Landed in Miami

Well we're back in the USA! Just waiting for our flight to Los Angeles. The krew is holding up well on what is shaping up to be a very long day of travel. Some are more excited than others to be back in the US and none are thrilled about school in a day. Reality check. Thanks for all the support and prayers all week. We look forward to sharing the adventures in person. Blessings!

JENNY I'M FINE I PROMISE!!!!!!!!

i love you!


love, caitlyn(:

The Sun Has Set!

Hi guys!! It's Itali (: today we went to the Dodger Academy and the Rays Academy for baseball!! it was so awesome. after we went to the Manny Mota Foundation and helped the kids make crafts(: during that time Jacob and I played soccer with the kids me and him vs. ALL!!! (6 kids)It was soooo muchh funn(: then we went into the city and got a couple things then we went over to Alina's grandparents house and had dinner!!! yumm. i was so full after. Then we went to the store and we got candy!! their candy is way different than ours(: and now we are going to go to the beach and have fun(: like usual!....Hi heather(: miss you, see you on monday at school(: love yaa.
-Love in Christ Always and Forever Itali Andrade(:<33

Thanksgiving in the DR

Can I just say how much I love these kids? I just got back from a late night talk on the beach where we laughed and cried and shared deeply about what we've learned this week and what we're thankful for. I miss my family terribly, but tonight I experienced the beauty of the Foothill Family once again.

Today was a Thanksgiving unlike any other. We arrived at the Mota Foundation late morning and got right to work...errr...right to play with about 200 kids who were waiting and eager to play. All six of our Foothill students jumped right in and started playing games and pretty soon it looked like a well oiled machine at work, chaotic as it was. After an hour or so of play the turkeys were ready (that we flew there), and it was time for lunch. I have to say I had my doubts about whether or not we had enough to feed the masses gathered with only 6 turkeys. Not only did we have enough, but we had leftovers and everyone (about 300 or so) ate and had their fill. Reminded me of a certain miracle Jesus once did where there were leftovers as well!

After serving everyone we had our own little Thanksgiving dinner in the stands of one of the Mota's Field of Dreams stadiums on the 40 acre property. Mr. G wowed us with some card tricks and Nick tried feeding the local guinea hens his ear of corn. After eating I looked around and told the kids I knew it was tough not to be with their families, but that it was an honor to have Thanksgiving dinner with them in the stands in a foreign country a few thousand miles away from their homes, while serving the Lord. Memorable to be sure! We have much to be thankful for!


Alina met a new friend with quite a smile (nice shades Alina!)


Nick giving one of many piggy back rides that he and Jacob have perfected


The Thanksgiving spread ready and waiting

Blessed through others

Hey guys , Alina and Allison here. We are making a late night (well, for us anyway, we are 4 hours ahead) student update of day three. Today was truly great. Our first stop was to the Angels Baseball Academy where we saw future major leaguers and toured the grounds. On the walls, you can see framed photos of those that did make it, such as Erick Aybar and Vladimir Guerrero. Our big work of the day was at an orphanage in a town about 35 minutes away from the hotel we are staying at. The pastor that helped out there told us that he doesn't use the word, orphanage, and it created a family environment. There were 11 boys and 1 girl! She was very outnumbered and quiet, in a sad way :-( But all of the boys were too cute and VERY outgoing and bright! Man, do they know their Bible stories and multiplication! It was great playing with them in their small but functional backyard. Those boys got game ;) After our <heartbreaking3 departure, we went to lunch and hit the beach :)

This is one of the boys named Noni. At the end of our time there, my dad and him were talking about a blessing. So my dad asked him what he thought it is. He said, "You guys being here today is a blessing." Wow. What a tear jerker. May God bless each of those kids and their caretakers.

Bye,

Lina and Allie

Day Three

Well since the Krew is all busy pulling practical jokes on Jacob and running around the beach in dark (having way too much fun), I thought I'd sneak away and put a few things online for the rest of you to see.

Today, we had another magnificent day in the DR, where the heat never ceases and the humidity can be cut with a knife. We spent the morning visiting the LA Angeles Academy for future MLB players which was fascinating to be sure. We played an imaginary game on the field and toured the facility.

We then headed to an orphanage about 20 more minutes down the coast. What a blessing this turned out to be. It was run by a Baptist church/school and we met some truly beautiful children. Our FCS kids seemed to instantly attach and make a bunch of new friends. We then headed inside for refreshments and songs that included us teaching them a few in English and then they returning the favor in Spanish.

We ended the day down at the beach having fun in the sun after another great day!

A Quick Update from Tuesday

Hi Everyone... we're meeting for dinner in a few minutes but I wanted to throw a few pictures on the blog because I know a lot of you are checking back often for updates. Let me just say that today was simply AMAZING and the FCS crew was UNBELIEVABLE!!! I'll let them give updates later tonight, but I was SO proud of them!

Caitlyn passing out food to one of about 200 kids who got a free lunch at the Mota Foundation


A look a two little girls on the street in front of a typical house in the neighborhood we're working in


Kids waiting to get their free FCS uniform, school supplies and hygiene products


After lunch the heavens opened up and we partied in a downpour (Mr. Gaines was the first one to take the plunge...Here we are all wet!


Some of our kids posing with a family of 9 who just got their uniforms. Take that Jon and Kate!