I will never forget a couple months ago when we had the flooding here. It had rained hard for three weeks straight and even before then had been raining so much. Sun was not something that peaked out regularly, clothes wouldn’t dry, and trying to light a match for the stove was a process.
And then one day I remember my roommate standing outside of the door and seeing a bright, bright reflection and saying, “What is that?” It turned out it was the sun reflecting off of a nearby neighbor’s tin roof. In such a short time she’d forgotten what the sun’s reflection looked like.
Not long after, more days became sunny than rainy, and only memories and physical evidences were left behind of the heavy rains and rising rivers.
Today, the water has long receded, the saturated furniture long dried or thrown away, and left behind are eroded roads showing evidence of the storm. And fortunately, the bright sun peaks out each day like clockwork.
When I think back through the past few months, transitions, flooding and life's challenges, I am reminded of how out of control I’ve felt and how much in need of a break I was. I decided months ago to stay in the Dominican during Christmas break this year. Over the past two weeks I have been intent on focusing my attention on the Lord, seeking rest (emotionally, spiritually and physically), discerning direction, and spending quality time with people who live in this country who I haven’t gotten to spend so much quality time with in over a year.
I have also gotten a good amount of time reading. In God’s Word, I’ve been reading over and over again Galatians, Romans 5-12 and 2 Corinthians 3-6. Also, I finally finished The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (Yes, for the first time.) and am about halfway through The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller. Reading — it’s one of the things that really fills me up, but if I am too tired or if there are too many things going on in my mind, reading doesn’t happen. I often don’t get to sit down and read a good book and many days my quiet time is a lot shorter than what I would like it to be.
Like my friend who forgot what the sun’s reflection was like, in many ways I feel like over the past two months I have been the forgetful Israelite, along with the task-oriented Martha, and the scared Moses. Like Peter, I often took some steps of faith staring clearly at God and then found myself looking at the waves instead of Him and starting to drown. But, fortunately, God does not give up on us. He reaches out His hand and helps us up. He’s used a hard semester to teach me and remind me and to relax the often high strung, perfectionist Adrienne.
This break, God has been teaching me about some adjustments I need to make in how I do “life” here. He’s shown me that He is merciful, forgiving, and has an abundance of grace for all of our shortcomings. He’s reminded me how much nature, rest, quiet, long walks, and quick trips for ice cream with friends can fill me up. He’s shown me that doing those things help me to better reflect the Son. He’s taught me that time and patience and intentionality with people is how I developed such deep relationships and trust in the past and that He is the same God that He was then. I’ve been reminded that His call for my life is one of boldness, speaking truth, and often being different for Him. He’s encouraged me in my gifts and He’s reminded me over and over again who I am (His) and who He is (God)! In essence, God grabbed my face and pointed it directly at Him. And only looking directly at Him can I even begin to reflect the Son.
To Him be all of the glory!
We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:14-18
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My Dominican family, whom I met in 2009 on a Wesleyan mission trip, has ever since provided a home away from home for me in Santo Domingo. This year, I got to spend Christmas with them. It consisted of a traditional Christmas Eve dinner of roasted pig and chicken, "Christmas rice", salad, and spaghetti. I learned that up north where I live now, instead of spaghetti, families eat pastelón (a dish similar to lasagna but made with sweet plantains instead of pasta). One of my favorite parts of being here this break has been learning about the Christmas traditions... Instead of buying gifts like in the States, it is more common here to change something in your home (curtains, cushions or even furniture). Many Christians do not put up a Christmas tree but there are many parks and homes with outside lights. One thing that I knew was popular was painting your home a different color, but since I had never spent a Christmas here, I didn't realize that the change in paint most often occurs around Christmas. It's tradition!
Deepening relationships with other Makarios teachers. Not 20 minutes away is a mountain called Mount Isabel. On top is a Christ statue modeled after the one in Brazil. It is definitely one my favorite places here. This break, I got to ride up the mountain by cable car with a Makarios friend and spend much of the morning just walking and talking and enjoying nature! Later, she introduced me to a few cheap places to eat and to the Puerto Plata pulga which is like a beyond- massive garage sale. (Most of the items come from Haiti and have been donated by the United States. People then sell it here to the Dominicans.) Going to a wedding, spending time in the park and eating with Dominican friends have been other ways that the Lord has allowed me to deepen some relationships and enjoy the city nearby in a way that I usually don't get to.
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| On January 1, I had the opportunity to spend time with Mirqueya in a stadium in Santo Domingo. We worshipped, prayed and listened to a sermon based on 2 Corinthians 5 and the ministry of reconciliation. This free and annual event is called "Battle of the Faith" and occurs the first day of every year. It is highly attended by many Christians. |
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Discipline. Please come alongside me and pray for continued good time in His Word and discipline in memorizing Scripture. May the things that I am learning during my quiet time and during my class on Systematic Theology stick with me!
Prayer life. This time has allowed me to really get to listen to others and see how I can pray for them. May I renew an intentional habit to pray for all of those on my prayer list here, where I used to live, and in the States.
Mirqueya and my friends in Quisqueya. I had the opportunity to spend about 4 days in Quisqueya just days ago. Great things are happening at Emanuel House and many are coming into deeper relationship with Christ through the work there. I am grateful to still be able to be a part of it even though I am not physically there. Mirqueya and many of my former Bible Study ladies have been going through a really hard time. Please pray for God’s protection of her and that God will get all of the glory.
Personal Care. Although the Lord has grown me so much in this area, please continue to pray that I will do what I need to do to take care of myself physically, emotionally and spiritually so that I can reflect Jesus in all that God has called me to be and do. Please also pray for protection against sickness.
Not-Yet-Believers. There are a number of non-believers with whom I have a relationship and others whom I see daily. Please pray that the Lord would help me to be loving and intentional with them and that He would provide opportunities to share Christ with them.
Reading and Outreach. I will continue working at the school with the kids who are behind helping them learn to read, bringing books to the communities to read with children and adults, and leading discipleship groups of women. Please pray for God to be my guide and strength and that people would see Him and not me.
Thank you for all that you've done and continue to do to support me in the last three years and in this last year of transition. Thank you for your prayers, financial support, encouragement, concern and love. I see God's hand in my ministry here and I could not do any of it without my team! May you know just how appreciative I am for you and your sacrificial time and gifts. May God bless you and your family in 2017 and may He be glorified by you!
