I just got back from a week in the Dominican Republic. This information might confuse you so let me explain. Before I lost my job and signed up for the World Race I made plans to go to the DR for a week with Meeting God in Missions. (this is the place that started my hunger for missions.) When I found out I would be launching in July, one week after I came home from my mission trip, I was actually excited. The Dominican holds a very special place in my heart. I love the people, I love the children, and I love the way God moves in me when I’m there. This was a second training camp, a dress rehearsal if you will. I took some things that weren’t necessary; 3 pairs of tennis shoes, even realized that a big water bottle isn’t always better…you just end up with gross luke warm water before you can finish it off. (now I know why Jesus uses that analogy in the bible…) I didn’t take things that are probably necessary, Imodium/pepto for instance, or aloe for those rosy red cheeks/skin. (thanks for pulling through with those, Melissa!) I even discovered my travel bible wasn’t going to make it very far after just a couple times of opening it, the binding came loose. The last half of Hosea and the beginning of Joel fell out!
I must say that my favorite part of this trip was watching all the first timers in our group. Some of them, it was the first time they had ever done a mission trip in general. Watching God work in their lives like he did in mine last year was so cool. To see how their faces changed from fear/confusion to joy. If you know me at all you know I love love, and I loved watching them love on each tiny hand that wished to be held.
My favorite story from this week was when we did a revival service at village 106, the place Lake Center has been working for the past several years. They usually do a VBS week for the kids but really felt like they needed a service for the adults in that village. I had no idea what was being said (as they were preaching in Creole and translating to Spanish) but I sat in the back of the church with my Dominican friend PePe and just prayed. I had no idea what was going on but all the sudden the Holy Spirit spoke to me. He told me to get up and ask every American standing around outside to invite Him into that village, into that church, into those people. I got up and started telling everyone outside to pray that specific prayer over those people that night. Honestly, I can’t tell you what the vibe was after that service, but I know that I listened to the words the Spirit gave me, and God WILL be faithful. If you have some time (I know you do…you’re reading this blog…) take a moment right now to just pray over Village 106. Pray that the Holy Spirit would flood over them and that they would be on FIRE for Christ.
I’ll add a couple pictures (all of which were taken at village 106) for your viewing pleasure and I still can not believe this is going to be my life for the next year.
And my favorite co-worker/nail painter from last year…Pepe. He even remembered me. The picture on the left is from 2013 and the picture on the right is from this year.
I have one day to get everything washed and packed back up before I head out for weekend fun with my family tomorrow. We’re going to Chattanooga, TN. I’m excited to spend a little bit of time with them before I head out for 11 months.
