P90Jesus

Let me just start off with an apology: I’m sorry I haven’t been blogging!!!
 
Now that that’s over with…
 
I find myself in a weird spot. This month has been a month of God stretching me. And when I think he can’t stretch me any further, He kisses my forehead and pulls me a little bit further.
 
To start this month out, 240 radicals joined together to fellowship and prepare for a year of service. I was asked the first day to lead worship (unexpected) for everyone. Two hours to prepare and 5 new friends to do it with. Good thing I brought my music. God shot me a wink and a smile and reminded of the reason we sing.
 
The next morning, I woke up, hesitated to and then eventually threw up. No reason. I wasn’t sick. But you need to know, I hate throwing up more than anything. I’d rather have my feet fall off, or something reasonable like that. But God rubbed my back and had me let go, and I sure felt a lot better.
 
That evening I was informed I was leading worship again. Less time to prepare and I was in charge of finding my fellow musicians. But God told my friends how to encourage me, and we sang once more.
 
Then we we’re off to the Dominican Republic. I rode my first plane with excitement, butterflies, and a mind filled with racing thoughts battling for attention. But God reminded me of my reality; pointed my eyes to the beauty of his creation in the sky; and whispered words to minister to the women that I sat between.
 
We arrived in Dominican Republic and separated into teams of 7. My team went into the mountains to a small town called Arroyo Cano (where I’ve been for the last month). We hardly see our translator enough to communicate with anyone and were met with the challenge to build relationships and teach English twice a day. But God taught us the words we would need and showed us how to be creative in the ways that we love.
 
We would wake up to children hovering over our tents in the morning, giggling and whispering the word “Americanos.� We fell in love but soon realized that we had zero alone time, and needed a break to speak in English and rest. But God breathed His strength into our bones; held us up by the pits of our arms; and reminded us that love is not always easy, but must also be intentional.
 
A week ago, I was informed that I was giving a sermon for the church. I wracked my brain for words to say. But God reminded me to breathe and sat me in His lap. He let me rest there until the last minute and put the words in my mouth.
 
Every minute of every day is spent in company. The alone time that we have is even spent in company. It usually includes headphones and is interrupted by the needs of others. But God lightly nudged my arm and reminded me of the life that He lived. He comforted me and reminded me that it was hard, but that the last will always be first and the first will always be last. Whether that is for our rambunctious neighbor lady, the disruptive kids, the man yelling at you, or your teammate, your family. I am being stretched.
 
We have been blessed beyond reason and I wish I could fully explain to you what God is doing. These are just the small surface things that I have seen God doing in me, here. He’s also shown me the beauty of true community. That not everything that we know in the states is a reality everywhere else or even should be. There is a place where neighbors invite you in and give you all they have. There is a place where many people leave their pride and the door and are friendly to everyone. There is a time to pick up the hitchhiker and to comfort the widow. There is a time for rest, and there is a faith that can boldly speak. There is a love that transcends language and a patience that endures the lack of verbal communication. The people here understand community. They don’t hesitate to give, be it food or time. They don’t hesitate to try. To spend time with you instead of doing what they wanted to do. They don’t schedule their day full or get offended when they have to adjust to a new plan. The heart of the Dominican is soft and the needs are few. There’s a peace here; a peace that I have longed to feel. But it doesn’t come without being stretched. It doesn’t come without knowing God’s Word and letting it transform your life. If you ask God to stretch what you know, He will. And when we lean into that, we are made knew. Refined.
 
I am truly in love with this place and these people. I promise there are more specific stories to come! With church 4 days a week, you can’t help but to feel some Jesus!!
 
Love you all!
 
Safely in Dominican,
Americano