maquinas nuevas

A visionary lady from California visited my site in February and decided to bless us with two new sewing machines! She and a friend came this week with two new peddle machines that they ordered from Japan (I think). I've never seen machines like this before. They are peddle machines (non-electric), but can do everything that an electric machine does- zigzag stick, back stiching, button holes.

Today the girls came to the Women's Center to learn to use the machines. They caught on quickly, because the machines are so simple to use! Next week, the visiting ladies are going to do some special classes with the girls- making skirts and collared shirts. The girls will certainly be fighting over who gets to use the new machines.

pulga

One cultural experience that both amazes and annoys me is the 'pulga'. A pulga (which actually means 'flea') is like a garage sale. Donations left by teams that visit our base are sold to help raise money for special projects in our communities. A few weeks ago we held a pulga at the Women's Center to raise money to do a small construction project for a family in the community to make their house more handicap accessible for their daughter who has multiple sclerosis.

People began gathering outside the Women's Center around 8 a.m. The pulga was to start at 10:30 a.m. (Dominican can be on time!) We decided to let pregnant women come in to buy first, for their own safety. Then Rudy, our construction site worker, let people in 15 people at a time to buy. Some people tried to sneak through the fence to get into the sale. (The picture above shows people waiting to come in the gate). Others sent money with the pregnant ladies to buy them their favorite item before someone else got the chance to enter and buy it. Some pushed their way to the porch and Rudy punished them by making them wait until last. There were accusations of unfairness- people were accused of going in twice, sneaking in with someone taller, buying more than their share of towels, stealing a salami, etc. (They also broke the gate to the propery when they rushed through).

Anyway. It was quite comical to me. And frustrating at the same time. I was a bit flabbergasted that people would put in so much effort just to buy on our little sale, but also realize that the sale must really matter to them if they do put in such effort to get in.

It's often hard to know how to bless people that are in need. We don't give things away, because that communicates that we think they are so poor they can't even buy used stuff. It seems from this sale that selling things at low prices can also cause people to act in ways that are below their dignity. It's not to say that everyone acted crazy in the sale. Once in the sale, most people just calmly bought what they needed and left. What made them act crazy, it seemed, was that they all wanted to go in first.

In the end, I would say that a lot of people were blessed. Several families did get things that they needed and we were able to raise over $RD5,000 ($US 140) for the construction project. After the sale, several community members asked me when we'll do it all again.

cooperacion

My Monday beginner's sewing class is quite the joy for me. This new group of sewers has several older girls in it and they are learning so quickly! It has been fun to have a group that understands what they read when we have our Bible readings and that seems to catch on to what I teach them in sewing.

Last week we were cutting out bags, using some new fabric I had bought just for them (which was quite exciting for them). And the girls shocked me... they all started to cut out their bags together. Three of them helped one girl pin her pattern on; two girls, each with a scissor in hand, cut it out together! It was cooperation!

I realize that cooperation is not foreign to this culture- I have seen it before. However, it seems that in sewing class the girls sometimes get tired of sharing equipment and space and each starts to defend her territory. So, it was so refreshing to see that in sewing class on this day the girls chose to all help one another and stick together on their project.

reposteria

We started a small baking class last week. Since pretty much all of the girls in Los Higos and the surrounding communities have learned to knit, we needed something new to do. We had our first class last Friday. I split the girls into two baking groups, so we will all fit in the kitchen, and this Friday the other group will bake. In this picture group 1 poses by their first cake- a carrot cake.

When we bake we will always have some down time while we wait for whatever we are making to bake. I am debating how to best use this time. Last time I wasn't real prepared, so we just played charades. I would like, however, to use that time to do something productive and edifying or educational for the girls. Any ideas?

Today was our last day talking about health. A nurse from the rural clinic in the neighboring community came to talk to them about preventing and treating tuburculosis. I was surprised that the clinic has a new doctor and she wanted to come along! It turns out that she is a Christian and is really excited about what we are doing in the Women's Center. When I told her that I want to soon start a series with the girls on dating and marriage she offered to come back and talk with them about waiting to get married, family planning, STDs, etc. I'm really excited at the possibility of partner with her and helping her to establish a ministry in the community, too.

shoe crew

During Easter week we had a team visit from Indiana that called themselves the shoe crew. They came to do running races with the kids in Los Higos and then give shoes to each participant.

A lot more kids than expected came to the baseball diamond to participate. The older boys especially seemed to enjoy the different races. Following the race, there was a devotional comparing racing to life and with a message of winning the prize that comes from following Christ.

After devotional, each child was called up to receive a pair of tennis shoes and have their feet washed and to be prayed over. After the washing, the new shoes were placed on the kid's feet. What a special moment!

Unfortunately the team could only give shoes to those that had been signed up ahead of time. A lot of kids came hoping to get shoes, but they weren't on the list.

It's hard to know how to best be generous in the community. A lot of people in the community really do need shoes. Plus, having tennis shoes encourages the kids to play sports and run, which is the type of healthy activity we desire them to participate in in their free time. So, it seems that if we are going to give the community a material item, shoes would be a good one to give.

Yet, giving things out in the community can also send the message, which we don't want to send, that we see them as poor people that need hand-outs. Rather we want to communicate that they are rich in Christ and rich in ability. We want to send the message that we see more in them than just their material needs. And we definately do not want to encourage an attitude of entitlement in them. We want to encourage thankfulness for what they have, rather than demand for what they don't have.

I think the shoe crew learned a lot about generosity and poverty through their experience and I hope that this will shape all of our understanding of how to best help those who are in need.

despedida

Earlier this spring I asked God to send me help. I imagined having a sidekick who could help me with the load of responsabilities that I was carrying in running the women's center. Even as I prayed, I imagined there would be no way God could line someone up until summer, but I was wishing she could come immediately.

I didn't know that God had already heard my prayer and my spring intern had already bought her ticket. Stephanie came at the beginning of February with a team of women from California. Her team came for just one week, but I didn't know Stephanie had come to stay for two months!

Stephanie immediately connected with the young women (and two boys) at my site. Her visible love for them ministered to them.

It has been a blessing to have a companion, an ear, another mind to remember, an organizer, a cleaning lady, and encourager, and a friend with me each day at the site. We said good-bye to Stephanie at the site a few days ago and she will fly out in less than 24 hours. I know that she needs to return to her family back home so she may love and encourage them in her ministry there, just as she has us. I thank her family for lending her to us for this time.

maquina de coser

Sarah has been wanting to get her own sewing machine for a long time. We'd been looking for a machine since December and got one last week. She is pictured above with the machine in her house.

Since her dad passed away, her family has made it clear that Sarah and her sister will need to find ways to financially support themselves. Sarah's plan is to make bags to sell and to charge for things like clothing repair.

In the background are some bags that will be sent to a supporter in the states. He is hoping to market the bags as a fund-raiser for the church in Los Higos. Sarah is also making a profit on the bags that will help her and her family.

Please pray that Sarah will increase in skill and confidence and that she will be a wise manager of the money she makes. Pray that the money that will be raised for the church will be wisely invested for the expansion of God's Kingdom in Los Higos.