Over the last week, they have really intrigued me.
God's chosen.
His imperfect, sinful, chosen.
His barren, doubting, chosen.
If you haven't had a chance to read recently the story of Sarah and Abraham, read it.
Read the story about two regular people who loved God, were chosen by God to live out His call and who followed Him.
And then, learn about how they were chosen to have a baby at a ripe… very ripe old age.
Read the story of people who couldn't completely see God's plan and tried to manipulate and make it work their way thus causing conflict.
Read about lying and disguising and some more lying.
Read about their love for the Lord and their struggle to trust His plan.
Then, learn about God's faithfulness and forgiveness.
Learn about His promises fulfilled.
And be encouraged about your own life and what God can do with you if you just let Him!
I've been in the Dominican for a two weeks now after having been to the States and it feels good to be back. I would say that I do not really know how to "ease" into anything so I've hit the ground running, while at the same time keeping in mind that I have come off of not doing much for the last 6 weeks. I have overall been feeling better and am more than grateful to God for that!
Upon arriving, I was welcomed by the Wesleyan group of girls and teachers in San José, a small village outside of Boca Chica, about 45 minutes or so from where I live. I had the opportunity to stay there for four nights and minister and share with the girls there. "Doing life" in San José involved building relationships with the people of the small village where there was a church planted just a few years ago by Craig and Joanna some missionaries that I have grown to love. Roasting marshmallows, putting on skits to tell Bible stories, showing movies, visiting homes and hearing how they were lead to know the Lord, and playing games were some of the weeks activities. And of course one day the group visited Emanuel House and shared with the pre teens and teens that attend there by playing silly games, competing in kickball, dramatizing the story of Esther, and asking questions about why it is important as girls to be brave.
I get to serve alongside dominicans and serve the dominican people every day of my life so being able to be with American teenage girls again was a treat for me. And, even though I don't know many of them deeply, being able to encourage them to love God with all of themselves no matter what… even if it goes against the grain… just to please God... that was a truth that God put in my heart to share with them while focusing especially on Romans 12:1-2.
Saturday I spent the day with two people. One was a 17 year old boy named José who had gotten in a machete fight about a month before and whom I met while with the Wesleyan team. We went from a small clinic to the hospital to a nurses house to his home trying to get everything worked out so that he could get the care needed to work on his hand. We ate lunch together and shared with Him the love that God has for Him, the fact that God created Him and that He has a plan for His life if he will allow it. José dropped out of school when he was in 4th grade, is known as a delinquent in the community and has a little brother who used to be a part of the Emanuel House family. I know that God has used this time as an opportunity to plant seeds. I do not know what other opportunities I nor Mirqueya may have with him, but know that God is working in him.
Then, we spent time with Silveria, a 17 year old pregnant teenager. It is unclear if she was abused or not, but she is an 8th grader at the local middle schooler and seems to be alone with very few people to speak with about how she is doing. We were able to share Psalm 139 with her, pray with her and will follow up with her with some prenatal vitamins and hopefully more conversations.
Last week, I started teaching again. The kids are still a challenge. But, they are learning and they are excited. We scrapped many of the math and reading lessons to learn about Jesus and practice for a skit we did for the rest of the school about the need for Christ to come to earth, His death on the cross and His resurrection. Indeed He lives and He will come again! (We were so caught up in the play that I didn't get pictures of it. But the gospel was shared, the kids learned, and for that I am glad!)
The twins, Josefa and Josefina who have come to live with us at Emanuel House have been an unbelievable blessing. They are the sweetest and most obedient girls I could ask for. I am grateful to have them as a part of our family. Since the day that their mom died, they have been living at Emanuel House, and now, I get the opportunity to love them, cook for them some days, and help educate them. They love to read, learn about God and are up for whatever challenge. It's been fun witnessing the 13 year old twins giggling as they wash dishes, memorizing scripture after reading their morning devotion, and tasting certain vegetables for the first time. I've loved it and praise God for putting them even closer into my daily life! I do not know how long God has them living at Emanuel House, but their presence right now is a true gift!
And the normal every day continues. I continue to pour into the Bible Study ladies whom I love. One, María continues to sell jewelry through her local business and has employed one of the Bible study women to help her. She is able to feed her children regularly and is learning to manage money and a small business. The struggle continues in the community where I live of seeing so many hurting women and so many abusive men and lack of male presence in the church community. This week is Holy Weeks which marks many voodoo parades in the streets of Quisqueya as well. I am reminded often of the ever-present need for better education, medical care, and Bible instruction.
God is stretching me.
He is challenging me.
He is teaching me.
And at the same time, I can say that I trust that He sees far more in space and in time than my eyes can see and than my mind can imagine. That story of Sarah and Abraham came to me right at the perfect time. I am grateful that He knows all, sees all and controls all. May He continue to be glorified through each and every step, each and every word, and each and every relationship!
To Him be the glory!
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