Rep. Dominican Round 2! (See You Later!)

It's bittersweet when the camp comes to end!! Please take few moments to view the pics by click on the link 'See you Next Year".

See You Next Year!

Whew... that was little emotional to put this one together! It makes me miss the kids even more and how wonderful time I had there!

Next journey is to Boca Chica Resort for few days to relax before heading back to the United of States.... 

God's is good by allowing us to come and ministry to those children!
<><

 
One more IMPORTANT thing I want to do before closing this... 
I want to Thank You to ALL who had donated to allow this trip to happen! 
Second, for all your prayers and support me on this challenge and life change experience! 
Third, HUGE Thank You to my church Open Door Baptist Church  for all the support and encouragement to return. This church is part of my testimony why I went on this trip. This church has a STRONG support of Missionary for the Lord. I've got the inspire to do this because of this church and how we love the Lord through his serving!!
Lastly, The Lord for allowing me to attend this camp and be part of his will for me to learn more about who God is by planting seeds in those lovely precious children!!! 
Again! THANK YOU!!!!!

Rep. Dominicana round 2 (Campamento)

Am telling you this year's Camp was WAY better than last year! We were blessed with a better camp site, more accessible for Leslie who is in a wheelchair and much prettier and clean! There were many things that had improved this year compared to last year. I will be listing them along with pics!

1. This year we made changes on how to present our bible stories to the kids. Last few year they would use interpreters and the actors would either voice or sign. Julie and I had worked very hard to make changes by using sign language ONLY no interpreters allowed! We had all staffs who knows sign language to preform, even some part does not require signs we still use our staffs! 

Drama Pics!

2. Last few years, teachers and mothers who works at the school would cook our meals for us. This year the camp had their own cooker, which was much better, even the food were delicious!! That way the teachers can take educational develop workshop with Julie in the morning to learn more about Deaf Education. Also be able to interact with kids throughout the day!

3. The campground was PREFECT! There were fresh mangoes and bananas trees EVERYWHERE! Plus they had more fun playgrounds to play on, baseketball court, and even a zipline! The dorms were much better than last year, this year we didn't have to get mosquito nets for our windows. Lastly, it was beautiful campground!

CAMPGROUND

4. We have more fun activities set up throughout the day. We had swimming, sports, drama, craft, nail polish, science, and group discussion classes. Kids loved those activities, even during free time hang around the campground!
-to view the PICS click on the blue link!!!!

Classes Pics!

Sports Pics!

 

Swimming

Toddlers

Freetime!!

I return back to America overwhelmed with rich experiences from being back in Republic Dominicana for the 2nd time. Each year has really improved my relationship with the lord and how i want to live my life! I can't explain in words how blessed I am to be able to service the Lord through this ministry!

Praying the Lord will give me another opportunity to return next year for camp 2014!! <>< 

Rep. Dominican Round 2! (Arrival)

Yuppers, that's right I went back to Republica Dominicana for the second time recently June! This time I came into Santo Domingo four days early from the camp date. I am blessed and grateful for a great opportunity to be able to see what their life is alike outside of camp.

While staying in Santo Domingo for 5 days before the camp, I stayed with an awesome and sweetest host family that is related to Paulina, one of the top Deaf School advocate in the country. Only 4 of us from America stayed with them and other 4 stayed with Paulina. We were about mile or so away from each other. They both cooked excellent foods for us and was very generosity by helping us to get around the city! While we stayed with them, we had opportunity to experience the REAL life of Republica Dominicana by tour the city and learn what their daily life is alike. Am just amazing and still speechless that I live in America not there!

Back View on the top from our Host family's apt!

Front view

Our host family in middle and rest of us who stayed with them (esp for Josiah in the back and Nicole in the front they stayed with Paulina) 
Click here for more pics from Host house!

Touring the city!
Click here for more pics!!

We were able to visit the main deaf school where our kids from camp attended in Santo Domingo. While we visit the school (on Thurs and Friday), we observed their classrooms, interact with the kids, and learn what their educate is a like. On both of those days we also were able to visit several kid's homes, this part of the trip was the most impacting experiences I've had down there. 

One best part of this experience at the main deaf school was that we got to witness their graduation celebration. Their graduation is much similar to ours here in USA. In addition, we were able to visit another deaf school that "was" in the process of establish the school on the other side of the city. The result was that there were a school that was established in different part of Santo Domingo that way more deaf kids could attend school since the main school is too far for them to travel there. God is amazing in many ways for those kids!! Looking forward to see more of God's work in those kids for their education!! 
 

Click here for graduation and school pics!!

As for home visit, as I say it was the most impacting experience for me because I visit one of the poorest part of the city compared to where I was staying at. The entire time I was speechless and was hard for me to talk. I kept on asking myself why am I in America not here. Please look through the pics the pictures explain more than I could!  

Click here for more pics from this home visit!

This experience was worth it because it helped me understand better where our kids come from and life lesson for me. It also helped me to think twice what I want on my daily basis and not to waste my food, etc. I am still grateful I was able to grab this opportunity to see the other side of the world!