Thoughts from Caroline

Kim Streeter (who I have written about before, my 'replacement' for lack of a better word) arrived in the DR just a few weeks ago! Her first project here is to do a Social Work Site Blog, and she asked me to do a post for it, and I thought some of our readers might be interested in it as well.

Also, if you want to check out the new site blog, here's the address: http://meetingjesusinelcallejon.blogspot.com/?spref=fb

I remember before I moved here 3 years ago daydreaming about what my ministry would be like in the DR. I remember imagining leading a profound Bible study (in perfect Spanish) to an attentive group of women. I remember imagining seeing lives transformed over night because of my ministry. I remember imagining myself having deep heart-to-heart conversations with women and girls.

The reality of how it was when I did move here was quite different. I remember feeling overwhelmed and intimidated by 30 shouting women crammed into our tiny site. I remember stumbling through Spanish and getting lots of blank states and nose crunches (a Dominican gesture for “what?!”) I remember feeling like I had nothing to offer the women and girls.

Looking back 3 years later, my ministry did not end up like the perfect picture I imagined it would be. And thankfully, it got a lot better than my initial experiences also.

There are so many stories I could share, like how several of the couples who have been living together for years finally sanctified their relationships by getting legally married. Or the bittersweet time when Lourdes was diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer, and as a result gave her life to Christ. Or the trips to the beach, or the pool, or to the pizza place. Or how several students who came down on outreaches decided to return as interns or staff.

But there are also so many sweet memories that I alone cherish. Like hearing the young girls recite their memory verses week after week. Or the joy in the women’s’ faces when I told them I was pregnant, and later when they saw James for the first time. Or hearing students’ stories of how God used their time at the site to grow and transform them.

There is no doubt in my mind that God is working in El Callejon. It’s a long process transforming this community. Many days it seems as though we take one step forward and two steps back. But the past 3 years I have been a witness to the growing spirit of hope and light that exists in the community. And I trust that God will continue to use this and other ministries to grow His kingdom in El Callejon.

Pico Duarte

For an island country about the size of New Jersey, you wouldn't expect to see 10,000 ft mountains, but, in fact, there are several. Jarabacoa is actually situated near the Dominican Alps, which include the tallest mountain in all of the Caribbean: Pico Duarte.








After 3 years here I finally went on a trip to the top. Six SI staff made the 3-day journey: Me, Nate, Lowell, Hans, Leo, and Raul, along with 2 guides and 2 mules.





The first day was the most difficult. We hiked 11 miles and ascended 6000 feet. It was brutal. It started raining around 2 and got very cold which added to the brutality. We arrived at the camp at 5:30, tired and wet.







The facility was actually really awesome. It could sleep at least 100 people. There was a large covered fire pit, a kitchen, and a nice bathroom. Our guides had a fire and food ready for us when we arrived.









Day 2 was the most fun. It was a short hike to the peak where we took pictures, climbed around on the rocks and enjoyed push large boulders over the edge and watching them destroy everything in their path.







Day 3 should have been easy. It was a long day of hiking back down, but it was almost all downhill. The first half of the day was as expected. But, around 11am it all changed. Raul and I started running down the steep parts and jumping from rock to rock. Raul repeatedly yelled "parkcore" in a thick Dominican accent. This culminated in an all out wrestling match when I tackled him for passing me.

It's the right time to interject that Raul is former military and it shows. Once he had me pinned he asked if I was going to give up, to which I replied "claro que no". He took off running and I followed. We ran, and ran, and ran, until it stopped being fun. In total we ran about 12 km with 25lbs on our back, stopping only twice for water.





I was unable to walk normally for 3 days.

MiBanco La Union

Recently, we started our 6th bank in an community called Hatillo. It got off to a rough start. Instead of starting with a community interest meeting like we normally would, we skipped that step because we already had a leader with 8 associates ready to go. We started our pre-loan meetings as we always do, but then several people started to drop off. It turns out there was a woman in the community spreading lies about us. She told everyone that we were thieves and that we were going to steal all their savings.

After a particularly rousing meeting where we clarified any confusion, we decided to move forward with the bank even though there were only 6 people. We lent out the first loans, and normally at this point the group is set and I don't let anyone else join.

However, a curious thing happened. All the people that left the group eventually came back, and they brought all their friends. The group is now our largest by far with over 20 people, though many of them are saving only.

Another cool thing about this group, is that it's the first one to go through our Personal Finance Curriculum, and I'm happy to report that it's been a huge hit. In fact, the associates have said that it's one of the reasons that so many people have joined.

A third unique thing about MiBanco La Union is that there are 4 male associates. One of them joined the group a couple weeks late as a saver, and then later asked me if his 19 year old son could join and start saving and learning too. Music to my ears.

Here are a couple of the associates from the new bank:



Rosairis is the Coordinator. She's a member of a church SI helped start in Los Higos.


Carmelo is the first man in our program to receive a loan. He's a "traveling salesman", which in the DR means you drive around in your truck and sell anything from eggs to used appliances.


Carmen Ortiz used her loan to restock a convenience store she has in front of her house.


This is James. He's not an associate but he is sporting a fohawk.

Visitors

One of the many good things about having a baby is that it has brought of lots of visitors! We've had visitors almost every month this year. Each time is has been a blast!

It started in January when my mom came for 3 weeks to help me at the end of my pregnancy/beginning of life as a mother. We waited around somewhat patiently for 2 weeks for James to make his debut. She did a good job of keeping my 9 month pregnant body busy and also helped A LOT with cooking/cleaning/etc.


Me 9 months pregnant hiking to a waterfall. We successfully walked James out of me because that night I went into labor!

The last week she was here my dad was able to come down as well. They were able to spend lots of time with little James and took on lots of my responsibilities as I recovered from my C-section.


My Dad paid special attention to Booper as she was jealous of the new baby we brought home.


My mom with James after she gave him a bath.


Meeting Grandpa for the first time


Grammie holding the sleeping baby

In March our 3rd visitor came...my sister Emily! We had a lot of fun just playing with James and going around to different places in Jarabacoa. We also got to take a short day trip to Santo Domingo. For me it was great just to hang out and have fun with my sister since we don't get to see each other a lot anymore.


Having fun with Auntie Em


Taking a nap


Being crazy at the ocean

Next up we had Ryan's parents. We kept them busy with a motorcycle trip, a day at each of our sites, a trip to the beach/Santo Domingo, waterfall hikes, and some other random stuff around Jarabacoa. You can read more about their trip in an older blogpost here. It was so great to visit with them and finally be able to show them our home for the past 3 years.


James with Grandma and Grandpa Holloway


At the beach in Boca Chica

My mom couldn't stand being away from little James any longer, so she came down again in June for a month. Again my Dad was able to join for a week too! We spent most of our time playing with James and going around Jarabacoa, but we also got to go to the beach and the capitol for a weekend. My mom was very willing to babysit, so Ryan and I were able to go off several times without James, which was a huge blessing!


Grammie and James at a waterfall


at the waterfall with Grandpa

Our most recent visitors were Scott, Monica, and Jessica- Ryan's uncle, aunt, and cousin. They had just a short trip, and unfortunately Scott and Monica both got sick for a couple days. But they were able to serve at both of our ministry sites and blessed several of the people we minister to through bringing them gifts and sharing encouraging words with them. We had a great time catching up and sharing our lives with them.


They brought over 200 diapers for this severely disabled boy who's mother is in one of Ryan's micro-banks.


Jessica sharing her testimony with the girls at the Social Work site.


She also made balloon animals for all the girls. It got a little crazy but the girls LOVED it!


All of us on our porch

Our last visitor is Brian Shields, who has been one of Ryan's best friends since high school. He comes in this weekend. He will be here for Ryan's vacation week, so I'm sure they will do all kinds of crazy boy things. We're really excited for him to come.

Brian most likely be our last visitor before we leave in December. It's been so fun having so many people visit, and has made being away from home for James' first year of life a little easier. Thank you to everyone who came and allowed us to share our life with you!!