Season's Greetings & Many Thanks!

Before leaving the Dominican, I was quite nervous about coming home and being able to articulate just how God was working in my life and through my life.  But, I was encouraged before leaving for the United States by a reading in Acts 14 about Paul's journey home after he had spent time away in ministry.  He had discipled men, strengthened believers, fasted and prayed.  Upon arriving home, Paul was able to share what God had done for him during that journey with fellow believers.  I imagine that he was strengthened and refreshed.  And, that's exactly how I have felt since being home.  I give God all of the glory for answering my prayers and allowing me to share and be re-filled before I head home (to the D.R.) in just a few days.

My prayer for this Christmas was to be able to see friends and family, rest, be helpful, and not to forget why we celebrate during this time of year.  I am so thankful for the tight hugs, big smiles and love that I have received while in the states.  I'm grateful for time spent with friends and family, the ability to help my closest friend in time of need, and time to focus on Jesus!  I am also grateful for today -- when I can just relax, read, watch t.v. and stay in my pj's!

Unbelievably, in just 3 days, I will be headed back to the Dominican Republic.  I must say that while I have enjoyed my time, I am excited to get back and spend time with my dominican family in Santo Domingo before getting back into the groove of ministry again.

I praise God for sending His son for us even though His love is undeserved and we can never pay Him back.  May we always remember that He is our savior and the ultimate definition of love.  May we show that unconditional love to those around us, whether deserved or not.  I thank you, everyone for your support of me and your love for me during this journey and pray that you will have a blessed holiday and year. I appreciate your prayers, your good questions about the last 5 months, your hospitality, and your continued support for the children I work with in the Dominican Republic.  For those whom I didn't get to visit, I pray that I will get to see you when I return in April.

Also, I want to say thank you for those of you who have expressed interest in or who have already donated to the library at Emanuel House.  I am overwhelmed by your generosity and desire to help the kids have access to books.  I am hopeful that the library will open in January and will be sure to post pictures. 

If you are still interested in ordering books for the library, but haven't had a chance yet, please visit my wish list on Amazon.com (http://amzn.com/w/3TJ16XIBKOEQS) or find Spanish kids books at your local bookstore.  Have books sent to the address below, and please note how to pay for shipping and handling.

Adrienne Christian

c/o Agape Flights DMG27557

100 Airport Avenue

Venice, FL  34285

Shipping costs are $1.75 per pound.  Agape Flights is an organization that serves missionaries oversees.  Agape's overall cost to transport packages and cargo is $4.00 per pound.  If you would like to pay the $1.75 per pound fee for your package (so Adrienne doesn't have to) or you would like to make a contribution over the cost of $1.75 per pound, go to www.agapeflights.com, check the box Flight Ministry cargo shipment to" and then put Adrienne Christian in the empty box below or mail a check with Adrienne Christian in the memo line along with the approximate weight of the package.  It usually takes about 2 weeks for the package to arrive from Florida to Dominican Republic.

Some have also expressed interest in supporting me financially.  If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation to help support my ministry in the D.R. before the end of 2013, please visit www.scoresponsor.org.  

Here's a Christmas video that I sent out to those who sponsor children through SCORE International.  Meet some of the kids that I work with and be uplifted!

http://vimeo.com/82513968

Wishing you a happy holiday!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  

Boasting in His Work!

Exactly two days ago, I left the Dominican Republic after having been there for exactly 5 months.  

In the last days there before coming home for Christmas, I had so many things going through my mind, had many loose ends to tie up (some of which are still "untied), and I had a friend in town to who I helped get around and who helped me in ministry.  Needless to say, I was really busy, leaving only 30 minutes to both pack and get ready for my first Dominican wedding.  Through all of the thoughts in my head, the ones that stick out most surround all that has happened in the last five months, the adjustments that have occurred, the friends that I have made, the community that I have built, and the culture difference that I have gotten accustomed to.  As mentioned in my last blog, I am studying Jeremiah right now.  My memory verse is Jeremiah 9:23-24 (I am now working on it in Spanish).  For whatever reason, God has laid it on my heart to focus on it for another week.  Scripture memory is my struggle, but I have this one down (in English).  

This is what the Lord says, "Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom or the powerful boast in their power or the rich boast in their riches.  But those who wish to boast should boast on this alone -- that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the Earth.  I, the Lord, have spoken."

I am reminded over and over again, that I cannot boast about anything that I have done in the last 5 months.  Rather, I can boast about my growing understand of who He is and what He has done.  I can boast that I understand that God is the all-powerful, abundant One who orchestrates it all!  When I think of all that He has done for me in the last five months (and before) and all the things that He has protected me from, given to me, and how He has provided, I am truly amazed and overwhelmed.  All I can do is boast in His goodness and His overwhelming Love!  Because, the truth is that none of it is deserved by me.  I know that I will not be able to cover it all, but I am hopeful that I can somewhat share how far he's brought me.

                           
  

                           





Living in the Dominican Republic, I can truly say that I live in paradise!  Believe it or not, I do not make it to the beach as much as one may imagine, but it is unbelievable how much God shows me his creativity and artistic ability while I am driving from one place to the next, riding in a bus, or just staring up at the sky.  I often (at least once a day) marvel at his creation.  Here are a few of His beautiful skies.  Thank you, God, for giving me something to marvel about!

In the last month, God has put these 2 girls in my life.  They are new to Emanuel House.  Their mother is dying of terminal cancer and they, along with their 6 siblings, will soon lose her.  I praise God for Mirqueya wanting to help them by allowing them to attend Emanuel House, get fed daily and sometimes even get bathed.  PLEASE PRAY FOR GOD'S CONTINUAL PROVISION FOR THIS FAMILY AND GROWTH IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.  While the mom is saved, the husband and many of the family members are not.  Please pray for wisdom as to what will happen to these children once their mother has passed away.

  

There was a time when I used to beat myself up about the Spanish that I didn't know, if I made mistakes or if I couldn't understand.  There are still things that I don't know, mistakes that I make and times that I don't understand... but GOD.  He has empowered me to understand more and my Spanish has improved over the last 5 months.  I am more comfortable than ever.  I see the biggest difference in praying in Spanish.  Because He has given me that gift, I am able to talk to kids that I meet on the street.  Thank you, Lord!

I praise Him for opening my eyes.  He helps me to be in the Word regularly, put people in my life to encourage me when I'm not in the Word, and open my eyes to His message.  I thank God for the Holy Spirit.  Since I arrived in the D.R., I have read from 2 Cronicles - Jeremiah.  The Lord opened my mind to understand and has given me boldness to share what I have learned.  

 

I thank the Lord for the teachers at Emanuel House.  There have been a lot of changes since I came in August because they will be receiving laptops from ONE LAPTOP PER CHILD.  But, before they can introduce laptops into the classroom, there has been a focus on discipline, curriculum, and planning.  This has not been an easy change and has a long way to go, but God has been faithful to show me small improvements.  In moments when I get discouraged, I walk into a classroom where they are implementing centers or I am told how grateful someone is that I am there or I am reminded of God's power and not my own.

 These four children received uniforms early in the fall to go to school for the first time in their lives.  God provided me with a car to be able to take them shopping one Saturday morning.  Having a vehicle has made ministry so much easier in many ways.  I praise God for His provision.  He is Good!

  

 God has blessed me with the relationships built at Pasitos de Jesus Orphanage.  He gave me a community of girls to talk to about God, to challenge in everyday life, and to love whole-heartedly.  My relationship has grown so much between both the girls and their "mom" Dalma, that I am able to communicate freely between her and SCORE.  We have a relationship built on trust.  In fact, just a few weeks ago, 5 of the teenagers spent the night in Quisqueya with Mirqueya and me.  Watching movies, making fajitas, going on home visits, helping with Saturday morning kids' club, and just enjoying each other's company.  I've had the opportunity to witness kids leave the orphanage, and new kids come.  And, there are some kids who did not give me the time of day when I first got there, who now love me dearly.  I praise the Lord for relationships with His children!  May He continue to bless them!

  

 God has placed this sweet girl, Flor María, in my life.  She is 13 years old and loves the Lord.  I wasn't able to go to her baptism about a month ago, but I know that He has placed her in my life for a reason. She is the first in her family to go to school, is in the 3rd grade, and wants to follow Jesus in all that she does.  She often hangs out with me, visits houses with me, and is just a great girl in all.  

 

One thing that I knew I would miss when I moved was working with teenagers and teaching Spanish.  Working with them is not easy, and building a relationship with them and gaining their trust and respect is always important.  Well, in the midst of my ministry to the dominicans, God has placed GAP students in my path.  They are spending a year in the dominican learning Spanish and Bible.  They often come to stay at Emanuel House to help with ministry.  While I am not their Spanish teacher, the Lord has provided me with the opportunity to get to know these girls, speak Spanish with them, and even teach them grammar tricks that I learned while teaching Spanish.  I praise Him for knowing my heart's desires and allowing me to work alongside some really neat kids as we do ministry on Saturday mornings!

 God is so faithful.  I sometimes meet kids on the street and have the opportunity to tell them about Jesus and why I am living in Quisqueya as an American.  In that, I often invite them to Saturday Kids' club that I started in the early fall (I believe in August).  God has been incredibly faithful.  The group, which started with 2 children, has now grown to between 15 and 20 each week.  The kids are faithful in attending.  I am grateful for the experience of teaching at my church, Trinity, as well.  There, I learned about the Church Calendar and how to "calm" children down before teaching the Word of God, and how to allow them to "worship" by expressing their understanding of the story.  Also, I get to incorporate reading into the Saturday morning activity.  God has blessed me with help from one of the Emanuel House teachers, the Gap program, and even from the girls from Pasitos one Saturday.  Each week, the Lord sends kids who have never come, He gives me the right words to say, and He provides the resources.  He is my provider!

  

One of my biggest prayer request in coming to the Dominican was community.  The Lord taught me over the last few years that He built us to be in community with other believers.  We are not meant to do this life alone! We need prayer partners, we need people who can be straight with us.  We need people just to do life with who believe that Jesus is the only way and who want to live their lives showing that they believe that.  Well, I've only been in the Dominican for 5 months, and I believe that God has provided that community for me.  I praise Him for knowing my needs, for giving me missionaries who can keep me accountable and to do Bible Study with.  I praise Him for the kids in the ministries who are now comfortable with me and who give me hugs when they see me or who call out my name, "Adriana!"  I praise God for my friend, Daniela, who was not in good health when I met her and who did not believe in Jesus as her savior, but who since has become a believer.  The Lord has restored her smile and her hope.  I praise Him for our short chats and our times of prayer.  I give so much thanks for Mirqueya.  She is the one who loves me enough to let me live with her.  God has grown our relationship and I know that she truly loves me and even misses me when I am gone.  And I praise God for the girls in the picture right above this.  He provided me with friends who I can be silly with, cry with, and pray for.  And He has been so faithful to me by continuing relationships that I had before I left.  Late night skype lessons with friends & family, prayers, and emails have helped me more that anyone will know.  I have been minimally homesick and have adjusted better than I could've imagined. He always knows my needs and the desires of my heart.  The deepest thanks!

When I arrived in the Dominican, I had to organize the names and birthdays of kids, figure out their stories and be a liaison to the U.S. regarding Child Sponsorship.  God has helped me make a lot of progress, taught me that it'll never be perfect, and allowed me to see how important it is that children know that they have people praying for them and who love them.  He's allowed me to deliver gifts, letters and Christmas wishes.  He knows just what they need.  Because of the Child Sponsorship program, I've also been able to connect americans to kids who really need help and to express their deeper needs.  I praise Him for giving us the ability to communicate!

 

 People often ask me what I have learned about God.  I have learned of His abundance and that He has our back.  He will take care of us!  I thank Him for giving us hope, even when life is hard.  I have received undeserved and unexpected donations in the form of care packages, books for the Emanuel House Library, presents for the kids at the orphanage, clothes and shoes for the neediest kids in Quisqueya, and teacher aids for the teachers at Emanuel House.  I praise God for knowing our needs.  We should not worry!

As you can see, I want to boast in Him today.  I've adjusted to the life in the D.R. I can open cans with a knife, have learned to boil water and let it cool down if I want warm water to bathe in, I have learned how to drive in a crazy country with few driving laws, motorcycles and people everywhere, and I am even used to the irregular electricity.  He has taught me to be slow to speak and to learn and that for now, that is okay.  I have learned to live with less and be okay with it -- even if it's hard sometime.  And, He has taught me to go to His Word and pray when I am uncomfortable, not of the right mindset, or upset.  

Thank you for allowing me to understand Your Word and that it is You who are God!  Thank you for bringing us justice and righteousness to the Earth.  Thank you for the hope and the love that you've placed around me.  

Grateful

Since I’ve recovered from being sick, I feel like the last few weeks have been a bit strange.  And this is my last week being here before I head home for a few weeks for the Christmas Holidays, so it may just get “stranger”.  The more “normal” things that have occurred In the past 2 weeks are that I’ve had 5 of the girls at Pasitos de Jesus Orphanage spend the weekend where I live, my first library shelves have been delivered and put up at Emanuel House, I have hosted several GAP girls, I celebrated my first Thanksgiving here in D.R, held 2 Saturday Kids’ Clubs, visited & eaten dinner at Josiah’s House (a boys orphanage that I’ll be working more with), traveled to the capital a few times, and started collecting cards for sponsors of children that I work with.

I guess these past few weeks have seemed weird because they’ve been full of processing and I’ve felt distant somehow from the daily things that I was “doing” on a regular basis. And, I’ve spent more time than any other time before at SCORE complex where many missionaries live, with Americans, and just back and forth between two very different cultures.  Thus, over the past 2 weeks, I have been overly conscientious of the comforts that I do and don’t have, the differences in resources and opportunities that I have had growing up verses those of the kids and adults around me in Quisqueya, the ability to live so close to a culture and still be blind to their true situations, and the hard question of where do I fall into all of this.

Unfortunately, I think a lot of that processing has been in my head or to a friend and not so much in prayer. I was reminded tonight the importance of prayer.  I had the opportunity to be a part of a “prayer walk” where stations were set up and we prayed for the persecuted church, the people we know who are unsaved, and SCORE missionaries and ministries. We also had the opportunity to thank the Lord for what He has done and for who He is, reflect on various Psalms, and write down prayer requests of our own.  My biggest prayer request is that I would be in His Word more and that I would come closer to Him so that my actions, speech and love towards others would reflect Him and His will.  I know that He has a purpose.  I just need to listen.  

I pray over the next month as I travel home as well.  In many ways I am excited to go home. I am excited for the cooler weather (even in Florida), for the chance to see family and friends, for some of the comforts that I miss from the states, to go back to church for a few Sundays and to re-stock on some of the things that I need.  I am nervous about going to the states for the first time in 5 months.  I am nervous about liking it too much and not wanting to come back or about judging the extravagance of the states life.  I am nervous about other’s reactions about how I’ve spent the last 5 months.  And, I am nervous about the impending culture shock and differences between my new life and the one that I am about to return to. 

Tonight’s activity of going on a prayer walk through the prayer stations truly reminded me that I need to be in prayer more.  I ask that this week and over the next few weeks while I am at home, that you would pray for me and my time there.  Pray that God will take focus away from me during my time at home.  I know that everyone will have questions and want to hear about these past few months.  Pray for specific questions from my friends and family and that I have the right words when describing what God is doing here.  Pray that I am able to love others well, share about God more than I share about myself, and show His love through my actions and my words.  Pray that somehow He uses me to bring others to Him.

Please pray that the time that I spend at home would also be a time of reflection for what’s to come.  Pray that it helps me to focus on Him and why He has me here.  I never really thought that going to the states could be a time to get away from distractions, but I think being away from ministry could help make it more clear as to what He wants to do with me.  Pray that He would open my eyes, give me lots of moments for quiet time and use the time to refresh my soul.

Sometimes, as I’ve written before, I get so bogged down in what I am “doing” that I don’t see the process or what God has done along the way.  I forget to concentrate on who God is and sit in that.  Spending time in prayer tonight reminded me to rest in what He has done.  Last week in a Bible Study that we are doing, we talked about Deuteronomy and how the Israelites throughout Deuteronomy were constantly forgetting what God had done.  They can only focus on their current circumstances.  And because of that, they were often distracted and discontent -- even to the point of worshiping idols.  

I want more than nothing else to remember.  Forgetting is not an option!

The truth is that God, the ONE TRUE GOD, has brought me such a long way. HE SHED HIS BLOOD for me even though His blood was innocent blood.  HE SAVED ME at the age of 6.  HE HAS LOVED ME even though I have done nothing to deserve it.  HE CONVICTED ME at the age of 28 of not living in His will and following Him in all that I do.  HE BROUGHT ME to the Dominican Republic to be his hands and feet and share the gospel to people who don’t get it, to share the gifts that He has given me, and to love those who need to be loved.  HE HAS SHOWN HIS ABUNDANCE in providing for me and taking care of all of the details before I left the states and once I arrived here and in surrounding me with a community of believers to do life with here.  HE HAS TAUGHT ME that I need Him more than I need anyone else, and HE HAS GROWN ME in my love for and faith in Him.  HE HAS HELPED ME to adjust to a completely new life with people whom I didn’t know a year ago.  HE SURROUNDS ME WITH TRUTH each and every day. 

I cannot imagine what my life would be like not knowing the Lord.  I cannot imagine how I would feel not to have a secure hope in my eternal life nor in my future here on Earth.  And for that hope and for that security, I am eternally grateful for anyone who has impacted my walk with the Lord.  I praise Him for what He has done in my life over the last 5 months.  It has not been easy, but I have enjoyed every step of the way. 

May the one true God continue to remind me of what He has done in saving me.  May He continue to convict me when I am wrong, love me in spite of my mistakes, and show me his abundance.  May He continue to teach me, grow me, and break me.  May I always be surrounded by His truth.    Mostly, may I continue to be reminded that it is He that does the work, not me.

In His Name!

Short & Sweet

Hi everyone!
Happy Thanksgiving week!  I will be updating my blog soon, but wanted to send a reminder that if you are interested in sending Spanish books through my friend Rachel who is traveling here on December 4, please do so by November 30.  She has received around 25 books!  THANK YOU to all who have donated.

We can never have too much!  The shelves are almost done!

I have also had recent requests from teachers for Spanish Kid's Bibles to use in their classrooms during Spanish hour.  It seems as though they are hard to find here.  Please look at my wish list online if you don't know what to get:

 Check it out!  http://amzn.com/w/3TJ16XIBKOEQS

Remember, you can send books to my friend Rachel Todd by November 30 to:

Rachel Todd:

7068 Stinger Pl.

St. Louis, MO. 63129

Thank you so much for your help!

Humbled

This past week has been a bit strange for me.  I was sick -- coming down with pneumonia, so God put a halt on most ministry... and because I became sick away from Quisqueya, I have been at the SCORE complex since last Sunday.  Most who know me though know that not doing anything and just resting is a lot easier said than done.  But, I did rest completely for 2 days.  Then, slowly, I would rest during the day and help out with the Baseball conference that was here, sharing about opportunities for sponsoring a child through SCORE at the orphanage or at Emanuel House.

The other thing that I did do this week was work with Dalma (the founder of the orphanage that I work with.)  I took her shopping for a second set of school uniforms for the girls and helped a future missionary family get to and fro.  They will be moving to Pasitos Orphanage sometime next year to help out with the ministry.  I think it will be a true blessing to the girls and to Dalma!  Please pray for them.  They are just starting to raise funds and trying to figure out their exact ministry.  They are the Enget family and are from Tampa.

Anyway, in the midst of being away from my normal routine, not feeling completely myself, and not feeling like I was being helpful in the way that I normally am, the Lord embraced me through the girls and Dalma at Pasitos.  I had spent most of Thursday with Dalma and the missionary family that will live with her. And then on Friday returned so that they could say goodbye and so that I could help her with some other errands, and I had the privilege to see her home.  (That's where the humbling comes in.)  I don't know what I expected, but her home came as a surprise to me.  She had a beautiful house, peaceful, still humble, but so nice.  She told me she had lived there since she and her husband were married.  But, 6 years ago when she started the orphanage, she began dedicating her whole life to minister to the girls through the orphanage.  She no longer lives at her house nor with her husband or sons.  They stay at the house and she and her daughter are at the orphanage.  Not that the niceness of her house made a difference, but I realized in that moment all that she had left behind for what she does.  And, I had the opportunity to understand her life a little better as well by looking at old family pictures of the kids when they were little, what life was like before she started Pasitos de Jesus.  They were not a poor family like many here.  They seemed happy and clearly loved and were following the Lord.  And she gave it up!  Still happy, their life looks very different.  She does not enjoy many of the conveniences that she has and chooses to live in a smaller, less comfortable place.  GOD IS SO GOOD!  I praise Him for Dalma and what she is doing with those girls.

I know that part of God's BIG plan here in using me involves building relationships with people here.  The fact that Dalma took me to her house shows me that more and more, she is feeling comfortable with me and wanting to share life.

When we returned from her house, I thought I was leaving.  And, Dalma told me, "nope."  She called some of the older girls over to wash my car.  (It was pretty dirty.  Traveling on dirt roads daily does not lead to a clean car.)  Having them wash my car was such a humbling experience.  They took out all of the mats, washed them, there is no vacuum so they brushed out the dirt from the inside using a broom and even wiped down the seats.  They let me help a little... but I was just amazed that they would do that for me.  I recognize their love for me -- enough to notice my dirty car which I hadn't had a chance to clean  -- and then wash it.  (They washed it, by the way, without one single complaint.  Those girls are so obedient and love serving.) And, that simple action made me think of home.  In the states, I sometimes would get in the habit of being so busy that I didn't take care of the little things of my own -- like washing my car.  My dad always made sure that my car was clean when I went home.  So grateful for those who notice.

And, probably one of the funniest and sweetest things of the afternoon was that in the middle of us washing the car, it began to rain... and little by little I witnessed little girls running out of the building with only their underwear on shrieking and giggling as the rain fell on them!  Pure heaven!

I am thanking God for the relationships that are being built.  I thank God for the sacrifices that people have made and continue to make to be in ministry here.  I praise God for beginning to feel better.  May He continue to strengthen my body, my spirit and my understanding of His truth!

Lord, may you bless Dalma and the ministry that she is doing at Pasitos.  Recognize the sacrifices that she and others have made to do Your work!  Keep the girls safe and full of your joy and continue to bring them closer to you.

insight and understanding

I have recurring thoughts in my mind about what God is planning long-term with my ministry here.  Is it ministry solely through Emanuel House and Quisqueya, in Juan Dolio with the kids from the GAP program, in Boca Chica with the girls there or in the small village, San José, working with the teacher there?  Is it teaching English to missionaries who come from Spanish-speaking countries or teaching Spanish to missionaries who haven’t learned the language yet?  Is it mentoring Dominican teenagers or leading Bible studies with kids?  Am I supposed to be working with child sponsorship long-term? Or is it a combination of some of those?  And which ones?

I can get pretty overwhelmed pretty quickly if I think about it too long.  For a few weeks I took the advice of a Sunday school teacher in Florida who told me to just be, not thinking about what God’s eventual plans for me were, but just building relationships.  Stop thinking about it and just be!  It was probably some really good advice that is a lot easier said than done.  When I really just concentrate on serving Him, there are so many opportunities that come up.  (All of the ones above have fallen into my lap as long-term possibilities.)  Most of them I like, but realistically, I cannot and should not be a part of each one of these ministries – not long-term.   Gas is too expensive, doing everything doesn’t allow me to put my all into any of it, and I am only one person.  God did gift others to help too?  He knows there is a need and will send others, right? I want to use God’s gifts to glorify Him well.  I want to be able to love the people well that He has put into my path. 

Over the last month or so, I have really begun to feel at home here, even more than before.  I have made friendships, built community with other missionaries, and I am starting to feel respected by the teachers with whom I am working – to the point that they are listening about some teaching strategies.  I am often asked, “Adrienne, how are you really?”  The truth is that I am pretty honest on my blog.  I have some hard days I guess… I am tired sometimes or get frustrated about little things, but overall I know that God has me here.   I see the deep needs and I see my gifts and in those two, I see that God has me here long-term.  I miss the states sometimes and I think about my old job too, but I really do feel at home here.  I do miss teaching and know that will definitely be a larger part of my ministry in the future. If I could just bring the people that I love here, I think I would be in Heaven!  HA!

I am currently in the books of Isaiah and Acts.  However, yesterday during my morning reading time, I flipped my Bible open and instead of flipping to Isaiah, the Lord led me to Proverbs.  After taking a moment to read what it said, I knew that it wasn’t by coincidence that I landed there. 

Proverbs 2:1-8 says:

My child, listen to what I say,

And treasure my commands

Tune your ears to wisdom,

And concentrate on understanding.

Cry out for insight

And ask for understanding

Search for them as you would for silver;

Seek them like hidden treasures.

They you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,

And you will gain knowledge of God.

For the Lord grants wisdom!

From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.

He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

He guards the paths of the just

And protects those who are faithful to Him.

Then, in Proverbs 3:5 was highlighted and I read it too:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

Do not depend on your own understanding.

I am reminded to just lean on Him.  Read. Trust. Pray. Don’t freak out!  Don’t think about it too much!  All of my wisdom and direction comes from Him.  The words of the Sunday School teacher were right.  Just be (in Him) and He will lead me where I should go.

I ask for continued prayer that God would lead me where He wants me and that I would be in His Word – still learning and memorizing it.  May it be imprinted in my heart! 

Praises!

• After my last post, I received a very generous donation for Spanish books for the library!  THANK YOU!
• I also have received inquiries about what books are most needed.  The truth is that any Spanish books for children are helpful.  They do not have access to books here and books are a lot more expensive than in the United States.  However, I have created a wish list on Amazon that also links to Spanish readers on scholastic and another website that was shown to me.

 Check it out!  http://amzn.com/w/3TJ16XIBKOEQS

Remember, you can send books to my friend Rachel Todd by November 30 to:

Rachel Todd:

7068 Stinger Pl.

St. Louis, MO. 63129

Emanuel House Library

Imagine not growing up with books in your home. Imagine having parents who are illiterate. Imagine not being able to read. 

Well... the library shelves at Emanuel House have officially been paid for. The goal is that every kid at Emanuel House can read on grade level by the end of the year. Reading in Spanish is phonetic. The kids at Emanuel House are smart. They just haven't had access to books.

I need your help! A library is not a library without books. I had some wonderful people donate books last month and would love to receive some more for the kids before I come home for Christmas. (I know that I will be bringing some back then, but I am trying to lighten my load.)

If you are interested in donating Spanish Kids books to the Emanuel House Library, (I believe it will be the only library in Quisqueya), please send books to my friend, Rachel Todd, by Saturday, November 30, 2013.

Please include a note with your first and last name so that I know who donated the book(s).

Rachel Todd:
7068 Stinger Pl.
St. Louis, MO. 63129

Don't want to shop for books? Make a one-time, tax-deductible donation to SCORE and make sure to include that it is for BOOKS. Then, I'll buy the books for you on AMAZON. (Note that SCORE takes out an admin fee.)

A busy little bee filled with hope!

Well, it has been a little over two weeks since I have updated my blog.  And, I must say that a lot has happened in those two weeks.  I imagine that the best way to update you all is through prayer requests and pictures.  Please know that while these two weeks were extremely busy, they were a blessing.  (And, for those who worry about me... I've gotten a lot of sleep over the past 2 days to catch up.  THANKS BE TO GOD!)

A couple of weeks ago...

This is my new room.  I am finally settling in. I was able to do some decorating right before my birthday.  After three months here, I finally have a dresser and a night stand.  So grateful to the men who painted my room for me.  I am reminded that such little things to us in the states... many don't have here.  I am grateful and humbled!

This is my friend and neighbor Daniela.  Many of you have prayed for her.  She is doing SO well!  Thank you for your prayers!

The pictures above were taken by my friend Justin who came to visit me from Atlanta.  Well, he came for a wedding but got to spend 2 days with me before the wedding.  (I told him that he will always be the first person to come and visit.) Along with bringing me some care packages -- THANK YOU-- and books in Spanish -- DOUBLE THANK YOU -- He also captured some beautiful pictures and video of the people in the town and of me chatting with some kids inviting them to the Saturday Bible Study that I do.  He also helped me take pictures of kids who currently don't have a sponsor.  After taking pictures, we distributed milk to those families.   Please continue to pray for the 60 kids who have no sponsor.  Also, the library is being built in the coming weeks to help the kids be able to read.  If you support me, you helped purchase the shelves.  Thank you! Please continue to pray that I will continue to receive books for the library.

There are 12 young adults who recently graduated high school or who are currently in college who have come to stay in the D.R. until May.  They are a part of SCORE's GAP program.  They take Bible and Spanish classes, are involved in weekly ministry, and get to do home visits. Five of them decided to spend their weekend with me and Mirqueya, helping us with ministry.  On Saturday, we took two little girls, Flor María and Rosalía to shop for uniforms and underclothes.    

Afterwards, we went to their home to drop them off. Their house is in the furthest part of Quisqueya.  Honestly, it was one of the worse off houses that I have seen here.  Like many houses in this area, there is no bathroom or indoor plumbing.  Their floor is a dirt floor. They also live close to the dump where they burn trash.  So, they often inhale the fumes from the fires.  I praise the Lord that their parents and Flor María have come to know Christ as their Savior.  They have an eternal hope that surpasses anything that they could have here.  I pray for provision for their family and that God would continue to keep Flor María as a part of my life.  

This is Flor Maria's little brother.  He cracked me up with his beautiful smile and playfulness.  

 

Another missionary, Jaime, and I, along with Karleigh, a long-term SCORE intern, decided to go out on the beach early Monday morning to watch the sunrise.  DR has beautiful sunrises and sunsets, but this day it rained.  Even in the rain, God's glory shown through!

Women's Week 2013

To start of Women's Week, a group from Tennessee treated us to a devotion, encouragement through prayer, committment to pray for the missionaries even when they went home, and a surprise gift.

I had the fortunate opportunity to spend the rest of my week with these women!  What a blessing they were to me.

Ginger Millerman was our speaker for the week.  She both spoke and sang.  Ginger had an incredible testimony of continued faith during her life after having almost lost one of her twins boys, having adopted a little girl from India, and living with many of her friends who are suffering with terminal illnesses.  She spoke on having and truly understanding the faith, hope and love that only comes from God.

I led my Women's week group with Kelly, a dominican missionary.  Here, I am translating for her about the Dominican people.  She's explaining that Dominican roots are indigenous, Spanish and African.  

In the planning for Women's Week, we were challenged to be intentional with our time on the bus, by sharing our testimonies.  Here I am sharing.  Please pray for continued boldness in sharing the Gospel.

First stop during Women's Week? San José village, the village that we visited and stayed in last year with Wesleyan.  I am hoping to visit regularly to help the teacher there get organized and give her ideas for teaching.  She has a heart for her village, but no background in education.  In March, I will hopefully return to San José to stay with the Wesleyan team of girls that is returning.  I just read the list of the team.  I know most of the girls because they either traveled with me last year, are part of my freshman girls from last year or I just knew them from the hallway.  So excited!

This is Craig, the pastor of San José village, his wife (all the way to the left), and some of his disciples.  Also, to the right is the new teacher of the pre-school, who I will be helping.  By the way, Craig is known as the man who caught tarantulas last year.  He's at it again.  I caught him on a tarantula hunt just a few days ago at SCORE.  

This is the church in San José.  It is still beautifully painted.  The Wesleyan team last year painted it!

This is the new school in San José.

Evelyn is the teacher in San José.  She is the only person in her village to have a bachelor's degree. After becoming a Christian, God changed her heart and made her want to help her people.  Even though she has a degree in accounting, Evelyn decided to help by teaching the kids -- not only about reading and math, but about God's love.  Here, Connie, a teacher and experienced teacher-trainer, is explaining centers to Evelyn.  I hope that I can help Evelyn with her ministry.

We sang songs with them!

This is Neomi and her daughter Smiley from San José village.  Neomi cooked for us all last year when we stayed in the village.  Her husband, Omar, is Craig's disciple and is hoping to be a pastor one day.

Some girls from San José.

This woman is beautiful isn't she?  On Wednesday afternoon of Woman's week, we went to Lily House and the women heard a devotion about God being King above all Kings.  And, if we believe in Him, that makes us his son's and daughters... daughters of the king are princesses.  The ladies were so excited to understand that message.  Who doesn't want to be a princess?

Before we heard our devotion, the women had a runway contest.  They made wedding dresses out of toilet paper.  Truthfully, I was astounded.  The dress I tried to make was a disaster, but some truly have a talent and made some pretty dresses that included a clutch and a hair piece.  Wow!

Both our group and others taught the ladies at Lily House, a home for women who used to be prostitutes, how to make scarves and jewelry that they can sell.  Some groups have begun to do jewelry parties in the states to help raise money for Lily House.  Please pray for their continued support.  Prostitution is a huge problem here and many women feel like they have no other choice.

On Thursday, we traveled to a church in Quisqueya that I attend on Sunday nights and did a Women's day.  They enjoyed devotions on letting God use us in spite of what we have or don't have.  We also had crafts to make necklaces, earrings, and baskets.  My favorite, though was the exercise session.  God does command us to take care of our bodies. Here, I am doing a wall squat.  30 seconds!

And we did lunges.

This is the church that we worked in. 

These women were honored at the Lily House graduation for having completed 1 or 2 years away from  the streets.  On Thursday night, I had the opportunity to go out on my first street ministry.  We walked down the streets of Boca Chica, where there are lots of prostitutes and men hanging out with prostitutes.  The thing that struck me most was how open prostitution is here and how the street we walked down looked nothing like that street in the famous movie Pretty Woman but rather like a typical street with bars and clubs in the United States.  I am grateful for a ministry that helps rescue these women.  I pray for God to work in the lives of the men who travel to this country buy these women.  I pray for the Lord to do BIG things through the Lily House ministry.

This is a picture of me and little Ashanti, a girl from Pasitos de Jesus.  She is absolutely precious.  This picture is special to me for a few reasons.  First, it took about 3 months for her to let me hold her.  But even more, last Sunday night, we received the horrible news that two of our missionaries, Giovanny and Carolina lost their daughter to a heart attack.  It was a complete surprise to everyone.  Ashanti is her exact age.  Little Giovanna was born on March 8, 2012 and passed away this past Sunday morning.  Life is so precious.  Please pray for Giovanny and Carolina.  I cannot imagine how hard it is on them to lose their daughter.  

In the last two weeks, I have felt more and more at home than ever before.  I am making friends, feeling in community, and serving each and everyday.  I feel my understanding of His word to be growing and feel a connection more and more to the people here.  And in the midst of so many good things, I am becoming more and more aware of the reality of the deep cultural problem of rape and abuse in this country.  I am shaken by the reality of prostitution and the similarities of prostitution here and the club/party scene in the states.  I am reminded of the need to trust and hold on to God for assurance and not man.  And, I am reminded of the fragility of life.  While praise God that I have hope in Him, I even more than ever want to share that hope with others.

Most of all, I know that God is working.  He has a plan.   Each and every day that I wake up and decide to devote my actions, my words and my life to the Lord, I also know that the devil wants to shake me away from Him by entering into my thoughts, giving me bad news, or making me "too" busy.

But thanks be to God that there is hope!

I am so grateful for His good news!

Even when it is hard, when we receive bad news, or when we are faced with hard realities...

In God, there is Hope!

He is stronger!  

He has already won!