Reflections from North America

I’ve been home a month now, but I can’t stop thinking about my trip to North America. I thought it would be a fun time to reconnect with old friends, supporters and family as well as a time to eat and shop. It was all of that and so much more.
I was given the opportunity to travel by Partners in Deed, the non-profit organization started by friends in Canada in response to their visits to the Dominican Republic. They have been our school’s biggest supporters, a true encouragement to me and the staff. They agreed to allow me to stop and visit friends and family on my way to Canada so I decided to travel with Elijah, taking advantage of his last free flight before he turns two, and spent a few days in Idaho before traveling to Canada. Elijah stayed with grandmas while I went to Calgary and then upon the completion of my Canada travels, I flew back down to pick him up for our return home. I’m so glad for the opportunity to have done this, but am glad that the next time I’m on a plane with Elijah he will have his own seat.
During my time away I spoke 23 different times! I met with many diverse groups; grade school students, churches, women’s groups, mission teams, youth, leaders, businessmen and even a couple synchronized swimming teams. I loved sharing my heart’s work with all these different people, but I had to convince them of nothing. They were already connected, just waiting for an update from their friends in the D.R. They were such a tremendous source of encouragement and they spilled as many tears as I did.
Battalion Park Elementary School, a public school that has chosen to partner with our school in the DR, greeted me with an intimate breakfast hosted by passionate moms who wanted to inspire their kids to make a difference in the world. They inspired me. I was then ushered to an assembly of more than 600 students. The kids made the speeches, presentations and hung our Dominican Flag with pride. They presented our school with an amazing quilt created by a group of moms who sold a larger version to fund our math curriculum. “Two schools one heart, building bright minds together. Love is the thread that binds us together.” I was so touched. As I walked the halls there were treasures from the DR, pictures of TEARS students, kids greeting me by name because of our flip video correspondence, and a second grader who pulled me aside to show me a photo he had tucked in the pocket of his jeans of one of my students. “How’s Jaile doing?” He wanted to know. I was moved.
Seven presentations later I found myself with a group of adults committed to overseas mission work. They had a heart for the women and youth of our barrio wanting to know our dreams for our mentorship program. In typical North American form they wanted the numbers. It made me laugh, but I felt affirmed.
So many great conversations, shared meals, notes and gifts exchanged on behalf of those here in the DR…
By my last day I could hardly open my mouth without leaking, tears were no longer controllable. It takes so many to send and sustain a few. I hope we are good stewards of the time and resources that God so graciously provides. We feel lonely and discouraged at times. We wonder if it’s worth it. We often count the cost. But in our quiet prayerful moments, there is no question that this is where we belong. That God is in it and He has called us to be in it with Him. We are truly blessed!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 at 11:06 am and is filed under Reyes Family Blog (T.E.A.R.S. for Joy), General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.