Shaz

Some Thoughts...

2012-01-31T09:36:00.004-04:00

The Christian and the skeptic both realise that the Gospel is too good to be true. One responds by getting on his knees and thanking God. The other rejects it. Since the only way we can get on our knees is by his grace, then it’s all him… there is no room for pride.

God created me for relationship with him but I slipped away from him and found other things to fill my time, so he kept looking for me and even gave his life up for me when he took on flesh and died in my place, an act which restored my relationship to him, and he didn't stay dead, he conquered death so that I can too, and have an eternity with him... yet, there is nothing simple about that, nor about what it does to my life when I respond to it…

The Unheard Story - Luke 5.17-26

2012-01-18T08:43:00.007-04:00

by Hephzibah (15 yrs, República Dominicana)

Story Outline

Who? Jesus, four friends, paralytic man, and scribes.

What? Healed a paralytic man that was lowered through a roof by his friends.

Where? In a house in Capernaum.

When? When Jesus returned to Capernaum after having traveled in Galilee.

How was the miracle performed? He said the word and the man was healed.

Why? He wanted to let the Scribes know that He was the Son of Man and He had the ability to heal people and forgive their sins.

Context and Difficult Words in the Text

Context: Jesus had just come from Galilee. He was becoming famous among the cities, because when people heard He was coming a large crowd came out to see Him. So many people came that the house overflowed.

Blasphemy: a contemptuous or profane act against God

Paralytic: person that has a sickness that inhibits their movement.

Uncovering the Roof/ Digging a Hole in the Roof: not sure what was the exact action of the four friends, but they found a way of lowering their friend down the roof. The size of the rooms was limited by the fact that rooms could only be as wide as the beams that supported the roof. Beams, usually wooden and roughly shaped, reached from one wall to the other, and were covered with a mixture of woven branches and clay, which was smoothed with a stoneroller. They must’ve lasted about an hour or so in order to make a hole in the roof in which their friend could completely fit horizontally. For the lowering him part, the must’ve lasted about half an hour to prepare a mat that they could lower from the top and that would not let their friend fall. About two hours they spent just making a way for their friend to reach Jesus.

Summary of the Story in My Words

Jesus had just returned to Capernaum and came to a house, when the people that had heard that He was coming they came out to see Him. The house where He was got so packed that the people had to wait outside. Then four men brought their paralytic friend to Jesus, but the house was so full that they went to the roof and dug a hole and lowered their friend right in front of Jesus. As soon as the man was lowered and Jesus saw their faith He said, “Your sins have been forgiven.”

When the Scribes saw this they thought to themselves that Jesus was blaspheming because only God could forgive sins. Jesus knew what was in their hearts so he asked them, “Why do you question this? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins have been forgiven’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then He turned to the paralytic man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat and go home!

So the man jumped up and went home. People praised saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

Conclusion and Application

Normally people take this story to talk about how Jesus forgave the sins and healed the man and how He stood up to the Scribes by telling them that He was the Son of Man. But I have taken it from a very different perspective and have painted an unseen context of this story.

I have rather focused on the invisible story or the untold parts of it. The four friend’s love, faith and perseverance have completely made me fall in love with this particular miracle.

This is how I think the invisible story went…”Jesus is coming!” Everyone was excited and prepared to visit Him. The four friends hear this and the first thing that must’ve come to mind is, “This Jesus is a healer… I have a paralytic friend, maybe if I get my friend to Jesus, He’ll be able to heal Him.” I can almost see them running to their friend’s house and telling him the awesome news. They get to the house where Jesus is and its like all their dreams crush as they see the multitude of people waiting to see Jesus. People so absorbed in their own problems that won’t even make a way for a paralytic man. Suddenly one of them comes up with the idea of making a hole in the roof and lowering their friend so he can get to Jesus. They put their hands to work and after a long time of working and cutting and digging, they finally get to lower their friend through the roof. And the first thing Jesus says is that their friend’s sins were forgiven because of their faith and after a few more words Jesus turns to their friend and says, “Stand up, and go home!” What great joy they felt that moment. After all these years of seeing their friend in a helpless position- unable to walk, to run, to chase after a dog- he jumps up from the mat and walks home.

The faith of these men saved their friend. This is the kind of friend God wants us to be, those that fight and persevere for the wellbeing of their friends. Being the friends that are compassionate and put others problems before his own, this is the kind of friends we must aspire to be.

Keep Fighting

2012-01-11T12:26:00.002-04:00

We (mostly) all agree about the mathematics of salvation and glorification (even if we can't describe completely the art of it), it's the sanctification part that the world-wide church gets all bent out of shape about. We try to define it or control it in others' lives, but that's not our job. Our responsibility is to keep sharing the truth, keep urging other brothers and sisters to live it and look forward to the day when we can escape this vicious cycle of reincarnation - I mean - the flesh fighting, the spirit winning, again and again, only to rise up and confront the flesh once more - yeah, that struggle...

Keep fighting...

And Home again...

2011-12-24T23:20:00.002-04:00

Merry Christmas!!

In the Dominican Republic, we celebrate on Christmas Eve. We eat and eat and eat all night and stay up late with family and friends sharing and eating (mostly eating) -- but I have never truly experienced a Dominican Christmas because I have never been "home" on the 24th. I've always come back to Canada to be with my family here for Navidad. As that may change in the next few years, I am extremely grateful to be spending this Christmas with family and friends here in Canada. I look forward to tomorrow with the Harrison clan (hello to the other Harrisons in Northern Ireland!! and Merry Christmas!!) -- and I look forward to more time I am going to spend with family and friends before I head home to the Dominican just before the "Day of the Kings" which is the 6th of January.

Thanks for all your prayers as I have endeavoured to explore many missional avenues over these last number of years. I look forward to being active in inviting groups in the future (including the March Break team 2012) and also look forward to this next chapter that God has for my life. I appreciate all those continued prayers for "decisions for my future" as I return home to the Dominican in the New Year. I have another MEd course in January -- among other things -- to do when I get my feet back on island soil. :)

I hope that each of you have a very blessed Christmas with friends and family no matter where in the world you are and that you will really sense the warmth of God's presence among you as you celebrate together.

Thanks for all your prayers.

I will update you again in the near future...

Lots of love,

Shannon

Home for Christmas...

2011-12-17T11:46:00.002-04:00

From the middle of the time until now, we have been going non-stop...

We were in Barahona for a week with our good friend, Wilfrido and family. His wife was "assaulted" by a calf while on a motorcycle and we thank God that the only injury was a broken ankle...

Then we went to visit Ryan DeWeerd's ministry up in Nagua the following week.

We finished the Chronological Bible study and moved onto a study of the life of Christ. It was different (the girls preferred the chronological) but I found it highly interesting and challenging. We did not get through the third study - Spiritual Leadership (by J. Oswald Sanders) and the girls have said that they will continue this back home on their own time.

Overall, the experience was very intense for the three girls - and they learned about God each uniquely, but I have a feeling it is only the beginning of many encouraging challenges yet to come in their lives. I enjoyed the time that we had studying together and also liked getting to see them learn about the culture and some of the language (test them on that) while they mingled with new friends.

As the time came to a close, we made our way toward the East where our flight was leaving. Because of an accident on the only road, our 4hr trip became 6hrs and we had to take a detour (in a Kia Picanto - not ideal...) through the sugarcane fields. I was praying the whole way that we wouldn't bust a flat. We had three very heavy suitcases and two smaller ones, a couple backpacks and the four of us crammed in there. Don't know how Meagan and Melanie survived those 6hrs squished into the half of the back seat, but we made it. And we were too too hungry when we arrived.

We still have some debrief to consider over the holidays. Here are some questions we are still considering:

- what new thing did you learn about God during this time?

- what new thing did you learn about yourself?

- what things about this new culture did you learn that helped you to understand God and yourself in a different way?

-- And then we have to put some of these things together.

If you ask any of them how the time went, they may have difficulty articulating two months in thirty seconds. They are working on that...

As for me, I'm home for Christmas and will return to the Dominican sometime shortly after New Year. I have a course waiting for me 9-13 January and looking forward to more study...

We are also into the planning for the March Break team from BBC - the team from here, I will organise stuff over there... so thanks for all your prayers about that...

There are many other things you can pray about - see the right-hand-column...

Merry Christmas!

Shannon

Update from Meagan and Melissa

2011-11-18T11:04:00.000-04:00

Half Time Update

Greetings from Santo Domingo! Its coming up on four weeks now and we wanted to let you all know what we've been up to thus far.

Firstly, we have to share with you the amazing Ramirez family that we have been staying with. They are a family of six, which includes Shannon. Before we arrived they had just moved into this incredible new house, so its been great being able to see them make it their new home. They have been very accepting, supportive and gracious to us with our pathetic attempts to speak Spanish with them, our travelling and us mildly taking over their living areas. Pedro (a pastor at heart) has a great sense of humour and thrives on making people laugh. Zajamis is the most amazing cook in the world. She is so easy going, yet can rule with an iron fist! An honourable mention to the niños who teach us words that would render funny looks in public. They have been incredibly open and welcoming to us and it is truly a blessing to us to be here with them.

We have been attending the family's church with them on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings. Though the services are in Spanish and we can only catch a few words here and there we still gain a lot from the worship and sermons. I don’t know how to explain how great their worship services are; Dominicans are a very musically inclined and a passionate people. At a house warming party we were able to meet and get to know many of the families who attend the church, so its great to build on those relationships weekly. Along with the regular services the Ramirez family are involved in ministries and growth groups which are known as cell groups here. Meagan was able to attend the youth cell group with the oldest child of the Ramirez family. The youth were very passionate and incredibly welcoming, one of the 'leaders' really wanted to translate all that was said for me and include me inconversations. Though I went in expecting to be a fly on the wall and just listen in and attempt to understand what was being said, I have to appreciate that they all went out of their way to make me not feel like a stranger. I would love to attend another cell group meeting before I leave.

We are also fortunate enough to attend Spanish lessons with two former students of Shannon who have now graduated. They are both very different girls, yet both great teachers. We have progressed quite a bit in Spanish, but don’t expect us to have a conversation with you. Today we understood a lot more in church, which is a first for Melissa. Yay! Although it’s frustrating at times not to be able to join in in conversations, ask for directions or even say 'no cheese please,' its a work in progress. Again we are really greatful for those around us and their willingness to translate jokes and challenge us to simple conversations.

One of our Spanish lessons we took to the streets; it was dedicated to getting out and using what we've been taught on victims of the public. In this adventure with our Spanish teacher, Adriana, we began with a walk through a 7 km “Mirador” which you could say is the Dominican central park (oceanview drive). It was HOT and beautiful. It is a great gathering point for those who want to play baseball, exercise in the outdoors, learn a bit of history, or gather with friends for a picnic. From there we bargained for some street bananas, which were overpriced at first ;) we took care of that. Then we took our first trip in a carro publico (public car) which seats four in the back and two in the passenger seat. It was a sweaty and rather fun ride to Blue Mall. There was no time for shopping, but it was interesting to see the same stores, yet rather different prices for the same attire back home. The AC was a highlight at that point in time. From there, Adriana's sister picked us up and we headed to 'Yokomo' for some Dominicanized sushi. There was a mix of bacon, plantain, avocado and fish wrapped in standard rice, but deep fried with a honey base sauce. Sounds interesting, I know, but was surprisingly delectable. Ahha very good!

We've experienced many Dominican things and we MUST express how AMAZING the fresh fruit juice is here. Even a simple lemonade can stand up to a passion fruit or nanberry creation. Plantaines are a big deal here and with good reason. There are a variety of kinds and can all be prepared in a different way. Mmmm Good Eatins... But I don’t know if it can beat waking up to a mean Dominican cup of coffee.

Though carro publicos have a bit of a bad rep, they are quite fun, because every car is an entire experience in itself. Each driver has new stories and they vary drastically, yet they are all huge characters. We also have to mention how much we love fans, I don't know where we'd be without them.

We have also had our personal battles with certain aspects of life here. Melissa often battles with her love for dairy and its hate for her. There has been many skuffles between them but she often comes out on top. Meagan had a rough fight with the stairs and the floor soon after she was not so lucky to come out without a scrape and some bruises from that, but in the end we have both come out of many obstacles, still fighting.

Though its great to learn a new language and experience a new culture, we’re here to study the Bible. Shannon has led us into a chronological study of the entire bible which we have recently finished. It was an overview of the entire bible while focusing on re-occuring themes to gain a greater understanding of the story as a whole. Our grueling homework has kept us up till the wee hours of the morning on many occasions; depicting a picture timeline of the story of God. We must admit that it has never occured to us to take a step back and look at the story from start to finish as a whole. It seems simple, yet was quite complex. Shannon's dedication to God has given her great insight that has blessed us and our many questions. Throughout this process we has realized how good God is and have witnessed his character through learning of the Jewish culture and their many struggles.

We also have spent some time at a beach... not only tanning but being introduced to some of the relationships Shannon has build over the years dedicated to this specific location. We meet with two of the guys who work along the beach-front at a restaurant. One is a Christian who gains spiritual confidence through our encouragement and Christian fellowship. We ask you to pray for his friend (Val) as he encourages him and challenges him on spiritual matters. We are also attempting to start some informal English lessons for some of the street kids who live in the area. We have a difficult time gathering them as everything is very informal and we’re at the beginning stages. We hope to assist them in understanding the basics of English so that they are able to continue in a more stable programme through the Compassion Int’l ministry here in the future. We ask you to pray for a kind of group leader named “Titi” as he keeps the other smaller children safe from kids who steal their money and for strength for him to stay on the right and honest path.

Thank you so much for all your support and encouragement. We hope that we’ve given you a bit of insight on our time down here.

Stay tuned for our next update ;)

Adios Amigos

Muchos Love,

Meagan y Melissa

Life-Giving Fountain vs. The Snares of Death

2011-11-09T08:21:00.009-04:00

Proverbs 14.27

"Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death."

Often, we look at statements like this as being solely eternally focused and therefore only valid for the after-life. But, while eternity is the end product, a life that is daily freed from the snares of death should demonstrate what it means to fear the LORD, thus emanating whatever should come from a life-giving fountain.

As an abstract concept, somehow, this is easy for church-goers to accept, this eternity-coming-but-not-yet-known, and yet it is pushed to some unknown and untouched future. But what does it look like in the day to day madness and monotony, trials and triumphs of life here on earth; how does this become real in our experience pre-eternity? If it doesn't touch us in the here and now, we cannot be very convincing in our assurance to others that it is actually truth for an eternity we have never seen or known. There have to be daily implications for escaping the snares of death and there have to be daily manifestations of what flows from that life-giving fountain that springs from our fear of the LORD.

So, what are the snares of death?

I would primarily venture to answer this question in light of the picture of death being that which is final, lifeless, referring to a person who is no longer living or breathing. The snares of death in that sense would be anything that threatens death, the process of dying, being killed or anything that signifies finality to life-breath and blood-flow.

If we live in fear of the LORD, we have access to that life-giving fountain which helps us escape from the snares of death. When death knocks on our door or threatens to take our life from us, to squeeze out the last breath and freeze up our blood - we can take joy, smile, nod knowingly in assurance that it might be the last breath on this side of eternity, but there is life on the other side of that last breath - life that does not end. In the eternal sense, that is exactly what this verse is talking about.

But there are daily implications that must come with this knowledge. There must be a daily outpouring of our understanding that anything that represents death cannot hold us.

So, in our day to day, non-life-threatened existence, what are the snares of death?

- depression and emotional pain

- anxiety, fear and worry

- sin (in its many nasty forms)

- overwhelming temptations

- unfavourable circumstances

- criticism and hatred

- envy or jealousy

- death of friends or family members

- the threat of death/suffering in the lives of friends, family

- broken relationships

- suffocating/constraining relationships

- loneliness, emptiness, lack of relationships

- physical sickness or suffering

- loss of confidence in friends or self or work

- insecurity or distrust

So, how does the fountain of life flow out of me in a way that faces all these situations head on with the fear of the LORD? How does anyone face another dragging day that seems hopeless, wracked with depression, in the absence of loved ones, insecure and lonely, with more distressing news from doctors and employers than you think you can handle…?

Life should not be lived in a way that constantly feels like the claws of death are inching closer. But for many of us, that is exactly what our day to day struggle has become. We don’t feel God’s presence anymore and we certainly can’t hear his voice.

Yet, the fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death. It offers escape from anything and everything that tries to squeeze the life or the joy of living out of us. Grab hold of the escape…

In all situations that present themselves cloaked in death and destruction, run to the life-giving fountain for comfort, strength, hope, joy, peace, patience, a kind response, a smile... He will give you the hope of new life where life seems to have slipped away and the exuberant expectations of childhood have been slaughtered by a sin-blistered reality.

There is a fountain springing forth with the joy of salvation and eternity. Let that joy effect your day today by the way you respond when the world wants to pull you into the vortex.

Remember, the life-giver has saved you because you believed he would.

Remember that the one who is worthy of all the praise of the Universe has reached out to hold your hand and pull you up to a place where you could stand victorious.

Nothing can really touch you - though it batters you on all sides. No one can really harm you - though they press in with hurt and hatred.

What is "fear of the LORD"? And why does it sound so archaic and frightening? The word "fear" here brings with it an understanding of God's mighty power over life and death - and by "fearing" him, we recognise his power and acknowledge his position over these things (such as the life-giving fountain and the snares of death - after all, if he is in charge of all that, he is worthy to be feared). But if we "fear" him this way, we live in a way that acknowledges his power over our own lives, too, not just on the grand-scale of things Universal.

We praise him for who he is in the Universe, because he is great and mighty and we praise him because despite his greatness and might he chooses us as his best friends and loves us deeply.

We honour him first in our lives because he wants to have a close relationship with us and wants us to feel the benefits of that relationship.

We get to know him by what he says about himself (read the Bible) rather than what others say of him (commentaries, devotionals, this little article, etc.), though these things help in our understanding.

We spend time with him in his presence, in prayer, listening in silence to what he might say to us when all the distractions of life are inaudible.

And as we do all these things "fearing" the LORD, we get to know what it means to overflow with what that life-giving fountain has to offer…

Taking A Proverbial Walk...

2011-11-04T11:02:00.003-04:00

Proverbs 10

Some Random Thoughts...

What are people going to remember you for?

When the Proverbs speak of blessings, they refer to eternal blessing, eternal joy, eternal life -- what importance does the end have? Victory comes in the endgame not the middle of the battle; for who gives a crap what your status is in the middle of the battle if you eventually lose the war...? But we already have the victory (yeah, I skipped through and read the end of the book already) and so we press on with every challenge, give thanks for the temporal blessings which lead to ultimate and unending blessing and we do all that we do with the knowledge that victory will be ours...

Be just. Be worthy of a good name. Be good and kind to people. Express the joy God has given you. Make THAT kind of impression on people - especially with people under your guidance or leadership - don't make the kind of impression that leaves them wanting a change or longing to escape. After all, God is not like that...

What God values should dictate our values system. People should know what we value and see us acting in ways that reflect our values. As friends of God, adopted into his family, we should be doing the things he would be doing and living in the way that he would live among us...

What does the Bible say about that? What does it say about the way God lived among us? What about how he treated people and mingled with them? What were his priorities and what did he spend his time doing? (You can read about that between Matthew 1.1 and Acts 1.9 in the Bible, if you really want to know...) How is my life reflecting those same principles and actions?

Being diligent and patient and hardworking will bring blessing in the end. Sometimes we will not see it here on earth; here in this lifetime, especially if our work is for the kingdom of God. Those who work for their riches here on earth will enjoy them for their lifetime here on earth. Congratulations! We get 50-80 years (more, if we're lucky) enjoying what we have earned in this life. There is nothing wrong in that and I rejoice with those who have and can live a good life with what they have. Also, those who work for the riches of heaven and for the kingdom of God will receive their blessing for an eternity, enjoying the riches of heaven. Of course, there is always the chance that you might enjoy both if you've got the right attitude about what you own and how you "own" it and what you do with what you've been given...

WATCH YOUR WORDS -- they can bring life or death to the people around you. Use them for good and for wisdom; to construct and edify and correct in love. Don't let your words be an instrument for destruction or hurt or causing people to look at God as a hater or an unloving and judgemental deity. He is love and uses true words of love to bring people close to him and to know him deeply.

Wow. Words are powerful. I remember that little idiotic mantra they used to tell us in Elementary School; "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me," which is frankly a load of bull-oney.

Nasty words sting, bite, break, devour, conquer and smash to pieces. They can end friendships, destroy marriages, break family ties; cause depression, anorexia, a staggering belief in lies, drive a person to the bottle or worse, to suicide. Self-satisfying for a glimpse, nasty words protrude from the mouth of a person whose heart is filled with bitterness and whose soul battles to know self-worth but finds it in shallow and temporary things. Don't be a reflection of a bitter, self-absorbed and mouldy-innards kind of person. Use words that uplift, encourage and restore. Say things that are kind and gentle, loving, true, and that bring a smile to one who has a difficult time finding joy in life. And if you can't find anything nice to say in the moment, stop, think about how God sees people, and respond in a way that validates, edifies and urges a person to keep drawing close to God and being the beautiful person that he has made them...

I need to work on that last one...

Be generous. The heavens will open for you when you give for God rather than hoard for yourself. Even the poorest person in the eyes of man can be rich in the eyes of God (and the desire of others) because he gives generously of what little he has. God sees it all...

Just some thoughts about the statements of wisdom in Proverbs 10 for today...

Love,
Shannon

A Welcome Week in the Dominican Republic

2011-10-25T07:53:00.002-04:00

We arrived on Thursday evening to a busy airport and even busier streets and then got a busy-warm welcome at "home" where we will be staying with Zajamis and Pedro and their three children during our stay in the Dominican Republic.

The warm stayed. Not just in friendly, but the weather is extremely warm - for being October. It's a heat wave in the Dominican Republic. Have you ever heard of such ridiculousness? Anyways, all those sweaters we packed are going to total waste so far. :)

Melissa and Meagan are settling in well and have their first Spanish language lesson today with Adriana. I will take them, so that they know how to get there, but Adriana promises she is locking me away from them so they can be free to speak and practice. As if I would deter Melissa and Meagan from talking in any language. ;)

We now have internet access and will be fixing the phones today so that the girls can receive incoming calls.

Please pray for Melanie as she is making plans to join us in the next week or so. We are excited to have her join us!

We’ll be back with another update soon...

Kisses and hugs to everyone back home.

Monsoon Autumn Term 2011 Here We Come!!

2011-10-16T17:56:00.006-04:00

Youth is a time of life when doubts are prevalent, self-worth is fragile and passions are plentiful. But we traverse this odyssey together, sometimes grasping hands, supporting elbows, or with our arms across each others' shoulders - and we age together, scraped and battered, maybe stronger and hopefully more full of grace, but we grow older and wiser together in Christ.

When young people are given the chance to experience life in someone else’s shoes, the potential for learning and growth is momentous. Often, by reaching out to others, they find purpose for their passions, self-worth in Christ, and can rest their doubts upon that which is sure and true.

At 6am this Thursday, 20th of October, I will leave for two months of cross-cultural education with two great young people: Melissa and Meagan. Melanie, a recent High School grad, may also join us in a few weeks time - pray for her decision. And Nathan, a recent University grad, plans to come down for a week at the end of November for a specific time of ministry in the bateys (with a great vision for sustainable industry he's hoping link into some already on-going efforts by awesome local groups).

The group will learn about culture and be coached one-on-one by Dominican youth in Spanish. They will engage in Bible and spiritual leadership studies, and participate in a number of local community projects/ministries (visit the Leper Colony, make friends with street kids, help in community development, spend time with friends in the urban streets). Before they return to Canada, they will spend a few days learning how they can integrate these experiences into their lives at home.

Some of you are still living a youthful adulthood with doubts, self-consciousness and deep-rooted unleashed passions - but maybe still a few steps ahead in life. Or maybe you are stretching back to assist others along the difficult-delightful road. No matter your age, all have experiences that are valuable to the younger travelers in our midst. Share your life, experiences, blessings, insight - and sometimes your shoulder. As they step out to spread God’s love across the globe’s streets, be one of the hands that lifts an elbow, a smile that lifts the day or a prayer that lifts their spirit as they press on...

Love,

Shannon

PS: for specific information on finances or our in-country schedule, please email monsoongde@gmail.com and make your request known, thanks.

Hospital Holidays and Back on My Feet...

2011-10-11T15:01:00.000-04:00

The term "Holiday" has generally referred to a time away from the normal daily routine set apart for the purpose of taking a break, exploring something new or different, spending quality time with family and friends and resting from work. However, throughout my life, I have accumulated a repertoire of holiday happenings that make National Lampoon look like a sun-basking genius.

This year has been no exception.

July: After six months of full-time teaching, organising and hosting placements in the Dominican, and some pop-travel (renewal of licence, passport, health card, birth of Mattea the new niece) -- I took a holiday in Florida with my family. We were going to take the girls to Disney, spend some fun time together away from everything. Mum and Dad needed the break after all they’d been through over the year with the fiasco over Dad’s right eye. Thomas and Krystal needed a break in having the other three adults there to entertain, feed, clothe and change diapers. We were doing well (though the weather was terribly uncooperative for beach time) until the afternoon that a random palm branch fell from the tree in front of my Granny’s house (it may or may not have been provoked by a set of very large clippers) and stabbed Dad in his left eye. The good one. The one he had been using to see out of and drive with and - oh, just everything else - while the right eye healed and gained vision slowly with its stubborn but reattaching retina.

So, the holiday was “reworked” and I spent some time in the hospital with Dad that day, he had a bit of surgery the next day and was flown back to Canada the following day to have a specialist look at the injury.

On Thursday (13th October), he will see the specialist again for another assessment. He had a series of operations in similar style to what his right eye endured and we have hopes that soon (a relative term, just ask any of the twelve) he will be able to see again. If you pray, that is something I would appreciate prayer for -- and if you don’t pray, go on, take a chance, see how it works…

September: My Granny’s birthday is in September and last year, the family travelled “back home” to Northern Ireland to celebrate her 80 years with her. I would have gone then, but I was very committed to teaching at the time and September is an awkward month for High School teachers to take holidays. So, we (she and I) postponed our wee trip to this year. I had already planned to resume full-time with Monsoon leading cross-cultural educational experiences for young people in a number of geographical situations rather than be committed to a 9-5 job anywhere in particular.

After chaperoning the Grad trip in July, I returned to Brampton to finish an M.Ed. course and speak at the church summer youth camp. I left with Granny and Annie (my Aunt) for the UK on the 12th of September. We spent time in Birmingham and Belfast with family, and we were to head to Paris for her birthday where I had scheduled three light days of sightseeing.

However, she wasn’t looking so good by the time we arrived in Belfast. I put it down to being over-active in Birmingham, her leaky heart valve (that we were told would make her over-tired and breathless) and the up-and-down of the planes. But by Wednesday of that week, Annie and I decided that she needed to see a doctor. On Thursday, she went to the doctor and the good ole doc hospitalised her. She had a violent pneumonia and they started testing for TB.

Eventually, it was decided that Annie would go home to her family and I would stay on until Granny was well enough to travel. The doctors assured me that her full recovery would take six weeks, and that we should be patient to see how quickly she would start to recover before making any return travel plans.

I postponed the Fall Term for Monsoon and was grateful that the participants (Melissa and Meagan) were both very understanding. During my extended trip, I spent time with my Great Aunt and Uncle in the mornings, updating The Ten (Granny’s ten children) in Canada via descriptive daily emails, and between six and seven hours in the hospital with Granny in the afternoon-evenings. She felt bad we had to miss Paris, but we all just wanted her to heal.

She began that healing process quickly, and we arrived back to Toronto on Friday the 7th of October, just in time for Thanksgiving. And we are all giving great thanks to God that she is home and on the road to recovery.

I will be taking her to our doctor later on today to give him a full report of the fiasco in the UK, and I hope that she can continue to recover to her previous energetic state of good health. She is a strong woman despite her age and has the will to live for many more years.

Ride for Refuge: Many of you may have heard about BBC participation on the 1st of October. I had every intention of making it back to ride, but it wasn’t to be. So instead, I talked about it to many people and raised awareness for the cause while I was in the UK. Believe it or not, I was able to raise £60.00 to support my own not-to-be ride!! So, I cycled (stationary bike) a total of approximately 110km (about 12-15k/day) during the two weeks I had access. And that became my ride… thanks for your support Stella Harrison and Uncle Tommy & Auntie Eleanor Meekin!

As for taking holidays - well, it turns out I need a break from those and so I am diving back into full-time work with a new passion…

Thanks for all your prayers and emails.

Love,

Shannon

Monsoon Fall Term: We have only postponed for an extra week and hope to be in the Dominican Republic by the 18th of October if we can reach a good support target before that date (we are currently at 51%). For a complete look at our schedule and finances, please send a request to monsoongde@gmail.com and I would be happy to give you more details about both.

Summer Breeze Come Back...

2011-09-07T16:55:00.003-04:00

I can hardly believe summer is over already (though, not technically until the 21st), but the weather is certainly convincing. How did that awesome Summer sun turn into Autumn chills so quickly?? Another summer gone by that I didn't get up on waterskis, but it was a good and busy time...

This summer...

I completed another course for my M.Ed...

Youth Week was a great time of good learning (students did all the work) and stupid games and deep conversations. Adriana arrived a couple days ahead of camp (after a series of flight delays due to hurricanes) and we left very early (5am) yesterday morning to get to Buffalo to catch her flight home to the Dominican Republic. I meandered back yesterday morning - with a few stops along the way (Henry of Pelham, Gianna and Mattea's house...) - eventually arriving home again around 5pm. It was really incredible to have Adriana here for the week (plus a few days) to experience camp, my family, meet the youth and also to hear a bit about where God is directing her in life as we had lots of good talks. I am looking forward to having her work with the Monsoon participants in the coming term (see schedule in the right-hand column for details). Pray for her when you can about her future; studies, job, missions, etc. Thanks to those of you who keep on praying for her since her time with the team in Asia last summer...

This week, I have been called on by my friends at OMF to help out with the debrief for their Serve Asia (SA=short-term) team members from over the summer. You might remember that a few years ago, before I landed in the Dominican, I was coordinating teams for about four years for SA. On Friday, they need a hand, and I am really excited to help out with the debrief. It will be great to connect again to Asia (love that), hear some stories - maybe even inspire one of them to take over the Serve Asia Coordinator position (yes, there is that need open again)...

I have also been listening several people around me as they promote a particular position they would love for me to fill for a time. So, I've been praying and talking and thinking about that - and making my decision. I think I know how it is that I will respond, but I just want to be sure that we get the negotiations right and that all of our expectations are understood in the process. I'll let you know more on that (terribly coded info - sorry) in the near future...

Right now, I'm getting ready for some cool things up and coming (see RH column for more):

- trip to Birmingham, N. Ireland, and Paris with Annie and Granny (12-27 September)

- prep work for Monsoon term Oct-Dec (still hoping for 3 more applicants - if interested, inquire via monsoongde@gmail.com)

Ideas in the making/praying...

- "Northern Community" visit, Feb 2012 (details TBD)

- Monsoon BBC Team Mission, March Break 2012

- "Northern Community" Discipleship Expedition, Summer 2012 (TBD)

So... yeah, lots going on, and I am still making those "important" future decisions. I appreciate all your prayers through everything and hope that you have had a great summer too!

In Christ,

Shannon

Cutting It Close - in faith...

2011-08-24T16:28:00.007-04:00

We booked Adriana's flight to come to Toronto at the beginning of last week. But she had to apply for a Canadian visa to come up here. So, we started praying that it would happen. Of course, her flight was booked for the 25th and the Canadian Embassy said they'd give her an answer on the 24th. That's cutting it close.

But in faith, we do that sometimes...

Adriana is a recently graduated student of mine and she was also on the trip to Asia with the wonderful team from last year. She wasn't planning on studying at University just yet, but taking a year to get involved in missions somehow, among other things. So far, she's been struggling for opportunities. So, I invited her here on a missions trip to help teach the book of Acts (& Pauline Epistles) with me at a youth camp next week. She accepted and we booked flights and prayed for that visa to come through...

Well, she just emailed to say that she got it! Actually, I wasn't worried about it at all. I figured that if we had faith to go ahead with the booking, then God knows what he's doing. If it worked out that she didn't get the visa, then there would be a reason (though we might never know it) for all that and even so, he'd make his love known.

But he's allowing it and she's on her way! Thanks to all of you who have been praying for her to get the visa. Continue to pray for her safe arrival, a time of great impact with the youth next week and for Adriana to be able to really hear from God about how he is going to give her dreams and fulfil them...

What's your next step of faith...?

Jack Layton

2011-08-22T20:59:00.007-04:00

Since 2003, I have kept a newspaper clipping photo of Jack tucked in the pages of my Bible. I knew back then that if any leader of the NDP could be Prime Minister in this country, Jack would be it. And so I prayed for him, for Olivia and that he wouldn't lose his vision. He never did. Over these last few years, I have grown fonder of the man as he revived a true NDP spirit among Canadians - just when we thought the NDP were out of the real race for good and that the trusted face of social democracy would be squashed.

Then I got a phone call from home while I was out of country doing what I do (working to restore social equality through action and education, and bring some relief to impoverished situations) - the call was late and it woke me up, but I didn't care. The news was that the NDP had done it - they'd become the official opposition party in the Canadian government for the first time in history. My comment was, "Because of Jack" - and that is the truth.

I believe that the way he was going, he had a good shot at becoming the next Prime Minister of Canada - the first NDP Prime Minister.

One of the things that Jack believed in was making positive change in community and in the world. He believed in the youth of today, that they can be involved in making that change so that people of different ethnicities, cultures, languages and philosophical/religious backgrounds can meet together, learn from one another and strive toward making peace.

As believers, we are called to be peace makers (Matthew 5.9) and I believe that as Canadians, we've been good at doing that throughout the world for as long as we have been named as an official country. I don't care if you're orange, blue or red (or maybe you're green or bloc) here in Canada, but I do care that we talk, that we listen to one another, allow for (even celebrate) our differences, be the talk of nations as the most beautiful cultural mosaic, and I care that we strive together as Canadians - from all over the world - going out to that same world with a message of peace, hope and healing.

I wish peace and healing for Jack's family and friends - I wish that what Jack stood for will be carried on by a generation that caught his vibe.

Today in Canada, we lost one of our greatest optimists, but I hope that his optimistic spirit spurs a multitude to rise up and press forward with vision...

"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world." - Jack Layton, 1950 - 2011

FINISHED and crazy

2011-08-09T12:36:00.002-04:00

Yes!!

I finished the assignment. It was monstrous, but it is done. I have to admit, the last chapter (24) got a bit lax in response because I was just so tired and ready to be done with it. It came out to 51 pages in total if you can believe that... now I just have to get the exam scheduled and that's one more down...

Don't ask how many to go, because I can't remember...

So, in the works: we had a Youth Week meeting last night. That went well. Good to see the leaders who are involved. Great group. We are definitely going to have some fun - aaand we're going to have a great blast learning together through the book of Acts (& Pauline Epistles) - hopefully they'll have some good Bible studying tools to use once they get back to school or head off to University for their first year.

I've done something crazy. Again. Yes, I know, I'm always doing crazy things. I invited a former Dominican student of mine to come up here to Canada and participate in a mission trip here. It's in the beginning talk stages, so you're not getting any other info other than that for now. Pray about it. I'd love it to happen, but the student needs to feel/think it's a good idea too and be led by the Spirit to go for it...

That's all...

PS: Gianna says to me this morning, "Auntie Shannon, do you want to come here to two-two-five-eight?" -- I mean, how can you refuse that...?

Home ... work

2011-08-05T10:09:00.006-04:00

Yes, literally. I have been doing homework to complete that last M.Ed-Th. course. It is a mountain of material to get through (oh, just analyse the whole NT) and yet, I have been finding some time to read a new teen book series (yeah, so I can fall asleep at night), gain 15 pounds (by sitting in front of the computer), babysit my amazing nieces; Gianna and Mattea (new picture to the right in the column), spend time with my parents (be a bit of a chauffeur, which I really don't mind) and get my sunglasses fixed so they don't fall off my face every thirty seconds...

Teams: We also had a great debriefing BBQ with the Tyndale team!! Josh's Mom even came and hung out with us until late. Wilfrido and Mirta were here and we enjoyed their company - and I loved that they got to know my nieces! We are still planning for a BBC BBQ (Bramalea Team) sometime soon for follow-up, so that will be more fun to look forward to!

So far, here in Canada again, I've been keeping busy. Ontario has been very very stinking hot, but that is kind of good as I haven't been too tempted to go out all that often. I am looking forward to lighter weather and time outdoors (whenever I finish this homework).

Youth Week: camp is coming up at the end of August and I'll be teaching through the book of Acts & the Pauline Epistles. Sounds heavy for teens, but believe me, if they can read the stuff I'm reading which they call teen literature, then they can definitely handle Acts & The Pauline Epistles... they will be learning to read through the stories, draw out some universal principles and make personal applications. If you don't know what I'm talking about, ask any of my students over the last four years and they will be happy to let you know. :) During the week, they'll map out a timeline of Acts on a big huge roll of paper and expend as much creativity as possible in the pictorial retelling of the journeys...

In September, right after I return from Youth Week, I'll be getting on a plane with my hip-to-trot 81 year old Granny. We will spend her birthday month in Birmingham, Belfast (visiting family) and Paris! She has always wanted to go to Paris, so I am going to take her. I am really super excited about it and can't wait to treat her like the Queen of England when I get her over there. :) I am trying to work out an 81-year-old-user-friendly schedule (uh, not quite like the ones I put together for the teens and twenty-somethings) and yet I want her to get the most out of our short time...

Monsoon, Oct-Dec 2011: in the works, we have two applicants in process (so far, but I'd take another 3-4, so if you're interested, let me know) to spend 9-weeks in the Dominican Republic in the coming fall season. I have known Melissa and Meagan for years and now that they are in their early-twenties, they are hoping that this cross-cultural educational experience will enrich their lives as they have seen it do for others. I am looking forward to the opportunity to learn with them...

I appreciate all your prayers and communication.

Love,

Shannon

How do I ...?

2011-07-14T13:07:00.003-04:00

"Quick update" is a bit difficult at this point... but here goes...

March - May:

BBC Team: In a word: aaaaa-mazing. We had a fantastic time, they gave so much, learned so much and their experience has actually not stopped yet. They are still trying to recover (one way to put it...) They were a great blessing to me and all the people they visited and ministered to. (Guys, I have a message for you from Pedro: the cocodrilo is in the house... remind me to show you the pic when I get a chance and you'll understand...)

2 Doxa Teams: they are fairly independent now, as they make their frequent trips to Barahona with Wilfrido (who is in Ottawa with his wife, Mirta right now and will be here in Brampton next week) -- but I just love getting to know them and going along for the ride whenever I can. Melissa is almost fluent in Spanish, so that helps greatly. No, really, you doubters, she is - almost.

Tyndale Team: wow!! This was an adventure. These six stayed in local homes and learned a tonne about the daily reality of missions and life overseas. They became independent, taking public transit, speaking a bit of the lingo and getting around. I was impressed. They were a great group and a lot of fun (and superbly encouraging). Thanks guys. Looking forward to the BBQ next Friday!

May - June:

End of school year, report cards, exams, completive exams, extraordinary exams (yes, some of my students had to redo things a few times before they graduated the grade - actually, I'm still waiting on a final assignment from one person - you know who you are - get it done)...

Cleaning out my stuff from KCS during my last days there were ... I don't know how to describe it... I am excited for the next step in life (there are so many things to come), yet, a bit of sadness to leave the students I have come to love a lot. And while many of them have graduated this year, I was homeroom teacher to a fantastic bunch of wild-children (Grade 9, baby), and still taught the rest of High School one of the most relational classes (Orientation) and they all grew on me immensely and I will miss them very much... so, a bit strange emotionally...

Then I took another M.Ed. course (currently plugging away at the homework, which is an insane lot of research and writing) and the day after that was done headed to visit family in Florida for a week.

That is where the fun began. Well, should have, but instead I spent time in the hospital, we cancelled the exciting activity for Gianna and Mattea (well, really for us to watch them take in DW) and Mum and Dad were shipped home early.

For those of you who don't know yet, Dad pierced his good eye with the thorn of a palm branch. I took him to the hospital and immediately began praying, phoned Zajamis (who happens to have studied ophthalmology) and was relieved, somewhat at the reality she tried to determine from what I could describe to her about the eye. Finally, at 11.30pm I had her word confirmed by the on site ophthalmologist (after Dad was transported from one hospital to another) that the puncture arrived to the iris, but no further. Then came the "precautionary stitching" and I didn't argue. The surgery took way too long the next morning and it was agony for Dad. He was pi*- really irritated when Mum came to pick him up from the hospital. The next day, they said he needed more surgery - that the retina had started to detach. Well, rather than start in on that with a bunch of strangers (who were well qualified, I'm sure, but - well, we were in the States... cha-ching...) we made a few phone calls, booked a flight, and I drove Mum and Dad to the airport to head straight to Toronto that very afternoon. After delays, etcetera, they made it home by 4am and were at the Doctor's by 7.30am. The rest of the story goes that he had a few surgeries, he's got a gas bubble in his eye to push the retina back in place, and he's been to appointments almost daily (with another 7hr visit to the hospital because of a behind-the-eye migraine last week) - so, Mum is exhausted.

July:

Meanwhile, I flew back to Santo Domingo from Florida as originally planned, attended graduation and chaperoned the grad trip. Adventures. Just trust me, I'll spare you the details. :)

By the time I arrived to Buffalo (yes, we stuck to original plans, plus, Mum's van was still parked in a lot there somewhere from the trip down to Florida), Dad was virtually blind and Mum was on the verge of tears (almost on an hourly basis). But Gianna was there to greet me in the morning. Boy, that just changed everything. She is such a joy. And Mattea came around to pop a few smiles on us (and a poop) -- so life got drastically better for the span of two hours in their presence...

Is that how God feels about us when we spend time in his presence? I wonder...

So, now you are up to date-ish (big ish). I am at home with Dad right now while Mum's at work and I'm trying to get my M.Ed. assignments completed - in between making lunch, laundry, dishes, writing updates, and generally making sure Dad isn't trying to power-spray the deck or clean out the garage...

I love you all and appreciate your prayers.

Shannon

Prayer for A Life...

2011-06-20T14:00:00.002-04:00

Julio Medina, the High School Language Teacher has just informed us that his baby (ready to be born) has some complications: the umbilical cord is directly around the baby's neck and is putting her life in danger. Please pray for a miracle. The plan was that she give natural birth - and they are still going through with that, but there will be a possibility that she may need a C-section. Please pray that they can do this efficiently if necessary. Usually, here, that is a difficulty because they cannot prep the operating room quickly enough.

We have all been waiting, holding our breath and hoping for this little one. Please pray that God allows her to come into this world screaming and lively.

Love,

Shannon

hot.

2011-06-17T10:30:00.003-04:00

it's hot.

it makes me tired all over.

when the team was here, it was hot. but this is ridiculous.

it almost feels like asia... but let's not exaggerate... :)

almost finished with the school year. just a bunch of reports and wrap-up stuff to finish before next week.

and one more MEd course (Saturday all day, Mon-Wed aft-eve).

then i'm off to florida with the family because someone offered a ride over on their boat.

kidding.

got a cheap flight.

going to see Gianna and Mattea.

can't wait...

then i will be home for summer.

boy it's hot.

i'm at work, but i just want to put my head down on the table and disappear for a while...

before i melt...

Story, Principles, Applications...

2011-05-19T10:45:00.005-04:00

I was listening to a class this morning by a fellow teacher. She was teaching about Sarah’s meddling with God’s plan to give her a son, how she convinced her husband Abraham to create a son - though not the one - with her maid-servant, and the results for all involved (Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael and Isaac). It was good to draw out some principles from the story and be able to make some applications - or raise some implications... I wrote a poem about it once...

Spiritual food for spiritual thought...

God does not need our help in any situation.

Wow. I don’t need to help him along the way to make things happen according to his plan or for my life, just continue to do what I am called to do, be faithful to the responsibilities that I have been given in following him, live according to his word and trust that he will do his part.

God protects, loves and provides for victims, though they usually have to suffer the consequences of their oppressors.

Have I been victimised or oppressed in any way? What has been or is my response in either situation? Do I trust that God loves me and has a plan for his world and my life, regardless of the terrible things that happen or might happen to me?

We have to live with the consequences of our own decisions, though we are still loved by God in the same manner as always.

As I make decisions in all areas of life, I should always think ahead as to what the results could be for me, for those affected by me and for those watching me… (Luke 14)

God will continue with his purposes despite our actions and our meddling.

What exactly are God’s purposes? That his word be communicated to every tribe, nation and people group in the world around. Am I being part of this in a positive manner? Or am I trying to manipulate things so that they happen in a way that puts me at the centre?

Tyndale in Boca Chica

2011-05-14T20:11:00.003-04:00

The street to the left is thumping heat, sweat and cerveza to the boom-boom-boom of that same irritating song here in Boca Chica as the sun sets over the Caribbean ocean to the right. Night is falling as I am sitting in the hotel room with a group of Uni students.

This beach is known for several things, none of which are very appealing on a postcard or travel brochure. So most of those fancy up the truth with some photoshop or mincing of words. We're getting some rest right now before we head out to the streets to see if we can speak some of God's love into the lives of some girls I know (and/or will get to know in a short while) and encourage them to seek God and trust him and accept his kind of love. It is not easy to talk to them, but it is necessary. There are so many sheep wandering around as if they don't have a shepherd. But the Shepherd is near and we want to bring kingdom here... we were with some kids earlier (they are always such a riot; Fausto, Schneider, Carlito, Alejandro - who is almost a man now) and I was blessed by their silly comments as we were able to bless them with something to eat...

**[Note to Phil/Felipe Attrell: everyone (including all the boys) wants to know how you are and when you are coming back for a visit and say to bring Deanna! Actually, Phil, I'm getting kind of sick and tired of making excuses for you, so you had better get down here and see these people!]

I had a good chat with a Chinese immigrant (who is unfortunately the object of much racism here) whom I have wanted to get to know for the past few years, but have never had the chance to engage in a conversation with her because her restaurant is always so busy. Today, God gave me twenty minutes of her time. It was kind of a bit of an interview and I asked her about how she felt here, if she missed home, and about her religious and philosophical beliefs. The last part, of course, being the most interesting - and she was confused by the question and didn't know how to answer. I'll take that as a, "No, I don't know the God who created me," and hope to have more encounters with Jessica in the future. Gee, if only I knew a bit of Cantonese, although she says she forgets a lot of it, having been here now for seven years only using Spanish...

I know I'm insane, but I have great hopes that these people will experience God's love - and if God can use us in the process, well, what a privilege...

So, the Tyndale team have been here for almost a week. They have:

- learned how to take public transit (somewhat)

- been trying out their Spanish and succeeding! (I'm impressed)

- attempted everything put before them and been good and honest about their feelings

- shown a spirit of humility, inquiry and acceptance

- have been wonderfully flexible

- taught daycare (believe it; singing, story-telling and sharing - the whole bit)

- given testimonies in a church service

- been a great blessing to their home-stays

Up next week:

- Monday, we'll hear from Kara-Lynn (an Art Therapist in Haiti) at school

- go to the Leper Colony with some donations

- spend time in a local orphanage in the afternoons

- participate in more daycare and High School

- deliver medical supplies to the Bateys

- prep for a possible visit to Haiti

Pray for:

- a sense of real purpose and worth for each team member

- increased understanding of cross-cultural life

- open border to Haiti (not an expensive crossing)

- special favour for the team from border guards

- a deep and realistic perspective on missional living

Thanks for all your prayers.

This is a great bunch of students and I'm looking forward to seeing how God integrates this cross-cultural adventure into their overall Tyndale experience.

lots of love (lol, Mum says)

Shannon

What?

2011-04-18T14:31:00.003-04:00

We moved, that was fun. Then two days later I went to Canada for Easter to visit the family. That was great. The two nieces say/gurgle the funniest things, they are beautiful and wonderfully giving in all things (even sharing chocolate Easter eggs - yes, Gianna is learning to share with her Auntie). Mattea just smiles and giggles and laughs at you all day long. She does have a bit of tv-itis though (she cranes her wee neck searching for the box if you have her back to it), but there’s competition between watching the tube and watching her sister spin and twirl, laugh and play, running all over the place all the time. She’s going to have strong neck muscles...

After insane weather delays in Buffalo, during which I never even saw a drop of water fall, I arrived home just with time (6.20am) to take a bath, eat an egg with toast, drink a strong beautiful cup of coffee and get to work. We didn't have to be there until 8am on Monday as there were no classes, just teachery things to do. In all, by the time I finished my Master's work at midnight and emailed it to the professor, I had been awake for 41 hours with a half-hour nap somewhere in the middle on the chapel chairs.

I felt a bit raggedly insane. Those things are not like they used to be.

The longest I ever stayed awake was on a passport recuperation trip from Glasgow to London with my Italian-American friend. 63 hours in total. We were stupidly giddy, red-eyed, shaky - if felt kind of like jet-lag without the wicked time change… great day in London, though...

I think today was the first time a British Royal married for love. Isn't that nice? Missed the wedding, though I’m sure that we’ll have some kind of display plates, trays and tea sets within the year with their cutie wee faces all over them (will these replace the Charles and Diana sets? I highly doubt it, as it is a well-displayed event in my British-Canadian household - actually, here in the Dominican I sometimes feel like something’s missing and almost nearly put up a 1982 Royal Wedding calendar the other day, just to give myself a bit of a cultural anchor)…

Being a full-time High School teacher is almost coming to an end. Yes, you read me correctly. In February I handed in my notice for the coming year after lots of prayer, consideration, counsel from family and friends, more prayer and making lists (lists are vital to the decision-making process, you know?). So, exams, grading, graduation (!!!), summer, N. Ireland with Granny, and MONSOON term in the fall with three potential students!! Oooh, exciting stuff.

Thanks for your prayers. Love.

Why is Deism not already a dead philosophy?

2011-04-07T12:58:00.003-04:00

Deism is not already dead because people continue to detach themselves personally from the entity they declare to have control over the universe. Worse than that, many do not care to investigate or adhere to any religious/philosophical position, preferring to simply exist with the knowledge that there must be “something/one” out there intelligent without the desire to personally know or know about that “something/one” in any manner.

North America is still full of cultural deists today. Many people acknowledge the existence of a greater being, some even call him God, but beyond lip-service, they know nothing about him, never mind actually knowing him (as a person). To many, God exists but they have little or nothing to do with him other than “God Bless America” bumper stickers slapped on their cars acting more as a talisman than a proclamation of personal faith.

In church circles, something even worse happens; people believe that he is the Almighty Creator but he becomes little more than an unpredictable God of occasional convenience. These believers claim to be able to know God and have a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ” but show little evidence of actually knowing Jesus Christ as a person or otherwise. Their actions better represent belief in a temperamental genie in a bottle who might have mercy on them (or not) at any given moment, and with whom they may beg and barter, but seldom have any kind of daily relationship.

God is known throughout Dominican culture as the Creator and as such he is feared - to a certain extent (I have never met a Dominican who does not know who God is in general, whereas in Asia, there are plenty of people who have never heard of God). The general cultural belief that people should be good and kind to one another is evident, but only when this care for others does not interfere with one’s own pursuit of happiness and comfort. I have observed on a common level that the relationship aspect (to God) is one of self-centred convenience which requires no personal responsibility or daily interaction with God. For example, I have seen people afix “Jesus fish” to their bumpers, then consciously throw garbage from the car window into the middle of the street, adding to the piles of rubbish that already litter God’s creation for which we are responsible.

For many believers, maintaining a kind, but for the most part impersonal, treatment of others (i.e.: give someone on the street five pesos, but avoid looking them in the eye, having a conversation or actually treating them as someone created in God’s image) becomes almost a kind of cultural Christian karma. This behaviour does not reflect a personal relationship, but rather a pursuit of general “goodness” that hopefully will escort them to heaven when all is said and done. If we are supposed to look at others as image-bearers of God, what does it say of us that we behave this way?

People may even believe that the only way to salvation is through Christ’s blood, but may not understand that salvation in and of itself is the restoration of a personal interactive bond with God that has been broken by our own tendency to distance ourselves from him (as Deists do). The goal of salvation is restoration to God. The reward of heaven is eternal unbroken relationship with God. Surprisingly, there are many church-goers who see the goal of salvation as simply the rescue from suffering and the reward of heaven mere escape from hell. Deism is successful at interrupting our peace with God and breaking our relationship with him, thus muting the power of salvation and bringing a measure of success to any plans thwarted against forging a deeper relationship between God and humans.

The more Christianity portrays faith in God as a set of rules to follow, a moral law by which to live, obligation or principles to build life upon, the more comfortable people become with living a Deistic practice, though claiming with their mouths a Theistic belief. The person of our belief is the core and the key to who we are, but we keep pushing him aside in exchange for an inadequate sense of security according to our own actions and not according to the dynamics of a living relationship with a God who loves.

March: In Like a Whirlwind, Out With a Gust...

2011-04-03T15:22:00.003-04:00

Life is fleeting and frenzied.

We have desires, dreams, goals, responsibilities.

We make stupid mistakes and achieve great accomplishments.

And here we are at the centre of it all, never giving ourselves a break from ourselves but sometimes wanting one (admit it, you get sick of yourself, too).

We search for meaning and purpose Mondays through Wednesday. We have great revelations on Thursday. We celebrate the privilege of our being and our freedom in Christ Friday through Sunday.

Or something like that.

And then an opportunity presents itself to do something radical, crazy, adventurous with your life, or with a small portion of your life, or just for a few days.

Go for it.

11-20 March, a group of nine from BBC came down to participate in what God is doing here in the Dominican Republic. Maybe some people forgot that God is doing stuff here in the DR. I have not said anything for a while, so maybe I caused you to forget that God is working, changing lives, comforting, reaching and challenging Dominicans. And the same for the Canadians who came to visit for a short while.

For you concrete thinkers, here is what they "did" -- ;) ...

Friday: Orientation - watched "In the Time of Butterflies" at my house; it deals with a relatively recent time in history (1930s-60s) and three sisters who catapulted Dominican society into a period of exodus from a time of oppression under the hand of the dictator, General Trujillo.

Saturday: visited the local market for a bread, juice and coffee breakfast - and to get a whiff of the culture - then joined with the other team from Doxa Journeys (16 people who went to Barahona to lay cement floors and run evangelistic children's programmes in schools) plus some Dominican friends (we were a group of 34 altogether) in the Colonial Zone for history and culture tour (a Scavenger Hunt that ended in a Dominican meal) and went to youth group in the evening.

Sunday: Church service in Iglesia Cristiana where I have been attending for over a year. Melanie gave her testimony (I translated) and it was such a great blessing -- in the afternoon we took them with some Dominican friends to eat mofongo and grilled meats and went out for a bike ride/run/walk on the seashore drive, then in the evening, we settled into the base where we stayed for the week.

Monday - Wednesday: I went to work at school, they worked in a town (that had been oppressed by the dictatorship of Trujillo and where the people live in the old prisons - having made homes out of the remaining catacombs in town) -- they gathered the children and ran an evangelistic programme that included games and crafts and dramas. Jorge (our connection in town) was so grateful for the time. In the afternoons (Tues-Wed), we visited a girls home (31 orphans, 2 "mothers" and 4 part-time workers) and ran a programme there also (as well as supplying food items for the home). In the evenings, I went biking and the team rested and took some free time or came with me for some fresh air and exercise, then we talked and ate dinner together, reflecting on the day.

Here are just a few things that happened that caused us to keep relying on God through prayer in the midst of the spiritual battle and thank God for his protection:

Monday: the translators (3) got into a car accident on the way to the ministry

Tuesday: I witnessed a purse snatching by pistol-wielding thief on the way to pick up the team, and Andrew got very sick in the afternoon

Wednesday: Andrew was sick all day, but we had a BBQ at my house in the evening

Thursday: first thing we did was check Andrew into the hospital, which took some time and the team were SOO good about sitting in the van and waiting (though it was hot and tiring and some of them didn't feel so good either), then they led the High School chapel, which people are still talking about as being a wonderful blessing - and they participated in some of my classes.

Friday: interacted with High School students, picked up Andrew from the hospital (he was doing a lot better, though is still recovering from the amoeba), went to the debrief location and then I had a Parent-Teacher meeting in the evening. When I returned, though, I took some of the girls out to talk to the local girls on the street, very late at night, which I do whenever I stay in that location.

Saturday: met up again with the Doxa Journeys team for debrief sessions, and then during our free time, we found some street kids and shared ice cream and a couple hours of fun, then had more debrief sessions until bed time

Sunday: 5am departure for both groups (3 trips to the airport, hugs and good-byes and then I headed straight to church by 8.15am and fell asleep in a chair until the music started...)

I miss them. It was an amazingly eye-opening time for me (and hopefully some of them) in regards to the near future and goals. I am looking forward to having more visitors in short-term teams and hopefully some that come for 3-5 months in the next couple of years.

Thanks for all your support as I live to inspire young people here in the DR and through experiences in the DR. I crave your prayers. God provides incredibly in the midst of everything and I am grateful that this team came just at this right ordained time. All that happened to us was a blessing and a challenge.

After they left, I took some alone/thinking time on Sunday and then was right back into the swing on Monday morning. In the afternoon, I headed to another M-Ed course, which I've been in all week after school (4-8pm, 21-25 March) and it has been a great blessing (Developing a Biblical Worldview). Now I just have to finish the homework...

Last week (29-31 March), we had our High School camp. I was able to put together the devotional booklets and see great blessing come from the small group times. Please pray for wisdom and guidance as we continue to reach deep into their lives through a right study of the Word of God that they can take with them for real life.

See the prayer requests in the right-hand column.

Love lots,

Shannon

Take a Break. I'm Gonna.

2011-02-09T14:17:00.001-04:00

Hey all,

My sister just had her second baby. A little girl born 1st February 2011 while I was in the Miami Airport trying to get home for it. Yeah, life is like that. I heard the news and saw the pictures when I arrived in Toronto at almost midnight, but I went to see her the next day. Her name is Mattea (Mah-tay-ah) and she is just perfect. So, Gianna and I spent the last few days together with her (except for when I was running errands, like renewing my passport).

I am going to take a break from doing this blog for a while (if you hadn't already noticed). Life is busy. There are lots of demands (yes, we all have them, I know). I don't want anyone to feel like I am ignoring/neglecting them (which happens anyways) because I haven't facebooked them. So, I will probably not visit facebook for a while either. I find it aggravating (besides the pictures, they are good). Too many details that can be easily missed and too much like administrating. I like the pictures, but having to check all the little boxes and inboxes leaves me forgetting to do it and then offending people because they think I'm ignoring them when I haven't even seen their message(s). So, I'll be on email - you know: the old-fashioned way of communicating...

Here is my latest update:

I am still working on my MEd (oh, not sure if I will continue this right now: thinking about the benefits and hassle...).

I am still working at KCS (so far, until the end of this school year).

I am still working with several teams that will be coming down March-May 2011 (lots of planning, good stuff with good teams).

Take care and I will talk to you soon.

Feel free to email or phone or text.

Shannon

A Christmas Thought...

2010-12-25T01:43:00.002-04:00

I am still amazed that the God of the Universe (Designer, Creator, Architect) broke into this world wrapped in the fragile skin of a helpless infant, in the mess of a natural birth to a young poor teenaged girl, so that we could know that he lived our experience, so that we could hold his hand and skip through the garden with him again...

This tells me two (among many) things:

1) God really loves me more than I could ever imagine.

2) God has a special calling for teenagers to do radical things for his name...

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Shannon

Oh hey.

2010-12-11T15:38:00.013-04:00

Sorry for the silence over the last few weeks. You know how it is...

Here's what's been up lately:

Went to the women's retreat a few weekends ago. My first ever weekend with only women at a retreat-thingy. That was different. Totally unlike me and guess what? I liked it. Well, I heard a lot of wow/whoa testimonies, felt that God was telling me to be more compassionate and observant of the people around me (I can be selfish and cold-hearted), came home feeling much more like "me" but with a really sore butt from sitting on a plastic chair practically all weekend.

I REALLY appreciated all of you who wrote letters to me for the weekend. THANK YOU!!! That was a huge blessing. I'd been feeling really homesick over the last couple of months, actually, so those all came just at the right time. Thanks everyone. Love you all.

Then, got back into school, heading toward exams.

Got a grip on the overwhelming things.

Got some control over my attitude (let's face it; it's a DAILY struggle).

Got working on plans for the teams coming in the Spring - you know, the "missions" part of what I do here. -- Not that my job isn't also a fantastic ministry, but often (due to administration, which is like a synonym for punishment, drudgery, toil, penance, etc.) I get a bit bogged down/discouraged and forget that it is a ministry. I have to continue challenging my 90+ students to press on in faith toward the goal set before them in Christ but also do this myself in my own life. Sometimes I even feel like I am just living for paycheques (which are something between a blasted necessity and a great blessing but should never be my focus) and not really living on faith or as a missionary. Don't worry, I never really liked being called a missionary (because of all that people think of a missionary, when really, I'm just me), but I definitely like doing the work of a missionary. Whatever that is. Often, as a Bible teacher in a Christian school, I don't feel like I am doing that work. Especially when administration assumes a position of greater importance than my students. I feel like I'm just living like anyone else with a job. Which is good, it's just weird for me, you understand. Then I have to remind myself that this year, I have a specific goal/call... Right. Reminders are good… zachar --

Got back into my Master’s of Education with a course that started the Monday after the retreat. Got to finishing the homework that was still pending from the last course I took. Oops. So much for being a perfectionist (it was a good exercise in being humiliated - humbled, that is). Got to eat my first Indian food in the country (4 years later) - interesting experience - spoke to the co-owner of the “restaurant” (more like being invited with 8 others to his house for dinner - muy cool) about what I do and why and that was even more interesting than the food. I’ll be back there to eat again and continue that conversation (with eternal intentions).

So, it seems that I have got my feet back on the ground, my head back in the game, my heart back under control… at least for the moment…

And here's what's happening next:

Exams: Grades 9 & 12 Bible, Grade 11 Literature - those are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. I think. Have to double check.

Proctoring every other day next week (already proctored four exams Thursday and Friday of this past week).

Grading 90 Orientation Projects.

Filling 12 semester plans and 12 class attendance charts in the government registry.

Not sure where I’m getting the time to do all of the above.

Sing in a Choir with other teachers on the 17th at our Staff Christmas Party - really looking forward to this - it’s been a while since I last sang in a choir, and you know I love to sing.

Pack my bags and get on a plane at 2.30pm Saturday 18th December.

Arrive in Buffalo at 10pm and drive to Toronto with Mum and Dad, talking their ears off about everything.

Pray it doesn’t snow that day (I heard about the 22hrs people had to sit at the border a few weeks ago. Yikes.)

Let’s leave the rest for later…

Love you all greatly. Merry Christmas!

Can’t wait to see many of you over the holidays!!

Shannon

Admitting It Is Not My Problem

2010-11-15T19:36:00.006-04:00

I have ADHD. Admitting it is not a problem for me. Coping with it is something else. Recently (if you have been keeping up with the blogs, you might have caught this), I haven't been dealing with it so well. It has to do with feeling like the stability of my structures have been pulled out from under me - better said: I feel like the things I can do are being overshadowed by new, more urgent "latecomer" responsibilities. Expectations that interfere with the already big load I have. And then I kind of shut down. I don't exercise because there is too much to do - which leads to a build up of physical energy I have nothing to do with and I have found myself feeling a bit under the weather (don't want to use the word "depressed"). I have been completely distracted, totally overwhelmed (without a clue where to begin) and lacking in organisation (which I generally have been able to handle well). In the midst of feeling homesick, this was all indicating something more to me. So, I went online today looking for some practical help and stumbled upon this. After I read it, I felt like I could breathe again...

10 Coping Mechanisms for Thriving With Adult ADHD

By Eileen Bailey

Many adults with ADHD have found systems and coping mechanisms to manage the everyday symptoms of ADHD. However, others struggle daily with distraction, lack of organizational skills, and becoming easily overwhelmed. The strategies below can help adults with ADHD develop coping skills:

Make time for exercise every day. Exercise helps increase focus and attention, decrease excess energy and helps combat symptoms of depression. Including an exercise program in your daily routine will provide you with many benefits.

Accept yourself and your limitations. Remember that ADHD is not a made-up diagnosis. A diagnosis of ADHD can help you to understand why you act in a certain way, but it is not an excuse for inappropriate behaviors.

Find people that accept you. Adults with ADHD may feel that those around them do not understand them, and criticize or judge them for their behaviors. If the people you are spending time with make you feel uncomfortable or inadequate, find other people to be with. Look up local support groups in your area or create your own network of friends that accept you and you feel comfortable around.

Look for time in your day to unwind. Use transitional time between activities to de-stress and unwind. Stop on your way home from work to sit at a park for 10 minutes or let your family know that when you arrive home you need a few minutes of downtime before entering family activities.

Create a system for prioritizing your day. Look over what needs to be accomplished and complete the items that are most important first. Leave those that are less important for later. Should you become distracted, you will know that you still have accomplished the most important items for the day.

Use your own internal clock to your benefit. If you are a morning person and are more productive early in the day, arrange your day for the most important items to be accomplished in the morning. If you find that you do best in afternoons, arrange your day this way. Look for jobs that will allow you to be flexible in your schedule to make the most of your own productive patterns.

Create deadlines for projects. If you find that you constantly procrastinate, outline a project you are going to begin and set deadlines for each step of the project. Even if you are working around the house, give yourself a time limit to complete portions of the task.

Break down all tasks into steps. Adults with ADHD are often overwhelmed with large projects and tasks. Many times, this causes the project to go unfinished and in some cases, never even started. Instead of looking at the project as one complete task, look at it in steps. For example, if you are going to clean your house, make it a system: first, make the beds, second, straighten the living room, third, dust and vacuum. Don’t worry about any steps other than the one you are currently working on.

Provide your own structure. Develop systems to help you give your day routines such as a daily schedule. Use organizational helpers like to-do lists, PDAs, daily planners, tape recorders.

I had forgotten to be doing some of these things because I had become too overwhelmed. I feel like somehow, just reading these helps has allowed me to think I can actually get a grip on what seems to have left tread-marks all over me...

Thanks for all your prayers, too, because truthfully, this is all spiritual...

Love you lots.

Shannon

The Hiccup that needs a good laugh...

2010-11-09T10:51:00.005-04:00

You know when you get the hiccups and you just can't stop? And it starts pulling your chest inward like as if your ribs and sternum are fusing and concave?

They say that if you drink a glass of water upside down it will stop your hiccups. That's not true. They just want to see you pour water all over your face.

They say if you hold your breath it will get rid of the hiccups, but I think they just want to see you turn purple. Although this remedy might be more reliable.

Laughter definitely kills the hiccups. Pouring water all over your face and turning purple could cause laughter for the people around you, and if you have a good sense of humour about yourself, it might make you laugh too. That would cure you.

I have tried holding my breath and turning purple. I have tried dumping water all over my face. But still, the hiccup has sucked my chest inward squishing my ribs into my vital organs.

This hiccup just needs a good laugh...

emotional paralysis

2010-11-08T18:37:00.003-04:00

I think my systems and programmes have frozen completely. All of them. Nothing works. Someone hit the "shutdown" button and I can't reboot my hard-drive. I have a major assignment due today for my MEd and I still have 4 parts missing - and I have no motivation to do any of it. I have grading to get done before the end of the week and I can't even look at it - not even on automatic, if you know what I mean - I can't even force myself to be responsible and usually that works. I have to be up in the morning to go to school, but I am afraid I won't be able to say anything when I open my mouth in any of my classes. I think I'm done. Done. I have nothing left to offer. I am totally empty. Just empty.

How do you move forward from here?

"Hurricanes and Butterflies"

2010-11-04T10:59:00.004-04:00

Things that cause change: Hurricanes and Butterflies -- and we are in the midst of anticipating more change here on the Island of Hispanola. But today, we all came to school (well, most of us) in the midst of this non-stop downpour, grey skies and a promise that the worst is yet to come. We all came and we go through the motions as if it was any other day. Inside, we are bracing for the consequences. We talk about it among ourselves as teachers. We open the webpage and look at the current status and trajectory of the thing and we wait for the wind to pick up as we grade and plan and teach.

And the rains keep on falling, and the streets keep filling...

I know you have seen on the news what has happened already from this hurricane in St. Lucia. Send help or Go help and pray for them to have strength and run to God in the midst of this disaster.

I know you have seen on the news about the Volcano in Indonesia. Pray for them to find the peace and love of God in the confusion.

I know you have heard about the floods in Thailand and Malaysia. Go help or send help and keep asking God to show them his love and that they will receive God's love.

And of course, the same hurricane from up top is headed for Haiti (as if enough isn't enough, right?)... one has to wonder what is happening in the world.

In response to my last entry: I am hoping to visit Gianna, Krystal, Mum, Dad and Granny over the weekend in Florida. Is it selfish to hope that my flight isn't affected by the storm...?

Please send your prayers up and strong today for the world around us, it is falling apart it seems...

But somehow in the middle of all the disaster, babies are born and butterflies break out of their cocoons to spread their beautiful wings and fly...

Love you all.

Shannon

Alone. Alone. Alone.

2010-10-27T14:32:00.002-04:00

I can see the reflection of the palm trees through the window off my computer screen. Sometimes I forget to stop and appreciate the palm trees, the brilliant sunshine and look out over the ocean. I get so caught up with the responsibilities and necessities that I don't appreciate what is around me. But life is busy no matter what city you live in (not that I'm saying I want to move to the countryside or anything). Lately, I've been glad to be busy because it doesn't leave me too much time to think about home, family and friends or get too nostalgic. If I did that, I think I just might go to them...

I don't like feeling alone. I think there are times when we are surrounded by people and yet we feel alone. I think Jeremiah felt like that (although, the people surrounding him treated him terribly and I can't say that of my life - God has always surrounded me with people who treat me well). There is a difference between being alone and feeling alone. Being alone can sometimes be refreshing, restoring - we need times when we get alone with God. Feeling alone is horrible.

I feel very alone. It is when you feel that of all the people around you, there isn't anyone with whom you can deeply connect - one who really understands you without having to explain yourself (usually that is called a sister - yes, I miss my sister).

Of course, this feeling alone increases a desperate need for the presence of God, which is good, but we function as human beings in community. If there is no deep sense of understanding at least on one level within the community (despite appearances and the good efforts of kind friends and neighbours) you could feel desperately alone. You might be in the community physically, but there is a desperate lack of that certain essential connection and understanding (emotionally, spiritually, other). That cannot be forced. It either exists or it doesn't. Sometimes there are underlying unspoken criteria based on unacknowledged (or unrealised) fundamental beliefs for gaining access to a community which you are not able to naturally or circumstantially fulfil - and unless you fulfil the criteria, that community can never truly admit you - not because they don't want to, but because you just don't fit in their paradigm (whether or not they know it). They might not even recognise that they possess the criteria, and they won't understand why you feel like you don't fit when they have gone to so much effort to make you feel welcome.

But you are still an outsider. It makes you feel alone in the midst of a loving community. And they can't understand, and you can’t expect them to. Cling to God. I have to cling a lot these days…

Thanks for your prayers.

Love,

Shannon

Found My Glasses!!

2010-10-11T22:27:00.003-04:00

...but they're broken. If it was just a screw, it could be fixed, but it is a break in the plastic frame. Ah well, I've been kind of hoping something might happen to them to acknowledge the LAST straw. They have scratched lenses and the prescription is old - I've had them since around January 2006 (I think) so it's time for a change. I was content to keep the frames, but it is the leg/arm (what do we call it in English, again??) that is broken, so it can't be helped. Until I get a chance to get out and have a look at the latest models, I'll just stick with these like some nerd...

Mondays are wild-fire. I have every hour of classes with a lunch break, in which, Zajamis and I studied for the Master's class. Then we raced home after school (I ate and took a quick bath) and went out to get to the course, just in time (lots of traffic) -- we got home around 9pm, made lunches for tomorrow and here I am supposedly doing my Master's class homework. I think I will do an in depth study of Obadiah, but I haven't decided yet... even though we were already supposed to have decided for today... it's all caving in on me...

So, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by just plodding through. It is true, people like me need structure and routine (yeah, yeah) -- but I could use a bit of spontaneity too sometimes. So, the other night I went to the beach at 9pm with Francisco and Johanny to talk and sit under the stars. It was a good time, but we were all really tired after a long week and only lasted until 1am (bunch of old wimps, that's what we are). It's good to do crazy things every once in a while, though - even though they look tame to sixteen year olds.

In similar fashion, my Grade 12 students went to the beach late the other night too - to play footie - and one of the kids (Nelson) ended up taking a spill over some rocks and ripping his teeth right through his bottom lip. They said they could see down right through the rip to his chest at the time - it was like a big gaping hole in his lip. Then he showed it to me (right before a quiz - I think it was intentional, they know I get queazy about those things) and was telling me how many stitches he had to have, which I don't quite remember. I kind of wiped that part out of my memory. It was disgusting and made me a light-headed because they included a visual amount of morbid detail - and Nelson there with his lip all swollen and stitched right in front of me... It was too much blood and craziness for me...

Tomorrow is another day of classes to teach and classes to learn. Missed out on family today, but I was glad to have received many well-wishings and Thanksgiving messages from family and friends! Thanks!

Love yous tonnes,

Shannon

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2010-10-10T12:30:00.004-04:00

I am in bed today. Woke up this morning with a bad bit of vertigo. As you can see, it is getting better (or I wouldn't be writing this). But it prevented me from taking the family to church (the parents are away for the weekend at a couples retreat, Grandma and the three kids are here with me).

So far this morning/afternoon, things have not gone exactly as planned, i.e.: go to church, go to lunch. Rather, the 14 year old had to take a taxi because she was singing in the choir and couldn't skip. The Grandma (God bless her) cooked me a delicious chicken soup and gave me some medicine that seems to have worked well. "Superman" (who is only 4 years old) managed to bang his knee on something during flight (at least his red cape/shirt stayed in tact) which resulted in slight injury, but in lieu of crying, he proceeded to blame it on his sister (who was nowhere near at the time) and on the staircase and on his Grandma. He recovered quickly, but has given up the cape for now. Currently, the 9 year old, in some Houdinic aspiration, is roped up with wire (self-inflicted) and hopping around the hallway commenting on how she is going to make a great escape. She has involved Superman, who seems to be more than content (though cape-less) at tying his sister up until she is immobile. Go figure.

The M.Ed. Progress: I was in a Master's course class all day yesterday (tiring but good). This is the fourth course and I don't even know how I'm doing. I am not concerned, though. I am enjoying the classes I'm taking and learning lots. It's definitely not the same as "going" to Uni to take classes, but I do thrive on learning.

Specks Knocked Off: I lost my glasses the other day (don't know where/how) and it might be part of the reason for the vertigo. All day yesterday in the class my eyes were strained. Please pray that I can find my glasses or get new ones. Mine have been scratched up for a while, and I've actually been hoping something would happen to them to give me an excuse to get new ones - but I was hoping to keep the frames...

Missions: I haven't been doing much in the way of "missions" lately, but that's because we're in the prep stages for the next groups coming (and school takes up a LOT of my time). Keep praying for the planning of DOXA and Tyndale teams for the coming Spring Season. Thank you for keeping my Grade 12 students in your prayers, they need it. The entire class have been inspired to look toward missions and even local ministry as they continue to study - and even in the consideration of University studies.

Asia Team Update: Of the six students that came to Asia (and one teacher), three of the girls (Denisse, Adriana and Elizabeth) are considering longer-term involvement in Asia. Two (Adriana and Elizabeth) are actually planning their University studies around the possibility of being involved longer in some of the ministries they have visited. Gabriel has made a complete turn around and other teachers have commented on the positive change in his life - he is fun and a blessing to be around!! He is not done with missions and has been mentioning future endeavours, seeking God as to how he can be involved. Aleyrys is going through some very serious character-changing growth and she is intent on seeing God's purpose through it all - these are challenges that are shaping her and from what I see, God has incredible things planned for her. Samuel is living through some difficult circumstances and as we all need prayer, I ask that you remember him in prayer. Samuel is a chosen boy and has great potential. It is my desire that he use it for God - and this is also his desire. He saw things and did things during the mission that changed his perspective on life, but he needs to process these things and use them for God's glory. Please pray for these students to see God's hand in their lives and follow his call upon them. Zajamis and Pedro continue to consider their future in missions and ministry. Please pray that during this retreat, they will have time to talk and pray about the future, God's calling in their lives and about how to begin implementing any necessary steps/changes that will lead them in the direction they should go.

A Bit of Homesickness: On the home front, things are well. Mum, Dad and Granny returned from Northern Ireland and had a great time. Krystal's pregnancy is going well and Gianna is still a character - and loving gymnastics classes! I miss everyone at home. Especially on hot sweaty tropical October days like today when really, the leaves should be changing and falling and gathered in big piles on wide front lawns to be jumped into. And the air should have that musty-cool Autumn scent of pumpkin, spice, cinnamon, apple cider, burning leaves and the distant hinted promise of pending snowfall. When you should have to start wearing hats and coats (maybe even gloves) as the pinch of cold just sort of slips into the atmosphere. Instead of summer birdies chirping, you can hear the Autumn cawing of black birds and blue jays as the others all flee south for the winter. And the kids of BBC (big and small) all gather tomorrow to smash each other to loving pieces in the yearly Turkey Bowl! Oh, how I wish I were home right now...

I love you all. Take care and have a great, wonderful, family-filled Thanksgiving!!

Love,

Shannon

Recapturing A Vision...

2010-09-18T23:51:00.008-04:00

It's been a while since I've sent an update, and there is a lot going on. Let me see if I can summarize a few things for you here...

SCHOOL is going well. We are already finished the first month! My students are learning what it means to apply scripture through good hermeneutic practice (although, I don't quite put it to them like that), allowing the Word of God to have the power to transform their lives as they engage in the text, culture, history and principles. I hope and pray that of all the stories and lessons, they take away a deep understanding of God's love for them that they can share with others throughout their lives.

YOUTH LEADERS CONFERENCE: I just attended a four-day Youth Leaders Conference just on the outskirts of the city and had to get substitutes for 2 days of classes. A cool thing happened: one teacher subbed my whole day and then wouldn't let me pay him for it. That was a blessing to me because I was expecting to pay him and he volunteered his time. But it was also a special blessing/confirmation from God that he is going to take care of me and going to continue to bless me when I listen to the Holy Spirit and follow his leading in faith. Thursday night at the conference, there was an offering taken up for a missionary in Mexico with an exact need for $4000US dollars. I had already decided what I was going to put in and had shoved it in my pocket for the right moment. But as we sat there, hearing the story of the need, I was convicted to give another specific amount which I happened to have because of a cheque I had just changed in the afternoon. I thought it was a bit crazy because initially I was planning on using the money for something specific. But I sensed that the Spirit was moving me to put this specific amount into the offering. So I did. When they counted the money, the offering came out to exactly $4000US dollars!! They were planning on having to wait 2 years to accomplish the project - and God had blessed them through a mere group of 120 youth leaders from different parts of Latin America, some who had saved all year to pay for the conference. Then there was celebration. It was awesome to see the faith of God's people increase through this small step. Pray that God will bless these humble workers as they make new efforts to reach out to youth in their countries. Pray that I will be able to continue with innovative new ideas as I seek new avenues to disciple both Dominican and Canadian youth.

TEAMS 2009/2010: Yes, though I am working full time here as a High School teacher, I will also be accepting teams in the Spring season. Two of the teams are coming with DOXA - so they are very familiar with the culture, the people and the work. Melissa is speaking more Spanish now, too - so that is an answer to her prayers! She asks for prayer in training of her leaders in this year as she begins to delegate and multiply the work that they are doing through missions and service among the youth of Toronto. We (Melissa and I) hope to have some of my students involved with the team as participants and translators. Please pray for an open door to make this possible as I have sensed some resistance from the Administration at the school. The other team will be coming from Tyndale University College & Seminary and will spend a time of approximately three weeks here. Please pray for these three teams as they are currently in the advertisement and recruitment process.

JOSUE is one of my students who just graduated this past year. Many of you will remember that I returned to the Dominican for graduation and to join the class on their Grad trip. Josue is a special student for me as he always managed to bring a smile to my face - even when I was giving him a detention. Since I first had him in my homeroom in Grade 10, he has been a constant blessing to my life as he challenged me to think about things differently and make room in my limited worldview for all kinds of people. Well, Josue has been in the hospital in New York for the past week with a bacterial infection pressing against a disc in his lower back causing a great amount of pain and loss of feeling in his legs. He is taking morphine for the pain and is under supervision of doctors and nurses. I talked to him this afternoon and he just sounds frustrated (and a bit high on morphine). Please pray for a supernatural healing that will increase his faith and be a testimony. He has hopes to join Police College in New York in January with his sights set on making a career in Forensics.

CHURCH: I have been trying to find a church since moving permanently to the capital city - and it has been difficult. I feel that I need strong biblical and spirit-filled input from a church community as I am teaching Bible five days a week. Last year, I visited the church at my school and an English Church, though for many reasons, neither were really places that I could freely congregate and potentially engage in ministry. Since the end of March, I have been able focus on the Asia team and recuperate (slightly) from travelling back and forth to Haiti. I also have been attending a church called Iglesia Cristiana. It is non-denominational, thoroughly biblical and full of the Holy Spirit. They are an honest bunch of growing people and have welcomed me as part of their family. They even financially and prayerfully supported our team to Asia. I have been attending (helping out a bit) the youth group and also considering the worship team, but I am unsure how to get involved. Please pray that I would know how to be involved in the community in the way that will best use my gifts and be a blessing.

MISSIONS AND THE DOMINICAN: Part of what I have felt called to do here is to be a voice among Latin Americans about the needs in other parts of the world. Especially Asia. As Asia is the largest populated continent in the world and the least evangelised, Latin Americans have great opportunities to be involved in learning, praying and participating in bringing the gospel to Asia. At the moment, I have already been able to speak out on behalf of Asia, create a base of understanding of Asian worldview and cultures among Latin Americans, make a call to prayer and take a team of eight students and teachers on a month-long missions trip to three Asian countries. I am praying for greater impact and more involvement of Latin Americans in the work of bringing the gospel to Asia!

Love,

Shannon

Stopped.

2010-07-27T14:53:00.003-04:00

Gianna went to North Carolina today. Well, with her parents and other grandparents (not my parents).

I had big plans to drive all over the GTA and visit everyone (despite the other day's post) but that's not happening anymore...

Yesterday, I took a backward step into a hole in the ground and went over on my ankle. It won't bend forward and it's all swollen and purple. So, being the right ankle, it means I can't drive. Which means I am here, confined to the house with the foot up unless people come and get me. It's okay. I probably needed the rest.

Morrissey is taking me to the Doctor before dinner tonight to see if it's just a sprain or worse. I think it's just bruised. But I can't really walk anywhere or put pressure on it.

So, instead of running around like I thought I might be able to, I'm just here.

Stopped.

Too Tired...

2010-07-25T22:55:00.003-04:00

Sorry I am not posting much.

I am trying to visit family (so many of them) and friends and spend time with everyone, which just seems entirely too impossible. I will probably end up offending so many people, who will feel like I didn't have time for them, and I'll just think it to have been better not to come home at all and then wish I had just never told anyone I was coming home and spent the whole time with Gianna... you can't win...

Too tired.

Goodnight.

Oh, PS: I did update my prayer requests and answers and schedule, just in case...

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T22:38:00.002-04:00

...which is kind of contradictory, but we just breeze past it all now in ridiculous celebrations...

Canada Day didn't quite go down as expected...

Dad kind of took over the gazebo-putting-up feat, but Mum and I helped (not the other way around, like it was supposed to be) but whatever, it is an amazing gazebo and we enjoyed it the last couple of days.

In the middle of putting up the gazebo, Krystal called stating that Gareth (18 year old cousin home from Virginia for the summer) was being airlifted to the hospital in critical condition after taking a 30ft spill on a mountain bike ride. Initially, that was shocking news, but somehow, I felt that he was going to be okay. I don't know how. Many of you already heard about the next few hours...

We got to the hospital and I got to speak to him. He is not good, but is going to recover. In reality, he had been climbing an ascent and hit 50ft when he lost his grip and footing and slammed downward scraping and bruising his arms, gashing his head and breaking both his legs in several places. It is only by God's grace that he lived through it and we are all grateful for that. He has a long road to recovery, but he is young, strong and determined. He will make it and I believe that he will play hockey again soon. Thanks for all the prayers of friends and family in the moment - I know that made a huge difference. By the time I saw him (before his 7hr surgery to try and fix his legs) he was in good humour and hopeful for recovery. We'll keep praying...

It was a very emotional Canada Day, but with great relief and giving great thanks to God at the end of the day.

We did get to the fireworks after all that, and they were rinky-dink, but fun; especially the one cherry bomb that shot up and exploded into pinkness. My favourite, though, was the upside-down-capped-firework that exuded a horrendous bang and produced nothing of works or fire. Somehow the cap stayed on and it was put in upside down... hmmm...

Thanks again to all who prayed for Gareth.

I am off back to the Dominican tomorrow for Graduation, Grad trip and two weeks. I will return to Toronto by the 21st of July and be around B-town until about the 6th of August.

Love,

Shannon

Happy Canada Day!!

2010-07-01T10:53:00.006-04:00

It is great weather for most Canadians on Canada Day; a balmy 17 degrees here in Brampton - which is cold for me. But at least there's sun. And the temperature is rising. Should hit 22 before the afternoon is up. Dominicans would love this weather!

Mum and I are going out back to put up a mosquito-proof gazebo she bought on sale the other day. Dad would help, but he just had surgery and can't be doing any lifting or stretching (not supposed to anyways, never mind that he just finished vacuuming the entire house - something about peanuts attached to socks and Gianna coming over...)

Later, Gianna is bringing her parents over for dinner and fireworks. I will try to remember to take pictures.

Happy Canada Day!

Love, Shannon

PS: LOVED the logo on Google.ca today:

On Hating Shootouts...

2010-06-29T13:30:00.005-04:00

Shootouts are rotten.

I'm at Krystal and Thomas' house today. Gianna is asleep and they are going out for a bit while I stay here. I am getting ready to watch the Spain-Portugal game.

I was hoping Japan would pull it off. But now all the Asian teams are out. We are getting to the crunch. Now it will be Spain, Brazil (though I will be cheering for the Netherlands for this game), Argentina (might be a close one against Germany, though) and Ghana for the Semi Finals (my predictions - who really knows?).

I hope I can get some coverage once I get home again, but I am loving watching it on my sister's HD - such colour, such vibrance, such brilliance - almost like being right there in South Africa - it's even a bit chilly here right now...

Other than that, Gianna is in the midst of toilet training - so that's a bit of an interesting mess... ;)

Shannon Kathleen Conaghan (Harrison) - Teams, Travel, Thoughts and Tangents

2010-06-27T15:59:00.008-04:00

WORLD CUP FEVER is causing many upsets... but it is exciting nonetheless.

England is out as of today against Germany, so we (the Harrison clan) hope for The Netherlands (and I personally have a secret hope for España, but if it comes down to the two of them, well, I have to probably go with Spain - for several reasons, really, much to my family's dismay...)

I was at Alicia's wedding yesterday and it was a beautiful ceremony. We had a great time and I hope that she is happy and I know she is looking forward to her new life (even if it's in Edmonton).

I'm still trying to get a cheap flight back to for the Graduation (on the 6th). Not much positive yet, but I still have a few days to book. There are lots of options, but right now they are all too expensive. I have to wait until the real last minute to see what I can get...

In the meantime, I am trying to really relax, not do much and try to process and reflect on the trip to Asia. It was life changing for the entire team (including me) and there is a lot of thinking to do now. I am excited for my students. They have a lot of great opportunities ahead of them and they want to make good choices. Keep praying for them as they consider decisions and behaviour in school, at home, in their communities and for their futures.

Thanks for your prayers for us as teachers also. It was an intense time with the students and we also (as teachers/adults) did a lot of thinking about our own lives, what we hope for personally, our careers, families and missional goals. Keep praying that we would have wisdom in the decisions we make in the next few months concerning all these things...

There are opportunities for more missions trips with the students in the future - to keep on building a missional perspective in the student body, give them cross-cultural educational experiences and challenge them to consider life in someone else's shoes. I believe these kinds of experiences make for more missional-minded citizens in their home communities - as well as offer them the chance to consider the possibility for becoming missionaries in cross-cultural environments. They also have an increased understanding of what life is like for full time missionaries and have a better idea of how they can help, pray and support missions.

I have a lot to think about...

Thanks for your prayers. I hope that you are having a great summer so far - it seems that the sun is about to come out from behind the clouds fairly soon...

Love,

Shannon xx

If I ever...

2010-06-25T09:10:00.003-04:00

...see another plane in my life it will be too soon!!

Of course, I am heading back to the Dominican next week, so there is a great possibility. I said (going out the door to the house in Santo Domingo) that they might have to pick me up from the harbour if I find a boat to bring me back...

...hear that song again...

As if it wasn't enough that the kids from the team don't stop singing it while I'm around, now they send me emails with the lyrics (all written wrongly, of course, because they are just so funny...)

...see another piece of fruit or plate of chillies again...

Long live the blessed plantain (now, where can I buy some of those here in Brampton that don't cost $5 each...?)

Adios, me voy al spa con las damas de la boda y la novia...

Jetlag, Jetblue, Westjet...

2010-06-24T02:48:00.018-04:00

Hi! Yes, it is 3am, but I just woke up and am wide awake. I know, doesn't make any sense, but that's jetlag...

I want to write a proper update, reflecting on all that we couldn't say or didn't have time to write about while we were away in Asia, but I don't think I can do that just yet. My thoughts are not organised. So, while you're waiting for that, here is the disorganised version:

We left on the 29th of May, excited and not believing that this was really happening - and then everything went wrong. Some of you may have heard already about the great confusion the travel agent caused, but thankfully, before we left Santo Domingo, we were assured that everything was in order and we could go ahead (they stopped us in the airport at check-in and we almost didn't make it on the plane). Then, once we got to New York, we sat on the tarmac and missed our flight connection to Seattle. Apparently, there were a lot of people who missed connections that day because the airport was PACKED (is it always that way at JFK?) and we got stuck. We thought it would just be for the night, but it was for two nights, our flight to LA and on to Japan-Bangkok wasn't leaving until Monday morning. So we were stuck in NY for two nights.

I called and informed everyone about the change in plans, and then Mum, Dad and Granny decided to drive down and have dinner with us on Sunday evening.

That was after the day exploring New York (really, we were looking for Times Square Church and found it and enjoyed a great service there in the afternoon).

Finally, after all the mess ups and connections, we made it to Bangkok and to our lodging at around 4am - and jetlag hit hard there too. We couldn't sleep at first and then Zajamis was the only one who didn't sleep until the next evening, the rest of us didn't make it through the morning. So we rested on the first day and then our friends from up north joined us the next evening. By that time, everyone was just about adjusted (ha ha) and we were able to make our 6am flight the next day.

We spent the next 10 days travelling through the mountains, learning about the tribes and praying, mostly. We met some people, shared a bit of life with them (as well as some important gifts), got a good education in what the food is like up there (missed home food desperately) and grew a tonne. This was the most difficult part of the trip both physically and spiritually. We were all greatly challenged in so many areas and we fought it through, prayed and allowed God to change our character. The city was a relief after the spiritual battle in the mountains.

We left in the early morning again, this time for Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Cathy met us at the airport and we had a meeting reflecting on our recent 10 days, prayed some and ate a delicious lunch Cathy had prepared for us: Cambodian Chicken Curry. It was so good to have well-prepared food after the challenge of eating we had been experiencing. It was good to see the students eat again.

For dinner, we went out via tuk tuk for Cambodian Pizza (interesting) and celebrated Gabriel's birthday (he got cake).

The next day, we went to visit Cathy's ministry office and listened to the vision of the organisation and watched a promotional video. It was some heavy stuff - at the heart, Cambodia's situation is still quite desperate, though the outer veneer of progress certainly helps to make one believe otherwise.

Then we went to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Prison Camp S21. It was a solemn day with a long time of reflection in the afternoon.

On Saturday, the students ran a children's programme for the MKs of OMF Cambodia. It was a great time of chaos (many of the children don't speak English) and fun (games and balloons always do the trick) for all. For some of the students, this was a terrible challenge (while for others it came naturally). Maybe it just takes practice to run smooth kids' programmes... I thought they did a fantastic job and the parents were thrilled to have visitors spend such a great time with their children.

We visited Cathy's church on Sunday (a small, but growing little group in a still-to-be-developed area of town) and Zajamis and I sang. We had to hear about that for the rest of the trip. I am still trying to decide whether or not I ever want to hear the song again in my life (just kidding, but the students just ripped on us forever after).

Angkor was a learning experience and extremely very wickedly hot. And humid. I think I lost five pounds just standing there. They said it was in the 40s. We walked a lot during these four days.

As we made our way back to Bangkok, I received an email from Anne (my Thai friend) asking if we would like to stay at her house. I was relieved to finally hear from her and excited that my students would get to meet her. We were with her and P A (as well as some other friends) for the last few days and Anne offered her house for us to do our debrief. Then she took care of us as honoured guests. This was the best way to end the journey.

On Saturday, we ran a children's programme for her students in the English school. It was 3.5 hours of fun, games, singing, English learning and I think everyone enjoyed. I know that Anne and P A were grateful - and we had a good time.

On Sunday we visited their church, where the students sang a song for the congregation (they did such a great job! - I got it on video...) -- then we sat through the service and tried not to make too much noise amid our lack of understanding. One thing is for sure, this experience brought a great understanding to me about the current situation for my Thai friends. I really have to pray that the love of God and the joy of the Holy Spirit will cover that place. Though the building is extensive, the believers are few and struggling. Though it is a Christian school, Anne and P A are some of the only Christian teachers. They asked us to pray for them to bring joy and light to the others as they witness. It is not easy.

We had a great debrief on Monday and tried to rest during the day - which was nearly impossible.

Then at midnight, we headed for the airport for our homeward journey. It went smooth until we left Denisse, Gabriel, Samuel and Elizabeth in New York. The four of us girls were excited to almost be home, and then we sat for 2 hours on the taxi runway because of "rain" (that's what JetBlue told us anyway) and so we didn't get home in Santo Domingo until 4am. Finally.

The last 24hrs have been the usual awful jetlag battle (which, after an intense trip like that, is an holistic battle of spiritual, physical, emotional and mental fatigue and challenges). Everything comes washing over you - all the details of the journey all at once - and the exhaustion makes it difficult to be reasonable with yourself. It is really actually a very good time to run to the scripture, find peace and solace in the presence of God and know that he is my fortress. I need to spend some time processing events and thoughts...

As for now, this seems to have been a decent overview - though I imagined it would be far more disorganised. If there are questions, feel free to send them through.

Love yous,

Shannon

PS: For me, I head out at 9am to catch my WestJet flight from Punta Cana to Toronto. Gianna will be waiting for me at the airport and I'm trying to decide if I even care about anything else in the world right now... ;)

Spiritual Struggles... Emotional Exhaustion

2010-05-15T01:51:00.003-04:00

Mo says that once we get to Asia - or even on the way - we will have time to talk, to share, stop worrying about all the responsibilities that we temporarily leave behind; we'll have time to think and to pray together. She is right. I am hoping this for my students. They need it.

Oh - I just picked up Mo & Team (Cal's with them too, met Wilfrido at the airport) - their flight was over an hour delayed, but we finally got them to their hotel at about 1am. I might be a bit exhausted right now - and definitely emotionally exhausted. It has been a very difficult emotional few weeks; there have been several deaths of close family members of students and teachers, difficulties in the lives of students' families, sicknesses, and lots of discouragement. We are trying to bathe ourselves in prayer - we can't see any other way - and we are begging God for mercy on our student body...

And of course, the team is going through such crazy spiritual struggles (which pour over into other areas...)

Samy called tonight around 11pm asking Zajamis (Dr.) what he should take for a rash he somehow got all over his body - an allergy to something - and even his feet were starting to swell up. She told him what to take, but if his mouth or throat swells up that he should go immediately to the hospital. I think he is stressed about a lot of things. He is a brave boy and I admire that in him. Pray for him to give it all to Jesus and trust that he'll take care of things.

Elizabeth has been looking at me with question marks in her big beautiful green eyes for the past few days. She is apprehensive, maybe even a little scared (or is that just the reflection from my own eyes??) - but she is willing to take this step of faith. She has been a great source of encouragement for other team members (including myself) because of her ability to feel what people feel with them. Pray for her faith to increase as she sees God grow in her life and for her to trust him with everything.

I haven't seen Aleyrys in days (well, only as she flies past) as she is running around getting things done and I know that she feels the pressure of academics with exams and final projects coming up. Aleyrys is a tower of strength and she speaks truth/prophesies into people's lives (though I think sometimes she is misunderstood). I appreciate her honesty and the effort she is making to do well in all things. Pray for her to be diligent with her work and to have inner peace with Christ.

Gabriel is discouraged and burdened. He has a very big heart and is a compassionate person. He senses when things are not going right and he tries to bring about correction, though the process may be frustrating. Pray for him to sense the gentle and humble Spirit of God lifting his heart and soul so that he can be the voice of encouragement to others.

Adriana is thinking - I think. She definitely seems more relaxed these days though. I believe she went through the bulk of her spiritual struggle earlier on in this process. Now she is acting as an encouragement to the others. We need her to do that. There are many reasons why Adriana is important to this team, and this is one of them. I don't know what/how, but I feel that God is going to use her in a way she/we are not expecting when we get to Asia. Pray that she will be a blessing as she is filled with the presence of God in her life each day.

Denisse. Sweet, considerate, profound and humourous Denisse is breaking her heart right now. I received a phone call in the middle of my third period class today from Denisse's mother and was able to find Denisse so that she could say a few last words to her father before he passed away in Colombia this morning. Please pray that God will comfort her, fill her with his presence and lift her up on wings of eagles as she finds rest in him. Pray for her brothers and mother also. This has been a difficult time for their family, yet in the midst of these trials, her mother has encouraged her to take a step of faith in participating in this mission. Please mourn with Denisse so that she will be strengthened by God's Spirit.

Zajamis and I are desperate for your prayers. We want to encourage and love our students into deeper meaningful relationships with God. Pray that we will model this to them in our own lives. Don't forget to pray for Zajamis' family too (husband, Pedro; and 3 children and her mother) who are happy to see her involved with this mission and are a great encouragement to me also.

We wage war not against flesh and blood... but the spiritual powers of darkness in this world... Pray for victory in the camp of the LORD.

Tomorrow I lead the Orientation for Melissa's team in the Zona Colonial. They leave for Barahona tomorrow evening for a week of socio-development work in the Bateys. Pray for open hearts to the gospel that they may truly see Jesus and want to know him.

Isn't that what we all really want? To see Jesus and know him - and make him known to others through our lives...?

Let's do it - however we should...

Love,

Shannon

Before Breakfast...

2010-05-08T09:41:00.002-04:00

I want to go to a YWAM breakfast (I might be late...) but before that, I want to give you an update here...

Joss and Nai are on the move again. The apartment they were in doesn't have any water - and they were told that it did - so they are on the way out. PLEASE pray that this new place they have found will be a good place for them to stay for a while. They need to feel settled and Joss is still looking for a job. Nai received word that his Aunt has a sustained head injury from the earthquake and it does not sound like she is going to make it. She is like a mother to him since he lost his parents when he was younger. Please pray that she will be healed. He is going to make the trip back to Haiti to visit her and his uncle in the next week. Pray that his visa will finally be processed in this time also. Thanks.

Pray for Joss and Nai to become settled in their new life so that they can become contributors to society in God's timing.

The team to Asia is getting very excited - but we still have a fair amount to raise (about 40%). We were able to book flights yesterday (FINALLY!!) and are praying that the rest of the finances will come through for the travel and accommodation in Asia.

Pray that we will be able to raise the amount needed.

Here in the DR, people don't have a culture of giving like we do in US, Canada, UK - unfortunately, for the most part, the evangelical culture here has been based on "taking and receiving" (little things that roll over from the first missionaries) -- but thank God that the churches are making an effort to change that in these days. They are trying to focus more on missions, ministry, giving (investing in Kingdom work) etc. but it is slow going. However, the kids on the team (young and impressionable) are learning a lot from this and developing their own theology of giving as we experience this struggle together.

Praise God for leaders who are challenging Dominican Christians to get involved in Kingdom work.

YESTERDAY was a very productive day:

We got Typhoid vaccinations (which had to be shipped to the country).

We booked our flights (a long and frustrating process, but it is done, thank God!!).

Miss Baez (Math Teacher) ran a Colour Day & Bake Sale in school on our behalf (raised $600US).

We applied (the Dominicans, that is) for Thai visas at the Consulate - and it was EASY!!

Praise God for the support and love of those around us as we prepare.

Our schedule once we arrive in Asia is quite involved. We will be visiting a tribe I got to know the last time I was there (since that time, over 100 people have become believers) and also going to prayer-walk and hopefully share in another unreached tribe.

Please pray for safety on the road and open hearts and ears to the gospel.

Thank you for all of you who have sent encouragement, emails, support (either through OMF Canada, OMF US, or personal) and are in prayer for this endeavour. I know this is not a typical journey (I can't say I have ever done things "typically" in my life) but I do know that "unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith" -- and our faith is growing as we work through this process with the intent of bringing glory to God as others come to know him...

Love,

Shannon

PS: In personal news; i) biking has been on hold for a while as we get these other things together, ii) I still have a bit of sinus and chest congestion issues, though they are not too serious (Yes, Lorraine and Vashti, I HAVE faithfully been taking my vitamins!!) - and iii) I am still single - for those of you who keep worrying/praying/wondering about that ... :)

Okay, off to breakfast...

Prep, Purpose and Prayer

2010-04-27T17:20:00.003-04:00

Got back from the Asia Team orientation and it was a great time of spiritual blessing, purpose and learning together. I am looking forward to seeing how God is going to provide for the team to travel and the amazing things yet that he is going to do with this group.

Please pray for the strong doubts that everyone is facing in this endeavour...

The students are excited, though apprehensive. They have never really done anything like this before (though they have all travelled) and they are really waiting on God to see what is going to happen. I am trusting God for big amazing incredible things to happen in which he will show himself to us, change and grow us and use us to bring his love to others.

Pray for travel safety, various fears and apprehensions, trust for the finances, and faith for the amazing to happen...

Thanks to those of you who have already asked how you can support us - we desperately need your prayers. These are difficult times for teenagers (in any culture) and one of the greatest things we can do for them is show them how much God loves them and give them chances to experience God's love and sharing it with others. I have always found cross-cultural experiences extraordinary for this (so did Paul, apparently).

Please pray that through the cross-cultural experience, my students will draw closer to God and know his love more deeply.

If you desire to be part of our support team, please let me know: shannoncita@gmail.com and I will give you more details on that.

I am getting back to doing my homework (for the MEd course) now. I have three major assignments due and an exam on Friday (at 4pm).

Please pray for Wendy, Ricardo, Zajamis and I as we finish our MEd work and write our exam on Friday - we are all a bit nervous and some are slightly stressed out by this point (what with all the other stuff going on; making our exams for the students, study guides, finishing out the year, Zajamis and I planning the Asia team).

Life is beautiful. We just have to remember to take the right perspective to see the prism of colours it is painting for us as we live it...

Love you all,

Shannon

shannoncita@gmail.com

Happy Spring!

2010-04-14T07:30:00.004-04:00

Joss and Nai moved into a new apartment - it is a tiny one, but in a very community oriented neighbourhood. I think they will be able to make some new friends there and hopefully Joss can find a job soon. Please pray for that. Hey, another great thing was that Joss stood up at church on Sunday and recited all the books of the New Testament to win a prize. She was so proud of herself and then whispered to me that she could have done all 66 if they had given her the chance. I am still looking for a Creole Bible that they can read - they only have a Spanish New Testament. The last time I checked, they had sent all the Creole Bibles to Haiti.

The Asia Team are getting together their finances slowly, but with faith. Please pray for the finances and preparation of the team. We have been meeting every Tuesday for prayer - and things have become more intense recently because of the escalation of political unrest in Thailand. We are desperately praying for a resolution to the problem in the Thai government and have faith and hope to see the issues resolved quickly. We also would like to be able to proceed with our travels through Bangkok for the trip, so we are hoping that this will not effect those plans.

There are other things that are also currently holding us back from booking flights just yet. At this moment, we only have 28% of our financial support (most has come from myself and the other teacher) - and it is six weeks before we are supposed to leave. We need to reach 57% in order to have the finances to book flights by the end of this month (April). I know that this is a faith journey for the students and I really want to see them grow in their faith through the financial journey also. Please pray that God will provide for this mission experience.

School is otherwise going very well. I have already finished preparing my exams and just have to make sure that study guides are ready for them before the end of next week. We on the team will be doing exams early to be sure that we are all done before our departure date on the 28 May.

My Grade 9 students are putting together a play based on the book of Esther - so far planning for this is just a bit hilarious. They are really very energetic, and I have high hopes that the end results will be creative and exciting. However, the Esther character in one of the classes is currently wrapped up from the knee down in a cast. She says she has 6 weeks with that, so hopefully they won't have to wheel her across the stage (it's not supposed to be a parody/comedy).

My Orientation classes for Grades 10 & 12 are in the midst of preparing musical reflections on in current issues in culture and society (they are writing songs). Those should be interesting - I have already heard some little murmurings and they are very creative...

My Grade 11 students are at the moment looking for a project or ministry in which to dedicate 5 hours of volunteer time. They are seeking to see how it is possible for them to make a socio-environmental difference within their own community - as well as seeing this reach out to the rest of the world.

Thanks for all your prayers and care. Keep on praying for the Grade 12 students - they say 'hi' by the way - they are going through a lot these days and I think that the mixed emotions of being finished school is really putting the pressure on them. I am praying about whether or not I should return in July for their graduation - these were my homeroom students the first year I taught high school at KCS and they have a special place in my heart. Please pray for wisdom in that...

Of course, the DOXA High School team is still coming - they will arrive for 10 days starting on the 14th of May and will be working in Barahona alongside our faithful friend, Wilfrido. Keep praying for Willie, he is tired these days and is still hosting a number of teams and individuals from all over (we even have one Spanish-speaking volunteer that might come from Greta's church in Vienna, Austria - sometimes these connections are really wild)... I will be participating in the Cultural Orientation for the DOXA team and sending them packing to Barahona for the week. I think they are going to spend one day in Port Au Prince, but we're not sure yet as the border has closed again and the visa process can sometimes take a while - they might not have time for this during their week of ministry. Be in prayer for Melissa as she prepares the team even now, thanks.

As for my personal health: I have recently started taking vitamins (by order of Nurse Vashti of BBC!! - thank you) and have been cycling almost every day. It takes about 20 minutes (more or less depending on the wind factor) to bike the Mirador Sur (info en español) - which is about a 12km ride on an elevated plate overlooking the coast of Santo Domingo. It is something I look forward to everyday because of how good the exercise makes me feel and the fact that it is outdoors with a beautiful view overlooking the coastal part of the city and the ocean beyond.

There are many other things to write, but I just wanted to drop in and give you an update.

I'm here...

2010-03-17T17:45:00.005-04:00

...and things are good. I have been getting back into the groove at work - more and more loving my job (as usual). I love seeing the progress and the changes that take place over the years in my students. I am grateful for all my life experiences, but when I think about teaching, especially teaching here, I feel totally blessed and wonder how I ever wonder about moving on to something else. I suppose that is why I started the MEd too... and then an earthquake happened and turned everything upside down.

Thank you for your support during this time. If you have more support to direct toward Haitian relief, please do so through one of the organisations I have previously mentioned. I am in frequent contact with Wilfrido and we have really not had a break of teams and individuals coming down, but I (obviously) have not been with all of them - we just try to make the arrangements so that they can get to work in helping. Things still have a long long way to go, but there are thousands of people deeply involved and are committed to helping for the years to come.

I have not been back to Haiti, nor do I have immediate plans to do so. I will be sending eight hockey bags of tents over to Barahona by the end of the weekend with Phil Attrell who is here with the team.

YES: the DOXA Journey Team is here! They are working very hard with approximately 200 children daily in Boca Chica. These are children in a church programme (which receives sponsorship from Compassion International) who usually meet only three days a week, but are excited to be having a full week-long programme with the group. These 12 students (plus 6 leaders) are getting tired - so please pray that they will make it well and strong through their week of service. It is Wednesday and they have made it this far. Tomorrow, they will not work in the afternoon in the programme, but will have an event in the evening with YFC Santo Domingo and some teens from Boca Chica. I was with them for orientation during the weekend and will be joining them again this Fri-Saturday for their debrief. They will leave Sunday early, but Phil will be here for a few extra days to make a visit to Barahona with the rest of the BBC donations.

I was on a field trip with Grade 12 students - some of whom are doing much better thanks to your continued prayers - and it was a good day (though long and tiring). Next week we have the History Fair, so students are quite stressed out about their displays and presentations - but they are getting the work done.

Grade 11 are meeting faithfully still to pray for Asia and the team's trip. Some members feel that they should pull out of the team - please pray for wisdom and direction for them as they consider this commitment. We are still trying to get some paperwork together on our end for the acceptance to the SA programme, but things are looking good otherwise. The time is getting shorter and there seems like so much (life in general) to get done before we go, but God is good and we have faith that we are going to receive our financial support within the next few weeks to purchase the flights.

Joss and Nai are still in the little apartment, waiting to find a better place to stay for a more economic price. Please pray that they would be able to do so quickly. Also, pray that she will find a job until Nai's documents are all sorted (he's half-way there). I have not seen them as much lately, but they have been coming out to church faithfully (though they don't yet understand everything as it is all in English). I think they are making some good friends there and starting to feel welcome and more at home. Pray for strengthening friendships among fellow believers.

As for me, I am still staying in Zajamis and Pedro's house with them and their three children. It has been a time of spiritual renewal - a real blessing after the storm.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Much Love,

Shannon

PS: don't forget to check out the prayer items, etc. in the column to the right...

Gone / Filled Up

2010-02-15T21:28:00.005-04:00

I was weary heading into the weekend. My strength was totally gone. I wasn't sure how I was going to make it through another long drive, another emotionally taxing visit, another weekend of helping a little and breaking my heart a lot. But there was something about it that was pushing me forward.

I had the finances to proceed.

Phil was on his way to help.

I already had a van rented.

Wilfrido was waiting for me in Barahona.

Sometimes we try to do things on our own strength and it is just stupid. We have to always proceed in the strength of God. How do you do that? Well, you only know when you keep going, keep moving and really don't have the strength to go on.

I was trying to prepare myself for the spirit of anxiety that has been prevalent across the border, for driving in the terrible traffic of Port Au Prince again, trying to gather myself emotionally in order to face streets of hopeless faces, desperation and feeling helpless in offering so little assistance.

I let Phil drive quite a bit.

Joss was sick the whole journey (she gets motion sickness in cars) and she felt more embarrassed in front of Phil than anything, but with everything over the last month, her dignity is something that is going to take a while to restore. We did our best to help her maintain it though it was a difficult journey. Phil was great in helping clean up when we had to stop a couple times during the drive. Above all, she knows the love of God in her life in so many practical ways...

When we crossed the border I felt like there was a spirit of peace moving across the land. I said so. Then we realised that the streets were empty of workers and vehicles and full of people in their best clothes with seemingly new Bibles in their hands, pouring out of overly filled church buildings in every town along the way and all through Port Au Prince.

The President had declared three days of Prayer for the country and they were praying. As we rolled along in the van, we heard the sounds coming from the churches and the streets. People were begging God for forgiveness, confessing sins, crying out for mercy -- and then we came to the Presidential Palace...

The road was blocked by thousands of people waving hands and banners, smiling, laughing, dancing, and singing joyfully that "Jésus est le Roi!" -- Jesus is the King -- full of happiness and joy. I was overwhelmed as I got out of the van and walked through this sea of blessing. People's smiles were contagious and for the first time in a month I felt the anxiety gone, the hopelessness gone -- all replaced by a purpose in glorifying God. Beautiful people with physical scars and broken or amputated limbs, suffering from broken and scarred hearts and lives were gathered here with their hands lifted and their voices raised in beautiful song to praise the King. I had chills. I couldn't help but smile with them and let the tears fall as I walked - no, danced and sang my way through the crowd. It was one of the most astounding moments I have ever experienced. I was standing in the street surrounded by completely demolished government buildings and yet pressed on every side by a joyful people that were moving the earth to a new song with their dancing and singing. I will not forget that feeling.

Please see in the right hand column what we were able to deliver this weekend because of your support.

While we were away, Nai stayed in the city with Dio (a brother from my church) and went to a baptism service at the beach with the group. I got a phone call that night from Dio saying that Nai had been baptised! Then on Sunday, we made it back for church and there was a surprise: Nai had joined a Haitian choir and slipped out of his seat to sing for the church in Creole with these brothers and sisters. There he was in the front row, singing his heart out, "God is good! The Lord blesses those who dwell in his presence" - and a bunch of other stuff I couldn't quite make out. I was amazed to overwhelmed to wow... God IS good!! He is bringing people to himself through this disaster.

Joss was able to spend time overnight with her family - who are all very sick with something (don't know what) and she really needed that. Keep praying that she will draw close to God, read his word and sense his deep love in her life so that she can gain strength and move forward. She feels very incapacitated these days and is having a very difficult time recuperating psychologically from the earthquake. One by one...

I found Joseph, Wilem and Nously at a church service. Nously had her head shaved nicely - her hair fell out because of what she has been through, but she is looking healthier, happier (if this is possible) and peaceful. I don't know how. Both her parents and her sister were in the house when it collapsed. Joseph, Nai and Wilem removed her and her sister from the house through small holes that they dug in order not to have the whole structure collapse. It was too late for her parents, so they rescued the two teenage girls and brought them to Jimani. The day after they arrived at the hospital and began receiving treatment, Nously's 15-year-old sister died. Joss was with them, taking care of them and she begged me to pray to help her know how to tell this 17-year-old girl that her little sister was gone after just losing her parents. It took her two days to tell her and Nously reverted to acting as a helpless child, staring into people and not able to utter a coherent word. Then when I left her laying in the street on a sheet in front of Joseph's house with newly dressed wounds (thanks to Carley), they had to tell her that her brother was in the University when it collapsed and he is dead too. I don't know how she will make it through all this... Her leg seems to be healing well and her skin is starting to scar over as the wounds heal shut. I pray that God will help her heart to heal, though it is hard to understand such an impossible task. Please pray for Nously to recover and to know the love of God in her life. She was smiling and peaceful - totally filled up with the peace of God when she saw me and I was humbled and confounded...

There is so much more to tell, but I don't yet have the words. The world is still looking toward Haiti, but much more amazingly is that God is looking at Haiti (he's actually there with them) and I know that he is seeing his people, broken and face down, waiting on him and relying on him and he loves them and is going to lift them up. Just wait and see...

I offered a hefty plastic bag to Joss for the drive back yesterday and she scolded me, asking me where my faith was; after all, she had just prayed to ask God to keep her from being sick for the journey home. She said, "I asked him in faith and he has to help me because of who he is - he wouldn't want me to lose my faith in him," with a huge smile on her face.

I left Haiti with a smile on my face, my heart FILLED with the joy of the Lord, and I am still bubbling over today - no matter how gone my strength is...

And do you know what else? Joss smiled puke-free the whole way back to Santo Domingo...

Much love,

Shannon

One by One by One...

2010-02-10T07:21:00.005-04:00

I have many things to be thankful for this week:

- temporary apartment for Joss & Nai

- they have been talking with my pastor and would like to be baptised

- a great job offer for Joss (pray that she will feel confident and settled enough to take it)

- my Grade 9 students were able to make practical applications of I Kings 14 & 15, and II Chronicles 12 & 13 AND encourage one another with their personal challenges, illustrations and lessons learned -- which I'm sure sounds like "big whoop" but actually is a stupendous feat

- found an IDEAL place for Monsoon (but we're still in the waiting to see how things go, hopefully it will still be there, and if not, something better will)

- my church here: "The English Church" and the support they have shown in the last while with all that is going on

...and the list goes on... (see right hand column for more prayer request and things to be thankful for)

One by one we thank God and praise him for what he is doing in the lives of people around us. One by one we reach out to those people with the love of God and try to help them to their feet. One by one we see God lifting them up with his strength, we see them being filled with the desire to know God more. One by one we see them stand, walk and gain independence. So that we can find the next one that needs a hand...

Every day here at KCS I get to challenge teenagers to live. You know, not just pass the days by doing what needs to get done in order to accomplish the next task - checking off boxes with their time - but actually LIVING: stepping out in calculated risk in the adventure that is awaiting them. Every day is another day they have to decide how they are going to live - looking out for themselves or living an adventurous journey for the glory of God...

I had a Parents' Meeting the other night for the Asia team and it was so encouraging!! These parents are so supportive for their children who will be going on this journey. We have so far raised $4000 dollars and many people are interested in participating. The students are learning so much and really excited about the whole experience. Please keep praying for them, their preparation and support-raising. The other teacher, Zajamis Ramirez, is also really encouraging and fun to work with during this time of preparation and planning. I thank God for her friendship and support in this endeavour.

That is all for now, it has taken me all day between classes to write this email to you - I hope that you are all very well and challenged to keep participating with what God is doing around the world.

Love, Shannon

Football Fever has Healing Power...

2010-01-31T11:12:00.007-04:00

I have been "home" for a week now. But home looks a little different this week: white walls, white sheets, cable television, hot water and no kitchen (lots of take-out). I also have two new "roomies" -- Joss & Nai. They are recovering slowly; lots of doctor's appointments and hopefully moving on to some psychological care in the next week. They are beginning to see that they can start to develop a long-term plan (or at least longer than next week). Joss is on six months of treatment and this will administer healing and literally bring life. You are getting to know their story through me, I hope you are able to pray for them specifically and for their family and friends still in Haiti who currently don't have the ability to come here.

Who knew that the recovery process for something like this would be saturated in football? We watch a lot of football these days - and talk football (I'm learning some Creole as we go) - and I think Nai wants to get out and play some football at the earliest convenience. The game of football really represents so much in life; the fight to the finish, the long minutes that drag out in physical and emotional weariness, the constant enemy attack and defence, the often coordinated and sometimes unexpected team-work, the rules to be followed in light of consequences, the wrenching disappointments and the unsurmountable victories. Strangely enough, this football distraction is a bit therapeutic...

Hopefully, today, we will finally make contact with a woman who has an apartment for my friends to set themselves up in for the time being so we can stop living in a hotel. I will go back home to my own bed and my other roomies in the teachers' apartment. Next week we will see if Joss can get a job and hopefully soon Nai will also be able to get a job. Please pray toward that so they can quickly regain their independence -- they are desperate to provide for themselves and establish a life again...

I am in the middle of grading - grades are due on Tuesday amidst everything else. And just this week, we had a need arise at school for a Grade 5 English speaking teacher (the current one has been put on bed-rest because of her pregnancy) so I was also trying to connect with a teacher in the US to see if she might be able to get here ASAP and fill the position. I have been talking with her for quite some time about coming down, so I think it is going to be a good possibility. Please pray that she will be able to do this...

In the meantime, I have been here in the city this weekend, getting through some administration, sending in the OMF applications and fees for my Grade 11 team Asia participants (see side column for the link to their blog), planning for taking more equipment in the next few weeks to Barahona and Haiti, arranging the apartment for my friends, grading a lot and trying to finish my own homework from the Master's course - all to the accompaniment of European League Football.

One thing is for sure; I am certainly not bored.

Love you,

Shannon

The Relief Reality, Needing Rest, More Rations, and Restoration

2010-01-27T11:21:00.006-04:00

Apologies for not being able to update this as frequently as I would like. We are almost running ourselves off our feet here (and still going to work full-time also, because our responsibilities in the Dominican have not changed any) -- but thank God I was able to get a good night of sleep last night.

I have been overwhelmed with the positive response I have received from so many of you -- thank you. Please know that your efforts and prayers are going toward helping people one by one get back on their feet, as well as providing for many of the basic immediate needs. Please see the list in the right-hand column to see what your donated finances have gone toward providing. We will keep on making trips like this in order to provide for the immediate needs of the people - as well as make and maintain relationships that have already been avenues to sharing the gospel through demonstrating God's love...

Over the long weekend (Thursday - Monday) we were able to make more visits with two nurses to the border town of Jimani and also into Port Au Prince. The situation is not in anyway "under control" - though the Americans and the UN are both making a fantastic effort of maintaining peace and organisation in certain areas.

The biggest need (besides having sufficient food for survival on a daily basis and the right medicine with the right people to administer medical assistance) is for dumpsters, bulldozers, and construction workers who are used to clearing out severe structural damage. It is going to take years for the fallen buildings to be properly demolished and cleared away. It is also a delicate task because people may still be alive underneath (some buildings have fallen in recent days due to severe structural damage and others are just about toppling - so there is still a danger of crushing or being trapped if the people do not evacuate the area).

After the initial clearing away of completely destroyed buildings, they say that they are going to knock down the houses that have structural fractures and instability -- which are most of the houses in the city. This is such a huge project, it is going to take major international cooperation and lots of time: years. In the meantime, people are living in tents in the streets (some precariously close to bent-over buildings) while others have fled their homes and set up in the mass camp areas (these are dangerous in other ways: rape is a very high possibility, also theft, violence, kidnapping, etc.). There are groups of UN officers policing these camp areas, but they are so huge, the task is overwhelming. To top it off, there are over 400 convicted prisoners unaccounted for, supposed to be mingling amongst the general population. That alone has caused some great fear to set in with the people.

Pray for peace.

Pray for true love to be shown among the survivors.

Pray for quick restoration of control and stability in some form of government.

Pray for wisdom.

The people need to work and for the most part they want to stay in Haiti. But the problem is that all and any work is almost completely unavailable. There are no schools functioning. Banks are closed or completely destroyed. There are very few places to buy food or clothing (mainly on the side of the road right now - and some of it is goods that have been donated, which people are collecting in order to sell to make money). Most things are shut down because either the second floor is sitting in the first or the entire building has crumbled into the street. People are trying to restore life to what it was like before the earthquake. In a country that was already suffering from so much poverty, this event has just added to their desperate struggle to survive.

For many, this has meant looking God-ward. People are receiving food, water and medical assistance and turning to the person helping in order to ask if it is possible to give them a Creole Bible. People are hungry for God. There is a great chance that through this disaster, there will be a spiritual awakening in Haiti and many are already turning to God in this time of desperation.

I am doing my part with a small group of people; it is one by one that these things happen. Please pray for Josselis & Naison, Joseph, Willem, Nousley and the remnant of their families as they struggle to get back on their feet and make a new life for themselves. Also pray for Marjorie, who is here in the hospital in Santo Domingo while her four small children are living in a small tent in a church parking lot with their aunt. Their father is dead and one of the boys is very sick with asthma and no medication.

*****

Here at school, we are trying to get things back to normal, though constantly thinking about and mentioning our Haitian neighbours.

I am working with the Grade 11 class to continue to raise awareness and support for their mission to Asia in the near future - but the focus for missions here has definitely shifted. My students, though actively participating in the relief efforts in Haiti in many ways, are concerned that they will not be able engage in this mission because of the current crisis. I have tried to encourage them and we are moving forward with the hopes that on the 28th of May until 22 June, we will be in Asia sharing God's love with people there.

In Asia, there are still many who have not heard that they can spend their eternity with the living God who created them because of the sacrifice that God made for us on our behalf. I am excited for my students to have this opportunity and have high hopes that we will keep our focus on the things in the world that God is calling us to, while still demonstrating immense compassion for the situation and people in Haiti.

For those of you concerned for me, I am well, healthy and eating food every day. I got a good night sleep last night and hope to get another one tonight. Thank you for all your prayers and concerns - they are greatly appreciated and always needed. Prayer is the most effective thing that we can do in all situations.

Much love,

Shannon

Every Last Penny

2010-01-18T22:50:00.005-04:00

If I spend every last penny helping bring some kind of restoration into the lives of my Haitian neighbours it will be worth it to see some of them overcome this disaster.

The hospitals are overflowing. They have set up tarp outside where the sick and injured have gathered on the grassy banks beside the buildings. At the best of times, hospitals in the Dominican Republic do not have resources, proper medicines, or adequate facilities. Now they are being pressed to way beyond the limits and something has got to give.

We did what we could; we brought food for a few meals, we touched and held people, we prayed over some and listened to others. The psychological damage seems irreparable. The physical damage lingers, a thick stench in the Caribbean air. Haiti is breaking up and breaking the Dominican heart.

It seems like an endless stream of help is arriving at the border - yet it is not enough. We still need medicine and lots of it: analgesics, plaster for casts, ceftriaxona, fosfomicina, gentamioma - if there is a French/Creole speaking doctor/paramedic/psychologist who is willing to come with these supplies, please get in touch with me. I know that the medicine names are in Spanish, but I don't know how to translate them. They are antibiotics that I imagine are used in relation to gangrene related injuries and amputations. These are the two most common issues the medical personnel are dealing with. We have no adequate pain-killers, so we are treating amputations with acetaminophen. It is very difficult to be around someone in that kind of pain with no way to bring relief. Please send medications with any of the organisations or just bring it to me yourself.

I am leaving after work again on Wednesday for Barahona. We will go to Haiti on Thursday - there is a group of 5 ready to make the journey and we are waiting for some paramedics from Canada to join us hopefully. I will be back to the city next Monday evening. If you can book a flight for Tuesday/Wednesday for one week, please do and bring as many boxes of medicine as you can - and your own money for survival. Call me for further details.

Yes, I am tired. No, I am not ready to give up.

Yocelyn (a new friend of mine) borrowed a phone today to ask me if I wouldn't mind getting her a cell phone. She wants to see if she can make some connections and try to get their lives back together. She is a bit delirious but trying so hard to cope. Please pray for her. She has too much on her shoulders right now to cope. I am glad that she asked. Please please pray for her, her cousins that she brought to the hospital and her husband and his friends. They are all so young, have helped so many people in the hospital and are so in shock right now they just don't know what to do, how to act, or what to say to people.

I am so glad that Ruben was able to be here for a few days. We did a LOT of travelling to get from one place to the other and I am sure that he is absolutely exhausted. He has a lot to digest and a lot to share. Give him time.

Pray for the doctors. They are spent. One of my students said that her father (who is a doctor) came back for a night and all he did was cry. Then he went out to buy a saw. He returned this afternoon to save more lives and remove more limbs. He is emotionally drained. Pray that he will remember where his strength comes from.

Dominicans are trying to maintain normalcy. It is the right idea, but everyone is so deeply affected by this, it is making normal life impossible in the classroom, the office, the bank-lines, the supermarket... pray that God will continue to break Dominican hearts so that they will reach out to their Haitian neighbours.

In case you haven't already heard, there is some good news: Mackenson, our French teacher, has discovered all of his family alive and well. Thank you for your prayers.

Yesterday I held a 23 day old baby in my arms who escaped with a little scratch on her face and knee. God is still a great God amidst all this turmoil and disaster. Bethchemin is a beautiful reminder that the weak will be strong. Keep them all in your prayers.

There are so many people, it will take me a while to tell you about them all; precious, strong, and beautiful-- every one of them.

Love you all and miss you deeply, but I feel your prayers in this time.

Shannon

PS: still haven't finished my homework - but I'll get around to it...

Going Solo...

2010-01-14T10:43:00.004-04:00

Hey - I have just been informed that the help that the school is going to offer will now be sent via World Vision to the refugee camps gathering outside of Port Au Prince.

This is great, but it means I need to get boxes of food to Wilfrido in some other way. I have already promised him this and given him hope - banking on the 400+ students being able to participate...

So, in the moment, God gave me a quick resolution that is the best I can do for now: I am going now to rent a truck. Then I will go to Price-mart (like a Dominican Costco's) and personally buy the rice and canned goods in bulk. I have just asked to borrow the Price-mart membership card of the school and have been given the afternoon off to make the purchases. I am still wondering how to get hold of the medicine...

If you want to help out with the cost of the food and transportation, please contact my mother. If you do not have her contact information, email me: shannoncita@gmail.com and I will send it to you.

Much love,

Shannon

Swaying Building Confused with Vertigo: Evidence of Neighbouring Disaster

2010-01-13T23:32:00.006-04:00

It was good to be home over the Christmas season and spend time with family. I did not get to see friends or spend time with them - the two weeks was so short - I am sorry for that. I would really have liked to have seen everyone and hopefully, I will be able to see more people in the summer.

I arrived in Santo Domingo and got right into the swing of things.

I am taking a week-long module and the homework is due on Saturday. I am loving it; it is the 2nd course in completing my Master's of Educational Theology with FLET (Facultad de Latino America de Educación Teológica - or The Faculty of Education and Theology of Latin America) -- but it is keeping me extra busy...

Thank you for your prayers my Grade 12 students still need a lot of prayer for direction in life.

We have been able to select a team of 6 from the Grade 11 class that will be travelling to Asia for a short-term mission with OMF's Serve Asia in May-June. The group is growing, there are 14 committed students from the class who are coming to meetings to learn about Asia, what God is doing in Asia, praying together for Asian peoples and for the team that will travel. I am amazed over the response and they are growing so much through this already.

Today, a Grade 10 student approached me and said that she is angry that so many people are focused on everywhere but the Middle East! (She has Lebanese background) I asked her what she was going to do about that anger; let it make her bitter or use it toward a positively channelled response? She wondered what I meant and so I explained that she was free to start a prayer group, say, on Wednesdays at lunch for anyone who wants to pray for the Muslim world. A Grade 11 student standing nearby said that they can give her their classroom and some of them will join in... Then her eyes lit up...

There is a fever happening and I want to see the ripples spill over to the whole school; God's Spirit is stirring my students up to be involved in ways that are personal, creative and active in reaching others with the message that we can have victory over death through Christ for eternity!! It is a message that no one should live or die without...

Last night, I thought I was having another attack of vertigo and realised quickly that it was actually the whole building that was swaying - not just me! It went on for almost a whole minute and it was freaky. Of course, minutes later, we received the report that the real disaster had been in our neighbouring nation of Haiti. With the warning of a Tsunami on the way, we prayed and cut the class short.

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Haiti and those who are ministering to these precious people at this time - that they will be able to share the message of love and hope to these fragile souls so in need.

I have never seen devastation like this since the Tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia.

They are saying possibly 100,000 dead. That is staggering.
The city of Port au Prince has been levelled completely. There are no homes, no resources, no food, no systems, no money - it almost feels like there is no hope. It is going to take more than a decade to clean up and longer to rebuild.
People are piling over the mountainous border into the Dominican Republic. It is our turn to answer the call here, but please remember, this too is a 3rd World nation where the poverty is 42.5% of the population and jobs are scarce outside of the cities.
Please pray that violence will not become a problem - it has already begun.

My friend Mackenson (the French teacher at school) is getting desperate. He cannot get in touch with his family. Their buildings all collapsed - there are no homes anymore - but there is no word. I spent half the morning crying with him and praying. Then all our classes went to the dogs and we just prayed and prayed. That's what it should be like. Our Haitian friends here are really suffering. They have no news of family and friends and it is desperate. Pray that Mackenson will find his family and that they will be safe and well.

There are many Haitians living in the Dominican Republic and are not generally well treated. Please pray that Haitians would feel more loved in this time here in the DR than ever before and that this would be a step toward reconciliation between these two nations between which over a century of animosity causes daily friction.

Thanks for your prayers.

If you can do more than pray please visit these sites and give via online donations:

World Vision Response to Earthquake in Haiti
Compassion International Response to Earthquake in Haiti

Habitat for Humanity

Shannon

PS: We are doing an emergency drive of food/clothing/etc at school tomorrow to take to Wilfrido - our friend that we have always worked with in Barahona. He has a desperate situation right now with hundreds of people arriving after having crossed the border into the bateys. There is no food, diapers, clothing, blankets, medicine, etc. He said last night was a scary nightmare, but thank God they made it through. I will bring the stuff over to Barahona on Saturday with one of my roommates, Katherine. We might head over to the border, because there are hundreds there without supplies. I may be back on Sunday - but we'll play it by ear...

A Christmas Well

2009-12-25T13:59:00.003-04:00

Hey all - received this email for Christmas and I was already asking myself: "How can I give someone a Christmas gift that is meaningful, but they already have everything they need/want in life?" ... and then I got the email below from my good friends Melissa and Ruben.

If you still haven't bought anything for those people (as mentioned above) because you just can't decide what to get them, then give them a nice Christmas card letting them know that you helped make a well for a town in Africa this Christmas in their name (ie: instead of buying them another of those things they don't need or already have and will throw out by June anyway)...

Thanks to all of you who have given to me this Christmas, you have helped provide water for this community in Senegal. I have lived for a short time in life without easy access to water for bathing, teeth-brushing, flushing, laundry, dishes, etc. and I know it can be difficult. Please consider...

*******

We know that it is Christmas and you are probably already feeling strapped from all of the holiday spending. But...we have a little request from you. Our church (Upper Room Community Church in Vaughan, ON) has partnered with World Vision this Christmas season to provide a town in Senegal with a newly drilled well. I don't need to tell you how important drinkable, clean water is to all of us - but I can remind you that a well in one of these undeveloped communities is a priceless gift that allows for better health, better opportunities for economic development and most importantly a better quality of life.

Our small church has already raised enough to dig one well, and we are close to having raised enough for a second. We thought that we would give you the opportunity to also help with this project and donate online. Your donation, no matter what the size, will help us to our goal of providing two communities with something that we take for granted everyday.

Its easy to do - just follow the link provided below and you can donate with your credit card. You'll also receive a tax receipt.

Feel free to forward this to anyone you think might be interested in helping with this project.

Merry Christmas!

Melissa and Ruben

Upper Room Living Water project

Project: Dig 2 wells for 2 communities in Senegal which will provide 11,000 litres of water per day for drinking, bathing and cooking.

Goal: Raise $30,000 in the month of December.

How: To go without something we want so that others can get something they need.

- Get creative with how you can participate: Think of what you could go without so you can free up resources. Really get into the spirit of giving this Christmas. Tell everyone you know about this project and encourage them to partner with us.

- Donate on-line at the Upper Room Living Water webpage, click on this link:

https://catalogue.worldvision.ca/Gifts/Forms/EventHome.aspx?eventId=263957

This is the only way to give to this project. You will receive a charitable donation receipt from World Vision.

*******

I just did it. It was easy. It was fun. It reminded me what we are here for (as a body of Christ) in this world: to bring life and light to the world. What better time than now...?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Love, Shannon

Going Deep in the Midst of a Shallow Pool of Selfishness...

2009-12-10T16:31:00.006-04:00

I posted this a while ago, but the idea of what constitutes salvation and how can we determine whether a person is saved has been boggling me lately because so many TRY to see into the hearts of man and we just CAN'T do it! It just makes us frustrated, legalistic, judgemental and condemning. I prefer to really just leave it in God's hands and do what he has led me to do; follow him with my whole heart and life and encourage others in their personal (and often VERY different) journey - no matter what "stage" of maturity my egotistical mind might think they are in... I had a pretty rough day, working constantly on grading, surrounded by other "Christian" teachers (who am I to judge?) and hearing a lot of stuff that was kind of discouraging ... so I came back to this and was encouraged to maintain MY focus and not worry about anyone else's (though be quite willing to offer edifying and uplifting words whenever able)... I thought I would just share with you some of my scattered thoughts on the issue...

The Bible doesn't talk about 'age of accountability' (as far as I can find - and I have looked) - it's a doctrinal thing that someone invented back in the day. I figure, if you can't find it in the scripture, it probably isn't really an issue. I often wonder why we (mere humans) just have to figure out all these things; make it into a scientific/mathematical formula and know all the answers - when really, it's about relationship with our Creator, isn't it? Yes, this is a criticism of the modern church that has decided we need to 'know everything' (like defining such a thing as 'age of accountability') when all the Bible really talks about us needing to know is the truth about God's love for us (John 15 says it all - it's like the chiastic climax of the whole scripture - well, not really, but it's close)...

So, the whole issue of the 'age of accountability' has to do with the idea of whether or not a baby/child can 'get to heaven' based on age and personal decision, etc. BUT I SAY to people trying to figure that out:

1) Is this whole Christianity thing about 'getting to heaven'? Or is it about restored relationship with our Creator, God the Father through Jesus Christ, His Son, nurtured by the power of the Holy Spirit, fueled by scripture and encouraged by the worldwide body of Christ...? (it's a rhetorical question...) If it's about 'fire insurance' and there is no relationship involved (just building merit by doing good religious things) then I have to promote the whole scripture which consistently points to restored relationship and say that empty religious acts and building merit never got any Buddhist or Baptist into heaven. Religious acts performed out of love for God and gratefulness for the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ are a different thing entirely (and will amazingly restore both Buddist and Baptist in the same way). The acts may look the same from a religious perspective (tithing, giving to the poor, being a peacemaker, fighting for justice, etc.), but you see, it's an issue of the heart (Genesis 4) and really only God can know our true heart...

2) When did it become our job to determine whether or not a person has entered the presence of God upon death? Isn't it ultimately for God to decide? We can't just leave it alone. It's a trust issue, when you think about it... "Do I really trust that God knows what he's doing with my seven year old? After all, how can I? He allowed my son to get lukemia and then he passed away and I know my boy knew about God, but do I trust that God will be fair with him? Well, maybe if I figure out that my son hadn't reached the 'age of accountability' then I can put God in a box. That way God is powerless to have any say in the decision of whether or not my son can 'be in heaven' - he MUST be in heaven because if, say, twelve is the age of accountability, then God can't do anything about it...' (etc.) and in so doing we tie God's hands - or so we think. In determining such things, we demonstrate a serious lack of trust in God. Do you see where this type of logic leads?

So, what is our understanding of God? Is he a loving, kind God that has created us for relationship with him? Or is he viewed as a tyrant just playing with us as worthless pawns? Whoa. I can't even write that as a rhetorical question.... He is absolutely not a tyrant. We are not pawns. He is a loving, caring, merciful Father. I ask you, what GOOD earthly father do you know who would completely disown his small helpless child? And we humans are only sinners saved by grace; God has created and loves each one of us as a perfect Father (Matthew 7.7-11).

The REAL question underlying the whole 'age of accountability' issue has to do with our understanding of God and his love. Once we start to get that he loves us deeply (John 3.16-17), little by little, these types of questions will come to have no place in our relationship with a perfect and fair and righteous and compassionate Father God because our ultimate trust is in Him. He knows what's best and He will always be fair...

In all this consideration, the Bible IS very clear about what we are supposed to do: love God with all our heart, mind, soul, strength, bringing him glory as we aim to live a pure life, AND love each other as we make disciples; training, teaching and being an example to others about God's love... that's our only 'task' if you can call it that (Deuteronomy 6.4-5; Mark 12.29-31; I Corinthians 13; I John 4.16; II John 1.5 - and more). Every person's decision is left up to them and God - not us - and all we can do is encourage one another to live in the knowledge of God's love (Eph. 3.14-21) by loving one another...

And remember this: "Some children were brought to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. The disciples told them not to bother him. But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.' And he put his hands on their heads and blessed them..." Matthew 19.13-15

Much love in Christ,

Shannon

Exams, Grading, Infections, New Roomie and and and...

2009-12-05T15:55:00.016-04:00

...what else can I tell you?

Things are going to be crazy in these next two weeks. I am trying to get it all done so that I can get home and really enjoy Christmas with the family. I don't want to leave anything undone before I leave.

EXAMS: So, all my exams are done and ready to give out (Muah-ha-ha-ha-ha). Dun-da-dun... (scary movie music) I REALLY HOPE no one fails. I don't want to have to do completivos* with anyone...

GRADING: I have been grading term projects - though there are eight classes of projects, so it is a big pile sitting on my desk here in my bedroom (as well as a full folder on my computer) and I am getting through it slowly. I need to be done that by Tuesday...

INFECTION: I have a chest infection. Yeah, you heard right - again. I am taking five different medications and hoping that none of them cause vertigo (even though it says they might right on the packaging, but I can't do without medicine, that would be culturally stupid - according to everyone here - so I put it down and pray hard that I don't get vertigo, because truth be told, I actually prefer the chest infection). I am praying that this will not turn into pneumonia. When I get home, I already have an appointment the following day to get my H1N1 Flu Shot. PLEASE PRAY that my health will be better by tomorrow (uh, I think that's a faith step, so, here we go). I have had this thing for the last few days (since Thursday) - but thankfully it is not getting worse, and if it is not getting worse, then somehow it is controlled and must be getting better...

NEW ROOMIE: Moved in yesterday. She is another teacher that has been living here with some of her family (who are from Costa Rica, but she is from Florida) and she decided to come stay in the "Teachers' Apartment" with the three of us who are already here. I guess we're a pretty international group now...

AND: I have been listening to Sundar's series on Isaiah on podcast every Sunday morning from Rexdale Alliance (just finished listened to one now) and it has been excellent to share this, as my parents have been attending I can then join with them in the follow-up discussions. It is good to hear a deep theological understanding of the scripture, spiritually wise instruction and all from a voice from home (yes, I am from B-town, so Sundar sounds like home to me!!!). I am excited about the series in Isaiah too because of the blend of history, poetry, culture and revelation of God that is so richly available through this controversial prophetic book. It is good to just dwell there for a time, swim in it, let it seep in, make it known through frequency...

AND: I had been attending the church at the school for the last while until I can find a church here in the city, and today I will be attending an English service in the afternoon with my friend, Maribel (see right hand column for prayer - please). There is a lunch at 2pm and then at 5pm the service starts. I am really looking forward to going to a new place to meet new people (going to the same place 6/7 days a week gets a bit tedious for someone with an attention span like mine - I need the variety)...

AND: OH!! My Masters of Education course is going very well. We have our final class of this module on Wednesday and they will assign an individual project (yippee skippy, I have homework over the holidays - ha! as if that's happening). Then we have pre-class reading for the module in January (one week of classes: 4-8pm). Thank God for travel; you can get so much done when you are required to just sit there.

That's all for now, thanks for reading and please, if you read and you believe in prayer, pray - and if you don't believe in prayer, then pray anyway and see what happens, might be fun.

Love you all (see you in 14 days!!)

Shannon

*completivos are the exams that are given to students who fail, so that they can have another - actually 3 other - chance to pass

Locuras...

2009-11-30T18:36:00.002-04:00

...are things that you do that are just crazy when you are going crazy.

Today, a group of teachers who gather at odd intervals throughout our teaching day in the Teachers' Room decided that we would hold a potluck lunch. We, of course, decided this last week and only three of us remembered for today (uh, not me, man, I totally forgot). The very cool thing was that by the end of the day, the group of us managed to pull it together between ridiculous schedules of teaching, parent meetings, hall duty and student discipline. I am not sure how, but I arrived at 2.15 with my portion - and the table was full of roasted chicken, rice and corn, mashed yucca, macaroni salad, juice, bread, pasteles en hoja (the translator says to call that "pies in leaf"), and a big pretty cake. It was a really fun time of eating, talking, laughter and locuras with some of the great people I work with...

Then I spent the next two and a half hours working with my M-Ed partner, Zajamis (Sa-ha-meece, by the way) on our homework due via email for tomorrow.

I am trying to distract myself from going nuts waiting for the phone call to know how Krystal's wisdom tooth extraction went today. It's the whole anaesthesia part that has me a bit concerned. It was supposedly at 11 am -- but I haven't heard from anyone yet and I have rung all the phone numbers I have for everyone - which was a great way to find out that my parents have cancelled their cell phone plans (who knew?)... I hope they call soon...

Or I will be doing locuras...

A Canadian Perspective on American Thanksgiving in the Tropics

2009-11-28T12:45:00.004-04:00

I was invited by an American family (2 of their sons are my students) to an American Thanksgiving celebration on Thursday afternoon. The mother started the phone conversation like this, "Hey Shannon, I know you're a Canadian - but we would love to have you for our American Thanksgiving dinner..." -- that was cool. It was a fantastic time of eating non-Dominican food, speaking lots of English and we even had a time of singing around the piano. Reminded me of back in the day... good times, really. I appreciated the invitation and the thought and felt extremely blessed by the whole evening...

Everyone else (well, almost everyone) here, of course, wishes me a Happy Thanksgiving - which is nice, but kind of weird - man; Thanksgiving was in October! Nobody said anything to me back then... I still think there is too much US influence around the world - but it just gives me an opportunity to explain the differences between Americans and Canadians.

Don't get me wrong, I love my American friends, but I am not an American. I am proud to be a Canadian (British/Irish-Canadian) and I am sure people get sick of hearing about it - but ah well... it's important that they know the difference so that they can stop asking me about my President (not that I really want them asking me about our Prime Minister, either, mind you), stop calculating the peso to dollar difference at 35:1 (it's 28:1 for the Canuck-Buck), know that there IS a CFL, proudly claim Michelle Jean (a Haitian woman as our Governor General - which of course opens up to the question of what exactly is a Governor General...), that HOCKEY is on (forget baseball for a while, please) - and that we're better at it (though the Stanley Cup spends too much time in the States), that we have a different national anthem, a different flag, better beer, maple syrup is our thing, it's Tim Horton's not Dunkin Donuts (and we spell it: doughnuts), we work in kilometres and Celsius (just like here) and we are about to host the WINTER OLYMPICS in Vancouver (the most beautiful city in the world) ... I might be a bit homesick...

Speaking of which, I will be home on the 20th of December and I am looking forward to seeing everyone!!

At the moment, I am writing exams, grading projects, completing my homework for my Masters of Education course, doing laundry, making baked potato soup, listening to Q107 live on-line (nice to hear Canadian commercials - by the way, what's with the TV Tax?) between power surges (something going on with the electricity around here, as usual), and writing this blog...

I smell something burning... better go check on the potato soup.

If you get a chance, please pray for the items in the right-hand column (especially for Maribel's health) and feel free to drop me a note at shannoncita@gmail.com about what is going on with each of you...

Love mucho,

Shannon

I'm Back.

2009-11-19T11:08:00.003-04:00

I am here. I am teaching, full time (very full, let's be honest). I am loving it. I have been trying to get back into the swing of teaching full time here in Santo Domingo, but the pendulum is rather wide and large and I am just now settling down - just when exams are about to start.

Not much has been going on, just a lot of work. Believe me.

I will try to make an interesting update here at least once a week. I have neglected communicating much in the past year. But I am back.

I have missed writing. I have missed the communication. I have missed you.

Please follow as you are able.

Love you all,

Shannon

Home to Canada

2007-07-02T20:39:00.000-04:00

Yes, I'm home. Arrived last night and today was over at my sisters house discussing the 'business' of the ministry. We have the name:

"Monsoon: Global Discipleship Encounter"

...and in the coming year, I will be teaching 5 days a week. I was thinking about it and praying about it and realizing that if I'm going to teach the Bible to young people - it's what I really feel I am called to: discipleship, teaching the Bible, giving people hands-on ministry experience. I want to be 100% involved in whatever I'm doing, and that will be at the school in the coming year. I will be working with High School students and we will also have opportunities to take them on missions experiences within their own country and maybe beyond. As for moving forward with the ministry, we hope to have full charitable status by the beginning of the coming year and want to be able to purchase the accommodation for the ministry sometime during the 2008 year.

I realise that many of you check this blog but lamentablamente (sadly) I have to shut down. I can't keep up with it down south. I will, however, continue with the email updates. If you are not on the list but want to be, please send me an email: shannoncita@gmail.com saying that you want to be on the list. That will help...

Okay. It's been fun...

Shannon.

A Look to the Right...

2007-04-01T17:01:00.000-04:00

Hey all. Many thanks for your great votes and suggestions. They are all very helpful. Sorry to be picky, but here's the thing; I want more from Meg (did you know that Jo gave me a current perspective on two names, can the librarian beat that?) c'mon girl, show me your stuff... ;)

Okay, this is just a quick update to let you all know that I have updated the lists in the right hand column. They are important because they are my prayer requests. I need your prayers. I love that you pray for me and I hope you know that I'm praying for you too, especially when you tell me specifics via email. Take care of yourselves, drive safe and I am praying that there is no more snow for the year. :)

Much love,

Shannon

The Name Game

2007-03-16T08:54:00.000-04:00

Okay, first, good news: I have finally been given my Pre-School schedule only! This means I no longer teach grade one - we have a new teacher for that. Yeah! Big answer to prayer. Now I am finished at school at 1pm and will have more time in the afternoons for getting things up and going. Also, I have discussed my schedule for next year and there are a few things in the works; I have asked to negotiate a Tuesday-Thursday schedule so that I can have long weekends to travel (to the outskirts and to Haiti, etc.) and this is being considered. They also asked me (as per request of the pastor of the church that runs the school ministry) if I would consider teaching high school Bible instead of preschool - wow. So, we are in negotiations and prayer for all this right now and would appreciate your prayers too. In the meantime, all of you over there in Canada, keep praying and considering if God might be asking you to take a year to be involved in a Christian School ministry here in the Dominican Republic - we are still looking for teachers for elementary and preschool - if there are people you know who might consider it, please send an email my way or give them my email address to get connected. Thanks. Lots to consider, but things seem to be on the move...

So, what about the name game?

I have to choose a name for this ministry. I have no idea what to call it. Wait, that's not true, I have some ideas, but I'm not sure that they are any good. I want something simple, one word, that will express part of the philosophy (because expressing the whole thing in one word is probably asking a bit much), and it has to be original because it's going to be registered in Canada. Oh, and I DON'T want an acronym. Okay, let's have a vote:

1. Senda - which is the word for 'path' in Spanish and has the significance of being on the journey
2. Global Discipleship Encounter - which will already be in the name, kind of the subtitle portion, but maybe it should just be called this...?
3. Chase - again, about the pursuit, the journey, and all that
4. Revolutions - about the philosophy of our work and also that we are around the world with this - ha ha, like a change agent society that revolves the globe (cute, shan, real cute...)
5. Crossing - you know, about the message of the cross and cross-cultural and crossing borders
6. Journey - although, there is a band with this name, so I think it's taken...
7. Requed - like as in, wrecked, but in a good way like how Jessica and I always say, that your life is wrecked for the ordinary and comfortable and has to be radical in response to the experience
8. Nomad - you know, just what it means
9. Verve - wait, isn't there a band with this name too?
10. Stretch - based on the little phrase: "Stretch your faith, form new friendships, share your dreams" that is on the www.drdreaming.blogspot.com website (the startup location for this ministry in the Dominican)

Okay, here's how you vote: either send me an email or click on the comment button to let me know what you think. I really would love your opinions... also, if you have other suggestions, the door is wide open = if you are unsure of the ministry vision, check out the drdreaming website (as above) and remember that this is not (hopefully) going to be limited to the Dominican only but will expand in the future to other countries and areas of the globe - so don't submit anything too specific, but I would LOVE your suggestions and comments.

Thanks very much.

Love, Shannon

Back To Reality...

2007-01-30T09:59:00.000-04:00

This is reality: up again at 5.30am, boil some water to bathe, TRY desperately to stay awake, walk, walk, catch a car, change cars, walk some more... no coffee this morning at the cafeteria. Tuesdays after a long weekend are definitely worse than Mondays after a normal weekend... But, things are looking up for the afternoon. Today is a shorter day and when I get home this afternoon I will be writing more about the ministry that I am waiting to start. I really feel restless to get started with this - but the restlessness should pass. I need to be patient. This summer, we are hoping to do a 15 day team with involvement in Haiti, Haina (near Santo Domingo) and a few other locations. Children's programmes as well as some community involvement is the plan - I have to pray to see the direction God is going to lead us and to see how many and whom we should choose to join this team. I appreciate your prayers to see this team happen. It would be great to make that the start of a three month group, but we will see in the future as God opens the doors to allow that to begin also. Thank you for your prayers, as always, and for your endless support. Greetings to Meg and Mark as they arrive in India! Have a great month - I haven't forgotten that you are there for February. Krink and Tom will miss you! Post pix on your blog Meg - I want to see it all...
Okay, love you,
Shannon xx

Long Weekend in Samana...

2007-01-26T13:01:00.000-04:00

Things here at school are busy; there is class planning to do, preparation and then from 7.00am - 2.45pm everyday (sometimes longer) I am in the school teaching, socialising with 3 and 4 year olds and that sort of thing. It is great, but it is busy...
Here I am for a few minutes to say that I am going to Samana (in the north eastern coast of the Dominican Republic) for the weekend. Look it up if you want to see beautiful pictures. We are all going - all the sisters (poor Rodney is getting left behind, but it's a girl thing). Sonia just called me to say that we need to be at the bus station by 3.30pm for the last bus. That means I have to RUN home, through traffic after school and HOPE to arrive before 3pm so I can get my stuff together and be there... hope we make it...
Okay, right now, I have to go get something to eat and then teach another class of grade one...
Much love to all,
Shannon

I'm Here, Working, Busy and Fine...

2007-01-10T13:00:00.000-04:00

Thanks for all your emails. I arrived on the 5th of January and hit the ground running, 2 weddings the weekend I got here and no suitcases - oops! It's okay, they finally arrived on Sunday. Thanks for all your prayers. I'm at the computer at work and there's a line waiting. So this is just to drop in and say hello, I'm here, feel free to call me (after 2.45pm my time) and I am receiving your emails (just don't have time to respond to all of them, sorry)...
Okay, you kids take care - if you're in the snow, drive safe... and come visit!!
Wee Bit Of News: Karen Richardson is here this week and I'll be spending the afternoon with her today - so if anyone else is ready to come on down... I'm here...
My sisters here all say hi. Christmas was good. Great to be back but now I have a cold (it's working in daycare again that is doing this to me, honestly, it had nothing to do with walking in the rain the other day...)
Out...
Love yous,
Shannon xx

I Can See Clearly Now...

2007-01-04T02:16:00.000-04:00

Krink and Tom left this morning :( - they are coming to visit me in March, so that will be good, but it was sad to see them go...

...but my Granny arrived this evening - so that was good. And guess what she brought? My NEW GLASSES!! Yes, I put them on and WOW - the world looks great! I had no idea things could be so clear. What an amazing thing - to be able to see clearly. I can't wait to see what people really look like where I live...

Also, just on the side, I think they make me look very intelligent in a snazzy sort of way. In case you were wondering...

Shannon

Bangkok Bombings Blast in the New Year

2007-01-02T20:39:00.000-04:00

Sorry to dampen the festive mood during this New Year already...

As you know, I keep checking back to life in Thailand - because I left a piece of my heart there. Today, as I was taking a look at the Bangkok Nation to see how the New Year celebration went, I came across this story about celebration in Bangkok being cancelled. Apparently, just as the countdown completed, of a series of 6 bombs exploded across Bangkok in unison followed by 2 more shortly after.

So far, they have counted 38 people injured and 3 dead. Many of the injured were foreigners and from what I can read, it seems that the targeted areas were typically tourist locations. Hmmm... I'm not sure what that means, but I do not think that I agree with what others are saying in the finger-pointing at Thaksin Shinawatra (the former PM who was ousted by coup in September). I have a hard time believing that he would take such a malicious retaliation that could point to him as the prime suspect. I am more inclined to think that this was a particular group making a very bold statement against certain influences within the country - and that's all I'm going to say.

Read the article (linked above) to know more and please continue to pray for this country - that people would know the love of Christ in their lives and be restored to relationship with their loving Creator...

Shannon xx

Happy New Year!!!

2007-01-01T01:04:00.000-04:00

This was New Year's Eve - we went out for dinner together (Tom was on photo-taking duty because we couldn't find a stranger-on-the-street photographer). We had a great time with too much really good food. I know I have had a good holiday because I have already gained another five pounds since arrival. I hope my uniform fits when I get back, because if not, I'll have poundage to lose in three days before getting back to school. No big deal - I'll just eat some of that delicious lettuce salad that gave me 'little stomach friends' during my third week of life down south... (okay, just kidding...)

Instead of writing a whole bunch, I'll just show some pictures from our time here so far...

This is me with a group of youth from church who were down for their holidays.

Seems strange that so many from my youth group in Brampton would be here in Florida, but these are actually all cousins! It was GREAT to see such a representative from my youth in Canada. They had lots of stories to share and it was a fantastic opportunity for me to connect with them and spend some time together. Joel is SUCH an encouragement - he always is concerned with how things are going in such a deep way (thanks for your prayers, buddy). Also, Phil and Katherine have both promised to visit - so I'll be waiting - hopefully they can convince some of the others to join them in the journey...

This was the other night. Here is a nice picture of Krystal and Thomas:

...but when it came time to taking her picture with me, Krystal couldn't get one with her eyes open (she always blinks), so, I said, "Open your eyes wider for the picture," - and she did... She is so silly...

Getting a Tan...

2006-12-27T11:23:00.000-04:00

I said that I wanted to get a tan on my vacation. First of all, I don't tan very well, but I have good intentions. Secondly, I came to Florida (from the Dominican) to get this tan and so far it has rained for three days with temperatures of 9-17 degrees Celcius. What a rip-off. So, no tan yet. Apparently, the temperature is going to rise in the next couple of days - or so they say. I have hope...

I just phoned Séfora for her birthday and we all sang to her (all the people in this house) and she screamed and said, "Ooh, Shannon, yo voy llorar!" Yes, she exaggerates and is a bit of a drama queen - which makes for a guaranteed show and great entertainment. I hope she has a great day...

And now the sun has come out and my coffee has brewed. It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day and tomorrow promises to be even better.

Tomorrow night we are going to dinner and to see La Nouba which is a Cirque de Soleil production. Krink and Tom bought us all tickets for Christmas - isn't that great? I'm excited to see it. If it is anything like Corteo which we saw with the other bridesmaids for Krinky's wedding, it should be very amazing...

I also have to meet up with the sister of Ms. Smith - she is the teacher who just retired from KCS and moved back to the States - I have two of her suitcases to be picked up. And I have two wee gifts for the cousins of the Hendricks family to deliver also. Other than that, here I will be, working on my tan, catching some rays in the 9 degree weather...

Merry Christmas!!

2006-12-25T13:29:00.000-04:00

There are tornado warnings here in Tampa Bay, Florida - which is like having a Tropical Snow Storm! I think there's been some damage done in other areas, but we're usually pretty safe on this side - thanks to the blessing and protection of the Lord. The skies are now starting to clear, so hopefully we can hit the beach later this afternoon. HA!! Just kidding...

We've just put up the Christmas tree and the Angel on top doesn't want to stay upright (I think she's been dipping into the eggnog) - but otherwise it looks beautiful. Granda would be proud...

Made seafood linguine last night with Mum and Dad and had a nice dinner. But Mum is as hyper as anything. We all arrived yesterday and Dad was asking this morning if there is a tall ladder in the house because he thinks he'll need it later to scrape Mum off the ceiling...

I've been helping Dad figure out how to use his cell phone - at least he listens, Mum may never learn - she is impossible...

Well, I'm off again. I have some gifts to wrap before Krystal and Thomas get here (11.30pm tonight) - and then we're going to stay up all night and PARTY!! YEAH!!

Merry Christmas!!

Shannon
xx

Llego La Navidad!!!

2006-12-23T12:47:00.000-04:00

Yes, Christmas is here. I have been off since the 14th, which means no email (because I'm not at the school) and I'm leaving tomorrow for Tampa to be with my family!! Yeah!! I talked with Irene last night for 11.5 minutes. It was good to hear her voice, I haven't talked to her since August, I think, and that's LONG for us, you know. I will call her and the others from Florida...

Right now, I'm in the house in Consuelo (San Pedro de Macoris) and will return tonight to Santo Domingo to leave in the morning. I have no bags, just my backpack - BUT I do have two extra large suitcases that belong to the teacher who left the school for her operation in USA (hint, hint, there is an opening...) and her sister lives in Tampa. I think these suitcases are humungous because she left money for the overweightness... Well, I will see in the morning. Her roommate is driving me to the airport...

As for the other news, I will wait to write more in Tampa when I have some time to think and reflect. Here is good. I love living here - miss my family and friends, of course, but they should come visit.

If anyone wants to call during the holidays, ask Krinky for the number in Florida - I forget...

Much Love and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Shannon
xx

A Good Weekend and A Huge Answer to Prayer...

2006-12-04T09:26:00.000-04:00

Things are okay. I still have a sore throat and a cough. I think it's from the pollution - not nearly as bad as some places in Asia, but it's still causing this persistent cold - maybe it's more like allergies...

This weekend was good, we were at a concert on Friday night - Nathan and his DFC team would have LOVED it. Hopefully, when they come to visit there will be something similar going on. It was good because many people from the street came in to listen and heard about God's love.

Saturday we passed the day cleaning and doing laundry and that sort of thing. Then in the evening I went to San Cristobal to speak at a youth group there. Yvette came with me. It was an invitation from one of the teachers at my school. She and her husband have the resonsibility for the daughter church of Oasis in Santo Domingo - and they are hard workers, but seeing little fruit in this time. Most of the people are new believers - which is refreshing - but they really want to disciple some of the younger people into positions of leadership so that they can share responsibilities. Please pray for Oasis, San Cristobal - that God would bless them with growth in number and maturity as they share the truth in their community.

I was at church (Iglesia Mision Biblica) on Sunday morning with the whole gang (you know them) and everyone says hello to all the folks in Canada. They are awaiting your visits... The message on Sunday was given by Juan Fuertes and he spoke on Ecclesiastes 5.1-7 - interesting. I'm getting to the point where I understand almost everything. It's frustrating, because I think I've been here for ages in this 'almost' understanding stage. Sometimes my head wants to cave in on itself... As Christmas is approaching (and it is HUGE here) we are getting prepared in these days to celebrate - so we have many upcoming events and outreach things going on. Busy, but good...

Sunday night (last night), Heidy and Adaris came over for a visit and I made chocolate crepes. Yummy. We had a good visit. I took a medicine tea around 10pm and made me really sleepy - but I still spent the night coughing. So I was late for work. Oops. I have to try VERY hard to get out of bed by 5.30am. It's VERY difficult. As you can imagine...

Speaking of work, here is the website for my school for those interested in having a look: http://www.kcs.edu.do

As for the house, I am praying for the miracle. I know you all are too. God will show us in his timing and in his way what steps to take next. For now, I am waiting and praying.

And the answer to prayer: My K5 class today was AMAZING!!! YEAH!! Thank you for your prayers. I asked the homeroom teacher to leave so that I could have the class to myself and it was incredible. Of course, they were still energetic, but they listened, they were polite, they had fun!! What an answer to prayer. Thank you to all of you who have been praying for this - don't stop - they still have a long way to go, but this was a great start...

Okay, I'm off to another class. Thanks for keeping track with me. Love you all...

Shannon xx

House Shopping - a thing of God... and other news...

2006-11-28T07:52:00.000-04:00

I found the house. No kidding. The house that I stood on the front porch and prayed for in September - someone bought it - so I visited seven other houses and nothing was clicking. But last night I was visiting another couple of houses - one was not a good fit - and then we drove up infront of THE HOUSE. The man was selling it - I couldn't believe it. So there I was, viewing this house. I called Yvette to come over - and she couldn't believe it either. Moreso, because the man selling it lives across the street from us (I didn't recognise him at first). So now, I just have to keep praying that God will open the door to buy it, and then we can start having people come down to get involved.

So, that is a big answer to prayer - but now there is way more to pray for regarding the house before we can get it. Please pray for this; I do love the job I'm doing right now, but as you all know, it is not the reason I have come here to live. It is a blessed stepping stone into the dream that I have had for many years (I think going on 13 years now) and I do feel that the timing of God is most important. I want to be patient - I think I have been - but I don't want to miss the opportunities when they come. I need a lot of wisdom...

Cathy phoned me last night on a $5 phone card and we talked for forty minutes. It was good to catch up and know that she is praying. I am praying for her in this transitional time as she prepares to go back to Cambodia for a longer term. Hopefully, she can come visit here before she moves...

Things to pray for that come in stories and not in the form of a list:

School is going well, two of my classes still give me a hard time and so I need to pray that I can maintain discipline in the classroom so that the kids can have fun while learning.

I have been eating the pollution like crazy and now I have a sore and scratchy throat. Last night, Abi got home around 11.30pm and slammed her finger in the door. Drama. Like I said before, she works too much - and now she's sick too (with a cold). Anyways, at 12.40am, she woke me up to a mug of the awfullest nastiness I have ever tasted; lime, onion, menthol, and honey boiled into a tea-like concoction. I think it helped. It reminded me of the time at Youth Week this past summer when I was getting a bit of a cold and Shelby brought me a raw onion sandwich. No joke. A whole onion broken into chunks between two pieces of white bread. Disgusting. But it worked. Shelby is Trinidadian. There is something about the Islands - the people from the Caribbean - and using onions, garlic, and any other strong herb or vegetable to heal all ails. Strangely, it works... I'm not only learning the language down here...

I was at the beach (Bocachica) on Sunday evening with Séfora and Yvette. It was very polluted for some reason - more than usual, I mean. It might have been what started this sickness. But we hurried back into the city for a concert in the street that night - kind of a big Christian music festival every night of the weekend - and they had all kinds of artists. It was a fun time, but I ate a lot of pollution...

Anyways, gotta go, someone else needs the computer...

Lots of love,

Shannon

Noteworthy Events: A Parenthetical Mess

2006-11-24T10:24:00.000-04:00

Four hours of sleep per night because I talk too much and am too ADHD to take an afternoon nap. I rise before the sun at 5.30ish and pray that I don't encounter any mice on my way to the bathroom to get ready for school. I never meet any. God is good. Yesterday, on the ground I thought I found a 50 pesos note, but no, it was a manga-type of joke; a fake 50 pesos. God is still good. This morning I got to work on time for the FIRST time... it felt good. I will try to do this more often, but I have to sleep earlier. I still talk too much. I have a boyfriend. He is three years old and he is constantly attacking me with hugs and smiles. What a blessing. I get lots of hugs around here. That is a huge blessing. This morning I got a roll of masking tape stuck on my arm. I taught the 2 year old class with a roll of tape on my arm. Later, it came off with little effort. I still don't have my uniform for school. Abi just finished with the dresses for that wedding, and now she has started making my uniform. I don't mind whenever she does it, she leaves for work before 9am and gets home from work at 8.30pm. She needs to relax. She is a work-aholic. We finish today at 12pm because we have a meeting about stuff that I don't really need to know. I am going to sleep with my eyes open in the meeting. It will not be hard, sometimes I don't listen very well in Spanish. I'm leaving now, someone else is waiting for the computer. Sorry for the terrible sentence structure and complete randomness, but it's what I had to offer today.

5 Houses, 115 Kids and a River for a Street

2006-11-22T15:54:00.000-04:00

Yes, friends, that is what my life looks like right about now. I teach 115 kids between the ages of 18 months and 7 years. They are a JOY in my life. I love working with them and seeing them grow through learning English (of all the terrible things in life). They are a blessing and so is my school. Praise the Lord for these things...
Secondly, in the last few days, I have looked at five houses. Three were ridiculously expensive and not at all what I am looking for; they saw a white girl house shopping and figured I wanted some kind of marble mansion. Please! I want a piece of junk in the middle of a humble neighbourhood... but the agent working with me is starting to see the picture. I keep telling her that it is not aesthetics I desire, but that this whole thing is something of God - a mysterious adventure... Please pray that we find the right house for the right price in the right timing...
It is rainy season here in the Dominican Republic, so we have rivers for streets. I dodge the torrents every morning as I leave for work - and praise the Lord, I rarely get rained on. Is that not a strange thing? It POURS - except for when I need to walk somewhere... That is a blessing. One day, when I really need it, the sky will open upon my head and soak me to the bone... for now, I walk dry...
That is about all right now. I have racked up a bill answering email in this internet cafe and I am about to go and get my cell phone, which has been at the doctor getting remedied. I will have a phone number soon and then you can call me if you dare...
Thanks for ALL your emails, responses to the blog, letters in the mail, and most importantly, your prayers. You are a blessing, brothers and sisters, and I pray that God will also be at home in your hearts... (Ephesians 3.14-21)
Much love to all,
Shannon

Sinking Into The Groove...

2006-11-05T15:22:00.000-04:00

It’s raining and it’s Sunday afternoon. The sisters are all asleep, mostly in their beds, but Abi is asleep on a chair in the kitchen. She works too much. I can’t sleep because I know I have to update you on what’s been happening down here – and the weekends are going to be the only time I’ll have for this…

I arrived last Sunday night around 6pm and went straight to a birthday party for two people at church. Then I crashed. I had to be up the next morning to get to the school for 7am. I didn’t make it – Sonia dropped me off at 7.45am – but the Director was glad to see me already. I collected the books for the programme, met my supervisors (one for ESL and one for Pre-School), observed a class, figured out how to get to each of my nine classes and then headed home to start filling my teacher’s planning book.

Tuesday, I planned all day – and only filled the page for the rest of the week. I have to get used to this programme before I can make it make sense for everyone.
Wednesday, when I arrived at the school (at 7.15am, which is an improvement, I’ll get there), I discovered that my class schedule had changed – and that I had the wrong books for the classes.
Initially, this made me feel a bit lost and as I was already nervous, it didn’t help. But nobody else seemed concerned that I might make a terrible mess of the first day. They were cool with it – they were just glad that I was there. They’ve been waiting since before the beginning of school for an ESL teacher to come along – and they had patience to wait even longer for me to return after the month of October in Canada.

As I mentioned, I have nine classes, spread across Nursery to Grade 1 (2-6 year olds) and they are HILARIOUS! I wasn't sure how much English to expect from each of the classes, and it varies, and they definitely cannot know that I understand them in Spanish. If they knew that, they would never speak to me in English – and after all, that’s what I’m there for; to get them speaking English.

Of course, it’s the same thing with some of the teachers. They are supposed to speak English at school with the kids, too. So on Friday, on my way to school in the morning, we (Abi and I) got into the same car as one of the Nursery teachers. And she heard us talking. Then when I got out at the school she said (in Spanish), “Oh, but you speak Spanish,” and then I knew the gig was up. I told her she can’t tell anyone else – it has to be a secret or people won’t feel like they HAVE to speak in English to me. Just like I HAVE to speak Spanish at home. We’ll see how long that lasts…

So, the first week was a blur of new faces, names, levels of understanding, complete brain-frying going from an English environment home to a Spanish environment and feeling more comfortable and ‘at home’ at home – confusing, I know, but it’s the way of things. What I thought was going to be 4 hours of teaching turns out to be 5 hours of teaching per day, spread throughout the school day (8.30am-2.10pm) starting with devotions at 7am in the Chapel. I stop by the grocery store on my way home and pick up necessities, and by the time I get back to the apartment around 3.30pm I’m completely ready for a siesta. Then I get up and plan or prepare my classes.

Who said pre-school teaching was easy? This is insanity – but it’s fun and I really love it. At the beginning of each day (5.30am, by the way) I feel like jumping off my balcony, but by the time 2.10pm comes around I’m energetic, I’ve had a great time with the kids; singing songs, doing crafts, playing with puppets – I couldn’t have asked for a better introductory living experience here in the Dominican Republic. The teachers at the school are great too – very welcoming and caring.

And then every afternoon, when I get home and after I take a bit of a rest, I recount all the funny stories about the kids to the sisters. There are some really funny stories, for example, in my 1st A class (Grade 1) there are two boys who are always talking – which I don’t mind as long as they talk in English – but José is always telling Andrés that I don’t understand because I only speak English – so they try to help one another explain things to me. I even had one kid use total body language to get his idea across (they are very creative) – then I got him to repeat after me in English what it was that he wanted. They are very helpful to me because I’m such a knuckle-head in Spanish – but that’s what is going to get them speaking in English. I’ve already seen some success and it has only been three days. They are really a joy to me and I really love being with them – if only for a short while each day.

I don’t know how many of you would know about the Echo series we’ve been doing with the High Schoolers at BBC…? You can check out www.echothestory.com for more info – but it is a great programme for people of all stages in faith – or even before. Well, at night, I’ve been telling the stories to the sisters. It is a great way for them to improve their English and for us to have some discussion – spiritual food. As well, we have started to translate the stories into Spanish for future use. We have done the introduction and up to the first story called “Beginnings” so far. We don’t expect to go quickly, but to take time with it and get to know it together as we go. I hope that we can use the story in the future within our community…

Some days I feel like I’m sinking – but hopefully, I’m sinking into a new groove…

Love you all - thanks for your prayers...

The Last Hockey Game...

2006-10-28T20:38:00.000-04:00

We're eating Dad's tacos and watching the last hockey game of my season. Tomorrow, we leave at 5am (*gulp* yes, that's early for Mum and I) and my flight leaves Buffalo at 7.30am to Philly, then to Puerto Rico and finally to Santo Domingo at 6pm. Helmut's getting me from the airport. I think I'll probably get into the apartment, get my stuff ready for the next morning and go to bed early. I have to be at the school at 7am Monday morning, which means I have to leave the apartment at 6.15am... so I have a busy time ahead, and it's been a busy month here in October. BIG thanks to everyone who has visited (even when I haven't been here), phoned, prayed, given time and money and love - it has been a great time here and I hope that you all have a chance to come visit me down south... By February, I hope we have the house so I'll have somewhere to let you sleep... ;)
Hasta luego, B-town to the T-dot...
GO LEAFS GO!!!

Demystifying the Cryptic Post

2006-10-22T14:25:00.000-04:00

So a while back I wrote a small post entitled Eureka! and some of you were confused and wondering what on earth piece of string I was talking about!?!? Well, here comes the explanation...

Over the last twelve years (or since I was 10, however you want to look at that...) there has been a dream developing in my life. It is a vision to disciple young people through experiential hands-on Bible education in a cross cultural environment. It has been growing, refining, changing, etc. as I grew and doors opened and closed, opportunities came and went, and the path got narrowed in a particular direction. Now, there are open doors for me to 'get established' in the Dominican Republic - and I am really looking forward to it because the 'string' - or the vision - is at the point of taking the first real baby step. It's beginning to come together and I get the feeling that the next couple of years are going to see a whirlwind of 'strings' intertwining to form whatever it is God has for this vision to become. I'm excited!!

...and that was my eureka moment - a moment when I realised that no matter what - obstacles or seeming obstacles - this thing was starting and it was (and is) time...

Also, I am cancelling my cell phone, so as of the 30th of October you won't reach me at that number any more...

A thought:
We never arrive at perfection in this life because we're always meeting new people who improve us along the way.

Tens

2006-10-20T01:50:00.000-04:00

Ten Days left before I am back in the Dominican Republic.

Ten Days left to pack my stuff, give it to the Salvation Army, share it with friends, throw it out, stash it in a small corner and hope no one finds it for however long I’m gone - and too often in the last week I have been tempted to strike a match…

I've been thinking about music a lot lately. Songs, in particular and how much they mean to us as a generation - as a society - as a global village. I think about how they change our philosophies, motivate our passions, ignite that dormant part of our hearts we have nearly forgotten in the busyness of life, revive that sleeping romance or just that notion of romantic possibility, make us angry or sad or jubilant or reminiscent, they bring us to that place where we think, we imagine, we envision, we remember, we press on - songs are powerful. These are ten songs that have different powers in my life...

1. 'Under Pressure' by Queen & David Bowie - a song that addresses our current generation's responsibility to recognise the poverty of the world, the people trapped by addictions, the people living under huge pressures of life and feeling like no one cares - and the song calls us to care; "Why can't we give ourselves one more chance? Why can't we give love one more chance?"

2. ‘Kingston Town’ by UB40 – this song, though not a Bob Marley (and I have huge respect for Marley), though not about revolution or deep love or the sparks of romance, this song has to be the BEST reggae song ever. I know, it’s a strong statement, but get the lyrics – simple and beautiful; about the life of the roots of this music, about the town where it all started, about that feeling of knowing your people, knowing your own small domain, knowing home. “…there is magic in Kingston town, oh Kingston town, the place I long to be, if I had the whole world I would give it away…” This song is nostalgic to me and reminds me of a place I have never been but have grown up with all around me.

3. ‘Will You Be There’ by Michael Jackson – at the end of this song, he can’t help himself but get emotional – and I always join him because the lyrics remind me of God’s love for us…

4. ‘Let’s Get It On’ by Marvin Gaye – what can I say? If this song doesn’t do to you what it does to me I have to even wonder if you’re human… ;) (oh, by the way, this one goes out to Greg Freeman - in memory of the anticipated but never realised solo he offered to sing at his sister's wedding...)

5. ‘Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own’ by U2 – it’s as though this song was written for my mother and I. I think, as it’s been a long time coming to Bono, it was the perfect timing for it to be released on an album. I cry every time I hear it because it’s too close to the truth, but as with most songs, I change the words when they come out and it sounds more like this to me: "Tough, you think you've got the stuff, you're telling me and everyone you're strong enough... we fight all the time, you and I, that's alright, we're the same soul... listen to me now, I need to let you know, you don't have to go it alone. And it's you when I look in the mirror, and it's you when I go pick up the phone, sometimes you can't make it on your own... can you hear me when I sing? You're the reason I sing..." I think this song will mean much more to me in the future, but it brings a deep and strange pain into the pit of my stomach even now when I think about the deep love I have for my mum...

6. ‘Let It Be Me’ by the Indigo Girls – ever since I first listened to the words of this song, in their depth and clarity, poetry and profundity, in their cry for justice, for peaceful revolution - "...let it be me (this is not a fighting song), let it be me (not a wrong for a wrong), let it be me, if the world is night, shine my life like a light... in the kind word you speak, in the turn of your cheek, when your vision stays clear in the face of your fear. You see turning out the light switch is their only power, but we stand like spotlights in a mighty tower... let it be me... if the world is night, shine my life like a light..." this song is inspiration, and I hope I can always sing it with passion.

7. ‘Sadness’ by Enigma – this brings me back to a time and a place I can barely identify with words; there is rain, a constant pattering, dripping, miserable rain and people in long trench-coats, someone following me in the darkened afternoon – and then loneliness – and the streets are empty; Buchanan Street, Queen Street, all empty with just me in my 14 holed Doc Martens and too many layers of black clothing, but still somehow drenched to the bone…

8. ‘Song for a Winter’s Night’ by Sarah McLachlan – the cold and rainy and lonely winter of 1997-98 left my head full of Greek and my heart full of grief; I must have listened to this song over and over and over again for three days straight and cried and cried until I ran out of tears. Those were lonely days. My only friends were the pages and charts of Greek verb conjugations taped to my bedroom walls. I missed my family in those grey days and long cold nights in Carluke... “The fire is dying, my lamp is growing dim, the shades of night are lifting, the morning light steals across my window pane where wafts of snow are drifting. If I could only have you near to breathe a sigh or two, I would be happy just to hold the hands I love on this winter’s night with you and to be once again with you…” this song is so sad it makes me miss my family even when I’m with them…

9. ‘Stained Glass’ by Keith Green – summer of 1994 at camp, we played this song out, but unlike the other pop songs of ’94, this one never seemed to grow old; “We are like windows stained with colours of the rainbow, set in a darkened room till the bridegroom comes to shine through. Then the colours fall around our feet over those we meet covering all the gray that we see, rainbow colours of assorted views come exchange your blues for his love, he chooses to shine through me…my colours grow so dim when I start to fall away from him, but out comes the strongest wind that blows me back into his arms again…” this one always lifts my faith with the upbeat tune and upbeat lyrical truth synchopated between the dancing ivories…

10. ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ by Frank Sinatra; “Someday, when I’m awfully low, when the world is cold, I will feel a glow just thinking of you and the way you look tonight. Yes, you’re lovely with your smile so warm, and your cheek so soft, there is nothing for me but to love you and the way you look tonight. With each word, your tenderness grows, tearing my fears apart. And that laugh that wrinkles your nose touches my foolish heart. Lovely, never ever change, keep that breathless charm, won’t you please arrange it, cause I love you just the way you look tonight.” This song will forever remind me of my most amazing, beautiful and carefree little sister. I sang this song for her first dance at her wedding, but I couldn’t look at her – all I saw was this face in my mind and I nearly didn't make it through the song...

...well, it's ten minutes until 2am, I suppose I should put away the reminiscing and get some sleep. Thanks for letting me share these thoughts. I didn't think going away again would be hard, but somehow tonight it got there. I have great memories, a great family - just a great bunch of greatness all around me - it makes it difficult to go, and so here come the next ten days...