Reflecting on 2010

As we look into the year 2011, we must look back at the amazing journey of 2010.  DeNiel and I were so excited to finally be done with language school and boarding the plane for the Dominican Republic.  The flight was very difficult but normal for us.  Anytime you travel to another country with almost every pair of socks, shoes, shirts, jeans, shorts, toothbrush, books, chairs, computers, etc. and for 6 people, it's going to be a long day.  We were modern day Gypsies (with 28 pieces of luggage but who's counting) and thus, at the airport, we are funny looking, painfully sticking out, and as parents, we have the look of 'will this day ever end.'

Oh, I forgot about my police issued expandable baton.  I was worried about it being stolen and I had asked if I needed to check it (2-3 times) and the man said, "no, your fine."  Whatever.  That was good for a near strip search, an array of questions, thorough examination of various bags,  further analysis of all our passports and I can't count the number of times that I said, "I'm sorry but I don't speak Spanish!"  DeNiel kept saying, "Honey, they are speaking English!" Meanwhile, Jacob is saying, "Daddy I am hungry, Daddy I am ready to go." It was terrible; although, we did receive a personal escort to our departing flight.

Well the day ended and it was so refreshing to finally lay our heads down in the Dominican Republic at 2:30 in the morning.  It was a journey that in reality took us two and a half years to complete.  We would spend the next 3 weeks attempting to install internet, phone service, setting up cell phone plans and acquiring our visas.  Oh, I am still trying to resolve my billing issues.  We won't even talk about the issues surrounding traffic.  Even if I did, you wouldn't believe me and would probably dismiss my description as mumbo jumbo.  Nonetheless, I hope you can just trust me on this one.  The traffic is bad.  Go ahead, pace yourself and drive 3 miles in 45 minutes!  It's fun, a time to catch up on your prayer life, a time to learn patience, and a time to reflect on what's really inside of your heart! LOL!

After all of our adjustments, we realized that the people in Dominican Republic didn't seem to speak Spanish.  It's a form of Spanish and it's just unique.  The reality of this was never clearer than the time we were at Pedro Brand, a new church plant. I thought they asked me to come forward to say hello.  But oh, was I wrong!  They had asked me to preach!  Once the language barriers were removed and we were all on the same page, I said, "not today."  And the pastor asked another missionary to preach and I was "SET FREE!"

It was about the end of our second month here that the excitement of being pregnant was quickly turning to nervousness, fear, anxiety, concern and pretty much every other day in the doctor's office. The doctors began to use the terms 'growth restricted' along with 'platelets dropping' and thus we were sent back to Missouri in a flury. DeNiel's blood pressure was rising quickly. We had only hours to pack for a very long (wintery) stay. We left on Sunday; the baby came via C-section on Friday, November 27, 2009. Adelyn weighed a whopping 1.14 lbs, more than what they had anticipated at least.

After 10+ weeks of daily hospital visits, close calls, 2 steps forward and 3 steps back...Addi finally came home on January 29th weighing 5.5Ibs. She was on oxygen until mid March. We had several tests run, one of them being a test to determine whether she had cystic fibrosis. Praise God that she is only a carrier and does not have any symptoms of cystic fibrosis!

Finally, in July we received medical clearance from the Board to return to the Dominican Republic. Aaahhh...ready to begin again in the place that the Lord has called us. After seven months in the states, our language came to a screeching halt. It's been tough starting over but day by day we are climbing back up the little language hill we built in Costa Rica.

DeNiel and I each had the privilege of starting bible studies.  She has one here in our apartment complex and I have one with some young men at the new church plant we are working with in Pedro Brand.  The kids jumped right back into the school work and picking up the language as well.  Finally, I was able to take over the LC position.  I went to Bogota, Colombia for a week of training and the rest of the time has been on the job training.

In closing, we look forward to what God has in store for us in 2011.  We have enjoyed learning the culture again and seeing where God is at work.   We will be bringing you up to speed with our ministry and our prayer requests in the days to come.  Also, we would like to say, "Thank You" to all of our friends and family that supported us this last year through your prayers, financial giving, use of a car, mission housing provided by South Gate Baptist Church in Springfield, MO, hospital visits by many pastors, family, friends, and we can't forget our home church FBC St. James, MO.  We could literally go on and on if we were to name everyone.  So please, you know who you are and how much we love you!

In Him,
The Gillen Family

P.S.  Today, we look at our 16Ib baby girl and we stand AMAZED!