Una Maestra con una Misión: La Despedida

“How precious is Your steadfast love, O God!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

They feast on the abundance of Your house,

And You give them drink from the river of Your delights.

For with You is the fountain of life;

In Your light do we see light.”

-Psalm 36:7-9

“You give them drink from the river of Your delights.” That is a powerfully poetic statement. Tonight I definitely got a taste from God’s river of delight. I spent the evening at Casa Monte Plata where 21 children live in four homes with Dominincan house parents. James and Rebekah Holt are the directors of this residential facility. They live on the property with their two young baby boys. Tonight we had a birthday/going-away party for Chicho (not his real name), who is an 18 year old graduate of the Kids Alive program. Beginning tomorrow, he will move out on his own and live here on the school property with some other young men who have graduated as well. I don’t know a lot of details about his life, but I can tell you that tonight I cried tears of joy for God’s gracious provision in his life. As we sat in the “kiosko,” Chicho’s former house parents and “brothers” had a chance to speak words of encouragement about this Godly young man. Then one of the youngest at Casa Monte Plata, Nicol, sang a song she wrote for him. Then Chicho had a chance to speak to everyone, and I don’t know if I’ve ever heard a more sincere speech from an 18 year old boy in my life. He thanked each house parent individually, asking forgiveness for the times he’d disrespected them as he grew up, and thanking them for the ways they poured into his life over the years. He broke down crying as he thanked these Godly women for being his mother. What a beautiful picture – the Body of Christ, represented by these three special women, collectively being Chicho’s parents. Later this evening, Alex and I were speaking with Rebekah about how moving this experience was for us. She said that she too remembers the first time when she fully realized the impact this ministry has had on this community and it’s children. What a blessing it is to be a small part of God’s work here. To think about what Chicho’s life would have been like if it wasn’t for the Kids Alive program is devastating. God truly invited him to take refuge in the shadow of His wings, to feast on the abundance of His house, and to drink from the river of His delights. Chicho has been given a new life from God’s fountain of life. He now works here at the school each day and the younger children absolutely love and respect him. How exciting to think of the ways God will use this young man in the future to impact new generations of Kids Alive children. Ramon and Juana Prenza have been integral parts of the ministry here in Monte Plata and in the entire country. They have pretty much filled every single role that Kids Alive has in Monte Plata at one time or another, including serving as house parents for a time at Casa Monte Plata when Chicho was young. Ramon spoke tonight of our collective desire for Chicho to guard the word of the Lord in his heart as he graduates from the program. He spoke on Psalm 33:4 - "For the word of the Lord is upright, and all His woks are done in faithfulness." Thank you Lord for your faithfulness, which continues to reach from generation to generation.

Waiting for the party to start -
Here you can see Ramon (in the hat on the left),
House parents Jorge, Amanda, and their daughter (the couple in blue shirts),
and James Holt (holding the guitar)