But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus -- the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Acts 20:24
Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your
heavenly Father. Matthew 5:16
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John 3:30
It's crazy to think that it's been almost a month since I've last written. I struggle to think of where to even start...
The truth is that I have seen God move in various ways over the last few weeks. I recognize over and over again just how big He is, just how powerful He is, and just how much He loves us and wants nothing more than for us to give Him attention, love Him back, and depend on Him fully. My hope for those reading this would be that you are encouraged to live for Him, loving the One true God with all of who you are, always recognizing the infinite power of prayer.
Below are some pictures, stories and anecdotes of the last few weeks. God is good!
A NEW BODY. Yumercy, the special needs girl from Emanuel House with leukemia passed away shortly after I wrote my last blog. She died days after saying her last words, "God, I love you." The day of her death, we went to her house where in Dominican tradition we sat, talked to, and comforted the family. Then, early the next morning, family, friends, and many of the Emanuel House kids and teachers, including the special needs kids, got together and walked about 2 miles from Yumercy's house to the grave sight. Please continue to pray for her mother, grandmother and 3 brothers during this time of mourning. Pray for peace as we know that Yumercy understood about and loved Jesus. Pray that her family will continue to find confort in knowing that Yumercy is in a new body, laughing and singing to the Lord.
TEACHING. I have been teaching Tuesdays and Wednesdays with the first graders in the mornings and the pre-schoolers in the afternoons. I am seeing small changes in their behavior, in their desire to please the teacher and have a good day learning, and in their enthusiasm as they are learning to read simple words that begin with S, M, B and vowels. I praise the Lord for their increased knowledge of the sounds that all letters make in the alphabet. I am also grateful for help from teachers who have given me ideas for helping the kids develop writing, reading and math skills. I praise Him also for an extra boost of energy that the teacher with whom I am working has had over the past few weeks. Praise Him!
ATL TO DOM. Kaitlin, a former student and mock trialer from Wesleyan visited for one week. Her presence and energy were a blessing to me, to Mirqueya, and to the Emanuel family as a whole.
SATURDAYS. Kids Club is still going, although we will be taking a break for the next month. Last week, we had a fun "movie morning" with popcorn, cookies and Kool-Aid to start the day off right. We learned about serving others while watching how Jesus did the same when He was on earth. Some kids even remembered when we did that lesson months ago.
SAYING GOOD-BYE. Jessinia, who has been my helper for the last two months, is about to go. As much as I don't want to think about it, she's leaving. God answered so many prayers in bringing her down here. There is so much that I wouldn't have gotten done this summer alone. I praise Him for her administrative skills, desire to help out wherever needed, and just for her love for the Lord. I am praying against culture shock and for God's continued hand in her life as she heads to school in Seattle. Click Here to see a video about Emanuel House that she just finished. Interested in supporting Emanuel House's efforts or sponsoring a child? Go to www.scoresponsor.org.
JESUS LOVES MOMS. My Bible study of the book of John continues to go well with the women, although this past week, I wasn't able to participate. But on Wednesday instead of teaching, I traveled with the moms to the Highlands, a multi-million dollar facility used to host dominicans in camps, sports activities and short retreats. The moms heard testimonies from a woman's group from McLean Bible Church, participated in a craft, watched a short Jesus movie, and had fun "bathing" in the pool. (Since most don't know how to swim, they use the verb 'bañarse" or to bathe.) They also learned about managing money and relating the Bible practically to their lives, and they enjoyed a nutritious lunch. I translated for the moms and just enjoyed spending time with them. Please pray for those moms who still do not know the Lord nor follow His path. I am convinced that their lives and the lives of their children can be radically changed with the Lord as its center.
BATTLING CANCER. I continue to visit Elpidia and her 5 girls as much as I can. For those who pray for her regularly, her health is worsening. She is said to have under a month left to live unless God decides to perform a miracle. Last night she started her first dose of medicine with codene, and she is said to now have pneumonia along with worsening bed sores. Her daughters are doing well considering their situation. They will most likely be coming to live with Mirqueya and me in the foundation soon. Please pray for their health, safety and that they would know the love that their mom has for them. Please pray for their softened hearts and growing relationship with the Lord.
MINISTRY CHANGES. I visited Pasitos de Jesús Girls Home for the last time in my "regular Thursday visits" this past Thursday, as I will be concentrating mainly on ministering here in Quisqueya. While I will return to spend time with the girls, it will not be weekly. I have grown to really love them. They are in camp this summer and are learning about self-esteem, how to do various crafts, and they are enjoying being organized and active. Please pray for their continued growth in the Lord. Pray that people who love the Lord would continue to be a part of Pasitos and that they would pour into the girls' spiritual lives. I praise God for His clarity in ministry and for those who prayed alongside me for discernment.
PLANTED SEEDS & STRENGHTHENED FAITH. I have become closer and closer to one of the moms who lives close by and is a part of the Bible Study. Her name is Cyntia. She is a single mom of 8 children and she is more or less my age. I have had the opportunity to be with her at the mom's retreat, while driving her to Juan Dolio, in her home, and at the grocery store. Cyntia and I have had many conversations about the Lord, about what it means to follow Christ, and about accepting Him as our saviour. We have talked about so much. Each time that I am around her, I see her love for her children grow, I see her desire grow to please the Lord, and I see her dependence on Him to provide grow as well.
I praise God for Cyntia because she encouraged me so much through her words just last week. She told me that me being here and my words of encouragement to her, along with my faith in the Lord have encouraged her in her relationship with the Lord. She told me that just last week, she hadn't eaten anything but plain rice for 3 days. And after that third day, I showed up with a father that wanted to sponsor one of her children. We prayed for her family while tears rolled down her face. When I asked her why she was crying, she told me that God is just so good. Then, the father asked if she had food. Being that she didn't, we later collected money that would provide for her family for about a week. That's when she told me that she hadn't eaten. She had been praying to the Lord to please provide and if it wasn't His will to provide, that He would let her be able to stand it. Wow!
You see, before, she was getting food dishonestly. More recently, Cyntia was making sure that her kids were fed in some way, but she wasn't eating. But, she's been reaching for God. Her faith is growing. She told me that if God could provide just a little bit of food in the time that she needs, He can provide her with the skills to read. (She currently reads at less than a 3rd grade level which makes it embarrasing to read in front of people, difficult to read her Bible, impossible to get a job, and hard to even help her kids with school.) But, the Lord is good. Cyntia is determined to teach her kids the importance of education. And, she has been given the opportunity to start reading classes. Likewise, she is beginning to understand what it is like to follow Christ and to depend on Him. Continued prayers for Cyntia's spiritual growth and for Him to give me the right words when I talk with her would be greatly appreciated.
TIME FLIES. I have been here for one year as of July 8. I praise the Lord for every work that He has done in me over the last year. He has humbled me. He has worked in me. He has taught me. He has loved me. I praise Him for the relationships that I have built and for the ministry that He is doing through me here. I am praising Him today for a great start and praying for perseverance, strength, and increased relationships. May I continue to learn from others and from His Word, believing ultimately that...
He who began a good work in [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
