Tomorrow Makes a Week

It is crazy to think just a week ago we were still in the States. This place has quickly become home. Everyone is so willing and accepting of us. We have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with the team here this past weekend. 2 of the older gentlemen on the team lived here for the first decade of their lives as missionaries; they have wonderful stories and their Spanish is very good. It is a pleasure to have their family here this week as part of the team.

Saturday we were blessed to spend the day with the youth pastor, Matthew, his wife, Jamie, and their one-year old baby boy, Gabe. We hiked all down hill to the water fall and then all UP HILL to the car. It was a fun little hike. Yesterday we went with the team to a different waterfall and were able to swim through it. That is where these pictures are from:

 

 

Sunday involved our local service which focused on "What is the purpose of God's grace in our lives". It is a convicting questions which encourages me to watch intently what God is doing in our lives. In the evening we went to a Dominican church (although the service was translated). This service focused on the forgiveness God has provided to us and the forgiveness we must pass on to others. These topics alone could have a whole blog on each idea and I will provide neither today :). Josh and I will be shadowing in the houses tonight (Josh with the boys; I'm with the girls).

 

All is good - God is faithful in ALL ministries. Praying for our family and friends back home each in our own ministries for the same purposes.

We have a mailing address...

Joshua Ramsier (&Kaitlyn)
3170 Airmans Dr. # 3039 CMADR                                      
Ft. Pierce,  FL 34946

This address arrives on campus every 2 weeks starting next Tuesday and then is picked up every 2 weeks; meaning mail is slow but it is set up now!

We will be getting phones soon. We have been able to use some of the apps but hope to have phones in the next week or 2 that we can call to the states with. Everyone is very friendly here; staff and Dominicans. We are blessed by the weather - it can be hot but in the shade and with some breeze it is very pleasant. The food is good and ... please add any questions in the comments!

wanted to get our view up

favorite part of this picture - the swing on the right - Josh's would be the Honda motorcycle.

We Are Here

Absolutely no problems getting down here. We were driven to the airport last night by Josh's brothers - Nate and Sam - We are currently sitting on the side of the campus mountain looking over the city and listening to some Caribbean music from the town. We were able to meet a lot of the staff members tonight and were provided some good dinner. We were able to get stuff unpacked into our new house and get a nap this afternoon. Josh made a friend with the horse on campus and I enjoyed swinging from a beautiful tree outside our home - pictures will follow soon. Thanks for all the love and prayers!

Dominican Bound

We are here at the airport,  bags packed, house empty and locked,  hugs given,  goodbyes said and a few different emotions surfacing.

As many of you know,  I LOVE airports.  They represent fun, traveling, so many different people and stories.  Today I have a little different feeling sitting here in the quiet early morning, waiting at our gate.  Yes, I am nervous for change and finding the new normal. Yes, I am excited for change and finding the new normal. Yes, we are peaceful about change and finding the new normal. Trusting God is leading us in all our ways.

We had a great last week in the states with a few close friends in fort Wayne and then Josh 's family reunion. I will try to get some pictures up here soon as we should be to CMA campus by 1:00pm eastern time. TODAY!!!

So Blessed and Moving Quickly (written on Wednesday evening)

We are going to be traveling to Sardis FRIDAY and Leaving for the Dominican next TUESDAY! CRAAZY!! We have been very blessed the past few weeks as we always are by friends and family around us. Yesterday- Tuesday, Josh had 2 friends from Sardis, Mason and Jason, come help move some of the large items down to Sardis and also donate some. My sister Claire joined in the packing and motivating effort by coming Monday night till this morning, There is nothing like sisters! She came following Josh and I's weekend in Roanoke. As we worked to pack and pack and sort and pack, I came to realize how much a person could really live without. There are a few things we may have to borrow or buy but for the most part we will pack what we can and learn what we need.

Last night we were able to share with Leo church family and friends about our moving to the Dominican and serving at the Caribbean Mountain Academy. It was a precious night and we were able to share the talking responsibilities with our friends Jeff and Tina who are moving to the Dominican for a year to develop the program and train a director. This is such a gift since they are close friends of ours. We set up for about 20-30 people, by the time we began the night there was probably closer to 70; we will for sure miss our family and friends here in Leo.

More FAQ:
Are you by the beach?
No. CMA is in the middle of the country in a city called Jarabacoa. It is in the mountains. The weather is beautiful and the waterfalls and terrain is lovely - COME VISIT.

Are you paid?
No. This position is 100% funded by donations and supporters. We are asked to raise support to cover our costs in the Dominican. If you would like to support us simply visit. crosswindsyouth.org/staff-support/support-us/ 

Prayer Requests.
Ways to pray are endless. Pray for Josh and I's relationships, with each other, with the Lord, and with the staff and students. Under pressure a person tends to become better or bitter especially in their interactions with the people around them.

I’m coming back into the blogging world. Some of you may have heard others may not. (it kinda feels like I’m getting married again and trying to tell everyone the news before someone else does… ) WE ARE MOVING TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC! After starting a new job as a counselor with Lifeline/Crosswinds in February, Josh and I started hearing information about a residential/boarding school for American children in the Dominican Republic named Caribbean Mountain Academy (crosswindsyouth.org). This ministry has a great appeal to both Josh and I. We both have a heart for hurting children and families. Our life experiences have shaped us in different ways but ultimately grown a parallel passion for people.

We were able to join a mission trip to CMA (Caribbean Mountain Academy) in May 2014. Since going on the trip we are excited God is continuing to open doors. We have been blessed to sell our house and find a good home for our dog. We know this will be an adjustment leaving friends and family we love so dearly. We love our neighbors and enjoy meeting those outside our front door here in Fort Wayne!

FAQ:

When do you leave?
We leave Fort Wayne July 18^th to go to Sardis for a Ramsier Family Reunion and leave from Pittsburg July 22 for the DR.

How long are you staying?

We are committed indefinitely. There is no time commitment this ministry requires. We personal don’t have any idea how long…

A little about the ministry…

Currently there is a boy’s house and a girl’s house. The students are committed for different amounts of time but the program typical is about 9 months depending on so many factors. There is a high emphasis on family and communication. Students have therapy with family over SKYPE at least once a week. Josh and I will be house parents. We will have the opportunity to work alongside the students, mentoring, teaching, and serving together.

I’m sure there are many more questions feel free to post them in the comments. I will be trying to post as I can, although I expect life to get pretty crazy soon. Also Josh and I will be sending out newsletters and update e-mails feels free to let me know if you are interested on being on this list.