So, I have gotten a few messages from you wanting to know when the next blog was going to be posted, well here it is!! I am so glad that you all are committed to what God is doing in my life!! I thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.
I have to say that this month in the Dominican Republic has been very different in comparison to Haiti. I knew that going into the World Race that this would be the case but I guess the fact that the two countries sit on the same island would mean that they would have some similarities. The lesson I have learned is, geography really doesn’t affect culture at least in this instance. Anyway, here in the Dominican Republic we have been blessed with staying in a 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom home. There are 28 of us total sharing this space. Community living at its best. We are living just a walk away from the grocery store that has most of the stuff that we are used to having at home but the most important to me at least is Diet Coke : )
So, now to the part that has been a process for me. When we arrived to the Dominican Republic, I was sick, I continued to get better on a daily basis and stayed back at the house and rested while my team was walking 30 minutes one way to an area called Guatcupita where they are leading VBS and digging in a canal. During my time of building my strength back up I took a morning and prepared lunch for the two teams out working. During that morning God truly spoke to me about what ministry was going to look like for me this month. The spirit kept sharing with me that my teammates and squadmates were my ministry this month. I found such joy in cooking and cleaning that I cannot even put it into words. That morning was full of time with God as well as intercession for my teammates.
I felt very safe sharing this with my team, I have to say I felt vulnerable as well. I don’t believe that I have heard the Spirit so loudly before and with such an exactness. After several meetings discussing what ministry looks like for Team S.O.A.R., it was decided that it would be okay for me stay back at the house and serve in this manner. I have to say it was a process that was uncomfortable, painful, and quite awkward at times between my teammates but after going through this process with them we are more unified now than when we started. My team is truly my family, we pray, encourage, and support each other daily.
My days have looked like this: I get the opportunity to get up and prepare breakfast for the team which is usually toast with egg and cheese on top (One teammate said it was better than an egg McMuffin from McDonalds). Then my team leaves out about 8:00 to lead VBS and work on the canal and I usually do some laundry which this month consists of using a washing machine which really just agitates the clothes then I wring them out by hand and hang them on the line. Then I will pick up around the house and then start the process also known as lunch. There are two teams serving together at Guatcupita so that is 13 people total. Every meal that is made in our kitchen of limited pots and pans and dishes is an event. I love the challenge though. The teams return about noon and we all have lunch together. It is such a precious time to spend together. Then we have siesta time, which I have to say needs to be instituted in the United States, there is nothing like an afternoon nap or just time to take a deep breath on a daily basis!! Then my team leaves at 4:00 to return to Guatcupita and do house visits and spend time with the children. During this time I dig into God’s word and intercede for my team and ask for God to provide opportunities of sharing his love and mercy. Then I start the event known as dinner. They return at 8:00 and we sit down and eat together.
I have to say that I never envisioned this being what my ministry would look like for one of the months on the World Race. I am loving it though!! I thank God on a daily basis that he has provided me the opportunity to serve people that have such an undying love for Christ.
I ask that you continue to pray for unity and growth on Team S.O.A.R. I ask that you pray that we all continue to grow deeper and deeper in our walks with Christ. I ask that you pray that we focus on abiding on what our Father wants us to do versus striving to become better. We all need to remember that we can’t do anything to make our Heavenly father love us more than he already does!!
I want you all to know that I feel your prayers and love on a daily basis!! I would love to know what is going on with all of you!! Send me a message!!
Sending my love!!
