One thing that I have learned from doing missions is that Joy can be found anywhere, even in the poorest of places. My team along with the forerunners has been staying in an unfurnished apartment here in Santo Domingo. Yes, this place is full of beautiful palm trees and flowers but it is also covered in trash and waste. You can’t take two steps without running into piles of trash everywhere. The stench burns your nose and takes away from eating. The government controls the electricity and water and they shut it off whenever they please throughout the day. There are days when we go hours without being able to use the toilet or the lights. It is really stressful and unhealthy, but that the least of every ones worries here.
You never stop hearing laughing and talking of children in the street. They are free to roam and play and they love coming into contact with us. We spend hours after English class just hanging out with our students and playing games. They are so eager to learn and communicate. They are also so eager to feel that love. It may be the hottest day on Earth and as long as your playing with a ball or Frisbee or letting the little girls play with your hair there are no sad faces. If it weren’t for the joy I am filled with by being with these people, I would be on a plane headed back to the US already.
It is so hard being uncomfortable. We all have caught ourselves complaining about not having cold water, snacks, and even fans for that matter. We are so spoiled in the US that to be taken away from that we loose ourselves. As hard as it is to not have those things, I am glad they are gone. Now we have to intentionally live in the moment and create opportunities. We walk the streets and talk with the neighbors (..well we attempt), we try street food and learn about their culture, and we turn to each other for entertainment. If you want real entertainment, lock yourself and 13 other people in an unfurnished apartment with no AC or electricity and just see what happens!!
Last week we were asked by some kids to play some street ball with them. No one seemed interested but we decided to walk out and just see what they were doing. I had thought about staying behind and sleeping but I decided to branch out and jump in. I had so much fun! I even got a homerun, followed by Paul Barnello who hit one out of a park and right into the side of our neighbor’s car… luckily no major harm was done. You could see how excited and happy these boys were that people were taking interest in them and wanting to hang out. That is one of my favorite days here in the Dominican!
The Lord is just so amazing. There is no way you could feel so much joy without knowing Him. He puts joy even in the littlest things, painting rocks with kids, hearing our neighbors little girl laugh, and the breeze that fills our apartment on the hot days (everyday). I encourage you to look for the little things today that give you joy. Most of the time we walk by and dismiss it without a thought. Today be intentional and know that all that joy is from the Lord. He loves to see a smile on your face and loves to love on us! Accept the joy today even through the hard times!!
“Be JOYFUL always…”
-1 Thes 5:16
Update:
I am only 700 away from meeting my third deadline of 11,000 in October, and only 5,700 away from being fully funded. If you would like to help support me click on over to the support tab on the left side of my page! Every amount adds up!
Prayer Requests:
Pastor Juan is trying to raise money in order to buy the land for his church. He has only one year left to get the money before he looses it.
D squad as month one comes to a close and we move on to our next stop Haiti.
Sickness!!! Some of my teammates have been getting sick!
That I fully accept the Love that the Lord has for me!!
