, it is time to get adjusted to the heat and humidity. This morning we've met with David the Venture director here in the Dominican Republic and visit the staff at the central office. What a gift to be welcomed with such love and hospitality! This graciousness we experience here is a tap on the shoulder from God to us in the U.S. It is the way it should be for followers of Christ. I believe this is what the aspotle Paul was writing about in Acts when he shared about Lydia.

Acts 16:14-16
The Message (MSG)

On the Sabbath, we left the city and went down along the river where we had heard there was to be a prayer meeting. We took our place with the women who had gathered there and talked with them. One woman, Lydia, was from Thyatira and a dealer in expensive textiles, known to be a God-fearing woman. As she listened with intensity to what was being said, the Master gave her a trusting heart—and she believed!

After she was baptized, along with everyone in her household, she said in a surge of hospitality, "If you're confident that I'm in this with you and believe in the Master truly, come home with me and be my guests." We hesitated, but she wouldn't take no for an answer.

The picture on top of this blog is one from last year that will be repeated over and over each day here. The guys in the picture, Manuel and Yellen from Altagracia (one of the bateys served by COTN) lost their pastor, who died very unexpectedly a few months ago. Join me in praying for the people in Altagracia. They deperately need our prayers. We will be listening to God's voice with Yellen and Manuel, could EL SENOR (The Father) have something for us in partnership with this church?

Love,

Vic for the family

A Psalm for departure

2011-06-10T06:14:00.000-07:00

Psalm 72:1-8

A Solomon Psalm

Give the gift of wise rule to the king, O God, the gift of just rule to the crown prince.
May he judge your people rightly, be honorable to your meek and lowly.
Let the mountains give exuberant witness; shape the hills with the contours of right living.
Please stand up for the poor, help the children of the needy, come down hard on the cruel tyrants.
Outlast the sun, outlive the moon— age after age after age.
Be rainfall on cut grass, earth-refreshing rain showers.
Let righteousness burst into blossom and peace abound until the moon fades to nothing.
Rule from sea to sea, from the River to the Rim.

As we approach departure on Monday, I'm bouncing back between the Psalms and Proverbs. Will you join me in praying this Psalm for the children of the Dominican Republic, specifically the ones we will see in the bateys served by COTN.

Blessings,

Vic for the fam

Children of the Nations - Dominican mission

2011-06-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

I love this statement from Chris Clark, president of Children of the Nations...www.cotni.org

Children of the Nations (COTN) is a movement of people committed to a single vision, Raising Children Who Transform Nations. This God-given vision directs our passion for seeing children and their nations transformed. By focusing on each most desperate child and their needs COTN has built a mission in each country in which we work. By mobilizing national and international partners a worldwide family has been created around our children. Our hope is that each child, fully grown up in our environments, will take what they have learned and become agents of Transformation.

This embodies what we, The Woodward family, will be all about with COTN. It is hard to believe that we will take off in just 10 days. Stay tuned...

A New Summer

2011-05-01T08:02:00.000-07:00

Soon after leaving the Dominican Republic last summer, we sensed God calling us back to these beautiful people in service to Him. As a family, God brought unity to our hearts in this decision to serve with Children of the Nations. The picture on the right is etched in our minds, Carly and friend Bethany walking with two little children in their village. We can’t wait to go back this summer and continue in a work God has begun.

Our role will be a bit different this summer. Monique is going to serve as an intern leader for the five interns who will spend two months in country. Pictured on the left are interns from last summer at our despedida (going away party). One of them, Bethany, is returning to help Monique lead the interns. Our family will still serve as the host family at Casa Betesda for the many short term mission teams scheduled for projects this summer. We will help them experience life in the bateys and in communication with the national staff of COTN.

My heart (Vic) is being stirred to connect with and teach young men in the reality of being Fathered by God, embracing God as our perfect loving father, in spite of the realities of fatherlessness. The beauty of this long term mission, seven weeks, is that we have time to build relationships and share the love of Christ.

Monique and I will continue our marriage outreach in the Baharona area. Each year we have introduced Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage in Spanish to local pastors. We have left them with Dvd’s to continue the outreach and they have been faithful to share the message of hope for marriage in the community. The people love this presentation, mixed with truth and humor.

Our tour of service this year is from June 14th - August 4th. Even though this will be our third trip the DR, we are still learning the culture and language of the Dominican people, thus we feel a strong need for your prayers. We have continued to study Spanish and we feel less of a language barrier, praise God.

The cost of our seven week stay in country will be $3,500 for our family; which includes room and board. This is the sum we are asking God to provide for us this year. The airfare has already been provided for this trip.

We would like to ask you to partner with us through prayer and financial support. If you are able to make a commitment to partner with us in either way, please indicate this and send us the response card attached.

Should you decide to send financial support, please make your check payable to Children of the Nations. Donations can also be made online at www.cotni.org. When donating online, make sure you include our trip code, DR_THW611, with our name.

We prayerfully await your decision to partner with us in this mission. Thank you and God Bless You!

Love,

Vic, Monique, Ellie and Carly

Summer 2011 - Return to La Republica Dominicana

2011-04-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about the words of Jesus to his disciples as He was about to leave them and ascend to heaven. He was telling them that He was leaving but the Holy Spirit would be here with them, and that this would be better in the long run. The Holy Spirit was going to give them power to tell of Jesus' love, and power to go to the ends of the earth for the purpose of telling everyone.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

So...here we are, The Woodward family, and the Holy Spirit is telling us again to go...go to the Dominican Republic again this year. All of us, Vic, Monique, Ellie and Carly have heard or sensed this calling to go. We experienced unity in this message from the Holy Spirit (God).

We have been connecting with Children of the Nations, www.cotni.org, since the beginning of the year and also connecting with Dominican friends through Facebook. We are excited to build on the relationships we have with these beautiful friends and grow together in the message of Christ's love.

Our role will be a bit different this summer. Monique is going to serve as an intern leader for the five interns who will spend two months in country. Pictured above are interns from last summer at our despedida (going away party). One of them, Bethany, is returning to help Monique lead the interns. Our family will still serve as the host family at Casa Betesda for the many short term mission teams scheduled for projects this summer. We will help them experience life in the bateys and in communication with the national staff of COTN.

My heart (Vic) is being stirred to connect with and teach young men in the reality of being Fathered by God, embracing God as our perfect loving father, in spite of the realities of fatherlessness. The beauty of this long term mission, seven weeks, is that we have time to build relationships and share the love of Christ.

Monique and I will continue our marriage outreach in the Baharona area. Each year we have introduced Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage in Spanish to local pastors. We have left them with Dvd’s to continue the outreach and they have been faithful to share the message of hope for marriage in the community. The people love this presentation, mixed with truth and humor.

Our tour of service this year is from June 14th - August 4th. Even though this will be our third trip the DR, we are still learning the culture and language of the Dominican people, thus we feel a strong need for your prayers. We have continued to study Spanish and we feel less of a language barrier, praise God.

We would like to ask you to partner with us through prayer and financial support. Should you decide to send financial support; donations can be made online at www.cotni.org. When donating online, make sure you include our trip code, DR_THW611, with our name.

The pictures above are some of the visual memories that will come alive again, in a new way, for us in 2011, God willing.

Sharing our memories

2010-09-13T08:40:00.000-07:00

Hello friends!

Here is the link to the slideshow we presented last night in Friday Harbor. We had so much fun! Thanks to everyone who came out to see us. You are all a blessing! Thanks to those who supported us in prayer and giving. This is for you! paste this link into your browser:

http://vimeo.com/14926117

Love,

The Woodward family

prayers and devotions

2010-08-27T16:44:00.000-07:00

One of the beautiful things we experienced with God was spontaneous times of devotion and prayer. I would add praise to that list too. Whether prayer sprang up in crisis, thanksgiving, adoration, praise or concern...there was a frequent flow of communicaton with the Creator during our time in the Dominican Republic. Somehow I think this is the way we are supposed to live. Your thoughts?

Toys and games #3

2010-08-22T05:59:00.000-07:00

We just finished four days of the San Juan County Fair here in Friday Harbor; animals, exhibits, rides and games...something for everyone. As I watched kids around the fair, having fun, I noticed again how much we have in the U.S. to provide fun for our kids. As I continue to reflect back to the kids in the Dominican Republic and those who live in the bateys I'm reminded that joy and fun don't come from the games themselves, but from the interactions between people. It doesn't take much to produce fun for kids.

Baseball is the #1 national sport in the Dominican. Almost every afternoon you can see a group of kids and young people organizing a game of baseball in a field. I took a picture of a group of boys getting a game going. They were happy to pose for me. Girls play house just like girls in the U.S. The little girl in the photo is cooking up some tasty stew, with her own ingredients. Almost all of the activities are outside, no T.V.'s, no video games, no screen time, just kids playing with kids.

Toys and games #2

2010-08-15T08:24:00.001-07:00

I love these pictures which capture the simplicity of toys. The little boy in the doorway has a wall socket with a wire dangling from it. He was carrying it around, making up his own use for it. Who knows where he got it, as most homes in the bateys don't have electricity. The little girls hanging from a tree branch was so cute. She used the branch as a swing and was laughing most of the time she swung back and forth. It was a matter of time before the branch broke and when it did she laughed all the more. The little guy with the can drums was amazing. He was cranking out the beat with his sticks and entertaining everyone. His nickname is "el pastor".

The girls jumping "Chinese Jump Rope" as I call it, where having a blast. The stretched the rope between their waists, much higher than the ankles, the way I taught it in elem. P.E. They seem to make the jumps; great athleticism.

Again I was struck by the simplicity of the things that kids use to have fun.

Vic for the fam

Toys and games #1

2010-08-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

One of the favorite toys of the young boys in the bateys is the balancing tire toy. It is not as easy as it looks. Kyle gave it a try and found out how challenging it was to keep the tire rolling. The boys make a stick with part of a plastic bottle on the end, shaped to guide the tire. In almost every batey we would see a boy with this toy. See the video for a demonstration. One of the boys gave me a video lesson.

I'm going to do a little series of blogs on creative toys, no video games, electronic games, etc., just good old imagination.

Vic for the fam

Colmado, a 7-11?

2010-08-13T07:49:00.001-07:00

After arriving back in Seattle, by some strange twist of fate, we entered a Wal-Mart. Whoa! What a far cry from the little stores, Colmados, we found in the bateys or other villages around Barahona. Colmados, pictured above, come in all shapes and sizes. You could find various package items; crackers, snack items, fruit, some vegetables, etc.

I must admit, we were a little overwhelmed in Wal-Mart. Still adjusting to life in America and on occasion I'm fighting a judgmental spirit that rises up inside me.

Batey Tours part 2

2010-08-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

A batey tour is a Venture team's first connection with the children and the community. Americans get a glimpse of life as it is in the batey and feel the love the children extend to them during the visit. As the week goes on, depending on the project, there are more and more opportunities to relate with adults and children. Life is hard in the bateys, yet God's presence brings hope and joy for all who trust in Him. Often times that hope is given through a team member who reaches out to a child or to an adult, with a loving smile or embrace.

I saw this time and time again. It is usually the American who is blessed by God when he or she gives the simplest smile or attempts to communicate in broken Spanish. It is the smallest gift of grace that touches the heart.

I went out several times with teams who provided cement floors for families. On one trip to Altagracia I recognized a young man who came to the basketball clinic last year. This year he was being blessed by a team who gave his family a cement floor for his home. I wish I could remember his name, but he and his wife with their little girl are pictured with me. He was so grateful for the floor and he worked right alongside the team.

The woman with the pan in her hand is sorting out peanuts or some type of nut. She graciously offered me some when I inquired as to what she was doing. Sharing food is so common in the batey, a sign of community and giving from the heart. There is much food to give, but the people seem to share with neighbors when they are in need. Beautiful! Hmmm...I read something about that type of community sharing in Acts 2: 42-45

They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met.

Batey Tours part 1

2010-08-04T07:03:00.000-07:00

One of the first things a short term Venture team experiences when they come to Barahona is taking a tour of the bateys. I think this was one of my favorite times of the week because we had the opportunity to meet with the children and adults in the communities. It is so interesting to sit back and observe the LOVE that is shared back and forth from kids to team members. Of course for us, most often we were recognized as people who they had seen before, and also there are people who we've built relationships with in most of the communities. Our improving Spanish really helped tremendously.

In the video you see the Bombers baseball team playing with the kids on a tour. This is a common sight with almost every tour and the kids love it...we do too. The kids will play anything and they love Duck, Duck, Goose as you can see.

More to come as we continue to reflect on our incredible six weeks in the Dominican Republic. Thank you for your support and prayers. We are almost home now, in Seattle today and then an afternoon ferry ride.

Love,

Vic for the fam

Sad and Happy

2010-07-31T08:13:00.000-07:00

Today is our last full day at Casa Betesada. Emotions will run high this evening for all of us. There is a pool party planned this afternoon, a chance for friends to come by and say hi, hang out, get cool in the pool. Then this evening we will have the offical "despedida" or good-bye party, complete with dinner and dessert. I imagine some merengue too. You should see Ellie and Carly dancing, much fun! It brings joy to my heart to see the wonderful friendships we have made here this summer.

Six weeks here has really helped us break some of the language barriers we had last year. Our Spanish is improving. Monique's effort with Rosettta Stone last year really paid off for her. Her ability to communicate has grown leaps and bounds. She really doesn't let the translators speak English to her, so they help with Spanish everyday. Beautiful!

I'll be continuing to write and post pictures so stay tuned. Thanks for your support and prayers.

Love,

Vic for the fam

I LOVE BASEBALL

2010-07-28T19:39:00.000-07:00

This week we are hosting two teams from Seattle, 14-16 year olds and 16-18 year olds. They are the Seattle Bombers. Coaches, dads and players are all here to work with the I LOVE BASEBALL program which is part of Children of the Nations. I love the mission of I LOVE BASEBALL.

“Our goal is to help develop young men into leaders and encourage them to pursue an education and spiritual growth while training for a career in baseball.”

These two teams are playing games and conducting baseball clinics in the bateys. Baseball is the national sport here in the Dominican. Everywhere you go, in the late afternoons, you can usually find a pick up game of baseball. The fields are often just sandlots, open spaces where goats are grazing, donkeys wandering and sometimes horses scrounging for something to eat. I even saw some pigs wander out on the field where the players were instructing the kids in basic skills. I'll post that picture next time...too funny.

There are always little kids and sometimes adults checking out the baseball activity. Baseball draws a crowd here. Want to learn more about I LOVE BASEBALL go to: http://www.ilovebaseball.org

Always revealing

2010-07-27T04:16:00.000-07:00

I have been reading through John's gospel in The Message while here in Barahona. The Holy Spirit spoke to me this morning and He is causing me to contemplate. Jesus tells his disciples, you and I also, to "ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you". Do I know what He has revealed to me, and am I listening and looking for what He is revealing today? Are you?

John 16 23-24

"This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!

"I've used figures of speech in telling you these things. Soon I'll drop the figures and tell you about the Father in plain language. Then you can make your requests directly to him in relation to this life I've revealed to you. I won't continue making requests of the Father on your behalf. I won't need to. Because you've gone out on a limb, committed yourselves to love and trust in me, believing I came directly from the Father, the Father loves you directly. First, I left the Father and arrived in the world; now I leave the world and travel to the Father."

His disciples said, "Finally! You're giving it to us straight, in plain talk—no more figures of speech. Now we know that you know everything—it all comes together in you. You won't have to put up with our questions anymore. We're convinced you came from God."

Jesus answered them, "Do you finally believe? In fact, you're about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I'm not abandoned. The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."

Neighbors

2010-07-24T14:15:00.001-07:00

How often do you connect with neighbors thousands of miles from home, person to person, face to face? We did yesterday as our "neighbors" the Ellingson family stopped by to visit us here at Casa Betesada. They are here on a brief respite from their work with Samaritans Purse in Port Au Prince, Haiti.

Ellie and Leif found the little kitty who lives here at the Casa and I think Leif wants to adopt it. I'm not sure we will talk his mom and dad into though.

Vic for the fam

Mucha lluvia hoy

2010-07-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

Today has been quite a day thus far. We woke up to pouring rain as a tropical storm is hanging in over us. Matt, Andrea, Abby and kids (the Ellingson Family) were going to fly over here to take a break from the work in Haiti, but they couldn't land due to the poor weather conditions. They are driving now. We should see them some time today...yippee!

The Casa is quiet right now. Brandon Bleek's team from Creekside Covenant left this morning as sheets of rain were coming out of the sky. The drive to Santo Domingo for them will be interesting. Keep them in your prayers. The streets in Barahona looked more like rivers than streets. We went down to the coffee factory, Cafe Melitta, stopped by a panaderia (bakery) this morning with them and got a serious shower each time we left the bus.

Have you seen the short video clip I took of them mixing cement in Algodon? Here it is:
http://vimeo.com/13556780

I even got in on the mixing, but needed to lean on the shovel quite a bit....Ha! I learned how to properly lean on a shovel when I worked on the Whittier City School District summer gardening crew...an acquired skill.

This Sunday 32 baseball players and coaches will arrive to do clinics and play games with I Love Baseball, which is a ministry with Children of the Nations. http://www.ilovebaseball.org Please join us in asking God to halt the rain for their week here. Life shuts down pretty much here when it rains and we don't have a Safeco field to host the games.

Vic for the fam

transportation

2010-07-22T13:41:00.000-07:00

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I tried to capture the many modes of transportation here in the Dominican. Scooters and small motorcycles are definitely the most popular. Not only do they transport people but they are used to carry water, food (see men who were picking up plantains they dropped in the street) gas, etc. Walking of course is a biggie, see women carrying laundry on their heads.

The cars are small and so are most of the trucks. You can't buy most of them in the U.S., many Toyotas.

Dominoes

2010-07-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

When I was in downtown Barahona last week with a team headed to the coffee factory, I saw these older gentlemen sitting around playing dominoes. I had to ask if I could take their picture. No problem...and they invited me to play. I had to decline...but I think part of their enthusiasm is that they saw easy money, as they were playing for dinero.

It looks like a perfect retirement plan to me. Ha! Dominicans love to play dominoes. You can see people playing quite often outside their homes.

Vic for the fam

serving

2010-07-21T03:49:00.000-07:00

This passage came to my heart and mind this morning...from Mark 10:35-44 and Luke 22

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."
What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

As I reflect on the various teams who have come down to the DR this summer, everyone has had a heart to serve and Jesus presence is rich here. What an incredible gift to be hear amongst His people.

Luke 22:25-27

Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Whether the project has been training teachers, surgeries, recreation with children, painting schools, laying concrete floors, health screening of children, clearing brush, tree planting or fix it efforts around the Casa...all have come to serve. Above are just a few glimpses of work for the sake of others.

more community pictures

2010-07-20T19:06:00.000-07:00

The kids are precious and they love our attention as you can see. Ellie and Carly are giving them tons of love every time we go out to the bateys. Monique is getting her hair braided and as the girls were finishing up my camera battery died...but I did capture the finished look on someone else's camera...picture coming soon. She looks beautiful!

Community Happening

2010-07-20T16:26:00.000-07:00

The flooring project always seems to attract neighbors and others from the batey. Here are a few candid shots I took while hanging around watching the work. Today we went back to pour another floor in an adjacent house. You should have seen the smile on the woman's face who now has a new floor. Her furniture is back in place and she is so happy. Her home will be mud free during the rainy season now.

Oh..by the way..I did get messy and hauled some dirt today for some floor prep. I even threw some sand around, yahoo! I think I mentioned this before, but this flooring project is such a great one for Venture Teams. The work is so rewarding.

More to come....

Vic for the fam

New Floors

2010-07-19T17:49:00.001-07:00

This afternoon we, as a family, went out with the Creekside Covenant team (Redmond, Wa) to one of the bateys (Algodon), where they poured a concrete floor for a family. Pictured with Carly is the woman who owns the home. She and all 7 of her family sleep in the home, probably the size of a living room in the U.S. She was so grateful for the the concrete floor and for the team's efforts.

The process is very interesting. Sand and concrete are dumped in a pile in front of the house and mixed with water. See photos above. It is all done by hand with shovels. The dirt floor is prepped by leveling and crushed rock is laid as a base. After the mixing is complete a wheelbarrow is used to transport the cement into the house. The spreading of the concrete is done, as you see in a conventional way, except one guy with a board masterfully spreads out the mix with precision.

It is a community/neighborhood event, with many children and adults observing outside. That is for another blog.

Vic for the fam

observations en la iglesia and more

2010-07-18T04:02:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update...our showing of The Tale of Two Brains at the church is Los Robles went very very well. No video glitches, thanks be to God. The power for the projector and sound system was all run by a small Honda generator (un planta). We had an overflow crowd, as people were sitting outside the church to listen to Mark Gungor. We used the Spanish version of LYW, which has Mark and a translator delivering the message. One beautiful thing was that we had a bunch of young people attend and there was much laughter, which means they were understanding and connecting with Mark.

On another note, I have some observations on the church services we've attended here that you might find interesting. We have attended three Sunday services thus far, at two different churches. I must admit, there are some aspects of the Sunday gathering that I really like here and I'll start by sharing them. I love the free, lively, open praise that goes on at the beginning of the service. The music is upbeat, sometimes merengue, lots of movement, singing by all. From time to time, people in the congregation are free to come forward and lead a song, giving praise to "El Senor", God the Father. Beautiful! Also during this time there is sharing and exhortation from different deacons or deaconess, whatever gender, no problem.

I would say in general the gatherings are charismatic/pentacostal/evangetical, if that is a flavor. It takes a bit getting used to for those of us whose experience has only been the evangelical church in white America. Prayer times are interactive and community wide, again everyone has the freedom to share. Services generally last two hours.

I think expressive might be a word to describe the church gatherings. One of the things that has been difficult for us is how loud it is, big speakers and much amplification. My rock music days have taken a toll on my hearing I think, so the sound blast at church can be tough to endure for me.

All in all, we give thanks to God for the Dominican iglesia, their heart for God and love of Jesus and the ministry of Children of the Nations (Ninos de Naciones).

Today Monique and I celebrate our 18th Anniversary, What a blessing from God she is to me! I can't imagine life without her. The young guys from Los Robles wanted to take our picture, so here we are in the church after presenting Laugh Your Way. see picture above.

boys in Pueblo Nuevo

2010-07-17T04:00:00.001-07:00

On a visit to Pueblo Nuevo, one of the communities COTN serves in Barahona, we met Elijah and Negro, two little boys who attend the school. Each boy has his own family story and out of those stories comes great need. I'm praying for sponsors for each of these boys. One of the things teams do when visiting communities (bateys or barrios) is visit with families in their homes. We visit families with children who need sponsorship. Sponsorship provides the child with education, health care, a daily meal and spiritual guidance in Christ.

Negro, pictured in the red shirt, has a heart condition that needs therapy and treatment. His father died a few years ago and he lives with his mother and other siblings. His older sister is pregnant with a child, which will add another little one to the family very soon. Negro's mom tries to work when she can but makes caring for her children a priority. She cannot afford to continue paying for Negro's heart treatments and medication. Would you consider sponsoring Negro? To do this, contact, www.cotni.org or send me an email...vic.woody@gmail.com and I will see to it that your request gets to the right person here. Sponsorship is just $32 a month.

Elijah, el pastor, as he is affectionately called by everyone, is an active little guy who loves Jesus. He is pictured with the group and his mother in their home. We were welcomed into both of the boys homes when we walked through the community. Elijah has some health issues too. He is a bundle of energy, very musically gifted and personable. He needs sponsorship too.

I was talking with one of the men who accompanied the teens from Boston, MA this last week and he was telling me of his trips to Africa. He said the poverty here is just as great as anything he saw in Africa. Please pray for these boys, the moms and families. And if God puts sponsorship on your heart, please contact me.

Blessings..

Vic for the fam

Contrasts in marriage

2010-07-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

On Saturday night, the night before our 18th wedding anniversary, Monique and I will present the first part of Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage for the church in Los Robles. Please pray that the translation is understood and the message of God's love and plan for marriage comes through clearly. The church is pictured above and the streets of Los Robles are also pictured. We are hoping the young singles will come to the conference and also that the Dvd's will be shown to completion in the days ahead.

This batey, Los Robles, probably has the most Christ followers and the young people really seem to have a heart for God. The Light is definitely visible and present here, quite a contrast from other bateys.

As I have talked with pastors and some of the translators; marriage is viewed a little differently here. It is not too uncommon for men to have a wife and at least one other woman. The wife seems to tolerate this and goes about her job of cooking and caring for the children. The pastor is Los Robles desires to see his community live out marriage as God intended, a beautiful relationship between a man and woman. As Mark Gungor says in his teaching on sexuality, the #1 key to incredible sex is exclusivity.

So...thank you in advance for your prayers. I know pastor Juan Jose will appreciate your prayers as well. There are some beautiful young people in this community who need to hear this message.

Vaya con Dios...

Vic for the fam

Pyramid

2010-07-10T17:11:00.001-07:00

We had an amazing time with the young people of Los Robles on Friday. Our friend Kathy McGaughey and the pastor of Los Robles organized a beach trip as a reward for the students hard work and good citizenship this year. We felt so blessed to be able to build relationships with these great young adults. Pastor Juan Jose is exemplifying a true heart for discipleship in his community. The guys wanted to work together to build a human pyramid and they worked as a team to get it done, see picture. They had such fun, laughing, crashing and rebuilding, finally make it happen.

Vic for the fam

Batey Tour Today

2010-07-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

Today we went with the Orlando team from Summit Church to all five bateys. It was my first time to visit Pueblo Nuevo, where COTN's school is located high up on a hill above Barahona. The views are spectacular! After hanging out with the kids at each batey, I see that each community is clearly different. The school in Pueblo Nuevo is equipped with a commercial kitchen and a computer lab. Students can come and get some vocational training in this school. The kids engaged with our young people in quite a game of "duck, duck, goose". It was a blast watching them.

In Los Robles, we've seen boys playing with a homemade toy, a bicycle tire with a pushing/steering tool made out of a stick and a jug handle. See picture above. They play with this toy all day long it would appear. They tried to teach one of the guys how to do it and we found out how challenging it is to keep the tire rolling. The boys made it look so easy.

Ellie and Carly are magnets for the girls and they often end up with braided hair. Here are some of their new friends.

We are all back in good health. Thanks for your prayers! I'm hearing about a heat wave in the N.W. Ha! You don't know what heat is (-:

Vic for the fam

Retreat at the Casa

2010-07-10T04:20:00.000-07:00

Matthew 18:20 ..."For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Posted on this blog are pictures from a one day retreat we had here at Casa Batesda with teenagers from four of the bateyes. Vic and Kathy lead out in some teaching and the kids broke out into small groups with their own pastor or principal. The discussions were fabulous, so many of these teenagers engaged in the teaching. Wow! Our friend Kathy led out the day with a "thinking" game called The Amazing Maze. Each group consisted of teens from their batey. It was a competition to figure out the maze as a group. Everyone had to get through the maze and help each other without talking. Very difficult for them to stay quiet throughout the game. Fun and interesting to watch. Kathy (pictured hanging out in the pool) is wonderful. This is her 8th or 9th summer here in Barahona. She pours all of herself out for these kids. It is a blessing for us to serve alongside her.

Vic for the fam

Fuzzy Friend

2010-07-08T04:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while we were sitting around waiting for a ride to the office, a not so little friend came strolling across the sidewalk to say hello. Monique was sitting under the thatched shade gazebo with some interns fairly far away, but still saw our little friend. Everyone was quite nervous as this guy would not be content sitting in your hand as the one pictured. He packs a seriously powerful bite that would send you to the hospital here.

So...to the rescue, one of our intrepreters Johnny, who sent Mr. Tarantula to "never, never land" with a rock. Whew! We will be more attentive walking around the Casa I think after our encounter with Mr. Tarantula. (-:

Oh by the way...Ellie and Carly didn't have the pleasure of meeting him.....Thankfully!

Vic for the fam

Beach Day

2010-07-05T08:27:00.000-07:00

Good morning friends!

How was your 4th of July? We had a great day, spent at the beach with our Casa friends. We are all pictured above, gathered together to head home; a full day of fun and sun. We went to La Playa Patos, beach of the ducks. I didn’t see any ducks so I don’t know where the name comes from, but it was a nice beach. Of the three beaches we’ve been too, this one might be the prettiest. It is a longer drive from Barahona and the road winds far above the coastline, through almost jungle-like foliage. Beautiful!

The ride in the bus (a big yellow school bus) is quite an experience. Our driver, Renzo, honks the horn most of the way to alert motorcyclists and pedestrians of our presence. He passes trucks, cars, scooters and gets to the beach as quickly as possible. Yahoo!

There is a river that runs into the ocean here and pools of cool water have been created for swimming. It is very refreshing. As the day went on, the pools were packed with people. There are tons more people in the cool water compared to the ocean. The ocean water is quite warm.

The other reason more people aren’t in the ocean is because the waves crash right on the beach and the drop off is pretty steep. The undertow is very very strong. The force of the wave easily knocks you off your feet. I sit down and let the wave crash into me and carry me up the beach. As the Dominicans say, es muy peligroso! Very dangerous! Our translators and the bus driver keep a close eye on the crazy Americanos. (-:
A couple of the interns tried swimming out further and had a very difficult time getting back to the shore. Fortunately, some young Dominican guys helped them in, whew!

The "Skim Ice Man" is often seen at the beaches. You can always pick him out in a crowd because he wears this uniform. Skim ice is like an "otter pop" but with much better "carribean" flavors. Yummm....we all had one or two. 5 pesos for a skim ice. How much? You do the math - 36 pesos to a dollar.

Monique captured a great picture of two girls who where having a great time riding their horse. The horse, at least I think it is a horse, made a bee line for the river and took a long drink while they were aboard. See picture.

Ellie is chillin' in the river with Megan and Hannah, two COTN interns. They were loving it.

Pray for Ellie and Carly today. It seems they have caught an intestinal bug. We are going to have them tested at the clinic. Our friend Chris is also down with it. Pray for him too. Much intestinal stuff going around this year, ugh!

The group picture is of all who stay regularly at the Casa, plus cooks Manuela and Iri.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Love,

Vic for the fam

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-04T05:46:00.000-07:00

Good morning friends and Happy 4th of July!

The Casa is quiet and I'm enjoying a cup of Dominican coffee while writing to you, que bueno! The coffee is very good here...hmm, I'm not sure why it tastes better here. I brought some home last year and it was good, but it tastes better in country. (-: I was thinking of you all and the 4th of July and then I saw a Dominican flag, see picture above, and realized...oops, no 4th celebration here.

We are going to go the to beach today, Sunday and enjoy most of the day there. This will be very good as we can escape the heat somewhat. The beaches near Barahona are some what pebbly, much our San Juan Is. beaches. I'm told that the resorts on the north coast have sandy beaches, but the sand was brought in for the tourists. It is not natural.

Have blessed day, un dia de Dios!

Vic for the fam

Wedding at the Casa

2010-07-03T12:17:00.000-07:00

We had a wedding here today and it was 95 plus degrees. Whew! Folks started arriving at 9 a.m. and waited for the wedding to start...they waited and waited. It started at 1 p.m. Welcome to the Dominican...although that is a longer than usual wait. The picture above don't really capture very well one of the cool parts of the wedding...that being the courtship dancing some of the young people did before the ceremony began. There were two groups and performed beautifully. We really enjoyed them. The rest of the wedding was much like a wedding in the U.S. It is 3:30 pm now and we are hoping to get a taste of the cake.

For last years team, remember the wading pools? They were filled with water for the wedding and the little kids have taken their clothes off and are in them right now. (-; It is so hot...many people have gone in the pool with shorts and t-shirts on just to cool off.

Teachers teaching teachers

2010-07-03T08:48:00.001-07:00

Last week a team of teachers from the Orlando area came to share workshops and materials with COTN Dominican teachers who teach in the batey schools. We had a chance to go out with them several times and they did a beautiful job. There was much laughter and encouragement for the teachers and they were very appreciative.

This is one of the many annual projects available for Venture Teams from the U.SA. and is much needed.

Vic for the fam

Musica Cristiano

2010-07-02T06:54:00.000-07:00

Good morning friends!

Yesterday was a great day visiting another batey, Altagracia. Monique brought her guitar and connected with the two young men she met last year, Wilson and Manuel. We all sung songs, alternating between English and Spanish versions. They helped us with the songs in Spanish and also wanted to hear them sung in English. It was such a sweet time of sharing. Other young people joined us, hmmm...His church convening spontaneously again. Most of all the people who attend church on Sunday in Altagracia are younger. Manuel told us there are about 13 or so who come regularly. He asked us to pray for his village (batey).

Later we talked about our faith in Christ, living in grace. It was great! Of Course, those of you who know me, I was sharing that we are not only saved by grace, but we live our lives in Christ by grace. We have been made new, in freedom. (TrueFaced) "God is not interested in changing us because He already has."

We talked about spiritual gifts, (dones de es Spiritu) and they knew very little about them and could not tell me if they had a gift or not. Discipleship is so needed here and there is a great desire, among these young people, to know Jesus and all that He has for them. We can't wait to go back to Altagracia soon.

Also, here is a picture of Monique and I with our new friend Daniel Vallon. Daniel is Haitian and lives in Port au Prince. He spent a few days at the Casa with us, as he had reports to turn in to the COTN office of his work. He represents COTN in Haiti and cares for 13 families in Port au Prince. He really wants us to come over there for a couple of days. Please pray with me as it would probably be just me (Vic) going with a couple of other folks. If this is what God wants I'm willing. Monique and the girls would stay here at the Casa.

God Bless You and thanks for your prayers.

COTN's medical clinic

2010-06-30T04:17:00.000-07:00

A story came from last weeks medical team, a team of doctors, dentists and nurses from the greater Seattle area. There is a 39 Haitian man from Barahona came to the clinic with a cleft pallet. He lived with this condition all his life. When the surgery was completed he said, "and now I can find a woman to be married". God is so good and gracious! He needs one more surgery. Pray for him, his healing and for another team of doctors who can come down to finish work.

I'm sure more stories like this will be forth coming. Thanks for your support.

Vic

Family Team

2010-06-29T18:30:00.001-07:00

Tonight we had, at The Casa, our farewell and thank you celebration for our team from Summit Church in Orlando, FL. They we mainly a family team, 2 father/daughter teams, one single guy, a few single women and a family of four. Their project was to help pour a concrete floor for one of the families in Los Robles. They worked with some of the family members for two days, giving them a floor that will last a lifetime. The floors are such a blessing for families as the reduce the risk of disease and make life much more comfortable during the rainy season. The pictures above show the team mixing the sand, water, concrete right on the ground out front of the house. No need for a mixer here my contractor friends, just a few strong backs and extra hands.

The children who came with the husband wife team were all under 9 years old. The were great and had a wonderful time playing in the bateys with the kids.

Drenched and more

2010-06-26T19:11:00.000-07:00

Whoa! What a rain storm. Just as the two teams from Florida arrived it poured even harder. We tried frantically to find an umbrella so that they could walk from the bus to the casa without taking a serious shower with clothes on. Mo found an old beach type umbrella and we both made it out to greet the bus without getting soaked. We needed to fit at least three under the umbrella plus the two of us to move things along, and that left me on the fringe. I abandoned the covering and took a shower via God's watering.

We managed to get the two teams up to the room for a brief orientation. That went well. We then showed everyone to their rooms, then uh oh...a guy locked himself out of his room because the keys he had didn't work in his doorknob. We then tried every key we could find anywhere, no luck. Hmmm...decision time. After calling our COTN Dominican leader, Angel, he said if all else fails, break the doorknob, and we will get a new one. My new friend, Sandy, the night guard, called on us to find a favorite trusty tool, a big rock. He then did a beautiful job of smashing the doorknob without damage to the door. Then, our friend who was locked out came up with American's favorite tool, a leather man. Presto...problem solved...we had him back in his room in an instant.

A new doorknob is now needed. )-: but this can be done today. No problema...(-:

One thing came to my mind as the downpour continued...and our frustration was remedied...what must it be like to live in the bateys during a torrential downpour and steady rain. The mud and water streaming through the village (batey) must make life difficult. We are so fortunate, here at the Casa and at home. Give thanks to God for all that we have and know that His heart beats for these less fortunate people

Jesus to the rich young ruler...

Matthew 19:21 (The Message)

21"If you want to give it all you've got," Jesus replied, "go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me."

New weather experience

2010-06-26T17:17:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note from The Casa. We are having a strong thunder and lightning storm tonight, with much rain. Please pray for the two teams on their way here from the airport in Santo Domingo. Pray for safe travels. We are expecting them at 9 pm. We will have our first orientation presention to welcome them.

The sun was shining most of the day but as the evening approached, Wham! New experience!

Vic for the fam

2010-06-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

Meet Estali. He is a young Haitian man, 18 years old, who lives in Los Robles, one of the bateys. We had a great time talking about his faith and beliefs. I had some help from an interpreter, but for the most part, I used my Spanish. We talked about marriage, how God sees it, one man - one woman. This truth is not lived very well here amongst Cristianos. It seems somewhat acceptable for men to have a wife and at least another woman. I'm trying to discern more about all of this and continue to have conversations with others.

These conversations are leading me into opportunities to share the Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage Dvd's with pastors. God is so good and I'm thankful that Monique is practicing her Spanish continuously here, as she is motivating me. We are able to help COTN staff with their English speaking and they help us. Fun!

Today the sun is shining brightly, hace mucha calor. It is hot. Monique and I went to the market this morning to help our cook, Manuela. We took a little guagua (very small van) to the market and our driver, Jeoudi, wove us through the streets to different markets, street vendors, etc. Very fun!

It is time for lunch. More later.

Vic for the fam

2010-06-24T17:05:00.000-07:00

During the tree planting project I captured a photo of these two boys hauling bananas, or possibly plantanes to their house. The concho, scooter, is one of the most common modes of transportation here in the Dominican. This scene, however is not that common in the bateys as these people cannnot afford a concho.

The first woman who wanted a tree planted near her house, see picture, asked us for prayer. She is very lonely and has seven children. Her husband died a few years ago. Our time of prayer was amazing. Pray that the tree that was planted will bear much fruit for her family.

Monique gives a piggy back ride with lot of laughter to a girl in Los Robles.

Today was the day to say good-bye to our friends from Seattle - Northshore Christian Academy. We will miss them. They left in the rain and it has rained all day. A day to catch up on some sleep and rest. This is good.

Buenas noches.

Vic for the fam

Tree Planting project

2010-06-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

Watching God move over the tree planting project this morning was amazing. Our family joined the team from Everett as they walked around Los Robles, stopping by different homes to ask if there were any prayer requests for families. The first home on our walk was occupied by a mom with seven children. She shared that her husband died a few years ago and she was feeling very lonely. We surrounded her in love and prayed for her and all her needs. She was so blessed by the lemon tree we planted near her home. We asked the Lord to bless the ground and produce much fruit to provide for her family. You should have seen her face and spirit after we prayed. Incredible! This scene was repeated many times throughout the morning.

Mango, lemon, custard apple were all planted around the batey. As we continued on more and more children came out to join us and ask for trees for their families. This project connected all of us with God's love for these people and in a very short time relationships of trust began to be built. The tree now provides an opportunity for pastor Juan Jose to connect with each family as well. see pastor Juan Jose with the white baseball cap in the picture)

What an amazing few days we've had here already!

Vic for the fam

Patricia's family

2010-06-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

June 22, 2010

Una Manana Maravilloso!

This morning Ellie, Carly, Monique and I had the opportunity to visit Patricia Cueva’s house (casa) in the batey of Los Robles. We talked with her, with some help from an interpreter, in Spanish for almost 2 hours. She welcomed us into her home and introduced us to her madre (mother) her sister (hija) and her father (padre). Throughout our conversation Patricia’s cousins (sobrinas) would stop in to say hi too. She has a lot of family in the batey.

We asked questions of her and she of us much of our time together. She welcomed our questions. Patricia loves Christ and follows Him faithfully. There is a pastor for her batey whose name is Juan Jose, who is doing a great work in pouring his life into the adults and kids there. One of the things she shared, which I found interesting, is that there are many more women and children who follow Christ in Los Robles, than men. I found out that this is also true for the Dominican adults. So...therein lies a prayer request, for men in these cultures, Haitian and Dominican, to be drawn to the heart of God. More on this later.

Patricia is studying to be a pre-school teacher at the universidad in Barahona. She goes to school 2 long days a week and is working very hard to earn credits. Pray for her perseverance in her quest to earn a degree.

Patricia

2010-06-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

Meet Patricia. She is a young woman from Los Robles batey who our family sponsors for her college education. She was so excited to see Ellie and Carly, Monique too. I really met her for the first time today. She has invited us to her casa (house) to meet her parents and siblings tomorrow. Isn't she beautiful. Meeting her family is going to be one of the many highlights in our mission here. Patricia has been part of COTN's program since she was a child. God has led us into a beautiful relationship with Patricia through Carly.

We will share more of COTN's child sponsorship program when we return.

Buenas Noches mi amigos...Good night my friends.

Vic for the fam

R and R day

2010-06-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

Today we have been blessed with an R and R day, which began with a trip to a beautiful beach about 45 minutes from the Casa. There is a river running into the ocean at this beach and many tiendas de comida (stands with food for sale) fish (tilapia) rice, empanadas, fried okra, jugo (juice) etc. They have made pools to catch the water that you can wade in and the water is cool, straight off the montanas (mountains) Very nice on a hot day! We did not go to this beach last year.

Joselito (one of our translators) told us they can't trust teenagers at this beach (sorry 2009 team) because it is more dangerous, rip tides, and strong waves. The waves actually knocked us down and we weren't out very far at all. I sat down and let them carry me up on the sand on my butt. Fun!

We will go to church (iglesia) tonight with the group from north Seattle. We are looking forward to the experience. There are many new COTN staff here this year, new people to meet and get to know, not to mention the interns and short term teams.

That is it for now. Hasta la vista! Vaya con Dios!

Vic for the fam

We've arrived

2010-06-20T04:50:00.000-07:00

We are here at the Casa Betesada. What a journey, forgot how long it took to get here after landing in Santo Domingo. A long action packed bus ride for sure dodging scooters and small trucks, not to mention people. Ha! Stay tuned! Thanks for your prayers. The coffee is just as tasty as I remembered.

Our room situation is great, Ellie and Carly and in a room next to Mo and I. Perfect! There is a team here from Northshore Christian Academy and a team of doctors, nurses, family members from the Seattle area who will be doing surgeries, etc., at COTN's medical clinic in Barahona. Great people!

More later

Love Vic and family

The Casa

2010-06-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

The photo shows some of the Casa Batesada where we will be staying this summer along with mission teams from all over the U.S. Each team has a specific vision for their role in serving the Haitian refugees in the bateys. Our main role will be to serve the various mission teams that will be staying at Casa Betesada with us and helping them experience life in the bateys in their specific mission. We will be communicating with the COTN national team and helping them prepare for the international short term missionaries who will come all summer long.

This summer at the Casa we will host the following teams:

a medical team who will be working in the bateys doing surgeries and some family ministry at COTN’s medical clinic.
a team of teachers who will be doing seminars for COTN’s school teachers.
a teaching team who will be doing a series on Environmental Stewardship.
a Vision team is doing vision work and an Environmental Stewardship project in the batey of Don Bosco
a Reach/Build team is doing work painting a school and some children’s ministry work.
a Build team is constructing floors.

These are just a few things some of the COTN Venture teams are doing. Would you consider what God might have you do in forming a team to serve these people. Monique and I would love to help you in seeing your vision become a reality.

Would you prayerfully consider giving to this mission? We are asking God to provide for our travel expenses and our lodging costs during our six week stay. Here is a link you can use to donate online...http://www.cotni.org/opportunities/9

Thank you for your prayers not only for our family but for the many teams we will be encouraging this summer.

We are just two weeks away from our departure. Wow!

Dominican Republic Mission Trip 2010

2010-05-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family!

This is the first post for our upcoming 2010 trip with Children of the Nations, to the Dominican Republic. God is preparing our hearts for this mission. I'm also posting updates on Facebook. "Like" us at Woodward's Dominican Republic Mission 2010.

I am reading Peter's letter to followers all over the ancient world in the 1st century and it spoke to me today. There is a link here to our fast approaching mission trip which speaks to the why we are going. Thank you for joining us in prayer for this trip. Here is the letter and I think you will see the heart link for us....

Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes! 1 Peter 4:7-11

Would you prayerfully consider giving to this mission? We are asking God to provide for our travel expenses and our lodging costs during our six week stay. Here is a link you can use to donate online...http://www.cotni.org/opportunities/9

We are thanking God for his leading us back to the Haitian people and our COTN staff friends. We are excited to see the new relationships He will build and renewed connections with old friends.

That is all for now. Thanks for your prayers and giving.

Love,

The Woodward family

2009-08-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

Here is the younger part of our team: Sarah Clark, Maggie Anderson, Austin Scheffer, Carly Woodward, Tate Brumsickle, Amy Woodward and Ellie Woodward. We will all be sharing live and in person at Islands Community Church, in Friday Harbor, on Sunday evening at 7 p.m. Come hear how hearts were touched and lives are changing as a result of our missions trip to the Dominican Republic. We can't wait to share with you!

Vic, for the team

Contentment

2009-08-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

I think one of the striking things I learned from this trip was the reality of contentment. In the western world we have such a skewed view of what is necessary for contentment in life. What I witnessed in the Haitian villages (bateys) of the Dominican Republic were people who were experiencing contentment in relationship with God and others. The joy on the childrens faces was iluminating for all of us. They were content in their circumstances and gave to us a joy that filled us up every day we were there.

The picture above shows a street (dirt road) in the bateys. I'm wondering what that road looks like today, as the remnants of a hurricane blew through the Dominican Republic last week. Can you imagine the mud and muck. Yet the pictures in my mind in the midst of that mud, show faces filled with contentment, children playing in the rain, getting a special shower for their bodies. When I think of the rains that will definitely come our way this fall in the northwest, there is another attitude that comes over me, not one of contentment. God is speaking to me about this; how about you?

Visions of Children

2009-08-12T07:22:00.000-07:00

It is Wed. morning and I'm starting to fall back into our time zone and regular sleep patterns. Last night I had visions of children caring for children, a common scene in the villages (bateys) near Barahona.

Here is an older sister with her two siblings.

It is a common sight to see 7-9year olds carrying their baby brothers and sisters (6 mos. old - 8 mos. old) around with them. A picture that is etched in my mind is that of an 8 or 9 year old boy bathing his naked little brother, dowsing him with water from a bucket, drenching him from head to toe. Mom was standing by just watching and giving her approval to the bathing efforts of her son. I also saw children bathing in an irrigation ditch that ran through their village. Needless to say, the ditch was far from sanitary; strewn with trash and whatever else dumped there.

The elementary age children and older have a responsibility to care for the infants and toddlers. Moms do the household chores, cooking, washing whatever clothes they have, getting water for the day, etc. Dads work in the sugar cane fields or harvest fruit; plantanes, bananas, mangos, pineapple, uka, or any other work they can find that day. Many don't have jobs.

In the midst of those pictures in my mind are smiles; people filled with joy, many with the joy of knowing Christ. Right now, the smiles are standing out and comforting my heart in this transition to life on San Juan Island and our western culture.

The smiles also reveal hearts of gratitude. Yet it is those of us who ventured out on this mission who are expriencing the joy of our Lord, passed on to us from a people from a faraway island in the Carribean. God is so good and gracious!

Vic for the team.

Being home

2009-08-11T17:02:00.000-07:00

Wow what a difference this trip has made in my life! And now that I look back even when I was nervous about this trip I would have never changed a moment of the time we spent there. I know being back has personally been emotionally hard. I love being home but when I was there I felt like I was home and now I have left part of my heart there. The new family I have made with all the teams and the children there are amazing and I know I will never forget them. They taught me more than I could have ever taught them. I think the hardest thing will be to move on with life after experiencing their love when they live in severe poverty. I believe this feeling we have will minister to each of our lives and God has a plan to use us to do his work. Thank you all so much for your support without you we would never have experienced this new journey with God.

Thanks so much Ellie

Home in Friday Harbor

2009-08-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

We arrived home on the ferry at around 5:30 a.m. What an incredible journey! I echo Monique's thoughts from the previous blog post. Wow! We will all be reflecting on this trip for the rest of the fall and beyond. The general sentiment among everyone on the team is a plan to return in the future. As someone said, a picture is like a thousand words. Here are few glimpses from our first visit to a batey, Los Robles.

We can't thank you enough for supporting us and joining us in spirit on this mission. We could not have done it without you. There is more to come!

Vic for the team

Forever Changed

2009-08-08T04:36:00.000-07:00

Good Morning. This is Mo for the team. This is our last morning in Barahona. We are preparing for our bus ride back into Santo Domingo. For those of you reading this back home, I think I speak for all of us when I say that we cannot thank you enough for your prayers and support for this trip. Out of all the weeks of my life, I would say this would have to be one of the most meaningful ones. The hardest part for me at this point is leaving. We are already discussing our next trip down here. Our team continued to grow closer as we served alongside each other and I believe all our lives are forever changed. Without a doubt this is just the beginning of more to come, both in regard to marriage ministry, basketball and much, much more. It has been a privilege to be here. I'll will write more later, but mainly wanted to thank you for your prayers and let everyone know how much I/we appreciate you. Mo

Our last night at Casa Betesda! :(

2009-08-07T16:05:00.001-07:00

Hola from Austin and Maggie!
Today was an early morning for us all as we attended/played in the final tournament at a stadium in Barahona. It was exciting to see the progress made throughout our clinics and time spent with these players. They were ready to go with their new shoes and jerseys, you could tell they were excited to play. Austin and the boys from Minn. got to play the winning teams which were Altagracia and Don Bosco. In the championship game it was the Americanos vs. Don Bosco and we won by uno punto in overtime!! Very exciting to watch! After this long, but enjoyable time in the gym(which was muy caliente) we got to come back for lunch and head out to the BEACH! Despite ongoing stomach issues, we were all able to enjoy ourselves at the beach...the water was niiicccee! Now we are back at the Casa and just finished up dinner before we began our ¨goodbye ceremony¨ presented by the COTN and casa staff. We are sad to be leaving tomorrow..it has definitely flown by. We head out after breakfast into Santo Domingo where we´ll stay over night to rest up for our flight home the next day. As Dar said we had a great time at the Revival last night, although the ice cream might have caused us more grief than pleasure...:)
Thank you for all your prayers_