Check out Students International's newly revised website!!
www.stint.com
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Home...New York or Jarabacoa?
The countdown is officially to one. One day until I head back to NY, to my family, friends, familiarity...ENGLISH!
When I was little, we lived far from my grandparents. I had a joke with my Grandpa that he couldn't get too excited to see me....because if he jumped up and down too much he may create a hole in the floor and Gma would just not be very happy about that. That's how I feel right now...I'm sure that if my house wasn't built on a concrete foundation and out of cinder blocks there would be a massive "excitement" hole in the middle of my sala (living room...see before long you will be speaking Spanish too!).
If I am THAT excited...then how come I'm a bit nervous too?
In Mission Training (MTI) it was recommended that as missionaries we stay away from our home culture for 18 months...yup one year and a half. I adamantly refused to accept this proposal. No way. There was absolutely no way that I was going to adhere to missing Christmas in New York, or friends weddings or medical conferences. Especially since I live only a 4 hour plane ride away. C'mon. People live farther away in the states, it's not like I'm in Madagascar.
Five months after living out of culture I kind of understand what they meant. Where do I belong? At this juncture I can still vividly remember every house I passed on my way to work, or what the hospital cafeteria check-out clerk's name is. The people at Odyssey will still remember me and I will remember to avoid the squeaky 7th stair (sorry Dad) in my house. But will all that change by Dec 2013?
And, as long as I have lived in Jarabacoa (already 5 months!), and as much as driving up to my house in my Jeep with my two pups feels like a house I live in....it doesn't quite feel like "home."
And so begins the "homeless" life of a missionary. One foot in both countries. Is it possible to live in the DR, to give my all, to serve without reservation and still have a big part of me in the states?
Going home, is no longer like traveling home when I lived in Philly. Going home means visiting a wealthy culture with conversations and materialism a part of life. Pop culture has continued that I am blissfully ignorant to. Life has gone on without me, people have changed and so have I.
One of my greatest fears when I left the states was that I would grow to resent the culture I grew up in. But, miraculously the opposite has occurred. I have developed a deep love for our customs, traditions, cold weather, organization, laws, etc. So much so, that my desire to help others achieve the same opportunities has grown. The need for community development has strengthened in my mind.
And so, as I literally count down the minutes until I step foot on American soil and look forward to seeing my warm breathe in the cold air (shout out to Dad #2...pls remember my winter jacket!) I rest that going home will be a mix of emotions. It will be joyful, wonderful, overwhelming and probably a little hard. But, I also know where my true home resides and that never feeling truly "settled" or like I belong until I am there is ok- estas bien.
Si Dios quiere- te vere pronto!!!
Con amor y fe!
When I was little, we lived far from my grandparents. I had a joke with my Grandpa that he couldn't get too excited to see me....because if he jumped up and down too much he may create a hole in the floor and Gma would just not be very happy about that. That's how I feel right now...I'm sure that if my house wasn't built on a concrete foundation and out of cinder blocks there would be a massive "excitement" hole in the middle of my sala (living room...see before long you will be speaking Spanish too!).
If I am THAT excited...then how come I'm a bit nervous too?
In Mission Training (MTI) it was recommended that as missionaries we stay away from our home culture for 18 months...yup one year and a half. I adamantly refused to accept this proposal. No way. There was absolutely no way that I was going to adhere to missing Christmas in New York, or friends weddings or medical conferences. Especially since I live only a 4 hour plane ride away. C'mon. People live farther away in the states, it's not like I'm in Madagascar.
Five months after living out of culture I kind of understand what they meant. Where do I belong? At this juncture I can still vividly remember every house I passed on my way to work, or what the hospital cafeteria check-out clerk's name is. The people at Odyssey will still remember me and I will remember to avoid the squeaky 7th stair (sorry Dad) in my house. But will all that change by Dec 2013?
And, as long as I have lived in Jarabacoa (already 5 months!), and as much as driving up to my house in my Jeep with my two pups feels like a house I live in....it doesn't quite feel like "home."
And so begins the "homeless" life of a missionary. One foot in both countries. Is it possible to live in the DR, to give my all, to serve without reservation and still have a big part of me in the states?
Going home, is no longer like traveling home when I lived in Philly. Going home means visiting a wealthy culture with conversations and materialism a part of life. Pop culture has continued that I am blissfully ignorant to. Life has gone on without me, people have changed and so have I.
One of my greatest fears when I left the states was that I would grow to resent the culture I grew up in. But, miraculously the opposite has occurred. I have developed a deep love for our customs, traditions, cold weather, organization, laws, etc. So much so, that my desire to help others achieve the same opportunities has grown. The need for community development has strengthened in my mind.
And so, as I literally count down the minutes until I step foot on American soil and look forward to seeing my warm breathe in the cold air (shout out to Dad #2...pls remember my winter jacket!) I rest that going home will be a mix of emotions. It will be joyful, wonderful, overwhelming and probably a little hard. But, I also know where my true home resides and that never feeling truly "settled" or like I belong until I am there is ok- estas bien.
Si Dios quiere- te vere pronto!!!
Con amor y fe!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Mi Testamonio
Warning- my testimony was written with my Spanish...not google translate ;)
Cuando era joven mi familia y yo fuimos a la iglesia cada semana. Mi madres fue la maestrea de la escuelita biblica y mi padre fue la liturgista. Cuando tenia quince anos, mi familia y yo nos mudamos a una nueva ciudad- Poughkeepsie, NY. Despues que nos mudamos, hize nuevos amigos, bebiamos bastant y tuvimos muchas fiestas. No me importaba la escuela, Dios o mi familia. Todo el tiempo, quiria estar con mis amigos. Pero, aun asi era una buena estudiante y recibi buenas notas. Entonces, mis padres nunca supieron que fumaba y bebia alcohol.
En 2002, mi familia comenzo a ir a la iglesia Hopewell Reformed Church. Esta accion cambio mi vida. El verano del 2002 fui a Mexico con el grupo de jovenes era un viaje misionero. Nu fue un viaje medico fue solamente por dos semanas de estudio biblica. Pero, estuvimos aproximadamante cinco kilos afuera de la ciudad de Ensenada cuando conocimos las personas indigenous. Fueron muy pobre. Estuve muy triste porque muchas personas han sufrido. No tuvieron acceso a hospitales, doctores o medicina.
En este tiempo, Dios me dijo. El Espiritu Santo puso personas sin doctores y medicina dentro de mi corazon. Cuando regrese a Nueva York decidi que queria ser una ayudante de doctor. Mi corazon por las personas cambio pero, todavia no tenia una relacion con Dios. Mi estilo de vida no cambio.
Asi, los anos pasaron y fui a la universidad y despues a la escuela de medecina. Pero, no asistia la iglesia y solamente ore cuando tuve que tomar un examen. No fue bueno.
Dios es increible. Aunque no lo escuche, se mantuvo fiel.
En el 2009, me gradue de la universidad y quise hacer lo que YO quise. Quise hacer mucho dinero, vivir en la ciudad de Nueva York con mis amigas, salir a cenar cada noche, salir a bares y pasar el tiempo con muchas muchachos.
Este es cuando Dios vino a mi vida, en realidad. En Octubre 2009 me mude a la ciudad. Solamente dos semanas despues, fui a la Republica Dominicana con mi iglesia como una doctora misionera.
En este tiempo, escuche a Dios. Despues de esta viaje, no me importo mas dinero, comida cara, alcohol, ropa bonita, nada mas. Lo unico que queria fue ayudar las personas en la Republica Dominicana. Combine mi amor por Cristo y medicina. Use los regalos que Dios me dio.
No pude obtainer suficiente informacion sobre Dios. Comence a orar cada dia. Iba a la iglesia muchos veces cada semana. Finalmente, supe que es una relacion con Dios. Gracias a Dios! Siempre pense en Dios y como mudarme a la Republica Dominicana.
En dos anos regrese conco veces. Me mude a la casa de mis padres y cambie mi trabajo. Dios abrio muchas puertas permitiendome practicar medicina en la Republica Dominicana. Despues en Julio, 2012 me mude a Jarabacoa. Y, aqui estoy!
Cuando era joven mi familia y yo fuimos a la iglesia cada semana. Mi madres fue la maestrea de la escuelita biblica y mi padre fue la liturgista. Cuando tenia quince anos, mi familia y yo nos mudamos a una nueva ciudad- Poughkeepsie, NY. Despues que nos mudamos, hize nuevos amigos, bebiamos bastant y tuvimos muchas fiestas. No me importaba la escuela, Dios o mi familia. Todo el tiempo, quiria estar con mis amigos. Pero, aun asi era una buena estudiante y recibi buenas notas. Entonces, mis padres nunca supieron que fumaba y bebia alcohol.
En 2002, mi familia comenzo a ir a la iglesia Hopewell Reformed Church. Esta accion cambio mi vida. El verano del 2002 fui a Mexico con el grupo de jovenes era un viaje misionero. Nu fue un viaje medico fue solamente por dos semanas de estudio biblica. Pero, estuvimos aproximadamante cinco kilos afuera de la ciudad de Ensenada cuando conocimos las personas indigenous. Fueron muy pobre. Estuve muy triste porque muchas personas han sufrido. No tuvieron acceso a hospitales, doctores o medicina.
En este tiempo, Dios me dijo. El Espiritu Santo puso personas sin doctores y medicina dentro de mi corazon. Cuando regrese a Nueva York decidi que queria ser una ayudante de doctor. Mi corazon por las personas cambio pero, todavia no tenia una relacion con Dios. Mi estilo de vida no cambio.
Asi, los anos pasaron y fui a la universidad y despues a la escuela de medecina. Pero, no asistia la iglesia y solamente ore cuando tuve que tomar un examen. No fue bueno.
Dios es increible. Aunque no lo escuche, se mantuvo fiel.
En el 2009, me gradue de la universidad y quise hacer lo que YO quise. Quise hacer mucho dinero, vivir en la ciudad de Nueva York con mis amigas, salir a cenar cada noche, salir a bares y pasar el tiempo con muchas muchachos.
Este es cuando Dios vino a mi vida, en realidad. En Octubre 2009 me mude a la ciudad. Solamente dos semanas despues, fui a la Republica Dominicana con mi iglesia como una doctora misionera.
En este tiempo, escuche a Dios. Despues de esta viaje, no me importo mas dinero, comida cara, alcohol, ropa bonita, nada mas. Lo unico que queria fue ayudar las personas en la Republica Dominicana. Combine mi amor por Cristo y medicina. Use los regalos que Dios me dio.
No pude obtainer suficiente informacion sobre Dios. Comence a orar cada dia. Iba a la iglesia muchos veces cada semana. Finalmente, supe que es una relacion con Dios. Gracias a Dios! Siempre pense en Dios y como mudarme a la Republica Dominicana.
En dos anos regrese conco veces. Me mude a la casa de mis padres y cambie mi trabajo. Dios abrio muchas puertas permitiendome practicar medicina en la Republica Dominicana. Despues en Julio, 2012 me mude a Jarabacoa. Y, aqui estoy!
Sunday, December 2, 2012
....made to do
Today the Spirit moved strongly and passionately through my life. What sweet words to utter with complete confidence and conviction.
On Wednesday, I spent the afternoon visiting communities with Brian who is the director of Students International in the DR. Finalmente! We got down and dirty and started planning and talking and vision building and dreaming. It seems the Lord has clearly been speaking to both of us about my site and our visions align.
What the Dominicans and Haitians need is healing. Physical healing from years of living without clean water, proper nutrition, residing side by side with animals, inadequate shelter and clothing. But also spiritual healing from strained relations cross culturally and idol worship through voodoo or various improper forms of Christianity among other things.
But the populations placed so heavily upon our hearts are the "least of these." Those Dominicans who live so far outside of Jarabacoa that electricity and running water is non-existent. Those whose primary modes of transportation is by foot, which is entirely useless with a medical emergency. And the people who run to see who is actually driving by in a car, not often seen in those areas.
On Wednesday, I spent the afternoon visiting communities with Brian who is the director of Students International in the DR. Finalmente! We got down and dirty and started planning and talking and vision building and dreaming. It seems the Lord has clearly been speaking to both of us about my site and our visions align.
What the Dominicans and Haitians need is healing. Physical healing from years of living without clean water, proper nutrition, residing side by side with animals, inadequate shelter and clothing. But also spiritual healing from strained relations cross culturally and idol worship through voodoo or various improper forms of Christianity among other things.
But the populations placed so heavily upon our hearts are the "least of these." Those Dominicans who live so far outside of Jarabacoa that electricity and running water is non-existent. Those whose primary modes of transportation is by foot, which is entirely useless with a medical emergency. And the people who run to see who is actually driving by in a car, not often seen in those areas.
Not such a bad view from my new office, huh?
Tucked away inside these majestic hills are pockets of communities, perhaps only 10-15 houses each, who don't have the opportunity to receive routine medical care, let alone emergent care. These are the places I will begin relationship building and hopefully start regular clinics and teaching sessions. This is where I am being led to set up shop...part time.
The rest of the time will be spent with Haitians...a culture completely different from Dominican yet inhabiting the same regions. SI recently was placed in partnership with a Haitian man, Ivenor, who is trilingual and has a huge heart for helping Haitian refugees in the Dominican. I met with Ivenor Wednesday and asked what the best way to start building relationships with this culture whom I have very little experience. What would seem to be the obvious answer he stated when inviting me to church.
And so I went. Today. To a Haitian church. Just thought I would throw some Creole into my brain as its just now becoming decent in Espanol. And, as I was sitting there as the only white person in the place I felt the presence of the Lord and knew that He will move among these people. At the end of the service I spoke a few words, in English and Spanish that were translated to Creole and shared my desire to partner with them in the future. What an honor, to stand before these brothers and sisters in Christ who have been layed so firmly on my heart.
So this week will continue meetings with SI leadership, Ivenor and community leaders as we plan the amazing work ahead of us.
And right now you will find me smiling. Knowing and trusting that this is what I was made to do.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thanksgiving and Black Friday
Part 1: Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you whom I love so much. I appreciate each and every one of you and the thoughts some of you sent me over the Atlantic! Once again I feel so blessed by the community I have in SI. Over 80 of us (both Dominican and American) missionaries gathered at the base to share in a feast of Thanks. And, though it was difficult to be so many miles from family, I realized when sitting in our huge dining room that many of these people have already become like family. I am truly overwhelmed and humbled by the provision God has given through each and every one of you, my house, dogs and a family so far from home. Please know I don't live life without thanking our Heavenly Father for each of these things :)
Part 2: Black Friday
On Friday I had the privilege of traveling to the Haitian border with Bethel students who are serving with SI for their Fall semester. I couldn't wait. Haiti has always been an elusive and mystical place in my eyes. When I first felt God calling me to medical missions I was introduced (through novels) to Dr. Paul Farmer who has arguably been the most influential medical missionary (though non-Christian) and has done an incredible amount of work in Haiti, both pre- and post-Earthquake. I became obsessed with the idea of working in Haiti.
Therefore, when I first received my call to the Dominican, I was pretty surprised...after all, hadn't God placed the Haitian people on my heart? But, of course in His perfect timing I was placed in the DR at a time when Haitians are incredibly oppressed. Post-Earthquake some have smuggled their way in and are taking jobs from Dominicans, this has created an unbelievably complicated situation with relations that were already strained.
To say there is racism and Haitians are treated second rate is an understatement. In the hospitals alone Haitians are given unbelievably poor medical care. For example, in a local hospital there were three women ready to give birth, two Dominicans and a Haitian. The Haitian woman was the furthest dilated yet was told by the nurses to cross her legs and both Dominican women were induced and delivered first. Sigh, I wish I could say that this was an uncommon occurrence, but unfortunately I would be lying.
God recently revealed why I'm in the DR but have such a heart for Haitians....SI just became acquainted with a Haitian community that are in desperate need of the Lord and medical care....guess where I hope to spend the majority of my time???
So, when I had the opportunity to check out the border of course I jumped at the chance. What better way to learn about the people I hope to serve?
There was some irony that we traveled to the border on what the developed world deems "Black Friday." A day filled with deal shopping usually for things that are far from necessity. At least what I think of as necessity. I must say my idea of "necessity" has drastically changed since moving here, due to living situations and spending time in campos. For example- stove, oven, refrigerator, running water....let alone warm water, more than one pair of clothes...truly necessity? Necessity is something we need to survive...yet the people I am serving are surviving, perhaps not extravagantly but they are surviving, so are these things necessity?
Anyways. For some reason I naively imagined the Haitian border as similar to Mexico and Canada...and black Friday. Perhaps I would find Haitian artwork to bring home to my family for Christmas? For a deal! What I found was drastically different.
I don't write this entry to make you feel guilty. I desperately want to share what I am eye-witness to. I love our American culture- I love it's complexities and how we have become so advanced that we can live so blessedly and lavishly. I only wish the people I love here can have that too, and I believe so does our Father.
So, I thank you. For enabling me to be here. For supporting SI and the ministry and community development we are and continue to do. For believing that change is possible and through the gospel, love and partnership, our brothers and sisters will come to know Christ and through Him better their circumstances. Please join me in this prayer during this Christmas season.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you whom I love so much. I appreciate each and every one of you and the thoughts some of you sent me over the Atlantic! Once again I feel so blessed by the community I have in SI. Over 80 of us (both Dominican and American) missionaries gathered at the base to share in a feast of Thanks. And, though it was difficult to be so many miles from family, I realized when sitting in our huge dining room that many of these people have already become like family. I am truly overwhelmed and humbled by the provision God has given through each and every one of you, my house, dogs and a family so far from home. Please know I don't live life without thanking our Heavenly Father for each of these things :)
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| Our leadership team did an awesome job decorating the tables and making it feel like Turkey Day-even in 80 degrees! |
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| Jami (my dear friend and fellow missionary), me and Ashlyn |
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| the dessert table |
Part 2: Black Friday
On Friday I had the privilege of traveling to the Haitian border with Bethel students who are serving with SI for their Fall semester. I couldn't wait. Haiti has always been an elusive and mystical place in my eyes. When I first felt God calling me to medical missions I was introduced (through novels) to Dr. Paul Farmer who has arguably been the most influential medical missionary (though non-Christian) and has done an incredible amount of work in Haiti, both pre- and post-Earthquake. I became obsessed with the idea of working in Haiti.
Therefore, when I first received my call to the Dominican, I was pretty surprised...after all, hadn't God placed the Haitian people on my heart? But, of course in His perfect timing I was placed in the DR at a time when Haitians are incredibly oppressed. Post-Earthquake some have smuggled their way in and are taking jobs from Dominicans, this has created an unbelievably complicated situation with relations that were already strained.
To say there is racism and Haitians are treated second rate is an understatement. In the hospitals alone Haitians are given unbelievably poor medical care. For example, in a local hospital there were three women ready to give birth, two Dominicans and a Haitian. The Haitian woman was the furthest dilated yet was told by the nurses to cross her legs and both Dominican women were induced and delivered first. Sigh, I wish I could say that this was an uncommon occurrence, but unfortunately I would be lying.
God recently revealed why I'm in the DR but have such a heart for Haitians....SI just became acquainted with a Haitian community that are in desperate need of the Lord and medical care....guess where I hope to spend the majority of my time???
So, when I had the opportunity to check out the border of course I jumped at the chance. What better way to learn about the people I hope to serve?
There was some irony that we traveled to the border on what the developed world deems "Black Friday." A day filled with deal shopping usually for things that are far from necessity. At least what I think of as necessity. I must say my idea of "necessity" has drastically changed since moving here, due to living situations and spending time in campos. For example- stove, oven, refrigerator, running water....let alone warm water, more than one pair of clothes...truly necessity? Necessity is something we need to survive...yet the people I am serving are surviving, perhaps not extravagantly but they are surviving, so are these things necessity?
Anyways. For some reason I naively imagined the Haitian border as similar to Mexico and Canada...and black Friday. Perhaps I would find Haitian artwork to bring home to my family for Christmas? For a deal! What I found was drastically different.
Desperation
Necessity
Need
Unbelievably Hard Work
Unfair circumstances
I visited this place as a tourist. This trade between the DR and Haiti is their livelihood. People barefoot, covered in mud and feces, desperate to sell one item. Haitians selling clothes (likely from US aid) and Dominicans selling perishables. Even this illustrates the stark contrast between countries...Dominicans looking for materialistic desires, Haitians perishable needs.
I had a hard time observing this interaction and imagining the beautifully decorated malls, Targets and Barnes & Nobles with people rushing to buy the newest and best iphone and nooks.
I know that these are two different worlds, but how easy it is to forget this world filled with poverty and desperate people trying to place food on their table- most likely the same rice and beans they've had every meal for who knows how long, let alone desserts and specialty foods.
Friends, this is the country I serve in. A country filled with poverty yet sharing an island with a country who has even less.
I'm eager to serve these beautiful Haitian people. Filled with suspicion, distrust, hunger and hopelessness all spun from complicated and unfair circumstances not of their own making. I look forward, through the grace of God, to work with Haitians. To love them as Christ does and earn their trust. To give them the health care they are entitled to and hopefully in the process Dominican-Haitian relations will improve.
I don't write this entry to make you feel guilty. I desperately want to share what I am eye-witness to. I love our American culture- I love it's complexities and how we have become so advanced that we can live so blessedly and lavishly. I only wish the people I love here can have that too, and I believe so does our Father.
So, I thank you. For enabling me to be here. For supporting SI and the ministry and community development we are and continue to do. For believing that change is possible and through the gospel, love and partnership, our brothers and sisters will come to know Christ and through Him better their circumstances. Please join me in this prayer during this Christmas season.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
Monday, November 19, 2012
Learn amidst the waiting...
Amidst the animal house that I live in (seriously, a kitten is desperately trying to become part of my family, there are two vacas (cows) standing outside my front porch and 4 stray dogs trying to fraternize with my pups....#onlyintheDR) I find myself pondering....
what am I supposed to learn amidst the waiting?
Here I am, in the Dominican Republic after over three years of working towards mission work, sitting in my kitchen at 2pm on a Monday afternoon. Hmmm, after working in the "professional" world for 3 years and many years of school prior to that, being home in the middle of the afternoon just doesn't resonate well. Especialmente porque yo estoy aqui ayudar muchas gentes (Especially, because I am here to help many people)!!
Ok, so I have learned a bit of Spanish and that clearly is the most obvious purpose of these first 4 months. But, taking four hours of Espanol every morning and then disciplining myself to do many hours of tarea (homework) every night has certainly been a challenge. Even more so because I live close to other missionaries with SI who are able to solely focus on their ministries.
So, what is the true purpose of waiting and not jumping in head first? Aside from cultural acclimation and adjustment?
The past two weeks, I continue to be reminded that Jesus wasn't able to jump right into His ministry either....in fact He had to wait 30 years....Thirty years!! Porque?
We can speculate. Clearly John the Baptist needed time to lay down his prophetic foundation...the hearts of the Israelites needed to be primed and ready to accept the truth, and well frankly everything is better in God's timing.
So, when I'm feeling inadequate or useless or just know that in a couple months I will long for this "chill" time, I rest in the fact that I and the people I am here to serve are being primed for the encounters we will have oh so soon.
And, as always, God continues to remind me that His timing is always perfect and I may not know why He is giving me this time of rest and preparation but it will be used to Glorify His name in this place.
So soon....I will get to do this......
what am I supposed to learn amidst the waiting?
Here I am, in the Dominican Republic after over three years of working towards mission work, sitting in my kitchen at 2pm on a Monday afternoon. Hmmm, after working in the "professional" world for 3 years and many years of school prior to that, being home in the middle of the afternoon just doesn't resonate well. Especialmente porque yo estoy aqui ayudar muchas gentes (Especially, because I am here to help many people)!!
Ok, so I have learned a bit of Spanish and that clearly is the most obvious purpose of these first 4 months. But, taking four hours of Espanol every morning and then disciplining myself to do many hours of tarea (homework) every night has certainly been a challenge. Even more so because I live close to other missionaries with SI who are able to solely focus on their ministries.
So, what is the true purpose of waiting and not jumping in head first? Aside from cultural acclimation and adjustment?
The past two weeks, I continue to be reminded that Jesus wasn't able to jump right into His ministry either....in fact He had to wait 30 years....Thirty years!! Porque?
We can speculate. Clearly John the Baptist needed time to lay down his prophetic foundation...the hearts of the Israelites needed to be primed and ready to accept the truth, and well frankly everything is better in God's timing.
So, when I'm feeling inadequate or useless or just know that in a couple months I will long for this "chill" time, I rest in the fact that I and the people I am here to serve are being primed for the encounters we will have oh so soon.
And, as always, God continues to remind me that His timing is always perfect and I may not know why He is giving me this time of rest and preparation but it will be used to Glorify His name in this place.
So soon....I will get to do this......
todo el tiempo
Bendiciones.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
I've spent the past couple of days trying to digest last week, and yet I am still left wordless. Though my writing may not be as descriptive and elaborate as I would desire, I hope that through pictures and The Word you are able to tangibly see and smell the sweet aroma that is the work of our Lord in the Dominican Republic.
Sowers of the Kingdom Nov 3-11, 2012
"You will show me the path of life;
In your presence is fullness of joy;
At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
How precious is Your loving kindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men
put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures."
-Psalms 16:11; 36:7-8
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| Clinic Day 1: Doctora Leslie and I consulting on a case |
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| One of many fungal infections |
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| Clinic Day 2: AME church, many geriatric age patients |
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| Clinic Day 3: Yes that's a tarantula...and yes I'm still living here, guess spiders aren't going to drive me home. Note to self....never challenge God. |
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| Clinic Day 4: This beautiful child had scabies, fungal infections and eggs in her ears...so did her two sisters |
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| This boys' sister suffered a Grand Mal seizure at our revival event later that day |
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| Oscar and Andres; our prayer warriors...they prayed with almost every patient in our clinics, which was about 600 people! |
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| Severe flooding in Las Terrenas, people in this community didn't even have buckets or brooms to clear out the water. |
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| Pharmacy Team Awesome! |
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| Revival Event!! Thurs and Fri night...over 2,000 Dominicans were presents. We had a band, dancers Christian rappers and Pastor Nestor (from NY) preach. God was present! |
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| Me, Pastor Nestor, Nestor and Luis (Christian Dominican Rappers) the stars of the Revival event! |
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| It was really difficult saying goodbye to the NY team. But these awesome Christian Dominican guys road tripped it home with me! :) See how God just keeps looking out for me? |
Thank you for your prayers and support. I was blessed. Our team was blessed. Dominicans were blessed. And Christ was glorified.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Greetings from house #762...not sure what the name of my road is...yea I know that sounds weird, but there are literally no street names here. Try google mapping from Jarabacoa to Santiago and you get things like "turn right at the red house" or "the third dirt road on the left." Righhhht.
Anyways, I have officially lived in my new house for 10 days...and I LOVE it!!! I feel very safe and am sleeping great. God has truly provided me with a place of peace, restoration and rest. And...no cockroaches!!!
Let me share with you how blessed I am....ready for a tour???
I live with two female missionaries, both in their 20s. Melisa works with SI and is starting an ESL program in one of the local public schools. Lexie works at a local Christian school as a first grade teacher, we went to MTI together. She is engaged and will be married in December and then move out and live with her hubby. It has been such a joy living with other young missionaries. :)
We are blessed to have a house with so much space! Melisa also works with Young Life and she was able to fit over 30 Dominican students in our living room for a meeting last week! And, last night I was able to squeeze many college age students for a Halloween Party who are serving with SI on a semester exchange.
We do have to be a bit cautious with three single females living alone. So.....when two small, flea & parasite infested pups showed up at our house 3 weeks ago...could we really say no? They are both super healthy and doing great! No more fleas or parasites! Dominicans call mutts "Vida Latas" which means "life out of the garbage." Stray dogs here are rampant. Sometimes I wish I could be a missionary for animals.....when you hit dogs instead of deer...it just doesn't seem right. But, I love humans too much to switch species. So, I will resolve to just love on Bailey and Shaley...
Tomorrow I will be heading to Las Terrenas to join Sowers of the Kingdom and a team from NY while they serve for one week in the DR. I will help lead a clinic where we expect to see hundreds of patients. On Thursday and Friday we are participating in a huge revival that is partnering with over 20 Dominican churches. If you could please pray for us....that we may bring glory to His name and that His Spirit will fill the hearts of all who attend.
Happy November!
Anyways, I have officially lived in my new house for 10 days...and I LOVE it!!! I feel very safe and am sleeping great. God has truly provided me with a place of peace, restoration and rest. And...no cockroaches!!!
Let me share with you how blessed I am....ready for a tour???
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| My car...at night it goes in the locked garage inside the locked gates |
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| My bedroom is the window next to the garage above the flowers |
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| Dream yard for dogs!! With a gazebo. |
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| Porch on the right side of the house |
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| Our living room that I will be painting blue. |
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| My bedroom! I will be painting purple....all the furniture we bought second and third hand from other missionaries leaving the field |
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| Bano |
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| Kitchen I painted red! Needs curtains and screens on all the windows. |
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| Big oven and stove :).... |
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| and Refrigerator!!! |
We are blessed to have a house with so much space! Melisa also works with Young Life and she was able to fit over 30 Dominican students in our living room for a meeting last week! And, last night I was able to squeeze many college age students for a Halloween Party who are serving with SI on a semester exchange.
We do have to be a bit cautious with three single females living alone. So.....when two small, flea & parasite infested pups showed up at our house 3 weeks ago...could we really say no? They are both super healthy and doing great! No more fleas or parasites! Dominicans call mutts "Vida Latas" which means "life out of the garbage." Stray dogs here are rampant. Sometimes I wish I could be a missionary for animals.....when you hit dogs instead of deer...it just doesn't seem right. But, I love humans too much to switch species. So, I will resolve to just love on Bailey and Shaley...
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| Bailey |
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| Shaley |
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| Shaley and Bailey |
Tomorrow I will be heading to Las Terrenas to join Sowers of the Kingdom and a team from NY while they serve for one week in the DR. I will help lead a clinic where we expect to see hundreds of patients. On Thursday and Friday we are participating in a huge revival that is partnering with over 20 Dominican churches. If you could please pray for us....that we may bring glory to His name and that His Spirit will fill the hearts of all who attend.
Happy November!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Oficina nueva
Buenos dias!!
Hope this Saturday is finding everone well. What do you think of my new blog lay out??? Too "professional" looking? Just thought my blog should reflect how much everything has changed in my life. :)
This past week was one of my favorites here so far. God has blessed me in many ways....
Numero uno: Spanish has finally clicked. Now, what does that mean? Clearly I am not fluent after only two months of language training. BUT at last I felt that "A-Ha!" moment. That moment that anyone who has tried to learn another language experiences when everything comes together and you are actually able to communicate and understand more than 50% of what is being said to you. So exciting!! And answered prayers. I'm still not ready to jump into the community alone and try to give good health care, but this was definitely the encouragement I needed to realize that I will conquer the Spanish language. I expect to be ready to start my medical site in January. I know at that point I will still have a lot to learn but I should be good enough to see patients and communicate in an understandable fashion.
PS...I can speak in the 4 past tenses, future and sunbjunctive....proper Spanish here I come!
PPS I actually LOVE speaking in Spanish....I feel like a new world has opened to me.....
Numero dos: I spent 3 afternoons (after Spanish tutoring with Catalina) organizing my future office space!! So fun!! I am sharing space with Vanesa who is a Dominican dentist that is a native missionary with SI...female power, just kidding...I'm not a feminist.....I promise.....
BUT!! In November, Hans (American missionary with SI who runs the construction site) will be building my shelves, desk and patient examining room. So I should be good to go in January. As I see it now, my office space will truly only be for me to work, plan, keep medicines and patient records. But, I will have the capability to see missionaries, students or any Dominican if need be. Recuerdes (remember), my primary role is community outreach....getting down and dirty in this Dominican dirt...
Numero Tres: I have been practicing a lot of medicine. Thank goodness. I felt like I was going dry a bit....between treating "gripe" (Dominican slang for the common cold), infected insect bites and taking care of missionary kids....wellness check-ups, reflux issues, etc. my skills are being utilized and I am once again feeling like a productive part of society.
Numero Cuatro: We had two adult teams visiting SI this week. And what a blessing they were to us. I spent time with three nurses, a cardiologist and orthopedist. They were such an incredible source of encouragement to our ministry...and where I feel God is leading my site. AND!!! They donated numerous medical supplies. I basically have a pharmacy at my disposal....from diabetic and anti-hypertensive meds to suture material. My site is starting off in good shape!
As you can see this week has been a lot of fun and filled with encouragement. The adventures continue as I move to my new house on Tuesday. I promise to post pics once I'm all moved in.
Please keep me updated on any prayer requests you have so I may serve you as you are so faithfully serving me and my ministry :)
Hope this Saturday is finding everone well. What do you think of my new blog lay out??? Too "professional" looking? Just thought my blog should reflect how much everything has changed in my life. :)
This past week was one of my favorites here so far. God has blessed me in many ways....
Numero uno: Spanish has finally clicked. Now, what does that mean? Clearly I am not fluent after only two months of language training. BUT at last I felt that "A-Ha!" moment. That moment that anyone who has tried to learn another language experiences when everything comes together and you are actually able to communicate and understand more than 50% of what is being said to you. So exciting!! And answered prayers. I'm still not ready to jump into the community alone and try to give good health care, but this was definitely the encouragement I needed to realize that I will conquer the Spanish language. I expect to be ready to start my medical site in January. I know at that point I will still have a lot to learn but I should be good enough to see patients and communicate in an understandable fashion.
PS...I can speak in the 4 past tenses, future and sunbjunctive....proper Spanish here I come!
PPS I actually LOVE speaking in Spanish....I feel like a new world has opened to me.....
Numero dos: I spent 3 afternoons (after Spanish tutoring with Catalina) organizing my future office space!! So fun!! I am sharing space with Vanesa who is a Dominican dentist that is a native missionary with SI...female power, just kidding...I'm not a feminist.....I promise.....
BUT!! In November, Hans (American missionary with SI who runs the construction site) will be building my shelves, desk and patient examining room. So I should be good to go in January. As I see it now, my office space will truly only be for me to work, plan, keep medicines and patient records. But, I will have the capability to see missionaries, students or any Dominican if need be. Recuerdes (remember), my primary role is community outreach....getting down and dirty in this Dominican dirt...
Numero Tres: I have been practicing a lot of medicine. Thank goodness. I felt like I was going dry a bit....between treating "gripe" (Dominican slang for the common cold), infected insect bites and taking care of missionary kids....wellness check-ups, reflux issues, etc. my skills are being utilized and I am once again feeling like a productive part of society.
Numero Cuatro: We had two adult teams visiting SI this week. And what a blessing they were to us. I spent time with three nurses, a cardiologist and orthopedist. They were such an incredible source of encouragement to our ministry...and where I feel God is leading my site. AND!!! They donated numerous medical supplies. I basically have a pharmacy at my disposal....from diabetic and anti-hypertensive meds to suture material. My site is starting off in good shape!
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| Looks like a lot, but after a couple clinics in the community they will be gone, donations are always needed!! |
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| I may be a bit type-A |
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| GI meds on the top, diabetic meds in the middle wound care on the bottom |
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| Shelves are courtesy of our construction site! Gracias!! |
As you can see this week has been a lot of fun and filled with encouragement. The adventures continue as I move to my new house on Tuesday. I promise to post pics once I'm all moved in.
Please keep me updated on any prayer requests you have so I may serve you as you are so faithfully serving me and my ministry :)
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Martyrs and Doubt
"Anyone who holds onto life just as it is destroys that life. But, if you let it go, reckless in your love, you will have it forever, real and eternal. If any of you want to serve me, then follow me."
Jesus Christ, John 12:25, 26 The Message
Currently, I am reading a book called Jesus Freaks: Martyrs by DC Talk. It is an incredible testament to those who have been placed in the most ruthless situations humanly imaginable. Believers who are so strong in their faith that even when faced with death they would rather die and be tortured than renounce their Christianity.
I can't help but place myself in those situations. At this point, as a missionary God has not called me to testify in a country where I could face a shortened life by believing. I often feel blessed that I am in a relatively safe place, but then are we truly always called to be "safe?"
I pray that if I am ever in a martyr situation I would without a doubt shout for all to hear that Christ is indeed my Lord and Saviour. But, I wonder, is my mustard seed like faith truly enough? The logical-medical-science thinker that I am, the faith God shaped within me.
Shamefully I admit, there are days when I arise and question, is all this stuff truly real? But then, time after time God reveals himself to me and I breathe easier, "ah, it is You."
And He so graciously reminds me that I am not the only one who has doubts. Perhaps doubt is a natural part of faith, a tool we may use to strengthen our trust. Even the disciples had their doubts. This to me is craaaazy. After the resurrection, the eleven disciples were in Galilee on the mountain Jesus had instructed them to go. "When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. (Matthew 28:17)." Jesus was standing there in front of them, in the flesh, and some doubted.
And yet, these same Christ followers were commissioned to "go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19)." These same incredible men who doubted our Saviour but continued to follow despite their moments of doubt founded the first church, arguably converted the most believers to Christianity of all time and many became martyrs.
And they were missionaries. Clothed in the grace of our Lord, they were given His words to speak, His words to share.
So, perhaps I have not yet been placed in a martyr situation because I question and doubt. Or perhaps I am called to support those who are persecuted. The underground church. Or Christ desires to work through me in a "safe place," at least in this moment. Either way, I look forward to my faith continuing to grow. To rest assured that occasional doubt does not negate who I am- His. I continue to pray and desire the day I arise every morning, never once questioning but always knowing without a doubt in my mind that contrary to what the secular world teaches, God is very real and more tangible than the palm of my hand.
I pray we each come before our Lord with child-like and martyr-like faith. Trusting that any of our human failures in faith will be interceded by the Holy Spirit. I pray that we never lose site of our purpose and boldly proclaiming whose we are, despite those whispers from the evil one trying to lead us astray. These intrinsic attacks to our Spirit are some of the greatest sins. Father, I lift these to you.
Jesus Christ, John 12:25, 26 The Message
Currently, I am reading a book called Jesus Freaks: Martyrs by DC Talk. It is an incredible testament to those who have been placed in the most ruthless situations humanly imaginable. Believers who are so strong in their faith that even when faced with death they would rather die and be tortured than renounce their Christianity.
I can't help but place myself in those situations. At this point, as a missionary God has not called me to testify in a country where I could face a shortened life by believing. I often feel blessed that I am in a relatively safe place, but then are we truly always called to be "safe?"
I pray that if I am ever in a martyr situation I would without a doubt shout for all to hear that Christ is indeed my Lord and Saviour. But, I wonder, is my mustard seed like faith truly enough? The logical-medical-science thinker that I am, the faith God shaped within me.
Shamefully I admit, there are days when I arise and question, is all this stuff truly real? But then, time after time God reveals himself to me and I breathe easier, "ah, it is You."
And He so graciously reminds me that I am not the only one who has doubts. Perhaps doubt is a natural part of faith, a tool we may use to strengthen our trust. Even the disciples had their doubts. This to me is craaaazy. After the resurrection, the eleven disciples were in Galilee on the mountain Jesus had instructed them to go. "When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. (Matthew 28:17)." Jesus was standing there in front of them, in the flesh, and some doubted.
And yet, these same Christ followers were commissioned to "go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19)." These same incredible men who doubted our Saviour but continued to follow despite their moments of doubt founded the first church, arguably converted the most believers to Christianity of all time and many became martyrs.
And they were missionaries. Clothed in the grace of our Lord, they were given His words to speak, His words to share.
So, perhaps I have not yet been placed in a martyr situation because I question and doubt. Or perhaps I am called to support those who are persecuted. The underground church. Or Christ desires to work through me in a "safe place," at least in this moment. Either way, I look forward to my faith continuing to grow. To rest assured that occasional doubt does not negate who I am- His. I continue to pray and desire the day I arise every morning, never once questioning but always knowing without a doubt in my mind that contrary to what the secular world teaches, God is very real and more tangible than the palm of my hand.
I pray we each come before our Lord with child-like and martyr-like faith. Trusting that any of our human failures in faith will be interceded by the Holy Spirit. I pray that we never lose site of our purpose and boldly proclaiming whose we are, despite those whispers from the evil one trying to lead us astray. These intrinsic attacks to our Spirit are some of the greatest sins. Father, I lift these to you.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Dengue and the Dominican
Well, it's happened. I have diagnosed my first case of Dengue. I'm not excited to say my dear missionary friend is now in the hospital fighting this dreaded tropical disease, but to say it has been exhilarating walking through the process with him and his wife is an understatement.
Dengue is a vector born virus that requires a mosquito to transmit the disease from one infected person to another. This happens most commonly during the rainy season...and guess what season we're in? It produces a severe fever (the most prolonged I have ever seen...like 104ish, lasting for days), a rash, muscle and joint aches (severe), laboratory abnormalities, among others. It typically runs its course in 5-7 days. There is no treatment except supportive management and very rarely is fatal. The biggest complication tends to be dehydration. Have I lost you yet?? I am a medical provider :) Thankfully for my friend, tomorrow is day 5 so hopefully he will start to improve.
On Saturday we have our first short term missionary team of the fall serving with us, to be followed by three more consecutively. October looks to be a full month. We may be starting this with challenges as Dengue has already caused 4 times as many reported cases in the DR as this time last year. I have the job of warning and protecting our short term missionaries without completely freaking them out!
If you could please pray for my friend and another staff member who was also diagnosed with this virus. We are grateful that we have access to a basic hospital with the necessary supportive management, but there are so many in this country who are in compos (remote villages) with no access to facilities. I would be grateful that you remember us during this hurricane-dengue season!
Guess it's back to smelling like Off....I had a Dominican friend tell me that I finally didn't smell like one of those Americans....I didn't understand until I realized we all smell like insect repellent...yup another thing that causes us gringos to stick out...that and our incessant need to carry water bottles.
Dios Bendiga....
Dengue is a vector born virus that requires a mosquito to transmit the disease from one infected person to another. This happens most commonly during the rainy season...and guess what season we're in? It produces a severe fever (the most prolonged I have ever seen...like 104ish, lasting for days), a rash, muscle and joint aches (severe), laboratory abnormalities, among others. It typically runs its course in 5-7 days. There is no treatment except supportive management and very rarely is fatal. The biggest complication tends to be dehydration. Have I lost you yet?? I am a medical provider :) Thankfully for my friend, tomorrow is day 5 so hopefully he will start to improve.
On Saturday we have our first short term missionary team of the fall serving with us, to be followed by three more consecutively. October looks to be a full month. We may be starting this with challenges as Dengue has already caused 4 times as many reported cases in the DR as this time last year. I have the job of warning and protecting our short term missionaries without completely freaking them out!
If you could please pray for my friend and another staff member who was also diagnosed with this virus. We are grateful that we have access to a basic hospital with the necessary supportive management, but there are so many in this country who are in compos (remote villages) with no access to facilities. I would be grateful that you remember us during this hurricane-dengue season!
Guess it's back to smelling like Off....I had a Dominican friend tell me that I finally didn't smell like one of those Americans....I didn't understand until I realized we all smell like insect repellent...yup another thing that causes us gringos to stick out...that and our incessant need to carry water bottles.
Dios Bendiga....
Saturday, September 29, 2012
La fin de semana pasado (last weekend) I was blessed to spend two blissful days in Las Terrenas with Bruce and Ellen Pearson and Lourdes Kleid. What a surreal moment it was to drive, in my car, across my new country, with my new missionary friend to spend time with people from home. I realized on that trip that my heart truly is in both Las Terrenas and Jarabacoa, or perhaps is just throughout la Republica Dominicana. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to serve in both places!
This trip was also special because I was able to spend a lot of time with my sponsor child Bileysi. She is a gorgeous girl of 14 who is essentially an orphan, both parents abandoning her when she was young, she lives with her grandmother in a small scrap wood house. It was incredible that we had the opportunity to finally converse (in my limited Spanish) and really get to know one another. I can't wait to be a bigger presence and encouragement in her life as I hope to serve in Las Terrenas with Sowers of the Kingdom on every short term out reach they have (usually a week in November, February and April)
My birthday has truly been a season as my friends in Las Terrenas threw me a surprise birthday party! Hey, if this is the life of a missionary than I never want it to end. :) of course for more reasons than just birthday celebrations! Jesus always talks about the joy in abandoning our life to him, to say I feel that joy, love and support from so many is an understatement.
Things keep plowing along down here. Yesterday marked exactly two months since I moved, crazy how time flies. I have joined an intensive Spanish college class for five weeks which is going great. Yesterday we learned 4 past tenses all in one class!! Crazy.....but at least I no longer have to talk in the present with an added "pasado" at the end :) Once this class is finished I will resume one on one tutoring with Catalina.
Next Monday (October 8) Catalina, Julian and I will make the trek to Santo Domingo to see how his leg is doing. They placed a metal plate (8-plate) on the medial aspect of his tibia which will hopefully help correct his mal-alignment. Every couple of months we have to get XRays taken to assess when he can have that plate removed. This can take up to a year. Please pray this surgery worked so he doesn't have to undergo an osteoplasty in the future, which is a much bigger surgery. We should know if there is any improvement after this doctor's visit. Will keep you updated!
September is almost done which is a relief as this certainly is the hottest month of the year, you won't catch most people outside between 12-3!
Personally I am overall doing well but starting to get rather impatient with bouncing around. I am currently so blessed to be house-sitting for dear missionary friends of mine while they are in the states, it is a nice reprieve to have the conveniences I'm accustomed to (kitchen appliances, dishes, knives, etc) but even here I can't escape the cock roaches. I pray that by the time you see me in December they won't gross me out as much...I already feel God changing my heart!
The hope is that I move into my house at the end of October where I will reside with two other young missionary ladies in their 20s. It will be nice to have a place to call "home."
I pray each of you are soaking up that lovely sweatshirt weather in the northeast...enjoy it for me!!
This trip was also special because I was able to spend a lot of time with my sponsor child Bileysi. She is a gorgeous girl of 14 who is essentially an orphan, both parents abandoning her when she was young, she lives with her grandmother in a small scrap wood house. It was incredible that we had the opportunity to finally converse (in my limited Spanish) and really get to know one another. I can't wait to be a bigger presence and encouragement in her life as I hope to serve in Las Terrenas with Sowers of the Kingdom on every short term out reach they have (usually a week in November, February and April)
My birthday has truly been a season as my friends in Las Terrenas threw me a surprise birthday party! Hey, if this is the life of a missionary than I never want it to end. :) of course for more reasons than just birthday celebrations! Jesus always talks about the joy in abandoning our life to him, to say I feel that joy, love and support from so many is an understatement.
Things keep plowing along down here. Yesterday marked exactly two months since I moved, crazy how time flies. I have joined an intensive Spanish college class for five weeks which is going great. Yesterday we learned 4 past tenses all in one class!! Crazy.....but at least I no longer have to talk in the present with an added "pasado" at the end :) Once this class is finished I will resume one on one tutoring with Catalina.
Next Monday (October 8) Catalina, Julian and I will make the trek to Santo Domingo to see how his leg is doing. They placed a metal plate (8-plate) on the medial aspect of his tibia which will hopefully help correct his mal-alignment. Every couple of months we have to get XRays taken to assess when he can have that plate removed. This can take up to a year. Please pray this surgery worked so he doesn't have to undergo an osteoplasty in the future, which is a much bigger surgery. We should know if there is any improvement after this doctor's visit. Will keep you updated!
September is almost done which is a relief as this certainly is the hottest month of the year, you won't catch most people outside between 12-3!
Personally I am overall doing well but starting to get rather impatient with bouncing around. I am currently so blessed to be house-sitting for dear missionary friends of mine while they are in the states, it is a nice reprieve to have the conveniences I'm accustomed to (kitchen appliances, dishes, knives, etc) but even here I can't escape the cock roaches. I pray that by the time you see me in December they won't gross me out as much...I already feel God changing my heart!
The hope is that I move into my house at the end of October where I will reside with two other young missionary ladies in their 20s. It will be nice to have a place to call "home."
I pray each of you are soaking up that lovely sweatshirt weather in the northeast...enjoy it for me!!
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| Melisa on the left is a missionary friend from Jarabacoa and my future roommate! These are all sponsored kids with Sowers of the Kingdom, Bileysi is to my right! What a model pose :) |
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Tragedies of a Spanish Student
Well. I kid you not when I say that I just spent all morning studying Spanish while house sitting for a missionary family on furlough and said "hola" to the house keeper as she left. Hola. Really Rachel????
Basic Spanish!!! Even non-Spanish speakers know "hola" is hello and "adios" or "ciao" is goodbye. Yet I, who have been living in a Spanish speaking country for two months and taking Spanish for 6 weeks...said the wrong thing. Humbling.
I was accurately warned that learning a language is indeed a very humbling experience, I just felt that first hand. As I am learning more complex Spanish, those simple things that I once knew so well are just slipping from my mind. Sigh.
But, overall, Spanish has been going well. This weekend I am traveling to Las Terrenas to spend time with Lourdes, Bruce and Ellen (my dear friends and founders of the Christian non profit organization Sowers of the Kingdom....or en Espanol, Sombredores del Reino). Las Terrenas is where I first got a taste of the DR...and where a huge part of my heart resides. It will be amazing to see how much I truly am able to communicate with all those Dominicans that I have served beside for the past couple of years but have only been able to communicate via body language.
I know I still have a long way to go with language...but I can't believe how far I am compared to when I started! Can't wait to see how much I know by christmas time! Soon the day will come when I can't think of a word in English but only Spanish....and how sweet that day will be...
Adios mis amigos!! Bendiciones!!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
In 52 days...
The electricity is out again. But, this time there is rhyme and reason to
the cause- it is thundering and torrentially down pouring outside. Perfect time to write a blog update, by
candle light, though I can only type for as long as my laptop battery allows….or
I run out of my room because a cockroach desperate to escape the storm has
crawled across my foot…
Today marks my 52nd day in the Dominican Republic
It’s hard to place into words how my heart has already
changed. I was warned of this by other
missionaries and in MTI. The longer you
live on the mission field, the harder it is to return home; to the
materialistic world of abundance in the states.
Of course I take any advice that people give with open mindedness (or at
least I try), but I can already see how true this actually may be.
Yesterday I had lunch with Catalina, my Colombian Spanish
teacher who has become one of my closest friends here. Afterwards we drove home. On that drive we passed neighborhoods that
just a month ago seemed so poor and desolate to me. So, well to put it frankly, foreign.
I am surprised by how unsurprised I have become by these things in only
a few month and how I am starting to accommodate to life here.
In two short months…..
*I now think my 2001 suzuki with a crack across the windshield is a very nice car.
*I know how to effectively kill cockroaches (or at least fumigate them from any holes).
*I realize that even as a missionary (which compared to how
lavishly I lived and the money I made in the states is far less) I am more
wealthy than most Dominicans.
*I realized that in a developing country that they are incredibly grateful for anything from the States. Second hand clothing is worn proudly, which to me is a paradox. Great that perfectly good clothes are being put to good use and meeting a need, but sad that we send things to other countries that aren’t good enough for us but we think are good enough for others. Good or bad? Not sure I know the answer.
*I’ve learned how quickly mold can grow in the heat.
*I’ve learned the best way to learn a language is to read the bible in that language….it is 100% grammatically correct.
*I’ve learned that in the States we just may have too many
rules….
*I’ve learned that when Dominicans pull off the side of the road because it looks like its going to rain….it’s best to follow suit.
*I’ve learned how complicated the war against poverty truly
is, and that so often when we are trying to help we are enabling and
harming. Again, another lesson without a
clear solution.
*I realized I am being blessed by those I’m here to serve far
more than I am blessing them. I pray
that changes with time, but I’m not sure it will. It may just be a part of the kingdom of God
*But, most importantly I have learned how deeply our creator
cares for His creation. Whenever I have
started to feel alone, a missionary calls me.
Whenever I feel useless and unproductive as language school is
all-consuming, I am given the opportunity to serve. And when I can’t possibly tolerate one more
night with cockroaches, I get a break (sorry to vent about the cucarachas).
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Keep Chuggin Along
When I wrote my post last week....I didn't think I could feel more "chaotic," then I found a cockroach in my bed. But, amidst all the craziness there was beauty.
I am so thankful for my Spanish classes....every morning from 8-12 followed by 4-5 hours worth of homework en la noche! I just finished week 4 and was super encouraged on Friday when I was able to have a 5 minute conversation with a woman who works in the kitchen! I have known Mili for two years and we have never been able to actually converse....so this full immersion thing must be working! Beauty!
I am dog-sitting for the next month. That is a complete blessing in itself, for all of you who know my animal obsession. I get a bit like Elmira Fudd (yes that's a looney tunes reference) sometimes. Therefore, having a dog to cuddle and play with is the perfect anecdote to my chaos. Thank you Jesus.
And finally, the biggest provision. My birthday. One I will not soon forget. My missionary friends planned a surprise birthday breakfast at a coffee shop in town, complete with cafe and croissants (ok not so Dominican, but still delicious!). This came at the perfect time as I had just skyped my parents...
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| Catalina teaching Kenny and I Espanol! |
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| Kenny and his espousa Karen are new missionaries with SI, very dear friends of mine and will be in charge of all the students who visit on short term out reaches, interns, volunteers and semester students |
I am so thankful for my Spanish classes....every morning from 8-12 followed by 4-5 hours worth of homework en la noche! I just finished week 4 and was super encouraged on Friday when I was able to have a 5 minute conversation with a woman who works in the kitchen! I have known Mili for two years and we have never been able to actually converse....so this full immersion thing must be working! Beauty!
I am dog-sitting for the next month. That is a complete blessing in itself, for all of you who know my animal obsession. I get a bit like Elmira Fudd (yes that's a looney tunes reference) sometimes. Therefore, having a dog to cuddle and play with is the perfect anecdote to my chaos. Thank you Jesus.
And finally, the biggest provision. My birthday. One I will not soon forget. My missionary friends planned a surprise birthday breakfast at a coffee shop in town, complete with cafe and croissants (ok not so Dominican, but still delicious!). This came at the perfect time as I had just skyped my parents...
Surprise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As if that wasn't enough...I went to a concert in Santo Domingo Saturday night and then out to dinner at the top of one of the mountains in Jarabacoa on Sunday night. Anyone who knows me knows how important birthdays are to me. God knows that too. And guess what, he gave me one heck of a birthday.
I am so blessed by the love and support I have both here and in the states, so please, don't worry about me too much....
AND!! As of yesterday I officially have a real first aid kit in my car, with suture material and all...get ready DR. Traveling wanna-be-Dr. Quinn-medicine-woman-who-also-loves-Jesus has arrived. :)
Restaurant on top of the mountain!
Kim, Mary Ellen, me and Karen
Fundraiser- missionary model calendar...
thoughts?? haha
Gorgeous Jarabacoa!!
Kenny, Karen, me, Kim, Mary Ellen and Dick
Yummy!!!
Jarabacoa at night!
I am blessed!!!
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