Update (Stateside)

Mom and I :)

It's been four years since I've written to you from the backyard of my parents house.  Four years since I took a dip in my parent's pool.  Four years since I saw fourth of July fireworks.  Four years since I enjoyed my Mom's beautiful gardens.  Four years since I lived a summer stateside.

I left Jarabacoa June 26.  Even though it hasn't quite been 3 weeks; in some ways it feels like an eternity.  I officially have a stateside phone number and car.  I've visited family, friends and supported a friend in her wedding.  I've started thinking of where I would like to live more permanently (downstate NY) and what kind of a job I would like (working with immigrants/Spanish speakers).

but....my heart has not left Jarabacoa behind.

This past Sunday I had the privilege of passing the torch.  My sending church (Hopewell Reformed Church) sent a group of 20-something youth to serve for two weeks with Students International.  I had the amazing opportunity to pray for the team and see them off as they serve with the people whom I love so very much.  And encounter God in marvelous ways.

Goodbyes were difficult, but simultaneously oh so sweet.  My SI director, Brian, encouraged me to take the final two weeks I had in Jarabacoa to spend with people who had become so close to me.  And that is exactly what I did.  I spent hours conversing over lunches, dinners, jugo, cafe and helado with so many people who shared my day to day life.  My previous volunteer Helena came to support me in the tears and final hugs.  And we made some of my most favorite memories.  If I see you this summer I would love to tell you more!

My previous volunteer, Helena, came to the DR my final
week to help me say goodbye!

But,  through the sadness the peace in my decision to leave remained.  God was so gracious in making it clear to me that my time for now in Jarabacoa is finished.  It certainly helps that the community health ministry site is going STRONG!

If any of you follow the Community Health Site's Facebook page you can understand the joy I feel as I watch Katie Wulf, RN and Dr. Fernando Gonzalez's continual work within the communities.  I love that with social media I can still see Rosne's smile, hear Telma's laugh and watch Fernando lead worship.

Medical ministry in Buenos Aire going strong!

I know the next couple months will be filled with highs of living life again in my culture and lows of missing the DR.  But, I pray that I may continue to glorify Christ's name and carry His love with me wherever I may go.  Just as Katie and Fernando continue to do in our clinics in Jarabacoa!

Priya and I at her Indian wedding

playing tourist in NYC with visiting family

Farewell Haitian Church

One of the greatest blessings of my ministry in Jarabacoa has been our partnership with Pastor NoJean's Haitian church in Buenos Aire.  We have spent the majority of Wednesdays during the past four years serving their congregation with medical care.

We have walked through babies being born and women dying far too young.  We have seen patients who would have otherwise died without our care and watched as some came to know Christ.  We've prayed together, laughed together and cried together.

We've had a pancake breakfast with a local school to fundraise for the church.  We've helped at pulgas (flea markets) and collected donations after a fire left close to 20 people homeless.  

Yesterday as I looked around this church, I realized this place that felt so foreign and uncomfortable to me so long ago has become like home.   Even though I haven't been in regular attendance at their Haitian church service (it's held in Creole) I absolutely feel embraced by them.  I knew almost every face in the congregation and had a story to match.  

How wonderful it was to worship together one last time.

Yesterday, Pastor NoJean invited both Katie and myself to stand before the church as we presented Katie as my replacement and they prayed for me.  I was brought close to tears when he called me a "daughter of the church."  I can't possible think of a greater honor.

And so, I give thanks to the Lord for allowing me to know these incredible followers of Him.  And will continue to pray for the partnership between this church and the community health site.

Community Rocks!

When I first moved to the DR I thought I was giving up so much.  My career.  Living in a first world country.  Concerts.  Family.  Friends.

I sit here utterly humbled by God's provision.  There are so many aspects of the past four years to focus on, but when I tell you my community rocks I mean it.

God gave me three Dominican and one Haitian family that truly feel like they are my family.  It hurts my heart so very much to say goodbye to them.

God also provided me with some of the best friends I have known in my life.  People who have walked with me as we wrestle through cross-cultural ministry, Spanish, community development, living away from loved ones, and navigating a new country.

These are the two things I will miss the most...my family and friends in Jarabacoa.

This past weekend 11 of my closest girlfriends whisked me away to an old cabaña in the mountains of Jarabacoa to spend time together, eat delicious food and just reminisce.  I have truly never felt more loved or special.  Below are some of the pics :)  Hope you enjoy!

I felt so special!! 

An afternoon of puzzles and coloring!

They made me a video!!  I may have been crying ;)

Who am I without the DR?

This morning I awoke gasping for air.  The roosters were crowing, motorcyclists were passing by as the low hum of bachata was playing in the distance.  And I was overcome with this overwhelming sense of mourning.

Who am I without the DR?

I just finished reading a book about transitioning home and how much our identity gets wrapped up in being a missionary (Looming Transitions by Amy Young).

A year ago I never could have imagined I would have peace with leaving a place I love so much.  You see, my love for this place hasn't ended.  In fact it just keeps growing.

All of those nuances that were so challenging 4 years ago have become comforts.  At this point more often than not I find myself more comfortable in a room full of Dominicans than Americans.

My idea of fun has change.  My world view has changed.  My dreams have changed.  And they are all wrapped up in the DR.

So who am I without this place?  Soon I will no longer live in an exotic tropical island.  My job will be "normal."  And my job title will actually have a description.  I will speak my native language.  My life will no longer consist of building relationships, cafecitos and providing medicine for the poorest of the poor.

Today my departure was announced at staff meeting and I had a meeting with my director about my despedida (going away party).  It's getting real people.

Most days I'm excited for whats to come.  A new adventure with new people and a new ministry field.  But, today I needed reminders that God is still in control.  Like He was at the start of my Dominican journey He will carry me through my American.

How blessed we are to have His constant presence wherever we go.  And that our identity is wrapped in Him and not this finite Earthly dwelling place.

Stay tuned as I continue processing the future....

Una noticia grande

My gracious support system,

I have been wracking my mind trying to figure out the best way to compose this letter.  And, as a “chica de Nueva York” I’m gonna throw it out in typical straight NY fashion. 

I will be moving back to the states June 26, 2016.

To some that may come as a surprise.  But, I am so grateful to share the peace I have in this decision that has been covered in prayer.  Peace that can only affirm that this direction is from the Lord

I am a firm believer that in this world we have innovators and creators and then we have the people who take those innovations and creations to another level.  That is the point we have reached at the Community Health Site.  I feel so privileged to have planted and cultivated the seeds of ministry that have sprouted into 6 successful community clinics, countless relationships, many chronic illnesses controlled, hundreds of American students impacted and allowed 5 Dominican girls to attend college and be discipled over the course of 4 years.  But, I also recognize there comes a point when change has to happen and others have to jump in and bring fresh ideas and passion.

Currently, Katie Wulf, RN has had 6 months of training with me; forging patient relationships, learning the Dominican culture and our “campos.”  I have had the opportunity to share with her what has functioned well in our unique type of work and what most certainly has not.  We have dreamed and planned and discussed the new focus of the site.

Katie will take advantage of the control we’ve gained over patient illnesses and the longevity of those relationships and pioneer a new phase of community health care.  Dr. Fernando will continue visiting our communities once a month to lead clinics but as a nurse Katie will focus more on prevention, education and the results of the health census we conducted last year.  This is exactly the direction I hoped our site would eventually go. 

It’s hard for me to place into words what my time in the DR has meant to me.  Yes, I have peace.  But, moving back home and transitioning back to the states is not going to be easy.  I know there are times that I will miss this place so much it hurts.  But, I am also so very excited to practice modern medicine again and start life as a 30-something in NY.  How grateful I am that God has cared for my life so well as to leave the community health site in such a healthy position.

I think that is only confirmation that He has further plans for His name to be known and patients to be healed in Jarabacoa!

So, as my supporters, what does this mean for you?  I am so unbelievably thankful for all of your emails, cards, packages, encouragements and donations over the past 4 years; your support of my patients and myself has been enormous.  I wish there were greater words than these, but

thank you.

As of June 26, my personal acct with SI will no longer exist.  So please continue sending donations until then but not after.  ACH and credit card supporters will no longer have anything deducted from their accts after June 21.  There is no further paper work or actions needed by you.

However, if I may take this opportunity to ask a final prayer request?  Instead of stopping support of Students International in the DR completely, would you carefully pray about transferring your support to either: Dr. Fernando Gonzalez, the women’s sports scholarship fund or the community health site. 

·      ~Dr. Fernando is not fully supported and is living far beneath his means as the provider of a family of four, pastor and physician! 

·      ~The Women’s sport’s scholarship fund supports our medical assistant’s college education. 

·      ~The community health site is always in need of finances to buy more medications and supplies. 

If you are interested in supporting any of these pivotal SI ministries you can:

1     ~donate online at our website www.stint.com

2    ~through a check specifying the ministry site in the memo

3     ~contacting Pam Christy (students@stint.com) and asking her to change your ACH or credit card donation towards one of these ministries.

Thank you for your consideration.

I will be continuing to blog over the next couple months, so please stay tuned!  I would also love to see you this summer before I start job searching!

Love, 

Rachel