BOOMA!!!!!The start of something NEW!!!

In the book of John verse 3:30 it says we must increase Christ and his grace in our lives to live completely and solely for him alone. At the same time we must decrease ourselves and worldly desires because it clouds our vision of faith. Arriving in the Dominican Republic was intense. So many feelings poured through my mind when the plane hit the airstrip. Thoughts of thankfulness, fear, excitement, and distress all at once so I started to cry then pray. It was great to be able to know in that exact moment that I was about to embark on an EPIC adventure and had no clue how God was going to rock my world in these next 11 months and for the rest of my life. After driving 4 hours to San Juan we stayed the night in a very nice house and even had a bed!!! I thought to myself “is this normal” and then we were informed that our team was going to be going to a rural mountain village called Arroyo Cano the next morning after buying a weeks worth of food because they have no supermarkets in the mountains. “Side note: the stars in the D.R. are amazing!!!” Arriving in Arroyo Cano was very weird at first but I did not expect how the people were so peaceful and the kindness, love, and hospitality shared by all the people, our host, and all the many children. We are staying in a small church and normal attendance is about 15 people….(and yes all in spanish). We are going to be working with Compassion International
 
We have been getting ready to teach english to young children, clean up dirty playgrounds and just love on all the leaders, pastors, and families involved with the church!!! God has gave my community, God has gave me passion, gave has gave me a smile that attracts way too much attention in town…(or maybe its my loud voice). We can love people here and be ourselves, its safe, its simple, and its God’s kingdom just in a different part of the world. I loved the first sunday here because I could not understand the pastor’s sermon at all because he spoke sooo fast but I could feel the Spirit of Christ in the room. So with my hands lifted high I praised Jesus and tried to sing the best I could in spanish. The no running water doesn’t but me, The bugs don’t bug me(No pun intended), and I don’t mind not having a bed. What bugs me is where is this simple love for people and Christ and kindness in the rest of the world??? God is Love John 3:30 I pray Lord you increase in my life everyday I’m here so I can decrease myself and selfishness!!! Our team name is MOSAIC and please check out all my team mates blogs to get a better picture of our new lives in the D.R.