Ruth Jensen's Page
I am a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney where I received a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and English as a Second Language Education. I had planned to spend the summer in the Dominican Republic and then return to the states to teach Spanish.
God opened another door.
This summer, at each work site and community I really enjoyed taking breaks from work to sing and play games with children. You never knew what you would learn from the kids: a song, a new game, or maybe they would want to learn and practice some English. My favorite times were being able to help the summer mission team members and the children communicate. Even through my imperfect Spanish, it was great to see relationships form and smiles widen as they grew to understand each other a little more. One on such occasion, there was a limited amount of people that could work on the roof at one time so some of the group members and I were playing with some children while taking turns. The game we played involved running and chasing, I’m sure we looked quite ridiculous to the adults of the area standing around watching. It reminded me of a song that says “I will be come even more undignified than this, lay my pride by my side, I will become even more undignified than this, though some may say it’s foolishness.” It is even in these “undignified” times that we are able to share Christ’s love for these beautiful people. This is one of the things that the Foundation for Peace does well, spreading Christ’s love and encouragement in the neediest communities.
The communities I was able to visit and the people I have gotten to know during summer 2006 left such an imprint on my heart that I felt called to return this fall to serve and teach in the Dominican Republic. I feel blessed that the Foundation for Peace agreed and has been so supportive.
Various mission trips to Mexico with my college campus ministry and my home church have been influential and preparatory for ministry and teaching in the Dominican Republic. I am very excited about teaching English in several schools and communities, working with the student sponsorship program, worshipping with my Dominican brothers and sisters, and working with mission teams.
Please pray:
-that the students and people we minister to will develop strong relationships with the Lord;
-that God will comfort and encourage my family as I move far from home;
-and that God will guide us every step of the way.
Click on this link to read Ruth's Spring, 2007 update.