We played music and the kids enjoyed the dancing.
Home-baked (by me) cupcakes and juice were served to the kids and each one received a bag full of gifts. It was a fun way to end the semester before a much needed vacation.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Party
On the last day of school before the Christmas break we held a Christmas party for all the kids at the school in Mata Gorda. The kids came dressed up in party clothes and were really excited for the party. We started the day out doing a few Christmas art projects.
We played music and the kids enjoyed the dancing.
Home-baked (by me) cupcakes and juice were served to the kids and each one received a bag full of gifts. It was a fun way to end the semester before a much needed vacation.
We played music and the kids enjoyed the dancing.
Home-baked (by me) cupcakes and juice were served to the kids and each one received a bag full of gifts. It was a fun way to end the semester before a much needed vacation.
Butterfly
The other day some of the kids came up to me after school with a wounded butterfly they had found. They were all very excited about it and I was able to snap some neat pictures. It was really cute, because even the boys were all being very gentle with it. I explained to them that we needed to be very gentle with it because its wings were broken and it couldn't fly anymore. One if the kids asked me "If we feed it some juice will its wing get healed?" I sadly explained that there was nothing we could do to heal its wing and that it would probably die soon. The kids gently played with it for a while and then let it sit on a leaf until it couldn't move anymore. They then buried it and sprinkled flowers on top of its grave. Kind of sad that it ended up dying, but it was nice watching the kids caring for the injured butterfly. Hope you enjoy the pictures!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
December?? What?
Wow! I can't believe that it is December already. The month of November passed so quickly and I realized that it had been a while since I posted a blog.
Things here have been steadily going along. I am starting to settle into my role at the school a little more, although I still have frustrating and hard days. I am beginning to realize more and more that God had a completely different plan for me here than I was expecting. It is still kind of hard to accept at times, but I am trying with all my might to lay aside my selfishness and pride and just serve God with all that I have in whatever He sets before me. Easier said than done, I know. Throughout my life I have grown accustomed to being good at whatever I do, and being recognized for the good things that I do. Now that I am in a situation where I feel incapacitated, unequipped, and frustrated I can no longer rely on my own "skills" or "goodness" to skate through this. I have been forced (kicking and screaming at times) to lay it all down and let God carry me.
God has given me many affirmations over the last month of His extreme love and care for me and reassuring me that He has this all in His control. He spoke to me through a young 12 year old who came down on a one week outreach. On the last day of her stay, she quietly slipped me a note that said "Psalm 139. ask God for more insight." After I read the Psalm:
O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them! ....
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
...I realized that this situation was more than just me being unhappy in my job. This is something that God had planned from the beginning, something to refine my character. This was a big punch in the face.
Another confirmation that I got was this past weekend where the local church put on a weekend confernce. On the last night the speaker was talking about how God equips us with the skills we need to do His work. During his talk, I had a little Haitian girl sitting on my lap, playing with my hair and whispering in my ear. As I looked into her beautiful, black eyes, my heart was overwhelmed with love and at that very moment the speaker said, "God equips those He has called." I remembered what God had called me to here: LOVE. He called me to love His children. Even when it is hard, even when they disobey, even if I would rather be doing something else. He has called me to love. And He has equiped me with such a capacity to love that I am almost bursting at the seams with love for these children.
Praise God for His faithfulness to those He has called.
Things here have been steadily going along. I am starting to settle into my role at the school a little more, although I still have frustrating and hard days. I am beginning to realize more and more that God had a completely different plan for me here than I was expecting. It is still kind of hard to accept at times, but I am trying with all my might to lay aside my selfishness and pride and just serve God with all that I have in whatever He sets before me. Easier said than done, I know. Throughout my life I have grown accustomed to being good at whatever I do, and being recognized for the good things that I do. Now that I am in a situation where I feel incapacitated, unequipped, and frustrated I can no longer rely on my own "skills" or "goodness" to skate through this. I have been forced (kicking and screaming at times) to lay it all down and let God carry me.
God has given me many affirmations over the last month of His extreme love and care for me and reassuring me that He has this all in His control. He spoke to me through a young 12 year old who came down on a one week outreach. On the last day of her stay, she quietly slipped me a note that said "Psalm 139. ask God for more insight." After I read the Psalm:
O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them! ....
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
...I realized that this situation was more than just me being unhappy in my job. This is something that God had planned from the beginning, something to refine my character. This was a big punch in the face.
Another confirmation that I got was this past weekend where the local church put on a weekend confernce. On the last night the speaker was talking about how God equips us with the skills we need to do His work. During his talk, I had a little Haitian girl sitting on my lap, playing with my hair and whispering in my ear. As I looked into her beautiful, black eyes, my heart was overwhelmed with love and at that very moment the speaker said, "God equips those He has called." I remembered what God had called me to here: LOVE. He called me to love His children. Even when it is hard, even when they disobey, even if I would rather be doing something else. He has called me to love. And He has equiped me with such a capacity to love that I am almost bursting at the seams with love for these children.
Praise God for His faithfulness to those He has called.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Simple Pleasures
As many have heard, I've had a bit of a rough go of things here. I often go through my day frustrated and come home exhausted. Then the next is just the same, frustrating and exhausting.
This past week, God blew a breath of fresh air on me and I was so blessed.
It is often the little things in life that speak the most to me. So I have a roof deck. Nothing fancy, just stairs leading up to a flat, concrete roof. But it is pretty amazing nonetheless. In the daytime the view is beautiful, mountains, fields, rooftops with laundry hanging on clotheslines. I go up there often to sit and take a deep breath. Well, this time, I decided to go up at night time. I brought a blanket, a candle, my Bible, and a Handy Snacks pudding cup. Needless to say, it was amazing. The stars were beautiful, there was a soft breeze blowing, the candle light was just bright enough to allow me to dig into the Word, and the pudding cup was the icing on the cake.
And God met me there. It was like He was reaching down, giving me clarity, strength, and allowing me to breathe deeply.
This past week, God blew a breath of fresh air on me and I was so blessed.
It is often the little things in life that speak the most to me. So I have a roof deck. Nothing fancy, just stairs leading up to a flat, concrete roof. But it is pretty amazing nonetheless. In the daytime the view is beautiful, mountains, fields, rooftops with laundry hanging on clotheslines. I go up there often to sit and take a deep breath. Well, this time, I decided to go up at night time. I brought a blanket, a candle, my Bible, and a Handy Snacks pudding cup. Needless to say, it was amazing. The stars were beautiful, there was a soft breeze blowing, the candle light was just bright enough to allow me to dig into the Word, and the pudding cup was the icing on the cake.
And God met me there. It was like He was reaching down, giving me clarity, strength, and allowing me to breathe deeply.
Sharing
I recently had an interesting experience at school. It was during recess and several of us were all sitting around eating the snacks that we had brought from home. I think I was eating a cookie or something. I decided that I was done and didn't want anymore so I asked the kids if anyone wanted it. They all instantly shot up their hands and began shouting "dame, dame!!" (Gimme, gimme) Normal child reaction. I decided to give it to one girl, Alba Nelly, who was asking a little more politely. She took the cookie with a huge grin on her face, because she had obviously won the prize. It was what she did next that surprised me. Instead of quickly devouring the cookie she broke it in half and gave the other half to another child. She then took the half that remained and broke it again in half to share with someone else. She continued breaking the cookie in half and sharing until everyone at the table had had a piece. Satisfied, she sat down and ate the small crumb that remained in her hand. Oddly enough, she was not sad that she ended up with the smallest piece, she still felt like she had won because I had chosen her to distribute the wealth. She got to share what she had with her friends, a real honor in this culture.
It was so beautiful to me to see this wonderful virtue of community and sharing so apparent, even in a 6 year old.
It was so beautiful to me to see this wonderful virtue of community and sharing so apparent, even in a 6 year old.
A Different Style of Worship
This past Sunday we had a real treat at church. A popular Christian Reggaeton artist came and did a special concert. (For those of you not familiar with this style of music, it is kind of like rap with a latin rhythm and lyrics in Spanish. Pretty rockin' and very fun.) So anyways, Ariel Kely came to our church and it was amazing. The place was packed with kids in baggy clothes, baseball caps and gold chains. I would say about half of those in attendance would probably never set foot in a church, but got word of a reggaeton concert and decided to take a chance.
The concert/worship service was great, Ariel has an amazing testimony: he used to be very hard into drugs and was a successful backup dancer for many famous rappers until Christ turned his life around. Now he raps for Jesus. His music is really fun and we were definitely rockin' out, but his lyrics are what is really impressive. They are so blunt and straightforward addressing a growing population of young people chasing empty dreams.
I love it that God can use all types of people to do all types of things to bring him glory. From doctors to construction workers, and from preschool teachers to rappers, He uses the gifts He has given us to preach His name.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Beauty School
I have earned quite a reputation as a haircutter here. I've been here a little over a month now and I think I've already given over 10 haircuts.
This past weeks Daisy, the leader of the Women's Social Work site, asked me if I would come to her site and teach the ladies how to cut hair. Several of them are interested in starting a salon but don't know how to cut hair. So I went and tried to explain to the ladies that never formally learned how to cut hair (so I I don't really know how to teach cutting hair) but I just learned by practicing on brave souls.
I demonstrated a basic layered cut and then another lady tried it on one of the girls there with me looking on. Overall it was pretty successful and the cuts turned out great. I plan on going back a few more times to demonstrate and help the ladies learn the basics of cutting hair.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Tired
I am officially tired. Now I know that working with kids is tiring, no matter who or where you are. But it is even more tiring because my brain is working double time in another language. Today was especially hard as a few of the kids are very disrespectful. I know that it takes a while to earn respect, but it is just very frustrating when I speak to a child in a stern voice and they turn and laugh in my face.
Plus I think I may have a parasite in my stomach.
And I got some weird allergic reaction on my lips from eating mangos.
It seems the honeymoon phase is over. Real life has set in.
Please pray for me. Not that these trials would pass, necessarily. But rather that the Lord would give me strength and patience to face these trials.
Plus I think I may have a parasite in my stomach.
And I got some weird allergic reaction on my lips from eating mangos.
It seems the honeymoon phase is over. Real life has set in.
Please pray for me. Not that these trials would pass, necessarily. But rather that the Lord would give me strength and patience to face these trials.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
My house
Here's a picture of my house from the front. It is in a neighborhood called Medina and is only about 5 blocks from downtown. There is a corner market, called a Colmado, about 1 block away, which is very convenient for quick purchases.
This is the porch that I sit at every morning to drink my coffee and watch people go by on the street.
This is our dog, Dee Dee. I've taken her running once, and she is not very good on a leash, but I'm hoping with time she'll get more used to it. I am very thankful that we have a dog as it is not very safe for a female to go running alone here, but with a dog I feel a lot safer.
This is my room.
I invited some friends over for the first of many "Family Dinner"s. I made lasagna and it was a big hit. A few more Dominicans arrived after this picture was taken (they are always on "Island Time")
This is the porch that I sit at every morning to drink my coffee and watch people go by on the street.
This is our dog, Dee Dee. I've taken her running once, and she is not very good on a leash, but I'm hoping with time she'll get more used to it. I am very thankful that we have a dog as it is not very safe for a female to go running alone here, but with a dog I feel a lot safer.
This is my room.
I invited some friends over for the first of many "Family Dinner"s. I made lasagna and it was a big hit. A few more Dominicans arrived after this picture was taken (they are always on "Island Time")
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Hurricanes
Saludos a toditos! (Greetings to all) I have received several emails asking me how the hurricane is hitting here. So I thought I would send out a quick note to let you all know how I am doing. The hurricanes are passing by the Caribbean with a lot of force, but fortunately, where I live is for the most part out of harms way. I am up in the mountains in the center of the island, so unless the hurricane comes severely inland, all we get here is a lot of rain. So rest assured that I am safe and sound, but drenched to the core. :-) Last night, in fact, I found out that when it rains, my window sill fills up with water and spills over into my room, thus drenching my bed and pillows. Such is life here. :-)
Thank you for all your concern and please continue to pray for Cuba, who got hit pretty hard from IKE.
Thank you for all your concern and please continue to pray for Cuba, who got hit pretty hard from IKE.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Almost settled in
Hola!! I have now been here in the DR one week and I feel so blessed. So many things have happened this week to make my transition so smooth. I bought a car and got my cell phone connected without any snags. The Lord has provided a wonderful place for me to live, as well. I am moving in today to a house with Kenya (a Dominican) and Elizabeth (an American). Elizabeth is my dear friend from when I was here before. She is currently here working with the local church. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful place to live, and the beginning of a community of friends. Praise the Lord for knowing exactly what I needed and providing.
I'll post some pictures soon of my house as soon as I get my room set up.
I'll post some pictures soon of my house as soon as I get my room set up.
Monday, September 1, 2008
I Made It!!!
I made it safely to the DR today! Yeah! And I feel so happy. It is strange, but it kind of feels like I never left. Well, except for getting used to crazy Dominican-spanish. That will take a little getting used to. But, everything just feels so familiar and comforting.
Tomorrow I begin the tasks of setting up my cell phone and beginning to look for a car to buy. Fortunately I have this whole week to get settled in before school starts next week.
Thanks for all the prayers that brought me here safely.
Tomorrow I begin the tasks of setting up my cell phone and beginning to look for a car to buy. Fortunately I have this whole week to get settled in before school starts next week.
Thanks for all the prayers that brought me here safely.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Plane Ticket!!
Today I bought my plane ticket to the DR!!! Praise the Lord for His provisions in bringing my support in so steadily this month. At the beginning of August, it felt like I still had so far to go, and now here I am, plane ticket in hand, leaving in one week.
That's right. I'll be leaving for the DR on Sunday, August 31.
Thank you so much to everyone who has and is continuing to support me through prayer and financial donations. And I would appreciate your continued support and prayer as I am still lacking a little in funding. If you are interested in financially supporting me, please do not hesitate to contact me, or you may send checks to the following address:
Students International
PO Box 2733
Visalia, CA 93279
Thanks everyone!! Les amo mucho!!
That's right. I'll be leaving for the DR on Sunday, August 31.
Thank you so much to everyone who has and is continuing to support me through prayer and financial donations. And I would appreciate your continued support and prayer as I am still lacking a little in funding. If you are interested in financially supporting me, please do not hesitate to contact me, or you may send checks to the following address:
Students International
PO Box 2733
Visalia, CA 93279
Thanks everyone!! Les amo mucho!!
a final farewell
These past two weeks I had a chance to visit one last time with some family and friends before I head for the DR. I started my adventure off in San Luis Obispo, staying with my dear friend, DeeDee, and spending time with my brother and his friends. Over the weekend, my whole family converged in Atascadero at my grandparent's house for a relaxing time of visiting. From there I headed up north, where my best friend, Marissa, and I went camping at Mt. Tam for a few days. After that I was able to spend a few more days with her in Santa Rosa before heading back to Mariposa.
It was a very enjoyable trip, and a much needed time of visiting with dear friends, as this summer has been quite lonely and draining with all my traveling. It was also such a blessing to have my whole family together for a few days.
So now I am back in Mariposa waiting on support..... Waiting on the Lord to bring this journey to completion in His timing.
Thanks for the prayers.
It was a very enjoyable trip, and a much needed time of visiting with dear friends, as this summer has been quite lonely and draining with all my traveling. It was also such a blessing to have my whole family together for a few days.
So now I am back in Mariposa waiting on support..... Waiting on the Lord to bring this journey to completion in His timing.
Thanks for the prayers.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
July Update
Hello family and friends! I have just safely returned from my month of Language School in Costa Rica. It was definitely time well spent as I learned a lot and feel even more prepared to begin my work in the Dominican Republic. After a month of living once again in a Latin American country, I am even more itchin' to get back to the DR!
My current status is that I am still waiting on my last bit of support. I still need about $400 in monthly pledges and about $7000 in start up costs. My biggest need right now is that last bit of one-time gifts, which will be put toward the purchase of a vehicle in the DR. Used cars usually cost about $10,000 in the DR, a little more expensive than here. Having a reliable vehicle is quite necessary for me as some of the places I could be working are quite remote and not easily accessible. In addition to my own transportation and safety, I will also at times need to use my vehicle as a transport for students who come to serve with SI on short-term outreaches.
I want to thank everyone who has pledged, sent in support and promised to pray for me. My goal is to be back in the Dominican Republic sometime in the month of August but I am unable to go until I am fully funded. I am asking once again that you would consider the possibility of an additional one time gift to put toward the purchase of a vehicle. If you have been thinking about a monthly pledge and/or a one-time gift, please let me know and also notify the SI office as soon as possible as this will make it possible for me to finalize my plans.
Once again, thank you so much for all the prayer and support. I really appreciate it and I feel so blessed to be heading on this adventure with such an amazing body of family and friends supporting me and praying for me.
Love Katie
Students International Home Office
PO Box 2733
Visalia, CA 93279
559-627-8923
My current status is that I am still waiting on my last bit of support. I still need about $400 in monthly pledges and about $7000 in start up costs. My biggest need right now is that last bit of one-time gifts, which will be put toward the purchase of a vehicle in the DR. Used cars usually cost about $10,000 in the DR, a little more expensive than here. Having a reliable vehicle is quite necessary for me as some of the places I could be working are quite remote and not easily accessible. In addition to my own transportation and safety, I will also at times need to use my vehicle as a transport for students who come to serve with SI on short-term outreaches.
I want to thank everyone who has pledged, sent in support and promised to pray for me. My goal is to be back in the Dominican Republic sometime in the month of August but I am unable to go until I am fully funded. I am asking once again that you would consider the possibility of an additional one time gift to put toward the purchase of a vehicle. If you have been thinking about a monthly pledge and/or a one-time gift, please let me know and also notify the SI office as soon as possible as this will make it possible for me to finalize my plans.
Once again, thank you so much for all the prayer and support. I really appreciate it and I feel so blessed to be heading on this adventure with such an amazing body of family and friends supporting me and praying for me.
Love Katie
Students International Home Office
PO Box 2733
Visalia, CA 93279
559-627-8923
Thursday, July 17, 2008
please pray
Dear friends,
My time here is Costa Rica is quickly coming to a close. I can´t believe how fast it has flown by. I am enjoying myself here, but truthfully, I am ready to go. It has been very hard for me to be here because this country reminds me so much of the Dominican Republic, yet it is so different. Being here has made me miss my kids and friends in the DR, and I am now even more anxious to get back.
Please pray for me during these next few weeks:
-I have one more week here in Costa Rica. Pray that I end well here, feeling that it was time well spent and taking advantage of my newly refreshed Spanish skils.
-Please pray as I am still lacking a little in support to return to the Dominican Republic. Pray that God would raise up the needed funds and that we would truly see His miraculous hand in this.
-Pray for my ever increasing loneliness that has mounted during this transition time back to the DR. God has brought me through some terribly low times, especially these past few months. Pray that God would show me that HE is my home, especially when I feel lost, alone, and confused.
-And most importantly, please pray for an increase in my faith as I wait and trust in the Lord´s timing. He knows (as many of you do as well) how anxious I am to get back to the DR. Pray that I would trust in His timing.
Thank you for all your support and prayers.
love Katie
My time here is Costa Rica is quickly coming to a close. I can´t believe how fast it has flown by. I am enjoying myself here, but truthfully, I am ready to go. It has been very hard for me to be here because this country reminds me so much of the Dominican Republic, yet it is so different. Being here has made me miss my kids and friends in the DR, and I am now even more anxious to get back.
Please pray for me during these next few weeks:
-I have one more week here in Costa Rica. Pray that I end well here, feeling that it was time well spent and taking advantage of my newly refreshed Spanish skils.
-Please pray as I am still lacking a little in support to return to the Dominican Republic. Pray that God would raise up the needed funds and that we would truly see His miraculous hand in this.
-Pray for my ever increasing loneliness that has mounted during this transition time back to the DR. God has brought me through some terribly low times, especially these past few months. Pray that God would show me that HE is my home, especially when I feel lost, alone, and confused.
-And most importantly, please pray for an increase in my faith as I wait and trust in the Lord´s timing. He knows (as many of you do as well) how anxious I am to get back to the DR. Pray that I would trust in His timing.
Thank you for all your support and prayers.
love Katie
Friday, July 4, 2008
Instituto de Lengua Española
The Spanish Language Institute here in San Jose is great. On the first day we all took placement tests and had an oral interview (in Spanish). I got placed in the advanced classes in both grammar and conversation, which is great because I feel like I am really learning a lot. Both of my classes are completely in Spanish, not a single English word spoken. I love it. :-) I feel so much more comfortable speaking after only being here for one week. Some of the hardest assignments I've had so far have been giving my testimony and leading a Bible study. Kind of challenging things to do anyways, but completely in Spanish makes it quite a bit harder.
But I am having a great time and I feel like I am learning a lot. I'm also making friends with some of the other young girls at the school, which is nice.
I still feel a little bit frazzled after a crazy first week, but I am beginning to settle into the swing of things here. I hope to explore the downtown a bit this weekend, and hopefully just rest a bit too.
Gran Aventura (great adventure)
You can tell that I am back in a Spanish speaking country since I am titling my posts in Spanish. :-)
I am finally safe in Costa Rica. But it was no easy feat getting here. After Liz's wedding, I stayed with some friends in Chicago for one night and they took me to the airport on Sunday morning. I flew from Chicago to Houston and prepared myself for the 5 hour layover that awaited me before flying into San Jose, Costa Rica. After a few hours of sitting in the airport, watching the torrential rain pour down outside, and hearing the loud booms of thunder and seeing bright flashes of lightning, an announcement came over the loudspeaker that they were basically shutting down the airport due to the storms. No planes were allowed to land nor take off until further notice. "Great" I thought to myself. "I am already bored out of my mind sitting here in the airport, and now I just have to wait even longer."
The language school had given me a phone number of a man named Rodrigo who was apparently supposed to pick me up at the airport and take me to my host family's home. I tried to get ahold of him to tell him my flight would be delayed, but all attempts at international calling failed. So I began to pray and began to prepare myself that I would be arriving in Costa Rica sometime in the middle of the night, there would most likely not be anybody at the airport to pick me up, and I would need to figure out how to get myself to orientation at the school the next day at 8:30 am.
So, finally we boarded the plane at about 9:30 pm and I arrived in Costa Rica around 2 am. As I suspected, there was nobody at the airport to pick me up. So I had decided that I would just try to sleep a few hours on the floor of the airport, and take a taxi the next morning to the school (which I had the name for, but no address). However, a nice (unofficial) taxi driver began to offer his help. He tried to call the number I had for Rodrigo, to no avail. So he then suggested that he take me to a nice clean hotel and I sleep for a few hours and then try to contact the school in the morning. Great idea.
So after a few hours of sleep at the hotel I woke up early the next morning to get my first taste of Costa Rica. This included dogs barking, horns honking, people talking loudly through thin walls, no hot water, and a cockroach running across my floor. Not the most welcoming, but nothing I haven't experienced before.
So, after a delicious free breakfast of rice, beans, fried bananas, eggs, fruit and cafe con leche, I tried to get ahold of the school to figure out how to get myself there in time for orientation. But, of course, no one answered my phone calls. So, my only other solution was to jump in a taxi and try to make it to the school. With nothing more than the name of the school, the taxi driver and I went on a crazy journey trying to find the school. We found it, eventually, after stopping to ask for directions a few times, and I walked into the orientation 30 minutes late. The director, a Costa Rican (or Tico, as they call themselves) looked at me as I walked in and said, "Ah, right on time. Tico time!" Latinos are notorious for being late, 30 minutes late is usually considered right on time.
So, that's my crazy story of my first day in Costa Rica. I am so thankful that God protected me the way He did, because there could have been all manner of horrible things the could have happened. Praise God for the taxi driver at the airport who was so nice and helpful. Praise God that I already knew Spanish and was able to communicate and get myself around. And praise God that we found the school and I arrived safe.
I am finally safe in Costa Rica. But it was no easy feat getting here. After Liz's wedding, I stayed with some friends in Chicago for one night and they took me to the airport on Sunday morning. I flew from Chicago to Houston and prepared myself for the 5 hour layover that awaited me before flying into San Jose, Costa Rica. After a few hours of sitting in the airport, watching the torrential rain pour down outside, and hearing the loud booms of thunder and seeing bright flashes of lightning, an announcement came over the loudspeaker that they were basically shutting down the airport due to the storms. No planes were allowed to land nor take off until further notice. "Great" I thought to myself. "I am already bored out of my mind sitting here in the airport, and now I just have to wait even longer."
The language school had given me a phone number of a man named Rodrigo who was apparently supposed to pick me up at the airport and take me to my host family's home. I tried to get ahold of him to tell him my flight would be delayed, but all attempts at international calling failed. So I began to pray and began to prepare myself that I would be arriving in Costa Rica sometime in the middle of the night, there would most likely not be anybody at the airport to pick me up, and I would need to figure out how to get myself to orientation at the school the next day at 8:30 am.
So, finally we boarded the plane at about 9:30 pm and I arrived in Costa Rica around 2 am. As I suspected, there was nobody at the airport to pick me up. So I had decided that I would just try to sleep a few hours on the floor of the airport, and take a taxi the next morning to the school (which I had the name for, but no address). However, a nice (unofficial) taxi driver began to offer his help. He tried to call the number I had for Rodrigo, to no avail. So he then suggested that he take me to a nice clean hotel and I sleep for a few hours and then try to contact the school in the morning. Great idea.
So after a few hours of sleep at the hotel I woke up early the next morning to get my first taste of Costa Rica. This included dogs barking, horns honking, people talking loudly through thin walls, no hot water, and a cockroach running across my floor. Not the most welcoming, but nothing I haven't experienced before.
So, after a delicious free breakfast of rice, beans, fried bananas, eggs, fruit and cafe con leche, I tried to get ahold of the school to figure out how to get myself there in time for orientation. But, of course, no one answered my phone calls. So, my only other solution was to jump in a taxi and try to make it to the school. With nothing more than the name of the school, the taxi driver and I went on a crazy journey trying to find the school. We found it, eventually, after stopping to ask for directions a few times, and I walked into the orientation 30 minutes late. The director, a Costa Rican (or Tico, as they call themselves) looked at me as I walked in and said, "Ah, right on time. Tico time!" Latinos are notorious for being late, 30 minutes late is usually considered right on time.
So, that's my crazy story of my first day in Costa Rica. I am so thankful that God protected me the way He did, because there could have been all manner of horrible things the could have happened. Praise God for the taxi driver at the airport who was so nice and helpful. Praise God that I already knew Spanish and was able to communicate and get myself around. And praise God that we found the school and I arrived safe.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Summer of love (and Amish)
I just spent the last week in Goshen, IN at a friend's wedding and I must say that I have fallen in love with the mid-west. I used to often think why anyone would ever want to live anywhere other than California (I guess I'm a bit of a snob). But after spending some time in the beautiful Amish countryside, I would be happy to set up residence in the lovely state of Indiana. (If only it wasn't so far away from the ocean!!)
Here is a picture of Liz and I:
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Pike's Peak
Yesterday a few of us had the opportunity to drive (yes drive, not hike) to the top of Pike's Peak. It was an amazing drive that took about 1 hour to get to the top, but it was a beautiful trip, full of breathtaking vistas of snowcapped mountains, crystal clear lakes and luscious valleys. Once we got to the top we were hit with thin air, 30 degree temperatures and strong winds to match. It was definitely a change from the 80 degree sunny weather in Palmer Lake.
Standing atop such a high mountain looking down at the miniscule town from where I just came, I was struck by the vastness of the world. I felt so small standing on top of Pike's peak, a seemingly enormous mountain, yet it is just a small dot on a map of the world. What an amazing God we serve who has created a world so big, so grand that it is unfathomable to the human mind, and yet He cares for each individual nation, each individual city, and each individual soul. There I was, on top of that huge mountain, enjoying God's amazing creation and I felt certain that He made it just for me. Just for me to enjoy it at that very moment. Just for me to look out on those beautiful mountains, decorated so delicately with snow. Just for me to feel the cold bite of the wind to remind me that I am alive. To remind me that God is strong and powerful, yet He cares. Cares so deeply for each created thing. Each tree, each bird, each child. He reminded me why I go, and why I live.
It is because He loves.
Standing atop such a high mountain looking down at the miniscule town from where I just came, I was struck by the vastness of the world. I felt so small standing on top of Pike's peak, a seemingly enormous mountain, yet it is just a small dot on a map of the world. What an amazing God we serve who has created a world so big, so grand that it is unfathomable to the human mind, and yet He cares for each individual nation, each individual city, and each individual soul. There I was, on top of that huge mountain, enjoying God's amazing creation and I felt certain that He made it just for me. Just for me to enjoy it at that very moment. Just for me to look out on those beautiful mountains, decorated so delicately with snow. Just for me to feel the cold bite of the wind to remind me that I am alive. To remind me that God is strong and powerful, yet He cares. Cares so deeply for each created thing. Each tree, each bird, each child. He reminded me why I go, and why I live.
It is because He loves.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Colorado
I am currently here in Palmer Lake, Colorado for 3 weeks attending Missions Training International. Aside from adjusting to the dry air and high elevation I am having a great time. It is amazing how after only 1 week of being here I feel like I have connected deeply with many of the other participants. There are about 30 people here, including children, participating in the training session. So far we have discussed issues regarding integrating cross-culturally, conflict management styles, maintaining spiritual vitality and managing stress. I feel like I am learning a lot of skills to help me on the mission field, but mostly I am learning a lot about myself. All of the sessions have focused greatly on arriving at a greater self-awareness, acknowledging that the things we know about ourselves we can change, but the things we don't know can control us.
Please pray for me as I continue the next two weeks of this training. Pray for my tired body and mind as I often feel exhausted after each session as my mind and emotions get worked to the core. Pray also for the tight community that is forming here at MTI. Pray that we would be encouraging to one another as we walk this journey together.
Thank you so much for all of your continued prayers and support. Each day I discover more and more that missions is such a team effort and I greatly appreciate you teaming with me in this process.
God Bless!!
Here's a picture of me on the top of a big rock that I climbed in the Garden of the Gods. ( for those of you who know about rock climbing ratings, it was a 5-8. I was pretty proud of myself)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
a little calm before.....
Wow! I can't believe that it has come to this already! I am shocked to find myself in the month of May, looking forward to all that is coming this summer.
Last weekend I said goodbye to my job and life in Santa Rosa, CA. In one crazy weekend I gave my car away, sold my bike and loaded the remainder of my possessions into my parent's car and headed for Mariposa.
Where I find myself now is staring straight at a calendar full of traveling and preparation for the next three months. Beginning next week, I will travel to Colorado for a 3-week training conference with Mission Training International. I will be participating in a pre-departure program designed to help develop practical skills and attitudes that will take me through the challenging and rewarding process of being interwoven with another culture on the mission field.
Then I will be back in California for a week and will then head to Indiana for 5 days to visit with a friend and be a bridesmaid in her wedding. After the wedding I will head straight down to Costa Rica to spend the entire month of July studying Spanish.
That will bring me to the end of my summer of training. At that point, I hope to be able to relocate to the DR at the beginning of August. However, if all of my support has not been raised at that time, I will have to wait until it all comes in.
I have currently raised all the support needed in one-time gifts to cover the costs of MTI and language school training. However, I am only about 50% funded in monthly support. Monthly support includes rent, gas, bills, food and other daily living expenses while I am living in the DR. I need to raise 100% of my monthly support, about $1500/month, before I am able to relocate to the DR, as it would be unwise to move somewhere and have no way to pay the bills.
I ask that you would join with me in prayer as I wait on the Lord for my support to come in. I am confident of this call that God has put on my life so I know that He will provide all the means necessary to see it come to pass. Please pray that I would be patient and wait for the Lord's timing, knowing that this is His plan and His timing will be perfect. I ask that you would also prayerfully consider what part you might play in supporting me over the next few years as I am serving in the Dominican Republic.
Support can be sent to the following address:
Students International
P.O. Box 2733
Visalia, CA 93279-2733
Please be sure to indicate that it is for Katie Lombard, and also indicate what type of support is being committed (ie: prayer support, one-time gift, or monthly commitment). Also, if you have not received a picture prayer card, please let me know and I will get one out in the mail for you.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. I am so excited for all that is in store for me in the next few months of preparation.
Last weekend I said goodbye to my job and life in Santa Rosa, CA. In one crazy weekend I gave my car away, sold my bike and loaded the remainder of my possessions into my parent's car and headed for Mariposa.
Where I find myself now is staring straight at a calendar full of traveling and preparation for the next three months. Beginning next week, I will travel to Colorado for a 3-week training conference with Mission Training International. I will be participating in a pre-departure program designed to help develop practical skills and attitudes that will take me through the challenging and rewarding process of being interwoven with another culture on the mission field.
Then I will be back in California for a week and will then head to Indiana for 5 days to visit with a friend and be a bridesmaid in her wedding. After the wedding I will head straight down to Costa Rica to spend the entire month of July studying Spanish.
That will bring me to the end of my summer of training. At that point, I hope to be able to relocate to the DR at the beginning of August. However, if all of my support has not been raised at that time, I will have to wait until it all comes in.
I have currently raised all the support needed in one-time gifts to cover the costs of MTI and language school training. However, I am only about 50% funded in monthly support. Monthly support includes rent, gas, bills, food and other daily living expenses while I am living in the DR. I need to raise 100% of my monthly support, about $1500/month, before I am able to relocate to the DR, as it would be unwise to move somewhere and have no way to pay the bills.
I ask that you would join with me in prayer as I wait on the Lord for my support to come in. I am confident of this call that God has put on my life so I know that He will provide all the means necessary to see it come to pass. Please pray that I would be patient and wait for the Lord's timing, knowing that this is His plan and His timing will be perfect. I ask that you would also prayerfully consider what part you might play in supporting me over the next few years as I am serving in the Dominican Republic.
Support can be sent to the following address:
Students International
P.O. Box 2733
Visalia, CA 93279-2733
Please be sure to indicate that it is for Katie Lombard, and also indicate what type of support is being committed (ie: prayer support, one-time gift, or monthly commitment). Also, if you have not received a picture prayer card, please let me know and I will get one out in the mail for you.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. I am so excited for all that is in store for me in the next few months of preparation.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Difficulty, Suffering, and Hope
I've recently read the book "Velvet Elvis" by Rob Bell. It's a great book. I recommend it. Especially the last chapter. I think I've read it at least 5 times now. I just keep going over and over it, dwelling on the things he says. Here are a few snippets from that last chapter. Hopefully they'll do something for you too.
"...the most powerful things happen when the church surrenders its desire to convert people and convince them to join. It is when the church gives itself away in radical acts of service and compassion, expecting nothing in return, that the way of Jesus is most vividly put on display.... To be this kind of person - the kind who selflessly serves - takes everything a person has. It is difficult. It is demanding. And we often find ourselves going against the flow of those around us.... It is going out of our way to be more generous and disciplined and loving and free. It is refusing to escape and become numb to and check out of this broken, fractured world.... Ultimately our gift to the world around us is hope. Not blind hope that pretends everything is fine and refuses to acknowledge how things are. But the kind of hope that comes from staring pain and suffering right in the eyes and refusing to believe that this is all there is."
"...the most powerful things happen when the church surrenders its desire to convert people and convince them to join. It is when the church gives itself away in radical acts of service and compassion, expecting nothing in return, that the way of Jesus is most vividly put on display.... To be this kind of person - the kind who selflessly serves - takes everything a person has. It is difficult. It is demanding. And we often find ourselves going against the flow of those around us.... It is going out of our way to be more generous and disciplined and loving and free. It is refusing to escape and become numb to and check out of this broken, fractured world.... Ultimately our gift to the world around us is hope. Not blind hope that pretends everything is fine and refuses to acknowledge how things are. But the kind of hope that comes from staring pain and suffering right in the eyes and refusing to believe that this is all there is."
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Update (Finally.....)
Now that I've been back in the States for about 5 months now, I figured that I should update this. I apologize to those of you who have been checking my blog regularly, waiting on the edge of your seat for an update. :-)
As many of you know, I've been living with my best friend Marissa Oswald in Santa Rosa for the last few months. It has been a wonderfuly blessing living with her. I work full-time as a preschool teacher at a school in Rohnert Park. It is alot of fun, but very tiring.
I will start soon to begin raising support to return to the Dominican Republic for full-time ministry. This summer I will attend a missions training conference as well as a month of intensive language school before moving to the DR in August.
I appreciate your prayers during this time as I am working to save money and begin fundraising. Pray that I would trust God with my finances as I begin to raise support. Also, please pray for me during this time of preparation and waiting before I return back to the mission field. I know that God has some special things in store for me right now, even though I feel so impatient to get back to the DR. Please pray that God would be using me even now to further his work both here and abroad. Pray that He would be speaking to me and preparing me for what is next in my life as I am preparing to go into full time ministry.
I would love to keep you all updated during this process and will be doing so both my email, my blog and by snail mail. If
you were not on my mailing list before or have changed your contact information, please shoot me a quick email (lombard.katie@gmail.com) with your mailing address.
Thanks so much for all your continued support!
Con mucho amor,
Katie
p.s. here is a little family photo taken this Christmas:
As many of you know, I've been living with my best friend Marissa Oswald in Santa Rosa for the last few months. It has been a wonderfuly blessing living with her. I work full-time as a preschool teacher at a school in Rohnert Park. It is alot of fun, but very tiring.
I will start soon to begin raising support to return to the Dominican Republic for full-time ministry. This summer I will attend a missions training conference as well as a month of intensive language school before moving to the DR in August.
I appreciate your prayers during this time as I am working to save money and begin fundraising. Pray that I would trust God with my finances as I begin to raise support. Also, please pray for me during this time of preparation and waiting before I return back to the mission field. I know that God has some special things in store for me right now, even though I feel so impatient to get back to the DR. Please pray that God would be using me even now to further his work both here and abroad. Pray that He would be speaking to me and preparing me for what is next in my life as I am preparing to go into full time ministry.
I would love to keep you all updated during this process and will be doing so both my email, my blog and by snail mail. If
you were not on my mailing list before or have changed your contact information, please shoot me a quick email (lombard.katie@gmail.com) with your mailing address.
Thanks so much for all your continued support!
Con mucho amor,
Katie
p.s. here is a little family photo taken this Christmas:
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