God makes the little big. He takes small things. Broken things. And makes them big, whole, and beautiful.
He tells us that in little acts of faith, mountains can move. In little acts of love, lives can change. So why do we allow ourselves to bear the weight of perfection in the big things, when God has handled them himself? God saved my life! He SAVED me from an eternity of confusion away from him! And in return he just says “Love me. Love others.”
This first week, in the Dominican Republic, I’m constantly reminded of this. As I stress out about taking care of myself, keeping my backpack in order, learning to hand wash clothes and be constantly dirty, and NOT SET MY THINGS DOWN EVERYWHERE… I hear God reminding me over and over to just love the people around me! He says that I was made for love and joy, and that those are both things that cannot be suppressed. Love and joy are so filling that they make me burst when I experience them! As I stress out trying to make sure I’m filling some “bigger picture”, doing something massive and world-changing everyday, God just keeps reminding me that with every act of love, we bring the kingdom of God to earth. Acts of love do not go overlooked! I’m reminded that I do not have to rescue the world or be brilliant. Jesus did all of the brilliant rescuing! I am here to bask in the little acts of love that come in presented opportunities every moment! To value the needs and wants of those around me, and
to see Christ working in each person I encounter!
When I do that, I feel like a sunflower. Sunflowers always face the sunAnd when my team does that together, we are an army of sunflowers.
How do I explain the joy I have from this past week?
God brings purpose into every little act of obedient faith!
We spent the week running a youth camp for almost a hundred kids here in the Dominican Republic. But as I said with tear-filled eyes to them yesterday, this week was not about a camp or activities.
It was all about The Lord, knowing him better and knowing how to love his children better. I started being hard on myself halfway through the week, feeling like I wasn’t going all in with the kids. Like I was only investing in them with half my heart.
Then God’s reassuring voice came in, reminding me that because he gave all he had for me, I can give all I have for him- including my time, comfort, and preferences. Looking at my team during our last day together, tears came to my eyes as I shared with them that even through limited communication, I felt like God gave me access to their hearts just by looking into their eyes! Like I knew them, even if I couldn’t remember their names, I knew them. Just by watching them all week, leading them, dancing with them, walking around with them, sleeping in a tent with them as a counselor, leading game time for the camp, doing activities with them, I knew them. Even when I felt like I should have given more, God used that time with my team to reassure me that in the small moments we spent together, I really had given each of them part of my heart. I was able to tell them that in each one of them, I see Jesus. And I see specific things in each of them that God gave them and wants to use to build His kingdom on earth! Watching them leave today was so hard for me! I was taken back to the times I left camp when I was younger and felt heartbroken to part with my new friends! All I can say is I’m so grateful to FEEL again. To no longer be numb because of distrust or fear.
As we were sending the kids away on the bus, I was finally able to share something with one of the girls, Erika, that God had given me to tell her. He told me that she was like a bird, and that the bible says that God provides for the birds of the air so that they never have to worry. That He made her to be free and fly like a bird, and she didn’t have to worry about her needs- because God created her just like he created the birds. And if he provides for them He will provide for her even more! She broke down in tears.
Tears of thanks for God speaking truth into her life that she had asked for all week.
Then there’s Margarita.
The beautiful woman who owns a store a few doors down from where we are staying. I met her on the first day, and have been able to go spend time with her everyday at least once since being here! She sells fruits and veggies from her garden there, and I’ve been going to buy bananas every morning! (A whole bundle of them, cut straight off the tree, for 10 pesos. Like 25cents!)
I’ve met most of the neighbors/ vendors on our street, but there was something different about Margarita. Flash back: I had brought two avocado seeds from home, in hopes of giving them to someone here to plant.
God told me that they were for her. She has all kinds of fruits and veggies, but no avocado! So yesterday, I bounced up the mountain to ask her if I could plant the avocado seeds with her. We waited til she got off work, and she took us all the way up the mountain to her house! She has 11 siblings, most of which all live on her street! She brought us into their homes and introduced me to all of them! We got to plant the two trees together at her home, and I was able to share with her all that God has shown me through planting, gardening, and trees! She said she loves flowers as much as I love trees 🙂
THEN
She took us to the very top of the hill, where her family all comes together on Sundays for fellowship together! She walked us through her entire orchard of fruit trees and vegetable vines!! It was the biggest blessing EVER! Talk about heaven on earth. I showed her pictures and told her of my dad’s garden at home, while she picked fruit straight off the trees and gave me a bundle to take home!
The ability to love and connect with people goes so far beyond languages. And that assurance gives me hope to love everyone: fully, selflessly, and confidently wherever I go. Knowing that God’s love speaks louder than words.
