First off I would like to say how much I've loved reading all of your posts and kind of getting to know a little about each of you before we meet in the DR this summer! :)
My name is Sara Belmer and I live in Dallas, Texas. Just some stuff about me... Technically I'm still a high school senior until I get my diploma in June, but I graduated early in January in order to work full time and it was definitely one of the best decisions I've ever made! Speaking of work, I'm a full time bridal consultant (which I've been doing for almost 3 years) and a nanny and I absolutely LOVE both of my jobs and the people I work with. I love being outside and hiking, camping, anything in the midst of God's awesome creations and I also LOVE working with kids... I'm a first grade Sunday school teacher at my church. I was the sports editor for my high schools newspaper, but I'm terrible at almost every sport there is.. Oh the irony! :)
College-wise, I'll be attending the University of Arkansas in the fall and double-majoring in Spanish and Elementary Education, which is going to be crazy taking 18-ish hours my freshman year, but I'm still incredibly excited to experience the college life... I hear it's a lot better than high school ;) Hopefully, all this schooling will lead up to my dream job—teaching first grade in the DR (if that's in accordance with what the Big Man upstairs has planned.)
Speaking of the DR, God has given me a crazy passion for this country, the people, and especially the kids there! I really can't express how much I love being there in words. You'll often hear me randomly yell, "Man, I just love this country" and I promise you will eventually get used to it :) I'm SO EXCITED to be back for the third time this summer. I went to Monte Plata once, Caraballo last summer, and will be back in Caraballo this summer. I just feel so at home with the people and children there.. I seriously can not contain how excited I am for this trip. I also LOVE missions, serving, kids, and teaching so this internship was practically perfect for me. God is so sovereign, isn't he? :)
But anyways... I can't wait to meet all of you beautiful people! I have been praying for this trip like crazy and my only prayer request would be for the Lord to open my eyes to/reveal His purpose for me and you guys for our time in the Dominican Republic. Ultimately His will is way better than anything I could ever plan for myself, so I want it to be accomplished through us. I'm so excited to see how he grows, teaches, matures, prepares (physically and spiritually), provides for, and tests all of us during our preparation and the trip in general :) These 6 weeks are going to be INCREDIBLE!
Fully Surrendered,
Sara Belmer
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
como estas?
Hey everyone, I'm John Rhoda. I am originally from California, the Easy bay of San Fransisco specifically. I am currently in Boise, ID attending Boise State University, just about done with my 4th year (but coming back for a victory lap next year). Horay for super seniors!
I'll be getting out of here next year with a BS in Construction Management. Frankly, I'm not too sure what I want to do with that yet. I've had a job with a big engineering and civil construction company since last June, and I'll be returning to them in August. I do not know if that is were I am supposed to be, or if the mission field is where God is calling me. Hopefully, this summer can help give me some affirmation of which choice to make.
Speaking of missions, I've done a number of short term ones (mostly for spring breaks) and honestly cannot be more excited for this summer. One thing I look forward to is seeing the mission field for a longer period of time. I have had the pleasure of going to the DR 4 times, twice to Jarabacoa, and twice to Monte Plata.
I am excited to be back there for so many reasons. One of the best things is that you'll feel related to everyone, its like having 50 direct relatives at one site. I'm really looking forward to sports with Dominican kids (even though they will be far better than me, I might be able to keep up with the 7-8 year olds). I'm looking forward to Dominican rice and beans, because I have been trying for years to make it here in the states, but its never quite the same. Lastly, I'm looking forward to being in a 'thin place', somewhere where the physical world and the spiritual world are not that far apart. The most apparent way that I have seen this is daily faith, having faith that God will provide you what you need, even when you cannot see where you're going to get money for food next week. That daily faith is something very rare to find in the States.
I look forward to getting to know you all, message me if you have any questions, or just want to know about the DR from my perspective. I hope that school is treating everyone alright, and I pray that summer comes sooner than later.
IH,
John
I'll be getting out of here next year with a BS in Construction Management. Frankly, I'm not too sure what I want to do with that yet. I've had a job with a big engineering and civil construction company since last June, and I'll be returning to them in August. I do not know if that is were I am supposed to be, or if the mission field is where God is calling me. Hopefully, this summer can help give me some affirmation of which choice to make.
Speaking of missions, I've done a number of short term ones (mostly for spring breaks) and honestly cannot be more excited for this summer. One thing I look forward to is seeing the mission field for a longer period of time. I have had the pleasure of going to the DR 4 times, twice to Jarabacoa, and twice to Monte Plata.
I am excited to be back there for so many reasons. One of the best things is that you'll feel related to everyone, its like having 50 direct relatives at one site. I'm really looking forward to sports with Dominican kids (even though they will be far better than me, I might be able to keep up with the 7-8 year olds). I'm looking forward to Dominican rice and beans, because I have been trying for years to make it here in the states, but its never quite the same. Lastly, I'm looking forward to being in a 'thin place', somewhere where the physical world and the spiritual world are not that far apart. The most apparent way that I have seen this is daily faith, having faith that God will provide you what you need, even when you cannot see where you're going to get money for food next week. That daily faith is something very rare to find in the States.
I look forward to getting to know you all, message me if you have any questions, or just want to know about the DR from my perspective. I hope that school is treating everyone alright, and I pray that summer comes sooner than later.
IH,
John
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Hey!!
I'm so excited to finally be able to get to know you all! My name is Shanay and i live in Milpitas, CA and I began college at a community college near home, transferred to Cal State East Bay in the Winter, and am transferring to San Jose State in the Fall! So i'm just bouncing around all over the Bay Area...which is fun, but a little stressful trying to make sure i get everything turned in and deciding what classes to take! My major is Psychology and i'm still trying to decide what i want to do with that...but i know i want to work with kids so, atleast i have some sort of direction. Anyway! I have a big family and i LOVE IT, and have been going to the same church since i was born, which i also really, really love. I also work there as the Children's Ministry Program Assistant...and in the coffee shop we have there. So i'm definitely staying busy! Which is good, because it's helping time go by quickly and summer is almost here and i feel like this trip is just going to sneak up on me!! And i'm so excited so i guess that's a great thing!
I've been on a few mission trips in high school and this past summer, including: Haiti, Mexico, and Costa Rica. I've always really had a passion for serving and doing missional work, so i am so excited to be going this summer for a longer period of time (=
One prayer request i have at the moment is that i will be diligent in making time to prepare for this trip. I really desire that time, it's just getting myself to sit down and actually do it that's the problem.
Thanks!
SO looking forward to getting to know more about you all (=
Blessings!
Shanay
I'm so excited to finally be able to get to know you all! My name is Shanay and i live in Milpitas, CA and I began college at a community college near home, transferred to Cal State East Bay in the Winter, and am transferring to San Jose State in the Fall! So i'm just bouncing around all over the Bay Area...which is fun, but a little stressful trying to make sure i get everything turned in and deciding what classes to take! My major is Psychology and i'm still trying to decide what i want to do with that...but i know i want to work with kids so, atleast i have some sort of direction. Anyway! I have a big family and i LOVE IT, and have been going to the same church since i was born, which i also really, really love. I also work there as the Children's Ministry Program Assistant...and in the coffee shop we have there. So i'm definitely staying busy! Which is good, because it's helping time go by quickly and summer is almost here and i feel like this trip is just going to sneak up on me!! And i'm so excited so i guess that's a great thing!
I've been on a few mission trips in high school and this past summer, including: Haiti, Mexico, and Costa Rica. I've always really had a passion for serving and doing missional work, so i am so excited to be going this summer for a longer period of time (=
One prayer request i have at the moment is that i will be diligent in making time to prepare for this trip. I really desire that time, it's just getting myself to sit down and actually do it that's the problem.
Thanks!
SO looking forward to getting to know more about you all (=
Blessings!
Shanay
Hola :)
Hello all!!!
My name is Julia Heneveld, I'm from Grand Rapids, MI, and just finished my second year at the University of Michigan. I currently do not have a major, although I plan on declaring psychology next year, which I'm super excited to study! Nevertheless, as of right now, I don't really plan on utilizing my major in a particularly practical way. Basically I have really felt God leading me toward mission work for a while, so although it's hard for me to see a point in staying in school to get a degree, I plan to stay until I graduate.
Outside of school, some things I enjoy are music, sports, and people. I'm in the marching band (drumline) here, which has been a really cool opportunity and is such a blast! I also play guitar and enjoy singing. I like to play most any sport--my favorites being basketball and volleyball. I definitely look forward to (hopefully) playing a lot of sports this summer with the kids and all of you of course. I also have found a really awesome church community here, which has been hugely amazing for my life.
I can't wait to be in community with you all and just can't wait to be there in general!!!!!!!!! Like seriously, I don't think I can express to you how much I'm looking forward to this!! I'm sure most or all of you can relate :)
love,
julia
My name is Julia Heneveld, I'm from Grand Rapids, MI, and just finished my second year at the University of Michigan. I currently do not have a major, although I plan on declaring psychology next year, which I'm super excited to study! Nevertheless, as of right now, I don't really plan on utilizing my major in a particularly practical way. Basically I have really felt God leading me toward mission work for a while, so although it's hard for me to see a point in staying in school to get a degree, I plan to stay until I graduate.
Outside of school, some things I enjoy are music, sports, and people. I'm in the marching band (drumline) here, which has been a really cool opportunity and is such a blast! I also play guitar and enjoy singing. I like to play most any sport--my favorites being basketball and volleyball. I definitely look forward to (hopefully) playing a lot of sports this summer with the kids and all of you of course. I also have found a really awesome church community here, which has been hugely amazing for my life.
I can't wait to be in community with you all and just can't wait to be there in general!!!!!!!!! Like seriously, I don't think I can express to you how much I'm looking forward to this!! I'm sure most or all of you can relate :)
love,
julia
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
From a fellow Texan
I feel that the appropriate way to start this would be to say, "Howdy ya'll" but that would be quite stereotypical-lol so I'll just say, "Hi" :) I am a junior bilingual education major at Texas Tech University. I am so excited to be going to the DR with you all this summer, and I can't wait to meet you. God is going to do some cool stuff this summer, and I am excited to get to share with you all in it.
Some things about me:
1) I also like to do crafts! I am not very good at knitting, but I love seeing the blankets that my aunt has made (from knitting) and wish that I was better at it! I do like to crochet though.
2) I have two brothers who I love to hang out with. I am very close with them, and we love to tease each other and laugh and just have a good time.
I am so excited about this summer and am excited to meet you all. One prayer request for me is that I would not worry but would trust God from day to day. Is there anything that I can be praying for you about?
Looking forward to the summer!
Tiffany
Some things about me:
1) I also like to do crafts! I am not very good at knitting, but I love seeing the blankets that my aunt has made (from knitting) and wish that I was better at it! I do like to crochet though.
2) I have two brothers who I love to hang out with. I am very close with them, and we love to tease each other and laugh and just have a good time.
I am so excited about this summer and am excited to meet you all. One prayer request for me is that I would not worry but would trust God from day to day. Is there anything that I can be praying for you about?
Looking forward to the summer!
Tiffany
Hello from sunny California!!
First off, to clarify, I won't be in the DR with most of you this summer because I am interning in Guatemala instead. But I interned in the DR three years ago and absolutely LOVED it. I lived in Jarabacoa, taught Kindergarden at ANIJA and also spent some time at the ARK (the orphanage). So if any of you have any questions about the summer (what to bring/what to expect/crazy things God does) PLEASE feel free to email me/message me on facebook :)
Anyways, I'm Nicolle :) I was born in a small town in Idaho, but when I was seven my family moved to Vienna, Austria where I lived until I graduated high school. Now I'm finishing up my freshman year at Stanford. I'm super passionate about human rights and hope to eventually practice human rights law specifically against human trafficking. This summer I will be going to Guatemala and working with girls at the Oasis, a care home for girls who have been abandoned or abused. I can't wait to work with KidsAlive again because of the incredible experience I had in the DR. I'm also just so excited to see what God is going to do this summer. I'm glad that I'm going to Guatemala, but I'm a little sad that I won't get to know all of you guys working in the DR. I will definitely be praying for you!!
Have an awesome summer!
Love, Nicolle Richards
First off, to clarify, I won't be in the DR with most of you this summer because I am interning in Guatemala instead. But I interned in the DR three years ago and absolutely LOVED it. I lived in Jarabacoa, taught Kindergarden at ANIJA and also spent some time at the ARK (the orphanage). So if any of you have any questions about the summer (what to bring/what to expect/crazy things God does) PLEASE feel free to email me/message me on facebook :)
Anyways, I'm Nicolle :) I was born in a small town in Idaho, but when I was seven my family moved to Vienna, Austria where I lived until I graduated high school. Now I'm finishing up my freshman year at Stanford. I'm super passionate about human rights and hope to eventually practice human rights law specifically against human trafficking. This summer I will be going to Guatemala and working with girls at the Oasis, a care home for girls who have been abandoned or abused. I can't wait to work with KidsAlive again because of the incredible experience I had in the DR. I'm also just so excited to see what God is going to do this summer. I'm glad that I'm going to Guatemala, but I'm a little sad that I won't get to know all of you guys working in the DR. I will definitely be praying for you!!
Have an awesome summer!
Love, Nicolle Richards
I guess we're supposed to post about ourselves? Here goes!
Hey y'all!
My name is Kayce (pronounced KC) and I'm from Des Moines, IA, but I got to school in Dallas, TX at Southern Methodist University. My school is currently getting ready for the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center tomorrow, and secret service is all over the place. I will be interning there the month before I leave for the DR, so hopefully I'll have many stories to tell y'all about my encounters with George :)
I am majoring in Accounting with a Spanish minor and have no idea what God holds for my future. Hopefully this trip will be eye opening about his plan for my life. I have been on a couple medical missions trips to Honduras when I was in high school, and I'm hoping the DR will be just as fun.
I have no idea what else I should say, so I'm just going to share random stuff about myself-
1) I love to knit.
2) I've always wanted a pet squirrel.
3) My goal in life is to either be Beyonce or the First Lady.
4) I can talk inside my mouth (prepare yourself, it's pretty cool).
5) Even though I'm from the great corn state, I don't really like corn.
That's it. Sorry for being the first intern to post- I'm just TOO EXCITED to spend my summer with you lovely people.
Bye for now!
Kayce
Hey y'all!
My name is Kayce (pronounced KC) and I'm from Des Moines, IA, but I got to school in Dallas, TX at Southern Methodist University. My school is currently getting ready for the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center tomorrow, and secret service is all over the place. I will be interning there the month before I leave for the DR, so hopefully I'll have many stories to tell y'all about my encounters with George :)
I am majoring in Accounting with a Spanish minor and have no idea what God holds for my future. Hopefully this trip will be eye opening about his plan for my life. I have been on a couple medical missions trips to Honduras when I was in high school, and I'm hoping the DR will be just as fun.
I have no idea what else I should say, so I'm just going to share random stuff about myself-
1) I love to knit.
2) I've always wanted a pet squirrel.
3) My goal in life is to either be Beyonce or the First Lady.
4) I can talk inside my mouth (prepare yourself, it's pretty cool).
5) Even though I'm from the great corn state, I don't really like corn.
That's it. Sorry for being the first intern to post- I'm just TOO EXCITED to spend my summer with you lovely people.
Bye for now!
Kayce
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
This is the Beginning!!
Welcome 2013 Kids Alive Interns. This is the first time I've ever blogged so please be patient with me and I'll take any suggestions. We are super excited about this summer. My family and I lived in the DR for two years and fell in love with the country, the people, the ministry and mostly the kids. We look forward to watching God get a hold of your heart too while you're down there this summer. We will be coming as a partial family. I'm still not sure if our oldest is going to make it at all. I would appreciate your prayers as we try to figure out what God has in store for him this summer. He's just finishing his Freshman year of High School. We should be arriving a few days before you all so we can get set up and ready to greet you. For sure my two youngest will be with us and my daughter, Tori, is hoping to play in a volleyball tournament and arrive with you all on the 17th.
I will not use this blog to communicate information. That will come through emails. This is mainly a place for you all to get to know each other. Share your prayer requests, your dreams for the summer and tidbits about yourself so we can get to know you. We are very much looking forward to doing life with you all this summer and seeing what God has in store for all of us.
Welcome!!!!!! Sue
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