Memory Mission Evening Reflections

The following quotes and thoughts were shared individually and collectively by the members of the Lifetouch Memory Mission Team in the Dominican Republic during the evening reflections. Some are funny. Some are sad. Some will only make sense to those who were in the room when they were shared. Each represents a moment where friends, who were once strangers, shared stories, thoughts and memories in an effort to understand what they were witnessing and participating in. The people of Constanza received a school. The people on the Memory Mission Team received schooling in the essence of life.

Tuesday, 11/29/11

·  Experiential Learning involves four steps: Experience, Reflection, Insight, and Application.

·  The common themes that were heard when the group introduced themselves using magazine clippings were the importance of: making a difference, faith, family, travel, and the power of public education.

·  There is power in visuals.

·  Time is such a scarce resource!

·  We were encouraged to Show we care!

·  How can we be more intentional?

·  Take the initiative to meet/greet others.

Wednesday, 11/30/11

· We each have different gifts.

· Is it more important to be interested, or interesting?

· Why can’t we do this at home?

· Setting is so important. In some settings, we are more likely to share.

· Don’t hide behind your camera.

· Photographers look into the eyes.

· We are very concerned with doing it right.

· We kind of forget to stop and look around.

· It is hard to really live in the “present.”

· You can look into their faces and see the lives they lead.

· A story was shared of children who live just thirty minutes from the new school who were eating cardboard because that is all that they have to eat.

· It is overwhelming to think about how many people contributed to the day.

· It was great to see the community coming out to see the school.

· We appreciate how well the team worked together.

· You can ‘feel’ the pastor’s vision.

· Speak the things that aren’t as if they are!

· Seeing the walls today was so wonderful.

· Barnabus Notes – Barnabus was a good friend of Paul. He wrote notes of encouragement to Paul. Barnabus notes are written to individuals to encourage them.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

· Thank you to Pastor for bringing Ana to us today.

· Unbelief was expressed at how much work has been completed.

· They do so much with so little.

· Esta mi eschela! – “That is my school!” said the boys on the dirtpile.

· The LiveFeed has been very moving.

· Being a follower is powerful.

· A little girl said to a female group member, “I like your hair. It is better than mine because it is yellow.” This was a very telling statement.

· A child said to another member, “You look like me.”

· The hope is that our non-verbals show our love.

· “What can I do to help?” – we are so appreciative of everyone humbling themselves to fill-in where needed instead of trying to lead.

· Great job! The group is ahead of schedule.

· Spend time with the Dominicans.

Friday, December 2, 2011

· Great day!

· It is impossible to overstate the importance of relationship-building – take time to talk with the kids, take time to play with them.

· One member had the chance to talk with some Dominican men across the street from the school. She asked them if they had kids and they beamed when they said yes. They were so proud to say that they had children who would be attending the school.

· It was obvious when a teacher was great as the class came up.

· It is interesting to see the men on the team show emotion.

· An old man giving out candy said, “We are one people under God!”

· The pictures are a gift to them. You are a gift to them. They are a gift to you. We are just sharing gifts.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

· A small group of team members sang to the rest of the group the song, “Freely, Freely.”

· Our lives have been changed.

· We loved seeing the kids slide down the hill.

· One girl was running down the hill and asked a female member of the group to run down with her. The group member said that she was scared to run down the hill. The girl said, “It’s OK, just do this:” and then made the sign of the cross and ran down the hill.

· Lifetouch folks should volunteer in schools.

· There was camaraderie in the bucket line – everyone was so inspirational.

· Our group leader was asked by World Servants, “How is it going with all of those decision-makers?”

· Thank you for being just people.

· Thank you for being so nice.

· Lifetouch employees have gotten to know each other much better through this experience than they ever would at work.

· Bendy-buckets!

· Dominicans are rich because they do not have the same stress that we have.

· Where does the time go?

· Why can’t we do this at home?

· There is a sense of accomplishment in what we have done today.

· Be a Learner! Be a Servant! Be a Storyteller!

· World Servants tries to be culturally sustainable. They try to ensure that every project is sustained beyond the visit.

Monday, December 5, 2011 – Meeting with Dominican Republic School Administrators

· Struggles of schools here:

o    breakdown of families

o    students dealing with issues at home

o    over-age children in the classroom

o    one of the big problems – at 13, the girls get pregnant

o    children would rather go work in the fields than go to school

o    children lost interest in going to school

o    sharing problems with the families

o    how to involve parents

· At the end of the year they speak to the children about the importance of education.

· They “educate with values.”

· They “do what we have to do.”

· The families come from humble roots.

· They try to help the Haitian students fit into their schools. The Haitian parents are integrated into the community.

· Most important is the human being.

Monday, December 5, 2011 – Evening Reflection

· You exceeded the expectations.

· I am proud to be a part of this group.

· Superintendents, Elementary Principals, and Secondary Principals can work together.

· “There is a season.” – all of us were meant to be here.

· Being at the school today was a Lifetouch person’s dream come true.

· Amazing.

· Sincere appreciation and thank you to those who captured the trip through the LiveFeed, Facebook, and YouTube.

· A song called, “I Want to Leave a Legacy” was shared.

· We are leaving a legacy of opportunity.

· A member said that he had a desire to instill a sense of “Service to Others” in his own children.

· There is power in women and the ladies of our group have shown this to the people of Constanza.

· It is really cool to work for a company that has a heart.

· I loved working with everyone; it was really cool to get to know the Dominicans.

· The Pastor’s wife shared a song with us.

· I feel good about this country because of the folks we have met here.

· We exceeded our expectations.

· Principals are special people – what you do matters!

· This is not the end; it is the beginning.

· When we look at the black shirts with all of the names, we will have a special memory for each name.

· This has been one of the most outstanding trips ever!

· I have never met a greater group of people.

· In this room is incredible passion!

· Thank you to the Pastor.

· It is a blessing to be here with such folks.

· Don’t waste your pain. Don’t waste your story.