Can you believe it? LESS THAN TWO WEEKS! Less than two weeks in the Dominican Republic at Caribbean Mountain Academy. Wow. I do not know if I can believe it?! As I reflect on my time and look toward the future my mind races and my heart aches. My mind races with thoughts of staff, students, a church, a community and a country. My heart aches for the brokenness, hardened hearts, relational disconnections, poverty that is more than just money and the flood damage that rages throughout this place.
I take a step back to pray; to find hope. All that comes are the tears. Tears that say what if I was different, what if I was better at X, what if I tried harder, what if I was a better steward and what if I could stay? What if? Who am I to think that I can restore, heal, mend, fix and provide? In the middle of my racing thoughts the Lord reminds me, “I (God not me) am the way the truth and the life…” I cry out to the Lord and after my stacked questions are voiced; silence settles and makes itself at home.
If I am honest THEN the tears start coming. I am in awe of the presence of the Lord. That the God of the universe would meet me in my brokenness and satisfy my spirit with His presence. Another quote from good old Clive, “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”
Through experiences of wonder I can only testify to the validity of this statement. The truth I have learned and come to believe…
Truth: The Lord will finish the work He began in us; Psalm 89
El Mogote, is a mountain in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. To hike the mountain you need a guide; it is the road less traveled. Trekking up the path was not always visible, at times there were fences to climb and the muddy incline left you strategically placing one foot in front of the other. One male student in particular inspired me with his perseverance and his peers encouraged my heart as they pressed on together. This student being a little overweight and new to the program had a challenge in front of him. But the make shift family of adolescent boys took care of all his needs. Pacing the hike (which I was grateful for!), sharing the water supply, carrying each other’s packs and cheering each other on were some of the simple acts of kindness modeled by these boys. Because they never gave up my eyes were opened to not only the magnificence of the mountain top but the beauty in joining in another’s solidarity.
Truth: God is GREATER than we can imagine; Romans 11
Sitting on the front porch gazing at the breathtaking night sky is a common experience at CMA. On this particular October night there was a lightning storm. Sitting in the rocking chairs with a student in silence and wonder of creation the student turned to me and said, “What do I say to God if I want to give Him my life?” The weeks following I have seen this student continue to grow in knowledge and freedom. As you all know life with Jesus is an ever refining though fire kind of journey. But this past week I was processing a family counseling session with this student and she said, “I have fought everything and everyone my whole life but now I am certain what I am living for and it is because of Jesus.” Praise the Lord!
Truth: God uses us for His glory; 1Peter 4
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies-in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Another aspect of life in the Dominican Republic is mission teams and service projects. This semester there have only been a few teams join us on campus and community service projects but each time a team comes they change campus and they change me. One team member who was here for two weeks changed my life. She encouraged my heart, challenged me to know what I believe and why and has partnered with the ministry that the Lord has called me to do on World Race. Her questions, prayers and generosity stick out to me because our paths crossed only for two weeks. But the Lord worked through us in each other’s lives as we entered into vulnerable friendship. She gave $100 to support this mission!
Truth: God hears our prayers; 1 Chronicles 29
Finally, the last testimony I want to share with all of you is of my dear sister Phyllis. Phyllis is a missionary in the DR that co-leads Fight Ministry. She changed the way I think about life with Jesus. She has modeled being courageous and obedient whatever the cost. And consistently shows genuine friendship and generosity. For some reason the Lord has united our hearts with deep loyalty; praise His name. To be able to pray in freedom, speak truth in love, ask questions without judgment and be present together is a gift. I have experienced this kind of community here and am excited to enter into this kind of community on World Race. Phyllis has encouraged my heart to press on and finish the race the Lord has called me/all His children to run. Oh man, I am running after Jesus. Join me by entering in to a commitment to pray and support this mission today! “It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak…We are far too easily pleased (C. S. Lewis.)”
You can donate to my World Race account by scrolling up to the top right and clicking on the donate tab. I will be joining my team on January 6, 2017 at JFK airport. We will be heading to Uganda that afternoon to begin spreading the gospel of truth together! I have many other expenses and needs besides completing the fundraising goal (which I am about $4,500 away from that!) If you want to meet one of those needs (like getting to JFK airport!) please private message me on FB. My FB name is Wanzie Grace. Much Love to all of you!
And for those of you wondering about the flooding in the DR. Campus where I live has been minimally effected. Praise the Lord for His protection. Please pray for the DR and the great losses others have experienced.
References:
// C. S. Lewis //
// A Student at CMA //
// 1Peter 4 //
