Mid-summer reflections from our Outreach Intern, Alison Simon:

Reflecting back on our work together so far this summer, I am reminded of a phrase that one of my swim coaches used to say at practice before seemingly impossible sets.  (For all of you non-swimmers, a set is basically an hour of agonizing and strenuous swimming.)  He said, “When we get to Nationals, you are going to stand on the block and think, ‘This is the set that made all the difference.’”  Of course, he said that almost everyday, so by the time we actually got to Nationals, we had months’ worth of sets to reflect on.  But he was right.  Each of those “insurmountable” sets made a difference, not only in our strength, but also in our attitudes.  We enjoyed doing sets that were hard because we knew that they would make a difference in the long run, even though our progress was not necessarily tangible, and sometimes we even seemed to take a step backward.

This summer, through the Summer of Service and the Garden Ministry, we have accomplished so much.  We have made hygiene kits for Church World Service and kits for the men at the Servant Center.  We have cooked meals, weeded, and picked vegetables…a lot of vegetables.  We may not have gotten to see the immediate results of our service, but we know that it will “make all the difference.”  The hygiene kits that we sent to Church World Service might make all the difference to a child in Haiti.  The fresh vegetables picked and delivered to the Servant Center may make all the difference to a family that cannot get fresh vegetables any other way.  The meals that we cooked for members of our own congregation make all the difference to the people who receive them and know that we appreciate them.  Each act we have performed with others in mind will “make all the difference” to someone, somewhere.  And that is what serving is all about, right?  Making a difference.  As our summer continues, I challenge you to think about this phrase and know that you can make all the difference.

An inter-generational group from our church has been on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic this week. Here is their final update:

Today was our culture and fun day. We headed out at 8:00am for the 70 minute bus ride to the orphanage at Monti Christi. After a brief tour, meeting the kids, and getting eaten alive (the mosquitos are much worse there than in Jaibon), we went into the town and toured the English Institute that is operated by Orphanage Outreach. We also visited some
historical sites and shopped for souvenirs before heading to a gorgeous beach for some well earned R and R. After a stop for ice cream, we headed back to Jaibon for dinner and our final night.

This is our final posting, as we head home tomorrow with an ETA of 12:30am Sunday morning at FCC. You can, and should, be proud of our kids. They really made an impact this week. Also this is not an easy place to be, but there has not been one complaint about conditions. But we will be glad to get home! Thanks to everyone whose contributions made this trip possible. We look forward to sharing much more about it at a Third Wednesday Fellowship Dinner later this year.

This week, an inter-generational team from FCC is in the Dominican Republic working at Orphanage Outreach. Here is today’s update:

Today was the final day of morning camp and we were greeted with cheers as we arrived.  The kids were so excited today that it was a challenge just to get them to sit still.  We all got lots of hugs when it was time to say goodbye and the children asked for our handwritten name tags as a keepsake.

Then this afternoon we went to a nearby batey, which is a camp for transient Haitian workers who are brought in to harvest sugar cane by the sugar companies.  This was our real eye opener for the week.  Extreme poverty, squalid conditions, and children who have absolutely nothing.

They were thrilled to be given something as simple as a piece of chalk to keep. We spent the afternoon reading to them, coloring with them, playing ball with them, blowing bubbles with them and just holding them.  They are literally starving for attention; some appear better cared for than others, but there is definitely evidence of malnourishment.  And the Haitian girls love to braid hair – as Alison, Jennifer and Hannah found out!

Tomorrow we will get to visit the orphanage at Monti Christi, which was the first one established by Orphanage Outreach and the one April has worked at in the past.  And we also get some beach time!

This week, an inter-generational team from FCC is in the Dominican Republic working at Orphanage Outreach. Here is today’s update:

Last night we watched a moving film about the DR concerning the reign of Trujillo and the Maribel sisters.  We had a couple of Tarantula sightings, April had a rat join her in the shower, and April, Jane and Jennifer’s tent leaked – other than that, fairly uneventful. Rain continued on and off through the night but the morning dawned bright and clear.  At breakfast we learned that a RN in the Arizona group had noticed an infant at the Batey on Monday that did not look well, so she and her husband along with Orphanage Outreach staff are in route there this morning to take it to a clinic.  Our group did 2 camps, adding a new church in the afternoon.

Conditions were cramped and hot, but the kids were so glad to see us and so full of enthusiasm that we left more inspired than tired.  Tonight is movie night with the boys.

This week, an inter-generational team from FCC is in the Dominican Republic working at Orphanage Outreach. Here is today’s update:

Following a breakfast of French toast and fresh fruit, we set out for the church in Jaibon for Day 2 of Bible Camp, where we acted out Daniel in the Lion’s Den, starring Sam as Daniel, Alison as King Darius, Hannah as the evil governor, and all the kids as the lions.  Marci and Rheagan taught the parts of the body in English, Holly and Annah helped with crafts and April and Jane organized games.

Teaching English

The food is really phenomenal here – we would all gain weight if we stayed for long.  It is Dominican Republic home cooking, everything fresh and seasoned with herbs chopped by hand.  Lunch was followed by heavy rain, which continued through the afternoon and washed out our planned trip to a Batey, which is a transient camp located in close proximity to farms and fields.  Instead we stayed and hung out with the boys.  Tonight we get a Dominican Republic history lesson.

This week, an inter-generational team from FCC is in the Dominican Republic working at Orphanage Outreach. Here is today’s update:

We are tired tonight!  Hot day with no afternoon rain, so we will be able to sort and deliver donations tonight.  We did our first camp today for about 40 kids at a Church in Jaibon.

Ready for camp to start

The group grew in size throughout the morning as word spread through the community.  We are told to expect 20% growth in attendance per day.

Working on a project with new friends

This afternoon our group weeded and mowed, started construction on a planter, and did activities with the boys here at the orphanage.  Tonight after devotions is game night with the boys.  The good news is no tarantula sightings since Saturday night!

One last note: After dinner, we were treated to quite a view of a full rainbow.

Last Saturday morning, an inter-generational team of 12 church members and friends left Greensboro for the Dominican Republic, where they will spend this week working at Orphanage Outreach. They hope to send us daily updates, which will be posted here as they are received. Here is their update from Sunday, July 18:

Today was mostly a prep day – another church from AZ arrived late last night.  We had a worship service and orientation this morning.  I am impressed with the mission and values of the organization. The Orphanage Director is very committed – he and his family are from Colorado.  The agency director is also here this week – he is from AZ and attends the church that got here last night.  This afternoon we got to play with the boys that live here, took a tour of the property, but mostly spent time working on Bible camp prep for tomorrow through Thursday. 

Preparing for Bible School

Our group from FCC, along with 2 sisters that came on their own from PA and another young lady who came from Wyoming, will team with 8 interns and will do acamp at 2 locations in the community – one morning and one afternoon.  We will staff 4 stations – Bible lesson, English lesson (colors and numbers), arts and crafts, and recreation.  Four groups will rotate among the stations; Jennifer, Leeann, Carly andRiley will be group leaders.  Also one of the afternoons we will spend working with the boys here at the orphanage and another will be spent working on building raised beds to grow herbs.  We were going to sort the donations everyone brought tonight, but will postpone that due to the rain.

We can attend nightly devotions with the boys a little later, then will rest up for a busy week.  More tomorrow!

On August 2, we will be painting fixtures at Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade organization.  We will meet at the church at 4:40 P.M. and will be finished by 8:00 P.M.  If you are unable to join us at 4:40, you are welcome to come later!  You may sign up for this event in the narthex or by e-mailing Alison Simon at outreach@fccgreensboro.org.

Our next Summer of Service day is on July 31.  It will begin at 9:00 A.M. and end at 12:00 P.M. with refreshments.  We will be clearing trails at Kopper Top, a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding and animal-assisted therapy for individuals with disabilities.  (Because Kopper Top is located at a farm, we will have to drive about 25 minutes to get there, so we should not expect to be finished early, like we were on the July 10 Summer of Service day.)  We will also be building a greenhouse at the Community Garden and cooking for members of our congregation.  Kids will paint artwork to hang in patients’ rooms at Beacon Place.  We hope you will join us for this opportunity!  You may sign up in the narthex or by e-mailing Alison Simon at outreach@fccgreensboro.org.

We have two more Summer of Service days coming up!  They are July 31 and August 14.  Sign up in the narthex or e-mail Alison Simon at outreach@fccgreensboro.org to join us on those days!