Did we ever find that kid who needed water?
Unfortunately no. But it's funny how God opened our eyes and allowed us other opportunities to serve the hurt and hungry in our community.
We've been able to provide for and love on kids, a new mom, a man from Nigeria and even Robersy's family as needs have arisen... and God has blessed.
Still, that's not the point of why I write today.
Do you ever remember a time that you and your kids have sat and watched a movie? All of a sudden, that "scene" you forgot about comes on and what happens? Your hands find their eyes QUICKLY!
Or maybe it was a song. Oh my soul. As I listen back to songs I listened to in the past I am horrified at the hidden meanings and innuendos. Most of the things kids don't pick up on, but if there was a word here or there, those hands quickly cover your child's ears.
An act of love. Protection. Keeping their innocence. Deterring follow-up conversations.
But this week Robersy and I were surprised by a situation where the same hands that are meant to protect seem to be causing destruction in a community, which will effect a city, which will keep a country in the same place as it's always been... or worse.
In an effort to grow our young people in faith and truth, Robersy and I decided to do some school visits. Thankfully Robersy has quite a good standing in Guayacanes, where he coaches baseball, and so he is known by most and welcomed in to homes, businesses and schools with open arms.
I am simply his trophy wife :)
HAHAHAHA. Just kidding.
However, since I am really trying to work more with the young ladies in our church and community, I got to tag along with my handsome hubby.
So off we went.
Before we began bombarding the kids in their classrooms and asking their teachers plenty of embarrassing and invasive information (grades, behavior, attitudes, etc.) which they love - especially when they are on good terms with their teachers - we went and visited the Principal and Vice-Principal.
Of course they knew Robersy and so once they had caught up on life we began talking about some events we'd like to do in the schools over the next few months. The teens in church have been excited about missions, but we've emphasized the importance of starting where you are... so... we're starting were they are!
However, while we were talking I thought... Ooooohh! I know Lily House also wants to speak to young ladies about risks, trafficking and prostitution. Let me put a word in for them too.
So on the topic of problems within the youth of today, I shared that Guayacanes had a very high percentage of young ladies who are involved in prostitution and that it didn't necessarily mean they were selling their bodies for money... many times it's for food, clothing, education...
She raised her hand and motioned for me to pause.
"Ma'am, I know you and your people want to educate ours, but there are some things we just don't want our youth to know."
My mouth literally dropped open.
I looked at Robersy questioning if I had crossed a line and thankfully my Prince Charming repeated everything I had just said in... um... Dominican?! lol.
"I understand completely. But again, there are things that happen and statistics that exist. We just don't necessarily want out our young people to know about them." Then with her hands she covered her ears. "Understand?"
I stayed mostly quiet for the remainder of the conversation, scared to over step my boundaries again, but the vice-principal mentioned several more times throughout the conversation that we "must be careful of what we talk about." She looked at me each time. I smiled and nodded.
As soon as we stepped out of the office I drilled Robersy. "Was it something I said? Was it the way I said it?"
"See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil. We choose to live in ignorance."
No matter how you slice it. IT'S HAPPENING! All around us.
Mother's are sending their daughters to the streets and many times even accompanying them there. Husbands urge their wives. Fathers encourage their daughters. Out of simple need to put food on the table, girls go.
And the schools remains quiet. The cities remain silent. The country raises their hands over their ears.
Yet it's happening.
And lest you think this is a blog to bash the Dominican Republic, I beg you to ask, when do you raise your hands?
Two presidential candidates. (I know you just sat up straighter. Stay with me here.)
Both involved in heinous sins and crimes. But we praise them. Pray for America? YES!!! Vote? YES!!! But are we honest with ourselves that there is a whole lot of crap that does not honor the Lord on BOTH SIDES... or do we cover our ears?
Our world is falling apart all around us.
Where sin is praised and those who do right are ridiculed.
Where are our hands?
For I assure you, there is a difference between trying to protect... and choosing to ignore.
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Let me hop off my soap box and share with you what's going on in the ministry God has allowed us to be a part of.
This past week one of our boys got saved at church! We continue discipling (teaching, training and living along side our young people) young ladies and men from our church, who in turn are reaching out to their peers in their community.
We've had opportunities to sit down with new believers and encourage those who are tired in the faith.
We laugh. We cry. We learn. We grow.
Here are a few photos from youth group this past week. It was "Famous Friday" and so some of the kids dressed up. Robersy was Michael Phelps, Josiah was Rocky Balboa and I was... Robersy :) I just wanted an excuse to draw a beard on my face and Robersy was scruffy that week. LOL!
Nate led the games and Felipe preached the Word.
We love having fun with our young people!
If you're praying for us this week please pray for a group of men from our church that crossed the border in to Haiti. Pray for their safety and that God would use their time to offer help and relief to those suffering there.
Robersy is off to a conference tomorrow with Baseball Chapel so be praying for his time and then the next week it's Baseball Week! So pray for a little extra energy for Robersy :)
God Bless! And watch where you put those hands.
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