God is moving in Haiti...

Greetings from Haiti. We worship an amazing God, loved ones. Although there is still much poverty here, there has been incredible progress in so many ways. For those of you who are not aware, Mission Possible has been more intentional than ever in regards to developing godly leaders with integrity, discipline, and proactive decision-making. Praise God.

This week has been rewarding and productive as many different skill sets have merged to become a special week of medical, organizing, construction, and fizbo...wait, that is a different story...

Sunday was arrival day for the setup crew; Pam, Liane, Don, Ross, Mahlon, Win, & Elaine.
Wednesday was arrival day for Jody, Dr John, Patti, Karen, Crystal, Dr Tom, Mary Kay, Carol, Lynn, Mark, John D, Jon B, Janice, Ty, & Jeff.

Thursday was spent with the medical team in Chardene, construction group at the Mission Center-plus shopping, and overall getting acquainted with the surroundings. Below are our bouncers for the week....

There have been many great moments to share-meeting our sponsor children for one....meet Rose...

Playing doctor.... he loves wearing those gloves...

Making new friends.... she would keep 1,000 of these precious treasures...

Risking our lives with who we let make our food.....

God has been blessing us beyond belief. 

Shout out to Heather & Jeff Hochstettler...the Reese's Cups were delicious....

Prayer requests: Please pray that God would show us His will, His plan, That we would be obedient and prayerful in seeking Him above all. Thank you so much for praying for this trip, this group, this mission.

For His glory!!

Science Lab, Learning English, and Lots of fun in the Courtyard

Greetings from the Dominican Republic!  It was another full day for our team of teachers. I had the pleasure of playing Science Teacher Assistant (aka Vanna White) to Steve’s Science Professor Performance. I actually learned a great deal and the students were absolutely astonished.  It was amazing to see how mesmerized they were by simple science concepts. Steve put on quite the performance and had them eating out of his hand. 

As we begin to pack up to prepare for our morning departure, I can honestly say that I have lived a lifetime in one week.  As a first time missionary to Haiti/DR, I have been overwhelmed by sights, sounds, smells and emotions. (Did I mention smells?)

 I am certain that my first few days back in the states will find me continuing to process this experience. Words and pictures can never convey the reality of being with the people of these countries.

God did not create third world people. We are all created in His image and, while the world may assign us a perceived value, we are all created with an inherent value.  It is exciting to see the impact Mission Possible has had in a relatively short period of time.  I am exceedingly grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve, and I praise God for His daily provision, mercy and grace as he walked beside this first world girl in these third world countries.   (Anne’s part)

Today we were privileged to teach students at the Ebenezer school after teaching their teachers yesterday.  We all noticed and were thrilled that the teachers were already utilizing concepts they learned yesterday with today’s activities.  It was another full day with rising at 5:30 a.m. to prepare breakfast, teaching until 3:00 p.m., actually taking a walk through Barahona and putting our feet in the Caribbean (surrounded by guards), eating Dominican meals, shopping for larimar jewelry from a local vendor, packing to leave and final devotions with these dear friends we have made.  We have been so blessed with the sharing of devotions and worshiping together!

We are ready to return home for a warm shower and be with our families and friends, but we are leaving part of our hearts here. (Judy’s half)

 

 “The time is now, come church arise

Love with His hands, see with His eyes

Bind it around you, let it never leave you

And they will know us by our love.”

Anne Ricketts & Judy Shick

January 18th - New team in Haiti

We made it and all our bags made it.  Supper was provided by Monita, like always great Haitian spaghetti.  Quick game of Fissbo (Mahlon lost), and off to bed.  Thank you all for praying.  The medications made it thou customs.  Just a bit warm....no complaints

Goodnight

Teaching Teachers and Confused Roosters

January 18, 2016

Today our team presented 5 different sessions to the teachers at Ebenezer School in Barahona.  It was a scheduled in-service day for the teachers here.  The sessions included a presentation by Mary Jo Williams on effective schools and ,teaching techniques to improve achievement.  Steve Amstutz presented a session on the scientific method and did a number of experiments that the teachers really enjoyed.  The last session prior to lunch was on thematic units, presented by Becky Cronkleton.

Following lunch prepared by the staff at the school (traditional island fare), Judy Shick talked with the teachers about using fables and music as techniques to engage students and help them retain what they have learned.  Our physical education crew consisting of the three J’s (Judy Pelphrey, Jana Amstutz, and Mary Jean Galloway), taught teachers about the five fitness components, and demonstrated games using equipment they brought made of nylon hosiery.  These were made into balls, Frisbees, jump ropes, and stretch bands.

We continue to stay in the penthouse (the fifth floor of the school building with armed guards downstairs) when not working at the school.  We are in close quarters, but we are handling our situation with humor and grace!  Nighttime noises have been most interesting, especially the barking dogs and confused rooster that crows all night.  It has no idea of night and day!  Laughter is abundant!

We have one more scheduled day at the school tomorrow, and will be working with the school children in their classrooms.  We are committed to making our last day as meaningful as possible, and finishing strong! 

Your prayers, and God’s presence have truly been felt and are so appreciated!  We are all missing our loved ones back home, and look forward to seeing you soon. 

Bendiciones,

Mary Jo Williams, Steve and Jana Amstutz

Sunday: A day of rest

Sunday in Barahona… a day to regroup and gain momentum for the days ahead with our teachers and students.  After a Saturday night revival service in the Creole church, our morning and afternoon were spent prepping for an in-service and processing all we had experienced.  Our day closed with a final revival service and so many hugs that our hearts are overflowing. 

Over the years, a highlight has been seeing the building process of the Creole church.  Walking on the ground, dreaming of a church with Pastor Moise, visiting the building as it was in process of being built and then worshiping with our Creole speaking family overwhelms my heart.  It is an honor to have been a part of their story and makes me excited for the days to come in Haiti and the Dominican.   One thought that has been shared over and over is that while we cannot change the whole world, we can change the world for someone and that is what matters. 

-- Nicole

Bienvenido a la Republica Dominicana

Hola!!! I am finally home. We have all arrived safely in the Dominican Republic, as of yesterday afternoon. It’s been really awesome to watch people on this trip experience the sights and sounds of the Dominican for the first time as we arrived and went to church last night. So much dancing, hugging, and smiles were given as the best gifts we could ever receive. We were welcomed warmly. We are all very excited to see what tomorrow and Tuesday bring as we teach our classes to teachers and students alike. I am the only American translator on our trip, so it will certainly be an adventure for everyone… (translating is like being the unwanted, but necessary, third wheel). I will be teaching English classes all day on Tuesday for grades 1-8.

Haiti was wonderful, and so different than what I have experienced here in the DR. Since I didn't have a specific job or subject to teach, I was the assistant…pretty big stuff;) Everyone that talked to me in Creole, my automatic response was Spanish, which is an issue since most don’t speak Spanish there. My favorite part of the whole trip was riding in the cattle truck- I stood the whole time, absorbing as much of the beautiful terrain as I could. The kids were adorable, and my favorite school that I visited was Chardene. Driving up a dried river bed with trees hitting me was adventurous, as well as the sun burn..all worth it, for sure.

 I got the best night’s sleep of my life last night. Amidst the sunburn and swollen ankles, I am happy as a clam to be home.

With love,

Mackenzie Lyon