Hola from Lajas, Dominican Republic! Wow time is flying by. It is hard to believe it is the middle of month 1 on the Race. It seems like yesterday I was blog stalking and living vigorously through World Racers. Now I am one.
My team, along with 4 other teams from our squad, arrived at our ministry site H.O.P.E. (Helping Others Pursue Eternity) on July 3rd. The first several days we did manual labor, prepping the grounds for the teen camp that began on July 6th and ended on July 11th. There were around 90 children from surrounding communities that attended the camp this year. I, along with 5 other squad mates, were counselors for the “Dream Team”. These 20 children were so diverse and my love for them grew deeper and deeper as the week went on. I will never forget these precious faces and the impact that they left in my life.
Our first “off day” was yesterday and we traveled about 45 minutes to the beach. It was absolutely gorgeous and a much needed day of rest and relaxation.
I could not write this blog without mentioning our amazing host family this month (Reuben, Vicki, Selena, Reuben Junior, Starr, Josiah, and Solimar Dominquez). The Lord has truly blessed us with this family of God. They have treated me like family from the day we arrived. They have encouraged and helped me grow deeper in my walk with the Lord. Please take a minute and click on the hyperlink above in the first paragraph of this blog and see the amazing work God is doing through their ministry here in the Dominican.
This is my home for the entire month and I couldn’t be happier.
A typical meal and view
This is where I bathe
I do have access to wifi daily if I choose to pay for it. However, the Lord spoke very clearly to me on day 2 in the Dominican. The Lord asked me to really press into Him this month and not completely disconnect from home but to focus my attention more on Him and His plans for me the next 11 months. My relationship with the Lord has grown tremendously within the past several months and I am so hungry for more of Him that I will continue to obey and ensure that our relationship exceeds far more than I can imagine. After all, I am on this journey to further His Kingdom and I want to give Him my undivided attention.
The Lord has been speaking prophetically to me for a while but up until recently, I have not been faithful in exercising the gift. Hearing the Lord’s voice is the most amazing thing in this world. A few nights ago as I was journaling before bedtime, He painted a picture that I drew. The picture was of the ocean and a lighthouse in the distance. I asked the Lord what this picture portrayed and He told me that I was the lighthouse. Bright, Radiant, and Constant.
My goal for the next 11 months is to be a constant ray of light to all of the souls that I will meet across the world. My days will not always be easy. The Lord didn’t promise me that. But He did promise me that He would be present and faithful. The remainder of this month my team is doing manual labor. The days in the Dominican are hot and we get exhausted. But, I have a God who continues to fill me up with His grace minute after minute.
I encourage you friends and family to give the Lord your all. Press into Him more and more, even when things are difficult or hard to understand. Let His light shine through you. He wants more of you. He loves you more than you can ever imagine.
All my love,
Allison
