I have been praying about what to blog about over the last few days. There are so many stories I could tell you about our time in San Juan and the people the Lord has brought into our path….so without further ado, here are just a few:
Sweet Marta from the nursing home, who is blind and repeats the same sayings over and over again…”Gloria a Dios” and “Muy Bonita”. There is also Maria that doesn’t leave Blair’s side and only makes noises, but laughs and claps and plays like a child. Today she manhandled Blair…it was hilarious.
With the children it is hard to choose because there are about 50 I could tell you about. David is pretty much around 24/7 and just wants to be played with. Jose has a smile of gold and will climb on anything that moves. He also likes to attempt to pick people up. Alejandra who is also a little monkey and weighs about 30lbs. She runs into your arms and is always full of joy. Precious and full of life describe her perfectly.
Fernando: He strolled up to our Sandlot the other day and asked if we were missionaries because we were gringos. He spoke good English, which is rare. Fernando is stuck in religion, he believes God is punishing him for choices he has made. He believes the answers are in money and success. I got to share with him about grace, about love and how God doesn’t work that way. I pray that God is breaking down those walls in his heart.
Joesas: This man owns a restaurant in town called Bienvenidas. He truly exemplifies Christ and lives out the verse that it is more of a blessing to give than receive. He continues to feed us for free whenever we walk in the door. We have been blown away by the generosity of this brother.
Hueso and some of the other street children. We met some of these kids the first week around town and now they appear at our house in the morning and stay until late hours of the night. It began because some people on our team fed them, it has continued because there is a relationship. They have had the opportunity to be kids again: to laugh, to play, to be held. The other night Hueso prayed amongst us for our protection. It was the most moving moment I have experienced in the DR.
God continues to show Himself to me daily through these people. He continues to go before us and give us opportunities to share His love and be a light in this community. He is showing me daily that when I don’t have a clue what to say or do, that I simply have to come to Him with a willing heart and He will direct my steps. It is not me who changes people and it is not about what I do. However when I let God lead me, when I choose to give up everything for Him, lives will be changed as a result…including my own! This verse from Isaiah describes my heart right now. Isaiah 61:10-11 – “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridgegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.”
I am rejoicing that my Father would allow me to be a part of His work in this way and I am trusting and confident that He is bringing righteousness and praise up amongst all the nations.
A video blog with many more pics is coming soon….Lord willing ☺
