Milagros=Miracle

Milagros has worked at the base camp of Students International for more than 5 years as a housekeeper.  She is a quiet, heavy- set woman in her forties who looks older than her age.  She has lead an impoverished life in a tiny scrap wood house about half a mile from the base with her two teenage children.  She smiles often, but behind her wrinkles, it is obvious that the years have proved hard.

No one speaks of her children's father or why she is alone providing for them.  She has extended family but they have done little to help support her.  She was even the sole care giver of her elderly father who couldn't ambulate until his death several months ago.  A death which has caused much despair in her life and has propagated her into depression.

If life circumstances weren't enough, Milagros has a huge tumor growing on her left cheek (parotid gland).  It is completely compressing her facial nerve, ear canal and cheek causing a lot of pain.  She, like many Dominicans (and all of humanity), wants the best care and so has been going all the way to the capitol and is seeing private doctors.  Doctors who are good but fail to take the time to explain to her why she has been denied surgery several times.  And with each trip she spends more of the money she doesn't have.  And her income continues to decrease as her co-morbidities have rendered her incapable of working.

Por fin, I sat down with her last week and listened.  And checked her blood pressure.  And her cholesterol.  And prayed.  And discovered a blood sugar of 512.  512.  That's real bad.

My heart broke for this woman who sat in front of me,  depressed who wants to take care of her body, but has no idea how to control Diabetes.  Or why a doctor would deny surgery on her cheek because what does high sugar have to do with a surgery?  A Christian woman so alone, uneducated and confused but just desiring people to walk beside her.

And so, I ask for your intercessory prayers.  Please keep Milagros close to you, as I sit down with her every Monday and Friday morning to go over her meds and control her illnesses.  As Sissy (our director's wife and PT) and Betsy (a PT volunteering with us) teach her simple exercises and how to change her diet.

Pray that she is open minded, that we are able to simplify complicated disease processes into a way that she can understand.  Pray that we can control her Diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol to a level that will enable her to have the surgery she needs.

And then, once she has the surgery she needs, this woman whose name in Spanish means miracle will finally have the peace and hope she deserves.  And that, as children of God, we all do too.

Oceans and Rainbows

Sometimes, we just can't shake things from our hearts.  And sometimes those somethings are so evidently God filling us abundantly with His words and His presence that we absolutely cannot dispute them.

Many people on my Facebook have posted this video over the past month.  I ignored it at first.  For those of you who know me, I try my hardest to not give in to "popular" music.  But then, this morning, I awoke with those words in mi mente.  And, at 8:30 am the Spanish church down the road began their Sunday worship practice and guess what song filled the air?

And so, as I sat with my coffee, candle, journal, awesome new study bible and Book of Common Prayer gifted to me by my Grandmother whose previous owner (my Great-Grandfather) received it in 1930 (COOL!), I meditated on these words.

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

And then I remembered the beautiful reminder and promise God gave to Noah so many years ago and continues to give us (taken on Friday Jan 10)….

Yes, that is my Dominican house.  And yes our land lady painted it pepto bismol pink.  But, look at that majestic rainbow crowning Jarabacoa with the grace and glory that God has given us!

On Wednesday I returned to the DR.  I had a phenomenal 3 week trip to the states.  I was able to touch base with so many of the people I love most in the world.  I had Christmas and New Years with my parents.  I traveled and spent time with friends and family.  I spoke at three different churches (including a Spanish only speaking congregation!) and hosted an open house at my house.  I had a sweet meeting with my mentor.  And I was reminded of why I do love both the American and Dominican cultures.

Over the past few months, a common thread has been weaved into my life within me and as I met with so many of you in the states.  As this month commenced I officially have completed half of my commitment time (3 years) with Students International.  So what does that mean and what is next?

I am such a forward thinking person.  This has enabled me to be motivated and keep focused on the next step and accomplish long term goals, but it has hindered me from completely living within the moment and focusing on the here and now.  So, even more than your questions of my missional future, are mine.  Where will I be in two years?

It is a difficult question to ponder because as you know it took many years for me to get to this place and for my medical site to look somewhat like what I had envisioned.  And now it does, and I am here.

And I am so happy to be here.  Yesterday began our first group of the new year.  And I am pumped.  I am energized to see patients, to incorporate students into my site and to speak of the gospel.  I love the life God has given me and the place He has brought me.

So, I return to the words found in the song "Oceans" and His promise to forever be with us.  And I so clearly find the answer I am looking for.  

It is so easy to get lost in the future, to be consumed by the "what ifs" and the "where am I going?"  A dangerous place in which we are ignoring the words that God has spoken.  His promise to lead us, to guide us, to love us and to be with us, siempre.

And so, I am so very grateful to have found rest that my next decision is not mine and one that I need to make now.  It never has been and never will be.  I am thankful to love what I'm doing and will be in the Dominican serving for as long as The Lord wants me to.  And whatever the next step may be, whether it be in 18 months or 5 years, it will be glorious and He has and is preparing me to continue testifying to His name wherever that place is.

I hope and pray 2014 is finding you well with the ability to rest in the present and you are filled with rainbows and reminders of our purpose for this year and forever.