Courtesy of cid-unesco.org.
International Dance Day (World Dance Day) has been celebrated on April 29 through promotion by the International Dance Council (CID).
The holiday was introduced in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute.
Among the goals of the Dance Day are to increase the awareness of the importance of dance among the general public, as well as to persuade governments all over the world to provide a proper place for dance in all systems of education, from primary to higher.
According to the CID, this year's Dance Day is dedicated to the children.
The CID believes that caring for children is the cornerstone of human progress. Our primary goal is to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. Thus we advance the cause of humanity.
Dance is a basic component of personal and societal development. We recommend quality basic education in dance for all children with an emphasis on gender equality and eliminating disparities of all kinds.
No child should be left without the opportunity to learn and to practice dance. Access to the art constitutes a right for every person and children in particular. This right should be protected, in order to help meet their basic needs and reach their full potential.
Have a wonderful day full of dance!
Dance for the children.
"Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."
Jeremiah 31:13
"David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might..."
2 Samuel 6:13-15
"They send forth their children as a flock; their little ones dance about. They sing to the music of tambourine and harp; they make merry to the sound of the flute."
Job 21:11-12
"I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful."
Jeremiah 31:3-5
"[There is] a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance."
Ecclesiastes 3:4
2008 is the year of Jubilee!
Celebrate!
4.29.2008
4.19.2008
Desde Mi Interior
"This is the heart of Christian living: God keeps on entering, using, redeeming, and sanctifying His creation from inside.
Christ not only does something for us; He means to do something to us, and within us; He means to reproduce Himself in everyone. Nor does He wait until we have reached some unimaginable perfection before He comes to make us new. He takes us as we are, just as He once took all mankind as it is.
And, as far as we will permit Him, He makes us over from within, redeems us, and begins the long process of making us His."
________
-Bible 11 [Authentic Christian Living 11.2] "Apply to Life", Jubilee Academy
Christ not only does something for us; He means to do something to us, and within us; He means to reproduce Himself in everyone. Nor does He wait until we have reached some unimaginable perfection before He comes to make us new. He takes us as we are, just as He once took all mankind as it is.
And, as far as we will permit Him, He makes us over from within, redeems us, and begins the long process of making us His."
________
-Bible 11 [Authentic Christian Living 11.2] "Apply to Life", Jubilee Academy
4.16.2008
"I Need You" - The Swift
My heart is restless in me
My wings are all worn out
I'm walking in the wilderness
And I cannot get out
I need You, Oh, I need You
Blessed Savior come
I need You, Oh, I need You
Fill the every longing in my soul
Oh, how I need You, Lord
I need Your perfect Word
With tearful eyes to see
The sin that I afford
I need to weep and pray
For all the thousand ways
That I have failed You just today
My bed is soaked with sadness
My sadness has no end
A downward spiral of despair
That I keep falling in
I need You, Oh, I need You
To You my soul shall fly
I need You, Oh, I need You
Yaweh, how I love You more than life
Oh, how I need You, Lord
I need Your perfect Word
With tearful eyes to see
The sin that I afford
I need to weep and pray
For all the thousand ways
That I have failed You just today
Your silence is like death to me
So won't You hear my desperate plea?
Today my soul is soaring
Way over mountains high
Though I can see the valleys
They're all just passing by
It's not that I am stronger
[Look at my feeble wings]
But I've been lifted higher
Yaweh's lifted me in His own strength
Oh, how I love You, Lord
I love Your perfect Word
With tearful eyes to see
The God who always will endure
Now I will celebrate
For all the thousand ways
That You have shown me grace
And made my heart in grace to stay
You've made my heart in grace to stay
Lord, make my heart in grace to stay
I need You, Oh, I need You...
________
If I could only sing one song for the rest of my life...
I need You, Lord, I need You...
I need You, Lord, I need You...
4.15.2008
Every New Beginning
marks a beginning's end.
You know, it's been awhile since I've sat down and just written whatever came to me in a blog. And to be perfectly honest, all the things I had to say in their perfectly captured order have suddenly left my consciousness. And here I am, with just a few things swirling in my mind. Hoping I've not fallen into that place I never said I'd go back again.
"It's been one of those days
When everything just feels so far away
Hope don't be a stranger
Won't you help me make it through today?
Someone tell me how I
Stumble into doubting all the time
Some days I'm all together
And other days I stand here asking 'Why?'"*
Needless to say, I'm bummed the team has gone. However, I have been talking to them (oh, modern technology). So, it's not so bad as waiting a few weeks to get a letter. Though, strangely, I'm beginning to miss phone calls. (I'll happily be calling Kaleigh tonight.) I've been keeping up with some by email, messaging, IM... It's not the same, of course. But it is sufficient.
Complaining is the last thing I want to do. I have nothing to complain or be sad about. And I don't think that I am. So, I'm inclined to keep silent, since I have no logical way of describing it. And this whole thing is probably just a sorry attempt to postpone cleaning or homework. Which makes me sound like a flibbertigibbet. (Yes, that is a real word. And it cheered me by just typing it and imagining some of your reactions...or attempts at pronunciation.)
Every new beginning marks a beginning's end.
I thought, at first, that is what happened over the team. That I marked the beginning of a new level, a new step. And that I had left the last behind. Maybe I did, in some small ways. Then again, maybe I've started the circle all over again. The one I'd tried very hard to detach myself from for so long. And I'm wondering if I've been ringed back into it again--against my will. The way it was talked about over and over again...
Maybe I'm just over-thinking all of this. But this was something I hadn't realized until it was pointed out to me. And I'm still debating whether it is good or bad that it was pointed out. I think I could point to the end of that beginning and the beginning of what will hopefully end soon. I probably shouldn't have opened my big mouth. Maybe then it wouldn't have been egged on so much.
Then again, aren't some thing inevitable? Is this one of those things?
Luckily, this is written solely for my benefit. The fact that any readers of this post are most likely lost or bewildered at this point only means you are sane.
I've no idea where my book is, and it's about to drive me crazy. My guess is that I'll find it (not surprisingly) after I clean my room. If I don't, then I'll get worried. It's one of those journey books. And I was at my
...[I was called away for a time lapse of about two hours]...
You know, doing what you ought can lift your mood.
Playing praise and worship music while doing what you ought can lift your spirits considerably.
Still yet to find my book...s.
Life goes on.
-=end maddening Brittany mind process=-
Oh for Pete's sake.
________
*lyrics by MercyMe, "Never Alone"
You know, it's been awhile since I've sat down and just written whatever came to me in a blog. And to be perfectly honest, all the things I had to say in their perfectly captured order have suddenly left my consciousness. And here I am, with just a few things swirling in my mind. Hoping I've not fallen into that place I never said I'd go back again.
"It's been one of those days
When everything just feels so far away
Hope don't be a stranger
Won't you help me make it through today?
Someone tell me how I
Stumble into doubting all the time
Some days I'm all together
And other days I stand here asking 'Why?'"*
Needless to say, I'm bummed the team has gone. However, I have been talking to them (oh, modern technology). So, it's not so bad as waiting a few weeks to get a letter. Though, strangely, I'm beginning to miss phone calls. (I'll happily be calling Kaleigh tonight.) I've been keeping up with some by email, messaging, IM... It's not the same, of course. But it is sufficient.
Complaining is the last thing I want to do. I have nothing to complain or be sad about. And I don't think that I am. So, I'm inclined to keep silent, since I have no logical way of describing it. And this whole thing is probably just a sorry attempt to postpone cleaning or homework. Which makes me sound like a flibbertigibbet. (Yes, that is a real word. And it cheered me by just typing it and imagining some of your reactions...or attempts at pronunciation.)
Every new beginning marks a beginning's end.
I thought, at first, that is what happened over the team. That I marked the beginning of a new level, a new step. And that I had left the last behind. Maybe I did, in some small ways. Then again, maybe I've started the circle all over again. The one I'd tried very hard to detach myself from for so long. And I'm wondering if I've been ringed back into it again--against my will. The way it was talked about over and over again...
Maybe I'm just over-thinking all of this. But this was something I hadn't realized until it was pointed out to me. And I'm still debating whether it is good or bad that it was pointed out. I think I could point to the end of that beginning and the beginning of what will hopefully end soon. I probably shouldn't have opened my big mouth. Maybe then it wouldn't have been egged on so much.
Then again, aren't some thing inevitable? Is this one of those things?
Luckily, this is written solely for my benefit. The fact that any readers of this post are most likely lost or bewildered at this point only means you are sane.
I've no idea where my book is, and it's about to drive me crazy. My guess is that I'll find it (not surprisingly) after I clean my room. If I don't, then I'll get worried. It's one of those journey books. And I was at my
...[I was called away for a time lapse of about two hours]...
You know, doing what you ought can lift your mood.
Playing praise and worship music while doing what you ought can lift your spirits considerably.
Still yet to find my book...s.
Life goes on.
-=end maddening Brittany mind process=-
Oh for Pete's sake.
________
*lyrics by MercyMe, "Never Alone"
4.08.2008
Beautiful Feet
Isaiah 52:7 ~
"How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
"Your God reigns!"
March 29 - April 5, 2008
Spring Break
The BCS Missions Team
Fastest week of my life
You can hardly imagine my excitement that Saturday morning. Or my anticipation that afternoon as I practiced with the ARDE praise team before youth group. While we did a sound check, Cheizi held on to my phone in case my dad should call. She got a call, around 4 I would say, and it was Jenny! We screamed. We danced. They laughed.
They were really here!
That night we mixed the American team with the Dominican youth group at our church here. Singing praises, playing games and dancing. We had a great word from Mr. J about Thomas. And spend the night snacking on chips, drinking soda, and mingling. Then we came home to the wonderful smell of Ratatouille and pasta made by our dear friend Mrs. Betty Poppe. Then the team crashed. Some sleeping in the living room, some on the screened back porch, some in the blue and palm tree rooms, some upstairs. Good times.
[[I should note here that most of them, if they didn't sleep during their layover, had been up since 6 o'clock the morning before. They woke up for school, had a normal day, stayed up until 2 in the morning to meet at the school so they could get to the airport on time and so on.]]
Sunday morning we went to Iglesia Cristiana Palabras de Vida, the Dominican church we attend here. The worship was great, it was just a wonderful experience. Mireya had a word from the Lord during worship, in which she said, "There is an oasis in the middle of your desert." Senor Hector, who had the pulpit in place of Pastor Raffy, spoke on Loneliness.
After church, we had lunch, then got on the bus to head to La Romana. We played the Cup Game. If you know what I'm talking about, then...well, you know. It was hilarious. Poor Dillon was so very frustrated. We made a small pit stop by the ocean (exactly where we stopped with Mr. J's church team last summer) and took a moment to look over the Caribbean, take a few pictures.
We went directly to the Haitian church we would attend that night, Sanidad de Jehovah. That night they had a special Praise and Worship service. Three amazing hours adoring our Father God. Dancing, singing, worshiping. That is one of the best services I have ever been to.
The next two days we spent in La Romana. The Seniors went on a small medical missions team for the day, while the rest of us went to a girls' orphanage. Immediately, this little girl in the picture on the left of my site clung to me, all day long. Yaneli, I believe that's how you spell it. She was a fiery little thing. Very demanding and excitable. And yet, there was a sweetness about her. Her only desire was to be loved. She was frustrated, and I think that's what made her lash out a bit. But I nicknamed her "Buena" because I knew that, really, she was a good girl. God taught me quite a few lessons with her. One being that, no matter how wrong we feel or how much we hurt (and lash out against Him) He will always hold on to us with loving arms. Patiently waiting for us to accept His love. It doesn't matter if He is hurt in the process, or if it looks like we aren't making any progress. He will love. I will love.
That night we went Altos de Chavon in Casa de Campo. A lovely place. Jenny, in the picture below, said that if she could marry a location, this would be in the top ten. I would suggest visiting there at least once in your life.
The next day the whole team went to the girls orphanage for a good amount of hours. We played baseball, played jump rope [[I was in a contest the day before with some girls. One girl jumped 102 in a row. I was supposed to break the record. My legs wouldn't move anymore after 90.]], danced in the rain, played bingo, pushed them on the swings... So many things. By now, all the girls were teasing each other with which boy they liked from the team. Giggling and teasing one another about telling and such. But, of course, no one dared.
Right at the end, we made bookmarks for the girls with their names on them. So they were quite content with their bookmarks and heart shaped balloons. Some still had bracelets on from when we visited last time. For those who didn't, we made new ones. We had a fantastic time, we found it hard to leave, and they found it hard to let go. There were many promises of visits in the summer. I have no doubt that will happen.
On Wednesday we went to Cercadillo to help paint a church for the kids. They decided they wanted to join in. They were so very eager to help that paint brushes, if you weren't looking, would be taken right out of the bucket or tray. They did work really hard. And helped. But what you see below is an amazing feat. Some on the team were instructed to keep the kids away from the shovels and picks, so they decided to start a game of pato, pato, gonzo (what we call duck, duck, goose). I don't know that I've ever seen a better circle with so many kids.
We also carried large wooden benches on our shoulders quite a long way from the school to the church. I did this. All I could think about was how much harder it had been for Jesus. With forty lashes on His back, until He hardly looked human, dragging a rugged cross on His bleeding shoulders uphill to Calvary.
He doesn't really ask much of us, does He?
The picture at the top is from the highest point on Restoration Ranch, where we did a prayer walk and some painting on Thursday after going to the market. That was an amazing day. It began to rain, and we just all went out in the fields and under the trees to pray for all those whose feet would set upon that land. What a privilege to be a part of something that will bring glory to God's name. That will be a place of refuge for me. And for many others.
If you would like to read more on Restoration Ranch and what we will do there: go here.
We also had dinner at the Cheizi's house. We had a great time swimming and playing pool. And may I just say, Cody and I dominated the table. Thank you very much.
The last day was fantastic. Friday was our free day. We went to Jarabacoa and hiked to a waterfall. A few others and I climbed this huge rock wall next to the waterfall. Estamos locos. Seriously. But the really awesome thing that happened that day... Three from our team got baptized! Including my little brother Isaiah.
So needless to say, saying goodbye at the airport on Saturday was not easy at all. But it was definitely the right thing. In more ways than one. Amazing things happened in the terminal during their layover in Puerto Rico. Ministering, singing, praying... just a wonderful way to end of their missions trip and keep them pumped about what they can do when they get back.
We can make a difference.
It's time to set the world on fire.
See you later, guys.
"How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
"Your God reigns!"
March 29 - April 5, 2008
Spring Break
The BCS Missions Team
Fastest week of my life
You can hardly imagine my excitement that Saturday morning. Or my anticipation that afternoon as I practiced with the ARDE praise team before youth group. While we did a sound check, Cheizi held on to my phone in case my dad should call. She got a call, around 4 I would say, and it was Jenny! We screamed. We danced. They laughed.
They were really here!
That night we mixed the American team with the Dominican youth group at our church here. Singing praises, playing games and dancing. We had a great word from Mr. J about Thomas. And spend the night snacking on chips, drinking soda, and mingling. Then we came home to the wonderful smell of Ratatouille and pasta made by our dear friend Mrs. Betty Poppe. Then the team crashed. Some sleeping in the living room, some on the screened back porch, some in the blue and palm tree rooms, some upstairs. Good times.
[[I should note here that most of them, if they didn't sleep during their layover, had been up since 6 o'clock the morning before. They woke up for school, had a normal day, stayed up until 2 in the morning to meet at the school so they could get to the airport on time and so on.]]
Sunday morning we went to Iglesia Cristiana Palabras de Vida, the Dominican church we attend here. The worship was great, it was just a wonderful experience. Mireya had a word from the Lord during worship, in which she said, "There is an oasis in the middle of your desert." Senor Hector, who had the pulpit in place of Pastor Raffy, spoke on Loneliness.
After church, we had lunch, then got on the bus to head to La Romana. We played the Cup Game. If you know what I'm talking about, then...well, you know. It was hilarious. Poor Dillon was so very frustrated. We made a small pit stop by the ocean (exactly where we stopped with Mr. J's church team last summer) and took a moment to look over the Caribbean, take a few pictures.
We went directly to the Haitian church we would attend that night, Sanidad de Jehovah. That night they had a special Praise and Worship service. Three amazing hours adoring our Father God. Dancing, singing, worshiping. That is one of the best services I have ever been to.
The next two days we spent in La Romana. The Seniors went on a small medical missions team for the day, while the rest of us went to a girls' orphanage. Immediately, this little girl in the picture on the left of my site clung to me, all day long. Yaneli, I believe that's how you spell it. She was a fiery little thing. Very demanding and excitable. And yet, there was a sweetness about her. Her only desire was to be loved. She was frustrated, and I think that's what made her lash out a bit. But I nicknamed her "Buena" because I knew that, really, she was a good girl. God taught me quite a few lessons with her. One being that, no matter how wrong we feel or how much we hurt (and lash out against Him) He will always hold on to us with loving arms. Patiently waiting for us to accept His love. It doesn't matter if He is hurt in the process, or if it looks like we aren't making any progress. He will love. I will love.
That night we went Altos de Chavon in Casa de Campo. A lovely place. Jenny, in the picture below, said that if she could marry a location, this would be in the top ten. I would suggest visiting there at least once in your life.
The next day the whole team went to the girls orphanage for a good amount of hours. We played baseball, played jump rope [[I was in a contest the day before with some girls. One girl jumped 102 in a row. I was supposed to break the record. My legs wouldn't move anymore after 90.]], danced in the rain, played bingo, pushed them on the swings... So many things. By now, all the girls were teasing each other with which boy they liked from the team. Giggling and teasing one another about telling and such. But, of course, no one dared.
Right at the end, we made bookmarks for the girls with their names on them. So they were quite content with their bookmarks and heart shaped balloons. Some still had bracelets on from when we visited last time. For those who didn't, we made new ones. We had a fantastic time, we found it hard to leave, and they found it hard to let go. There were many promises of visits in the summer. I have no doubt that will happen.
On Wednesday we went to Cercadillo to help paint a church for the kids. They decided they wanted to join in. They were so very eager to help that paint brushes, if you weren't looking, would be taken right out of the bucket or tray. They did work really hard. And helped. But what you see below is an amazing feat. Some on the team were instructed to keep the kids away from the shovels and picks, so they decided to start a game of pato, pato, gonzo (what we call duck, duck, goose). I don't know that I've ever seen a better circle with so many kids.
We also carried large wooden benches on our shoulders quite a long way from the school to the church. I did this. All I could think about was how much harder it had been for Jesus. With forty lashes on His back, until He hardly looked human, dragging a rugged cross on His bleeding shoulders uphill to Calvary.
He doesn't really ask much of us, does He?
The picture at the top is from the highest point on Restoration Ranch, where we did a prayer walk and some painting on Thursday after going to the market. That was an amazing day. It began to rain, and we just all went out in the fields and under the trees to pray for all those whose feet would set upon that land. What a privilege to be a part of something that will bring glory to God's name. That will be a place of refuge for me. And for many others.
If you would like to read more on Restoration Ranch and what we will do there: go here.
We also had dinner at the Cheizi's house. We had a great time swimming and playing pool. And may I just say, Cody and I dominated the table. Thank you very much.
The last day was fantastic. Friday was our free day. We went to Jarabacoa and hiked to a waterfall. A few others and I climbed this huge rock wall next to the waterfall. Estamos locos. Seriously. But the really awesome thing that happened that day... Three from our team got baptized! Including my little brother Isaiah.
So needless to say, saying goodbye at the airport on Saturday was not easy at all. But it was definitely the right thing. In more ways than one. Amazing things happened in the terminal during their layover in Puerto Rico. Ministering, singing, praying... just a wonderful way to end of their missions trip and keep them pumped about what they can do when they get back.
We can make a difference.
It's time to set the world on fire.
See you later, guys.
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