Hi everyone! Wow, it's been two weeks since I've written on here, probably the longest since I started consistently blogging at the end of last year. Well, the gap in time is indicative of a few things: First, I have been adjusting to life here, getting into a routine of things to do and have been busy working. As I am settling in, I find myself at times not stepping back and taking the large chunks of time to be by myself -- just me and God. Secondly, I spent about 4 or 5 days without internet, and last, I spent last weekend at a conference. Needless to say, I am really excited to have been able to spend the last two hours this morning in the Word, listening to music from my home church in Atlanta, and just spending time with the Lord. It's the perfect Saturday morning in the Dominican Republic! (And for those who know me well, while I didn't get my Atlanta Bread Company Bagel, I did make banana nut muffins this morning... PERFECT!)
Well, as I stated, last weekend I had the privilege to go a conference in the capital (Santo Domingo) and hear four different pastors preach. Two of them were from here and two were from the states. Honestly, as I was sitting and listening, I realized what an honor it was to be able to go for free and learn more about the Word of God. The pastors from the states who were there were Steven Lawson and John McArthur. The conference was basically made up of 2 1/2 days of worship, sermons and prayer. I loved it! The topic was the Power of His Word and the focus was basically how important it is to constantly be in God's Word and the importance of our truth coming from His truth. Many points during the conference were convicting. Some questions that came to mind as I listened to sermons about the importance of being in God's Word and understanding His promises and who God is in general:
- Does my truth come from God?
- Do I know where to find truth in the Bible?
- Am I doing all that I can to memorize scripture?
- Do I believe that all of scripture is true even when it isn't convenient to how the world says I should live?
- Do I truly fear God and do my actions show that I fear Him?
- Do I really commit my whole being to Him each and every day?
One day there was a question / answer session where the pastors answered really hard questions supporting their answers with specific scripture. It was amazing! And, I was really convicted. I feel like I have a great grasp on truth, and sometimes I can quote scripture to support it, but I most of the time cannot tell someone where that passage is. And, I want to be able to not only spat out a verse but understand the context well too. Anyway, during this question / answer session, questions were asked about Suicide, Homosexuality, Salvation, Sin, Suffering, and more. At some point, the pastors also spoke on false teachers, on the importance of having a good pastor who is grounded in the Word, and the importance of reading the Word for yourself. For me, it wasn't that I necessarily agreed or disagreed with any of their points made, but that they were so convinced of their answers because of their knowledge of scripture. I pray that He will fill me with that knowledge in the same way.
Rewind to the last month and 1/2 at Emanuel House. We are in the process of administering tests to the majority of kids here at Emanuel House and at a nearby school, as a baseline assessment before they receive laptops later this fall. And, the reality is a sad one. The vast majority of kids can't read. We've finished testing 2nd and 3rd graders -- most of whom are not only unable to complete the vocabulary and reading portions of the test, but also the math word problems because of their illiteracy. There are many who may say that what the kids and their families need is salvation. Of course, I believe that, but being educated enough to be able to discern what people tell you to be true or not and more importantly, being able to read the Word for yourself is so important. If the Lord does touch the hearts of these children or their parents, without the ability to read, they miss out on the joy of reading His Word on their own.
Through these two experiences and some others over the last two weeks, it is evident that ministry through education and organizing others in ministry may be where God is leading me. School has started for many kids and will start on Monday for others. I have been surrounded by preparation for school, shopping for uniforms for kids at the orphanage, collecting school supplies for the poorest of kids, and communicating about funds for registration for some of the orphanage girls who need to go to private school to catch up. (There is even a 16 year old girl at the orphanage who is unable to go to her previous public school because she is too old to be in the 6th grade -- so they denied her entrance. Please pray that God would open doors for her in another school.)
God has not only affirmed my ministry is in education / administrative things, but I definitely believe that much of my ministry here may focus on reading. (Crazy enough, reading in Spanish is much easier than reading in English.) I brought some books that I had collected over the last few years in Spanish and am hopeful to continue to collect books for the kids. Most kids in a questionnaire had less than 5 (if any) books at home. Most of their parents did not finish school past elementary school, and many parents cannot read or write either. The overwhelming need confirms that I am only one person and there are so many who are willing to help. In the body of Christ, each has his own gifts. I am praying for people to come alongside me who I can direct to various ministries to help. I am really excited to see how God works with us to help these kids and their families. Only He knows His plans, but I know that He is abundant, able, and willing!
Thanks be to God!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- For God to help me have large chunks of time each day to spend with Him in His Word and in prayer
- For God to help me memorize scripture (in both English and in Spanish)
- For the 150 kids at Emanuel House -- their growth in their ability to read
- For the kids' parents and spiritual growth (for those who don't know Him that they would come to know Him)
- For a lady that I met here who recently lost her mother and is having a really hard time with it -- for God's comfort. She feels hopeless -- that His love would sustain her and that she would come to know the Lord as her personal savior through this experience
- For endurance, perseverance, and creativity for the teachers at Emanuel House
- For God to help me find friends, community and a church here that is Bible based and will help me grow spiritually
- For God's continual guidance in terms of my ministry here
- For me to continue to become less and Him more
- For Xiomara at the orphanage (she's the one who can no longer attend public school). May God provide a solution for her
Thank you to all who are following my blog! May He continue to bless you, keep you safe and may He continue to reveal His unfailing love to you... so that you would not just be hearers of His words, but followers of His Word as well!
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