This and That

 

A new blog post is long, long overdue, and I know it. Sometimes, though, life just isn’t exciting, and it’s difficult to imagine what I could possibly say that would be of interest to anyone. Would you really care to know that I spent weeks after my return in August proofreading spreadsheets – the information for the progress reports that would go out to sponsors this fall? Or that I made list upon list of questions and information needed and photos to be taken? Or that I spent what felt like hours updating the spreadsheets (and the lists) after a trip to the ministry site or a phone call to a director or an email from someone at the site? Yes, progress reports have consumed my life for the last 2 months, but I’m happy to say that they are done. Well, almost done. I still have to account for two more students. What can I say?

As I sat here reflecting, I realized that there were and are a few other things going on in my life – both good and challenging. This post, then, will simply be a hodgepodge of several of those things in no particular order.

 

Four weeks ago, I broke my big toe. Our laundry area is a balcony outside the apartment. When the dryer runs, the tile floor becomes wet with the condensation. I forgot that. When I heard the washer making strange noises, I rushed out in my bare feet, hit that wet floor, and fell. My left foot slipped behind me and apparently my toes bent too far in a direction they are not meant to go. After x-rays and a consultation with the doctor (which cost about $20) it was decided that my toe had a hairline fracture. I was told to wrap my two toes together, elevate my foot and stay off it for 3 weeks. Then for 4-6 weeks, I could walk around my apartment, but no strenuous activity. Have to admit, that didn’t really happen, but I did do my best to elevate it whenever I was sitting. My toe has gotten better so I must not have done too badly following the directions. I’m almost ready to get rid of the special shoe I was given which keeps me from bending the toes, and I’m really hoping I can quit wrapping it this week. I’m sure looking forward to getting back to my morning walks!

 A few days after I broke my toe, we had a Kids Alive missionary retreat at a camp in Jarabacoa. It’s in a beautiful setting with nice facilities, including a pool, climbing wall, and giant swing. Since I wasn’t supposed to be walking much, I stayed in a private room with one other person that was on the same level as the meeting room. Everyone else bunked in dormitory-style rooms. I also had the privilege of being driven to the pavilion where we ate our meals since going up and down 120+ steps wasn’t really part of the doctor’s orders. There are some advantages to having a broken toe! We studied the first couple verses of Psalm 23 and heard testimonies from a number of fellow missionaries. It was a restful, blessed time.

 

 

We have baby goats! Shortly after I came back, one of the neighbors nearby started tying a goat in the small lot next to our apartment building. After watching a few days, I was pretty sure the goat was pregnant. Sure enough, a couple weeks ago, she gave birth to triplets. I heard their first little bleats and spent most of the afternoon watching them. Two of them were up and nursing right away; the third one struggled. He was obviously weaker and smaller, but he was a fighter. Even though the mother actually stepped on him twice, he managed to get back to his feet and tried to nurse. I named him, Rocky, for his tenacious spirit. Unfortunately, Rocky didn’t survive the first night. The neighbor came and took them away before dark, but only brought back two kids the next day. I must admit that I wonder if any special care was taken for him during the night or if he was left to try and survive on his own. Still, it is great fun to watch the two kids play in the field next door.

We have had lots of rain. Since we were in a drought last year, it’s hard to know if the amount of rain is abnormal, but it sure seems like it. With the rain has come some serious leaking problems in our spare bedroom. The owner had gutters installed on the building. Here in the DR, they don’t use downspouts. They just leave the hole open and let the water stream out. One of the holes is over the flat roof of our bedroom. The water from the third floor roof falls on the flat roof which has become saturated with water. As a result, we have water running through the ceiling. It’s a mess. And now the stains are appearing on the ceiling of my bedroom which also has a flat roof, and the paint is beginning to buckle and fall off.

 

 

This week I took a trip to the Santo Domingo School to work on enrollments and Christmas projects for our Dominican sponsors. Juan and Margaret’s school is one of my favorite places to go. The kids there love to have visitors, and I get to see my sponsored girl, Carolina. Even if we don’t accomplish everything we hoped to do, it’s always a good day.

 

 

 

One more note – after months of seeing just an empty shelf, I found applesauce in the grocery store today! Now I can make applesauce crunch for Thanksgiving dinner! Yeah!!

 

Prayer requests:

·         For the rain to stop long enough for our roof to be repaired and that it would be repaired correctly!

·         For God to protect Carolina and shield her from certain activities that seem to be happening in her home.

·         For a safe trip back to the Goshen area in December.

·         For my small group as we study the book, Inside Out by Larry Crabb. Talk about a challenge!

·         And, always, for the ministry of Kids Alive here in the DR and around the world that more and more children will come to know Jesus and be given all that they need to thrive and grow.

 

Blessings!

Karen