Love.  It’s the first and simplest commandment in terms of rules. However, it’s also one of the more difficult to follow.  Not for reasons people often assume.  It’s easy to love your children, your spouse, your parents and relatives.  Sometimes it’s not though.  Sometimes, it’s the most difficult to love the most obvious.  Ourselves.  Even more so, going a bit further, our enemies.  With social media being the modern propaganda arm for any would be radical group or government ideologist, groups in control often seek to divide the masses.  Perhaps because united as one, we are unstoppable. Divided we fall. 
 
You see the social media posts, “so and so is a nazi” “so and so is a racist” etc. Most of us roll our eyes and know a shill when we see it. Don’t fall into the trap. I see life in memes now since we have kids under the age of 7. I can no longer look at an article and give it proper attention since my life is filled with bathroom breaks, snack breaks then lunch, then dinner, dishes, trash etc. I can’t forget to mention all the wonderfully amazing snotty kisses and spaghetti sauce-laden hugs.  Thank the Lord Jess handles most poopy diapers that are horrific. (thanks Jess, you’re a lifesaver).  I assume most people are entirely too busy to give any real research into any given subject that may be an important topic of the day. They look at memes. I look at memes. For those who may not know, a meme is typically a photo that sums up an idea with a text based message scrolled across it. Or a gif with text. I. E. “My life right now…” and it’s a picture of a raccoon in an attic with 9 babies. Which is funny because the author had 4 kids in less than 7 years. . 
 
The meme is and will continue to be a powerhouse of attracting and spreading misinformation, ideas, truths and also, unfortunately, lies. What the point of all of this? Well time. Attention to things is less and less as our lives become more filled with technology. It almost seems like part of a grand plan to overload us, then easily distract us making us forget our purpose here. It’s to love! If anything we’re doing is anything but loving one another, it’s not of God. 
 
 As most of you know, we were slated to return December 28th to the DR. Our newborn daughter (Oct 5th) was diagnosed with bronchiolitis making it impossible to travel that day. We decided to put off travel and change our tickets for Jan 2. This fall and winter while we were home we sent out a mailer detailing what we’re doing, what we’ve done and what we need to keep doing the things. We are humbled and honored by the huge response. We’re much closer to our goal for a utility vehicle for our family/mission in the mountains. We have a ways to go still, but it got me thinking about how we can communicate more effectively as a mission. If you know me personally, then you know I LOVE memes. So I put this out there as a pseudo poll. Would anyone want to see a monthly meme from BBOH? It would be via Facebook because that’s what we use mostly. I know all the cool kids don’t anymore, but we’re older now so we aren’t as hip as we once thought we were. This would be a meme that’s pertinent to the topic for the month in order to draw conversation or ideas from. They would be uplifting, funny, or a tear jerker. I would love to hear your thoughts. These memes would either revolve around our family as a missionary family, our organization etc. One thing we never do, nor will ever do, is political memes or memes that hurt people in any way. That’s our rule. So send us your thoughts!
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Also, remember to love your neighbor, enemy and yourself!! 

Keep us in your prayers! Have a great 2020!!

  2 Corinthians 9:6-8 says it perfectly.  The Clinic of Hope Gala was a huge success! We raised just over $20,000!! We cannot thank you all enough for your giving spirit, your faith in us and your incredible love for others. Giving to others in need, to the point of where it hurts is a hard concept. I can’t say I’m proud of the fact that it took me, well into my mid twenties, to figure out what, so many of our collegiate volunteers have already figured out. At the ripe old age of 20 something to boot!

We know that it’s in God’s nature to give. When I learned that if I had my palms open all the time, not just when I need something put in it, the amount of things that flowed through those palms, always open, astounded me. I let the Lord put in my palm, then take out joyfully for someone else’s needs. And while still open, usually more is put back. The idea applies to much more than just monetary purposes.  Sharing feelings, joy and love with others can also work this way. When we close ourselves emotionally to others, we lose out on a rich experience that is what it means to be human. People cannot connect joyfully with someone who has their emotional palms closed shut like a safe. Holding all their shame. It takes time to allow yourself to be that vulnerable. I’m definitely not perfect at it either. I am always work in progress though. As are all of you! 

  
 Residency
  We had a visit to Chicago last week for a meeting with the consulate of the Dominican Republic. Jess has made a friend there through asking all the things one would need for a residency process. Which, in case you were wondering, is a total paperwork nightmare. I don’t have enough time to explain the seven visits to various Secretary of State offices to find someone to apostille documents… that was just one step that took several days. However, all the steps were completed and we submitted them with our passports for everyone except new baby Camila. She didn’t get her passport until yesterday.  The Missionary Visas that will allow us to be residents of the Dominican Republic should be approved this week! The kids’ will take a little longer as they need to be sent to the Dominican Republic for processing rather than done in-house at the Chicago consulate. Please pray for them to be expedient with them so it is all handled this month! 

  Life things
  Everyone got a stomach bug that tore through our house. Emmy had it worst. It was just a 24 hr deal, but how difficult. It makes me appreciate the fact that by and large we’re healthy.  Being here in the States allows me to participate with the Pinckney Police Dept. One of the events we did was the Cram the Cruiser Food Drive of Livingston County. The donations went to local food pantries just before Thanksgiving. Another I have coming up is Shop with a Cop. Kids with special circumstances are selected every year to partake. It’s an incredible event with some heartbreaking stories. I’ve done it the last 4 years and I cannot say enough about its impact on the community. Jessica is doing amazing. She’s the glue that binds us together. She singlehanded organized our residency, homeschooling for two of 4 kids, preparing catechesis training for when we return and so many other things. I often wonder if I was like that 7 years ago. So full of energy and drive. Camilla is doing really well! She’s gaining weight! She eats like she’s a part of the family and sleeps a bit better and more consistent at night. We are gearing up here for Christmas and to leave for the DR on the 28th of December. We were blessed by my parents allowing us to borrow their 8 passenger Ford Flex to acomódate our growing family when Camila was born. We now need to figure out a solution for a vehicle in the DR. Our Jeep Patriot, on it’s last leg, will no longer hold all of us. This is scary, but we have faith that the Lord will provide!!  Jessica did some online training in fundraising via good old fashioned mailings.  If you aren’t on our mailing list please send us your address and we’ll be sure to send you the forthcoming letter.  

In August I lost my childhood best friend of 32 years. He had some imbalances that were unsustainable. Jessica and I came home earlier than expected due to this loss and ended up setting us on a path that I actually am quite thankful for now. Not long after we got home Jess started having a lot of itchy symptoms on her feet and hands. This is a symptom of Cholestatis, which is a condition that can cause infant demise if taken full term. Cami was not due until Oct 24th, so being that we were home almost 3 weeks early, we decided to take the advice and get induced at 37 weeks to avoid any risk to Cami. The month of September was very stressful in regards to the pregnancy. We had multiple trips to the ER and doctor appointments to monitor Camila’s heart rate. It had dropped to dangerous levels a couple times which is scary. By the end of September week 37 couldn’t come fast enough. We wanted to wait to make sure her lungs were developed enough to survive without the NICU. 

On Saturday, October 5th at 8:45 exactly 24.5 hours after being induced, Camila Jean Carlile was born at 5lb 6oz and 17” long. The amazing thing was, she was born with a true knot in the umbilical cord. It was white in color suggesting it was being pulled tighter as she grew. This also, if baby goes full term is likely to end in infant demise. We had all the cards stacked against us. However, in John 14:6 Jesus said “Jesus said to him: “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”

Life is of God.  JESUS is life.  Even, in the worst case scenario, had Cami not made it, as many children do not make it every day, Jesus is still life.  We must have faith and trust that this little life is what the Lord wants in this moment in time.  If He chose to take her home before she was born, however heartbreaking this may be for us, ultimately, it’s His child.  We’ve dedicated, and will continue to dedicate all of our children to the kingdom of God.  I do have faith that the Lord almighty has our families interest at heart.  No matter how bleak or devastating life can be, we always have to remember that.  We may never understand, but that is the essence of faith.  

​My heart sings with joy that we were blessed with the outcome we were given.  Now, being a family of 6, we start our journey of into the balancing act of ministry and family.  At the top of our to-do list is raise money for a new vehicle.  Our 2010 Jeep Patriot is on it’s last leg — a dying transmission and leaking oil — a dangerous combo on mountain terrain.  We’ve been talking with MATS international, a nonprofit that helps missionaries find good vehicles for significantly reduced prices, about the type of vehicle needed for all of our responsibilities:  the volunteer program, medical clinics and our family.  More to come soon about what we find out!  Here in the States we are blessed by my parents allowing us access to their second vehicle. Knowing that our family no longer fits in a traditional 5 passenger vehicle, they traded in theirs for a 7 seater – talk about blessings!  

Please continue to pray for our family as we settle into our new normal with baby Cami and prepare for our return to the Dominican Republic.  

With this new addition comes some new challenges.  Most notably that our whole family will no longer fit in a standard 5-passenger vehicle.  We are need of a mini-van or something similar to borrow while we are in the States.  We will need this vehicle from Oct – Dec 2019 as our planned return to the DR is just after Christmas 2019.  If you or someone you know would be willing to help us with this special need, please reach out and contact us!

Please keep a look out on the new website and BBOH Facebook page for continued updates as the month goes on.  We remain grateful for each of you and for your heart to support missions through supporting our family.  

In Christ’s Peace,

It’s that time again! We get to do the will of God! What a time to be alive! There is something about following (or attempting to) the will of our Lord and Savior. Knowing that you’re on a mission from the most high. Of course, it’s not easy. It’s not without its hardships, difficulties and problems. However, it is full of incredible grace that allows us to push through those barriers. When we jump out of the boat like Peter in Matthew 14:29 (“And he said, “Come.” And Peter, descending from the boat, walked over the water, so as to go to Jesus.”), we get to ask to come to Jesus. No matter the physical realm. No matter what state the world is in. No matter what the laws of physics say are possible. When we do this, we’re stepping out in faith. That’s why we’re here. 

With that said, amazing things that defy physical reality have happened in the last month. We have been presented the opportunity to film a short documentary for the Knights of Columbus “Everyday Heros” campaign.  As a knighted 4th degree SK of Assembly 2050 in Howell, Michigan, we have had an incredible base of support from my fellow Knights. Both at Assembly 2050 and Counsel 11791 (3rd Degree at St. Mary’s in Pinckney, MI).  The Knights of Columbus hired the production company Spirit Juice to spend a week with us here in the Dominican Republic.  It was an incredible experience and very humbling. They filmed myself as well as bits of our life over the course of the week.  I was able to speak to why we do what we do here in the DR, what drives us to keep going, and what we need to continue moving forward. 
 
One of the topics discussed was our vehicle situation. Vehicles are the way that we reach people so far outside of our area. They’re an essential part of moving our volunteers up the mountain and moving our family around. We currently have a 2012 Jeep Patriot.  We shipped it in 2016 and received it in Jan of 2017.   Due to import laws, we aren’t able to sell or transfer the vehicle for 5 years after the receive date (which would be 2022). The problem is, we have put so many miles on this vehicle and put it through so much, that we are now encroaching upon repairs that cannot be done in the Dominican Republic (CVT transmission, ‘Continually Variable Transmission’, that cannot be replaced and the repercussions of an electrical fire that occurred behind the radio – luckily I put out the fire and the entire vehicle wasn’t set ablaze).   So we find ourselves again in the spot of needing a vehicle for the mission. Without it we can’t get to work, easily transport volunteers or accomplish the mission at hand. We’re currently using it sparingly to preserve the life it has left in it.  Please keep us in your prayers on this major point. Dominican law dictates that a vehicle cannot be imported if it’s over 5 years old by the time it’s received. This means if we were to start the process tomorrow, we wouldn’t be able to import a vehicle that’s more than 4 years old due to the shipping process timeline. This is a tall order we know. Not too big for God though!!

1.  Building Bridges of Hope was selected as a partner organization for the 2019 Mission Appeals in the Diocese of Grand Rapids!!!  Kailey will be speaking at 3 parishes in the Diocese of GR about our new medical clinic and taking up a secondary collection at each location.  This is a DREAM of ours to participate as an official partner in the Mission Appeal.  Please keep this intention in your prayers, that the appeals will be successful and provide for the next phase of construction. 

This semester Jessica has been teaching in El Chivo as we transition into a Montessori school.  It has been a challenge to say the least but the children have adapted very well.  We start the day off with more traditional oral teaching and book work, followed by the Montessori work trays focusing on fine/gross motor skills, pre-writing skills and hand-eye coordination.  Please keep the school in your prayers!  We have 42 kids who come from challenging backgrounds…. which can make the school day challenging as well.  This program is 100% funded privately by BBOH donors – thank you to those who have donated to this school year!

The construction of our new medical clinic in Rosa la Piedra is underway!  We broke ground in December and have continued steadily.  Our initial funds (roughly $20,000) have been spent on the land study, excavation of the land, rebar and pouring of the cement footings.  Construction is currently at a stop while we raise the next chunk of funds.  We have reached out to Cross Catholic International (the same org that partnered with us for a vehicle for El Chivo Preschool) and with the Knights of Columbus at Kailey’s home parish (St. Pius X in Grandville).  We will be reaching out to more K of C groups soon and asking for matching funds to further multiply the work of the KofC group from St. Pius X.  If you or someone you know is a Knight and would like more info, please let us know! 

On December 20 we celebrated Christmas with our preschool in El Chivo.  This was a joy and super fun occasion for our family.  Ben and Emily loved being in the school and we enjoyed seeing everyone again.  Starting next month (Jan 7), Jessica will be teaching in El Chivo and helping with the transition to a Montessori-style preschool curriculum. We are blessed to have Olivia who will be here for 2 weeks and Katelyn who will be here for 3 weeks to help us with the kids.  This will be particularly helpful as Jessica will be at the preschool most days while Kailey and Adam will be at the construction site frequently.  Eventually, our vision is for Ben to accompany Jess at the school several days a week so that he can practice Spanish.  

Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were very different from years past.  We obviously missed being with family but also tried to make the best of it.  On Christmas Day we invited other missionaries in San Juan de la Maguana to come over to watch the Polar Express.  It was special to feel so warmly received by the other missionaries here.  Their presence in our lives has helped our family’s transition tremendously.  

On January 5 we begin one of our busiest seasons with volunteers.  Please keep us in your prayers!  We have Rockhurst University in January, then the St. Catherine of Sienna Academy.  In February and March we will host St. Mary in Pinckney, Aquinas College and St. Mary Student Parish of Univ. of MI.

During this time of volunteer programs, construction and family transitions we invite you to follow our Facebook page (click here to see it!) so that you can see photos and updates in real time. We will continue to update the blog monthly as well. 

We are grateful for the support team that has joined us on this journey which allows our service in the Dominican Republic to be possible.  You have stood by our side as we struggled in the States over the last 12 months and have been such a source of encouragement.  Thank you so very much!  We sincerely could not do this without you!