Cold Water and Toilet Seats

Our pastor, his family, other friends and my parents met us at the airport to say goodbye at 3 a.m. last Thursday morning! What a departure! As we walked away, the tears in my heart burned my eyes. As the plane took off, the reality of what we were really doing hit me. We left it all and are on our way into the unknown.

Our flight to the Carribbean was good in spite of the wheel chair, crutches, 22 checked containers, and 20 carry on bags. We were not able to sit together on the plane. A nice elderly woman switched seats with Soli so she could sit with me and another gentleman swithced with Starr. The rest however, were scattered on both flights! The flight attendants were amazed at our children's behavior, they said that they'd never seen such well behaved children before. One could not understand why we would want to have so many children-I took it as an opportunity to share God's word about them being blessings. She was amazed at my attitude and beliefs, too bad I didn't have more time to share with her.

We arrived in Santiago right after 1p.m. As we approached customs, one of the airport directors came to us and led us throughout the entire process. We did not pay anything for our luggage and none of our bags were checked! Praise God!

As we walked outside, there were lots of family members cheering. I forgot that this was a dream come true for them. Now they would have the chance to love on Ruben's children. Many cried, for God had answered their prayers. Many laughed as they realized that they could now visit with Ruben face to face after 18 years of separation!

Starr and Soli were afraid since they had recently left an airport of friends and family crying. They didn't understand why so many people cry at airports! Ruben held them both tight to help them feel secure, but Starr said that she misses her grandma and she won't love this place because then she might stop loving her grandma in the U.S. She said it so many times that day that we had to sit her down to help her understand that her heart was big enough to love her grandma in the U.S. and her grandma in the D.R. We told her that Jesus lives in her heart so He makes her heart big like His and He loves everyone in the whole world. After that conversation, she's embraced everyone.

Later that evening, Ruben called a meeting for the family members that live around us. They all filled into our small living/dining area. He told them that he was very happy to be back home again and that he loves them very much, but he was here on a mission. He told them that God sent him here to work with hurting children and to plant churches. He didn't want any of them to distract him from his purpose. They all wonderfully agreed to participate in whatever way they could.

As I showered that evening, I shivered in the cold water (we don't have hot water)! I almost complained until I remebered the little boy trying to sell me something on the street that day. Then I thought about the other little boy who really wanted to wash our car windows. Were they the only breadwinners for their families? Did their parents force them to sell on the street? Were they street children? Were they part of the child slave trade? More so, do they know our Savior? How could I complain about a cold shower when they probably have none at all?

The toilets in our house don't have seats. Imagine the shock to our backsides when nature called! We knew all of this before we came, but the daily encounter with the toilet seat takes some getting used to when you know that you're staying here forever! Yet, we endure with joy. We've decided to follow Jesus wherever He leads, with or without toilet seats!

Now that Ruben's surgery is behind us, we are working on making our little house a home and taking advantage of every opportunity that God gives us to share His love with others. Our boys went to the village in Moca Sunday afternoon to give gifts to the children and moms there. Jose participated in a drama while Josue and Jonathan prayed for and shared God's love with the people there. We are excited about the chance to work with the orphans there.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Ruben's achilles tendon: a. Complete healing. b. Continued provision for physical therapy. c. No more swelling. d. No more pain.

2. 38 acres of land: Provision and favor as we have not yet met our goal.

3. Continued family untiy: We are all doing great. Let's pray that it stays this way!

4. Provision: a. Bedroom furniture b. A vehicle c. Living and dining room furniture

5. Peace

6. Favor with customs as will pick up our shipment of some household items on Friday the 12th. Pray that they won't overcharge us for anything.

7. Wisdom for the Internet Cafe.

WE STILL NEED MONTHY SUPPORTERS. PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING A PART OF OUR TEAM BY GIVING TOWARDS H.O.P.E'S INITIATIVES!

Blessings to you all,

Vicki