This week we had a great group from Greenview Christian Church. The group was led by former G.O. Staffers, Nate and Angie. They were an incredibly fun group and worked extra hard on the church out at Brisas de Ocampo. More bucket lines of sand, stone and concrete! Pretty much most of my photos from the past four weeks are of bucket lines...but that's fine by me because I know that bucket lines means finishing houses, churches and feeding centers. Plus, it gives me the challenge of figuring out new and creative ways to photograph bucket lines!
This group was unique as it had a paraplegic, a girl with a broken arm and a pregnant woman. All with different circumstances, all wanting to serve the Lord right where they were. It was a great lesson for me in the way of coming to our King with a servants heart and wanting to do whatever it was that He needed. How many times had I told God, "I will serve your kingdom when I get a little more rest" or "I will serve your kingdom after my headache goes away." Wow, God truly spoke to me about attitude and circumstance this week, especially through spending time talking with Chuck (the paraplegic). What an amazing story he had.
Greenview Christian Church from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Pathways Church
Hard-working. That is what I use to describe Pathways Church. These guys were work horses. And they LOVED construction. They worked out at Brisas de Ocampo and they got so much done out there. And they were just over all fun to be around. Mike especially formed a great bond with several of the people in this group. He was almost sad when they left. Thank goodness for facebook!
They also held a medical clinic in Cinco which included an audiology clinic. There were several people fitted for hearing aids and I actually got to witness a little boy hear for the first time. It immediately brought tears to my eyes as I watched the audiologist have the boy repeat sounds with her hand covering her mouth. He didn't have to see her lips and was repeating everything she said. It was so very cool.
Pathways Church from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
They also held a medical clinic in Cinco which included an audiology clinic. There were several people fitted for hearing aids and I actually got to witness a little boy hear for the first time. It immediately brought tears to my eyes as I watched the audiologist have the boy repeat sounds with her hand covering her mouth. He didn't have to see her lips and was repeating everything she said. It was so very cool.
Pathways Church from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
Morgantown Community Church
The second group that was here last week was Morgantown Community Church. The support two of our missionaries, Jeff and Vicki, along with Cross Point.
The leader of Morgantown and the pastor of Cross Point are good friends and did ministry together several years back. So it was a fun opportunity for both groups to be together again. It was a great mix of people and it was a blast to have both groups here.
Morgantown Community Church from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
The leader of Morgantown and the pastor of Cross Point are good friends and did ministry together several years back. So it was a fun opportunity for both groups to be together again. It was a great mix of people and it was a blast to have both groups here.
Morgantown Community Church from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
Cross Point Community Church - Trip #2
Cross Point Community Church came back to the Dominican for their second trip. This time led by their head pastor, Pete.
It's really cool to see the great relationship between Moise (Cross Point's partner) and Pete. They have really grown to know each other and enjoy each other's company. Many times on the work site I would see Pete and Moise off on the stairs or sitting on a rock pile in deep discussion. It's just such a perfect fit for a partnership. Cross Point continually reminds me about why partnerships are so important and why they are the number one reason that G.O. Ministries exists. To enable people, like Moise, to work in his community and bring people to Christ. It doesn't get any better than that.
Cross Point Community Church from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
It's really cool to see the great relationship between Moise (Cross Point's partner) and Pete. They have really grown to know each other and enjoy each other's company. Many times on the work site I would see Pete and Moise off on the stairs or sitting on a rock pile in deep discussion. It's just such a perfect fit for a partnership. Cross Point continually reminds me about why partnerships are so important and why they are the number one reason that G.O. Ministries exists. To enable people, like Moise, to work in his community and bring people to Christ. It doesn't get any better than that.
Cross Point Community Church from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Get Real Ministries
Get Real Ministries is an innovative youth ministry based out of Indiana. They meet on Monday nights and discuss real topics like sex, drugs, alcohol etc.
It was also a special group because one of Mike and I's old friends, Brandon, led the trip. Mike and I recruited the Indiana Wesleyan Men's Soccer team to come (which Brandon was on), then he came to G.O. to be an intern last summer and this year he led a team! How awesome is that?
Get Real worked in Hoya del Caimito doing A LOT of dirt hauling for Rene and Luis' houses that are being built. They also did VBS in La Mosca and Guandules and fed the kids in the Hole. They were VERY busy! But they were such an incredible group and had great energy and attitudes. Enjoy their show!
Get Real Ministries from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
It was also a special group because one of Mike and I's old friends, Brandon, led the trip. Mike and I recruited the Indiana Wesleyan Men's Soccer team to come (which Brandon was on), then he came to G.O. to be an intern last summer and this year he led a team! How awesome is that?
Get Real worked in Hoya del Caimito doing A LOT of dirt hauling for Rene and Luis' houses that are being built. They also did VBS in La Mosca and Guandules and fed the kids in the Hole. They were VERY busy! But they were such an incredible group and had great energy and attitudes. Enjoy their show!
Get Real Ministries from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
New DVD
Here's the new promotional DVD I put together for G.O. Golf Outings.
Promotional DVD from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
Promotional DVD from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Eastview Youth
One of our most fun and energetic (and incredible singing) groups is the youth group from Eastview Christian Church. There are always A TON of them and they just bring such a great energy to this island. Not only are they fun but they are also AWESOME examples of young people stepping out on faith and moving away from the norm.
This youth group supports one of our National pastors, Indriss. He is the pastor of a Haitian Church in a neighborhood called Pontezuela. So the youth did a VBS there and handed out an awesome love offering at the end...sandals! It was such a great gift and the look on the kids faces were so great. I got goosebumps just watching Drew, the youth pastor and long time advocate for G.O., and Indriss handing out the sandals together. It was such a picture-perfect moment of an international partnership and friendship.
Eastview Youth from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
This youth group supports one of our National pastors, Indriss. He is the pastor of a Haitian Church in a neighborhood called Pontezuela. So the youth did a VBS there and handed out an awesome love offering at the end...sandals! It was such a great gift and the look on the kids faces were so great. I got goosebumps just watching Drew, the youth pastor and long time advocate for G.O., and Indriss handing out the sandals together. It was such a picture-perfect moment of an international partnership and friendship.
Eastview Youth from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
Campamento de Deportes
That's right, we're back in business. Because of all the trouble I've been having with YouTube I found another Video Site through a friend and here is the first of many published on www.vimeo.com.
For over 10 years now, a group of young men and women have been coming down to do a huge basketball camp in our neighborhood, Hoya del Caimito. What started out with 10 Americans and 50 campers has now turned into 45 Americans and 200 campers. And that's just basketball!!! This year we added 50 campers doing volleyball, 50 doing baseball and 20 women doing fitness/yoga. It was so cool this year to see how this yearly camp has grown. It was also cool to see the new G.O. Sports Outreach logo, that I designed, on all the of the T-shirts! So without further ado...THE SHOW!!!!
(Remember if you want to see the show without it stopping every few seconds, hit Pause for a couple minutes and let more of the show buffer, and then hit play.)
Campamento de Deportes from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
For over 10 years now, a group of young men and women have been coming down to do a huge basketball camp in our neighborhood, Hoya del Caimito. What started out with 10 Americans and 50 campers has now turned into 45 Americans and 200 campers. And that's just basketball!!! This year we added 50 campers doing volleyball, 50 doing baseball and 20 women doing fitness/yoga. It was so cool this year to see how this yearly camp has grown. It was also cool to see the new G.O. Sports Outreach logo, that I designed, on all the of the T-shirts! So without further ado...THE SHOW!!!!
(Remember if you want to see the show without it stopping every few seconds, hit Pause for a couple minutes and let more of the show buffer, and then hit play.)
Campamento de Deportes from Amanda Braisted on Vimeo.
Friday, July 18, 2008
New Perspective
I've been hanging out in the Hole a lot lately and I've just really enjoyed my time there. I'm getting to know a lot of the kids and I've even made a friend with one of their moms. There is nothing more rewarding than walking into that desolate place and hearing "Goody" screamed before I can barely see who's screaming it. There is nothing sweeter. I have truly grown to love these kids. I have also grown to love photographing them. Not to mention, they are so used to my camera I believe they are making my photos better because they know how to pose now! :)
Last week, an old friend was here leading a group and is a camera nut too. I always enjoy when there are people here that love photography because I always learn something new. I sat with him for 5 minutes and learned a bunch of great new stuff on my Nikon D-70. I've had this camera for over two years and I am STILL learning.
So anyway, here a few shots from this week that I've been playing around with. Hope you enjoy!
Last week, an old friend was here leading a group and is a camera nut too. I always enjoy when there are people here that love photography because I always learn something new. I sat with him for 5 minutes and learned a bunch of great new stuff on my Nikon D-70. I've had this camera for over two years and I am STILL learning.
So anyway, here a few shots from this week that I've been playing around with. Hope you enjoy!
Always gotta have a photo of the brothers, my photo fiends
Graffiti wall
My Maria, she has a special place in my heart because my sister, Abbey, has Down Syndrome too!
Little Minino
Rooster
Simon - Nothing like starting the day out in your undies
Finally Caught On Camera
Hooray! There is an intern here with a Nikon D-80 and she shot a picture of me shooting! I love it! (I also took one of her)
Monday, July 07, 2008
Please Be Patient
Hey fellow supporters! I'm so sorry that the last couple shows haven't gotten up on our blog yet but we are having some major trouble getting them up on YouTube. We will keep trying but in the meantime please be patient with us!!! Thanks!
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Quick Pix
Just some quick pics of Mike and I working in the last month.
Me working at Brisas de Ocampo...We worked on this for probably 30 minutes and barely made a dent
Mike keeping track of the list at a Dental/Medical Clinic in Los Perez
Me working at Brisas de Ocampo...We worked on this for probably 30 minutes and barely made a dent
Mike keeping track of the list at a Dental/Medical Clinic in Los Perez
Hato del Yaque Inauguration
This is the video I put together for the Inauguration of the Church and Feeding Center in Hato del Yaque.
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