6 months

I can't believe it, but as of today, I have been in the Dominican Republic for 6 months! Originally the half-way point, it is now the 1/6th point as I have current plans to be here through August of 2012.

Looking back on the last few months, a lot has happened... enough that I feel as though I've already been here a year or more. In the first four months, I spent most of my time meeting people, learning Spanish and getting a feel for the culture. To be honest, as important as it was, I felt very useless during this time. I did not feel a sense of accomplishment because I was not doing something "concrete" for the Mission. God told me in a gentle way, however, that I was wrong. Sometimes just your presence can be a catalyst for change. And that change does not always occur where you think it will.

I came back from Christmas break at home with my family and went through several weeks of turmoil in relationships in the community. I came into this experience with the idea that everyone would be welcoming and accepting and I could trust all those that I met. Well, my life experience and common sense tell us different and I was reminded of this harsh reality upon my return. The Lord tells us, "take up your cross and follow me." In doing this, He did not promise a smooth ride. On the contrary, Jesus said that we would be persecuted because of our belief in Him. This does not mean that every time we go through problems, we are suffering for Christ; sometimes we are suffering for our own sin and humanness.

This has definitely been an experience in character building. I know that the Lord is continually refining me and forging me into the woman that He wants me to be. Everyday I am faced with my weaknesses and imperfections. And as I view the things in me that I despise, I am presented with a choice -- to allow the Lord to burn out the undesirable even though its uncomfortable and painful at times or to continue on as I am knowing that later transforming that part of me will be even harder. I know that initially I chose to continue on in the same path. That it was easier to blame others or feel isolated and rejected. But I hope that now, as much as possible, I am seeing the value and wisdom in every trial that presents itself.

On January 11th, I was asked whether I would accept the position of Director of our clinic. On January 12th, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti. Everything happens for a reason, including the fact that I accepted the responsibility for this position the day before the earthquake. Otherwise, I may have left and gone to Haiti. It appears that that is not what the Lord would have for me at this point. I do not always know exactly what the Lord has for me here, but I do know with certainty that He wants me here. And with that assurance, I have settled in here in the town of Nazaret, in the township of Bayona, in the Western part of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to follow God's will.

To that effect, I have bought furniture, more plates, cups and silverware in order to welcome more people into my life and my home. I have also begun to make plans for an English class or two and some one on one time with two of my friends to get together and share in our faith. I am investing in the community and in God's work here, more and more everyday.

(my new living room... complete with furniture!!)

I am excited about what God is doing in my life, the community of Bayona and the medical center. I am amazed at all the changes that have taken place and the work and improvements going forward. Thanks to all who are continuing to support me in this spiritual journey and the work that Mission Emanuel and I are doing here in Bayona. Please remember me in your prayers and my new support raising goal of $36,000.

You can give at http://missionemanuel.org/support/ and can contact me at bianco.13@osu.edu as well as http://www.facebook.com/bianco.13

Blessings,

Anna

Medical Center + Fundraising

For those of you who do not yet know, I am now the Director of the Medical Center here at Mission Emanuel. This is the beautiful view that greets me as I leave the clinic each day. Isn’t God great?

When I agreed to take the position as the Director of the Medical Center I also agreed to work with Mission Emanuel for an additional two years here in Santo Domingo. I believe that the Lord has called me to work here in the Dominican Republic and I am ready to serve where I am needed.

Our clinic was without leadership and growing quickly. The Lord has given me the skills and opportunity to organize and professionalize our clinic so that we can better serve the sick and needy that enter it each day. I currently have six staff members which could potentially grow to ten or more by the end of the year. We are in the process of finishing construction on the main floor of the Medical Center and may begin construction on the lower level within the next few months.

Our medical ministry is definitely growing and has limitless opportunities. I am so thankful that the Lord is allowing me to be a part of this work. We are praying for His guiding hand in all that we do here in the community as we move forward. I believe that the purpose of the clinic is not only to meet physical health needs, but to address emotional and spiritual needs as well. As a Christian clinic we should be set apart from others by our patient care and our love for the people we serve. Every morning before beginning clinic hours, the staff and I pray for every patient that we will see that day.

Coming Up Over the Next Year

Over the next year I know that God will do a mighty work in our clinic and through it in the lives of those living in our community.

COMMUNITY HEALTH - Dr. Maria, who some may have met on their trips here, transitioned on February 15th from doing pediatric consults to heading up our Community Health Program. We would like to put more of an emphasis on preventative medicine over the next year. Dr. Maria will be giving weekly seminars on health topics such as Malaria, Dengue, Typhoid, Basic Hygiene, Dental Care, and Prenatal Health. She will also be training and overseeing community health workers to provide care for hundreds in Cielo and Nazaret.

DENTAL CARE - We currently have a dentist working once a week with the children of the school teaching them about dental hygiene. We’d like for our dentist to work another day a week to serve the hundreds to thousands in our community who are not receiving any form of dental care. This low cost service can really save lives!

PEDIATRICS - We have just welcomed a new doctor, Dr. Ismael Nuñez, who is from Bayona and who has taken over consultations in the Children’s Clinic. Dr. Nuñez has an amazing heart for God and his patients. Over the next year we hope to better organize the Children’s Clinic, expand our patient services and improve our patient care.

PHYSICAL THERAPY - We have an amazing new Physical Therapy Center that is well equipped, air conditioned and beautiful! Over the next few months we will be looking to partner with other organizations in the city for them to refer their children to our facility. We will also be hiring several physical therapists to work in the facility. We are also looking for sponsors for our special needs kids to help cover the cost of their treatment and physical therapy.

PROSTHETICS - After the massive earthquake in Haiti, the need of amputees in Haiti and in the Dominican Republic was highlighted. Mission Emanuel is currently in the process of fundraising to build a prosthetics lab and recovery center. We are looking forward to partnering with the National Rehabilitation Center in Santo Domingo, which provides prosthetics and physical therapy to thousands a year.

**FUNDRAISING**

In order to continue to live and work in Santo Domingo, I do need to raise $36,000 for living expenses from September 2010 until August 2010 and for a vehicle. If you would like information on how to support me, please email me or contact me on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/bianco.13).

Dios Es Bueno

Buenas Noches,

Its been an interesting last few weeks here in the Dominican Republic for me. As I said I took on a new job, have a new roommate and of late a new understanding of God. Some of you may have heard me say over the last few months that even though many people, including me, start a mission thinking that they are going to change things for other people, I can confidently say that even if only I am changed by this experience, it was well worth the journey.

Well, the Lord has definitely been working in my life and in my heart. One thing I've known I've needed for years is more patience. So, I had been praying for that. Only God doesn't just give you patience, He gives you situations that need patience. And He has given me those situations in abundance over the last few months.

Its hard dealing with people... they are as complex and diverse as snowflakes, each and every one has its own intricate details and inner workings. It can be even harder working in a culture with a different language, different social values and a different way of doing, well, pretty much everything. Add to that not having water some days... not having electric some days... wondering how you are going to get to the grocery store, having the car you occasionally use break down in the middle of traffic... not being able to do your laundry... And you might have a few OFF days...

Well, I have landed myself in a culture that if possible is more blunt than me. Now what I mean by that is, is that though the Dominicans have very indirect methods of communication, which are completely circuitous at times, they will not hesitate to tell you about all of your faults. There is no better mirror than having people tell you what they do not like about your personality. And though you may be well acquainted with all of your faults, you do not confront them as quickly as you do when they are thrust in front of you by others. Its a truly humbling experience.

I feel as though I know a lot better what the phrase, "tested by the fire" means. By no stretch of the imagination am I perfect, far from it. And I thank the Lord for putting up with my human foolishness. And for the opportunity that He is giving me to learn and grow. I am learning to praise Him in the highs and lows because He is good through every circumstance.

May the Lord bless you with the gift of honest friends. May your enemies make you stronger by helping you to trust more in the Lord and His goodness. May you have patience with others faults so that they may have patience with yours. May the road rise up to meet you and may it be lined with still waters besides which you can rest.

Blessings,

Anna

February Update

Hello all,

Its been almost a month since I've given you an update. Yikes! Sorry about that!

I am actually sitting here enjoying some throwback Newsboys greatest hits. Breakfast, anyone?!?!

Things have been pretty busy over the last month. I began a new job as the Director of the Mission Emanuel Medical Center on January 11th. The earthquake in Haiti hit on the 12th and on the 16th I went to Haiti for the day. Since then we have had three fabulous groups of men fly down to the Dominican and then almost immediately leave for the border to cook meals for hundreds of patients at the Good Samaritan hospital in Jimani. Check out the photos and stories at missionemanuel.org/haiti .

There are several people in the community dealing with medical issues that I have been updating you all on. Here are the latest updates:

1. Mari Rosa -- She will be receiving surgery to remove the cancer from her breasts on February 22nd. After that the government may be assisting her to pay for her chemotherapy which will be around $3,000 a month. Please pray that the surgery is successful and that she can find the resources to help her pay for this expensive treatment. Mission Emanuel will be taking care of the surgery costs.

2. Brenda -- She is healthy and happy and has not had any complications after her heart surgery. Praise God!

3. Kirsey -- She has received a set of dentures thanks to the goodness of God and the generosity of those here on our October trip.

Kirsey's new smile :D

From right to left: Me, Kirsey, Dr. Jose Manuel, Kirsey's sister and another staff member Anna Bolton

Recently, a baby came in for a 6 month check up who our doctor has been caring for since she was at just 1.5 lbs. She received formula and medical care from our clinic is now a happy, healthy little girl that surprised us by how big she has gotten!

In January we also began giving dental checkups and cleanings to each of our school students. Here are some pictures from this past Monday's mini lesson. Dr. Jose Manuel, our dentist, comes every Monday to give the children a lesson in how to care for their teeth and then works with 6 to 8 children to clean their teeth, fill cavities and in some cases pull teeth. We are hoping that the more dental care the children receive while young the less likely they are to loose their adult teeth to cavities.

Please continue to keep Haiti in your prayers, the mission's role as it serves the Haitians living and working in Bayona and the communities of Nazaret and Cielo.

Blessings,

Anna