This is my third year coming to the Dominican Republic, and I am still amazed at the welcoming atmospheres of Nazaret and Cielo. The children here are so loving, and the adults are just as hospitable. I only hope that we can bring back some of this to Montgomery.
My favorite moment yesterday was after lunch when Group B did our VBS. This was definitely not the “Frazer VBS.” Half of our group stayed in Club Bamboo, where the VBS would be, to try to organize everything, while the other half went out to Cielo to gather as many children to participate as we could. Many of the children I recognized from last year. One child’s name was Ernesto. I specifically remembered him because last summer he and one of our teammates, Chandler Barrow, had a special bond. After a heartbreaking goodbye at the end of the week last year, Chandler gave Ernesto his necklace. When Kathy Boston and I saw Ernesto and remembered his friendship with Ernesto, we asked a translator to say, “Remember Chandler from last year? The ‘Americano’ who gave you the necklace? He couldn’t come this year, but he wanted to tell you hello.” Ernesto didn’t say anything in response, but the sweet smile on his face showed that he did, indeed, remember Chandler.
This moment was so significant to me because I saw the effect Chandler had on Ernesto. For all of us, this mission trip is bigger than just this week. It will have a lasting effect on the lives of the Dominicans and us, and I feel so blessed to be a part of such a mission.
Mary Rief
My favorite moment yesterday was after lunch when Group B did our VBS. This was definitely not the “Frazer VBS.” Half of our group stayed in Club Bamboo, where the VBS would be, to try to organize everything, while the other half went out to Cielo to gather as many children to participate as we could. Many of the children I recognized from last year. One child’s name was Ernesto. I specifically remembered him because last summer he and one of our teammates, Chandler Barrow, had a special bond. After a heartbreaking goodbye at the end of the week last year, Chandler gave Ernesto his necklace. When Kathy Boston and I saw Ernesto and remembered his friendship with Ernesto, we asked a translator to say, “Remember Chandler from last year? The ‘Americano’ who gave you the necklace? He couldn’t come this year, but he wanted to tell you hello.” Ernesto didn’t say anything in response, but the sweet smile on his face showed that he did, indeed, remember Chandler.
This moment was so significant to me because I saw the effect Chandler had on Ernesto. For all of us, this mission trip is bigger than just this week. It will have a lasting effect on the lives of the Dominicans and us, and I feel so blessed to be a part of such a mission.
Mary Rief
Comments
Mary,
Loved hearing about Ernesto. I can just see his sweet smile. So glad you are getting to reconnect with the kids from the past two years. Hope all of you are well and able to tolerate the hard work and heat. Please tell the team that their Frazer family is praying for them and so proud of the work they are doing for God. Take care of your Mom, she will probably have some aching muscles soon!
Prayers and blessings,
Ms. Kathy (Daisy)
Mary,
Thank you so much for your post. I showed it to Chandler and needless to say, he was excited to hear from Ernesto. We have a picture in our den of Ernesto with the necklace on. We miss being down there and am so glad things are going well. Thank you for taking the time to write about how God is working in the lives of all of you guys. Chandler, Mrs. Donna and I all cried today when we read your post but they were tears of joy. God is so good and it is awesome seeing Him work miracles in all of our lives. We will continue to pray for you, Ernesto and the entire team down there. God Bless all of you.
Bert, Donna, Brook, Blake and Chandler