Kaitlynn: One Month Volunteer
Kaitlynn is from Pepperdine University. She was here last February with a team of twenty people. She was so touched by the power of the experience working with the children that she chose to return for a month.
She is a theater major but since the experience last February she is thinking about changing her major to something that relates to human service. She has work with children with disabilities, volunteered in preschool, and conducted disability theater. She has a passion for the children and this week is teaching the orphans how to use the computer to do math assignments.
Release of New Book: Christ Mind, Buddha Heart
The first copies of Christ Mind, Buddha Heart have arrived. This book was written in preparation for an upcoming conference in Los Angeles on Christianity and Buddhism. This is an international conference for people of both faiths to come together to talk about common issues and identify ways to respect and honor each other.
Lorna Kelly edited the book and is the author of The Camel Knows the Way, a biography of her 20 years friendship with Mother Teresa, and was the first woman auctioneer of Suthobys. She presently is an editor in New York. She read the manuscript and said this explains how a Christian can also incorporate Buddhism into their life and not violate basic Christian belief. Release the Hero Within is averaging about 11 books a day at www.lulu.com/barhanna Books Relating to the Language of Jesus
Mailing Address: Snail Mail
Mailing address
(via the kindness of our friend):
Dale and Marta Johnson%
Leticia Minaya
Roman de Pina �35
Mao, Velverde, Republica Dominicana
May 18, 2005
Field report from Good Samaritan Orphanage, Dominican Republic
Gratefulness
"You are like Rilke's Swan in his awkward waddling across the ground; the swan doesn't cure his awkwardness by beating himself on the back, by moving faster, or by trying to organize himself better. He does it by moving toward the elemental water where he belongs. It is the simple contact with the water that gives him grace and presence. You only have to touch the elemental waters in your own life, and it will transform everything. But you have to let yourself down into those waters from the ground on which you stand, and that can be hard. Particularly if you think you might drown." David Stendel-Rast
�Gratefulness� is a simple term. It is recognizable by everyone. It may be confused with gratitude, which is a value or a kind of conduct. Gratefulness, however, is a state of being, what one is rather than what one does. Ron Loeb
Gratefullness� power to heal to heal the worst wound�s of life is quite miraculous. Once we deeply experience that healing we are able to recreate it again for ourselves and others. At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. Albert Schweitzer
The grammar of gratitude � an underlying structure that helps us construct and give meaning to our lives. The rules of this grammar cover our entire being. Its syntax reveals a system of relationships linking us to the God and all of creation.
How to be Grateful To learn gratitude, practice being grateful for experiences both great and small. Do not judge them. Simply breath and be grateful. This requires silence, stillness, and simplicity: silence because we must first listen to be grateful, stillness because gratefulness is a matter of being rather than doing, and simplicity because wisdom appears in childlike wonder and awe. Dale A. Johnson (from forthcoming book on gratefulness)
Our three weeks in the States
We are so thankful for the many friends we met during our visit to the States. We got to know the people at MCC in Portland. We feel such a connection to this church. Most of all it feeds us spiritually. I told Reverend Glenna that I hope heaven is like these worship experiences we have attended. Also, we made many new friends this time and got to know people we have only had contact with by email..
Also we could not be more grateful for Darren Wertz who provided us a place to stay for two weeks and to Dale's mother who provided us hospitality during the week we were in the Seattle area where Dale gave a lecture on Science and Religion at Seattle University. The lecture was well receivced and it has resulted in many book orders, emails from around the world, and an invitation to the University of Montana next year.
Also we visited Fr. Walker, an Episcopal priest and spiritual mentor for Dale. Both Fr. Walker and his wife were so gracious to us and are a model of love and devotion.
Finally we thank our many supporters at Ridgefield United Methodist Church. Woody Ennis, the women's group, the men's Bible study group, and Marta's parents. Also we thank Jack V and the men at the coffeshop, Maggie and Steve, and to Ray and linda for a beautiful boat ride on the Columbia. Thanks to Jeremy for two great fishing trips and a shared experience of acknowledgement and honor for each other.
Hall of Heroes
Click the photo button at the bottom to see all the orphans we presently serve at El Buen Samaritano. Each child is identified by name with a short note about his special talent or circumstance.
Dale and Marta Johnson,
Send contributions to Orphanage Outreach,
atten. Dale and Marta
6111 Robert E. Lee Street,
Glendale, AZ 85308 or pay by major credit card through Pay Pal. Click below
