Guest Blogger: Erica Humphrey (RPC Mission Trip Santiago, DR)

Erica here.  

 

I met Phyllis about a year and a half ago at church.  We didn't talk much besides the usual "good morning" niceties.  I remember seeing her out one Saturday night in Lakeland.  I had gone out dancing with one of my friends and she was out with the girls doing the same.  She came up to say hey and ask if I was going to church in the morning.  I sweetly smiled and told her no.  I was going to the beach.  She raised her hands as if they were a scale and asked which is more important...Jesus (lifting up one hand) or the beach (lifting up the other).  I am a gentle and quiet soul with a dash of fiestyness so I wasn't quite sure how to react to her in-your-face personality.  Moving forward a few months, I got my life together and started attending church regularly and began attending a small group.  Once that semester was over, Phyllis invited me to the girls' Sistah group.  I started living life with these girls through the group about a year ago and am thankful for each and every one of them.  They are amazing women of God who make me laugh, listen when I need to cry or vent and have helped me grow in my walk with my incredible Savior.

 

So God placed me on this trip to the DR with this great team.  This was my first mission trip outside of the US and I really had no idea what to prepare for or expect.  I expected to be on this HUGE spiritual high the entire trip, seeing miracles and making huge accomplishments for God's kingdom.  Instead, there were long, tiring days in the heat with some manual labor, food I was scared to eat or didn't want to eat and an absence of Big Papa (or so I thought).  There were times I felt spiritually starved and was wondering why in the world God put me on this trip.  Looking back now, I see it's because I wasn't starting and ending my day with God the way I do at home.  I expected God to show up but didn't do my part to meet Him halfway.

 

I wrote an email to my family about how I was feeling one night.  My amazingly wise younger brother, Jarrod, wrote me back with this verse:

 1 Kings 19:11-12 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 

My little bro goes on to say, "It was in a still small voice that God spoke to Elijah and it may be the same for you. We will never know the weight of our actions until we get to heaven. What we do on earth echos an eternity. It does matter. What you are doing does make a difference. The important thing is that you obeyed God when you heard him tell you to go to the DR... Think about how many "Christians" never get off the pew. You got off the pew and are doing more than you will ever know in this life. In my case, it wasn't until sometime later after I got back from Peru that I noticed a lot of the work God did while I was there. You don't know what this experience may lead to in the future. Don't let doubt get to you because that is Satan attacking you. He knows the worth of what you are doing and hates it."  He totally blew me away with his little sermonette and it revived me. 

 

I came home trying to sort through all of the different thoughts and emotions from the trip.  I now see that my little bro was right.  It's the still small voice of God in the aftermath that pierces my heart.  Every day since I've been home, Big Papa has spoken to me through that trip.  I was told by several people that I would come home a changed person and they were right on.  Through this trip, my eyes were turned from my small world and myself to the bigger picture; to what really matters.

 

I am so thankful for the opportunity to attend this trip.  I was able to see the faces of many children fill with joy and laughter.  I was able to spend time with them and love on them as Christ would.  I was able to help build a technical school that will help children build a better life for themselves (and learned construction is not for me :-)).  I was able to listen to the stories of those who live the trash dump life every day.  I was able to build and strengthen relationships with my team and the rest of the group from Kansas.  But most of all, I was able to be the hands and feet of Christ. 

Guest Blogger: Dana Parrish (Mission Trip Santiago, DR)

 I guess I should start at the beginning when Phyllis first asked me to go on this trip. Several months ago (before she left for the DR) she asked if I wanted to go on this trip. She told me that I should really consider going on a mission trip. "It will grow your faith," she said. This was before the DR trip and while they were still going to Honduras. I can tell you that I never, not once, had a desire to go. I thought, "this is just not what God is calling me to do."  Then, Phyllis called and said their church was going to the Dominican and instantly I thought, "Oh crap, I am going on this trip!" It was the first time that she asked where I actually felt like I was going like it or not. This trip God called me to go on. I can't lie, I was going kicking and screaming. It didn't help that when I told Brent, my husband, he said, "Get your life insurance in order. People go there and DIE!!!" For those of you who know Brent he is Mr. Cool Calm and Collected. So this response threw me for a loop. I kept thinking, "Okay, God, I know you want me to go, this is all YOU!! You take care of it. I did NOTHING for several months. When I say nothing I mean I didn't even get my passport. I did attempt to get it in May, but when I got the list of things I had to do to get it, I just put it off. This is what I do best. Put things off!!! Drives Brent CRAZY!!! Anyway, with about two weeks before the trip, I finally applied for my passport. I had it expedited, but still the odds of it making it before I was supposed to leave was slim to none. Well that is if is was up to me, not God. I told God the very day I applied, when my anxiety about possibly having to tell Phyllis I am a total slacker and I didn't get my junk together in time was at it's peak, that if He wanted me to go that it would all work out. And work out it did! My passport arrived 7 days later at 8:30 in the morning! It was official, I was going to the Dominican. 

The hardest part about leaving, was leaving Brent and the kids. I had never spent that much time away from all three of them. I have always considered myself a pretty humble person. Maybe thinking I am humble is the complete opposite of actually being humble! Haha! Nothing prepared me for the next seven days. Just entering the country is an experience in itself. These cities aren't like American cities. No beauty in even the most populated city. Then we traveled outside the city to what is referred to as a dump community because the community is literally built around and on a dump. You can't imagine. These people know nothing else other than living day in and day out on a dump. I found myself many days just watching the kids play. Four little children around the ages of 4 or 5 were outside there homes playing with a  broken box having the time of their lives. Seriously, not a care in the world. Many of the children found materials from the dump and made their own kites, tails and all. And, they flew!! One morning we arrived while the school was serving breakfast. At every table there was at least one child sharing their breakfast. This caught me by surprise because this is all they get. I mean if they don't eat this it is nothing till lunch and still they share. It just broke my heart. I am a teacher so I am around children all day and have been for twelve years. I rarely see this. Occasionally a child will share a snack, but it is because they want something someone else has. Even my own kids! I am not being critical. I love each and every one of these children, it is just the difference between Americans and a 3rd world country. They had this sad little playground for the school kids to play on. I mean the equipment was probably older than me. I felt pity for them wanting to raise money for a new playground, until someone said, " Dana, they don't need a new playground.  They need food!" She was right. I am a total American. I want the biggest and best for these kids because we think the best is what we need to be happy. All we need is the love of our Lord and Savior. 

He will provide. 

These people literally rely on Him for their daily bread. 

I have never had to do that. Even though we have it we should still rely on Him for these things. We just think we are doing these things all on our own. Not true! I have done a lot of worrying in my life and needlessly so. Give it to God and He will provide. Maybe not in the way we want, but He will always provide. His way is so much better than our way anyway! He knows what we need so much better than we know what we need. 

One day the ball they were playing basketball with was flat. Not a little low on air, FLAT! and they still played basketball with it. Happily!! These kids smile all the time. They are so happy to be there. Being there and seeing that they are so happy with so little made me so sad that I have ever, ever complained a day in my life. I have food, clothing and shelter for my family. We aren't rich by American standards, but by worldly standards we are. I never have to worry about how I am going to feed my kids. They never have to worry about when they are going to get their next meal. This trip made me so much more humble and thankful than I every was before. Even if you are not called to the mission field full time, everyone should go at least once to experience the other side of the world. You know it goes on. You see it on T.V. hear the stories, but to see it up close and personal will change you in a way that only seeing in person can. 

I reread a wonderful book called Crazy Love (also God calling me to do so right before my trip and finishing while there). 

The author in the last chapter reminds us that we will all stand before God and account for our lives. What did we do with what He gave us? It reminded me that I don't do nearly enough with the gifts He has given me. I don't feel God is calling me to do mission work in 3rd world countries, but I feel heavily in my heart that He is calling me to do it right in my backyard. I have thought about doing it for to long I need to take action. Rereading this book while on this trip has had me listening to God about these things. It is easy to talk yourself out of what God is calling us to do. I am the best at it. I have great intentions! But when I meet God do I want to tell him I had good intentions or that like Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. I pray everyday that this trip did not change me for the moment, but forever! 

I will end with the church service on the Sunday before we left. I have attended many churches in my life. I grew up in church. Attended churches of friends. Went to different churches while in college even attending my husbands church in his hometown over the years. But not ever in my life have I experienced the Holy Spirit like I did in that little church built with four cement walls. Lined with flimsy plastic chairs to sit in with a hand painted banner hanging up at the front of the church that read The Messiah is the Reason. Loosely translated because my Spanish is no good!! Haha!! I understood none of what the pastor was saying or the words being sung by the beautiful women singing God's praises, but I still felt the Holy Spirit so clearly I was in tears the entire service. I know for those of you who know me isn't saying much because I cry all the time, but not like I do when the Holy Spirit is concerned. When they brought out the tithing basket and put it at the front of the church and these people who have nothing gave all they had, I was moved like never in my life. 

We complain, and yes we all do it, about giving ten percent to church. Always finding reasons why we can't or don't have it and these people have nothing and gave it all!! Wow!! There aren't words. I just can not explain in words my emotions at that time. These people literally have nothing we would consider reason to praise and thank God and yet they do. Just more affirmation that we don't need a single earthy possession to praise God and be happy doing it. P.S. I still really love my clothes and house and food. Haha!! God just reminded me on this trip I don't need them to be happy. I just need Him!! And so with that I thank and praise Him with such joy in my heart!! I know that no matter what crappy things happen in this life that we have eternity to enjoy with Him in heaven!! 

I also want to add that I miss my dear friend, Phyllis!! I love you and miss seeing you whenever I want. But mostly I miss our Jesus talks!! I love you and thank God for you everyday!! 

(Dana and I had a little cry fest church morning.  We pretty much wailed in the hallway alone because we couldn't breathe through the tears.  Our friendship bring glory to the Lord, why do we have to separate this much, we asked each other!  I learned what it means to surrender friendship.  I had never considered it until my bff mentioned it.  Dana is the most Godly woman I know.  She has always been my Jesus BFF, since the first day I saw her write "In Him" on a card when we taught kindergarten.  She understands every-single-thing I say about Jesus and my love for Him without thinking anything is crazy about it, because she knows the feeling of the Spirit consuming feeling, too.  I have grown so much in the Lord with her since the first day I met that girl!!  I miss her dearly.  I miss talking to her about Jesus whenever we want. Shooting texts about how awesome Jesus is and what He did that day.  A quick call to tell a cool story.  Done. I hate not being able to go for lunch and chat for 2 hrs straight about our Lord. 

I learned that I need to just take it all to Jesus.  He let us be friends and that we will thank Him for!!  I may miss Dana's spiritual guidance and wisdom, but it is okay.  I always have the Lord to run to when I need to talk.)

Mission Trip: Day 2

Day 2
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Cienfuegos

My girls and I huddled in the hallway of our rooms and prayed it up to our Father for the day and week ahead of us.  Nothing warms my heart like praying with these girls.  To think that the majority of us were not apart of a church 10 yrs ago, some not even 5 years ago, and now we are all serving our Lord in a 3rd world country.  We are all now Saved...ahhhhmazing! I still dont understand how Heather Linn came to the DR.  Jesus.  He reigns. 



These arent just any girls.  These are my sisters in Christ.  We were all together in a Bible study the last few years and some of them I have worked alongside of as teachers.  I am a proud mama bear (they call me that sometimes and I dont mind!) of their life change.  Glory to God for what He has made each of us.   We thanked Him for continually molding us.  I didn't just meet them at school.  There were purposes for each of us 4 (Heather, Dana, and Belinda) to work at Chain of Lakes Elementary (COLE) in WH, Florida.  Orchestrated for reasons for our Lord to do His will! We do not believe in chance and coincidences, we believe in a Sovereign Lord.  God worked that out and positioned us to be friends, to invite each other to church, to stand by one another as we grow in the Lord, and to now be on this soil soooo far from home.  I thank You, Lord, for using us!!  (It really is a big deal to invite people to church, just saying).  I remember when I didnt graduate on time for a mistake on USF's part and how I didnt start teaching in the fall.  Instead, I had to take a semester off and intern with Lisa Chase at COLE in 2nd grade.  I was devasted that it didnt work out as I had planned, but this is exactly why I had to intern there. They hired me mid-year when someone moved to NC.  This is where I met these girls and now do life with them.  God is good.


Two of my other friends from COLE said they were coming next year, too, on a mission trip.  They have been attending RPC and I just want to cheer that they are faithfully going to church!  After all these years of invites, I move, and they start gong!  HAHA.  I am fine with that! 

So, Erica works for the police department and we met at church.  It was actually a "setup"  of a friendship through a mutual friend and I didnt know until later that someone suggested that we should be friends.  HAHA.  That still cracks me up.

So, we headed over to the school on a small rented bus/van.  It sat about 25, I think.  I am guessing, I didnt count.

It is located in a town called Cienfuegos.  The name is 100 fires.  At one time, this area of squatter homes were damaged by many fires and now lays a town that is ridden with crime and poverty.  The garbage dump community is within walking distance of our work-site.  People eat, sleep, raise families, and die in the trash dump.  We didnt get a chance to go there and I didnt want to anyway.  I saw it in Honduras and I cant do anything but cry when I go, so it didnt matter that it was off limits to the American teams.  To stay safe, we were told not to walk alone anywhere and to be aware of our surroundings.  I felt safe enough and ventured back and forth as needed alone.  I always ask God to tell me when danger is present and He does, so I just went to the bathroom as needed.

A young girl had been used as a human shield recently and was in a wheelchair.  It is said that the man that did it is now dead.  The details were not explained and I wasnt too sure what happened, but I know the mother is looking for life change and TrashMountain is looking to partner with RPC to help the living situation of this girl and her family.


Medical Team:
The medical team from Kansas was amazing and served about 74 this first day.  They rocked it.  I loved meeting them.  We had some great conversations with the other girls and I was excited to see what the week brought our way serving with them.  RPC Dream Team girls were in charge of working/playing with the kids as they awaited the nurses/doctors for care of things like rashes, cuts, bruises, intestinal issues, respiratory issues, lice, vitamins, dehydration, etc.  They took vitals of the kids and charted their progress since the last mission team was down.  We didnt know that we were going to be doing this for 2 days, so we really had to improvise and find things at the school to be "flexible."

The boys were all up at the technical school working on the 2-story building that was made out of cement and wood.   It was very hot up at the school.  They worked their booties off.  I think this was the day that Luke cut his hand on a scaffold and the doctor stitched him up with her "fake glasses, the real ones are at the hotel" and a little one helped cut the stitches.  Good times as sweat poured off his body and he almost passed out. 

PS This building was very different than the homes that we threw up in Honduras.







`

Mission Trip '12: Kids with a Hope Santiago, DR RidgePoint Church

Day 1
Team flew into Santiago Airport at 8:30PM

Heather and I spent the day at the pool with my student, Eddily, as we waited the arrival of our mission team.  She warmed up to Heather very quickly as if they were long lost BFFs.  :)  She was so outgoing and silly!  I love that kiddo. We had a late lunch, so we took leftovers with us for dinner, and grabbed a cab at 730PM.  We non-stop chatted the whole way to the airport.  I have treasured my time with Heather this weekend. 

The second I saw Dana and Pastor Timm come out of the building, my heart jumped!  I haven't seen Dana in so long and I just wanted to squeeeeeeeeze her!   Pastor Timm and Pastor JJ always have the biggest smiles and giant hugs to share.  Then the rest of the team flooded in.  BIG hugs were given all around...the kind where you linger on each one because you miss the person, then before you release it is a tight squeeze.  I think the words that would put those kinds of hugs into perspective would be:  I freaking love and miss you!  My favorite. I love these girls.  They were all once in my Jesus Group.

Stephanie wasn't on the flight.  I got word that she had to stay back because of health issues.  I know she was so disappointed to not join us :( but there was no other alternative. 

We got to our hotel and I had my own room.  As ridiculous as it is, I was happy to have some alone time.  I had a large bed, candy bars in a basket, and a fridge of beverages.  This hotel room was filled with American goodies for us.  Yessss!  My A/C wasn't cold.  Seriously?  I live without A/C here, I should have the coldest A/C of the team this week!!  I didnt ask to be moved because I figured the slightly cool air would do just fine because I wanted to be on the same floor as my girls.

Stayed up a little chatting with the girlies, then we hit the sack for our first day of work.

Guest Blogger: Heather Linn

Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic

                  Philly asked me to blog about my experiences in her new hometown. At first, I seriously did not want to. Once I began to experience everything in her town though, it became apparent that I needed to/wanted to. There is so much to share with everyone.

The Town

                  When in town, the buildings and homes look just as I pictured a third world country to look. Things are crammed into small shops that look like they might fall over if you touch them wrong. The homes are small and have tin roofs that look like they are about to rust right through. The town bustles with people walking in and out of the various shops. There are people driving literally everywhere. The motos are not concerned with any of the traffic flow. They are willing to go the wrong way on one way streets, ignore traffic signals, run over pedestrians, etc.

                  The natural surroundings are BEAUTIFUL! There are mountains all around that are covered with lush, green forests. There are several areas to observe the rushing of the rivers and experience the beauty of the waterfalls. I spent most of our driving time in awe of the countryside. One of the river/waterfall areas that we went to has flecks of gold in the sand on the bottom. The water is so crystal clear that the gold is easily reflected by the sun. We took a hike down this area, going over various rocks and barriers in the way. I spent some time sitting on a large rock and just looking in all directions. It is impossible to put into words how gorgeous this area of the country is. It is completely non-commercial. There is no cost to get there, no man-made areas to traverse, no guide to take you on the pre-determined pathway; just completely natural. I was always amazed that the city could seem so depressed when surrounded by so much beauty. I have to think that this is God’s gift to the people in Jarabacoa. It is a reminder that there is hope and beauty in their country despite their current living situation.

My Experiences

                  On the side of all the roads there is a channel. In this channel, supposedly there is water run-off from the mountain. Judging from the look and smell of the water, there are some areas where this run-off is mixed with sewage. We were walking home from the pool, in an area that smelled like it had sewage in it. We passed a lady that was running a hose in the channel to capture the water to put in her home. I do not know what her intention was with this water, I cannot imagine a household use that it was acceptable for.

                  Luke, Phyllis, and myself enjoyed dinner at a restaurant called Pizza Pepperoni. The restaurant is open air, covered by a roof. The seating is only white plastic lawn chairs; simple, but adequate. The food was really good. We were able to share a barbeque chicken pizza. We asked for the Olympics to be broadcasted on one of the four televisions. We translated it using an iphone app, and sent Luke to ask due to his amazing ability to get whatever he wants.  The waiter said sure, and put on Nascar. I’m sure they thought that most redneck Americans would be happy with that. We just laughed and tried to stream it online once we returned.

                  On Sunday we went for a drive after lunch. We stopped at a gas station on the way and went in to get some drinks. I was in line paying for mine, the person ahead of me was purchasing 2 beers. He paid for them, and the cashier proceeded to open them for him to enjoy on the road. This made me feel super safe.

                  On the way home there was a traffic jam. It was ultimately caused by a car accident. There was a fatality, and the person just laid there. I was amazed how acceptable death was by all the parties involved. People were calmly making statements to the police while standing relatively close to the dead person. There was no ambulance there trying to revive him, no sheet to cover him. He was just there in the street. Dead. 

Last Thoughts

                  Philly is doing good things there in Jarabacoa. She hasn’t moved mountains by starting a town saving ministry, but that isn’t really her style. She still shines her light where ever she goes. She has made some personal relationships with people. If you know her, you know a relationship with her often opens doors to a relationship with Jesus. I am really proud of her for following God and moving here. The move couldn’t have been easy. She no longer lives the cushy life that she did here in the states. The basic living necessities were provided by her employer and church, and she has Jesus. It is apparent that she has everything that she needs.

Heather Linn is in the DR!

Bestie flew in at 8:30ish! 

I was so excited to get her at the airport.  I was a bit worried about her flying alone into the country because she hates flying, but it went well and I was very proud that she did it alone.  I prayed it up all morning asking for Him to give her peace and to make things smooth.

I wont go into detail about her stay here because she is going to guest blog today about her trip.

I just wanted to say that I had some of the most fun ever with her in such little time;  lots of giggles, chatting, and catching up on life.  I wish she was here longer.  She was in Michigan prior to coming to the DR, so time was limited on coming early.

We live too far from each other.  I need more of that silliness in my life.

Psalm 46:10 Be still...

the last 2 weeks at church:
So, church 2 weeks ago, we didn't have electricity, so we did without the entire service.  Most people huddled to the right pews for the windows' breeze.  This week we had a guest speaker, American guy.  A storm was brewing and the wind was throwing leaves in through the top windows.  Some of the lights were flickering and the band had technical issues.  So the speaker was umm, he was very loud. He clapped a lot to pay attention, and screamed "are you listening" in Spanish several times.  I was freaked a little at first, then I got the giggles so badly.  I was having to put my head in my lap and pray for God to help me stop laughing.  It didn't work.  I was literally convulsing with laughter trying to keep it in.  I was a kid in church, for sure!  Luke and Naomi were of no help and looking at them would make me have a fit.  I think the church van hit 29 people again and little Rosmairys sat on my lap to make more room.

We went to the falls yesterday and my student Eddily joined us.  I love that Ethan has a playmate and I must admit,  I love talking with her Jesus loving heart!  She spits things out all the time that just makes my heart happy.  I was coming out of the bathroom and she was singing her own little ditty "Beeeee still!   Anddddd know I am God.  Psalmssssss 46:10"  I stopped her after I realized what she was singing and said, "tell me again what the words are??"  As if she is speaking to me, from God:  "Ms. Brayyydee (as she pronounces it), Be still and know that I am God."  I could keep this child forever (mainly because she swiffered most of my house and told Ethan she didnt want to play and came back to me asking if she could clean instead).  Seriously, though,  I have the quote on a mirror in my room, yet she spoke so loudly reminding me.  I smiled and explained it to her.  I know she already knows.  So, we were walking the path in the woods to the waterfall and Eddily said she loved the heart-shaped leaved plant . It is a vine that has leaves that are perfected shaped like hearts.   I whispered for God to speak through her for me and asked, why do you think God made them like that?  She popped back in her matter of a fact, why do you bother to ask me such questions tone, "He do it to tell us that He loves us!"  The very first time I saw that leaf, He told me the same exact thing.  I told her that He told me that, too.  That what she said isn't just something she thinks, but God told her that in her heart.  I reminded her about the Trinity and what it means.  I reminded her of what Jesus said in Acts as we walked swinging hands and talked about how God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one.  I told her how the Holy Spirit told her that and that the SAME Holy Spirit told me that same thing months ago!  That God wanted us both to know that!  And, that He wants us to know that we can hear Him.  It is in the little confirmations like that that rejuvenate me.  I thought about that most of the night and still this morning.

She is learning how to swim and I am so proud of her courage!!  She is a little intimidated by Luke but he is growing on her slowly.  We were trying to get her to swim to him and she was a bit scared, so I said, "do you want to pray about it?"  He was a bit far from her, too, and she didnt think she could make it to him.  Honestly, I didn't think she was going to say yes to praying, I was just saying it bc it sounded right for the moment.   (Ridiculous, I know)  She quickly said yes.  She scooted her little heinie by the steps and went away, alone, to pray.  I watched her close her eyes, lay her head to the wall, and rest in the Lord.  I said, "thank you, Lord."  I love that she can rest there and KNOWS it! We all can rest there, but whether we do it is the thing and know that we can.  Child-like faith.  She popped back over READY to take on this task now with God. 

She made it.  I think we were way more excited for her!!  She told me that she did it because God helped her when she asked Him and that because He loves her.  Afterward, I asked her if she remembered to thank God for it and she said yea, she already did.  She already did??  Seriously, Eddily.  She boggles my mind with her relationship with the Lord at the age of 7.  SEVEN. 

Eddily's sister is in NY for the summer, so she hasnt been going to church.  She and her sister go alone, she says.  So, I told her from now on she is coming over on Sundays and going with me.

We had a big BBQ with all the newbies last night.  It was cool to sit at a table with all these new people starting a "journey."  I thanked God for being able to be there at that moment, at that table. 

I love to people watch.  I love to watch their reactions and interactions with others. 

New Roomie Arrives

When did July 25th get here??  Oh my. 

I'm sitting quietly sipping some coffee.  No music or sermons playing this morning.  

My new roommate just got into town late last night with her boyfriend.  She is from Illinois and he is from Oregon.  Things are going dandy so far.  We won't have another roommate, as far as I know.  We are still in desperate need of teachers for the fall, but I know God knows what He is doing.  My girl's name is Anne Marie.  She is 23 years old and just graduated college.  She hasn't taught yet and she will be my 1st grade teammate as well.  This works out well with teaching because for some reason I don't get specials (PE/ART/COMP) with the other 1st grade class and planning is non-existent with that person.  She and I can plan and discuss at home. 

Naomi and I made extra dinner for them and then we all went out for Frozen Yogurt.  While we were waiting to pay (money in my hand) and the rest to order their choices,  Luke and I saw the little boy that God has been speaking me about every time I have seen him. He is a "shoe shiner boy."  He didnt have his box with him today because it was late.  I asked his name and we spoke a little with him, I asked him if he wanted my ice cream, he said no, that he needed money for food.   So I gave him my ice cream money and let Naomi pay my bill :)  He actually came back with this massive mouthwatering hoagie sandwich.  We chatted a bit about church and school. 

That's it for today, I have to start getting ready, Eddily is coming over soon.

Come Away With Me

We went to Cabarete today.  I gave the day a 10.  Just glorious.  There is something about the sea that screams GOD.  Right?  That calmness that you can't describe. You just cant find it anywhere else on this planet but when your bottom is planted on the beach somewhere-- as the vastness of the waters engulfs your crazy head and causes PEACE.  Ahhh.  I love it.  Even if you swear there is no God, when you get to the beach you know that there is "something to this beauty."  God. 

Jaci took the van and we piled in a bunch of gringos and dominicanos early this morning.  Luke drove like an absolute crazy man, yet we always felt safe and I'm not too sure why.  We had to stop to pee and everyone jumped out at this corner-store at about 930AM.  The bathroom they let us use was in their house.  I just said HOUSE.  They let about 5 strangers line up- one by one and use their home's bathroom.  5 people that are not natives of their country.  Picture this in America.  This would never happen.  We would never open our house for 5 foreigners to come on in and line up and use the restroom speaking another language.  "They could rob or kill us!  They are strangers!"  Not here.  You are in dire need of a bathroom? Well, come on in!" They actually offered up a couch, too, for us to sit and wait.  Seriously?   I went back to the van to grab some cash and ask the Dominican youth kids about how much and they said, "No!  You dont have to pay them.  You have to use the bathroom, just go!  Of course they let you in to do that, you should let someone use the bathroom!"  My Spanish isnt great but that is what  I understood.  This blew my mind.  I ran back in and peed and hoped Toshi knew how to flush bc Nay and I didnt know how.  I always keep a roll of toilet paper in my purse in a baggie (in case it rains adn my purse gets soaked while I am walking), so we didnt have to use up their supply.  (I think we used this roll about 3 different times today. Thank goodness, i had it, a lot of places dont!) I told the family eating breakfast thank you so much in Spanish and layed some cash on the table.  They tried to talk back but I kept walking bc I wanted to leave money.   (The bathroom also had a bathtub and the shower head was high on the wall but was a faucet, not a spray spout.  The house was small and baby chicks were running around the corner-store and the house.)  I brought this back up twice on the ride.  I couldnt stop thinking about how OPEN they were to strangers.  Wow.  We headed to paradise :)

I instantly smile when I see the ocean.  How can you not?  I whisper, "Hey, God! Morning."  <3

I hear Him so well when I am at the beach/laying in the sun at the pool/roof.  For me to listen, I need to quiet my thoughts and shutdown my inner-voice.  Be still.   I talk to the Lord all the time throughout my day.  Sometimes, I even forget I am not alone and I will find myself audibly speaking to Him at the store.  BUT there is a difference when I am just sitting or laying there.  I can stop my mind of all other things and just BE STILL and ask Him, "what do You have to say to me today?"  He always answers.  Maybe not what I want to hear, but I get answers.  I am working through a few things and searching for guidance.  Actually, clarity.  I know one part, yet the other is still yet to be revealed. The main thing He said was just come enjoy Me today.  Be here and Be still.  So I did.  I layed out half sleeping and half praying while reading my Passport book on a missionary.  I ask the Lord why am I reading about little kids that are sleeping in trees in Sudan because they dont have homes??  All the while, I am laying on the beach enjoying the feeling of being wrapped in the love of my Lord.  Why are these kids falling out of trees and dying from hyenas eating them when they drop?  Why are widows and children the biggest people group in Sudan that are dying of lack of basic needs?  All the while, I am laying on the beach enjoying His presence and beauty.  I DO NOT UNDERSTAND and He didnt answer that part.  He just said, "Come away with me, love.  Calm yourself and just be here, right now."  He loves those kids just as much as He loves me and I wont ever understand why I get to sleep in safety every night and I have never had to cry to God that I am starving.  I am thankful for what I have and what He will continue to provide. 

I understand evil and I understand that we, as humans, have created this off balance feature where we overuse/abuse.  I just don't understand why I get to live a beautiful, very loved life and there are others that are dying unspeakable deaths.  I put my book down to just breathe it all in.  Be still and be here.


Sometimes if people are talking around me, I get off centered. So I moved to quiet myself, so I did that by sitting by the water and then, walking a little.  I require more alone time then most people.  It isnt good or bad, it is just how I am wired.  I hear Him clearer when I am just with Him figuring things out.


The water always reminds me how awesome He is.  I find myself telling Him how cool, majestic, magnificent, beautiful, creative, awesome, etc etc He is in nature.  I repeat it over and over as He reveals Himself.  I have actually never seen sea urchins until today.   I secretly wished my brother Michael was there because he would eat it up!  Ethan found some sort of sea cucumber, I think.  God, those are so cool!  It was gathering into a ball every time I would pick it up at one side.  It was incredibly gooey and gross, too!  Haha!  I always find myself asking God why He made so many funky things you find in the sea...  He is more creative and brilliant than we can even grasp in our little minds.  His depths...we just dont even know.  I thank Him for all the cool things and today for that sea cucumber and this fluorescent green plant I kept seeing that was incredible to the eye.

I praised Him for this time we have  right now to bask in His love as we adjust to this new home.  We are on summer break from school and it has been so  nice to have downtime from the CRAZINESS of the last few months of life.  I am so blessed.  He is so good to me.  I have needed this time so badly to just regroup on life change.  As I sat on the beach and watched them surf, I told God I didnt know why He allowed us to be there and enjoy His Earth and magnificence today, but that I thank Him for this day and what He has given me.    I prayed for guidance and reassurance of my future.  I thanked Him for promising to never leave me or forsake me (Heb 13:5) and for ADVISING my perfect path when I seek His counsel and that He WATCHES ME (Psalms 32:8).  He reminded me that, "Child, I moved you there.  Soon enough, when you are ready, I will reveal what is next.  Sit and bask what I have created for you right now and leave the future to me.  You cannot conjure up what ONLY I can do."  I want to yell, "send us into the war zone", so to speak.  Get the ball rolling!  That isnt what is intended right now.  I told Him my requests and what I thought and told Him I will do as He says, never moving forward without His guidance. I have learned so much about myself the last 5 months.  I have learned a lot about Who He is, too.  And in the last few weeks, the Ostbergs and I are learning to communicate as a unit.  We have been friends for years, but there is a huge difference living upstairs from one another and working in ministry on a daily basis together and hanging out with friends on special occasions.  I didn't expect this part the way it is unfolding.  God is working on us and through us.  This isn't a small part of the picture.  IT IS A HUGE part of what is to COME.  Laying the foundation, if you will.  That is what He tells me.  He does not "waste time."  Jesus keeps repeating that to me.  This down time is for a purpose. 

This part is IMPERATIVE. 

I came home to my friend Melissa leaving a message on Facebook about one of my Honduras posts.  I went back to read it and God spoke very loudly to me about it.  Jeony waits on the Lord.  I will, too.  I texted Naomi tonight about a possible decision and she texted back to always do what God says to do no matter what. 

There is no other option, I told her.  If God does not tell me to do it, I can't do it.  I can't say yes to an opportunity if God does not specifically tell me to do it.  My faith rides on Him directing my path.  I am teaching 1st grade in a few weeks unless God says otherwise before then!

I wish He would give some more specific DIRECTIONS these days.  :)  Until then, Ill be still and seek Him.

Dear Jesus, I love You MUCHO!!  <3

I Will Not Go to Africa

I planned on writing an entry tonight.  I scribbled down ideas as the night progressed without power with a candle for some light, then never got around to doing it.  So, here it is almost 2AM and I am writing one that has nothing to do with any of my little notes. 

Instead, I crawled into bed to read some of my book Passport Into Darkness:  A True Story of Danger and Second Chances. And, now it has caused this blog entry. 

Today, I decided to jump on a moto over to the pool alone (such a blessing that JCS staff has free access to this pool, especially when our power is out for the majority of the day and we are sweating!) to read in the comfort of the daylight.  Luke told me when they got to the pool later that he has read about half of it.  I barely got off the first 2 pages because every time I crawl into bed, I can't bring myself to read those pages in the dark.  Tonight, I decided to keep reading to catch up. 

The book is about this mother/wife that was "climbing the ladder" in her successful American Dream life, and then God sends her to Sudan to battle trafficking.  She speaks about how she has never wanted to go to Africa; how it actually freaked her out to even consider it. 

Ohhht.

That is me. 

Africa.freaks.me.out. 

I joke with Naomi and Luke about it, but it seriously makes me freak in my head.  I tell God all the time,  "Thanks for not sending me to Africa," when I hear stories about it.  As I layed in bed, I realized I need to hand that over to Him.  Even if He never sends me there, I need to let it go.  Surrender is soooooooo hard and I am not a fan of it. So i roll over in bed, tears on my temples, and spread my arms out wide like the cross (I dont know why I do this, it just usually what happens when I am surrendering an aspect of life).

I will always go wherever He leads.  It is what I WANT to do even if IT FREAKS ME OUT. (Why does that make me choke up and make my eyes tear up just typing it?  I actually know why.  I don't like telling God I don't want to do something He might ask of me.)

 ::deep breath and slow release::

Earlier today, I was such a brat to God.  Totally complaining about something so ridiculous, so ridiculous that I don't want to admit it and how selfish it is compared to this world. I actually started an email to my Jesus Group girls in FL asking for prayers for it because I swore "God wants me to keel over and die" keeping me single this long.  This is a better way of putting it.  God got the raw side of it and it wasn't pretty in the words I used on top of that "keeling over" BS.  I never sent the email. 

Then, I get into bed and read the most horrific story about this woman named Rebekah that was running from the Janjaweed gangs in Sudan and had to leave her "2 rainy seasons old" baby behind because he was shot in a raid while her daughter tried to get him to safety.  Her daughter was caught and maliciously gang-raped feet in front of her but she couldn't do anything or her other baby, on her back, would be killed, too, so she laid there quietly in the tall grass.  Little did she know that when she could finally feed her baby again, he was already dead.  He was shot while she was running for her life amongst the bombs and fires.  She couldn't bury him properly because they were still hiding and making little moment.  She said she knew he wasn't alone and that the hyenas would get him soon.  Rebekah said that they gang-rape the women and then continue to use sticks to rape them and rip out their "womanhood," so they could no longer make Christian babies.  She stayed low for days without food and water, watching people around her dying at the hands of starvation and the Janjaweed.

I got up out of bed.  Spoke audibly to God that I can't handle knowing this is real!  That this is His world and to FIX IT! and headed to the bathroom to pee.  Sitting there I put my elbows on my knees and my hands on my cheeks and wept.  Living a celibate lifestyle is nothing compared to what others endure in this world.  I am ashamed at how ridiculous I can be.  What the heck am I complaining "isnt fair???"

This woman's story is horrific.  What are we doing as Christians to alleviate this?  Not just this, freaking everything.  We get so caught up in this life we are building that we ignore so much that is even happening in our own country, so that we aren't bothered.  Throw me in there.  I suck at life, too.

I don't realize what is going on out "there."  Or do I?  I read it and tomorrow or the next day, I will be back to day-to-day business.  I dont want to do that.  This isnt the first time I have heard of such things.

I would be lying if I said I didn't tell God that I would rather not know about this "other world."  I would be lying if I didn't ask God to go back to America and just do whatever the heck I feel like doing. 

I do. I have. 

We, Him and I, are working through this.  Preparing us for what He has to come to do His work.   God told me that He does not waste time.  Charles Stanley told me yesterday that God said it, too.  Just in case I wasnt sure if it was God, He had Stanley tell me again!!:)  When He gets us ready, then we will be ready.  I am not ready.  Yet.  I will be when He is done molding.  More on that tomorrow or something. 

I've got to get back to my book that I dont want to read and don't want to know about. 

I still don't ever WANT to go to Africa.   And, it makes me tremble to admit to God that I will if He Wills. 

Salon

I had only been in a salon to get my hair done once before I moved to the DR.  As a kid mi madre always cut my hair and when I figured out how to do it myself, I took over cutting it.   The white started around 19 and then really started to take over in my late 20s, so I started to dye it black to cover it.  My Pops gave me some lovely eyes and some not so lovely white hair.  In the last year or so Heather, my bff, has been dying it for me.  Now, I am in teh DR and my colorist is in FL, or so I like to call Heath that!  What was once a bit white here and there, has totally turned into most of my roots are white now.  Before I went to the shop today, I seriously thought about asking her to make it white and see what it would be like. Let's be honest, I've learned a lot of Spanish, but I'm not so sure I could communicate that correctly and I didnt want to chance it.  Heather sent me a box of my cheap black dye i used in FL, so I know I can always apply that if something happens.  Ha!  I decided to go to the salon last month because it was so inexpensive here.  I went lighter, but I wasn't too sure if I was going to go back to brownish black or back to my black/blue color I have had for years.  I figured I would figure it out when she asked.

I went to the same place.  It is seconds from the house.  As you walk up, the blue building has two doors, open wide.  No air conditioning.  The lights are off, but there is enough sunlight to light the place up adequately.  There is a better place in town that has AC, but I just like this place.  I dont even know why.  The music is blaring and Yanelly is singing as loudly as possible. Okay, I like it for reasons like this.  I smile at her because if it was socially acceptable in the US to sing like that I would have been doing it for years!  Ha!  Here in the DR, it is! So sing it, girl!  I sit down on a couch and tell her "color, por favor".  I wait a few minutes for them to finish the other lady.  The lady next to me had her hair done in curls with the flat iron.  When she was done, they wrapped her hair all the way around her head in pins, then placed the beanie on it.  I dont see how those curls would stay when she takes it down, but it does.  I saw them do this to straight hair last time, too, and it stays straight with the wrap around.  I cant seem to figure it out for the life of me how curls and straight hair stays the same with the the same technique!

So I survey the area b/c I knew I was going to write a blog about this experience.  The ceiling had mold growing on them, but so does the two back bedrooms of my house and my dining room's ceiling.  It is common here with the moist air.  There are 4 posters on the walls.  Picture the 1980's large posters of hair models.  Plus, a half naked guy for a calendar poster.    There are two shelves that have two mannequin heads, 6 pairs of shoes for sale (I assume), and some random things.  My colorist is in flops, stretch workout pants, a tshirt, with reddish,blonde, strawberry hair up in a knot.  I think the rule is that if I dont like her hair, I really shouldnt get mine done there...but I still do! 

Kaylei finished with the lady and started to mix some stuff up.  She didnt even ask what I wanted, she just mixed and started to apply it to my roots.  What the heck color am i getting, I was wondering!  Surprise!  You get whatever she wants today.  I secretly hope it is a color I would never pick because I dont have the huevos to go outside my norm.  Hehe.  The brown threw me for a loop last time and it took guts to make a change. Mosquitoes are biting my legs and i was trying to kill them before they gave me malaria or dengue, because that is my first thought every time I see a mosquito now b/c I'm a little paranoid about them.

My new colorist is getting dye all over my face and I remember how Heather did a much better job at this.  HAHA.   The power cut off and she yelled "Ay Dios Mio!"  I dont even like typing that, but I dont know how to abbreviate it.  (Side note:  when I worked in a restaurant years ago called LongHorn Steakhouse, I worked with this lady that was "religious."  I didnt know Jesus and wasn't going to church either.  I remember one time she stopped me in the kitchen and said "I want you to know that you offend me when you yell God, da**it!  I really wish you would stop saying it."  I didnt know it was so bad to say, to be very honest.  They are just words, I remember thinking...along with thinking "lady, shut up."  Now, it pierces my ears like nothing else when I hear it!!  I really stopped saying it so much that very day because she brought it to my attention.  Let me also add that this lady also felt the need to tell me that my brother, that is a homosexual, is going to hell for his lifestyle.  Meanwhile, she was talking to a person that was not SAVED (me) and could careless that I was going to hell, but badly wanted to let me know my brother was "burning for his sin."   I am pretty sure I told her to go to hell that day.   I didnt realize that until years later when I accepted Christ as my Savior.  Weeks later I tried a church out with my friend and saw her there.  Bahaha.  I never went back to that church because she attended there and although, i was searching for something, i knew I wouldnt be a part of what she was apart of after talking to me like that.

So...back to the shop,  I want to ask her not to say that in front of me, but I dont.  My students say it all the time!  My RULE in the USA and DR:  "You can say whatever Mom and Dad says at home, but in my class, you arent allowed to say those words unless you are talking to Jesus. And if you are, have at it, tell Him I said Hi!"  That is usually how it goes out of my mouth to my kiddos.  I think it is a common expression here, but then again, we could say it is a common expression in the States.  A lady walks in and has to wait, so she goes outside to smoke a cigarette.  I watched her talk loudly outside and then she came back in, with her cigarette.  Sometimes I forget that I smoked for 12 years!  Her cigarette made me want to puke and it reminded me of all those non-smokers that always gave the smokers dirty looks! Not only was she smoking in the room, she decided to use my mirror and smoke right behind me.  Seriously, lady?  Back up and out, actually.  She threw her butt out when she was done and they washed her hair.  She had to wait on the couch for the next step.  She decided to get up and get some cream out of the cabinet and put it in her hair.  No one minded that she was starting her hair without them.  Okeydoke.

My hair was done with color and Yanelly washed it.  Oh, how I have missed out on years and years of someone washing my hair!  Ahhhh, love it.  I told her I loved when she massaged/scratched my head and I swear she did it longer.  I was hoping she would if I complimented her on it :)  She started to dry it and straighten it with the blower.  This process is unlike anything a hairdresser would do in the States.  I know it is horrible for your hair because you can literally see SMOKE with every blow on your head/hair from the heat.  She was actually burning my head. I pulled a few times to let her know that I AM ON FIRE.  Really, i should have pulled a bit sooner but I was trying my hardest to let her just do it, but I couldnt stand it sometimes!   My friend Jessica told me about this and I remembered thinking, why would anyone do it if it burns your head...here I am doing it again.  Your hair looks so amazing after they are done, and THEY DONT even use the flat iron!!   Maybe it isn't worse than the US.  We use those flat irons like crazy.  This is probably the same heat, just using a blower instead of the plancha.  Just as she was to blowing the bottom of my head,  a guy stopped by on his moto and was talking/flirting with the girls.  He decided to take the brush and finish doing my hair.  I have no idea what was going on at this point.  I didn't see him last time I was there.  Maybe he comes to work at 6PM for an hour??  The brush they were using was filled with hairs about a quarter of an inch thick from previous customers.  All in all, it looked perfect and it cost 500 pesos   If she didnt blow dry it straight (100 pesos) it would have been 400, a little more than the Pure Silk Almond Milk at La Sirena.  Crazy cheap to get your hair done.  To have your hair washed and blown only is the same price as coffee creamer :)  The cheap, small one.

QUE!? 

Next time, white with black highlights!  Kidding.  I would love to see what it looks like...Ive seen some older women with it and it looks so cool!