Going in the Right Direction

I have been looking for those ruby red slippers. Somebody said that they sold them at Wal-mart and I actually looked for them on several occasions. I never could find them in my size. I wanted them because I found myself dreaming about just clicking those bright red shoes together as I recited “ There’s no place like home”. Moving is an enormous amount of work and the idea of tapping red shoes together seemed easier--easier yes, reality no.

Reality was that we would end up having just under three weeks to pack and prepare a shipment. Reality was that because there was not time to plan we didn’t have enough space in the shipment. Reality was that when all was said and done and we had our bags packed and tropical storm blew through Florida. Flights were delayed. The bags had to be semi unpacked and repacked. Lord, I am TIRED of packing!!!

In the midst of it all we were so blessed to have the family of God rally around us and help us get through it all. Just before we packed our container, our good friends and pastors Walt and Tina Nelson came by with a donation for our shipment. They saw all our stress and helped us pack a few things. As I chatted with Tina, I asked her the common small talk question. “ How are things going at your church? To which she replied. “ Going... long pause... smile... in the right direction.” That simple little response really hit me. In the middle of so much work, stress, and problem. It was this wonderful assurance that no matter what; we were going in the right direction. I was running toward my purpose.

The day finally came! On August 20, 2008 we boarded a plane headed in the right direction. Boarding that plane was not simple matter. We arrived at Tampa International airport with 17 suitcases, 1 guitar, 5 roller carry on luggage pieces and 1 saxophone, all required to weigh less than 50 lbs. My teenagers we mortified as we had to open suitcases and rearrange a few shoes, books or whatever to keep every suitcase at exactly 49.99 lbs. I don’t blame them, even I was concerned about flying underwear as everyone at the ticket counter watched us like we were free entertainment.

The plane left late from Tampa which put us in Miami a little late. So we booked down the concourse to make the next flight. WE WERE NOT GOING TO MISS OUR FLIGHT! One problem--we hadn’t really eaten anything but granola bars. It was around 2 p.m. and we were starved! So picture it in your mind--me, Nelson and our four boys--all of us with rolling luggage and one with a sax--running to our gate with little guys whining, “I can’t run mommy, I’m so hungry” So we stopped quickly to get some pizza and chinese food to go (all at the same place) and hurried on to our gate. When we got to our gate, everyone is sitting around with that, bored, irritated face that indicated to us immediately that the flight was delayed. So we sat down in a little corner and stuffed our faces until the announcement came over the intercom.

“American Airlines Flight 364 has been moved to gate F-82. Please gather your things and move to gate F-82 as we will be boarding shortly.” We were sitting in F-2.

I had just got settled eating my chicken and fried rice scooped out of the plastic bag that I held as I ran across the concourse! Oh how I wished for ruby red slippers in that moment. Not so much to transport me home but just to transport me, the boys, the five bags, one saxophone and my fried rice to F-82.

We moved. We waited--more delay, It turns out that Tropical Storm Fay was taking up residence in North Florida and consequently flights were delayed in Miami. We ate (not without one of the pizzas spilling along the way which resulted in a great big, noisy, and dramatic melt-down by my very tired 8 year old--more entertainment for American Airlines personnel and our traveling companions.) and finally the words I had been longing to hear rang out as if sung with choir music in the background, “American Airlines flight 842 is now boarding for Santo Domingo”

Finally! We were finally headed home! The flight went smoothly, as tired as we were nobody even slept. The boys next with the window seats kept their eyes gazing out the windows, waiting for the moment when our island came into view. We landed just as the sun was setting. We crowded up next to the window to watch the beauty of the Caribbean coast with palm trees, little shack houses, and motorcycles zipping along the highway from high in the sky. As the plane landed, I felt like an Olympic runner that was finally coming to the finish line. Victory was in view!

Then after so much difficulty and obstacles an amazing, unexpected thing happened. We gathered our 17 bags, 1 guitar, 5 roller bags and the saxophone quickly and easily. We got up to the customs guys, ready to beg for mercy and they just waved us on through. It turns out that they did this because we were missionaries. (makes me grateful when I think of all my colleague who enter sensitive countries secretly and dangerously) We walked down the hall filled with beautiful photos of Dominican children and beaches, and tears came to my eyes. We made it!

Then I heard music coming from outside the door. It was merengue music. We heard cheering and singing. I wondered if there was a Dominican celebrity on our flight. Then I saw their faces. It was our family. Our missionary colleagues. Our staff. Young people all wearing their Kings Castle shirts singing and cheering. Then twenty little girls came running to me with hugs and kisses. It was the girls and boys from Bethesda children’s home. They had a bouquet of flowers and a bright yellow beautiful sign, with words written in gold glitter, “Welcome home to our Missionaries, Nelson, Rennae and family”

I became a blubbering, crying, happy, hugging, kissing mess! As we made our our way outside,( it took awhile, we had to hug and kiss them all!!!) all of a sudden we heard barking and then my boys went crazy! Joel brought our little miniature dachshund, named Holly, running to us on a leash. The boys had missed that dog so much during our 14 months of itineration in the US. They talked about her all the time and couldn’t wait to see her. Having her to there to greet us at the airport was a special gift.

Ketty, my ministry partner and director of the girls home brought us an enormous basket of fruit with papaya, mango, bananas, passion fruit along with a pizza, chicken, soda pop, and a cake. Now the beautiful cake with “Bienvenido familia de Freitas” had unfortunately been dropped at the airport and was not so beautiful but we ate it nonetheless.

We arrived home and our staff helped us get settled in, served us the food, washed the dishes, took 17 suitcases up the stairs and enjoyed the "dropped-on-the airport-floor "cake with us. Our missionary colleagues the Anonbys and the Bellos had stocked the cupboards with food. Elena Anonby made us a batch of homemade cookies and my favorite bran muffins that she makes (mmmmm!!) Sugeily had and arrangement of bird of paradise flowers (commonly found here in the DR) on the table.

Our friends left and we layed our tired bodies down to rest. What a day! We made it! We arrived safe and sound and it turned out that I didn’t need those ruby red slippers after all. But I am still quoting Dorothy, “There’s no place like home.”

Becoming a Fan

If you are into Facebook then you know about Fan pages. Basically you can join an internet page that makes you a fan of almost anything or anyone. Starbucks has a fan page that is really popular, and there is Hannah Montana, Switchfoot, and Elvis. Of course, all of your sports teams have a fan page. I joined the Tampa Bay Rays. You can be a fan of a church or an organization. Joel Osteen has a fan page and so does the Batman movie. My sixteen year old son just joined the C.S. Lewis fan page. (My kid is so cool!)

As we come to the end of our itineration, (itineration: a missionaries one year in their home country to visit people and places, raise money and say thank you) I have been thinking about all the places and people that we’ve met. We have met so many unknown amazing people. Their stories may never be told in any magazine and they may never have a fan page on Facebook but if they did; I would want to join.

Mark and Jan Hall-- They began their missionary career in Mozambique. They both speak three languages and now as they reach retirement age you would think that they would be slowing down, but instead they have begun a whole new ministry here in the states. They work in San Antonio with the foreign military that have come to the united states to study language. They are reaching the whole WORLD right there in San Antonio. Muslims and Arabs have come to faith through their ministry and the ministry of local church that they partner with. I was especially blessed to meet a Dominican marine officer that they have been bringing to church. He absolutely loves the church and God is doing a work in his life. Mark and Jan say all that they really do is love these men and women into the Kingdom. That is why I am a fan of Mark and Jan Hall.

Judy Clark -- Judy is a Pastors wife and has been serving Jesus alongside her husband for years but just a couple of years ago she felt the spirit of God tugging at her heart and preparing her for a new phase of ministry. She wasn’t sure and she wrestled with it trying to find direction for awhile. Then the Lord opened up a door for her to work as a chaplain. She works in the area of Family services and has the privilege to pray and counsel with women involved in domestic violence, children victimized by abuse and couples going through divorce. She told me that in a years time she had met with over 200 individuals and had led 138 of those people to the Lord. I admire her so much, I would join her fan page as well.

The Hodums-- This is a pastoral family that have been our friends for years, but this time I was able to see how God uses this family in a small rural community in such a significant way. Their kids go to public school and they take being a campus missionary very seriously. Their teenage son, Andrew made friends with a guy that was kind of an outsider at school without any friends. Andrew invited him to church and got him involved with music at church and band at school. It turns out that he was from a broken home, a very sad situation. This boy gave his life to Jesus and is a totally different kid. The Hodums love him as if he were one of their own. He practically lives at their house. This is just one story, there are other kids as well but it would take too long to tell every story. Because of all these stories, I am a fan of the Hodums.

Woody Woodruff-- Woody is a great friend & partner in ministry. He has been helping us with MAPS building teams that are doing work on our project. But before he became a missionary associate, he was a successful businessman with his own welding business. He’s a hard worker and his business kept him away from his family and away from God. All that changed one day when his little girl sat on his lap and asked him to spend just three hours a week with her. He knew that he needed to spend time with his kids so he agreed and then she asked that those three hours be spent with her at church on Wednesdays and Sundays. Well, God got a hold of his heart, and as a result, his business and money and worldly success didn’t seem so important anymore. He sold his business, his custom built home and downsized so that he could do full time missions work. Now he travels the world using his welding skills to build a children’s home in Jamaica, churches in Africa and a children’s ministry center in the Dominican Republic. We are BIG TIME fans of Woody Woodruff.

Mary Jane Neville-- If you know us you have heard Nelson talk about Mary Jane. Mary Jane was the lady who led Nelson to the Lord at the age of nine. She did this through a Good News Club in his neighborhood. A Good News club is basically a Sunday school lesson held in someone’s home once a week after school. Mary Jane prepared memory verse games, stories and songs and the God used her to sow the seeds of God’s worn on my husbands heart. One day she gave Nelson a Bible and she wrote a date inside the cover; November 9th, 1974. That was the day that Nelson gave his heart to Jesus. Today Mary Jane lives in an assisted care facility and she still sends us offerings for our ministry. If Mary Jane had Facebook fan page, Nelson would be the first to join. I would be second.


These are just a few of my fan pages. I could write so many more stories. Just like me, you could probably write stories about unknown amazing people. So here’s my challenge to my blogging buddies. Tell their stories!! Don’t you think that Hannah Montana and Starbucks have enough fans? Let’s be fans of the unknown amazing people in this world.

The Source is the Same...

As we near the end of our year of itineration ministry, we are in our last big push to raise funds. Fund raising is not may favorite part of this ministry gig. But it is a necessary part. And God has always been faithful.
Last year I was so nervous and worried about the whole process of setting up our missions services. One day as I was praying the Lord reminded me that He was my source. Not the churches. Not the pastor. Not my communication ability. Not even the current US economy. He alone was my source so it didn't matter if I scheduled a service in a big church or a small home missions church. He has always been our provider and he remains to be Jehovah Jireh. Our source is always the same.
This past January our family had the privilege of going to Philadelphia, PA and learn about the history of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We came back from that trip inspired to write our own Declaration. Ours is a Declaration of Dependence.
I thought that I should share it on my blog, especially since we still lack the necessary funds to return in August. Our target date is the 18th of August. I find that I need to remind myself about that word from the Lord. (everytime we fill up the gas tank.) You, my dear reader, may need to hear it as well. Your Source is still the same.

de Freitas Family Declaration of DEpendence
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia!
Oh, yes!
Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)

We believe
That the same God who provided a financial miracle for the provision for the purchase of Cima del Rey will provide it again.
We believe
That the current state of the economy in the USA bears no influence on the economy of heaven.
We believe
That the provision for us to return to the Dominican Republic does not depend upon our talents, abilities, or our opportunities.
We believe
That every offering and ministry opportunity is a testimony to the working of the Spirit within us and the Glory goes to God alone.
We believe
And stand upon the truth of Ephesians 3:20 that we serve a God who can do anything and can do far more than we could ever imagine, or guess, or request in our wildest dreams.
We believe
That no matter WHERE we go—bigchurch /little church, big crowd/ small crowd, no matter who the pastor is, or what the circumstances or the situation
Our Source is the same.
Signed and respectfully declared, this 24th day of the year of our Lord two thousand and eight,
Nelson, Rennae, Troy, Alexander, Marcus and Nicolas de Freitas

Peninsular Florida Girls Retreat (formerly Missionette retreat)-- My experience as special speaker

Girls retreat is over and I finally have a moment sitting with my coffee, my new MacBook named Maxi (name inspired by my new friend Sara who names everything) to reflect on a week of sharing the Word and the powerful Presence of Jesus with my sisterchics. 

Deborah Chapin, who happens to be one of my favorite people in this world, asked me to speak back in December. Looking back on it now, I don’t know what she was thinking!!! I have spent the last 15 years of my life in a small third-world country speaking spanish. On top of that, I am the mother of four BOYS, hello?  I honestly had NO CLUE as to how to minister to girls in the USA in ENGLISH!!! 

So as it got time to prepare I started to despair, I WAS TERRIFIED! And anytime that I get terrified -- you probably do this too-- I get down on my knees. I asked Jesus about it and he reminded me that I had been a missionary 15 years and that after 15 years I am pretty much an expert at studying culture and adapting. He reminded me that we have spent a lot of time working out the practical ways God’s Word must impact our lives within the good and the bad of culture. So.... it was time to study the culture of american girls and young women.

(lauging out loud here--while I type Nelson is doing the hula hoop on Wii Fit!!!! hahaha!! Composure.. ok...sorry... back to the story) 

So my first step was cable television, I watched Hannah Montana, iCarly, Zoey101 and the only thing I really learned from them was that my teenage wardrobe from the 80’s is actually in fashion again!!! I can truthfully say that I can live the rest of my life without watching Hannah Montana. So we had the wardrobe down...

Then I began to observe the girls at church and that’s when I God spoke to me. I got to know a girl whose family has been having a rough time financially, she’s a little socially awkward but she has become my friend. I noticed that the other girls at church ignore her. Then one day I heard a girl who loves Jesus and really is a great girl say to my socially awkward, financially struggling friend, “Didn’t you wear that shirt to church yesterday?” I watched my friend’s countenance change. Her face turned red, she fidgeted, she nervously tried to explain that it was a clean shirt... My soul was grieved. I began to look into this. I could see that there was something going on with girls that needed to be addressed by the WORD of GOD. 

Then God worked it out with my very own BFF, Rhonda Gray,  to help me. Boy did she help...She has a daughter, age 11 and she knows all about this stuff. We wrote a story together with the Holy Spirit. I love ministering with story -- just like Jesus did with the Parables. We felt led to hit the topics of friendship, bullying, cyberbullying, gossip and revenge. 

Rhonda and I became teenagers, Lexi and Chloe. Please, I know its weird to see two women in their thirties try to be teenagers. I hope that there is no you tube video that will come back to haunt me!! We had a blast and God moved in EVERY retreat. 

The small girls were so fun! We adapted the story a little bit but they actually were very engaged and they really loved the characters. I believe that even some of the little girls received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. It was beautiful to see them flood the altars when we gave an altar call. Nobody held back. I love that!!!

Then we ministered to 12-18 year old girls. Big Jump, but God showed up in a big way! One girl asked me, “Please pray that God will give me a friend, I am always left out.” Tears were streaming down her cheeks. 

The morning of this retreat, I was reading about Zaccheus and the Word jumped out at me of how Jesus looked up at Zaccheus and he called him by name. I felt impressed that the Lord would look at these girls, even the ones who were outcasts like Zaccheus. During altar call as we prayed, I looked over and my eyes met with this teenage girl and I got goosebumps, it was electrifying!!! I felt like a vessel and Jesus was looking at this girl. We prayed together and IT WAS POWERFUL! 

The Holy Spirit was poured out, several girls received and one girl stayed and stayed and stayed all by herself with just her leader. I mean she practically missed lunch. She was NOT gonna go home without the baptism. She didn’t!!! She was so excited. 

We also had a message in tongues. I had been really praying for the gifts to be in operation. THIS WAS AN ANSWER TO MY PRAYERs! Yay! An adult gave the message and I explained to the girls what it was all about. In my spirit I KNEW that the interpretation would come from one of the girls. I actually started to tell the girls, “the interpretation could be in one of you, it does not have to be an adult” but I didn’t say it thinking that I did not want to influence the work of the Spirit. It turns out that He does not need my help!!!! And sure enough a young girl came forward with a message! The Lord spoke through her saying to the girls, “You are not too young to influence your church, your school or your community”   Wow...so cool! 

Stars retreat was the last and in this one we ministered to the upper elementary girls. This is probably my favorite age. They were really in to it. They listened intently and really connected with the message. In all the retreats I felt passionate about communicating to the girls that God’s Word really APPLIES to our everyday walking around lives, even our friendships! (especially our friendships!) It is better than a teen magazine!!! 

They really went after God and it was awesome. LOTS of girls were filled with the Spirit and there was a beautiful healing presence. God did a lot of work healing emotions and heart hurts in all the retreats and it wasn’t just the girls. There were several leaders who told me that had to get free of past hurts. 

One last testimony. It was wonderful feel the gifts in operation. Gifts of knowledge and prophecy. But I especially asked the Lord to let his Word speak into the lives of the girls. Often as I ministered in the altars the Scriptures would flood my prayers. As I prayed over girls in the stars retreat I kept reminding the girls that the Lord God never would forget them. I prayed Isaiah 49:15-16

Can a mother forget her nursing child?

      Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?

   But even if that were possible,

      I would not forget you!

See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.

In the altars as I ministered this scripture a little girl fell out under the power of God and she just wailed. It was almost gut-wrenching, yet I knew at the same time Jesus was doing a beautiful work. It turns out that this child has been in and out of foster care and most recently her Stars leaders had to turn in her step father for child abuse. Big time stuff that ONLY JESUS can really heal. And in that moment the Holy Spirit hovered over her and it was as though He was holding her in that altar and healing her.

Well that is my story. Jesus did his thing and I got to be a part of it!!! Except for the few times that I forgot to pray in English with the girls (crazy--I am so used to ministering in Spanish in the altars) and for the demons in the sound system, (but I’m used that) it was a week of victories for everyone myself included. 

Oh and one last thing-- Pray for me, I am working hard to remove  “like” “totally” “awesome” and “cool” from my every-other-word vocabulary. You should have heard me in church yesterday!!! lol!!!