And so it begins....

Finishing up with my week with Laura...BOO!  We've had a blast- and are currently relaxing in Boca Chica before I take her to the airport in a few hours and then pick up the Guesthouse Hosts Joe and Shannon shortly after.   Last night the church service that we wanted to attend was cancelled due to rain (that happens here sometimes!) so we met up with Pastors Bienvenido and Jonny at the Jumbo in San Pedro de Macoris for pizza instead.   It was awesome to hear what God is doing in Ingenio Angelina and San Pedro.   Many many people are coming to Jesus through the work these guys are doing in their churches and neighborhoods.   I was reminded that all God needs to MOVE is willing hearts.   I want to be WILLING too!

Tomorrow I begin work (in earnest this time!) and I'm rather nervous!  Excited to see what that all turns out to be....and thrilled again at the opportunity but nervous because it's new and I haven't done it before!   I'll keep ya posted on all that.

But for now, I will walk on the BC beach (great view of the oil refinery here!) with Laura and we will laugh and think of our friends and how God has blessed our time here.   Thanks for the prayer coverage- we felt it as we separately drove through the capital yesterday in the nasty rainy weather and then made our way through San Pedro looking for the Jumbo (the Dominican Walmart?) last night.    We've felt safe and secure throughout our time here with very helpful friends (and strangers!) reaching out to us.    I may have accidentally ran over a dog's foot or tail (there was weeping and gnashing of teeth but he ran away so I feel certain he was alive!) but otherwise, our transportation went smoothly and uneventfully.

 One of the guaguas here had a sign that read Mi Dios Es Real.  And we see it- God IS real.  He's so real to us right now and I hope you guys are feeling and living it too!   Bendiciones, Nik

Feliz Navidad

And I think to myself....what a wonderful world.

It IS wonderful and I'm having a great time in the Land of rice and beans.   Gracias a Dios, Laura and I met at the airport, picked up our postage-stamp-sized rental car "Trudy Luigi" and set sail for the great unknown.  We spent our first eve in BC ( Boca Chica) shopping at the Ole, exploring, and settling down at Rita's Refugio.  Good times.   

Tuesday morning we set sail for San Juan after a quick walk on the beach and Rita's delish toast and homemade marmalade.   The drive wasn't too bad.  The construction in the capital WAS horrendous but we made it to San Juan in under 4 hours.    There were two dead horses noted on the road, along with the numerous dogs, donkeys, cars that should never be allowed on the roads again, motos, and wandering pedestrians.    In San Juan, we dropped off some things at the Guesthouse, checked into the Detallista, and then visited with friends Bartolo and his beautiful family,  and then the orphanage for a church service.   How lovely to see old (and new) friends again!

Wednesday morning I got to meet some of my new colleagues/bosses for the first time, Dr. Canario and administrator Bienvenida.  I'm so excited to be working with them!   I'm also thrilled with my new digs, Room 16 at the Guesthouse.    Laura and I dropped off my camera at the orphanage for Ronny to take some pictures of the Christmas meal on the 23rd for us, and then we headed to El Cercado, with one stop at the car wash (WHICH TOOK 45 MINUTES!) .  El Cercado is always a blast!  My "host" family is fun to begin with, let alone with numerous family members arriving for the holidays.  Laura and I were welcomed with open arms and habichuelas con dulce (I'd love to try to describe it- but you just have to try it- UNBELIEVABLE!).   My favorite "chupacabras" were thrilled to see me- and thrilled to play with the animal masks I brought them.   I'm going to try to post some pix of them pretending to "roar" at the zoo, etc.   We spent Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning in El Cercado, hanging with my beautiful family there, visiting Pastor Morales and some other friends.   Laura got to go for a moto ride into the campos with Victor- beautiful beautiful pix!  I'll try to post some of those as well (if I can figure out how to do that!).   

Friday late morning we headed back to San Juan where we moved into the Guesthouse and then headed to the orphanage for the afternoon.  Lovely time with some of my favorite guys and gals in the world.  

Below is Waldy- one of my friends in El Cercado.  He can barely get out of his own way...and I adore him.

This is Cristian, my host brother, and I, with the "chupacabras" extraordinaire!

 My beautiful host sister Zaidy, unborn Jose Alfredo, and host brother Cristian.

One of the pix from Laura's moto ride in the campos.

Our darling "Trudy Luigi".  She runs like a dream!

Cristian, Zaidy, me, "MaMa", and Laura in the patio...

At the orphanage....at the salon apparently???

Laura and I estamos contentas.

All in all- I'm feeling blessed this Christmas.  I got to cuddle with some cutie cute babies over the past 2-3 days, got to feel a pregnant belly, got to growl like a lion at some 7 year olds, got to thumb wrestle and play "slap hands", laugh at some jokes, giggle with my dear friend Laura, get teary eyed, pray over a friend or two,  sing Silent Night in two languages, drive through sugar cane fields with the most beautiful sun shining through, see my own breath in the mornings in El Cercado,  eat a freshly picked naranja dulce and guayaba, feast on moro y carne, and love on some folks that I adore.    Christ was born, guys, and the world was and IS forever changed.   And I am changed, too.   Happy Birthday Jesus...may we remember how you arrived...and how you remain...in us!  

Last minute musings....

Fantastic day here on 12/19/2010.   Phenom church service this am with folks loving on me and praying for my journey and singing fantastic Christmas carols.    Happy Birthday to the King- it was most excellent.    I got to touch base with a dear friend that I haven't seen in a while (Love ya Ned!) and see adorable kids ringing their little Christmas bells and chirping away (Go Campbell!) and then hear about RECEIVING Jesus in the sermon.   And how I have received!

I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to attend Maple Grove and stand among the people there who love and support me and encourage me in my journey with Christ.   I got all teary while I was being prayed over...and I've gotten teary-eyed a couple times this week.   It was hard to say goodbye to my small group, (even if it IS just 3 months!) on Thursday, and it was hard to say goodbye to friends and family all throughout this week, from lunches and dinners to phone calls and quick hugs.   And it will be hard saying goodbye to Mom and Dad at the airport tomorrow, because they really are the best ever.   We spent a great afternoon today watching football and Lawrence Welk and packing and reminding and reviewing details and emailing and visiting and eating hotdogs, potato soup, arroz con guandules and chocolate cake (?? yup, it's true!).   I am who I am because of a few key details.  Number one:  God adores me and created me and made me this way...and Number two: He gave me Bud and Sue Eby as parents.    Who could be so lucky!

Anyhoo- I skyped with Laura tonight and I think we have ironed out most of our details.   We hope to meet up in the airport in Santa Domingo tomorrow around 3:15-3:30ish if both of our flights are on time.   This is a great prayer request, folks.    I leave Philly at 7:10 am and fly through San Juan, Puerto Rico to arrive at SDQ at 3:05.  Laura is due in at 3:15 so hopefully we'll collide in one of the corridors!  I'll be the one dragging the biggest suitcase you've ever seen (my reuzit find!) and huffing n puffing along.    We're spending the first night (and maybe the second) in Boca Chica, with a small stop to San Pedro,  and then we'll head west to San Juan and El Cercado.  

I am increasingly reminded of how God has orchestrated all of this.   He provided me with tenants, and finances, and understanding bosses, and encouraging family and friends, and a desire in my heart to participate in the lives of folks who happen to live on a small island called Hispaniola.   He's closed and opened doors and windows and continues to MAKE HIMSELF KNOWN.   I see Him as a testimony in the lives of my friends and family and even strangers.    It is this testimony that reminds me He is NOT just the God of the Bible, of the days of old, that ancient history, or time long ago.  He is a God who is working RIGHT now in this universe, in OUR time,  in this present.  I want to be part of it.  I yearn to be part of these things that are greater than me or anything I will ever be.  

I'm glad we're doing life together, folks.  I'm loving it.

hasta un semana

One week.   ONE WEEK.  One week from today I'll be up at 3:30 am, driving with my folks to the Philly airport at 4:15, arriving and hauling HEAVY bags to American Airlines (thanks again M and M) by 5:00 am, boarding at 7:00, and then headed for San Juan PR to arrive at 12:00, then depart at 2:00pm, then FINALLY arrive at S. Domingo at 3:05pm.    Time change=one hour later than us.  At 3:15 my friend Laura arrives so I'll search or wait for her and then we'll hit customs together.   I'm hoping to be in our car by 4:15 or 4:30, to the grocery store by 5:00 and to our sweet little hostal in Boca Chica by 6ish.   HAHA.  Who am I kidding?  It's the DR.  Schedules are irrelevant.   We'll be lucky if any of the above mentioned things go off without a hitch.  The hilarious part is me attempting to plan at all.  But hey- it's how I roll.   Everything is packed already except socks and underwear and I had to physically restrain myself from doing that today.   OCD to the max, people!

Til then, I've got 6 more days to try to pull myself together and put a lid on my life here in PA.   Silly things like verifying that the bank won't freeze my ATM card due to international use,  handling health and car insurances, prepping to renew my nursing licenses,  buying Christmas hams with money savers for church,  squeezing in lunches/breakfasts/dinners with pals and family that I won't see for awhile, preparing for our small family Christmas on Saturday, cleaning the truck (ugh!), setting my fantasy football lineup from home FOR THE LAST TIME THIS YEAR (sob...but a good thing I can handle it from San Juan!),  finishing up the last 2 shifts at work,  renting Mary Poppins to watch with my nephews, practicing for the Christmas choir at church this week, grocery shopping, laundry,  loving on my fabulous folks, etc.  It's exciting!   YAY!

So I'm blessed.   But we already knew that.   The trick is:  What is Jesus pushing me to think about right now, RIGHT NOW, while I get ready.   His birthday is approaching and I don't want to lose that in the rush of new adventure.     I want to find a quiet spot- to think about new life, the snuffling-about of a newborn,  the panic of new parents,  the smell of hay, the wonder of it all.    Sometimes when a particularly observant or alert baby is born and stares out into space with these intense eyes and furrowed brows, I wonder if that's how the Christ viewed us.    Did he crinkle his forehead and think "do they know what they are in for?"  Did he throw his head back and scream with abandon or cold and turn all red and mottled?   Did he make slurping noises and try to suck his own hands?   Or his mama's nose?   Was anyone there with Mary and Joseph or did Joseph deliver his own son?  Gotta wonder.  

Anyhoo- I'm in search of a moment.   I'll let ya know how it goes.

no more dom

So I probably won't get to see Dominic Brown play in the DR since he's been shipped home (FTP- failure to produce).  Downer.   However, Pedro Feliz will play beginning this coming Sunday for Los Gigantes del Cibao as well as my main man Antonio Bastardo (AND D. Herndon).    What to do...what to do.  For those in the know, Phillie pitching coach R. Dubee's kid, Michael Dubee is also pitching for Los Gigantes and he's doing very well.
There's my DR baseball update.  Looks like La Romana is too far to drive on the 20th to catch the fellas.  Especially since I'll have just gotten off the airplane.  Ack- one of these days.  Til then, it will remain on the bucket list and I'll continue to scour the DR baseball news struggling to understand the spanish.

it's cold so I'm leaving

Brrrrr!  I'm relieved to have less than two more weeks of this weather nonsense before I bolt for warmer shores.   I guess living in California and Florida for 7-8 years has ruined me for the cold stuff.   It sure is fun when you're six and want snow angels...or 16 and getting ready to ski.  But all I think now is how much work it is and how much time it could add to my commute.

Anyway, Bag Numero Dos has been purchased (yay Reuzit Shop in New Holland- thanks Debbie!) and packed.   My list of things to do before I leave has been whittled down to less than 5 (altho I guess that could change quickly).   And I'm having an awesome time here meeting up with friends, enjoying all the time with Mom and Dad, counting down the end of work, and prepping for Christmas.   We in the Eby family keep it rather low-key, focusing on spending time together more than anything else.  

I am very curious to see how Christmas in the DR will go down.   I check out DR1.com frequently (highly recommend it, BTW) to read articles in english, follow the hilarious forums,  and catch up on the latest news.   It does seem like there are lots of celebrations going on.   I saw a picture of the plaza in San Juan all decked out in red and green with wreaths hanging on the sign posts.    I see other pictures of homes with Christmas trees and decorations.    My host family in El Cercado is excited to have Laura and I stay with them for several days.   I'm guessing we will be two of many many family members crowding, eating, laughing and visiting together.     I'm also psyched to hang out with the neighborhood kids in El Cercado.    They will come running to hug me and then hand me their little baby brothers and then we'll play baseball or tag or thumb wrestling.  

Good times.....both now and in days ahead.    Feeling so loved- feeling like God has his Hand over my life...directing and guarding.   Psyched that two of my besties have babies on the way,  that healing is occurring in some that are sick and hurting,  that the birthday of Jesus is drawing near, that God is speaking through His people today,  and that there is forgiveness for me.  

El es Rey.  And I'm glad for it.

one bag down...

Okay,  in my nerdiness I find great joy.   Bag numero uno is packed.   That would be the one with all the gifts and stuff in it.   The search is on for Bag numero dos.  That would be a big old used suitcase with wheels that will never come back with me but will gladly haul my stuff without collapsing in the airport.  Yay.   I'm off today to run errands and stop by Goodwill and Reuzit shops in search of BND (Bag numero dos).

Previewed a great flick last night.  BEISBOL: The Latin Game- a production by MLB of the Latin passion for baseball.    I'm also reading through a biography of Roberto Clemente that is just blowing my mind.   Between the two, I'm humbled at all that the first Latin players had to go through to play ball on American soil.   And most of them still DO go through a lot.   Interesting stuff.    Many of you know that I'm a clown for baseball, especially Dominican ball.   One of my goals in life is to see a Winter Ball game in the DR at Quisqueya Stadium.   Not sure if that will happen this year but it's on the bucket list.

I'm off.....time is a tickin'.  18 days til blastoff.

nik

waiting on the world to change....

Thinking about waiting this morning.  First Sunday of Advent.  Esperar.  Esperando.   Thinking about Mary preparing for Jesus, sore back and tired feet 36 weeks pregnant.  Couldn't have been fun.   Especially gearing up for the donkey ride.  And yet, she had to be thrilled to be having her first baby.  Full of anticipation, a little nervous, psyched to see those tiny toes and pursed lips.   Waiting.

And I'm waiting.  Waiting for the next Big Thing.  Waiting for the plane ride, the meeting up with Laura, the joyous reunions, the new folks I'll meet and hang out with.  And here in the warm basement of Bud and Sue, I'm waiting now.   Waiting for work tonight (and 8 more shifts).   Waiting for fun times with my pals in the next two weeks, a day in Philly, the Eby and Umble Christmas dinners, small group,  Christmas tours, board meetings, nights out at the Whip, church committee meetings, a King of Prussia shopping day, our family photos to arrive, my fantasy football team to pull it together- all kinds of stuff.  

I'm waiting for Jesus.   I'm wondering how He's going to show up in my life today, tonight, tomorrow.   I'm trying to grab that hope and really intentionally LIVE it.   I was trying to speak today in church about waiting for him, expectantly HOPING in Him.  Don't know that it came across how I was feeling it.   Noone actually digs waiting for the most part, especially waiting in line.   I myself am horrible at it.
But I'm feeling peaceful today about waiting IN Him, waiting FOR Him, waiting ON Him.

Today.  We'll see about tomorrow.   I keep humming that John Mayer song "waiting on the world to change".  He's such a cad but I dig the song.   I don't know that I see our world really changing, at least for the good.   But I'm hanging in there, I'm hanging my hopes....on the Changer- Of-Hearts.    

Esperando.  Esperando.

time keeps on ticking ticking ticking.....

One month from yesterday and I'm on that plane.   Holy cow.

December 20

Soooooo I'm setting up this blog to keep folks updated to the life and times of Nik Eby.  As many of you know, I am setting sail for San Juan de la Maguana, DR in just over a month.  I'll be volunteering there at the Solid Rock Mission's Guesthouse, where I will assist with the medical and surgical groups that come to serve the Dominican people.

I have 13 shifts of work left to go.   I have a few Christmas presents to buy and a few errands to run.  Other than that, my bags are just about packed.   I couldn't BE any more psyched!

I'll spend the first couple days traveling around with my friend Laura, visiting my former host family, spending time at a church at that I love in San Pedro, possibly cruising by the Phillies Dominican camp, and dropping into the Rose of Sharon Orphanage to love on a bunch of little boys and girls.   Joy!

After that I'll be preparing for the first team arrival on January 1st.   And then the next chapter of God's plan for my life begins.........