Thursday, April 30, 2009

It's Another Boy, Again!


On Monday we welcomed Givens into the Children's Home. We heard that to meet his mom was an adventure, check out the Bynum's Blog. We think he is about six months old but, is several months behind in development. He came from the same village as Cristo Daniel. 

Last Wednesday we joined Lisa at the hospital to meet Givens. The doctors told us simply that the mother didn't love him.  We are so thankful that we have this new little one. We are hopeful that he will do well in Demas and Ada's house. If you are interested in being Givens' sponsor, please e-mail Laura Beth Lamb at laurabethlamb@mannaglobalministries.org.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Planting Seeds

Monday night we were invited over to Eli and Ana's house, where we drilled our first well. They wanted to have us over for a time of worship. We, along with Rich's parents, and the Bynums got together with many people in the neighborhood that normally don't come to church. One after another we picked songs and we sang in English and Spanish. A couple of men led prayers. Everyone was very encouraged and hoped that we would to this again. Yes, the purpose of drilling water wells is to help the people here physically but, more importantly it is to plant a seed. We want to plant a seed of God's love and that Christ can give the water of life. Please pray that these seeds will continue to grow.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Oh So Shiny!

Above is a picture of some of the doors in our house. Rich's dad, Graham, was able to refinish two sets of doors while they were here visiting. It really made a difference! He also helped Rich fix the gate at camp, put in the plumbing for the intern dorm and set the pump at the well. We really appreciate Graham helping with all these little projects! 

Friday, April 24, 2009

Cosas Artísticas con Mama Fannie




For those of you that haven't met Fannie Amy before, you should be aware of her crafting skills. She can craft just about anything! Her speciality is cross-stitching and has received many awards for various pieces. She came to the DR prepared to teach, and teach she did! Yesterday while Rich was setting the pump at the well, we were across the street having a cross-stitching class. The ladies young and old loved it! It was such a fun afternoon. The ladies were very proud of their achievements. 

Thursday, April 23, 2009

He Gave Us Water




We are so excited to announce that our first well is complete! Rich, with the help of many, dropped and set the pump today. The water coming out was beautiful! We had a great time with the community as we sat around several said prayers and sang songs of praise to God for giving them this blessing. One woman, Ana, who lives closest to the well was moved to tears. 

What a blessing to be in a community with these tremendous people. As a thank you, Eli and Ana bought us cokes and put it on ice. Another lady, Carmen, made us fresh orange juice. We hope to be able to share this gift of physical and spiritual water with many more. Thank you to everyone that helped make this happen!

Progress...

Just wanted all of you go know that Cristo Daniel is doing very well! He has gained weight, is crawling and is starting to walk with some assistance. He is talking more and more everyday. The older boys in the home love him and play with him whenever they can. 

Rich and I were walking by the other day and we heard a little voice say "hola." We turned around and it was Cristo sitting on Ariel's lap. He kind of looks like a little Buddha statue now that he has his head shaved, his little tummy sticks out and is usually sitting with his legs crossed. He put out his hand and made a waving motion and said "ven, ven" which means "come here." He wanted to give us high-fives. He is so precious! 

Cristo's personality comes out more and more everyday. Rich's parents, Graham and Fannie Amy, are here visiting for a couple of weeks. Cristo is getting extra TLC while Mama Fannie is here!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Hasta Luego Lambs

Today we said a sad see you later to Cory, Laura Beth and Harrison Lamb. They have been part of the MannaDR team for the past two years. The Lambs started the tutoring program at the Children's Home. They made a huge differences not only in the lives of the kids at the Children's Home but, to the whole community and in our lives as well. Friday we had a going away party for them with just the MannaDR staff. Sunday we had a special program for them at church. Today was the real goodbye and it was harder than we thought. The Lambs have been such a huge support for us and even though we know they will still continue to encourage us from the States we will desperately miss seeing them every day. 

Dear Cory, Laura Beth and Harrison,  


Although we have only know each other less than a year we truly consider you to be close friends. You have made such a huge impact on our lives and the peoples lives here in the Dominican, and we know that you will continue to do this as you go back to the States.


God put you in our lives not only to be our friends but, also for us to have a great example. You genuinely live out your faith in Christ with passion in your marriage, work and love for Harrison. You undertook so much with the kids in the Children’s Home and Bobita, and did it well and with grace. These kids lives and this place are forever changed because of the work you allowed God to do through you. 


Your faith was challenged here and you grew stronger. You enabled the Spirit of God working in you with humility and joy. You are a model of courage under fire. 


Cory we respect your work ethic and new found zeal for God’s truth. It is so refreshing to have someone to work beside you that is never lazy or full of excuses but, always ready to help in any way possible. Your excitement for a relationship with God is inspiring and we pray that you will be able to share that with the youth back in the States whether through teaching or full time ministry.


Laura Beth we admire the strength and determination that you have and at the same time how gracious and gentle you are. You are patient and kind. You are the wife of noble character talked about in Proverbs 31. “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” You are more precious than rubies!


Harrison, we love your little face! It has been so much fun to play with you and watch you learn new things. Your parents are wonderful people and we can’t wait to see what else they teach you. We pray and have faith that you will grow up knowing God’s amazing love and hope that you will be blessed with the same tremendous qualities of both of your parents. 


In our self-pity and greediness we will miss you horribly and wish you were here but, we are so excited for this new chapter in your life. We really hope that we will always share our lives together somehow whether through work or just keeping in touch. We love you very much!


Blessings,

Rich and Audrey Amy

Monday, April 20, 2009

Drumroll Please...

After many excellent suggestions we have picked a name for our bat. He will be called Bruce Wayne or BW for short, because he is a bat after all and conveniently my dad's name is Bruce Wayne Goodwin. Somehow naming these little creatures that live with us makes them seem less creepy. A special thanks to my brother Dan for this clever idea.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

The Things We Find


We now have a bat that lives with us. He is kind of cute, when he doesn't fly at your head and he eats lots of mosquitoes! Never thought I would say this but, I don't really mind having a bat living in our house. We are trying to come up with a good name for him. Any suggestions? 

Thursday, April 16, 2009

A Tribute to Tax Accountants

Before we moved to the Dominican, I used to work at an accounting firm as an executive assistant. One of my primary responsibilities was to process tax returns. As you all know, yesterday was April 15, the biggest tax deadline of the year. After six tax seasons I'm well aware of how diligently tax accountants work. I would just like to say "well done, you made it!" Though I couldn't be with you at the office, I did think of you all often and the late hours you were working. You should take a vacation! Just remember that we do live on a tropical island if you are looking for somewhere to go!

Se Rompió

Translation... it broke. What you may ask? Answer... our car! Rich and I were driving down to camp to meet up with Dallas Christian and our car just broke! If you want all the "technical" terms you'll have to talk to Rich but, he said something about a ball-joint. Translation for me... the wheel pretty much just fell off!

Honestly it couldn't have happened at a better time or in a better place. It broke in our little village so we just left it on the side of the road without any worry of something happening to it. Rich and I took the Dallas Christian team to the airport in Santiago where we have to go buy car parts. And the most important, no one was hurt!

Rich is trying to repair the car right now, I'm sure with the help of the whole neighborhood. I hope he doesn't have any problems since we need our car to pick up Rich's parents from the airport this afternoon! Never a dull moment!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Who are the people in your neighborhood?

Today we would like to introduce you to Eli and Ana. They live in our little village of Caraquena. They are both in the sixties and are very sweet people. Eli and Ana are both faithful Christians. It seems like every time I visit they want to sing the song "El Amor de Dios es Maravilloso" which means the love of God is marvelous! Just the other night Rich and I were walking through the neighborhood and heard them inside their house singing a hymn. 

Eli and Ana have two daughters that live at home because they are not able to live on their own. They take very good care of their family. I never hear them complain about anything and they rarely ask for help.

We decide to drill our first well next to their house for multiple reasons but one is that it would just be so much easier on them to not have to haul water from the river. Every time Rich was drilling they would sit outside and watch, encouraging him and thanking him for helping them with this well. And usually they have a cold glass of fresh squeezed orange juice.

We are so thankful to have such wonderful neighbors and faithful Christians in our little community!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

It's Another Boy!

Last night we had a new addition to the boys' house at the Children's Home here in Bobita. Welcome Cristopher Daniel! Some of you in the FHU and Central groups may remember Cristopher from the hospital in Puerto Plata. We first saw him in the hospital a few weeks ago when the Freed team was here. Bill and Maxine Crofton, some very friendly Canadians and fellow Christians, found him and brought him to the hospital. His mother is dying of TB and has been unable to feed him. He is two years old but, looks more like a nine month old. 

When the Central team was here Maxine and I exchanged information to see if there was a place for him here in Bobita. Bill and Maxine came out to meet with Lisa about all of the logistics last week. And now here he is! The Lambs helped him get settled in last night. The house parents and boys are giving him lots of needed T.L.C. If you are interested in helping sponsor Cristopher or another child at the Hogar de Ninos please e-mail Laura Beth Lamb at laurabeth@mannadr.org.

Where there is no microwave...

Last night the Grahams came over to our house for a wonderful meal of chili, cornbread, salad and peanut butter cookies. It all tasted so good! We had some cornbread left over that we wanted to eat for breakfast this morning. Cornbread is always better warm but, we don't have a microwave because it uses too much electricity. We put the cornbread in a pot with a lid for a few minutes and it warmed up nicely! Not as convenient as a microwave but, it worked!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

It's a Boy!


This week JB and Martini had a son. His name is Jean Kolenx. He was a few weeks early so he is just a little guy. Mother and baby are doing fine. Everyone is home and resting. Congratulations!

Poco a Poco

We are done with the drilling on our first well! The well is now 70 feet deep. The next step is to put in the casing and drop the pump. We are so thankful that the first well is a success and everyone was safe! Rich has been looking at possible sites for the next well. Thanks to everyone who had a hand in making this possible by praying, donations, getting parts, and bringing parts in! We couldn't have done it without you!

An Adventure to the Dentist

Our exciting day of going to the dentist started with me picking up three of the kids from the Children's Home: Ariel, Yudelka and Yargenis. Nine year olds Ariel and Yargenis had never been to the dentist before so, I wasn't sure how the day would go. Since we were going to drive on the "highway" I wanted them to put on their seat belts. I was surprised when this was a foreign concept, they had no idea how to do it. Ariel wrapped himself in it and said with pride "mira" which means "look." I stopped the car and got everyone situated and we were off to Gasper Hernandez. We made it to the dentist office on time, filled out some paper work, and each kid saw the dentist. There were only four cavities and three teeth pulled, all in all not bad. With a quick stop at the grocery store we made it back to Bobita before lunch. It was a very successful day and I enjoyed spending time with the kids. They were very brave!