Feliz Navidad

"It's Christmas Eve. It's Christmas Eve. Its Christmas Eve."

No matter how many times I say it, I still can not convince myself that it is Christmas Eve today. 

"Its Christmas Eve".....nope..still don't believe it. 

There is no snow on the ground, 80 degree weather outside, and I look out my window and there are cows walking down the street. 

Don't get me wrong, the DR loves Christmas time. Down here, Christmas started at the beginning of October. Christmas lights were up, stores had the traditional Christmas time food at store front (grapes, gummies, and apples), and Christmas music was heard through the streets. In the main plaza in Puerto Plata, you can even visit a half manger scene half santa's workshop display..that has a Christmas tree hovering over the whole thing (pictures coming soon). But? to me? No snow, no christmas. 

Christmas is being 'redefined' for me this year. Yes, I miss my family and friends. Yes, I would love to bake holiday cookies and bon bons with out immediately putting them into the fridge with fear the chocolate would melt within minutes. I miss snow men and hot cocoa. I miss Christmas decorating and present wrapping. I miss holiday party planning and Christmas traditions, dangit! Because that's what Christmas is all about, gosh darnit! 

Wait a minute...that's not right. 

This Christmas I am out of my element. God's got me out of my box of comfort. I am in a season where the true meaning of Christmas is all I can grasp to celebrate the season, because all of my christmas traditions are back home in the snow. 

This year, God's gift to the world, thinking about how blessed I've been this year, and truly being thankful for every person in my life, because without the people and the relationships..I am not sure where I'd be. That's Christmas this year. 

As I sip my coffee this morning, with sweat beads rolling down my forehead (because thats what happens when you drink coffee down here)..I send a Merry Christmas to all my friends and family back home. I miss you. I love you. I can't wait to cuddle up on the couch with you next Christmas. 

Feliz Navidad. 

(Stay tuned for updates..coming soon)

Move Forward, Confidently

Experience has taught me that when God calls me to do something, no matter how crazy it seems, I need to go for it. I have also learned the more I question my big life decisions, the more frustrated I get. Every time I am faced with a tough decision about my future, I find myself trying to talk my way out of the scarier option. I always try to play it safe in my head, giving all sorts of excuses as to why I can't take a leap of faith and fully trust that God will take care of me.

Time and time again, I am nudged, and more often shoved into new, scary, and uncomfortable situations. I have survived them all, and learned a whole heck of a lot more than I would have had I taken the "safe" route all those times. At first glance, I never like God's plans for me. I prefer mine, obviously. My plans usually involve more waterskiing. God's plans are growing on me, however, and I don't put on such a hissy-fit trying to escape them anymore. When called in a given direction, I try my best to "move forward, confidently."

We were called to the Dominican Republic by way of DOVE missions, an organization in Puerto Plata that gives poor children a safe place to hang out, along with English lessons, food, and vitamins. The kids are amazing and the need is high. We were both offered positions with the organization, and decided without much hesitation to come down. The call was strong for both of us. After months of planning, we arrived. We literally hit the ground running, and during the first 2 weeks, felt like this is exactly where we were supposed to be. 

Over the next 3 weeks, a series of events revealed very clearly to us that DOVE missions is not a good fit for us. It is not a place where our gifts and talents could be put to good use. After a miserable process of pros/cons list, prayer, advice-seeking, and shoulder-shrugging, we decided to leave DOVE missions. The decision was fiercely combatted by fear, regret, embarrassment, and an overall sense of failure.

But now that the decision has been made, our shoulders feel a little lighter, and we can breathe a little easier. We can look back and realize that in a very short amount of time, we have learned more than we'd ever expected, and we're better for having this experience. 

So, now what?

Well, neither of us feel called to anything different, and we actually feel more strongly that our purpose is here, doing mission work. Through this experience, we have made many connections and met a lot of great friends. DOVE missions is just a small piece of a much larger puzzle. Our area is full of need, and there are many great organizations doing their best to fill the need. Our hope is to each find a position with another mission group, we are currently in the process of figuring out just where we fit in. 

We appreciate all of the support and wisdom that we have received from loved ones during this process. We ask that you continue to send prayers our way as we uncover the plans that God has for us here. 

If you have any questions, feel free to email us anytime at linleyscotrichter@gmail.com and/or davidmassey12@yahoo.com.

Just a Nice Dominican Man

Ever since I've been here, I've been told repeatedly not to trust Dominican men. I've been told this by literally almost everybody I have talked to, including Dominican men. The warnings have all come with stories of being let-down, lied to, or taken advantage of. All of the stories have also been told with the best of intentions, in hopes of protecting us from harm or disappointment. This theme has been drilled into me so hard, I have begun to look at every Dominican man as a possible threat.

Linley and I were headed to the club for work one morning, so we flagged down a motoconcho driver (motorcycle taxi driver) and hopped on. We started talking to the man with as much Spanish as we knew, and revealed to him that we were currently searching for a moto of our own. He got pretty excited at this idea, and even more excited when he realized we were working for a program that helped poor children. He took down my number and said he would call soon.

My first instinct was, "Great, what a nice guy!" Then, almost immediately, my skepticism kicked in. I had already had several other people say they would help me find a good price on a moto, none of which really panned out or seemed legitimate. I quickly forgot about my encounter with the motoconcho driver.

The very next day, I got a phone call. It was the motoconcho driver. I was surprised he had called, but still not excited, as I was still wearing my skeptics pants and had no reason to take them off. People always seem willing to help a gringo, but not many are looking to help a gringo without the expectation of being paid or tipped or fed (or at least that is what I was trained to think).

Against my better judgement and the advice of so many, I told him where I lived, and within minutes, he was there. We shook hands like old friends and he told me to hop on his moto. I did, and we took off. He took me to another neighborhood about 5 minutes away, where three men were waiting on a corner with three motos for me to look at. I was nervous and wondered at one point they were going to mug me and steal my gym shorts without pockets, tank top, and flip-flops. I test drove each moto, shook all of their hands, and we took off. Before we left, however, the driver told me I was driving, so he could teach me a thing or two about driving in the DR. Irrelevant, but entertaining for us, it started to downpour. On the way home we even saw a friend walking home and gave her a ride. We had tons of fun splashing around in mud puddles and got completely soaked to the bone, laughing as I came close to trashing his bike several times. We got home, he told me the bikes were overpriced, and left. He didn't even charge me for the ride.

The next day, he called me again and asked if I was home. I said yes, and within minutes, he was there with a friend. His friend was riding a beautiful blue moto. Exactly the bike I was looking for. I hopped on, took it for a spin, nothing fell off the bike, and I was sold. The man left with the blue moto, and there we stood, nodding our heads like two men thinking about a big decision (well, to be fair, I was trying to figure out a good Spanish phrase to ask him what he thought). He gave me a good head nod and said "bueno moto." I was glad he broke the ice and shook my head in agreement. I had the other guys contact info, so I figured my friendship with the motoconcho driver was over. I liked it that way, too, because it meant that I didn't get ripped off by him.

I bought the moto the next day, happy to know that I had a quality bike from a trustworthy man. Sure enough, the motoconcho driver showed up. He walked up the driveway, shook my hand and asked if I had bought the bike. Once I said I had, he went to work. He checked every nook and cranny of a bike I thought had basically come off the showroom floor. He gave me a list of stuff that needed to be done, and said he would be back the next day. BOOM! that was it, that was his scam! He sells me a bike and then charges me for the repairs. I wasn't surprised, and was almost relieved to know this, so I could at least prepare myself for it. I figured I would let him change the oil and tighten some bolts and then give him some money. After all, I did feel like he had more than earned a tip of some sort.

He showed up the next day at noon like he said, and we took off on my new moto to gather supplies. We ended up cruisin all around to get the following:

A piece welded on to fix the kickstand- $2
Oil, brake fluid, battery fluid- $5
extra pegs for an extra passenger- $2
Coke Zero- $1

We got back to my house and worked through the pouring rain to change the oil, clean and lube the chain, grease every bolt, change the battery fluid, add brake fluid, install the sweet new pegs, and clean the whole thing using rain water. It was newer than new. We finished working, got the grease off our hands, and started hangin out on the patio. That's when it started getting awkward. And when I say awkward, I mean it was completely natural and chill, like two friends that just finished working on a bike. I couldn't decide if I should give him money or give him food. Then I couldn't decide how much was too much and how little would insult him. After a while, it became clear he wasn't sitting waiting to be paid.

I started to get the point. He just wanted to be my friend. He wanted to help me out and show me around his neck of the woods. He didn't expect anything in return. The thought hadn't even seemed to have crossed his mind. He's a great friend, regardless of the fact that we can hardly communicate beyond head nods, fist bumps, and the few phrases we know in each others languages. He has even since introduced me to his two children, and checks in on us to make sure we are okay.

It's hard to accept friends like this sometimes, because there is always a sense of "what's in it for you?" or "when is this all going to hit the fan?" It's also hard to receive a free gift, because we feel like we don't deserve it or it makes us less independent if we accept it.

God does a great job at showing us love in the form of average people who just want to be our friend and spend time with us, without needing anything in return. God also has a sense of humor, and gives it to us straight some times when we really need it. I'm not sure what will come of this friendship, but I sure am glad to have met that motoconcho driver. His name:

Jesus

Thank God, We're on the Same Page

No matter how many skype meetings, phone calls, emails, and fb messages you exchange, nothing gives you more clarity than a face-to-face meeting.

My biggest task for the year is to direct the construction of the ministry's new multipurpose center across the park from the old club. A month ago, the only thing I knew about this undertaking was that the building will be two stories, the bottom level serving as a classroom and office space, while the second level serves as a large, open worship space. I also knew that a large group from Canada would be building a majority of the structure in February. That was the extent of my understanding, and my confidence was quite shaky.

It wasn't until I met my team that things started to become more clear. Meet the in-country team:

Lou (engineer)- Lou's a Vietnam vet who has lived in Peurto Plata for 27 years and has built too many buildings too count. He sports a pony tail and a great double braided beard. He has all the local connections and building knowledge, and can get any job done cheap and fast. He comes off as a hard-ass, but underneath you will find an articulate, intelligent man who really wants to help. His ultimate goal is to start a vocational training program for the kids at the club. He still hasn't warmed up to the idea of volunteers building the club, but we're working on it.

Paola (architect)- Paola is a pleasant Italian woman who has done architecture all over the world. She loves all sorts of art, and has a particular interest in eco-friendly building practices. Since Paola is not licensed as an architect in the DR, she works under Johanna, a Dominican architect. They are diligent, particular, and are very concerned with getting things done right. They envision a center that stands out in the community as an artistic expression of the kids and their pursuit of environmental awareness. Paola hopes to teach an art class at the club.

I had met with both of them individually before planning on getting the group together. The concern leading up to our first team meeting was that they would butt heads and cause tension right off the bat. My vision for the center included a mixture of both Lou's and Paola's, so I was hoping to bridge the gaps.

No drama to report. Our meeting was perfect. Every time there was an agreement among us, I would breath a big sigh of relief. We all brought very different skills and insights into the meeting, but in the end we agreed on some very key points:

1. We love Italian food
2. Its all about the kids
3. We have a great opportunity to involve the community
4. The more eco-friendly concepts we incorporate, the better
5. This process is going to be fun and creative
6. Its all about the kids

Now that we've got that figured out, let's grab a shovel and get dirty.

peace and watermelon,
David  

We made it.

87 degrees of Dominican sun is out today and after a long trip to the place we'll call home for the next year, we're so happy to be around familiar faces of our DOVE family, whoop!

Beads of sweat immediately dropped when we stepped out of the airport yesterday into that Dominican sun. We still had our zip-ups on from leaving a beautiful Minnesota fall night (we will most likely put those away for the year:) the day before. We sat down for 5 minutes before we saw a Juan and the DOVE gua gua (a small white bus) to pick us up! 

(We stopped to say hello to the beach)

We dropped our bags and immediately took off for the club. Our new club director, Kara (who is also my new room mate), worked with our teachers and kids to host a fundraiser for a little boy from our club, nine years old, who shattered his leg and broke his jaw in an accident.

The kids worked all week to sell tickets for 25 pesos to help the family with their medical bills. The fundraiser was a mixture of dances and skits. It was a perfect day to arrive. Hectic, but perfect. All the kids were at the club and the whole DOVE team was there with open arms.

(Fundraiser!)

We are beyond excited to be here and we are SO grateful for the support that we have gotten from loved ones back home. Fundraisers, coffee dates, dinners- we felt the love when we were home- so Thank you..gracias...and we love you all very much.

Stay tuned for updates.

BuenaVibra,
Lin and Dave

Quick and Fun.

A couple things I’ve learned so far this week…

• Red ants really do bite.
• Dancing in the Dominican is more fun.
• Dominican people are scary resourceful, they can fix anything.
• Dominican kids will take any chance they get to play with your hair. 
• Street food really can make you sick.
• God is so creative in the way He brings people together.
• People here really do run in a totally different time zone.
•  Life is better with sunshine. 

That is all. 

Talk to you very soon. 

Los Cocos.

These beautiful people live in a community called Los Cocos. Los Cocos sits on the side of a mountain just on the outskirts of Puerto Plata. 

 Within the barrios of Puerto Plata are small pockets of Haitaian Communities. Haitians here in the DR are persecuted, which in turn, makes their lives here in Puerto Plata very difficult. I have the extreme honor of serving with the Haitian Pastor that serves these Hatian Communities, Pastor Jacob. Truly a remarkable man. Love literally pours through the room every time he smiles and then you can't help but smile yourself. He is so humble and gentle. His heart beats for the people of these communities...it is pretty dang amazing. 

Pastor Jacob asked us to accompany him to Los Cocos. The reason for our visit was due to a miscommunication between members of the community and the mission, regarding a sick pig that needed medication.

Our visit turned into to much more than a visit for the pigs. Kids ran to greet us at the gates, as they all know and love Liz. The exquisite mothers of these children wait for us at the top of the hill, greeting us with a kiss on the cheek. Some of the people in the community speak Spanish, but mostly know Creole and can understand most French.

The mothers we met, are teachers at the school that is held in the church. Some mentioned needing school supplies for the school, some needed medication for infections and rashes, but most? Most of them just wanted to be around us. love us. invite us into their culture. I feel in love.

(I mean.. how could you not fall in love with those faces ^!?)

I must say, I felt a bit silly after my visit.. I walked up that mountain, determined to "help" these people. At the end of my visit? They had taught me more Creole and French then I knew when I got there, they invited me into their homes, their beautiful space, and their lives.

So, they may need some medication and school books. We can give them those things. But? I felt blessed and humbled leaving that place, as these people taught me about love and inviting people into your life, people you don't even know. In one afternoon, the people of the Los Cocos community softened a little bit of my heart and encouraged me to invite people in more often..and? Love, just because...

I am blessed that I will have many opportunities to serve and learn from the community of Los Cocos while I'm here in the DR. Bring on the love.