No Luz, No Agua, NO MAS!

Tomorrow we leave the Dominican Republic. Anyone who has ever moved (presumably most of you) knows that means today is very important. Since our ride to the airport will be picking us up at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow, we have to make sure we wrap everything up today. While this statement may not sound particularly exciting to my North American audience, I need to point out that it's easier said than done.

Three days ago the power went out. We didn't notice right away because of the back up batteries, but we noticed when the batteries died! Electricity is a convenience in many ways, but here there are some practical almost-necessities attached to electricity. It was a bummer to realize we wouldn't have internet or warm water, but it was INTOLERABLE to think the ceiling fans wouldn't work. We've re-entered the hot season in the DR, and even with the ceiling fan whirring away at top speed it can be hard to sleep.

Fortunately the power company actually responded to our request for repair. I suspect someone else on our block was bugging them non-stop to make sure it got fixed right away. We spent Saturday away from home with Alberto and his family, so we didn't have to sit around the house and sweat it out.


True to form Kisha and I woke up around 6 or 6:30 this morning. The big goal was to do the last load of laundry, clean the house (which means soap, water, and buckets), and empty and clean out the fridge. The only problem is that there's no water this morning. Methinks the guy who waters the garden left the hose on last night, and he emptied both the cistern and the tank above the house. Probably the public water system isn't working today, as well.

I say NO MAS! It's not supposed to be like this. Some stuff is just supposed to work, and when it doesn't work there should be an easy way to fix it. And if those first two things don't go as planned there should be someone I can call who can fix it the first time. I would be messed up about this, but I'm getting on a plane tomorrow, so I hardly see how it matters. I will miss the people (because our friends are AWESOME), but I won't miss the amenities!

Last Hurrahs, Swimming!

We have just one week left here on the island and so it is time that I am having my last hurrahs! On Sat. I went to Casa Club and had a great day swimming with the youth I have been spending a ton of time with over the last year. We were also celebrating the recovery of my good friend Yasoni! She had a terrible accident on her scooter and was unable to walk for a long time. She had 3 surgeries and by the grace of God is now able to walk and tomorrow will be returning to work! She has been a great blessing to me! It is great to have a girl friend who can listen and understand and then comfort and encourage me.

So to those who helped us have this special day thank you very much!

In the weeks to come we will be giving away many belongings and having at least one more special outing with the family who I spend most of my time with. Alberto, Milagros and their 3 kids will come with us to relax at Rancho Baiguate where we can swim, eat, play ping pong and billiards.

As we prepare for this transition there are a lot of emotions... I am excited to go home and scarred not knowing what will happen, will we find work? will I get to have my dog with me? Will I stay in touch with my friends in the DR will is all just fade away? Can I really be a good fundraiser and PR person for TEARS? Will I make a difference?

The one thing I know is that God has been very faithful!

Waiting

I know that waiting isn't supposed to kill anybody, but it might do away with my wife and I. We've mostly wrapped things up, and the only thing left is to clean out the apartment and put the final touches on packing. Not sure what we'll be doing with the next week, but I sure wish I had a good book.

We're in the last couple of days of school, but because of the awkward weirdness that comes from working towards two different diplomas, some of the kids grades had to be turned into the Dominican government 3 or 4 days ago. That means we've had a week where we can't take anything for grading. It's frustrating a boreing for teachers and students alike, as if we needed to feel more like we're playing education. Whatever. Two more days, and then a couple teacher days, and we can officially close this one out.

I'm tired. I knew I would be, and I usually am at the end of a school year, but I'm usually a different kind of tired. It's usually more like crazy busy tired rather than not having anything to do. It takes a lot of energy to do nothing.

The Good Lord is still with me, so that's something. Hug you all when I get back!

AGAIN!?

Just two days ago I was thinking to myself, wow I am feeling good and I haven't been sick for like 3 weeks. I hope I can stay healthy for the last 3 weeks of my time here...

NOPE

Today I am not feeling very well and took a five hour nap.

I don't know why I got sick. It could be the not so wonderful diet I enjoyed while at the beach or the night of missed sleep in an uncomfortable hotel room, or the day I spent in the barrio yesterday. Who knows. I just want to finish strong.

Poverty

Poverty surrounds me not just the I can't go out to the movies but the ALL we have to eat is rice or I wish we had rice kind of poverty. The water has not made it to my street so I can't flush the toilet. My kid isn't growing and there is no electricity, three to a be and 80 degrees at night with mosquitoes pecking at me hope I don't get dengue fever poverty. My only pass-time is gossip and anger and somehow I have $ to get drunk. This is the poverty that surrounds me. The streets flood and we all lock ourselves in for the night hoping for sun in the morning. Just this week I sat in a house where the grandma was/is doing her best to care for her grand kids while one of her daughters bickers and fights like an eleven year old only she is at least 30. The swatting and cursing becomes abusive after you pass a certain age and your victims remain younger and younger. 


But I see hope in a 15 year old's eyes. He is going to make it. Determination that he will not be a slave in poverty. Strength and tenderness, affection and love. He will over come and change the cycle. No aunt will ever hit his child while they sit playing at the table.

Innocent Lives

Eric and I have started reading Philippians together. I thought I would share my reflections on Chapter 2.

What does it mean to live innocent lives? Does it mean to steer clear of vices that are taboo in our culture? I have to believe that it has more to do with how we treat each other. the context of this chapter is all about humility and unity. Have I really emptied myself? Given up my rights for what is good?! Do I complain and argue removing innocence from my life?

Living outside of the American individualism shows me just how far I have to go before I can really understand what it means to empty myself and not claim my rights so that others can know God the Father.

"

Anticipation

Waiting, passing time, filling space these are hard things for me to do. I like to feel purposeful. I like to have a mission. I am not the most patient person, especially if my patience needs to be applied to time. Today is 5 weeks and 2 days from when we will be leaving for Portland and I can not believe that it has only been one week since Eric posted his blog! Although a lot has happened in this week. Namely I had an interview with an employer I would really like to work for. BUT now I have to WAIT, PASS TIME, AND FILL SPACE for two big events, the moving date and getting a call letting me know if I have a job or not. You can imagine the tension. I am trying to focus my energy in a positive way and get out and visit people. Also I am attempting to exercise in some fashion every day. Last weekend was great going and relaxing in the mountains. Next weekend we may have a practice packing day!