Coming Home

I said goodbye to Caitlin for what would be our longest time apart yet. Watching her and her big belly walk through those doors that only those with plane tickets can pass through was harder than we both thought. The first week was quite enjoyable for the both of us. She was busy being spoiled by her parents and eating at all the places one misses while living in a third world country. I was enjoying time alone; reading and trying to plan our near future the best I could. As the weeks went on being alone wasn’t such a comfort, but I did spend some meaningful time saying goodbyes properly, and mentally preparing myself for all the changes that were set to take place within the next few months.
I think if I took a stress test even now, it would show up off the charts. Three weeks ago, I was watching people take their newly born babies home from the hospital in their arms on the back of a motorcycle. Today, I have to worry if my child’s car seat meets federal regulations; if I’m not sure I am to take it to the fire department to have it inspected, it can’t be over 5 years old by law (cause everybody knows that car seats back then were completely unsafe) and finally, legally the hospital has to check the seat before we can leave and take our baby home. We are homeless, jobless, carless, re-entering this now quite foreign country, getting ready to have a baby, and are expected to look act and feel like we did before we left the country 2 years ago.
On paper it might look like we could have a break down at any moment. The truth is we are experiencing God’s strength, peace and assurance like never before. Don’t get me wrong it’s still not easy, but God has really been on His game lately with us! (like He’s never not!). I arrived in the St Louis airport to a glowing full-bellied wife. If I have nothing else in life I have her. Being away for so long brings that into perspective.
We are living with my parents for this time of transition. Caitlin’s parents have put me to work doing some remodeling of their house, and I have been working to try and rebuild the contacts I once had in the construction business. We have been able to share a vehicle with my parents (which sometimes involves them driving us around much like when we were preteens without a license). Actually today we are finalizing the purchase of a vehicle. We made it as long as we could without one (three weeks isn’t long). It’s not like there are motorcycle taxis at the entrance to my parents subdivision, or that we can walk the corner and catch a guagua (rickety 15 passenger public transportation van filled with 20-25 people).
In all, we are blessed and thank God for that everyday. He is supplying for us emotionally and physically. He is providing a wonderful young little baby girl in the next week as well. We are extremely anxious, especially Caitlin, for her arrival. God has big plans for her and what a privilege to be apart of that.
Thank you all for all of your prayers and support. Please stick with us for the next couple of months until our official time with Kids Alive ends at the end of September. We will be in Colorado Springs for some re-entry and debriefing time, as well as speaking at different churches. If you are interested in having us come and talk please contact us: laynebeller@hotmail.com . And stay tuned for pictures of baby Beller in the next couple of weeks!!

Pray for Haiti

Caitlin and I recently visited Haiti before she returned to the states. What a different world! It is astonishing the difference just 4 hours away. One thing you will see in the pictures is all the trash. The purpose of our visit was to spend some time with the Kids Alive missionaries there and be a bit of encouragement. Tom, Helen and their three adopted Haitian children have been in Haiti for 7 years. They have recieved much persecution. Last year they were robbed 7 times. Tom has had a death contract on his life, they have been physically abused, as well as spiritually drained. They told us that Haiti was nationally committed to Satan 200 years ago as way to distance themselves from their "christian" oppressors from Europe. There are few or no friends there for them. They definetly do not get to enjoy many social activities outside of their family setting (which because of that they are a family that is very close.) Right now the land that they have been living on and have their minisistry on, is being taken away from them. Drug lords have threatend death if they don't leave. They won a great battle in court, then soon after the drug lords presented false documentation saying the land was theirs. The case is now in the Supreme Court and could take years to be resolved either way. In spending time with the Froese's you feel like you are in the presence of champions. Tom's ability to laugh and tell jokes that we all laugh at (and his family all roles their eyes at) has served him well through everything they have had to overcome. You also get a since of appreciation and grattidude, as they do not have the privilage of many visitors. Over all it was an amazing trip. We were reminded in a loud way the power that Satan has and the importance it is to be fighting for the lives of people. Please pray for Haiti, and for the Kids Alive staff and ministry

Update

Hello dear friends!!
It is a joyous Easter season here in the Dominican Republic. Semana Santa, or “Holy Week” is probably the most celebrated time of year for Dominicans. Just about everything shuts down for a week of celebrating and relaxing. Our kids were off from school and ready and packed for a vacation. For 3 days all the kids from “The Ark” in Jarabacoa, as well as the kids in our Constanza program (another Kids Alive home site), set off in 3 different groups all across the island. We explored, camped, hiked, and had lots of fun. Caitlin went with the littlest kids to the coast of Samana. Another group drove all the way east to Bavaro. I was with the oldest group, and we went to the southwest. Memories were made, relationships strengthened, and appreciation for God’s wonderful creation was understood in a new way. See our blog for a more detailed account and lots of great pictures of our adventures. www.layneandcaitlin.blogspot.com .
Our time is nearing its end on the island. In May we will complete our original 2-year commitment. We have struggled in prayer and thought over the past year as to our plans and the direction God will lead us in life. We have thought of staying longer, transferring to another Kids Alive site, or going back and starting a life in the States. It has been one of the hardest decisions we have had to make thus far in our marriage. Our decision, or rather God’s revealed plan to us, is to move back to the States and start a new life there for an undetermined amount of time. We are both excited and sad, as the last two years has been unbelievable, as well as unforgettable.
Right now our plans are for Caitlin to return on May 19th. She is in her 3rd trimester and will need to return for doctor visits and to prepare for the birth of our first child. I will be staying for a few weeks longer as we will have teams coming to Caraballo that will need someone to lead them. I will join Caitlin back in Missouri and am anxious to take part in the birth.
I’m not sure if one can put into words the things we have experienced, the people we have meet, and the things God teaches a person in a third world country. One sees, lives, and changes from the onset of the journey. We are changed people from the inside out. I’m not sure if we would in a lifetime grow in the things that we have grown in over the past two years. We are closer to God, more mature and ready for life, humbled and broken, and stronger in our marriage. In another sense we are afraid. Will people understand? Will we be able to relate to our friends, our family, and our culture? Will anyone care? There is a Gospel message in this place that is hard to understand if it is not experienced first hand. There will always be apart of us here with these children, these friends, and these people who choose to stay and continue to sacrifice their lives for the overwhelming task of meeting the needs of this country.
We can say with confidence that God did amazing things through us. We were able to be apart of so many things, and share in the lives of so many that are eternally changed. I think of our year in Caraballo and the growth we were apart of there. The brand new project that it was when we arrived, to the thriving school it is now. Over two hundred kids being fed, taught, and discipled on a daily basis. I think of Ruben and Yubi whose lives will never be the same, going from living in a run down shed, to having concrete walls and floor, running water, a bathroom, an office, and even a spare room for guests. What a blessing it was to be apart of hundreds of individuals that made up the dozens of teams. We taught, laughed, cried, and set light to a new path for them. We lead them down a path that changed their lives, the same path that changed ours. We experienced so many whose lives changed right before our eyes. There are so many people who will never be the same because of what God is doing in the DR, and what a privilege is was to be apart of that. What friendships we made, National and American! Our time at “The Ark” has also been special. The friendships we have made with all the Dominican house parents, interacting with the kids on a very personal level, and being apart of the community has been special beyond description.
Being a military kid accustomed me to moving every three years, starting over, and ending friendships on a regular basis. This, however, is not much like those other times. This is harder. Maybe it’s because we have learned more than anything in this place: that life if about relationships. I realize that I practice better relations with the guy that helps me out in the local hardware store than I do my own family and best friends back home sometimes. You can’t get away from doing relationships well here. It’s more important than time and a busy schedule, problems, money, even comfort takes the backseat. We will miss being offered coffee every single time we enter a house of a friend or stranger and people greeting every person in the room when they enter the bank, clinic or whatever other public place. We will miss having our door constantly open and people coming and going, little kids with their faces to our window saying our names over and over. We’ll even miss the sound of motos and chickens at 2 AM. Everywhere you look there is life and relationship. But what about when we return? I guess I should get used to not greeting other women with a kiss on the cheek! But our desire is simple and a bit cliché. If life is what you make of it, then we want to make our life full and rich in relationship. We have this place and God’s people here to thank for that.
We are also indebted to each and every one of you who have dedicated and sacrificed over the last 2 years so that could continue in the work that God placed in front of us. Thank you for your service, thank you for your sacrifice, and for your time. It is our hope that we represented each sacrifice that each of you made with integrity, respect, and honor. Not a single week has gone by when we have not been completely humbled and in awe of God working in the willing hearts of each of you. We feel privileged and honored to have been an instrument and opportunity for so many people to serve the kingdom. Thank you for your obedience and willingness to serve our Lord where He has called you. Our time with Kids Alive will officially end at the end of September. While in the states we will have a time of “re-entry”. We will be attending a re-entry and debriefing course in Colorado Springs. The same group that did our initial training before leaving for the DR also offers this crucial training for those re-entering into their home culture. Kids alive will continue to pay us salary until the end of September as well as continue our medical coverage, provided we have the necessary support. We humbly ask for your continued support during this time of transition for our family.
Our plans are not yet certain. We desire God’s will for our lives and are confident He has plans for us that will continue to expand His kingdom. We are certain that those plans are centered in relationships and look forward to seeing how He blesses us or how we bless others within that realm. Please pray that we seek the Lord daily so that we do not miss a single detail of His plan. We are excited beyond words to start our family and continue His. Pray and hold us accountable to raise our child to fear the Lord. Please also pray and consider the next opportunity to serve the Lord through your recourses. It is our prayer that you continue to help and serve the poor no matter where that might be. I believe with all my heart that Kids Alive International is an organization with integrity and is an excellent avenue for helping those in need. If you would like to continue supporting a missionary, or would like to sponsor a child or perhaps a couple of children, please let us know and we can introduce you into kingdom building relationships. Kids Alive isn’t the only organization that is full of integrity and expanding God’s kingdom (although I’m bias with them when it comes to helping kids), but we know many people in many countries doing a variety of different things and if you need any ideas, we are here to help. You might even consider coming on a short-term mission trip to the DR. If you are part of a church body and are interested, Caitlin and I would love to come and share with you the joys of serving those in need and talk with you face to face about missions. Who knows God might touch your heart and you may decide to come and replace us in our jobs!
Sincerely,
Layne and Caitlin
P.S Keep up with our blog for updates and fun pictures of cute kids! (and soon, our own cute kid!)
www.layneandcaitlin.blogspot.com

Gran Circular

Once a month "The Ark" has a "Grand Circular" It's when all the kids and house parents get together in our multi-use building for a time of celebration. What are we celebrating? Nothing particular, just celebrating being a kid. They like to put on plays and skits, or sing songs. Normally there is a time of praise and worship. They really love it when we sing "Si Senor" or "Yes Lord" (Trading my sorrows). We sing "yes lord in every lang. we can think of. The favorite is Japanese: "Hi senor". We also celebrate birthdays and have ice cream, and give gifts. The kids love it.

Pico Duarte

I climbed the highest point in the Caribbean! For 3 days I hiked with a group of people up Pico Duarte. It had rained for 2 weeks previous to the trip and the bottom of the trail, the first 2 days, was mud a foot deep. The first night of camp there was nothing to sit on. I was determined to sit in comfort so I cut down some bamboo that was growing near by and fashioned myself a chair, tieing it together with vines. It took a little longer than I thought and wasnt all that sturdy, but I was able to sit in it for a few minutes! The second day was a 7 hour hike up to the next campsite. I took a picture of a whisky bottle someone had thrown off to the side of the path, only because at that moment every muscle and bone in my body was aching and telling me I needed a break. Who in the world would drink a bottle of whisky while climbing a 10,000ft mountain? It was a much needed moment of humor, at the same time a feeling that made me want to barf. YUCK!
The third day we had a quick 2 hour, but very painful summit to the top. It was beautiful. Pablo Duarte was a famous Dominican, and they really really love him. His name and face is plastered all over every city. He even has a presence at the peak where his huge head is. Going down took another entire day. I don't much like going down. But I guess it's a part of it.

Semana Santa

Semana Santa (Holy Week) is the week the DR shuts down. It is one of the most celebrated times of year. This year we took our kids in "The Ark" and our kids from Constanza, and set off in 3 different groups for a 3 day adventure. Caitlin went with the littlest group of kids. An entire school bus full of kids under 8 years old. Have you ever been camping with a school bus full of 4 and 5 year olds? They went to the coast of Samana. They also hiked into the water fall "El Limon" Have you ever hiked with a school bus full of 4 and 5 year olds? They went on boat ride too, which was fun until one flipped over with everyone in it. She said it was quite the adventure. Another group went southwest towards Bavaro. I was with the oldest group and we went southeast. We didn't have too much of a plan and just sort of set out with our group of 37. We visited the Haitian boarder and crossed into Haiti. We then headed further south all the way to the tip and camped on the beach. It was beautiful, except we were attacked by some kind of fierce insect that were small enough to get through the mesh screen of the tents. Over half of us look like we contracted the chicken pocks. 3 weeks later and we all still itch very much! We also were able to walk through a salt marsh. Because of the high density of salt and sulfer, my feet have never been cleaner! The beaches were absolutely beautiful, with water "the color of gatorade" as described by one of the kids!

Resurrection feast

We had a wonderful time with our Kids Alive family celebrating the resurrection. Lots of food, and wonderful fellowship.