Motos in the Dust

the new story.

2009-04-15T17:00:00.002-04:00

Is actually wedged in between "the miracle post" and "the good ole 75' post"....scroll down a bit.

a little miracle.

2009-03-27T17:00:00.002-04:00

I know...so now that I've finally updated the blog, nobody checks it anymore. Can I just say that the technical difficulties experienced in this country create for complete and total apathy when it comes to doing anything involving the computer and the internet. So I'm sorry, very sorry. But here are a couple of updates, and I'm working on a funny story that lets you into our lives since we've been back. So stay tuned. In the meantime, I completely gave up on trying to post a video through the blog. But instead was able to upload them to You Tube and then create a link from the blog to the You Tube post. I'm hoping that the videos stay the same and don't change. So if you log onto Motos in the Dust and see three videos that aren't of Diego, please notify me and I'll try to see what I can do. If the videos stay put and are of Diego, you'll see that Diego loves playing with the baseball much to Miguel's delight, and we're working on saying "mama" instead of "dada". I think Diego insists on calling me "dada" these days...what is a mama supposed to do!

the wild, wild west?

2009-03-26T17:12:00.003-04:00

Or is it the wild, wild caribbean? I know that there are some of you that wonder what we do with our days. Its always hard to sum them up as at any moment the unexpected usually happens. Well, one of those days happened a couple of weeks ago.

As many of you know, Miguel is working on a fairly big construction project. With the big construction projects in this country, even the little ones at that, come common issues with learning which employees you can really trust and which of them you can't. Along with that, come the problems of different construction materials that decide to grow feet and walk away. Well, we had an issue with an employee this past November whom we started to distrust and who quickly fled the work scene just to turn around and sue us instead. For what you may ask? O the tricky, slimy lawyers that do exist in this world will be able to find some minor detail to trip you up on. So anyway, not to dwell too much on that issue, needless to say we also had some material turn up missing as this whole scenario started to take form. We had a pretty good idea who the thief or thieves were and had some witnesses, but the witnesses decided not to get in the middle of the mess and wouldn't testify. So for lack of some good hard evidence we had to let the issue rest and move on.

A few weeks ago now, there was a watchee (what they call watchmen here) at the construction site who saw some random guys loading up rebar from a vacant cow pasture next to the construction site. Upon taking notice and calling out to the men, they quickly sped away in the truck they were driving. Miguel's brother, Daniel, was actually the watchee and he quickly took off on a motorcycle to get Miguel. Miguel happened to be home when Daniel arrived, and he tore out of the house before I knew what was happening. Shortly thereafter, Garrett came by looking for Miguel and all I could say was that he tore out of the house in a hurry. The next thing we know is that Miguel is calling me and telling me to run down to the police station to get some police back up. Miguel and Daniel had found one of the Haitian robbers in a nearby town and had chased him down and had him locked up in a house. I leave Garrett with Diego and run down to get the police. Lucky I had some extra change in my pocket as I needed to buy gas for the police's motorcycle before they sped off to help Miguel and Daniel. I went back to the house to await the outcome.

In the end the Haitian was forced to speak and identified 15 others who had either bought the stolen rebar or were hiding it out. All of them were carted off to jail. Miguel spent 2 days loading up and collecting all the stolen rebar, and by the end of it we had actually collected more rebar than what we had originally gone missing. Since it was all stolen material, not necessarily from us, the police said to take it all.

And that gives you a glimpse of random occurrances that happen in our lives on this end.

our good ole 75'.

2009-03-26T12:34:00.004-04:00

So what ever happened to our dear old land cruiser? We were trying to sell it at one time, but wouldn't let it go for one dime less than what it was worth. The only problem with that is that we didn't factor in the sentimental value that we had put up into it. And in the end, after a day of trying to get up a muddy bank to retrieve some building materials and failing again and again in a newer more modern truck, Miguel started to wish that he had the jeep. The dear old jeep would've made it up that muddy bank without a hitch. So Miguel has spent months now working bit by bit, putting lots of loving care into the jeep restoration. In the end it will come out with a new metal frame, and a new coat of paint. We'll keep you posted as the jeep is slowly resurrected. But as of now, this is what it looks like!

rio san juan.

2008-11-16T16:59:00.005-04:00

This past Saturday we went out to Rio San Juan with our friends Garrett and Anne. We got to take a fun boat ride out in the lagoon that goes out to sea. We saw lots of other fishing boats too including Noah's ark. (We'll let you guess which boat that was). It was Diego's first time out on a boat and it was hard to tell if he was too impressed. I think he was more interested in his bottle of juice! Following our boat ride we ate an amazing fish lunch that Miguel's cousin, Any, made for all of us. She and her family live in Rio San Juan. Then after lunch we all went out to the beach where we just sat and watched the waves roll in. All in all, it was the best day we've all had a while and something we all needed.

how much is that baby in the window?

2008-11-16T14:28:00.005-04:00

Diego has a special window friend. He's always a little familiar and loves to smile back. Every time Diego catches him in the mirror, he starts to laugh and laugh and smile. He's his favorite play companion. And we all think he's just adorable.

just a lazy sunday afternoon.

2008-10-21T20:13:00.005-04:00

Diego is now 5 months old and is strong and sturdy at 18 pounds. Poor mommy is getting a work out with him!

After church this past Sunday and before nap time, Diego had some play time on the floor. And lo and behold he started to drag himself across the floor. He's not up on all fours yet, but starting to gatear (crawl)?! I'm not sure we're prepared for this next stage...

rising up.

2008-10-21T19:55:00.006-04:00

So, the new Makarios team house is on its way up. The first floor walls are complete and the roof of the first floor was just laid this past Friday. The guys think that we'll be real close to completing the second floor by the end of the year.

Miguel is still doing a Bible study with the guys working on the job site. It usually ends up being once a week but every once in awhile twice a week. They are going through Genesis right now and Miguel has plans to start studying John with them as well. Be praying for the guys. None of them are Christians that we know of and some are very interested in wanting change in their lives. Their names are Javier, Papo, Juan, Alfredo, Daniel, Eddy, Samuel, and Andy.

Miguel is also not heading up this project alone. There is another American working together with him named Garrett. Garrett and his wife Anne are here for a couple of years to see this project through and to also act as basically directors overseeing everything here in the Dominican Republic for Makarios. They have been a wonderful asset to the team and we are so grateful for their wisdom and support. They are also the godparents of Diego! Jonathan is also from Texas and is here with us helping on the construction project until Christmas break. We wouldn't be able to do it all without them!

new found love.

2008-10-21T13:09:00.003-04:00

Yup...thats right. Like father like son. Diego loves all the buttons and controls on the moto. And of course loves the rides he gets from them too. As you can see, I have no say or control in the matter. Sometimes you just have to let things be.

cyclone alley.

2008-10-01T14:23:00.005-04:00

Some of you might have been wondering how we've been fairing with all the hurricanes that have passed through the Caribbean recently. Outside of some isolated flooding in the south of the Dominican Republic, the hurricanes have only brought along some light rain and winds that temporarily blew the mosquitos away...both of which were welcome to us here on the north coast. On the other side of the island, Haiti unfortunately bore the brunt of these storms passing through. These rooftop photos are of the pretty skies that Ike brought for us. Weather is a magnificent phenomenon. Isn't it?

still baby...yet not really?

2008-09-30T15:03:00.016-04:00

Ok...so these pictures are a little mixed up. I'm not a fan of the format for publishing these blog posts, but hey I can't complain too much. Diego is growing way too fast! and we are just loving him up more and more each day. He laughs, he giggles, he makes funny faces, and generally he keeps us on our toes. He is rolling over front to back, and back to front, and prefers to be sitting up, although not quite on his own yet. He grabs at anything in sight and within reach. Most times you'll find him with his fingers in his mouth. Perhaps teeth are soon to follow!

Diego loves his Bible story time with Papi before he goes to bed.

Go Angels! ....you see Miguel truly is really trying to convert Diego into an Angel's fan.

Some more story time.

good times.

2008-09-02T16:28:00.006-04:00

Thought you might enjoy some new pics taken within the last week of our crazy Diego...he enjoys his bath times and his bear towel that nano brought down for him!

Diego likes it when Papi vibrates his hand on his chest! He thinks its the greatest.

some new wheels.

2008-09-02T16:18:00.003-04:00

Well, we had decided that perhaps the reason we weren't able to sell the jeep was because

we were supposed to keep it. And we were content with that outcome. But when God

sent us the opportunity to buy this 2000 Toyota Hilux for an unbeatable price (at least for this country it was unbeatable), we decided to jump on the opportunity and within 24 hours had a new vehicle in our front patio. Thank you God! We so appreciate having a smoother ride

for Diego...a vehicle that doesn't leak in rain, has no smog coming in the side windows, and that has air conditioning! We are so very happy...well, Diego would be happier if he didn't

have to still ride in his car seat!

We really do still need to sell the jeep so that we can completely pay off our new truck...if you think of it, we appreciate the prayers for that.

working....working....working.

2008-08-11T14:40:00.005-04:00

Miguel's started to give Diego little lessons on how to work like a man.

I'm not sure what Diego thinks of that yet...especially in the heat

we are having now!

So as you can see the Makarios house is coming along. The foundation is complete and the walls are going up! Thats pretty much where Miguel is Monday through Friday. He and Garrett oversee the project and the guys working there.

Several weeks ago now, Miguel decided he would start a Bible study on the work site. Once a week the Makarios staff gets together for a staff meeting and time of prayer. Miguel never attended that before because he was always managing the crew at the job site. So Miguel decided it would be a good idea to start something for the construction crew. Every Friday morning he gets together with the guys and has a time of reading the Word and prayer. The guys have really taken a liking to it and they are having some great discussions. Since none of the crew really knows much about the Bible, they decided to start at the beginning in Genesis.

If you think of it, keep Miguel in prayer as he leads this time every Friday morning. The guys usually have lots of questions and input on what they thought was true about the Bible and God and Adam and Eve, etc. Pray against Satan's attacks of discouragement and distraction from the Truth.

a dedication to God.

2008-08-10T19:42:00.008-04:00

A little over a week ago, we had Diego officially dedicated to God in front of our church congregation. It was a special time in which a passage in Psalms was read and a prayer was given by pastors, Amauris and Lucrecio, on behalf of Miguel, Diego, and I. Garrett and Anne Boon stood up with our family as Diego's padrinos (god parents). Garrett and Anne work with Makarios groups and staff discipleship. Garrett also works with Miguel on the Makarios house project. They have both become very dear friends of our family while here in the DR. We pray Diego grows to love and respect our God and Creator and to live as a mighty man of God. We rejoiced in this special moment.

"the end" to the visa saga.

2008-08-09T09:49:00.003-04:00

O yes, the visa saga...its been a little over two years since that first fiance visa paperwork was sent out. In quick recap, we had to terminate that original visa process because we had decided to get married, and this past March restarted the process all over again from scratch for an I-130 visa for a spouse of an American citizen. This process, we were told, could potentially take longer than the fiance visa process, which takes about a year and a half to complete. So with that in mind, we submitted our paperwork knowing that ultimately God was in control of the timing.

About six weeks after filing our paperwork, we received a packet in the mail from the embassy saying that we could go down to the capital any working day that was convenient for us to have Miguel's final interview and receive his residency visa! We were astounded. A process that normally takes a year and a half minimum to complete was done in six weeks time. We don't understand how it happened that fast and can only speculate that maybe it was because we had already applied and completed half the process for a fiance visa; that I had my Dominican residency and was living in the Dominican Republic; that I had more than a 1 or 2 year history here in the DR; or that obviously God's hand was in this.

As I was nearing Diego's due date mid April we decided to take our time getting the necessary remaining paperwork together for Miguel and go down to the capital on one big trip to have Miguel's interview and get Diego's passport and birth certificate. Well, that trip took place this last week, the 28th-30th of July.

I know this is getting a little long...but I think its worth telling as it is a testimony to God's provision...

...so here is how it all went down.

We went down Monday, the 28th, to pick up Miguel's medical examination results to take to the embassy. There was a specific window of time we had to do that, and required us to stay overnight as we had Diego's appointment scheduled for 11am the next day. So Tuesday we went in for Diego's appointment which requires an interview of the parents to make sure they are a legitimate couple and that the baby was actually ours. This process requires tons of gathered evidence including pictures, marriage certificates, high school and college transcripts (these were needed to prove that I actually lived and resided in the States), medical records, a list of exact dates that I had been out of the US and in the US, tax records, etc. etc. Without looking at any of the evidence I had carefully collected, we were granted a passport for Diego and we left without incident from the interview (well...except that Diego decided to have a bowel movement that exploded out of every crevice)! But before leaving the interview, and kind of as an afterthought, the official told me that I could apply with the USCIS for a visa for Miguel. I replied by saying,"Thank you! We already have, and are coming tomorrow on an opened ended appointment invitation." She said, "Congratulations, but was there a problem or paperwork you were missing?" I told her, "No." And she said that they don't give out those type of appointments. There must be a problem. She told us to double check at the visa dept. window on our way out.

As we stopped by the window, the lady looked at our paperwork, thought it was a little strange but told us to return at the time indicated on the sheet...6:15 am. She saw Diego, and told us to leave him at home as the process takes all day long and is way too hard on a baby. Well, we really didn't have any other options but to bring him as we didn't have anyone to leave him with in Santo Domingo. So we left the embassy as planned and were going to return the next morning, but then as an afterthought I thought I would just check with the employees who organize people outside just to make sure that we definitely had to be there at 6:15 am and instead maybe come a little later since we had Diego, as the embassy doesn't open until 8 am. Well, the official outside told us that the embassy was closed the next day. I told him that the lady inside said to return the next day. So I went back in and the lady apologized and confirmed that indeed they were closed due to staff meeting day or something like that. My heart sank. We had to choose yet another time to make another trip down to the capital....

....but then, she miraculously decided to take our paperwork, told us to sit down and wait until she called our name, and told us she would see what she could do. To make this long story come to an end...there were several processes to go through before the interview, none of which we waited more than a half hour for. At 2pm we left the embassy with Miguel's residency visa and Diego's passport and birth certificate....a mere 3 hours after we entered. Praise God! This phase of the paperwork is over!

first things first.

2008-08-09T09:36:00.005-04:00

check out my new site! www.diegomiguel.shutterfly.com

As a first of a series of blogs that I hope will get you all updated on whats been happenin' with the Morel's, I thought I would try to send out our first video post. Diego just wanted to send a personal hello! :)

....so that was my original intention; however, I've spent the past 4 days trying to get the video uploaded. Its obviously not going to happen any time soon unless our internet decides to miraculously get better. So instead of holding off the updates...I'll just have to send you a few picture teasers of Diego. Believe me...he would love to show off how he talks and laughs with his mommy and papi! We'll keep trying with the video.

you know its hot when...

2008-07-12T10:57:00.003-04:00

So the other day I was dusting the house when I noticed that the advent candles that I had out for Christmas looked a little strange. Upon closer examination I realized that they were doubled over from the heat! I thought it was just me that did that! Go figure...

and we're back!

2008-07-11T10:21:00.017-04:00

Hello all! Sorry we were estranged from you all for a bit. We had some technical difficulties that kept us from doing much on line. Our computer conveniently crashed on us, but we

are now back up and running and excited to show you some pictures of Diego.

He's growing like a weed and we have found that he enjoys eating. He's starting to

smile and laugh at us and we laugh back at his many, many funny faces.

He's 2 months old tomorrow and we can't believe how the time has flown and

how much he has changed. The pictures are in order of when we took them starting with the oldest first and working up to the most recent taken within the past week or so.

We hope you enjoy the new pics!

Don't you wish that you all could have a passport mug shot that cute? :)

(Diego - 1 mos. old exactly)

When he sleeps on his back, he seems to prefer to throw his arms back and relax!

Thank you Uncle Cody and Michelle for picking out the mobile.

Diego loves looking and studying all the animals that pass by!

Throwing Papi a smile!

Diego loves to stand on my lap while pushing up on his legs.

He loves to make different noises with his mouth, including an occasional scream or two!

caught him smilin'.

2008-06-02T18:41:00.011-04:00

Pictures of the week!

(taken a couple of days ago)

Diego is 3 weeks old today...can't believe it.

diego miguel morel morel.

2008-05-23T16:03:00.002-04:00

This week Miguel went down to the Oficina Civil to declare Diego and to receive his birth certificate. Apparently everyone was there the same day to declare their children as well. There are a lot of Dominicans who don't even bother to do this and then their children remain "non-existent" in the government's eyes. Its these children who can't attend the public schools and get good jobs without their ID's.

The Oficina Civil is where we got married as well. Its probably the most chaotic government office. Most of the time, you have to buy someone who works there a lunch or juice to get anything done on the inside. Miguel always finds a way to worm his way in. It pays to know people here.

Miguel wanted to be sure to find a competent person to do the paperwork. He wanted to find someone who would write the name down correctly the first time, so that little Diego would have correct paperwork. You'd think that would be a basic thing to do, but trust me, it isn't.

So everything was going well until it came to my last name. When we got married, I didn't even think about having a hyphenated last name like Fisher-Morel. I'm really not into that. So when I changed my last name on my Social Security card, passport, etc. it was Jennifer Lee Morel that it was changed to. Well that doesn't apparently go over too well here. I have to have a different last name than my husband and my child HAS to have TWO last names. Like most Dominicans, the person taking care of Diego's birth certificate couldn't see out of the box. Diego has to have two last names. Thats all there is to it. They wouldn't believe Miguel that my official paperwork doesn't have two last names on it.

So little Diego's name is officially declared DIEGO MIGUEL MOREL MOREL.

the guagua saga.

2008-05-23T11:10:00.004-04:00

This was an email written by Garrett, one of our new staff members at Makarios. He and his wife, Anne, are here to help host groups when they are here, and Garrett who is a builder is working alongside Miguel on the Makarios construction site. Anne is also a wonderwoman in that she does so much around Makarios. She's a woman of all skills and trades, and we are so excited to have them a part of our staff.

Some of you have probably already heard about our fire incident with the Makarios van. It happened last month. Well, here is the story from Garrett, who was there on the scene when it happened.

Fire, fire, the guagua's on fire

I am sure that many of you have already heard the story by now but for those who haven’t sit back and here a tale of how the guagua caught on fire. Although it has been a little over a month since our van caught on fire the wreckage that still sits outside on the street makes it feel like it happened yesterday. After a productive day in Montellano the women’s group from Westlake Bible Church were ready to return home to the comforts of cold showers and oscillating fans. When we arrived to the house I noticed that Anne had parked the truck in front of the carport which meant I needed to leave the guagua on the street. After the group unloaded I went inside to say hi to Anne and grab the truck keys so I could move it and the guagua under covered parking. When I stepped outside I noticed smoke coming from under the driver seat in the guagua. After casually telling Anne the van is on fire and asking for a fire extinquisher I returned outside. We didn’t have a fire extinguisher so Anne brought out some flour to throw on the flames. When she met me outside and saw the amount of flames accumulating under the van she simply noted “I don’t think flour will put this one out.” If you haven’t been to the Makarios house then you must know that we are located at the top of a hill. To make things more interesting, the emergency brake on the guagua doesn’t work so we always park it in gear. Apparently the fire produced enough heat to start turning over the engine and the van began jumping forward. It finally succeeded and began making its way down the hill. Luckily we also have a broken down Nissan Pathfinder that has never been removed from the street. The van stuck the front end of the Pathfinder allowing us enough time to steer the guagua to the vacant lot across the street. It is not hard to draw up a crowd in the DR so when 12 American women begin screaming and running into the street and flames engulf a van people stop to look. Within minutes every neighbor, construction worker, taxi driver, dog, cat and chicken began showing up. After 10 minutes and two stops at the wrong address the fire department finally arrived. They immediately try to break out the windows but there tiny hatchets just wouldn’t do the trick. So the logical solution became for each member of the fire department to pick up rocks and throw them at the car windows. Needless to say they succeed, more oxygen enters the van and the flames double in size. After another 10 minutes of attempting to put the flames out Miguel and I are questioned about registration papers and insurance. We tell them that everything was in the glove box. Seeing as this was not an acceptable answer Miguel worked his way between two firemen and began kicking the glove box. After 3 powerful blows the box opens up and he salvaged what was left of the paperwork. The police got all of our information, the fire department thought they put out the flames so everyone began to leave. Before the fire department made it down the street the battery in the van caught on fire again and Miguel flagged down help. After a few more gallons of water the fire was out Everything was finally over...I wonder when the clean up crew will come? Oh yeah, there isn’t one...so Miguel and I swept up the broken glass, pushed the guagua out of the street (using the truck), hosed down the car fluids that were all over the ground and finished just in time to start up the grill, it was burger night and everyone was hungry.
posted by Garrett at 8:20 AM

from mom's point of view.

2008-05-22T22:24:00.001-04:00

Wow! what a whirlwind it has been. Nothing here in the DR is a simple process. I know you (Jon and Noella)know this but it ceases to amaze me in how things get accomplished! I know the Lord is in the driver's seat and He continues to amaze me. Praise him! for watching over Jennie and the baby!We never thought that it would be a full day as it was when we woke up yesterday morning. It was as crazy as the wedding was! We are chuckling how it all came about. Leaving at 10:45 in the morning to go to the clinic was fine, but after 3 hours of waiting.......it started to get a bit tiresome. After a 45 min.visit with her OB dr., it was apparent that there were possible problems. We ventured to get lunch by the doctor's request before heading on to the radiologist downtown for a second opinion on what her doctor suspected as a dry sack around the baby. We went to the local market to buy some turkey and bread and fruit for a quick lunch at the park. We called Miguel to meet us at the doctor's office as he was at work trying to re-do cement benches that the kids had graffittied on while the cement had been drying! With the temperature at 94 degrees and the humidity at 89%, it was almost unbearable. Poor Jennie! Her ankles were so swollen and she could barely walk. Well, we waited about 2 hrs. for this part of the session to be completed. He confirmed that the baby had almost no fluid left in the sack
and also the umbellical cord was wrapped around the neck. He said that the baby had to be delivered within 8 hours. Miguel drove us back to the clinic where we went to wait again to deliver the report from the radiologist. We sat there another 45 min. After seeing the doctor for another 30 min., her doctor flew out of the office and said follow me upstairs. That's where the hospital rooms and surgery floors are. After more waiting, the doctor told Miguel that there were no hospital rooms left! She called the other hospital in town and they said they had no rooms for Jennie! So.........the hospital quickly called for the clean-up crew to come and sweep out a newly renovated room that was not quite finished yet. At least they had just painted it on Saturday! While that was being done, the nurses took Jennie down to get a shower and prepare her for surgery. Meanwhile Miguel left back to the house to get Jennie's duffle bag and also get a quick shower in himself. He was so dirty and didn't want to be unclean for the baby. As soon as Jennie completed her shower,they whisked her off for surgery. She was so upset and reluctant about leaving Miguel behind. The nurses wouldn't even let me go with her! I just sat and prayed. About 20 min. later, the nurse let me be with Jennie. They had already started her on the I.V. I thanked the Lord because we had a chance to pray together and I could see that Jennie was showing a calming spirit. I just kept praying that Miguel would get there in time. Well, I shouldn't have been surprised but God got him there just after we had prayed. All was well and I decided to leave and let them have their time together. Unfortunately, it was another 3 hours before we saw Miguel again. What joy that was! He was running through the hospital to Jennie's room to get the baby clothes saying, "It's a boy, It's a boy (in spanish)!" After that latest experience, it was another hour
before we saw Jennie being wheeled to her room with an excruitiating headache. She was very sick with nauseousness too. God is gracious and by the time I left for home, she was feeling better. It was 11:30pm. Little Diego Miguel is just precious! He is very fair (rubio they say) and has dark straight hair. A nice amount at that. He has Miguel's mouth and nose and so far seems to be nice tempered! Believe me, there were some loud one's down the hall! He weighed 7 lbs. even and was 45 cm. long. I'll have to figure that one out, or you can let us know. Jennie and baby had a good day today and some good long naps. Diego even gave them a smile. What joy I am seeing! You will all love him as I already do. It will be some experience to witness all our little grandchildren together someday! I'd say that the nursing care is somewhat like Italy's. None, ziltch, nada and whatever else fits in that category. The hospital said she could go home today, but Jennie thought she should stay at least on more day! Imagine that! after a c-section.......! Let me tell ya, if Jennnie could be walking better, I would have taken her home immediately. She will have better care at home and I can't wait till she and Miguel and Diego come home tomorrow!

introducing diego miguel.

2008-05-19T15:02:00.020-04:00

The Morel family.

Monday, the 12th of May, 8:29PM, Cesarean, Clinica Gregorio Hernandez,

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic,

Diego Miguel Morel made his grand appearance....7 pounds, 19 inches.

That Monday was a day to top all days. When I woke up that morning, I had no idea that it would be the birthing day of our little Diego. I guess no one goes into their birthing days knowing exactly how it will all pan out, but this day was definitely extraordinary.

Mom and I headed out the door around 11 AM to go in for the routine check up. We knew things were already happening with my body to make the delivery day draw nearer, and we kind of expected the Dr. to try to help get the show on the road with this next visit.

After entering the clinic and putting our name down on the wait list, we finally entered the Dr.'s office a couple of hours later. It must've been around a quarter to 2 that afternoon. Upon exam everything looked normal. The baby was moving, I had good blood pressure, things were dilating more, and the Dr. made sure to do some extra things to kick things into gear. But before getting up from the exam table, and I think as an afterthought, the Dr. decided to do one more sonograph to make sure all looked well on the inside. It was at that point that Dr. Rodriguez thought the ambiotic fluids looked pretty low, perhaps non-existent.

So off we went to get a second opinion by a certified sonografista. But before heading over to that office we were advised to get something to eat before, especially since the sonografista didn't open until 3PM. Being that it was 2:30 and all the cafeterias were finished serving lunch for the day, we headed to the local grocery store to get some bread and to make a cheese and turkey sandwich. There was a little park near the sonografista's office where we tried to find some shade under the massive tree with no leaves. The temperature that day was off the charts in my opinion for mid May. If you looked up the temp. on the weather website, I'm sure it would have said 98 degrees but feels like 115. You got that right! As we were tearing apart our bread to split a sandwich, Miguel came zooming up on his motorcycle.

I could tell his nervousness had set in.

So down we all went to get the second opinion using a sonograph (or ultrasound) where we waited another hour and a half in line. Maybe we should've eaten our sandwiches on the front steps of the office to get a better place in line. The Dr. confirmed that their wasn't any ambiotic fluid left in the baby's sack and advised that we do whatever we have to do to get that baby born within the following 8 hours. It was there that I heard the word cesarean.

It was at that point that I started to go into a zone of disbelief, uncertainty, and for some reason calmness. Miguel was unsettled and definitely uncomfortable as he would put it. Back we all went in the jeep to the clinic and back to our Dr.'s office. The secretary took our results, which also said that the baby's umbelical cord was wrapped around its neck, and took them into the Dr. A few minutes later, we were ushered in, and had a quick discussion about going into surgery. I left Miguel in the office to talk more with the Dr. who immediately began working on trying to find me a room.

My thoughts were all a-jumble. You have to understand, 95% of Dominican women give birth cesarean. I was fighting becoming a part of that statistic since the beginning. I had my mind set and prepared to have a natural birth experience. So I let them lead mom and I upstairs. There were no rooms available there in the clinic nor the other clinic around the corner. Mom and I just sat and waited in the lobby area. I let Miguel go and figure it out. It turns out the only room available was under renovation and had just been painted two days before. It was decided that it didn't smell too bad and we'd take it. So then began the cleaning process to get it ready.

Meanwhile, mom and I were wondering why nobody was coming to clean the leaking water from the water dispenser that now looked like a lake in the waiting room where we were at. Little did I know that the cleaning staff was a little preoccupied with my room.

So we were waiting....and then all of a sudden, a nurse comes out of the surgery room and tells me to come with her. I asked,"Where are we going?" Her reply,"We're going to operate you." I said,"What? Where is my husband? Can I take a shower? I'm dripping with sweat. All my stuff is at home ready in a bag." She insisted that I follow her. I insisted that I find my husband first. Eventually they consented to let me rinse off and found a bar of soap, a surgery gown, and a towel. I was led to a closet sized room where there was a shower and I wondered when the last time it was that they had cleaned it. I had to wrap the towel around my lower half as the back of the gown didn't quite close with my big belly. All this time, I could feel the baby moving around. I was thankful.

After the shower, they led me behind two surgery doors and told mom that she couldn't come with me. Miguel in the meantime was already racing home to get my stuff and shower himself. He had been working all morning and was a sweaty mess too. Mom quick prayed and we had to say our goodbyes. She insisted upon waiting at the doors when the nurses tried to get her to go back to the waiting room. Inside, the nurse got me set up on an IV and left me by myself. I closed my eyes and suddenly felt calm. Did they put drugs in my IV? Who knows...maybe. I had a feeling it was God though. I began to realize that I was going to soon meet the baby I had been carrying around for 9 months.

I was surprised to see mom after a little while. Her persistence paid off and they finally consented to let her go in to be my side. We prayed again and Miguel showed up....finally, it was ok for me to get underway. We all prayed again and at that point mom left us. Miguel and I took some pictures and tried to joke around...we were nervous. The Dr. showed up and then began the process of trying to find Miguel some scrubs that fit. After another long while, I was told to go sit on the operating table and Miguel was told to wait outside until they found him some other shoes besides his flip flops. The Drs. were hilarious. They were joking around, talking politics (the Presidential elections were on the 16th), talking about what kind of plantains they were going to eat for dinner, etc. There was no thought about me, the fact that I've never experienced surgery, that I was basically clueless, and nervous. I started asking questions at that point. I was told the epidural was going to feel like an ant bite, I prepared myself for at least a wasp bite. I flinched and tensed up...who wouldn't?

As soon as those shots were done, everything happened so fast. Miguel came in, I saw my legs being flopped around, I could see them taking off my gown. I thought I was totally naked during the whole thing. My arms were out on either side of me and I had no idea what was going on behind the curtain they strung up in front of my face. I asked Miguel if they had me cut open. He said, "yes." And then I heard the most beautiful little screech. It was our baby.

So imagine this, everyone was talking about this and that, and I was trying to get their attention by yelling, "What is it?!" Miguel hears me and yells back, "Its a boy and he's beautiful. Jennie, he's beautiful!" I asked to see the baby. Finally what seemed like an hour later...it might have been at least 15 minutes or more...all of a sudden the Dr. asked,"Where are the baby clothes?" What baby clothes? Why didn't they remind us of that? Miguel raced upstairs to get baby clothes, but then forgot the diaper...

At that point, I was desperate to see our baby. I lifted my head. The Dr. yelled at me not to lift my head! I finally saw the baby, we took some pics and then I started to vomit and got what they call a spinal headache. I thought I was going to die right then and there from the headache.

After another long while, they finally wheeled me down the hall to my room and placed me in the bed flat on my back. I tried to hold little Diego but couldn't really. Every other person was holding Diego...all the aunts, all the family, tours were being given to people coming in to check out the newly painted room...I called out that I wanted to hold our baby and was told by an aunt not to talk because of the anesthesia. Then she told me to give her the baby...that it was hers. I firmly told her NO. It was a chaos.

Later I was told that I could go home the next day if I was doing ok, but my Dr. wasn't around the next day to ok it until 6 in the evening. In the meantime, I couldn't eat, more family crowded into the room, more tours were given, little nursing care was seen and another night went by until we were finally released the following day.

We taxied home as there was no way for me to climb up into the jeep, and the flow of visitors followed me into my bedroom...Diego and I were finally relieved of visitors the following Friday afternoon...my birthday. I couldn't have asked for a better gift!

Nervously awaiting.

Baby Diego making his appearance.

Still on the operating table with Diego.

Diego and Papi.

big news!

2008-04-25T12:30:00.002-04:00

ok...so you're all expecting to hear the announcement of little baby Morel...stay tuned...it will come within the next month for sure!

But the other big news is that last week we received a letter from the United States Center for Immigration Services saying that Miguel's residency visa paperwork passed through the first stage and is now in the hands of the State Department in Santo Domingo, who will be further notifying us of an interview date and other paperwork to complete.

That was last week...This week, we got a packet of information explaining all we need for the interview date and the date given to us is open ended. We can go down for his visa interview any working day that works for us! In other words, if it were possible to get all the paperwork together by next week, we could go next week to be interviewed and to receive his visa!

Its only been a month and a half since we resubmitted all his new application paperwork. I can't believe it! But God has a way of making things happen. Never distrust His timing guys!

So realistically, we probably won't be going to the capital next week for this interview. I need to go be present with Miguel for the interview and I refuse to be induced into labor on a 8 hour roundtrip bus ride to the capital! So we'll probably get started on gathering all the rest of his papers between now and when the baby is born, and then go down with his and the baby's paperwork together to try to minimize our trips to the capital and embassy.

But praise God! We'll be able to make it home for a visit to California this year!

feliz cumpleanos blady!

2008-04-07T11:36:00.003-04:00

Announcing the birthday of Blady...April 5th. Like the forgetful, pregnant mother to be, it occured to me that I completely forgot to grab the camera about half way out to surprise Blady with his birthday cake in Caraballo. It was a tranquilo day for the most part. Blady wanted to spend his day in Caraballo with his family there, and we met him out there with some cake and presents for everybody to share in. Unfortunately he wasn't feeling the greatest with a cold coming on, but we celebrate with him in his 8 years of life! Continue to pray with us in that he would experience a new birth in starting a relationship with our God and King, Jesus Christ.

foundations.

2008-04-07T11:16:00.004-04:00

Over the past few weeks, construction on the new Makarios team house has continued to progress. The foundations have been dug...by hand I might add....pretty impressive, huh? For a while there it looked as if it was a Makarios archaeological dig. A few artifacts were found...but unfortunately didn't amount to much. At this point the guys are laying down the varrilla or steel supports before they start pouring cement.

The April and May rains have started which is good because we really need the rain. Its been so dry lately; however, as you can imagine...the guys are scuttling about trying to get the foundation done before too much rain falls from the sky!

the jeep.

2008-03-26T15:20:00.003-04:00

So the jeep has been on the market for a few months now, and its been a little hard for us to be patient and to not lose hope that it will sell. We were hoping to get it sold and to have found another vehicle to replace it before the baby made its appearance. As you know, the weeks are ticking by and the baby will come in about six week's time. If you think of it, we ask that you keep the sale of the jeep in your prayers. In the meantime, we are trying to be patient with God's timing and thankful for the vehicle that we do have.

happy birthday miguel!

2008-03-26T15:10:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was Miguel's 24th birthday. He had a great day mixed in with a little work and a little fun. We went to the river in the afternoon before meeting up with the Makarios staff and other friends for a pizza dinner. The candles on the cake were definitely the site to behold.....they burnt so fast and so big and wouldn't be extinguished. I thought eventually the whole cake would go up in flame! I brought the cake in, but had time to snap this photo as poor Miguel spent his breath 2 or 3 times before the cake was finally put out! We all had fun and again wish you were all here with us to celebrate.

Phew!....finally he put an end to the fire....well, almost.

the babe.

2008-03-26T14:55:00.007-04:00

Well, the baby moves like crazy and throws incredible punches and kicks....we figure its an active little boy or an onery little girl. I guess we shouldn't be surprised. Putting someone like Miguel and I together makes for such a combo. We're just happy that the baby appears to be so healthy. Miguel's favorite time to play with the baby is at about 2 or 3 in the morning when it is up and at 'em, while I'm sleeping....or at least trying to. Only about six more weeks to go!

These pictures were taken on Easter evening on top of the Makarios team house roof. We had a wonderful time of praise and worship of our Risen King up there and it made me wish you all were here with us to partake. We love you so much!

the visa saga.

2008-02-22T12:53:00.002-04:00

So you all know that Miguel and I have to start over with the whole process of getting him a US visa. The paperwork is gathered, and now since I have my official Dominican cedula and residency card we can submit the paperwork in person to the American embassy in the capital. Our appointment date for doing that is March 6th. In talking with again another agent, I just asked to confirm that the process will take about a year, right? (thats what all the other agents have told me, except for one). She however said, "maybe less than that." I was so encouraged to hear those words. We don't want to get our hopes up, but please be praying for us as we go down to submit this paperwork. I know that every case is different and they consider each one seperately. So my hope is that we will be able to talk to someone face to face and explain the fact that we've already had a year and a half wait for a fiance visa, and to more or less explain our history with this process. Perhaps they will consider all of that in processing our case. You never know...but God does and He's the one ultimately in charge of all of this.

taking a vote.

2008-02-22T08:22:00.006-04:00

Last Sunday, we went to spend the afternoon with Miguel's mom and family after church. Its our typical thing to do each Sunday. For a while now, Miguel's eyes have been burning or itching or in other words being bothersome. We've mostly attributed it to the fact that he is working around cement dust and sweating, etc. At one point in the afternoon, Miguel called me over to show me something. To me it looked like a fat tapeworm in a jar of water. I was a little grossed out by it, and asked what it was. It turns out to be part of Miguel's umbelical cord from when he was a baby. Ok so it wasn't a lock of hair from his first haircut, but it certainly was a weird kind of momentum. However, to my dismay, it turns out not to have the sentimental value to explain why Miguel's mom would ever keep such a thing tucked away in her closet for the past 24 years. In fact, Miguel proceded to wash his face with the water that the cord was soaking in. I have to admit that I was more than a little grossed out. Angelita, Miguel's mom, said that you save it for just that reason....in case the child one day gets an eye infection, the umbelical cord soaked in water is a sure cure. Of course she expects me to do the same with our children's cords. So what's your vote? Save the cord when baby arrives or not?

By the way, Miguel's eyes do feel better, and he says he is going to do one more rinse with it. :)

weekend in las terrenas.

2008-02-11T13:09:00.000-04:00

As a Makarios staff we were able to get away for

the weekend, and it was such a blessing.

It was a time for relaxation, discussion

as a Makarios staff relating to Makarios ministries,

time of worship together, and study in the Word.

Makarios staff from left to right, front table to back table:

Kate, David, Sharla, Becky, Laurin, and Camille, Weston (in corner)

Makarios Staff front table:

David (again), Anne, Garrett, and Robin, Miguel's hat (on side)

And then, as some of you have been waiting for.....
pics of Jennie and Miguel and baby in for a grander show.
Baby is 26 weeks old and more than half way there before
making it's grand entrance into this world!

on the plate.

2008-02-05T08:34:00.000-04:00

There are a few things that have come up within the past couple of weeks. Just some stuff to seriously think about and pray about.

After some more investigation and numerous calls to different government offices and conversations with different immigration agents, it appears that Miguel's visa is not coming up around the corner as once thought. From the information that I had received and gathered previously, I was led to believe that since his case was still kept open, we would receive a notice of additional information that we would need to send in now that we are married. Well, as it turns out, its just taken the different offices this long to inform us that his case will need to be terminated and that we need to start all over with the petition for a visa as a married couple. I was definitely very frustrated with all of this, and feel like we've lost the last year waiting for more information or at least direction. On the other hand, God is sovereign in what he orchestrates and we wouldn't change the events or our lives of the last year for something different. So here is what it basically looks like now. I sent in a letter terminating the other existing visa petition. I have gathered all the paperwork for the new petition, I-130 K-3 visa. Then as soon as I can pick up my residency card (God willing next week), I can deposit everything again at the embassy in the capital here in Santo Domingo. Because I am a resident here in the Dominican Republic I can send the paperwork directly to the capital which I am hoping will shave some time off the process. They still say it will take a good year to year and a half to process before Miguel gets his US residency and can travel to the States. So thats what we are looking at. Miguel is still really needed here by Makarios for the next year to year and a half, so this is perhaps how it should be anyway. We just have to trust God's timing in all of this.

Another thing that has suddenly come up is that we've decided to try to sell our land cruiser jeep. The thought really just came out of the blue, and we've been praying about it and think that it is just the right timing to put it up for sale. Honestly, I think it was spurred on by the rain (the jeep tends to be quite leaky when it rains). And then in thinking about the baby coming, we are all of a sudden thinking about safety straps and things that the jeep doesn't have....not to mention the fact that there exists a certain amount of deisel fumes that leak into the cabin while driving it. So being that the jeep is still in excellent condition for its year, '75, we thought it a good time to put it up for sale. We've been able to fix some of those leaks and its lookin pretty nice right now. We've had it up for sale for 3 days and we've already got at least 10 calls on it, so we are hopeful that the right buyer will come along. Pray that it not only sells at a good price for us, but that we'll be able to find something newer and more conducive for our needs that we can put some money down on. Cars are pretty expensive here, so it will need to be God sent. We are so thankful for all that He has blessed us with and trust in His timing, provisions, and guidance.

On another note, the Makarios staff is going on a retreat this weekend. On the agenda are some business things to discuss, team building to be made, and the spiritual focus of studying the Word together. We will leave Friday and come back on Sunday and will have meetings both in the mornings and evenings. We are all really looking forward to this time together and covet your prayers for us as we get on one page together and spend time in God's word. We'll be staying in a beautiful spot on the Samana peninsula, so I am sure there will be some fun photos to send your way after this weekend. I'll be sure to do some posing to show off my round belly for you all!

the last couple of weeks.

2008-02-04T11:54:00.000-04:00

The middle of January rolled along, and in came a wave of busyness for us. Miguel and the crew started on the massive cistern for the new Makarios team house/conference center. When I say massive, I mean its about the size of an average house here, but under ground. The projected gallons of water it should hold is around 35,000. Because of the rain, we were able to see that more work needs to be done on leveling the ground before the foundation is started on. And you'll also see the cave-in that one side of the cistern hole experienced. It has made for some muddy, busy days, but they are thankful that it is coming to a completion this week as far as the cistern goes. The guys are working all day pouring the top on the cistern and hope to be done by 7pm tonight.

I on the other hand, have been getting bigger and feeling it! (more pictures to come soon). But aside from that I've been doing a lot of running around and errand running for the school. We have been able to, with more sponsorship money, start a little more sophisticated feeding program for the kids at the school. Up until now, we had been able to give an egg, piece of bread, and banana to the kids that come to school. Now, we are able to offer a warm breakfast for the morning kids, a hot lunch for the preschoolers, and a healthy snack for the afternoon kids. I have been busy buying the cooking utensils and kitchen supplies; organizing the cleaning and cooking ladies; and helping Robin (school director) to get it all organized. Last week was our first week of cooked meals and it went surprisingly very smoothly. Of course there are always a few kinks to work out, but we are excited to be up and running with this program. Although the food benefits all who come through the program in significant ways with added nutrition and food in the bellies, it has especially been noticeable in a few kids who come through and are literally scarfing their food down. Its obvious its the only food they have received all day. We are so thankful for the kid's sponsors who make this possible for us to do.

Some pictures of the massive cistern!

Lake after the rain.

the cistern with 2 rooms!

points for prayer.

2008-01-12T15:40:00.000-04:00

Jennie's Dominican residency finalized
Praise for continued good health and good pregnancy for Jennie
Blady is doing well in school and is receiving good marks..pray for his salvation and continued change of heart.
That the rain would be tempered and allow for the ground breaking to take place on the property where the Makarios team house will be built...this will also make for a contented Miguel with physical work to do!
Continued prayer for salvation and change of heart in Blady's mom, Susa. She professed to be a Christian a few months back, but it has obviously not taken root in her life and she continues with her old vices and has been found stealing from 2 other family members as well as from our house.
We are encouraged with the hope that Miguel's residency papers will come through by late spring or summer. However, with those papers, we'll need to make some pretty huge decisions in the coming months. We might have to return to the States for a specific time period which may be as little as 6 months but as long as 2 years. If that comes to pass, we'll be needing to think about jobs, a place to live, etc. We originally decided to apply for Miguel's residency for a few reasons. One was so that if we ever had to return to the States for any extended period of time, he would be able to work legally. The other reason was so that he would be able to travel freely back and forth. However, our hearts remain in the DR. Our dream is to be able to build or buy a place of our own down here and continue to serve here, yet admist these dreams we know we need to get our feet on the ground a little bit better. On another note, in the event that we need to go back to the States for a time period by this summer, we would be leaving behind a big Makarios project in which a key player like Miguel is needed. So we ask that you pray with us for God's perfect timing and direction in all of this as papers are pursued, interviews are done, and decisions need to be made.

it pays to be pregnant in this country.

2008-01-12T15:29:00.000-04:00

For years, I've noticed that in bank and super market parking lots there are special parking spaces marked off specifically for pregnant women. In fact, there doesn't even seem to exist parking spots marked off for the handicapped. Perhaps its because there are few handicaps in this country that drive, or own cars, or that get out and about. But one thing is for sure, I've been taking advantage of those special parking spots these days and its been great!

I had another funny experience the other day when I was in migracion in Santo Domingo trying to get my residency papers finalized. It was turning out to be another futile morning down there, until I mentioned that I was pregnant and making the 4.5 hour trip back down to the capital the next day was out of the question. As soon as I mentioned the word pregnant, you should have seen the people jump to their feet. I was ushered to a private office to get free fotocopies of my paperwork. I was allowed to pay the fees without having an authorized signature. (Which by the way, has always been the hang up as the one man who can authorize with his signature never shows up for work)! And in another 20 working days, I should have my residency ID card in hand....Si Dios quiere.

calendars still available.

2008-01-12T14:49:00.001-04:00

June's calendar picture

Just a reminder before the new year gets rolling along....there are still calendars left for sale to support Jennie and Miguel's ministry in the Dominican Republic. They are 15 US and you can mail a check to Jennie's parents and they'll get them right out to you!

Their address is:

Jay and Pat Fisher
504 Dairy Way
Buellton, CA 93427

the baby. making a presence known.

2007-12-19T15:41:00.000-04:00

Just thought I would throw at you a recent picture of my growing belly! I'm still about 1 week or so shy of having 5 months. All of a sudden, and it literally seemed overnight, that belly of mine just decided to pop out!

Thank you everyone for all your many prayers on our behalf. I feel great these days and am so thankful for good health.

rain.wind.and more rain.

2007-12-17T16:37:00.000-04:00

Well, we're keeping a little out of touch it seems. Part of the reason is that its been rain, rain, and more rain. Rain confines you to the house and sometimes puts work at a standstill. Sometimes you get to feeling like there is not much to report. Although last week we had a bit of a variation in the rain and got lots of nasty wind as tropical storm, Olga, came whipping through. Two days plus without electricity put our poor frozen turkey, waiting for Christmas, in peril. Always fun times in the DR!

Admist the rain this fall, there have been three teams that we hosted. One team came from Ohio, another from Austin, Texas, and the other was a YWAM, DTS team from St. Criox. Little by little the school looks better and better each day as more shelves are added, murals are painted on the walls, and some finishing touches are completed. Classes are going well and I think everyone was anxious and excited for their Christmas visit home and a break before January rolls around. Starting Jan. 1st, we have two back to back teams coming as well.

Thanksgiving was spent enjoying an American feast at the Makarios house with all the Makarios staff. And then that weekend we all enjoyed a couple of days away in the mountains of Jarabacoa. Jarabacoa is quite a different place than the sultry beach areas. The small town is nestled between large mountains. In fact, the largest of these mountains is Pico Duarte and We were able to pull our long sleeves out of the bottom of the dressers and enjoyed lots of hot chocolate. We were blessed to stay with and be hosted by a dear family that lives up there and runs a Christian school. They have a coffee farm that helps support their school and is the same coffee that Makarios buys to supply their coffee shop in Austin, Texas. It was a time to be thankful for eachother, the time away, the change of scenery in which God provided for us, and so much more.

Some people have been wondering what things look like down here, especially after last week's tropical storm, Olga. Everything in our area mostly stayed in tact. Last Tuesday night was an exciting night with a lot of heavy wind, yet although there was a lot of wind, there wasn't a ton of rain that could have come with the storm. In some ways, the wind is good as it keeps things moving right along. There were some fallen trees and debris littering the streets afterwards. Power lines went down, but other than that there was no treacherous damage done. There was a tragedy that did occur in and around the Yaque river that runs through Santiago. In anticipation for the storm, someone from high up decided to order to have the damn release 100's of gallons of water to minimize pressure put on the damn from the storm. What they failed to do though was warn all the people living along the river that a flood was about to take place, and as a result there are now an estimated 2,000 families that are reported missing. That news report is quite different than what you hear in the States saying that around 25 people were reported killed. Perhaps only 25 bodies were recovered and the rest were washed away or buried by the mud. Any way you look at it, it is a tragedy and in my mind quite criminal. Be praying for those individuals that are now displaced without anything or anywhere to go and also for those families who are missing loved ones.

Every day that passes brings along so many other things to be thankful for. We are so blessed and continued to be blessed in grand ways and proportions.

Thanksgiving family picture

Overlooking the Jarabacoa Valley

At the Jarabacoa coffee farm

Makarios girls: left to right
Camille, Robin, Cara, Sharla, Jennie, and Kate

one way to get what you need.

2007-11-11T17:46:00.000-04:00

So, you might remember Miguel applying for an Italian visitor's visa about a month ago. It was denied on the spot, but his passport was detained at the embassy for 3 weeks after. I'm not sure how they can get away with doing that in the first place, but as you are at their mercy...there's nothing you can do.

Miguel's appointment date to retrieve his passport landed on Oct. 31st right in the middle of tropical storm Noel where all of Santo Domingo was flooded. Needless to say he couldn't go that day but went on the following day only to find out that was a day where they don't give back passports. He would have to return on a Monday or Wednesday. Since the following Monday was a holiday it had to be the following Wednesday.

The time allotted for picking up passports is between 3 and 5. Miguel arrived and found a line of waiting people leading down the street and around the corner. As they organize people, they put the people who were there but not on their appointment date at the back of the line and say that if they don't have time to attend them before 5, they have to come back another day. You have to understand, for us to take a trip down to the capital takes all day and money to get down there and back. Its not that fun of a deal travelling down there.

So at 4:30, Miguel starts pounding on the window of the embassy and asks for his passport back. After a few reprimands to sit down and him refusing they say they are going to kick him out. Fine, he says," just give me back my passport first!" In the end, he left being escorted out by the security guard, but with his passport in hand.

Its not an approach I would recommend, but sometimes it just is what you have to do to get what you need. If only other countries used the mail system like the States....how lovely life would be.

wind.wind.wind.

2007-10-31T14:01:00.000-04:00

So the wind has come out and dried up all the rain...at least we hope so. The skies still are grey and there is no sun in sight yet, but we are hopeful that it feels a little bit drier today. The condensation dripping off the fridge is less today, although the mountain of 2 weeks worth of dirty clothes that Miguel has affectionately named, Mt. Ruso, has had an avalanche and has birthed another hill. I guess we'll name it Mr. Ruso Jr.

Today is Halloween or better known in our family as my brother Cody's birthday! Happy Birthday Cody! We are so proud of you and think of you so often. We look forward to seeing you when God so chooses, and pray that will be soon.

You wouldn't know it was Halloween today unless you were in the big city like Santiago or Santo Domingo. The Dominican Yorks brought the holiday down from New York, but its not typically recognized here in this country.

I am glad the wind is blowing today. It does make it feel more like fall around here. I was reminded of the fall looking at all the pictures of pumpkins and pumpkin patches that my siblings have posted up for all to see and enjoy. Thank you all! And thank you dad for sending down a miniature pumpkin. I look forward to getting it every year, and it reminds me of home! I love you, my dear family!

rain.rain.rain.

2007-10-30T14:26:00.000-04:00

We're in our fifth day of straight rain from tropical storm Noel. Its wet here, but thankfully not flooding like most of the south is. Some reports have said that 60 or more people have been reported dead from the flooding. The frustrated people of the south are blaming the government for not informing anyone that the storm was coming. The government would rather see people stay in the campos and small towns than to flood to the cities for refuge. The same thing happened with the same government when hurricane George came sweeping through. I guess you take your weather stations and informational news programs for granted in the US until things like this come your way.

I never saw a country where the schools shut down because it is raining out. They are closed until the government says its ok to open back up again. Blady has been home the past 3 school days for that very reason. And for most schools its not for the floods, its just because it is raining. At first I kind of laugh at that and chock it up as just another crazy thing Dominicans do. But then as I was thinking more about it today...it started to make some more sense to me.

First of all, most kids and families don't have covered transport to school, and the way they get to school is by walking or riding motorcycles. So what about the umbrella? Most don't own one.

If you do get wet, you stay wet. When it rains here, everything turns wet and there's no hope of drying it out. The dry sheets on the bed all of a sudden feel damp. For that matter, everything that was once dry feels that way. Paper become limp. Walls become cold and damp, and if you run out of "dry" clothes....you have a problem. Pnemonia sets in among the young and old alike. And soon, the rainy days become hazardous indeed.

Remember the poor during these days. They are the ones that suffer the most. To start with they have little protection from their houses, few clothes to change into, and few resources to turn to.

I took a picture out our bedroom window into the neighbor's yard which looks like it has about a foot of standing water. The next plague to come in a few days will be the mosquitos!

the calendar.

2007-10-25T17:13:00.000-04:00

So as a result of some prodding done by my family members, the creation of a 2008 calendar has come into existence. It is a calendar featuring some of the pictures that I have taken over the past several years of living here in the Dominican Republic. The pictures are accompanied with common Dominican proverbs and sayings that I've been able to collect from several Dominican resources.

It is a sort of fundraising project to help support Miguel and I as we serve here in the Dominican Republic, but might also serve as Christmas gifts for your friends and family.

Here are a couple sample photographs found in the calendar.

If you are interested, they are $15 dollars each and we can mail them directly to you. My parents are going to be helping me out with all the details of mailing and receiving money orders. So here is how it will work. Just respond in an email to Jennie, jenniefish@gmail.com, with your order and mailing address. Slip in the mail a check made out to Jennie Morel with the total number of calendars ordered written on the check and also include $1.75 shipping for each calendar. Please send all checks to Jay and Pat Fisher, 504 Dairy Way, Buellton, CA 93427. And as soon as the check is received, the calendars will be sent straight out to you! For those of you who live in the Dominican Republic, I have a stash here that I can deliver directly to you. Just email me the best way to get them to you and it will be done! In pesos they are 500 RD each.

entering back into the blog.

2007-10-25T16:32:00.000-04:00

Well hello, we've been gone for a while. Its a little crazy when you feel life sweeping you off your feet and then suddenly realize that time has really passed right on by. In some ways the past month hasn't been all that eventful and yet things have definitely happened.

Miguel has been winding up with the little finishing projects at the new school house in Tamarindo. Its definitely looking more "cleaned up" as they have been busy clearing the rest of the property from unnecessary trees, shrubs, and other stuff. It will serve as a playground for the kids and also have a garden area with some banana trees for the feeding program as well as some other choice selected plants.

The school has been active to say the least with about 150 kids pouring in and out of it everyday. There are two afterschool programs as well as a pre-school program currently running. A couple of weeks ago, there were two young students who had been attending the afterschool program throughout the past few years who expressed desire to become Christians and start to go to church. So that was a huge encouragment and boost to the teachers and those involved with the school project. That's why we do the things that we do!

By the way, I'm not sure that I've mentioned the rest of the staff that we have working down here this year.

Sharla Megilligan is the director of Makarios and is spending most of this year DR side as she is in the process of adopting Haitian twins.
Camille was with us last year and is back again for another year of teaching in a real schoolhouse.
Robin we've affectionately labeled as school principal and is the invaluable help to the rest of the teachers as she has a background in bilingual education.
Weston is also new this year and is teaching the physical education and outdoor recreation part of each session.
Kate is also a teacher and jumping right in with her Spanish and enthusiasm.
Cara and Elizabeth have been with us since the end of August and although are only here through November and December have both been invaluable help with cleaning and taking care of the feeding program and anything else that needs an extra hand.

So that about covers them all!

Miguel is looking forward to phasing out with a lot of the finishing touches at the school and is ready to restart his electricity classes with the boys in Caraballo as well as starting up again the Bible class in Arroyo Leche. Hopefully we'll be able to iron out some of these schedules within the next couple of weeks.

Just as an update, I'm really feeling fine with my pregnancy. Although, I have had some minor discomforts already. Thankfully, morning sickness hasn't been a huge threat, although the parasites have. Discovering that you have a parasite is enough to make you paranoid, but finding out that you are hosting 4 different species is quite the other thing. My only avenue of relief has been to joke about it. After all, what else can you do? I've been trying different types of natural remedies to rid them from my body and pray that they work as I can't take medicine. I was also put on bed rest this week due to some unexpected bleeding. The sack where the baby is looked like it may have been trying to detach from my uterus' wall. We hope that after tomorrow's Dr.'s visit all will look fine and the precautionary step in being ordered to stay in bed for the week will have paid off. I really do feel fine despite all the fuss.

Well, Miguel and I attempted to impress the Italians with the hopes of getting a visa for Miguel to visit Italy with me for Christmas. Unfortunately, the Italians didn't take a look at his paperwork, or what they did see proved to be "Bad" paperwork. It was pretty much a decision made on Miguel's age and the fact that he is a Dominican. I guess you have to understand if it were that easy to get into Italy...the whole country would be up and going. And the same goes for Spain and the US as well. So we're not sure what we're going to do at this point. We might try a different avenue, or we'll just spend a nice, warm Christmas here in the Dominican Republic!

For the moment that about wraps it up! Until next time....

points for prayer.

2007-09-21T17:27:00.001-04:00

Praise that the school house is nearly complete and that classes have begun.
Pray for new teachers and students who come through school. The majority of the kids are from very poor and rough backgrounds and come with some tough attitudes.
Praise that Miguel's shoulder is feeling so much better. At times it still bothers him but he is doing a lot better with it.
Praise that Jennie's residency papers are all deposited and is now waiting for them to be processed. If all goes well, she should have her official residency ID's sometime in October.
Miguel's application for US residency was sent from the US embassy in Santo Domingo back to Imigration Services in the States for further review. Since it has already been approved by Immigration Services once before we think this is probably due to our change in marital status. Pray that the paperwork is approved again and that we can move forward with it.
Speaking of visas, the Fisher family is trying to reunite in Italy for Christmas. Miguel has an appointment at the Italian embassy on Oct. 9th for an interview for a visitor's visa. Pray that they will grant the visa to him so that we can join the family at Christmas!
In case you haven't heard....Jennie is pregnant! She is feeling great so far....pray that the pregnancy continues to go well. A cyst was discovered on her left ovary, but the doctors do not seem concerned as it is most likely caused from the rapid change in hormones from being pregnant. Pray that it goes away and doesn't cause any complications.
Pray for continued patience for Vlady. His mother, Susa, just recently professed a newly found faith in Christianity. Pray for a genuiness of heart and a true change in her life from getting to know Christ.
Finances: We are currently under supported. Pray for continued job opportunities that Miguel is able to do on the side while still working for Makarios.
Catch up on rest as it has been a very busy summer with very little rest! The heat definitely takes its tole in this area as well.

opening day.

2007-09-17T18:06:00.000-04:00

And we're off! Whether we're ready or not. Today was the first day of classes in the new school building. As I looked over the roster of kids signed up to attend, I was pretty blown away by the numbers. We'll have around a 180 kids running in and out through the 2 room school house each day. In case you're mouth just dropped....of course they won't be there all at the same time but in 3 shifts of 3 classes each. There will be two shifts of after school programs and 1 shift of preschoolers. Pray for us as the logistics are pretty tight in running kids in and out from 8:30 to 3:30. There are 5 teachers whose names are Cristina, Camille, Kate, Robin and Weston who are running the show. Pray for them as well. For three of them, this is their first extensive time in the country and for some their first time teaching. So its going to be an exciting and probably challenging year for all!

Lining up for morning roll call.

Cristina and her class of preschoolers.

Weston and his outdoor activity class.

Finishing up the details.

some big news.

2007-09-16T20:42:00.000-04:00

Well, admist the craziness of this past week in trying to get the school done before Monday, Miguel and I found out that I am pregnant! Although the news came at somewhat of a crazy busy time we couldn't be more excited. I am 5 weeks along and due for around May the 14th....just in time for my birthday.

....the school house opens tomorrow morning. More to come on that soon!

a week and counting.

2007-09-08T16:30:00.000-04:00

So the light is visible at the end of the tunnel and we've begun painting, cleaning up and adding those last details...

These boys have been helping us out all along. They are the errand runners, little people with little hands that can squeeze into tight places, the sweepers, and doers of tedious things. We couldn't have survived without them! Their names from left to right are Nao, Dominguito, and Angelo.

countdown.

2007-08-22T11:43:00.001-04:00

Our goal.....to finish by September 16th, or if we can a week earlier.

so american......and so dominican.

2007-08-21T14:48:00.000-04:00

Today was Blady's first day of school. We took great care to mark all of his school supplies with his name; laid out the school uniform the night before; and went to bed early. It had already started out to be quite the morning several hours earlier. Miguel woke up at a quarter to 2 in the morning to make yet another trip to Santo Domingo for a hang up in my residency papers. However, on the way to the bus stop in Puerto Plata, the jeep ran out of gas and he was left to desert it on the side of the road until I could do something about it in the morning.

But anyway, Blady and I woke up early, got dressed for school, and gathered all his school things to take. On one last revision of his things I realized that he was short the two roles of toilet paper that were on his supply list. So off we go on foot to the little super market near by and then finally out the door to flag down a motoconcho. Thank God for motos! Everything is going well and we get to school on time before 8 am. As we approach, I start to get a little worried...there are no kids around and it appears to be closed. Did we have the wrong day? We entered and the director and teachers were all there, but obviously surprised to see us. I asked, "School starts today, right?" The response, "O yes, yes....school starts today but the students don't arrive until 11am if they come at all on the first day of school." So here we were ready to go on time....so American...but actually, the first real day of school starts tomorrow.....so Dominican.

While Blady was dropped off for what I imagined to be a quiet morning at school, I walked to the other school work site; checked on the workers to make sure they knew what they were doing for the day; went to the hardware store to buy some nails and to hurry along the delivery truck with the zinc for the roof; and finally hopped another moto with a gas tank on my lap to go rescue the jeep.....I guess you have to live here to believe it.

introducing blady or vlady...its all the same in spanish.

2007-08-17T20:57:00.001-04:00

Well, its been about a month now with Blady in the house. There has been an increased amount of energy added to the house. I think Miguel and I are still trying to adjust and figure out if that is actually a good thing. There has definitely been some additional, random at the top of your lungs singing going on. Yes, Blady is a singer or we guess would like to be one. Maybe we should find a singing mentor for him. One thing is for sure, its definite that Miguel has someone to compete with now. I just hope the neighbors don't get too disturbed!

We originally planned on only taking Blady in on the weekends and see how it went. But after a conversation that Miguel had with his grandmother....it became clear what our decision needed to be in the end. Vlady told her, "Finally, I have a home. We eat dinner at the table and pray. I have clothes and a place to put them. Finally, I think I'm going to be ok." So what started as a weekend trial, turned into indefinite.

Pray for us as now we've become parents over night to a 7 year old boy who has never had parents and who has 7 years of undisciplined energy. Pray for patience for all. Blady starts up school this coming Tuesday and we are excitedly getting all of his things together for that. We hope that a regular schedule will be soon in coming for all of us.

the paper trail.

2007-08-17T18:12:00.000-04:00

There is a line that runs out the doors of the Oficina Civil.....pockets of people congregate on the sidewalk in front....some people are quietly waiting.....most are boisterously talking.....some are yelling.....and some are throwing up their hands in the air and are walking away. The Oficina Civil. This is where you petition for a certified copy of your birth certificate; declare your children when they are born (some children actually reach adulthood without ever being declared); get married. Miguel and I were legally married in this lovely green building. You need certified and legalized (a whole other process of sending the paperwork to Santo Domingo to be legalized) copies of birth and marriage certificates to get an ID card, passport, apply for a visa, enroll in school, get a driver's lisence, etc. But the thing is that when each of these legal documents are petitioned for and deposited you never see the original paperwork again and you have to start all over from scratch with each new application.

Strategically I start to wade through the packed building.....for most, they will spend their entire morning and afternoon in this building petitioning for their documents and hopefully leaving with a little yellow receipt telling them when to come back and retrieve their document. I reach the information desk but I'm still about 5 people deep from the front of the line. People are yelling, arguing, cursing....just trying to get noticed by someone behind the glass pane. I try to catch the eye of a contact I have on the inside. (You quickly learn to make contacts...sometimes you need to give away a coke or sweet to get attended in a decent amount of time). Finally, Alex hears me calling his name. I quickly scoot to the front of the line and he takes my request. The fans are few and far between, the people are packed shoulder to shoulder, people wipe the sweat from their brows, vendors somehow squeeze their way in selling fried foods and juice. If you do manage to get a receipt the whole process is repeated when you pick up your documents. If you don't return on the scheduled day that is printed on your receipt, you risk the people behind the glass panes throwing your document away. But at the same time if you do come on the due date, its usually not ready. It takes persistance, money, time, and determination to be legal in this country. No wonder, most people don't even bother.

Migracion in the capital, Santo Domingo, where I needed to do my residency paperwork was no different....except for the fact that the lines start at 6 in the morning and Miguel and I had to hop a bus from Puerto Plata at 3 in the morning. I've made up my mind that the only way to wade through the lines is by trying to find humor in the situation....if you don't you'll end up in a frustrated state. In one line that I was in, lawyers openly strategized on how they could get up to the front of the line. For the pregnant lady it was easy, you just automatically walk to the front of the line and say you're pregnant and that it would be a detriment to you and your baby's health if you had to wait at the back of the line. Some people stategically tried to confuse the army guards into asking the supervisor to deal with the "confused" person before they actually made them crazy with all the questions they don't know the answers to. Yeah, I too was a little confused with that one. One woman lawyer pushed passed the guard and walked straight into the supervisor's office, stuck her hand on the guy's shoulder, and shoved the papers in his face. He attended her right then and there. So you see...many strategies do actually work. Its clear you have to have a strategy or know someone who does because posted on the walls of the building are signs saying that no money gifts would be accepted to get what you need. My stategy was persistence and a happy face.....most times you'll end up getting rewarded by a friendly official.

So, all of that to say.... the last of my paperwork is supposedly deposited for my Dominican residency. The only snatch we have had is that yesterday we found out that the laws have changed and we need another legalized, notarized, document from Miguel on my behalf. We have less than a week to get that done and submitted before my legalized police record certificate expires.....its good for only 1 month and our month is up on the 23rd.

Llego la luz....se fue la luz.

2007-08-16T18:01:00.000-04:00

Lights come on for 5 minutes....laundry goes in.....lights go out for 4 hours. Lights come on for 1 hour....finish laundry and run pump to fill up water tank. Lights go. Lights come for 5 minutes.....boot up computer. Lights go for 5 minutes....log off computer. Lights come again....lights go again. Lights come again and stay for the night, but voltage is not strong enough to boot up computer again. Lights go...gone all day. Lights come again at night. Lights come and stay on all day! ....laundry get done. New transformer is installed on top of refrigerator just to boost the lights to run the refrigerator. Light voltage still too low for transformer to boost enough to run the refrigerator. Lights come....lights go....don't forget to fill up water tank!

Well, this is my first summer experiencing the lights or I should say lack of lights in Montellano. Most small towns function this way especially in the summer when the main power generators overheat and people are trying to run their airconditioners in the bigger towns. As they say.....there are just not enough lights to go around.....llego la luz....se fue la luz.....light arrives....light goes away.

progress?

2007-08-16T17:36:00.000-04:00

We've had some sweaty days....many sweaty days; late work hours; laughing times; frustating times; more laughing times....and hopefully some progress. There is still a lot to finish, but there is so much that has been done as well. We're pressing on to finish well within these next few weeks. The roof is going up this week. We have left to finish the stucco on the inside and outside walls, lay the floors, put in windows, doors, finish plumbing, finish electrical wiring, paint, installment of bathroom essentials, sinks, counters, shelving, furniture......Wow! Just listing the stuff to finish is making me tired! Remember us in prayer as we try to finish this project and get the school year under way!

living for God ought to....

2007-07-18T17:27:00.000-04:00

Be so unreachably big that you can only see it through the eyes of Christ by faith.

Be harder than you can handle on your own so as to make you more dependent on God.

Give you enough disappointments to make you humble and break your spiritual pride.

Be difficult enough to make you weep for others that you might become more compassionate.

Have enough demanding, insensitive, ungrateful people in it to teach you to love like Jesus loves.

Have enough impossible, insurmountable obstacles in it to teach you the goodness and power of God.

Teach you how to love when you’re tired, give when you’re spent and pray when you’re weary.

Teach you how to turn your mourning into dancing, your sadness into joy and your sorrow laughter.

Teach you the power and truth of God’s word, the strength of His voice and the might of His commands.

Teach you to love the only One worthy of all our love; the One who became poor that we might become rich; the One who became sin that we might become the righteousness of God.

…..A true ministry is the ministry that helps you become:
more like Jesus Christ
more in love with God
more in love with people.

I ran across this in one of my files today. And it turned out to be just what I needed to read again. Sometimes I can forget what it means to live life here on this earth....that its not easy but that we are called to find joy admist the trials.

James says,
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." 1:2-4.

Dos Amigos

2007-07-13T16:27:00.000-04:00

Miguel has titled this story....

Historia 2 (Story 2)-

Habian dos buenos amigos que se amaban. Eran como hermanos. Pero un dia mientra estaban en la playa un amigo le dio una bofetada a su otro amigo. Ese amigo que recibio la bofeta estaba tan triste y lo escribio en la arena. Despues, este amigo se fue a banarse en el mar y estaba ahogando en el agua. Su amigo se tiro al agua y lo salvo. Cuando su amigo salio, el escribio en una piedra. “Hoy, mi mejor amigo me salvo la vida.” Su amigo pregunto, “Porque, cuando te golpie lo escribiste en la arena y ahora te salvo y lo escribe en una roca?” El contesto, “Si alguien te ofende escribalo en la arena para que el viento de olvido lo borre, pero te pasa algo bueno debes escribirlo en cosas fuertes para que jamas se borren de tu corazon.”

There once were two good friends who loved eachother. They were like brothers. But one day, while they were at the beach, one of the friends punched the other. The friend who got punched was very sad and wrote in the sand. Afterwards, this friend went to swim in the ocean and was drowning in the water. His friend jumped into the water and saved him. When his friend got out of the water, he wrote on a rock. "Today, my best friend saved my life." His friend asked,"When I hit you, why did you write in the sand and now when I saved you, you wrote on a rock?" His friend answered,"If someone offends you, write it on the sand so that the tide of forgetfulness washes it away, but when something good happens to you, you need to write on strong things so that they will never be erased from your heart."

points for prayer.

2007-07-13T16:13:00.000-04:00

strength and endurance especially during the VERY hot season
Miguel's shoulder - he is going on two months with a shoulder/bicep injury that is making it very difficult for him to do anything at all using it. The Dr.'s advice has been that he needs to do NOTHING with it...so far, that's been a challenge too difficult for Miguel to consistently accomplish.
school construction project- safety in work and efficiency to its completion
daily spiritual growth and maturity
Miguel's US residency paperwork
Jennie's Dominican residency paperwork
Vlady-he is the son of Miguel's cousin, Susa. Susa has basically abandoned her 4 children and has taken up drinking a lot. Vlady's dad is a drug dealer and is currently on the run from the police. Vlady gets shuffled back and forth from family member to family member and he is quite aware that nobody really wants to take care of him. Miguel and I are trying to step in and take him under our wing...but need prayer for wisdom in knowing what our roles need to be in his life. He is six.
Our general finances in living and working here in the DR
Work relationships and opportunities to share God's love with whomever we encounter

visas, and more visas.

2007-07-13T15:34:00.000-04:00

I'm sure that for any of you who have ever needed to get a visa before travelling and entering another country, you can relate to the red, paper trail, jungle that you need to traipse through before arriving to your final destination.

Well, Miguel and I are currently trying to wade through that paper jungle. There are basically two things that we are working on right now. One, is getting U.S. residency papers for Miguel so that he can travel back and forth with me to the States, and the other is getting Dominican residency for me so that I can legally live here in the Dominican Repubic. Because Miguel is Dominican and I am American, we can both petition for each other and know that eventually we will get both residencies. The unfortunate unknown is being able to calculate the time it will take to get either one.

Please be praying for us as we try to gather the remaining few papers for my Dominican residency. It is our goal to travel down to the capital, Santo Domingo, within this next week to get my medical exam taken care of as well as deposit all the paperwork. We've already made one attempt to get stuff done in the capital and it ended up being a completely wasted day due to office directors not showing up for work.

As we currently stand for Miguel's residency paperwork, he has a case number and is on an appointment waiting list at the American embassy in Santo Domingo. His number in line is in the high 15,000's at this point. I had petitioned for a fiance visa for Miguel more than a year ago. We were told that because we chose to get married within the Dominican Republic instead of waiting to get married in the States, that the fiance visa case would be terminated and we would need to start from scratch as a married couple. Up until this point, his case is still open. We won't know if we have to start from scratch until his case is closed, and that is all the information we can get from the government offices dealing with cases pending in the Dominican Republic. Because the embassy has requested our marriage certificate and birth certificates, it is our hope and prayer that they will keep the case open and allow us to continue to send in the necessary additional paperwork.

Thank you so much for your prayers in this matter. We know that ultimately it is all in God's hands, and we continue to lean on Him and how he might direct the paperwork from this point. As the Dominicans say, "Dios sabe." (God knows).

under construction.

2007-07-10T13:24:00.000-04:00

About a couple of months ago, Makarios bought a piece of property with a half built house on it. Its in the barrio of Tamarindo, within the town of Montellano. Its also within a hop, skip, and a jump across the river from Pancho Mateo. The vision for this property is to build a little school house and make it available for students who can't attend school because of lack of paperwork, and/or will probably never attend the local public Dominican school. The curriculum is still being developed, but the hopes are that it will be a bilingual school where kids learn to read and write, along with mathematics, Bible, physical education and some sort of vocational training.

Miguel has been in charge of this building project and they are currently in their fourth week of work on the building. As groups have been filtering in and out over the past several weeks, so have the helpers on the school.

But there are two specific workers that have been consistent since the beginning. Their names are Juan and Javier. Juan is the professional in that he knows everything there is to know about construction, and as you can imagine he is invaluable to the team. Javier is also invaluable as he is steady, consistent, and always has a smile on his face. They are all hard workers, and I am always amazed at how they don't complain even when some nights the work has taken them until midnight to complete.

As Miguel and I have the chance to work with these two individuals, we have been given unique oportunities to not only develop relationships with them, but also have the chance to serve them and talk with them about God. Keep us in mind as we continue to develop these relationships.

Juan

Javier

Miguel

katy.

2007-07-10T08:50:00.000-04:00

After Katy's surgery in March, I've been taking her for check ups and follow ups, and we've both come to the conclusion that we've just about had enough of the doctor's visits. Katy though is doing really well. She has healed from her surgery, and there are no signs of the cyst that was attatched to her pancreas. She's returned to her normal, onery self and we are all very thankful. We are continuing to monitor her nutrition, but are glad to give a good report of her full recovery! Thank you all for your prayers on behalf of her and her grandmother.

If you are continuing to pray for Katy and her grandmother on a spiritual level, please also pray for her half brother Jean Luis. He is now living with them as well and is 11 years old. Katy and Jean Luis had the same father, which was the son of their grandmother, Wusne. Both Jean Luis' and Katy's parents have passed away and they are being raised by Wusne.

This picture was taken in the hospital before her surgery. As you can tell, we were trying to keep her entertained with whatever we could find!

makarios.

2007-07-05T13:07:00.000-04:00

I know for some out there, trying to keep up with Jennie and Miguel can at times be a little confusing. For this reason I thought it appropriate to explain a little more about what we have been involved with over the past year. At the end of last August, and before we were married, Miguel and I both agreed to start helping out or working for the nonprofit, Christian organization called Makarios. It was founded about 3 years ago by a friend of mine, Sharla Megilligan. I used to teach Jr. High with Sharla at Santiago Christian School way back, and for some of you her name might ring a bell as she accompanied my family to Zimbabwe in December of 2001. Anyway, she's always had a heart for the children of the Dominican Republic, especially those who couldn't attend school regulary due to lack of paperwork or funds, etc. About 3 and a half years ago, while I was still living in the batey of Caraballo, I helped Sharla and a few of her staff members at the time scope out different needs here in some of the bateys of the north coast. Since then, they have settled into the bateys of Pancho Mateo and Chichigua teaching educational classes and Bible classes to the children living in these bateys. A year ago, Makarios' initial 2 teachers and in country staff members decided to go back to the States for a time, and that is where Miguel and I stepped in. You can find more information about Makarios at it's website address: http://www.makariosinternational.org/

Miguel takes care of all the maitenance issues in and around the Makarios team house and school houses. He also started a water project in Chichigua to help them get water. (This project by the way is incompleted with the hopes of more funding to come in to complete it). He teaches electricity classes 3 times a week to youth in Caraballo, and we both had been teaching a Bible class to a little school in the campo of Arroyo Leche during this past school year. I, on the other hand, keep track of the in country finances for Makarios, and am the general gopher which has included working with groups and interns that come down, running errands, doing price checks, etc. etc. Keeping us both busy this summer has been the construction of a permanent school house in the hopes of having it ready for fall classes to begin. (More to come about this project).

Along with Miguel and I, there have been two other volunteers whom we work with. Alexia teaches english and literacy classes, and Camille teaches basic math, reading, and Bible classes. Alexia will be leaving us the end of July, and Camille will be returning for another year. In addition to Camille there are two other female teachers coming down to join the crew this fall.

So that's it in a nutshell. I encourage you to check out Makarios' website to get more of a general overall picture of what its all about.

Photo from left to right: Dudu, Camille (staff), Alexia (staff), Jim (intern), Jennie and Miguel, Latisha (bottom)

story from miguel.

2007-06-28T17:18:00.000-04:00

Miguel over the past few months has been writing down stories that come to his head. I thought I would share one with you with the idea that there is more to come. They all have a moral at the end.

Here it goes.....

Una vez un mendigo estaba en la calle con mucha hambre. En eso estaba pasando el rey y el mendigo penso se le pido algo el me dara muchas cosas porque el es el rey. Cuando le pidio,
"Senor deme una moneda,"
el mendigo esperaba mas, pero el rey le dijo,
“Porque tu no me das algo, Yo soy tu rey?”
El mendigo contesto,
“Yo no tengo nada.”
El rey respondio,
"Busca algo tendras por ahi."
El mendigo, enojado, busco y encontro tres naranjas, dos mangos, y poco de arroz y todavia estaba enojado. Tomo cinco granos de arroz y se lo dio al rey. El rey tomo cinco moneda de oro, una por cada grano de arroz. Rapido el mendigo dijo,
“Senor, aqui tengo mas!”
El rey le contesto,
“Lo siento, solo te doy que lo que tu me das a corazon.”

El conclusion, es claro que el rey representa a Dios y el mendigo a nosotros. Que aun cuando tenemos solo queremos que Dios no de mas. Pero nosotros no le damos tampoco.

English translation:

One time a hungry beggar was on the road. Along came a king, and as he was passing by the king, he thought that if he asks for something from him, the king will give him many things because he is the king. When he asked,
"Sir, give me a coin,"
the beggar waited for more, but the king said,
"why don't you give me something, I am your king?"
The beggar answered,
"I don't have anything."
The king responded,
"look for something among your things."
The beggar, angry, looked and found three oranges, two mangos, and a little rice, and still he was angry. He took five grains of rice and gave it to the king. The king gave five gold coins, one for each grain of rice. Quickly, the beggar said,
"Sir, here I have more!"
The king answered,
"I'm sorry, I only give you that which you give me of your heart."

In conclusion, it is clear that the king represents God and the beggar represents us. Yet when we have only what we want, God doesn't give more. But we don't give to Him either.

remember ian?

2007-06-28T17:02:00.000-04:00

Remember the little boy, Ian, we took care of last fall, and whom we joined with a family in Haiti? Well, we recently received word that he is adjusting to his new family and doing well. He still isn't walking totally on his own yet, and still shows some signs of being insecure due to his past of being shuffled around so much. But apart from that he is doing really well and his new mom and dad, Anne Mirise and Roger, are loving him up! Here is a picture of them in Haiti. Due to a cold he had, he wasn't all smiles, but comfortable all the same.

who invented the floaty?

2007-06-28T16:42:00.001-04:00

Did your mom ever put those inflatable, yellow, tube like things on your arms when you were a kid to keep you from going under water and drowning? I can't say that my mom did, at least not that I remember. Or I'm sure if I had put them on, I would've rebelled against them. But I've certainly seen other kids with them on whether they liked it or not. At first I saw this kid up on a cliff carting two gallon jugs with him. I naturally assumed that he was coming to this fuente (spring)

to fetch water for his mom (I'm sure that's what his mom was thinking he was doing as well!) But then he decided to throw himself over the edge of the cliff with a gallon in each hand. After another couple of jumps, I realized that he couldn't swim and that the jugs were actually his security system. Why have I seemed to have lost all my creativity and ingenuity in my daily life? What a simple solution.

Meanwhile....during the time I was watching this little boy and all the fun he was having, Miguel was swimming down river at top speed to save a middle aged woman as she was literally drowning down stream. Thankfully, Miguel was able to do so and became her hero. Maybe we all should take lesson from the little boy next time.

the moto.

2007-06-28T15:48:00.000-04:00

Somehow imagining the Dominican Republic without the moto would be like imagining China without the bicycle. Although you would be hard pressed to find too many middle or poorer classed Dominicans who could afford to buy a moto without making payments; most somehow manage to get their hands on one some way or another. At first glance you obviously see its a way for a person to get from one place to another place; or as someone sitting behind the handlebars, a way to make a living for your family. But if one day you had the chance to sit on the side of the road and just watch the motos pass by.......O the life you would see!

The motos that sell snow cones and icecream are favorites for people to encounter. Or the moto that sells bread stacked 4 feet high on three sides can be amazing to see. Or how about the moto transporting the washing machine tied to its back or the 100 pound propane tank. I heard a funny story one time about two motos trying to transport a long ladder with one carrying the front end while the other carried the back end. Talk about talent! I'd have to say one of the funniest sites I've seen is a whole family on a pasola or moped (not so funny in and of itself as its as common as a plantain on its stalk around here). But try to imagine with me, mom sitting behind dad driving, one kid on dad's lap, other kid on mom's lap and dog between dad's legs with its tongue hanging out and head peering out the side! I wished I had seen the site of Miguel on his moto with his brother Daniel and two live pigs strapped on either side. The pigs ended up being roasted for our wedding reception. Just the other week, our Toyota Landcruiser broke down within a few blocks of our house. We had no worries though as Miguel got on his moto and with his leg sticking out and pushing on the back end of our jeep we were able to make it home in no time. So you see....how could we ever get along without the moto?

This past weekend we had the chance to go out on the moto and explore some of the back country villages. They are something you'd never get a chance to see without a motorcycle as most back country roads tend to be unpassable in a car or truck or jeep. Aside from me screaming every now and again for Miguel to slow down as we went flying up and over the hills, we had a grand day exploring and swimming in the rivers.

We hope this blog will be a chance for us to share our adventures, struggles, and concerns with you all. It comes as an inspiration from my brother, Cody, and a gentle prodding from my brother, Ben.