How much rice do you have?

How much rice do you have in your home right now?  If it's anything like mine, I have enough for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for several days.  And if I wanted, I could go buy more right now. 

We were reminded yet again of how rich and "fat" we are with blessings.  One of our AIM staff members was counting his blessings yesterday.  Among them is the fact that he has "just enough" rice for his daily bread.  He doesn't have a surplus and he is not looking for a surplus.  He counts this as a blessing because on a daily basis he has to come before God and pray for tomorrow's daily bread.  As he stated, if he had more than enough, he would not have the opportunity to kneel before God and ask for His provisions. 

I know I regularly sit back and think "I'll pray for this or that" and either ramble off a quick prayer to God or simply forget.  I have never been in the position where I do not know where my next meal is coming from.  Even now as missionaries, we are blessed beyond measure.  Some months will be tighter than others, but we still have a surplus of "rice".  Yet, there is something so rich and amazing I have not gained that many of our Dominican counterparts have.  They rely on God completely for their livelihood.  They rely on him for food, water, shelter, clothing, and anything they need.  And God always provides for them.  It is very humbling to hear story after story about not having enough food to feed their family and God provides through a generous person, a donation, something dropping off a food truck...  The list goes on and on of God's power and mercy.  I pray that my time here in the Dominican will help me to become more faithful in God's power.  I pray I will come to know what it is like to rely on God for food, water, and shelter rather than my own provisions.  I pray I will gain that deeper connection and love for God as He provides for my needs.

 

One of my favorite verses:

"And why do you worry about your clothes?  See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin... So do not worry saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:28-34

Keeping it Spicy

Hola gang!  I wanted to give a quick update for you all and post a few pictures.

First, J was asked to translate two nights ago for some Canadian missionaries who are visiting. Although his initial reaction was fear and frustration at again being pushed outside his comfort zone, he did a great job with the help of the Holy Spirit and, I believe, would be happy to do it again.  I am so proud of all the work he is doing and his acceptance of the stretching by God. It is not easy as you all know.

J's meeting with the association last week went well and it looks like we will begin the ESL classes by the end of September with an hour Bible study twice a week.  This is part of my being pushed outside my comfort zone as I may be leading the ESL portion of the classes.  (I am still working on the courage and peace about this.  I would greatly appreciate your prayers!!)

Lastly, God is so good and continues to place people in our lives reinvigorating our hearts and minds for His work!  We had lunch with a group of Canadian missionaries yesterday who reaffirmed our calling and the necessary work of making disciples.  How humbling it is for God to put likeminded people together from different countries.  Sitting and eating with these Canadians, it's easy to forget that we had worked together with them before without ever having met.  Several of them have a heart for Africa, so who knows what doors may open there.  All I know is God is moving and we better be ready for the bridegroom's return!!!

And for a funny moment in our life:  We have been drinking coffee a little more often as Dominican coffee is really good.  This morning I kept thinking mine tasted a little different but maybe just had a bad flavor in my mouth.  Come to find out, J had added a little chili powder to it rather than cinnamon.  We are keeping things spicy here.  :) 

And now for some pictures, I know you all have been waiting.

Aubrey in an outfit from Lisa Lee!

 A morning shot of Aubrey.  I thought she looked adorable.  :)

 Mommy and Aubrey at a birthday party for one of Pastor Rivas' daughters.

 Some neighborhood friends and Aubrey playing with chalk on the driveway.

 

Aubrey and Loralee relaxing outside.  And, yes, that is a tiny ponytail on top of Aubrey's head.  :)

 

 

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return..." 

Matthew 25:13



Genuine Faith

Hey prayer warriors!  I must say, I love having so many faithful people praying for God's work here in the Dominican and specifically in Sosua.  We are blessed to have you on our team supporting us through everything.  Overall, we are doing great.  Some days are harder than others (more on that later), but I am happy to say that those "rough" days (if you could truly call them that) are fading away and being replaced by that feeling of this is our life and God, we are here to do your work so make us busy!

J continues to have meetings every week with the AIM staff, and they have already come so far in the plan to disciple the local coaches and train the coaches in ways to reach these children.  They meet with the director of the Dominican Christian Sports Association tomorrow to get his input on the organizational plan and his thoughts on what work is needed to be done in this place, so please be praying for this.  We have started gathering information about starting an ESL class/Bible study for the coaches and hope to start by the end of September.  We continue to have the neighborhood kids over to "play" and have started a small children's Bible study with them.  (Believe me, although this sounds like the "Norman Rockwell" neighborhood event, it is exhausting and overwhelming some days- this is when I understand the work we are here to do.)  J preached this past Sunday at a church in Cangrejo and according to him "it went much better, in fact I (J) even made a joke."  We attended a prayer gathering last night with a nearby Haitian church which was awesome, inspiring, amazing... (pick a word).  We praised God alongside our Dominican and Haitian brothers and sisters.  I will try to post a short video from it.  You cannot help but move and praise God with the love you feel pouring out from each one of them. 

Aubrey is doing great, growing and starting to get some of that special attitude all 1 1/2-2 year olds get.  At least when she throws a fit in the grocery store it is in a different country.  :)  She is still getting several teeth and had a little fever tonight, so please be praying for her (and patience for us as we reach this special stage in her life- toddler independence versus parental guidance.) 

And how am I?  Well, that's a great question and. I must be honest, depends on the day.  I love being here in the Dominican and the work we are here to do (who doesn't want to live on a tropical island spreading the Word and love of God to children?).  But, I have a bad habit of measuring my self worth in what I accomplish (I am a to-do list kind of girl.  I will add things to my list just to mark them off.)  Therefore, when my day does not involve going to the hospital for my 12+ hours and taking care of 5 patients or going to the church office and completing the needed tasks, I feel as though I have not accomplished anything.  I have been praying (a lot) about this and finding my place here in the Dominican (by this I mean what work I am here to do).  The majority of our work right now is relationship building (with our AIM staff, with the coaches, with the children, with the community, with community leaders, etc), and I have to come to a place where I accept where and in what position God has placed me.  God is stretching me constantly in everything I have ever known and relied on.  I would appreciate your prayers for this growth and change.  Although I know this brings about growth in Christ, it is hard! 

We love you all!  (I will try to post more pictures soon!)

"These have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."  1 Peter 1:7

Only in the Dominican

Hey gang!  We are definitely settled in now, Praise the Lord!  Overall things have been going very smoothly minus a few inconveniences, but that's to expect with any house and move.  The hardest part has been figuring out things like when the trash comes (according to our neighbor Jose "they come when they want to", us as Americans are still trying to determine the schedule and we have it down to every 6-7 days or so) and how electricity works (aka who do we pay; there is no company you call to set it up, it's just on and you might have to pay a neighbor or someone- according to Pastor Rivas "they will let you know"), how to keep the dogs out of your trash (J currently has the trash can lid tied to the base and the whole thing tied to the fence), and how to keep the chickens out of your yard or better yet how to get them out of your yard (being a city girl, I have no idea how to scare/get chickens to move in the direction you want them to). 

It is quite the adventure and I often say "only in the Dominican."  On that note, J and Checo (part of the AIM team) had practice and VBS with a group of kids today at Cangrejo.  Throughout their practice, I saw 2 pigs, 2 horses and 1 cow grazing/roaming across the field.  That was definitely an "only in the Dominican" moment.

And here is the part you have all been waiting for, more pictures!! 

 Aubrey munching on some cantaloupe.

 You are standing at our front door looking into the living room.

 The kitchen and dining area.

 The kitchen.

 Obviously, the bathroom.

 A picture of Aubrey's dresser.  I thought it was super cute and the knobs are flowers.  :)

 

 We learned a recipe to make banana smoothies; however, the power was out so only a few electrical outlets work.  Therefore, J was using the only one available and blending on his lap.

Aubrey completely enjoying the banana smoothie.  Not sure if you can tell, but she has a moustache and goatee of smoothie. 



And for all you avocado lovers, they hand them out by the dozens down here.  There are several trees right around us and our neighbors keep us well stocked.  Avocado for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack!  (And yes, the avocado truly is the size of Aubrey's head.)

How Great Is Our God

I saw this video tonight and had to post a link.  "How Great is Our God"??!!  Take a few minutes to watch... just amazing. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg5qDljEw7Q

I know I posted this verse 2 days ago, but I think this video gives a perfect picture for Revelation 7:9-10:

"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.  They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 
And they cried out in a loud voice:

'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'"

Predicando (preaching)

Well, J survived his first preaching in Spanish (thanks in large part to all of your prayers).  And although I could not understand everything, I think he did great!  J, however, felt frustrated because he could not speak with the same passion, humor, or vocabulary as he does in English.  According to him, he felt like he sounded like an 8 year old.  But, one of the true blessings is that God can take even an "8 year olds" words and reach somebody for His glory. 

For me, one of the best parts was J's discussion on an insight into heaven (I read the transcript in English before the preaching).  Sometimes at church, we sing songs that were first written in English (most of these you might be familiar with such as Revelation Song or Stronger).  When they sing these songs in Spanish, J and I are often following along but in English.  As it states in Revelation 7:9-10,

"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.  They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 
And they cried out in a loud voice:

'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'"

For us, this is one of those rare moments when we get to be a part of that "every nation, tribe, people and language."  And yet we are only singing in 2 languages!  Can you imagine what it will be like to stand before the throne praising God with brothers and sisters from everywhere (and I mean literally everywhere) with all types of languages?!!  You cannot help but smile throughout Worship especially when God gives you visions such as this. 

 

Our Daddy God continues to lay the path for our feet in the Dominican.  Through His working, we have met several other American missionaries, and we are actually meeting up with one of the couples (who have been here 8 years and have a local school) tomorrow.  God is moving so quickly that I feel like we are sprinting to keep up.  I cannot wait to continue to watch His story unfold and see what He has in store for us.  Thanks again for your prayers and love.  Although we are getting settled and feeling more and more comfortable, we still miss home and each of you! 

 

p.s.  Please keep praying as J has been asked by Mercedes (one of our beloved Haitian sisters in Christ) to preach at her church this Sunday.  I know J is honored to be asked but nervous at the same time. 

Misgivings

I'm sure most of you know, I don't feel like I am very good with children.  Shocker, I know!  I don't know what to say to them other than the hello, how are you, how's school, those types of things.  I'm not good at just playing with them or being goofy, and I know all of this boils down to a lack of confidence with kids.  You put J near a child and they will be laughing in a matter of seconds whereas I stand there awkwardly biding my time. So today, I was asked to help lead the Bible story part of practice at Cangrejo (one of our sites) with the children, and immediately I was panicked!  I mean sheer terror!  I even had the elevated heart rate, sweaty palms, you get the picture.  And I can sit back and say, seriously, over leading a story with children.  But my first thoughts are I don't speak Spanish, I definitely don't read Spanish, I don't know the kids and they don't know me, kids don't like me... (anyone ever read Chicken Little?)  Of course I have the "Hallmark" version of leading the Bible lesson in my mind where I am surrounded by a plethora of children all sitting down quietly, raising their hands to answer a question, smiling, paying attention (you get it), and then lightning strikes and I am brought back to reality. (hold thought there)

(new story with same point) So the last two evenings, we have had a number of our neighborhood children on our driveway playing kickball, tag, hide-and-seek, and bombardo (sort of like dodgeball).  I have found myself almost counting down the time for when we have to say goodnight (and believe me, getting them to come is not the problem, it is getting them to leave- simply bring out a ball and the kids come from everywhere).  Don't get me wrong, it is a blast to watch and witness their excitement and energy, but my lack of confidence keeps me searching ahead for the next game or the next conversation and I don't really enjoy the here and now with them. 

J has told me MANY times in the past 2 weeks that God will hold my hand throughout everything I go through.  He will not lead me somewhere without being right beside me.  And I realized tonight, there is a reason God has opened this door to the neighborhood children.  He is preparing me for whatever lies ahead whether that be leading a Bible story to teams, running a daily VBS in our house, or simply loving on children.  And when (not if) the time comes to lead children in a Bible story, God will give me the courage and strength.  I am praying for that courage right now and for the confidence in myself to just be with these children.  To stop counting down the time and enjoy their life and energy.  I don't know what they have or don't have at home, but I can offer everything I have to them (mind, body and soul) every second I am with them. 

A verse in honor of Bear Creek Preschool Ministries:

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  Matthew 19:14

 

A picture of a new neighborhood friend, Loralee, after she fixed my hair to match hers.

 

p.s.  J's first preaching at Cangrejo on Wednesday went great!  He was able to deliver the message twice, and one specific teen talked to J afterwards about coming back to Christ!!  Praise the Lord!  Please keep him in your prayers.  Also, please keep praying for J's preaching tomorrow night at church.  Thanks for all your continuous prayers!!