Tuesday, February 22, 2011

DR- small town, big needs, small me, big God

The DR team is settled into the Time Center, a mission house in Villa Mella, a small town north of the capital. We began working with Ina York- a missionary who formerly worked in New England and has been working in ministry with the women in Cercadillo. Cercadillo is an impoverished neighborhood where many people are undocumented. We learned that many are not given birth certificates and if they are not given birth certificates, they are not given ID's and thereby do not exist to the government. If one doesn't exist then neither can one's children. This affects everything from work to education. Beyond that, many in the community believe that implicit message- they are "nobody".
We are seeing how God is ordering all things to bring the good news of His love and grace to those who are seemingly forgotten. In the past couple of days, we've heard amazing God-sized stories of things happening here. We've been able to show God's care in a practical way by playing with children and, most uniquely, providing manicures and pedicures to girls and women who have never had anyone care enough to massage their hands with lotion or wash their feet. In this time the girls have been able to mutually share stories, songs, testimonies and ways that God has worked in their lives. Tomorrow we will be working exclusively with the adult women in a discipleship group called "Cafe y Coser con Cristo" (Coffee and sowing with Jesus) where women learn Scripture in community and learn a trade (usually sewing) to help maintain their families. We've felt very honored to be a part of what God is doing in Cercadillo- whether its been through prayerwalking, playing or providing manis/pedis (and we can definitely see God knew what He was doing when He set up an all girls team)!
More to come! We do miss home even though we are enjoying every 80 degree minute of it here! THANK YOU for your prayers! -the Q12 DR Ladies.

20 comments:

Mark Smith said...

Great to hear about this day's work and ministry. We are looking forward to seeing you Saturday.

Jen said...

DR ladies,

Amazing to hear about how God is using your "girls" group. We pray that you do not weaken these last few days. God can use you even on your trip back home!

Jen, Caleb and Asher

PS - love to Auntie Susie, Ita, Vinetta, Jess and Kathryn.

Unknown said...

Dear Q-Ladies y Alexandra, my heart SOARS hearing all that God is doing through you ladies. The lives of so many are indeed so sad, yet God is using each of you to give them a life-time memory, AND eternity with Him, & indeed, some JOY. Keep planting them seeds, you too shall reap what you are sowing/sewing!! With great love & admiration, Lu (Ps 46:10)

Pattie Lind said...

Good Day QLadies, God is truly amazing! He is using you all to show his kindness, goodness and compassion! Way to go. I'm so proud of all of you. My prayers are with you. Happy to hear that your weather has been wonderful. Kathryn can't wait to see you on Saturday! I miss you! love Mom (pattie Lind)

Jennifer Zappala said...

Good Morning Alex! ;-)
I can just see you giving mani's and pedi's. It's kinda what we do. In John 13:14-17, Jesus said: "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
I know you all are blessed by being where you are and by doing the things you are doing. Please be encouraged that you are doing what God has commanded of you. Hope your day is fruitful, full of joy and compassion. As always, praying for all the DR ladies, SA team and the City team. I love you Alex and I'm very proud of you.
All my love,
Mom xoxo

Lisa said...

Tears in my eyes as I read how God is using you all in the DR. Praise His holy name. I am so happy you all are serving and showing the love of Jesus. Bekah and Lisa --- Friendship ladies would love mani-pedis also, LOL.

Papaman said...

Kathryn and girl gang, sounds like God is still moving mountains, I love that you are all being the clay so that God can mold you the way he wants. Loving you from the states....

Anonymous said...

Hey Kathryn, Jess, and Susan and the rest of the DR team!
I'm so happy to hear how great everything has been in the DR and how much God is working! I've been praying for you guys everyday and I hope you're enjoying and learning from every moment of the experience!
Can't wait to hear about everything when you get back!!
-Julie N.

Gina Wilson said...

Hi Vinetta, Jess & Kathryn! Looking forward to hearing all about your experiences - well, as much as you can put into words anyway. Praying for you and your team for continued (I hope) good health, safe travel and BIG IMPACT FOR CHRIST!! See you on Saturday!

Anonymous said...

QUESTIES =) HELLO and My little Sister Rebekah!I hope you are learning a lot through you're learning alot about how God can use your ability to speak spanish (better then your brother) and your medical Skills =). Mom misses you, she texted me and said that she missed you and the house is quiet without you! shocker. haha We got 6 inches of snow last night be happy you're in the HOT DR weather! well i can't wait til you are back home i'll have to take you out to dinner so you can hear all about your trip! Stacy says hello and she misses you!

Love your brother
Joshua
(GRINGO ROJO) <my DR Name

Anonymous said...

Rebekah Varin! I miss you so much! I hope you are having a wonderful time and I pray that you are touching the hearts of those in the DR! I love you so much and can't wait to see you!

lots of love,
Tori Coulter

Chuck Kemp said...

Dear DR Team,

I've been praying for you all and look forward to hearing some of your stories on Saturday. Hope all goes well at Cafe y Coser con Cristo.

Looking forward to see you on Saturday Maggie!

- Chuck

Heather P said...

Sounds like you all had an awesome day and are learning so much!!

Bekah Q & Lisa: youth group was quiet without you guys and the rest of the questies.. can't wait to see you guys on Sunday and hear all about your experiences! Sounds like you guys are learning a lot! Lisa good thing we practiced manicures at the nursing home! I've been praying for you guys and we're all excited to see you!

Love Heather P

Unknown said...

Dearest Alexandra, & Q-Ladies, Well, it's Thurs morning, & like the SA & City Teams, your time in the DR is coming to an end, physically, but will remain with you all forever, ... emotionally & mentally, AND, spiritually.
I am proud of you. My prayer is that this Missions trip will forever GROW you in Christ. That you will desire more & more of HIM and His people. Come home safely! Can't wait to hear some details. Lovingly, LuLu :) (2Cor2:14-15)

Jennifer Zappala said...

Good Morning my Alex and the Q12 DR ladies!
I'm with Lu on this one. I pray your trip to the DR will stay with you forever and that when you come back, you will be forever changed in your walk with God. I realize that going to the DR, you were hoping to make a difference in peoples lives and show them God's love. I have a feeling that you all were the ones who had a difference made in you. God's plan is perfect and beautiful! I can't wait to hear all about your journey. Have a SUPER BLESSED last day and we pray travel mercies and peace be with you all. As always, we pray for the SA and City teams and their journey's back home. Ti queiro mucho mi Alex!!!! See you Saturday. :-)) Mom

KJJA said...

It's all in the touch. Could you ever have imagined the trust and friendship simply holding someone's hand could bring? And now that's a gift they can share with each other, helping to build each other up, and encouraging each other on a regular basis. Great life lesson!
Beeekaaah, we miss you so much and look forward to your homecoming. It'll be snowing/raining on Sunday so pack some sunshine for the return trip!

KJJA said...

Bek - DRINK MORE WATER!
Love you, big sis!

Anonymous said...

Cool! All that you guys are doing is quite impressive! I'll be seeing you saturday Maggster. See you soon! Love,
Kevin A. Robinson I

Unknown said...

I love you Kathryn! I have been keeping you in my thoughts.
-Emily

Shelley Williamson aka Dean's Mom said...

I'm so proud of all of you! Thank you for serving the Lord in DR.