ReaLiTY BiTeS

Reality does bite! I am going to re-write an abbreviated version of the post that I just almost finished before it got erased. I am a little frustrated, so please bear with me.

After being gone for almost the entire months of June and July, I have come home to reality. Television. Broken things in my house that need to be fixed. A desire to do other things than read my Bible when I wake up in the morning. The Internet. Facebook (I know it's a part of the internet, but it's a whole other beast.) A friend's engagement. Bills. All of my lack ofs. and Poor me's.

As a result, there were many times today when I was overwhelmed, down, confused, jealous, and overall distracted. And about an hour ago, I almost had a breakdown. But, after having been so much in an environment over the past two months where my norm was seeking God through reading throughout the day, talking to those around me about our faith and spiritual walk with God and about such people as Abraham and Paul, after having been away from such distractions for so much of my summer, the only thing that I could do was pray and ask God for His help.

The culture shock of being back here in the United States for less than 24 hours and already feeling the pressures of a world that in no way leans towards God, in a world that is controlled by everything that pulls on our time, our minds and our purpose, all I want to do is cling tighter to Him.

I can already tell, after just one day, that it's going to be hard. I thank God for my roommates over the summer, one of whom I will be memorizing Psalm 119 with over the next year. It's very long, and while I do believe it will probably be the hardest thing that I have ever learned, once I have it committed to my memory, it will help me through a lot...

Tonight, when I was feeling jealous, down, distracted, worried... I thought about the first part of Psalm 119 that I have memorized and then read the next few lines...

Blessed are those who are blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek Him with a pure heart

Who also do no wrong but walk in His ways.

You have commanded your precepts be kept diligently

Oh that my ways may be kept steadfast in keeping your statutes

That is all I have memorized, but the next line says...

Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

And I stopped.

God's commandments.

I went over to Exodus and read the ten commandments. One. Do not have any other God's before me. Two. Do not have idols. Ten. Do not covet your neighbor's anything. (Basically don't be jealous.) Then, it says, "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin." and then in verse 24, "In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you."

I need to be steadfast. Walk in the law of the Lord. Seek Him. Keep his statutes. Keep my eyes fixed on Him. Do Not put any other God (internet, tv, work) before Him. Don't be jealous of other's blessings. Know that God has gone before me. He will bless me.

This is what I need to make it in ReaLitY because without Him, ReaLiTY BiTes.

WHaT DoeS iT MeaN To FoLLoW CHRiST?

Well, I'm unbelievably in my last week in the Dominican Republic. I start school next Thursday back in the United States. I find myself thinking often what does it all mean? This trip? My time being here in the Dominican Republic? Why did God have me spend my time here this summer. I think at the end of this week, I will have spent only 2 weeks of my 6 here going out to villages with a missionary. 2 of the weeks that I was here, it was very slow and thus, we did work like cleaning apartments, painting, or in general fixing up SCORE. Sometimes during those 2 weeks, there was not much for us to do so we hung out. 1 week I spent at the sports complex frustrated because of lack of communication between the organization that I am here with and the teams I was with over there. And, 1 week I was sick. I think about it. What does it all mean? Why does God have me here? Why was I so drawn to come back here this summer and work for Him?

Well, of course, I will probably spend much of the coming months trying to discern God's message through my encounters while here, but there are some things that are already being unraveled.

First, I have thought a lot about what my ministry is here on Earth. In what way does God want to use me and my life in order to further His kingdom? And, inevitably, it's through teaching. God has put within me a gift for teaching, the passion of giving others knowledge, and a creative mind to impart said knowledge. While here, there are many times that I think about these villages and how much they lack opportunity not because they are stupid or lazy, but instead because they lack knowledge. Back home, communities don't progress not because they are inferior, but instead because they lack people to educate them well, people who truly care for them and their well-being. Where do I fit into that?

Second, I have been reading my Bible a lot while here. I have concentrated recently on the book of Acts. I am amazed by how much Paul traveled and traveled and proclaimed the name of the Lord everywhere he went. I am amazed by his unashamed and bold approach towards spreading the gospel. He was incarcerated many times, beaten, and rejected by people who the world considered followers. But, for much of his life (after he totally denounced the fact that Jesus was Christ and after God changed his heart), Paul went around converting people to believe in Jesus -- He didn't care what kind of people believed (Jew or Gentile). He lived his life to further the kingdom. He was an average guy who God used to further the kingdom. We should be like Paul.

I have also just started reading Radical. Woah! If you have not read this book, it is a must read for any Christian who wants to be challenged. I'm about fifty pages in and already I have been challenged. I am challenged in the way that Christians follow Christ in the United States. What do we do to help people know Christ? We are so comfortable. So much like the world that the non-believers don't see that we are any different than they are and have to ask us, "are you a Christian?" We are so comfortable that we have church with people who only look like us, dress like us, make the same money as us, and live in the same neighborhood. We are so comfortable that we spend our money instead of helping those in need, on bigger church buildings, comfortable seats, and fancy music. What is Christian about that stuff? How am I helping to further God's kingdom by surrounding myself with the comforts of the world? What does it mean to be like Paul? What does it mean to follow the example of Jesus? Neither were ever in "comfortable" situations. Do we "do" Christianity wrong?

I don't know how these thoughts will affect my life back in the states. But, I do know that if I ponder for a while the things that God has taught me while here, the people that I have met, the books that I have read, the sermons that I have heard, and the experiences with people (both good and bad) that I have had -- that God will continue to challenge me to put one foot in front of the other and continue to live for Him while taking risks. I don't want to be comfortable in the world.

May God place within my heart passions for those who are truly in need, the desires to continue to learn His word and then share it, and the may He help my person die each day so that His glory is shown through all that I say and do.

For blessed are those who are blameless

who walk in the law of the Lord

who keep his testimonies

who also seek him with their whole heart

and do no wrong

but walk in his way. (Psalm 119:1-3)

May I walk in his way... even if "walking in his way" means stepping away from the comforts that have so neatly been placed in front of us in America...

So, what does it mean exactly to follow Christ in 2011 in my life?

And in yours?

Do you follow him?

And then God said... ReST

So I have one last week here. This past week has been a challenging one for me. On Sunday night, I had the task of going to the airport to get a team and the flight was delayed so much that I didn't end up going to bed until about 4:00am that morning. Starting the week of that way was not good, and just like always when I am tired, I got sick. God is so funny that way. He knows when my body needs rest and He says, "Rest." It is so not in my nature to want to slow down, pause, and do nothing. Maybe for a day here or there, but in general, I like to be on the go. As the summer winds down, I realize how much that is true. I have been on the go since the day I got out of school in May. Even though I have enjoyed what I was doing -- traveling, at the end of the summer I will have had about 7 days not in the country and during those days, I will have worked on a wedding, packing, and planning for the following school year. Needless to say, my mother was right when she said that I should not pack my summer so much. It's been fun, but I am exhausted. Fortunately, God knows what He is doing and when He sees that I'm going too hard, He stops me - abruptly. So, for the past week, I missed out on teams. I basically have been on antibiotics and tylenol cold, as my symptoms are that of ear ache, sore throat from coughing, and headache. I thought I was starting to get better and then this morning I woke up with really red eyes... I don't think I have the PINK EYE as they don't hurt, but God reminded me again, REST. So, I have been in my apartment most of the day just resting. Hopefully, I will be better so that I can enjoy my last week here in the Dominican Republic translating and working with the people. Please pray for healing over my body!

CaN u iMaGiNe?

So, I am going to paint a picture of something that happened to me this past week. Honestly, it’s a bit hard to believe. If things easily frighten you, you probably shouldn’t read anymore. But truthfully, this event confirmed – as if I didn’t already know – that Satan is constantly working to stop our positive influence on the world. He’s at work. You should never forget it.

So, the day we went to feed the village, we played with the kids in the morning. Between that time and the feeding (12:30 and 2:00), we basically hung out in the school to give families time to eat lunch and rest in their homes as is customary in Dominican culture. Thus, very few people were around. We decided to eat our sandwiches in a classroom during which some of the boys from the group gave a devotion. Their focus was on perseverance and the importance of Christian’s being able to persevere and lean on Christ during hard times.

During their talk a lady came up to the door. She was dressed in a yellow skirt and white shirt. It was odd that she was there at that hour. Since I was the one sitting closest to the door, she asked me what we were doing. I told her just eating and talking. She asked me to translate what the boys were saying. So, I began to translate. I remember translating, “He’s saying that we need to focus on God in hard times even though we might want to pull away from him. He also said that Satan is trying to keep us away from God so he will put doubt in our minds…” Then, in the middle of me talking to her, she left… without saying anything. She crossed the room right in front of the boys.

I thought she was quite odd, but honestly didn’t pay her much attention.
That afternoon, the group made an invitation to accept Christ. About 15 people wanted to accept Him. We told them that we wanted them to go into another classroom so that we could get their phone numbers and names for the missionary so that he could keep up with them. I was asked to translate. When I walked into the room, I saw that the lady was there. I thought it odd, but again didn’t pay her much attention. The group was so joyful. They sang, prayed. It was quite a moment! After getting all of their information, we told everyone who had a ticket to go get their food in the other room. The one lady from before stayed. She didn’t have a ticket. She asked me if I remembered her. (I can’t imagine how I could’ve forgotten her… After all, she had walked away from me when I was mid-sentence translating.)

She told me she didn’t have a ticket.

I told her that I would try to see if we could get her a ticket.
She told me she didn’t want me to get it wrong. She had not come for the food.
I told her to sit tight and I would ask the missionary if there were any extra bags of food. I left, got the missionary and when I returned, she was gone. (Again, strange… but I didn’t think anything of it.)

I went around the building looking for her and saw her by the gate. She started walking towards me and I tried to tell her that we might have a bag if she came inside… but it was like she saw right past me and kept walking.
Instead of forcing it, I just went inside and helped with the cleanup.
Later that night, I was coughing pretty badly. One of the ladies in my group woke me up to give me some allergy medicine and a water to help me.
When I closed my eyes, I saw the woman.

She stuck out her tongue.

It was forked… like a snake.

Me seeing that image made me realize who she was. EVIL. The devil. Among all of those people who were so happy to receive the word of the Lord, the evil one had been there. She hadn’t come for the word.
Later when I told people the various encounters I had had with the woman, people starting revealing encounters that they had had too, but had never mentioned.
One told me how she had thrown a ball at a man saying, “I was aiming at your head.”
Others told me how she had creeped them out just by her just being there that day at lunch.

On the first day we were there, part of the team had gone to the baseball field to play with the kids. The people knew that we were Christians there to share the gospel. Supposedly on that day a lady had gone to the field and placed a red scarf on home plate… they said she was demon possessed.

Later that week, I found out that it was the same lady.

The truth is that GOD IS GOOD. SO GOOD. While various people had encounters with her throughout the week. And, while she could’ve been a huge distraction to the group and the ministry that they had come to share with the people in the village, she was there, but didn’t in any way influence the team negatively.
Even though she was there… and even though she was noticed… people continued praising God and telling people the Gospel.

Let us remember that Satan always wants to take away our joy. He will do his best to destroy God’s kingdom, but God will prevail. He already did by sending His son to die for us! Satan has already lost. Put your hopes in Him. The most powerful one!

GoD iS GooD!

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints — and for me... (Ephesians 6:10-20 NKJV)

THe PeoPLe

The PeoPLe

The PeoPLe

THe PeoPLe

THe PeoPLe

THe PeoPLe

THe PeoPLe

THe PeoPLe

THe PeoPLe

THe PeoPLe

eL PaJaRiTo

This week has been all about relationships! I have been working with a group from Tampa, Florida. The group is made up of kids (9 years old) to adults (50s). It's honestly so refreshing to be around people who truly enjoy all of the aspects of life and who let God shine in all that they do. From the constant chatter and laughter of kids to the family-like atmosphere of the adult women, it has been absolutely wonderful hanging around this group this week. I was told this morning that I fit in perfectly!

All week, we have been working in a village called Pajarito. We've mostly split ourselves up in three groups: Baseball / male ministry; VBS / childrens ministry; Discussion / women's ministry. There hasn't been anything forced, but we have truly had fun visiting people's homes, praying for their ailments and God's continued hands on their family life and spiritual growth in the community, and just loving on people in general. Yesterday, we even had the opportunity to feed the village after sharing the gospel with the people. It was cool to see about 15 people come to know the Lord. For me, one of the special things was that they left the room where the food was in order to go to another room and talk about the decision that they had just made. They wanted to sing and praise God. Their faces were shining with excitement for what God was going to do in their lives! It was awesome. One of the ladies from our group started singing in English Jesus Loves Me and Amazing Grace and then they wanted more -- They wanted a song in Spanish. So, I taught them a kids song that I know in Spanish and they sang it with me. The song is YO TENGO GOZO en mi corazon. I HAVE JOY in my heart! We all sang the song so loud it gave me chill bumps. I think they had forgotten about the food, but after we got all of their names and phone numbers if they had one so that the longterm missionary could keep in touch, they got their bags of food and toiletries that the group had provided for them.

WHaT iS GoD uP To?

Well, it's been a while since I've written mostly due to the fact that I spent the last week at a place called the Highlands -- a place built by Rawlings Foundation for the purpose of ministering to Dominicans through sports camps. Last week though, SCORE teams stayed at the complex and traveled out throughout the Dominican Republic like typical SCORE teams do. I had the opportunity to travel and translate for a basketball team. The team actually was made up of a girls and boys basketball team and a group that we ended up naming "The Village People" because we basically went to villages while the rest of the group was playing basketball. This week has definitely stretched my comfort zone and made me ponder some things.

Being stretched. Because I was a translator, many times without a missionary this week, I was used to translate the Gospel in a more individual way than what normally happens here. The team that I traveled with was very charismatic and I believe had the intentions of saving the island. (I do not have a judgment about that, but I say it so that you understand that every conversation was very intentional and focused about salvation.) My stretching came from being forced to translate about Jesus Christ almost immediately upon meeting people once we entered into a village and asking if they wanted to be saved.

What is God up to in my life? I have realized over the past year or so, if not before, that I am a very relational person -- and deeply relational at that. I do believe that it is my purpose to further the kingdom of God, but I think that it is best done through relationships and not abruptness nor signing on a "dotted line." I am not saying that all of the people who prayed for Jesus to come into their lives were not genuine, just simply that God stretched me in those experiences as it was uncomfortable sometimes to be in such an environment.

Pondering. Does God still allow people to use the Holy Spirit to heal the sick like He allowed the disciples to do after Jesus' death? The last day that the team was here, they were very intentional and outspoken about wanting to physically heal the people who were ill (even those who had been ill for their entire lives.) In doing so, my eyebrows, along with many others around here were raised. Is healing someone physically or proclaiming that in the middle of a village that is poor and mixed with believers and non-believers real or just for show? Do we need to profess a "physical healing" in order for a spiritual one to occur?

I am about to start reading Radical which is a pretty popular book that is going around. I haven't had the chance to start it, but I assume it is similar to a book I read a book last year Crazy Love which focused on luke warm Christians and the need to stretch ourselves more to further God's kingdom and represent ourselves like we truly do believe. I am assuming that they will be similar. Truly believing deep down that the Holy Spirit can heal someone -- is that radical? or is it false? I have never believed in that before. After the stories of what happened yesterday, I think I still don't believe that God puts that in us the same way that he did a long time ago, but it has me thinking... How much do I limit God's power? I understand that He is all-powerful... But has He changed the way that he uses us or do we just limit Him? Any theological responses to this would be great. COMMENT!

What was God up to last week? Why has he been having me experience this -- this thing that is so far from where my comfort zone is. Maybe to have me jump back into my Bible and seek Him, maybe to allow me to ask questions, maybe to encourage me to stretch myself.

More to come...

FooD FoR THouGHT

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of going to church with a group in a village. The group, like many groups, had bought food at a local store to give out to the people of the village. Having said that, there were many differences, though, with how this group and the SCORE pastor handled the food distribution.

Unlike other groups, we bought the food and separated into type. So, in the church it was lined up in stacks of rice, beans, corn meal, buillon cubes, cookies (as a treat) and tuna. People poured into the church and before handing out the food, the pastor of the church got up and spoke to the people about the food. Basically, he explained that there were many people who were in the church that day -- some whom he had never met. But, he was glad everyone was there. They had come to get fed. The food that we had brought to the church would last them for a few days, but he was going to tell them about some "food" that would last for eternity. He went from there to explain the good news about Jesus Christ.

After that, he handed out the food to help provide for their physical needs.

We ran out of food that day. Not everyone got some. Actually, the only people who got food were people in the church. In a perfect world, everyone would have gotten food, but the pastor said unfortunately that wasn't possible that day. There just wasn't enough.

Is there justice in feeding the people of the church first? Well, after leaving the church that day, I found a verse in the Bible that talked about the need to nourish physically the people of the church so that they can go out an meet the needs of those outside of the church.

The people had signed up probably at church one day to receive the food. So, those who didn't ever come didn't get on the list. It is possible as well that some "church people" didn't get fed either.

FooD FoR THouGHT.

I am glad that I had the opportunity to experience a village get fed spiritually and physically. I am still amazed by the overwhelming amount of things (including necesities) that we have such an abundance of, of how wasteful we are, non-appreciative and even stingy. Something to think about, isn't it?

One of the long-term ministries done by the missionaries is a prostitute ministry where they go out once a week and minister to prostitutes trying to help them get off of the street. As a result of this ministry, they have begun a house called Lily House where women who are ready to have a different lifestyle can come and live. There is one family living in the house now. After giving up the life of prostitution, she accepted Christ into her life (which is not a requirement to live in the house.) There, she is taught computer skills, sewing, cooking, reading and even some salon skills so once she leaves the house, she can find a good job. This is a picture of Mimi's daughter, Gigi. I had the pleasure of hanging out with Mimi's three children today while people were fixing up the house just to keep them out of the way and having fun. It's amazing to think that a game of basketball, coloring together, or just taking a stroll on the beach with a child is helping to advance the kingdom.

TueSDaY

I translated a story about an orange tree in California that was eaten by bugs and so they had to bring Lady Bugs from Australia to "revive" the trees. Likewise, God sent Jesus to save us! Wondering what a lady bug is in Spanish? Mariquita! A new word for me too...

I had the opportunity to go to a village on Monday called EL PENON. The group that I went with is from Danville, GA. They don't have very many people who speak Spanish, so I had the opportunity to translate for them. Here, I am reading the story about Jesus feeding the 5000 even though they only had 5 fish and 2 loaves of bread. From there, they made fish out of paper plates.

To WaLK iN HeR SHoeS

Well, today, I had the pleasure of hanging out with a team from Charlotte, North Carolina all day. In addition to visiting one of my favorite orphanages here in Dominican Republic (Jackie's house) which houses prostitutes kids so that they don't have to grow up in that environment, we also went to an orphanage that I had never been to before where kids who have HIV and AIDS stay. It was obvious that they don't get many visitors, as they were very timid for most of the time that we were there. We socialized though by playing jump rope, throwing balls and just carrying on conversations. One woman (who seemed to be in her early twenties) was having a conversation with one of the missionaries and he needed me to help translate.

I had no clue what I was walking into when I agreed to walk over there. It turns out that she (Franchesca) is a new Christian (just 2 months old), has three children (one of whom lives with her), and she has HIV. She was in a bad living situation with her step father and is living at the orphanage with the kids now doing volunteer work in return for medicine and treatment for her illness. She was such a beautful young woman, but deeply hurting for her children and her inability to work and take care of them. According to her, while staying at the orphanage, she is not allowed contact with her family nor does she get paid or is she allowed to leave for another job. As she spoke, it seemed that she was in a desperate situation that has no answer to get better... I told her that I cannot imagine. And her response was, "You can't imagine, and I have to live it." WOW!

We talked about her being a Christian and if she was able to talk to God.

So, I decided to sit down and I opened up my Bible. And, it's no secret that my best way to express myself is in writing. So, I wrote her a short letter telling her that while she is in a desparate situation, I do believe that GOD is able. He can get her out of it. She does have HIV and one day she will die (she told me that) but that doesn't mean that in the meantime she can't work to give her kids a good home.

It's so cool how God works. It has been my goal this week to memorize Bible verses (both in English and in Spanish) and the verse I concentrated on this week was Jeremiah 29:11 -- For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremias 29:11 -- Porque yo se los pensamientos que tengo acerca de vosotros, pensamientos de pas y no de mal, para daros el fin que esperais.

In the letter I wrote her, I gave her one more verse that I cling to as I don't know my future and God's plans. 1 Corinthians 2:9 -- No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God will do for those who love Him.

I in no way believe that I know what it is like to walk in her shoes. But the truth is that each of us has a situation, something that we are waiting for God to help us through. We each know deep down that we are in situations that are beyond our control and only God can get us through. I do believe that Help us through. It may not be in the way that we originally thought, but it will be His way in His time.

And, I am grateful that we do not have to get ourselves through on our own.

GeTTiNG aCQuaiNTed

This week has been pretty good. I don't have any pictures to share unfortunately because I haven't been bringing my camera with me. Having said that, it has been a good week of adjustment, getting re-acclimated and re-aquainted.

I want to talk about two main events that happened this week that really stood out. The first one happened yesterday. I was asked about five minutes before I was leaving to go out with a trip to go out with a small group of four instead to translate. So, I went! Translating is a lot of fun for me. So, I hopped on a bus and headed to a nearby town (Boca Chica) where a family wanted to get re-aquainted with a little girl that they had been acquainted with about four years ago. The mom of the group is a nurse and had met the girl (now at age 11) on a medical mission trip because she has a skin disease that covers her whole body (head to toe) except for her face. Well, after a lot of searching and asking around, we were able to find her house and see the little girl and her mother. It almost brought tears to my eyes to see the two mothers hug and to see the little girl. (I can't think of her name at the moment.) Anyway, for about an hour, they chatted about God's goodness, remembering the poor state of the girl four years prior, how the nurse had come with a group and bathed her and put A&D ointment all over her body, and just loved her as if she were her own. They chatted about God creating such a special person and how she over and over reminds her daughter about how special she is and how He loves her so much. They looked at pictures and found out medical needs. A great end to my day yesterday.

Today, I had the opportunity to go to a "nursing home" where the old people in the community (a very poor community) stay. It was honestly very sad at first. It smelled like urine through and through, but the old people were very sweet. We met America and Pura (pure in Spanish), along with a whole host of other people who watched as we cleaned up their home. We pulled off mattresses off of beds, cleaned them, bleached floors and bedframes, and folded clothes. One of the interns even gave America a foot rub. All in all, the day was humbling. I remember having a conversation with someone recently about mattresses and how his/her mattress was uncomfortable. And I think of these people and how one of the men's mattresses was full of urine and who knows how long he had been sleeping on it. They were old and definitely in need of new ones.

There is so much work to be done... but how great are the feet of those who bring the good news... Our God is at work!

More to come.

eXTeNDeD FaMiLY

Well, I just finished a pretty good week here in Dominican Republic. This weekend, my family and I traveled around the southeast coast of the D.R. I really got to see a totally different part of the country than what I was used to. We went to an area called ( Bahona ) which is right off of the coast on the southern part and really is the country. We went in two cars because not only did Leida, Daliana and Ale go, but also Leida’s other daughter Anny, her husband and their new baby, Daira. We stayed at Anny’s husband’s mother’s house. As soon as we arrived, I knew that I liked the place. The people are by no means wealthy, nor are they dirt poor… but they definitely live in a way that would take many people back to their roots. The houses are wooden, they hang clothes to dry on clothes lines, and as all families are accustomed to in the D.R., they often have no electricity or water depending on the hour of the day.

Truthfully, spending time in El Campo this weekend made me think of extended family and how precious it is. The first night that I was there, the 12-year old sister of Ajelis (Anny’s husband) took me on a walk to “show me the neighborhood.” People were out hanging out and talking and it was not uncommon for someone to say hello. It became quickly evident that everyone in the village knew everyone and many were family members. The essence of a small town is equal whether in south Georgia or in the Dominican Republic.

We enjoyed so much going to the beach, hanging out at fresh-water rivers (even though for me the rivers were just a “tad” too cold.) And, we even got to go to Leida’s old stomping ground – Neyba. There, I got to meet Daliana’s grandparents. Oh, it made me think of my grandmother who passed away when I was in college.
Leaving there this morning, I have many images in my mind…. Memories that truly encompass that family feel that I sometimes miss by not having my family close… images that I imagine that would probably be a part of my memories had I grown up in a small town… and thoughts from my youth.
• A mother on her front porch doing her daughter’s hair
• The wooden houses with old doors that you know many people have passed through
• The sounds of the rooster at 5am
• Dinner with extended family of fried fish, plantains, and rice and beans
• Morning devotions and prayer
• Riding down the street and running into an uncle that you haven’t seen in years
• Family filling the house to see the new baby
• Everyone knowing there are visitors in town and coming to see

HeaT, i WiLL ConQUeR You

Well, it's the fourth day back in the Dominican Republic and all I can think about these last few days is how hot it is and how much I totally forgot about it. Definitely dealing with the heat without relief is something that I need to pray about. With heat comes sweat (lots of it) and bugs. It is hard for me to think that just where I am staying today, I stayed for a whole month two years ago. But, I did it. Even more hard to believe is that people live in these conditions everyday. They've adjusted to the fact that the electricity turns off every night in the middle of the night and maybe they don't wake up drenched in sweat... or maybe they do. They've adjusted to not having a fan (which I am so fortunate to have). It's hard to imagine living each day -- in and out like this. But, somehow, I did it two years ago. Today, for the first time I used bug spray. I don't know why I hadn't before, but immediately, the bugs repelled. HA. They are everywhere!

So, what I've decided to do is first, pray that God will take away any negative attitude that I have about the heat. I can do it. People handle it every day. I'm giving that battle up to Him. Second, I have decided to focus on the positives.... Because there are so many things that I am grateful for over the past four days! First, we spent Monday - Wednesday at a resort in Puerto Plata. It was really beautiful. There were dominicans that stayed there mostly and then some foreigners. We just hung out on the beach most of the day, but that sun is serious! So, we spent a good bit of time in the shade too. I taught my family how to play Bananagrams (mix Spanish and English) and we just enjoyed time together relaxing. I am going to try to upload a picture or two.

THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR - first few days in the Dominican Republic:

cold bottled water & ice

a shower (we had one at the hotel) - GLORIOUS

the beach - God was so creative when making this EARTH.

vegetables - I got the chance to really eat a lot while at the hotel. Veggies are hard to come by or better yet, not typically in the daily diet

the fan that sits by my bed at night

the internet (which Leida has but doesn't ever use)

sun screen

I'll be here one more night and then we are heading to the southern part of the D.R. and staying with some of Leida's family for two nights. I think this afternoon we may go and visit a new museum that focuses on the Mirabal sisters (who had a lot to do with the overthrowing of a dictator - Trujillo) in the mid 1900's. It's something I teach about in my senior seminar class in Spanish, so should be fun.

BESOS!

THe uLTiMaTe GiFT WaS a GooD GiFT

It's good Friday which means that around the world Christians celebrate the day that Jesus died. And, put so simply, it is a day that could easily be overlooked or under-appreciated.

Even though I have been a Christian since I was a young child, I don't know that I have ever truly mulled over what Jesus went through that day. And if I have, I am new in thinking about GooD FRiDaY today.

Because I understand why He died for me... Because I understand that along with the sacrifice that He made, my sins are covered... Because I understand that He made the ultimate sacrifice... I think that I have often forgot how gruesome and cruel His death truly was. I find myself often thanking the Lord for dying for me, little ole me. But I cannot ever remember imagining myself there watching His death.

What would it have felt like to have been a bystander on that GooD FRiDay years and years ago? Watching people mock Him, placing a crown of thorns on His head and a purple robe around Him -- mocking His claim to be king. What would it have been like to watch people flogging his body and wripping his skin off? Watching Him suffer on a cross with thieves?
Witnessing Him being speared and blood gushing out. What would my reaction have been? Would I have believed?

I cannot imagine the horror that the Marys and John felt. I cannot imagine the defeat and sadness that they must have felt on this night. The darkness. To see their Savior humiliated.

And yet, His last words, after taking a sip of sour wine, were "It is finished." The Lord knew, that he was the "lamb" of God, making the ultimate sacrifice. While he felt the pain of all of the sins of every person, and while He was humiliated and dying, there would be no other sacrifice necessary after His. A devastating day... that means something so GooD for those who believe.

Thanks be to God!

FouR DaYS

I have been struck lately with God's clear message to me to have patience and just wait. In church on Sunday, the pastor shared a message based off of John 11 where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. In the past when I have heard sermons on this chapter, the concentration has always been on the fact that Jesus raised Lazarus and is able to do anything for us.

But, the pastor focused in on something different. He focused on the four days before. Lazarus had been ill. Martha and Mary sent a message to Him expressing that His friend was ill, yet Jesus lingered. And he lingered. He lingered on purpose.

Mary and Martha doubted. They believed that had Jesus come earlier He could have saved their brother.

The disciples doubted. The 12 men who followed Jesus and had first-hand knowledge of His ability to perform miracles, doubted. They doubted Him.

And, the pharisees doubted and challenged Jesus.

Yet, He lingered. And in his own time, after four days (the amount of time when Jews believed that people were really dead -- when their soul had left their bodies), only then did Jesus go to see Lazarus. After raising Lazarus, he had a conversation with God saying, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that YOU sent me."

And I am struck by the notion that Jesus is wanting us to believe in His power --- in the fact that God sent Him. Do we believe that God is in control? On a basic level, I do. He is. He is in control of everything.

I believe it.

But on a deeper level, it is one of the hardest things to truly comprehend.

I cannot fathom all that the Lord is capable of doing in my life.

I think that the story of Mary and Martha and the disciples in John is a perfect illustration of our inability as humans to truly grasp God's power... so we doubt. We give up within the four days.

But, just like Jesus promised to Mary and Martha that Lazarus' illness would not end in death, whatever disappointment, struggle, waiting period, unhappiness -- whatever illness we are going through, it won't end there. God is powerful and will bring us through. If we believe, He will raise us out of it!

1 Corinthians 2:9
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.

PRaYeR ReQueSTS

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you... Yesterday at church we did not have a sermon. Instead a man visited my church and spoke to us about his experiences as a missionary in another country. His wife (only after 2 weeks of them being married) was captured and imprisoned for believing in Christ -- for smuggling Bibles into the country -- for worshipping Him. Oh, how much we -- no -- I take for granted the opportunity that I have to freely read my Bible, worship the Lord, and speak about my beliefs and this lady was tortured for it. She has been set free but cannot leave the country for five years and has an ever-present threat of being put back in prison. I ask that you pray for her safety along with the others just like her in that country and in others who are being persecuted for believing in Christ.

In God's Time

I have always considered myself a pretty patient person, but lately I find myself questioning God sometimes about those things that I thought would've happened by now that seem like they just may not happen at all in my life.

I've always considered myself patient because those little things like sitting in traffic, waiting in line at an amusement park or at the DMV or staying on hold on the phone for a long time don't bother me at all. I'm good at waiting in those situations.

But, having to be patient while watching other people "move ahead of me in line" is not quite so easy. Imagine standing in line at Six Flags and watching someone who got in line after you, get to the front before you. Not fair, right?

I lack trust and faith in God at times. I doubt him. I am a thirty-one year old single female who has had few boyfriends, does not like to date much and doesn't forsee the opportunity to meet the man of my dreams. At the same time, I wish to have children and truthfully cannot see that happening before that clock that everyone talks about runs out. And yet, I see many around me who are younger (and thus started life after me) who get to "move ahead" of me.

I am now reading about the various women in the Bible. It is fascinating to me to see their imperfections and mistakes and their doubts and how still God worked in their lives. I just started it so really I've just read about Eve and Sarah. Two things stand out about these women. First, be content and focus on all that I do have and not what I don't have and second, God does have a plan and I should do best not to get in His way.

Be patient.

So, my prayer is for God to shower me with patience and contentment. For He is Good!

Philipians 4:11-13: For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.