A little bit of Dominican in the States

This weekend was my dream weekend in the States.  I had a glimpse of what my life will be when in full time ministry, and in the DR!  The Dominican doctor that I will be working with in the DR and who is a medical missionary with Students International came to the US to do his fund raising tour.  To meet with supporters and talk about how Christ continues to bless his ministry.  He does this every year, but was able to bring his wife this time!

Saturday night we had dinner at the Pearsons house, who are the founders of an organization called Sowers of the Kingdom.  They do short term mission trips to the DR and it was through this organization that I first got a taste of the immense medical need!  I have since been back with them 3 times (with my Mom on one of the trips!) and once I live in the Dom Rep will get to partner with them several weeks a year.  Dr. Fernando has had the blessing to do so as well.  Anyways, Sat night the Pearsons invited a couple of us over.  The night was filled with DR talk, dreaming, Christ and worship.  It was amazing for me to realize that after this weekend, the next time I see Fernando will be when I move to Jarabacoa, after language school!  We may actually converse in his native lingo!!

This morning was exciting at church, a week after I spoke, to have Fernando speak.  My medical partner in crime!  I just get so excited when I am with him.  We have such big dreams for health care out reach.  The sky is truly the limit.  Sometimes I have to reign myself in.  There are many steps to go through before I step foot again on Dominican soil!

This afternoon, I was able to bring Fernando to my office.  It was such a neat experience for me.  After spending so much time practicing medicine with him on the mission field showing him where I put on my fancy clothes and lab coat and sit at a polished desk day after day....dreaming about the day I get to get down and dirty in the mission field!  That he is spending his time in now!

This evening, Fernando was asked to lead worship at a Spanish church in Yorktown, NY.  This church has only been in existence for two years and was started by an incredible Columbian pastor who is gifted with church planting.  His congregation is predominantly new believers and is only the second Spanish speaking church in our area.  Which is incredible considering the large Spanish population.  Fernando led worship.  A man of many talents.  I was the only white person.  Yup, felt like I was in the DR!  What a way to end Thanksgiving break.  And, at the end of the church service when I was speaking to the pastor he invited me to come back and preach and give my testimony.  What a blessing.  Guess I'm getting over the whole hating public speaking thing??  Only through the strength of Christ.....

Fernando leading worship!

Fernando, Tita (his wife), Rosa, Pastor Nestor, Lourdes and myself

Thankfulness

"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."      1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

In this season of thankfulness, I'm overwhelmed by a mix of emotions.  I have so many blessings in my life, as so many of us do.  In America, we tend to be thankful for the "big" things.  A nice house, fabulous car, great clothes, or any number of materialistic possessions we can dream up.  I was grateful that at the Thanksgiving service at HRC on Wednesday we were thankful for not just a roof over our head, but the "basic" things we take for granted.  Water that quenches our thirst.  Food that nourishes our bodies.  A wonderful community of faithful believers.

On Wednesday night, I couldn't help but think of how I have not felt pangs of hunger.  I have no idea what it feels like to be a mother trying to feed my children with absolutely no resources available.  I think a common question among non-believers revolves around the notion that if our Heavenly Father was truly so great and wonderful, why doesn't he end hunger, thirst, suffering?  This is the picture they are missing.  Our maker loved us so much that He gave us the power of free will.  Since the Garden of Eden, we have been messing things up.  It breaks His heart to look at our shattered world.  To see all the brokenness.  Yet, He loves us despite these faults.  Despite our wrong choices century after century hurting His beloved creations, His children.  He loves us even though our allocation of resources have caused so many to be lacking.  We have caused hunger, famine, global warming, war, etc.  Yet, He forgives us.  This is what I am thankful for.  The grace and mercy of our Father.  Forgiving us for hurting His children.

I can't help but think where I will be at this point next year.  Will I even celebrate Thanksgiving in the Dominican Republic?  I truly hope so.  Even a tropical thanksgiving with rice and beans by myself.  Perhaps I can even be "skyped" into my family's Thanksgiving table.  I am so blessed with all the technology we have that will enable me to still be in contact with my family.

I pray that you are all having a wonderful and joyful Thanksgiving Holiday filled with love, happy memories and true Thanksgiving for the most wonderful sustenance of all, the love of our Father.

What a day today was.  At the church service I attend on Sunday afternoons (Common Ground) our minister starts off with where we saw Christ this week.  Well friends, I surely cannot pick one!!  I was overwhelmed with the amount of supportive emails and texts I received with encouragement for my speech today, thank you, thank you!!  Your prayers were surely felt as I was blessed to have the opportunity to share with my home church what God has laid so deeply within my heart.  I'm excited to see the partnerships today leads to!

I would like to share with you how awesome our God is and how directly He provides for us.  In my anxiety this morning he provided peace with these words within my devotion:

"I am pleased with you, my child.  Allow yourself to become fully aware of My pleasure shining upon you.  You don't have to perform well in order to receive My Love......Shift your focus from your performance to My radiant Presence.  The Light of My Love shines on you continually, regardless of your feelings or behavior.  Your responsibility is to be receptive to this unconditional Love.  Thankfulness and trust are your primary receptors."   Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (awesome devo!!)

It surely is not about us.  Nothing we can do can make Him love us or be more pleased with us.  In this I had reassurance and peace!

Speaking at the first service, Pastor Taylor

Caught looking down at my speech!

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For those who were unable to attend Hopewell Reformed Church this morning, below is my speech.

Every one of these points I am about to make has a story behind it, that I would love to share, but don’t have time here.  So I’m just gonna give you the highlights.  But, if any of this peaks your interest, lets grab coffee.

When I was a little girl I believed I could change the world.  I believed that I could do anything.  I grew up in a nurturing environment with parents who supported and encouraged me in my dreams, regardless of what they were.  I truly believed the world was at my feet.  I had a wonderful Christian foundation with Sunday school and Youth Group, but am not sure I really, truly did “get it.”

My family started attending Hopewell Reformed Church in eleventh grade.  Shortly after becoming a member, Pastor Randy Prentiss approached me to see if I was interested in attending a youth mission trip to Mexico in August 2002.  My Mom started thinking of multiple polite excuses to get me out of going when much to her surprise I replied that I would love to.  That trip single handedly changed my life.  Something started burning in my heart while I was there, something that would not be smoldered. 

One of the outreaches our group did was to a migrant workers camp.  It was there we met a man who was very ill from what appeared to be a chronic ear infection, but was probably much more serious.  We could see the city of Ensenada from where we worked, yet this man would never receive the medical care he needed.  It was here that I was first touched by the life of the extreme poor in a third world country and the inequalities of the world.

I returned to Poughkeepsie transformed, determined that I would change the world.  It was at that point that I committed myself as a medical missionary, though I didn’t yet have it right.  I stood at this pulpit almost 10 years ago speaking of my experience and the new path Christ was leading me on.  I went away to college and returned to Mexico two more times, both validating my desire to help those without access to basic health care.  I knew this was the path I needed to take, but I didn’t know how.  And I was certain Mexico was not the country I was being called to. 

Through college, the desire to serve as a medical provider in a third world country was never far from my mind, but the secular world enveloped my life.  I only went to church when returning home and my prayer life consisted of pleas to pass a test.  I continued on a path in medicine, but was sure an organization like the Peace Corps or Doctors without Borders was the right route for me.  Who needs God?  After all, I was going to save the world.  I was going to heal people.

I graduated Philadelphia University in August of 2009 as a Physician Assistant and moved to NYC determined to live the American single girl in the city dream.  My best friend and I rented an apartment on the upper east side of Manhattan, I took a lucrative job at Montefiore Hospital and had many plans for travel and entertainment. 

Once again God had another plan and a youth leader at HRC approached me.  Lourdes Kleid, who saw my youth commitment to medical missions, invited me to the DR with Sowers of the Kingdom.  Sure, why not I thought.  I love an adventure, and the timing was perfect because the trip would take place before beginning my new job.  And a little God in my life wouldn’t be a bad thing.

When I look at my life, it’s hard not to divide it as pre- and post- DR 2009.  Outwardly, I remained the same Rachel.  But, inwardly everything changed.  God spoke to me on that trip and I finally listened.  I was blessed to have the opportunity to spend my first job as a newly licensed PA serving Him.  As a team we saw hundreds of patients.  Patients who had never felt the touch of a stethoscope on their chest.  Patients who walked miles and waited hours to see us.  Patients who stole my heart.

I knew on that trip that Christ was calling me to this place.  Moving to the Dominican Republic was the only thing that made sense to me.  I developed a hunger for Christ, to follow Him wherever He may lead.  I no longer cared that I had a beautiful apartment on the upper east side.  I didn’t care about the money I would be making or the trips I would get to go on.  I knew I needed to do everything I could to get back to the DR and use the gifts Jesus has given me to provide care for those that are forgotten by so many.

And everything finally clicked.  This was not about me.  I cannot save the world.  I cannot provide enough health care for everyone.  I am not strong enough to move to a third world country alone.  But the one who is calling me is.  This journey, this overwhelming desire to serve the poor in the DR is all for Christ’s glory.  So that He may use me to further His will.  I finally understood.  I yearn to give health care that provides both physical and spiritual healing.  To hold my patient’s hands and bow our heads in prayer when there is nothing further I can do as a health care provider.

In July I went to the DR for my 5^th trip in a year and a half on an interview and was accepted by the Christian Organization Students International to lead their medical mission site.  Lourdes has been taking youth from HRC to the DR with this organization since 2005.  Students International pairs long term missionaries that have occupational skills with short term mission groups.  My role will be multi-faceted.  Several days a week I will work in a clinic within the city of Jarabacoa.  But the majority of the time, I hope to do out reaches to remote villages that have little to no access to medicine.  I want to implement health care education and prevention programs.  But most importantly, I want to speak about the faith I have in Christ.  To speak of a God who loves His children regardless of life circumstances. 

As I’ve been on this journey the questions I get the most are about my call.  The truth is I’m not quite sure I even understand what a call truly is.  What I do know is we are all a part of a far greater plan than we can even fathom.  And Christ has an individual plan for each and everyone one of us.  Mine may be a little extreme with moving to a third world country, but all of us play a part in the kingdom of God. 

In Matthew 22 Christ simplifies things for us.  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it.  Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Well, simply put, myself doesn’t want to go without health care.

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, whether in the states or the DR.  It is our duty as Christ followers to provide for those who are unable to provide for themselves.  As Matthew 25:40 says, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”  God has given me family in the DR and to them I will go.

Poster done.  Fundraising packets made.  Speech written.  Dress picked out.  Family on board.  Liturgy papers received.  Wait, what?  Yup, I am the liturgist too.  I better not wet my pants from nerves or suffer from the "shakes."  I was hoping to give my speech and then run away into the sea of pews.  God has other plans.  And I will obey.  But, really God?  You know I hate public speaking.  You know this is really stretching me.  You know this is the thing I have been dreading since being accepted.  You know this will cause my anxiety level to sky rocket.....

But, incredibly it hasn't.  Never in a million years would I have thought that my fears of public speaking would transform into continued validation, peace and excitement for whats to come.  I cannot wait to wake every morning in the DR.  I cannot wait to live my life serving Jesus.  To spend time with the poor and do everything I can to give them hope and care.  I cannot wait to teach American students, about the love of Christ and about medicine.  I cannot wait to be fluent in Spanish and not need an interpreter at clinics.  I cannot wait.

Some of the greatest fears I have about public speaking (aside from everyone staring at me) is not knowing who is in the audience.  I'm trusting God will help me know when to tell my employer that I'm leaving.  But, I do not want a patient or fellow health care provider to beat me to the punch.  And, I've already had some close calls.  Guess this is that whole trusting thing again.  Trust Him in the small things and it will be easier to trust in the bigger.  Well here's to jumping off the plank into trust.  Because, who is going to be there as I get off that plane in Guatemala?  Who's going to be there as I am waking in strange places and stepping out of my comfort zone?  Who's going to provide for me?

I will try and take pictures of this Sunday and let you all know how it goes!!  Thank you for your continued prayers!!

And if you get a chance....check out Kim Streeter's blog about El Callejon.  El Callejon is a very poor community that SI ministers to through a social work site.  Kim moved to the DR several months ago and is doing an incredible ministry with the women (children, teens and adults) in that community!!
http://www.meetingjesusinelcallejon.blogspot.com/

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from my fears."  Psalm 34:4


God is meeting me.  In His perfect timing things are coming together.  Last week I wrote to you as a weak human, as Rachel.  Not trusting his perfect plan.  Boy, I must have some incredible prayer warriors out there!  I  can honestly say I am excited about speaking at my church this weekend.  I finally get to talk about what I love and believe in more than anything else.

This past Sunday we had our Odyssey service.  Several people were there who were at our main church for the early service.  Apparently our Pastor announced that I would be speaking the following Sunday.  Normally this would make me very nervous and feel pressured, BUT not that day.  I found it such an encouragement.  People told me they are excited to hear what I have to say!  He is moving.

The past several months have been spent preparing.  Sending emails to people who may be interested in being supporters.  Putting together business cards, prayer cards and supporter packets.  Making lists.  Budgeting.  Organizing.  Now, is the fun part!!

The encouragement I am receiving from those around me is such a gift.  I believe in challenging our Father for what we need.  And provide He will.  Just when I start feeling alone, like the only one who is going through this a delivery is made.  In the form of a spiritual mentor, to wrestle through spiritual warfare.  In the form of an incredible single female missionary a year ahead of me in this process.  In the form of a missionary couple who are leaving from my church at the same time I am, and who are dealing with the same feelings of leavers "guilt."  In the form of friends who send encouraging emails.  In the form of fellow PAs who are collecting medical supplies for me.  Encouragement.  Thank you for being Jesus to me.

Students International has an awesome video about their DR ministry.  Check it out!!  I will be leading the health care site!!  :)

http://youtu.be/dLPSpAKp7Q0

16 days

16 days.  This is what my mind keeps obsessing with, my anxiety in full swing.  16 days is when I will speak in front of my church.  I'm trying not to think about how scary that is for me.  How much I hate public speaking and would rather play my guitar (which I don't play for anyone) and sing than stand up in front of my church with everyone staring at me and speak.  Many people hate public speaking.  I think very few people truly look forward to it.  Obviously this is necessary when fund raising, to stand in front of large groups of people, usually churches, and share your story.

When I accepted with Students International in July, this was where my mind immediately fled.  This is the first hurdle I will have to cross.  I have enjoyed meeting with people one on one and sharing the DR.  But, to kick off my fund raising, HRC has to see my face.  They have to see me.  I have to give a speech.

This is where my spiritual warfare begins.  Whether you believe evil as a person (Satan) or all the negativity in the world, it is irrelevant.  When we are trying to follow the path Jesus has called for us, there is going to be some opposition.  And right now, my opposition is extreme anxiety about public speaking.  If I didn't believe this was a worthy cause and what I had to say was important, I sure wouldn't be paving forward.

So what to do with this anxiety/fear.  Well, aside from asking the entire church to wear a bag over their head, my theme of trusting the Lord comes back into play.  Perhaps I don't have the words to say.  Perhaps I do not have the ability to move hearts.  Perhaps I do not have the power to inspire people to support my ministry.  But, I am in the hands of the one who does.  The one who brought me on this journey and has led me to this point.  Trust, Rachel, trust.

The trust I can develop now will help me as I follow him later.  In Colorado, in Guatemala, in the DR.  Trust.  The money will come in His timing.  Trust.  The church is your family and the perfect starting point.  Trust.  The words will come.  Trust.  You will not be alone.  Trust.  What you have to say and do is important.  Trust.  Trust.  Trust.

I pray that not only will I have full trust in God but that we all can rest assured and trust that we are where we are supposed to be.  In our little lives working towards something so much greater than any of us.