Day 11 - 17: Brock Gill and team

This week went a little differently than the first week I was here. Rather than work on building the San Pablo new Preschool/ Kindergarten school or host a VBS in another community, the famous Illusionist, Brock Gill and his wife, came to perform illusions while sharing the gospel in 5 local prisons here in the Dominican Republic.

This photo is of Brock Gill (third from the left) and his wife (to the right in white shirt) with a father-daughter duo team (two to the right of Gill's wife) from Gill's church with Project Manana staff.

Some people know how a prison or a jail (there is a difference) goes on in the States; unfortunately, I have no previous experience to compare to the experiences I had while walking around the prisons....

It is not only a humbling experience, but it is a serious fact of life that I had not focused on before being pat down and led to walk across the grounds to one of their pavilions. As a woman at an all men prison, it is strange to have a bunch of men stare at you in respect, and what I mean by that is without cat-calls or whistling, just staring in wonder of why a group of Americans, 3 of which are women, are at their prison.

Of the 5 prisons that Brock Gill and his team visited, I went to four of them. Of these performances, my supervisor, Brian, was able to take many photos and video content as well. It is the photos of these prisons that I want to focus your attention to at this moment.

These photos just scream the words: "containment," "claustrophobic," "cramped." There is no privacy, no real vision of a future of doing something great again, no hope. Until Project Manana got involved, those in these prisons were not given the chance of doing something good for the community or something good for themselves. 

Project Manana not only gave these men a renounced feeling of grace that God has for them, no matter what they had done to get there in the first place. It is a great thing that Project Manana is doing within these prisons.

This photo is of the team and I talking with the warden at the Moca Prison of his job at the prison of trying to share the gospel and keep everyone safe. The photo below is of the team, Project Manana staff and some of the staff from the prison in front of the building. 

The sign reads "Correction Center and Rehabilitation The Island Moca, Dominican Republic."

Project Manana has partnered with a few American-based organizations to help prison fathers be real dads to their children on the other side of the glass, to help these men see the light, find Jesus, and how to be a Christian. 

Brock Gill found time in his busy schedule to come and share the gospel to 1,096 inmates in 5 different prisons on the island. With his illusions, he shared his testimony of feeling alone and invisible, how he found God and how God made him whole. I will share a video of one of his tricks below.

These prisons are set up to where the inmate has an allotted amount of time each day to work on a trade or an "extra-curricular activity," if you will, which they then work on, practice and perform in a competition for trophies within their area or within all of the prisons as something good to do or focus on in their life rather than the idea of them being stuck in a prison. After Brock performed his routine, the Moca warden asked us to sit down as the inmates had practiced a few things for us. One of which is the guy in the next video who has found his love for singing. Although the song is in Spanish and I could not understand what he was saying, I was touched with his performance as he has changed his life around for something that God gave him, his voice. 

Brock shared a few words to Brian and his fans of his experience at this prison as it had been his first, complete day of performing to the inmates.

The last two performance of the week spoke to me the most concerning a response from the inmates. At the end of each performance, Brock would make sure to tell the inmates that Jesus was there for them to help them not feel alone or invisible any longer and prayed with them through translation a simple, sinner's prayer. Of the 1,096 inmates Brock Gill had talked to, 548 raised their hand saying that they had given their heart to the Lord in that moment, not before, but in that moment. The amount of hands raised made not only my heart, but God's heart happy. 

548 inmates were given a new life in Christ all because Brock came to the Dominican Republic for a few days.

548!!!

This number is exactly 50% of the inmates. It may not seem like a great percentage to some people, but it is very important to me because that is 548 inmates who heard God through Brock and made the decision to follow Jesus. 

Some people who evangelize to others may feel like they are not getting through to them or that they did not do their all, but I know that it was not the case this week. The last prison we went to gave an inmate the chance to say a few words after Brock's performance and it was meant to be heard. I think it is important for any evangelist or follower of Jesus to hear this video.

This video gives everyone a chance to see how thankful that people can be for what it is that many Christians get persecuted for. To give you a perspective of who all is in the prison, below is a photo that was taken just two days ago of the number of inmates, by age, reason for imprisonment and if they have a sentence, are in one prison alone. The number of inmates in the jail is 1,561; all are either in for preventative, condemned or foreign (most likely Haitians.) Clasificacion Por Delitos is the classification of offense the inmate is in prison for; in order: Homicide, Drugs, Stealing, Violation, Other.

Look at Internos Por Edad, which means by age. 478 of the inmates are still teenagers, from the age of 18-25. Anos is year in Spanish. It broke my heart to see that most of them are still so young. They are in jail because they were not taught well as a child to stay away from the bad influences in life, to stay in school or anything about Jesus. I see a true reason to come and talk to these young men in prison about Jesus and tell them that they are not alone. I pray that Jesus spreads like a wildfire throughout all 10 prisons in the country.

Please pray that Project Manana continues to do great things in these prison communities and for the 548 inmates that got saved this week as they begin their spiritual fight with Satan. These inmates do not see any hope or grace, but with Jesus, they do have hope and a wonderful future in Heaven forever. I am very thankful for all that Brian and his team is doing for these men that most people just try to forget.

Day 5 - 10: Centerpoint Church

Hi all!

This week has been eventful for sure! This week, I have been given the privilege to work with a team from Centerpoint Church in Cincinatti, Ohio, some of which I have gotten to know really well.

With a mixture of age from the group, I was included into conversations with high school students to college-age kids as well as a few adults. A group of 21 gives a girl a great amount of people to get to know and make memories with.

 This team worked on building the upcoming preschool and kindergarten school so that the school system Project Manana has set up can grow. (pictures of this to come)

One day this week, we were able to take a trip to another community called Cien Fuegos, or 100 fires in Spanish. We were able to assemble over 20 water filters and pass out almost 50 pairs of shoes to kids in this impoverish community. I was even able to fit a pair of shoes on a kid.

 

For a more detailed explanation of the shoe distribution, CLICK HERE!!!

I decorated one of the filters and took a picture with the guy who received the water filter I decorated and assembled, after explaining how we are like the dirty water put inside the filter before God changes us into something pure. 

One highlight of this trip was the opening night of the churro cart that Project Manana has decided to purchase and run to help raise funds for the organization. Funny enough, it was named after and based off of the Executive Director, Brian Berman, who is also my supervisor here (pictured below).

This group leaves tomorrow morning early, so more relaxing time for me continues this week as there is only a team of 4 or 5 this week.

Until next time!

Day 4

Today was the first day of real work with the team. With delays in the flight schedule, most of the team didn't go to bed until around 1 am, some later even. Including the lack of sleep and long, dreadful flights, the team woke up, a little groggy, but ready to start their day with a devotional and dive in to work on what was planned for the day.

It is awesome to see these teens, college students and parents come together and work on digging ditches for the upcoming building that will become the preschool and kindergarten school in a small community of around 330 families called Villa Gonzales in the town San Pablo.

Due to the fact that I do not have camera opportunities this internship around, I will be receiving photos from this group's leader when he returns home on Monday, so I will try to go back and add photos when I get the chance, or I may just post a bunch of pictures on one post of a recap of what all went on this week. Not sure yet...

One thing that really stuck out to me was the commitment that these teens had. Project Manana gives the opportunity to whomever to sponsor a kid for them to get 5 hot meals a week with a vitamin supplement for $30 a month or the opportunity to sponsor a kid for the nutritional factor and the chance for them to go to the Private school that they have set up in the community stated earlier for $60 a month. There are a few teens here in this group of 22 that sponsor a kid on their own, without the help of their parents. I thought it was great that these kids take money that they earn to help another kid get nutrition and an education of the Gospel.

I highly suggest to those reading to think and pray about sponsoring a child here for the opportunity for a child to go to school and get food and a vitamin supplement for their health. The link will be added, but I think it is a great opportunity to help even if you cannot come down here. Brian was telling the team today that they really need to sponsor more kids before August since that will be the beginning of school, so this might be something that could touch you and make you feel like you are making a difference in the world, and it makes it better since you are!

Sponsor Me Here!

These kids here are at the nutrition center within the Villa Gonzales community. There are over 100 kids who get a hot meal and they have to come in shifts due to the amount of kids there are. This is just a snap shot I was able to take earlier. Even though it was hot and the room was full of bodies, the team still served food and sat with these kids to talk to them ( as much Spanish that each team member knows) and to just be there for them. 

After a long and hard day of work, the team came back to the guest house to get refreshed and washed up for dinner where we went to a local treat called "Bon" which is an ice-cream/frozen yogurt treat here that I have only found to be in the Dominican since 1987 to be exact. This is always one of my favorite things about coming here, besides the work we do for the community itself. Most of the flavors are similar to those from home, but this ice-cream is a lot more creamier than from home. 

With unlimited ice cream and chocolate options, I decided to do something good for my body and get frozen yogurt with fruit rather than chocolate. With help from Brian, my supervisor, I was able to receive a strawberry, mango and pineapple fro-yo concoction that was both good for my body and good for my sweet tooth.

Tonight though, after ice-cream, was the icing on the cake. Each night, there is a time to 'de-brief' all of what everyone was thinking of the day's activities and different aspects of what they saw or experienced touched them. Brian made the point of sort of challenging everyone in the group to figure out if they were a fan versus a follower of Jesus from Kyle Idleman's study on fan vs follower. With the definitions of the two words as so -- a fan is an enthusiastic admirer where a follower is someone who is a fan, but physically does something about it, like sharing the gospel.

This made me thinking and I wanted to share with you some of the questions that were asked.

Am I a fan or a follower?

What is my purpose in life? 

What is it that I am supposed to do?

How do I pick up my cross daily and follow him like He asked in Luke 7?

What do I need to change in my life to be a follower and not a fan?

Selah. Food for thought.

Day 3

Hi guys! Today is the day the first team comes in!!! Later tonight, the team will be coming in from Miami and will be brought to the Guest House (2-story, 30 bunk beds) where I will be staying the majority of my time.

Per Mom's request, I am sharing photos...

I was able to relax on the gazebo patio this morning after eating my almond, corn flakes with coconut milk (both a new and good experience for me.) I couldn't help but be intrigued and take a "Selah" moment to see creation as it is, blooming without Mankind's interference, colorful to the eye and showing those who see it how much detail God puts into even the small things in this crazy thing called Life.

This view, my friends, is the Dominican Republic off the gazebo patio just this morning...

Beautifully speechless, right?

My supervisor for the summer, Brian, brought me into his home last night to meet some of his family as they celebrated his son's kindergarten graduation with a cookout--- Dominican-style of course ---which was wonderful beyond words (I just might have to get some recipes of how they cook their food!)

This is Rancho de La Paz, or Peace Ranch in English. Its name rings true as it is peaceful with its spring-fed swimming pool and gazebo patio with wooden chairs looking out the beautiful view I shared above. 

So, what am I doing today? Relaxing until the teams come in between 8-9 pm tonight. I cannot wait to meet new people and see all that they plan to do for their week here. 

Until later, 

Dios te Bendiga, (or God Bless You.)

Day 2: Chill

After two more flights, with delays galore, I have officially arrived to the Dominican Republic (last night anyway.) The flights themselves were not bad, it was the waiting to depart that took a while, all due to weather of course.

It has been our "chill" day with a cookout and time spent getting to know one another. I have met new friends, such as Brian Berman and his family, which is great since they have been talking to me in both Spanish and English so that I can work on my Spanish speaking. I am staying around the same place, but where we will be working is not the same (more details on where later.)

I hope to post pictures soon. I do not have the opportunity to take photos like I did last time, so photos might come more sparingly.

Anyway, this post is more for everyone to know that I am okay and that I have arrived safely rather than an update on a team's arrival (which will be tomorrow) or what the team has done.

Have a good day!

Day 1

 

I have landed from my first flight which is stated above with some snap chats I posted while traveling.

As I write this, I am sitting in an airport awaiting my second flight, eating Krispy Kremes with a Dasani water, people watching families and couples make their way to their destination with the hustle and bustle of airport traffic.

Do not get me wrong, I love airports and flying rather than driving, but it is an experience in and of itself if you have never been in an airport like Miami or Chicago where there are people running to and fro everywhere. It is a madhouse year-round. I do not know if I could work in an airport or on a plane with the great amount of time they (pilots, flight attendants and the like) spend with the public. I work in a pharmacy and that is enough public exposure for me!

It will be an experience going through the Dominican Airport again, anxious on having my passport stamped and giving the local airport workers my paperwork of why I am in the country, knowing that if I tried to talk to them that it would be useless since they only speak Spanish (and my Spanish is not even close to theirs....and they are a little intimidating.)

Concerning school, I have thankfully finalized all of the paperwork for this internship to be deemed approved for college credit. I will only have to finish 8 classes before I graduate next May (*insert internal scream of excitement here*.)

My family is excited for me, even with tears in their eyes as they dropped me off this morning some time before 4am.

I cannot wait to make new friends as I embark on this journey, but I will miss my loved ones for sure.

Until later....
Adios

International Internship #2

In exactly 4 days, I will be boarding a set of planes to take me to the Dominican Republic once again! Yes, it was last minute for everyone involved, but this is an experience that not only will help me fill my college credit, but it will also give me a chance to reconnect with the locals and do something greater than myself (which has been something I put on the back burner for a while.)

I will be going with an organization called Project Manana. Brian Berman, the one who started it all, contacted me via FaceTime last week and talked with me what I would be doing with him and his team if I was interested in something like this. Only after a few minutes of talking, I was hooked.

Hooked on the idea that I would be going to the Dominican Republic once again. Hooked on the idea that I would be working with locals and children whose daily dose of happiness is seeing people of a different skin color come and visit them to spend their time with them. That is what they solely want.

These children -- living in conditions that Americans would call unsuitable, receiving only one meal a day from nutrition centers, whose play item is maybe a stick or some other piece of trash -- only want affection, time spent with them and for you to share the smile on their face as you draw with sidewalk chalk on the ground, or play jump rope with them one more time even though you are already out of breath, or blow bubbles only for them to run through them, pop the bubbles and laugh.

Moments like these give these children a chance to feel love from a complete stranger. The small things are what matter to these children, They do not see the difference between you and them, that you are more privileged or that you have more money; they see that you cared enough to come all the way to them to spend time with them and that they are important enough to you.

I cannot wait to get there so that I will be able to experience these things again. I will miss every person dear to me, without a doubt. But it must have meant something to the Man up stairs for me to go again or all of this would not have happened. So I am going with an open mind spiritually, mentally and physically, only hoping that I can be the feet for what God wants me to do.

Please walk with me on my journey through the Dominican as I spend 7 weeks with Brian and his team doing what the Lord wants us to do.