July 31, 2010

hola amigos!

We just finished our 5th week in Jaibon (6th week in the DR) and we are all doing really well! I just wanted to send a quick update, and let you all know that we are alive, and having an amazing time! I cannot believe we only have 2 weeks left! It feels like we just got here, but then again, it feels like forever ago saying goodbye to Ashley and Aliayh at the airport in LA. I wish you all could be here with us, to meet these amazing boys here in Jaibon that we get to hang out with everyday. I learn so much from them every time I walk down the dirt path to see them. Today, we had a rap battle, and Imanol and I were beatboxing and scatting. We got all of the Americanos to rap, and I must say, it was amazing. I love that there are things that go beyond language here. We may not understand a word they are saying, and they may not understand us, but we can all still laugh and play together. God is THAT good.

I want to send out a special message to my friends who like to talk with God. I ask that you would pray for these boys here. Pray for guidance and wisdom for each one of them. I cannot begin to understand what they have gone through in their lives, but I cannot begin to comprehend what God is going to do through them. God has already opened doors for me to share my story and my life with some of these boys here, and I am overwhelmed that I get to be a speck in their existence. It is amazing to literally be the hands and feet of Jesus, and yet everyday, I feel like He is hanging on my back whenever I am carrying around Luis Alberto. I feel Jesus in the hugs of Chipa and Manuel, and I hear Jesus whenever Imanol sings. (I especially see it in the temper tantrums and fist fights.)

My heart is here in Jaibon with these boys. I cannot explain the love I feel for this place, for the kids here, for this organization, and for the amazing leaders who work so hard everyday. I have learned tremendous things about life, myself, and God while being here, and very little came from reading a book, or having a conversation. It has come from being able to walk with Jesus everyday when I walk down the path to see my boys. It has come from giving every ounce of love I have in my body in the hopes that there is a better life waiting for them. It has come from watching Lorenzo, Jimmy, Jose, Eduardo and other boys learn English, so that an immense number of job opportunities will await them when they graduate. It has come from teaching these boys and the kids in the community about the Jesus that I know and I love. These things cannot be taught through sermons and books. These things are taught through touching the face of Jesus when you touch the face of these boys. I am honored and blessed and in awe of God's grace, beauty and glory that is present in the faces of these boys.

I ask that you would pray for our boys here. Pray for Jimmy, Lorenzo, Lolito (or Locolito, as I call him!) Christian and Jonel, the Haitians who have stolen Amanda's heart (and mine, too.) Pray for Jimmy as I tutor him in English, and Amanda as she starts tutoring Lorenzo. Pray for Jeffrey and Remi, two new boys who started living here this week. Pray for Eduardo, Luis, Carlos, Reynaldo, Jose, Chipa, Frenchie, Ramon, Galan, Dani, Gregory, Fautico, Walki, Imanol, Dorian, Andres, Manuel, Alex, and Luis Alberto. My brothers. My heart. I love them with everything in me.

Gracias por todos, mis amigos. We love you.

Mariss

P.S. Can someone get Collin back here?