Chronological Bible

I’ve mentioned my Chronological Bible in more than one post.  The truth is, right now I don’t have an actual Bible broken into chronological readings.  I gave mine to a dear friend after (carefully!) tearing out the reading plan. 

When I got to Guatemala, however, I realized I had accidentally shipped the pages to the DR.  I was super disappointed.  I’ve been reading through the Bible chronologically for the past few years, and didn’t want to take the whole summer off.  What to do? 

Any of you born after 1976 (and probably many of you born before then, too!) are probably shaking your heads.  Umm… there’s this thing called the Internet, Kim! 

So, at some point, I remembered that I could check the web.  Oh, happy day!  I found a plan to follow.  Sure, it wasn’t quite as easy as having the passages from II Kings, II Chronicles and Isaiah, or Daniel, Ezra and Haggai all grouped together, but it was still a joy to be able to read the unfolding story of God’s glory in chronological order. 

The year is ending this week, and this morning I read one of my favorite verses, Revelation 7:9 where John saw some from all tribes, tongues, nations and languages at the throne. 

I've been using my Nueva Version Internacional, and there is something beautiful and fitting reading these words of prophecy and promise in this new language and country to which God has called me! 

Next week, I’ll start again, “Dios, en el principio, creó los cielos y la tierra.” (Genesis 1:1)

You may already have a way that you like to read through the Bible, but because this has been such a blessing to me, I wanted to share it with you. 

At first, it’s pretty simple, of course, but as it moves from the first books, the drama unfolds, incorporating prophecy, psalms and more into the narrative. 

For example, after David sins with Bathsheba and is confronted by the prophet Nathan, we read Psalm 51.  "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (vs 10).

Understanding how the ‘minor’ prophets fit into the history of the two kingdoms helps explain why they were all so harsh!  Reading all the stories of Jesus’ last week is powerful and moving.  And then, the Resurrection stories, one after the other proclaiming He is Risen – oh, it’s awesome!!

I will admit, at times reading in this way can be challenging - especially in the “Law” passages.  But, to me, it was a good reminder of our need for a Savior - and of how long the Israelites waited for Him.  After nearly ten months of the Old Testament, I was so ready to read Matthew 1! 

Each year I’ve read the Bible this way, I find something new.  It has also enhanced my other reading and studying of the Bible, since I understand how the books are connected in history. 
 
Okay, this is sounding a lot like an advertisement, but I promise I'm not being paid!!  Here’s the link for the online reading plan I used, although there are lots of others, too.  http://oneyearbibleonline.com/index.html?version=58&startmmdd=0101

It lets you choose your version and then takes you to the Biblegateway website where you can read all the day’s passages.  There are also plenty of Chronological Bibles in different versions you can purchase. 

It’s incredible that the Creator of all things has chosen to reveal Himself to us in His Word!  A Chronological Bible is just one more way to learn more about our Triune God, and the story of His glory!

P.S.  If you’re already using a chronological plan, or plan to give it a try, I’d love to hear your feedback.

So Many

“I have so many clothes.  I have a suitcase this big, and even more!  I want to give some of them away to hobos and poor people.  I don’t want to have too many clothes because I don’t want to be like ‘I’m better than you because I have so many.’” 

Amy (age 9) was talking with us at dinner last night.  She’s in a school where she’s learning English and she loves practicing.  It was amazing to hear her use the word, ‘hobo’!  What was more amazing was what she was saying.  When she talked about her ‘big’ suitcase, she used her hands to show us just how big it was.  How big?  Carry-on size.

We sat there speechless.  None of us here has nearly as many clothes as we had when we lived in the US, but we still have far, far more than would fill Amy’s suitcase. 

We were sitting in her home with her family, dad Daniel, mom Yajaira, little brother (4) Daren and a friend, Lily (8).  “We” was me and one of the SI families, Ron and Carol, three of their children, Lynn (visiting from Chicago), Anna and Sarah.

The night before at Ron and Carol’s, Daniel and Yajaira had asked me to be a part of their family.  That included an invitation to dinner!  Platanos maduros, habichuelas, arroz, pollo frito, ensalada, and more of that amazing jengibre tea!  Oh, my, how we swooned!!

Daniel and Yajaira came to know Jesus three years ago.  They worship at La Vid, (the church I go to, too) and have become a part of the SI family.  Yajaira cooks lunch each day for Genesis, our Special Education site.  And, wow, how fortunate the students and staff are to eat her amazing food!!

The family also houses Bethel Semester Students.  Daniel took his flashlight and proudly showed us an addition completed just in time for this year’s students.  Concrete steps lead up to a half floor made of concrete and blocks, with two more bedrooms (one still unfinished) and a simple bathroom with toilet and shower. 

Before this, the kids moved into their parents’ bedroom.  Oh, yeah, the students stay from September to mid-December.  That was three-and-a-half-months sharing a room!

Amy (far left) and some of my new family-in-Christ
(the power came back on as we were leaving
so we could snap a couple of pictures.)

By ‘first world’ standards, their family is poor.  A small home (the main floor, which includes kitchen, eating area, bathroom and two bedrooms, is smaller than my apartment), power that comes and goes (we ate dinner by candlelight), no car (only a motorcycle), a suitcase of clothes each. 

But, friends, sitting there listening to this little sister in Christ, I felt like I was the poor one.  Poor because I whine about missing some of my stuff.  Gripe about my muddy road, Check Engine light, and the limited variety of foods I can buy.  I show my poverty when I act as if my education, citizenship, knowledge, somehow makes me ‘better’ than others. 

Oh, Father, I want to be rich like Amy and her family.  Rich in love and fellowship.  Rich in the knowledge that You have saved, and are transforming, me.  Rich in generosity and a hunger to share the love and hope of God-with-us. 

Holy Spirit, give me the courage to get rid of anything I have (or am!) which makes me a poor reflection of Him.  Thank you, Father, that in You, my blessings truly are 'so many'!

Chocolate Cake and Jengibre

Yesterday morning I didn’t wake up in the ‘blue’ bedroom of my Holiday Family’s house.  I didn’t sit on the stairs with them for the annual Christmas picture.  I didn’t watch the little ones opening their presents, eat yummy bread pudding, and enjoy spending the entire day in my pjs.

Instead, I woke up to the sound of roosters and rain, alone in my little apartment here in the DR.  A little sad, but also praising God for where He has led me.

Last night I had dinner with SI friends.  How fun to eat ‘chili-mac’ with Americans and Dominicans.  Very different from Noche Buena, but just as tasty.  As a side note, Dominican food is very flavorful, but not ‘picante’ (spicy hot).  Carol’s chili had a nice heat to it.  It was kind of funny to watch the DR kiddo’s fanning themselves!

Dessert was another fun combination of familiar and foreign - chocolate cake and jengibre.  Cake is becoming more popular here, but since most homes haven’t always had ovens, it’s still not common to have homemade devil’s food.  (It was also funny to try and explain why it’s called that! “La comida de Diablo biscocho”?)
 
Jengibre is a Dominican tea made with sour orange leaves, cinnamon, and lots of fresh ginger.  A spoonful of sugar brings out the flavors.  It is strong, with a ‘bite’ from the ginger, and very yummy!

Carol asked what Christmas meant to each of us.  It was beautiful to hear the responses - in English, Spanish, and Spanglish!  Being with family, a time to rest, good food, visiting friends, celebrating Jesus’ birth.   

For me it means that because Jesus left His Home, even though I am far from mine, I am never truly Homeless.  In Jesus, I can be at home anywhere on earth because anywhere I go I will have brothers and sisters in Him.

We talked about being hermanos and hermanas in Christ.  Daniel told Ron that long before they knew each other, God had made them brothers.  Daniel and Yajaira then asked me if I’d like to be a part of their family, too. 

I could feel tears welling up as I thought about how God was at work long before I arrived, nurturing hearts here so that when we met, we would recognize His Son in each other.  The further from the familiar I have gone, the more family-in-Christ God has provided.  Not as replacements, but additions to the growing family in Him. 

This is the last week of the year, which means that I’m finishing up my Chronological Bible.  I love the fact that right after celebrating Jesus’ first coming, I get to read about His second!  There is a lot in Revelation which is confusing and troubling, but oh, the ending!!  Pain and sadness gone, every tear wiped away...

For me, times of fellowship with other Christ-followers are glimpses of that hope.  Sitting with friends I didn’t know just three months ago, being able to share my heart in Spanish (with a bit of help!), is a taste of the joy we will have there.  There, we won’t have to say goodbye.  And, we will be with Jesus, not just in part, but in whole, face-to-face.

While I still miss my friends and family back home, I praise God for giving me a wider and broader and deeper understanding of what God-with-us means.   And, it increases my desire to continue serving Him so that I can continue to meet more and more of those who will be with us at the throne of God and of the Lamb.  Marantha, Emmanuel!

Noche Buena

Noche Buena (the Good Night), which is the big celebration on Christmas Eve, actually started at 5:30 a.m. when Jarabacoa’s mayor sent trucks with loudspeakers and sirens through the streets to announce that Christmas was here. 

Noche Buena is one of the most important events of the year and everyone tries to look their best.  I brought one dress down here, and I figured it would be a good night (get it?!) to pull it out.  I also put on my one pair of heels.  Of course, where most of the gals wore spiky five-inch shoes, at less than three-inches, mine hardly classified as “high”!

Part of my prep included a good-sized snack and some strong coffee.  (Maria had told me dinner would be at 8, so I added two hours and figured we’d be eating around 10).  Below, the first folks started arriving at 8:30. At 9:30 Dona Gloria called upstairs for me to come on. 

Dona Gloria is one of seven children.  Several of them, plus their spouses, kids and grandkids, were there.  In all, there were close to 40 people!

The Spanish for brother-in-law is cuñado and sister-in-law is cuñada.  Dona Gloria introduced me, and then went around one of the tables, Mi hermana, hermana, cuñada, hermano, cuñado, cuñado, cuñado.  It kind of reminded me of that scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding with all the relatives named Nick.  Dona Gloria’s mother was also there, so I got to meet her, too. 

When everyone was talking at once, I had a hard time joining in the conversation, but I was able to enjoy some one-on-one chats.  That felt great!

Good food for a Good Night!

As expected, at a little after 10 Dona Gloria called us all in to the dining room.  Her mom gave a blessing, as did she, and then it was time to eat!  What a feast!!

Some of the traditional Dominican Noche Buena foods:

Pasteles en hoja:  deliciously seasoned ground meats and veggies wrapped in dough made of ground starchy vegetables like plantains and yams, then steamed in plantain leaves.  I loved this! 

Ensalada Rusa:  a mayo based potato salad with carrots, peas and corn.  This isn’t my favorite, so I skipped it to leave more room on my plate.

Fried yucca

Moro:  Rice cooked with black beans.  So, so good!

Pastelon de platanos amarillos:  Casserole of ripe plantains, beef and cheese.  Very rich, with a combination of sweet and savory. 

Roast pig:  Tender and tasty – and of course la cabeza (head) was on the table, too.

Roast chicken:  Maria’s chicken is amazing!

Sweets:  traditional sweets include marshmallows, grapes, apples, and jellied fruit.  We also had biscocho (cake).

Alcohol:  The amount of alcohol was pretty overwhelming.  Every person who came brought a big bottle (if not three or four!) of vodka, rum, or whiskey.  There were also plenty of bottles of red wine.  I stuck to soda, which caused a few comments about how I definitely wasn’t a Dominican.  I do have to say, that although people were pouring huge glasses, no one got belligerent or obnoxious.  Loud, definitely, but not angry or aggressive. 

with Lisette

I spent most of the night with Lisette, Maria’s seven year old daughter.  She is really sweet, and kept wanting to give me hugs, and kisses on the cheek.  I found out all about her cousins and what she likes to do and that apples are her favorite fruit.      

Dona Gloria (in center)
dancing the night away! 

At around midnight I said my goodnights.  By now, the dancing was in full swing.  Dona Gloria’s living room is pretty small, but that didn’t keep folks from joining in.  I’m fascinated by how well the girls can get down in those super high shoes!  Dona Gloria was at the center of it all, looking like she was having a great time.  I fell asleep around 1, when it sounded like pretty much everyone left. 

And now, it’s Christmas!  Feliz Navidad, everyone!!    

Christmas Eve Eve

I’m just back from a lovely walk to pick up some bananas and fresh pineapples.  (Did I tell you’ve I’ve found the secret to picking the perfect pina?  I ask the people who run Mia Fruta to pick it out for me!  All my sniffing and checking the color and pulling on leaves cannot compare to the ones they pick simply by looking at them!)



Muddy roads make 'Dashing' a bit more like 'Slogging'!

I took pictures as I went, and thought I’d share some of them, plus a few tidbits about my first Christmas-time here in Jarabacoa.

Christmas Music:  This morning my favorite Jarabacoa radio station played four versions of Jingle Bells in a row.  All in English.  Well, except for the Dog-Barking version.  Of course, the pure genius of that rendition truly transcends all language barriers!

No sleigh, but these horses have their feathered friend!

 “Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh, o’er the fields we go, laughing all the way…”  Snow – Nope.  Open sleigh – No.  But the horse, fields, and laughing, yeah, we’ve got all of those! 

It’s rather jarring to go from announcers talking in Spanish to songs about snow and sleighs in English.  But, it pretty well sums up how I’m feeling right now.  The clash of familiar and foreign is especially noticeable in this time of traditions and memories. 

Decorations:  Folks started decorating mid-October (stores got going in September!)  Decorations here tend to be very American-looking, and extensive.  If one strand of lights is good, four or five, preferably in multiple colors and blinking on and off, is far, far better.  One house in our neighborhood has giant (and I mean, giant) inflatable of Santa’s sleigh, and underneath it a Nativity scene. 

with beauty like this, who needs tacky fake stuff?!

I was hoping to see decorations using things from the culture and materials here.  Instead, it’s no different than back home.  I’ve got to say, instead of enjoying the familiar, I find it sad.  Don’t get me wrong, there’s lots about how we celebrate back home that I absolutely love!  But, songs about White Christmases, and big blue-eyed Santa Clauses just don’t seem right!

So, so gorgeous!

Parties:  Dominicans love a good party, and in my neighborhood there have been nightly all-night fiestas this week.  In order for a party to be successful, it needs very loud music, a microphone to make announcements throughout the night and plenty of delicious food.  Fuegos artificiales (fireworks) are optional (which is good because the ones up the road Saturday night seemed really close!).  Liquor, and plenty of it, sadly is not.

Gifts:  The giving of gifts doesn’t happen until January 6, which is Epiphany (when the Wise Men gave Jesus their gifts).  I actually really like this.  In theory, it means Christmas itself is more about enjoying time with friends and family and celebrating God-with-us.  Sadly, as in much of the world, for many here, neither is about the gift of Jesus.

More natural beauty.

Noche Buena:  This takes place on Christmas Eve, and is the big night for Dominicans.  It is a time for family and friends to get together for a big feast.  Traditional food includes roast chicken and pig, moro (rice and beans) and other comidas typicas.  Dona Gloria and her family have invited me to be a part of their Noche Buena, here at our house tomorrow.  I feel honored, and so blessed to be included in this special night!

Definitely not a Christmas-time
'like the ones I used to know'!

I miss home and the traditions and preparations there.  This year I didn’t get to make my ‘hot’ pretzels or chai snaps.  My church here doesn’t mark Advent.  No Christmas carols either.  For the first time in eight years I won’t be driving up to my Holiday Family’s house tomorrow night…

This isn't from my walk, but a picture I took a
couple of weeks ago in El Callejon.
Please remember to pray for the precious people there.
That the love of Jesus continues to tranform the ugliness
of life apart from Him into His beauty.

But, despite all the new and different, there is One who remains the same.  The One who gave up so much more than we can comprehend so we will never be Homeless, is here.  I praise Him for the gifts of new friends, new traditions, new ways of understanding a bit more of what it meant for Him to give up everything… In Him we truly are Home!

Reasonably Happy

This week Daisy and I took a break from our planning to talk via Skype with a student about the women of El Callejon. The student, a university senior, asked us some really good questions. One was if the people of El Callejon are happy.

Daisy struggled to try and describe how the people there see themselves and understand being happy. It’s not so much happy as we might define it, but it’s a contentment, a tranquility. If they have some clothes, some food, a place to stay, they are happy.

It started me thinking about The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr. My guess is, you are probably pretty familiar with the first part. But, the second part is rarely quoted. I didn’t even know it existed until a few years back.

If you are like I was, and are not familiar with it, here is the entire prayer:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

 If I’m honest, this prayer gets caught in my throat. The truth is, I don’t want to just be “reasonably” happy. And, as someone raised in Canada and America, I’ve been told pursing my own personal happiness is my right.

This week I was talking with one of the women of El Callejon. When we first came here 15 years ago, the road was only a path, there was no water or electricity, people fought a lot. Now, Gracias a Dios, we have so much.

She said all of this standing on a garbage-filled dirt ‘road’ next to a house made of scrap wood and a rusty metal roof. She was wearing faded clothes and grubby shoes. Her smile was sincere and she spoke without a bit of irony.

Hmm… is it possible that the people of El Callejon have something to teach me about happiness and contentment?

The people of El Callejon live one day at a time. They live in the moment, and for the most part, seem to enjoy their lives. They accept hardship as a part of life. They don’t seem to consider it their right to have everything they want or need, or think they want or need.

They don’t worry about planning for their futures. If they have some money, they spend it. If they want new clothes, that’s what they’ll buy. If tomorrow they don’t have money for food, well, they’ll figure it out then.

Very honestly, at times, the attitude of the people of El Callejon is frustratingly passive. Their lack of motivation to try and improve their situations is difficult for me to understand and accept.

No, just sitting idly by is not always good. Spending money on a new shirt and not food is also not a good thing! But, obsessively worrying is not, either. After all, Jesus taught us to consider the lilies of the fields and to pray for our Daily (not weekly, monthly, 10-year plan) bread.

Please don’t misunderstand. There are most definitely things about the lives of the people of El Callejon which need to be improved!  But, I need to be very careful when I start thinking that because I am wealthier and more educated, I have all the answers.

The apostle Paul said he had learned the secret of being content in any and all circumstances (Philippians 4:12). In want or in plenty.

Paul follows his declaration about being content with these words, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). Ah, there’s the ‘secret’!  

The people of El Callejon seem to live in want, we in plenty. My prayer is that together, they and we, can learn that ‘secret’ of contentment. 

Perhaps together we can help each other to put our trust, our happiness, our very lives, in the strong and loving hands of One who has promised that one day we will all be supremely happy with Him forever. 

Until that day, I know I've still got a lot to learn.  I'm so grateful for our Teacher and the things He is showing me about being reasonably happy.  And about being completely content in Him and Him alone!

Planning and Ceasing

Have you ever had so many ideas, about so many different things, crashing around in your brain that you find it hard to think at all? That’s me right now.

Daisy and I have been talking and sharing and planning all week. It’s been an awesome time of fellowshipping together. There’s that verse about iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17), and that’s how I feel about working with Daisy. What a blessing she is!

Our hopes and dreams for El Callejon are really exciting… and frankly, a little terrifying, too!

At present, we meet with seven different groups each week. Women, Young Marrieds, two groups of Adolescents, two groups of Pre-Teens, and a group of Little Girls. Each week that totals between 130 and 150 lives we are privileged to touch.

To this, we hope to add a Small Discipling Group (of the older Women to start, but perhaps also have one for the Young Marrieds), a Couples Group for recently marrieds and those hoping to be married, and a Literacy Group.

The one I am personally most excited (and yes, terrified!) about is the Discipling group. It’s the first big step in our desire to equip some of the ‘natural’ leaders among the Women to take ownership of parts of the ministry. I’m not terrified at the idea of entrusting them. I’m terrified with the responsibility of equipping them!

Our Director’s amazing wife, Sissy, and I were talking yesterday. She’s helping with ideas for designing a literacy program using the Bible. Seriously, she is incredible! She’s already drafted out the first lesson, using John 1:1.

She made the comment that one of the difficulties in teaching here is that a lot of people have never learned how to have their own ideas about things. They wait until someone in authority tells them what they think.

This was a great insight for me, although a bit discouraging, too. I really want to help the women connect with the Bible on a personal level. But, simply asking them their opinion is probably not going to elicit a bunch of responses. At least not at first.

So, instead of jumping in with Study Questions, I’m going to have to take some steps back. How do you teach women in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s (and older) that they are allowed to have– and express! – their own thoughts? And, in a language I still have not mastered, speaking with people whose words I still cannot completely understand?

Right now, I have way more questions than answers. The slightest bit of panic is settling in. Okay, maybe not so slight!

I am trying to remind myself that the Holy Spirit has been at work in people groups and cultures throughout the world since Pentecost. He will move in His way, in His time.

Like with so much else in my life here, I am finding myself challenged and stretched. I’m finding myself needing to go back to the only Source of my strength.

In a way, I am grateful. I’m being stripped of the lies of our enemy which say following Christ is easy, without pain, and can be done in my own power.

No, it doesn’t feel great to stare at a blank page without the first idea. But... I think this is the right place for me to start. Not with all my grand ideas, but with nothing but a desire to see God glorified in El Callejon and the lives of His children there.

Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.

(Psalm, 46:10 NASB)

This is a command, an invitation, and an assurance. Today, I pray that as I cease my striving, I will remember that God is God. That He will be exalted.

If our work is of Him, He will provide the way. Yes, I've got to do my part! But, perhaps for today, my part is to make the deliberate choice to focus, not on all the ideas in my head, but on God alone. To get out of my own way to hear Him, whether in fire or earthquake or storm, or still small voice.

 May You be glorified, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, in my life and in the lives of your beloved children in El Callejon!

Avoiding Hell?

Yesterday Daisy and I had a meeting with Jayson, who is in charge of all the ministry sites.  It was exciting to share ideas for the new year, and for our new building.  Right now, (si Dios quiere) it’s looking like we may be able to move in next April!  Woo-hoo!!

One of the things we talked about was how to help the people of El Callejon understand that just saying they believe isn’t enough.  The Spiritual fruit in our lives is evidence that we have a living faith.  If all we do is echo the words, and then continue living in the same sin-filled ways, are we really dead to our sin and alive in Christ? 

What doesn’t seem to work is simply saying, Because the Bible says so.  That got us talking about what the Bible says about sin and consequences.  It’s not as simple as it seems, however, because there are people who do lots of bad things who don’t seem to suffer.  Others try to live according to God’s Word and never catch a break. 

That moved our conversation to eternal consequences; telling people if they don’t live according to God’s will here on earth, they will be condemned for all eternity.   

I expressed an opinion that I don’t feel trying to scare people with Hell is effective.  Don’t get me wrong – I absolutely believe that Hell exists.  I believe that it is utter separation from God. 

But, to me, the Good News is not that if I believe I avoid Hell, but that I get to spend eternity with Jesus.  The difference is we’re not just moving away from one very bad consequence, but moving toward one very very good one.

I may be completely off-base here.  It wouldn’t be the first time!  But, I believe the power of the Gospel is not in scaring people into acting better.  To me, the power is that even though we are utterly desolate and doomed, through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, we are able to be transformed. 

Not simply live free of Hell, but live in the glorious presence of our Savior.  It’s not just that we won’t suffer, it’s that all our tears will be wiped away.  Hell is real, but so is Heaven!   

So, how do we help people in this?  I’m still not completely sure!  I think about my own life, and when Jesus became ‘real’ to me.  It wasn’t that I started living for Him because I was scared of Hell. 

Instead, it grew out of my deepening relationship with Jesus.  As I spent more time learning about Him, reading His Word, hanging out with others trying to live for Him, my desire to be with Him grew. 

I can honestly say, even if there isn’t a Hell (which I firmly believe there is!), I would want to live for Christ.  Not because I’m so pious or good.  (Seriously, it’s discouraging how awful I am!)  But, because I want to spend eternity with Jesus.  He moved me from a place of isolation and misery, to life in Him. 

I desire that His Father’s glory is shouted throughout the nations.  Not to keep me from Hell, but because He alone is worthy of every bit of me. 

I don’t want the people of El Callejon to simply avoid Hell, but to live in the fullness of life in Christ.  Not just for eternity, (as awesome as that is going to be!) but that even now, God’s kingdom can break in and begin transforming their lives here on earth. 

I need to continue chewing on this.  The more I sit here pondering, the bigger it all is getting.  But, that’s okay.  It’s worth wrestling with it.  It’s worth it because Jesus became flesh and lived with us.  His earthly ministry gave us glimpses of His Father’s kingdom, when the stranglehold of Satan will be forever shattered. 

Jesus was separated from God on Calvary so that we never have to be.  It’s so incredible!  No matter what I may be called on to suffer for Him here, it’s worth it.  It’s worth it to be a part of His work. 

It’s worth it because even now, I get to live in and through Him.  Dimly now, but one day face-to-face!  To me, that’s more than just keeping out of Hell.  That truly is Heaven! 

This and That

It’s Sunday afternoon and I’ve just had a delicious lunch made by Dona Gloria’s domestica, Maria, and eaten with Dona Gloria and her daughter (also named Gloria), son-in-law and two grandsons. 

I may have mentioned this before, but Dona Gloria has taken it upon herself to make sure I eat at least one good meal a week!  And wow, is it ever!  Today we had beef with some amazing seasonings, including a drizzle of delicious extra virgin olive oil and fresh parsley. 

We also had a dish made with mature (sweet) plantains and cheese, some stewed green legumes I’d never had before, but which were muy sabroso (very tasty!), a salad of tomato and white cheese, and of course, rice.  After lunch was a tiny cup of strong (strong!) black coffee with lots of sugar. 

Her daughter is nice, and we’ve been doing our best to communicate.  Today the two of us had a fun ‘girly’ chat about clothing stores in town, coloring hair ("canas" is Spanish for grey hair), and my work in El Callejon. 

Someone told me that when it seems as if people are slowing down to talk with me, it’ll mean I’m really beginning to get good at Spanish.  Well… today it actually felt like that!  Gloria (daughter) seemed to be speaking a bit more slowly, and I mostly understood it all!  Yippee!!

They have invited me to join their family celebration here on Christmas Eve.  They set up tables out on the car port filled with all kinds of yummy food, including a roast pig!  Hmm... a Dominican Christmas meal?!  Oh, yeah!! 

Even though I'm really going to miss spending Christmas with my ‘Holiday family’, God has provided new friends here with whom to celebrate.  Along with Dona Gloria, several SI families are also staying in Jarabacoa.  It'll be different, but it will be good, because we will be celebrating the One who has brought us all to this place and this time.  He truly is with us!

I thought I’d share just a couple of random photos and thoughts from the week.  (Again, please check out our Social work site blog for updates about our adventures with the wedding activities!)

Love seeing the years of God's faithfulness!

When we were looking through old photo albums to get an idea about decorating for the Wedding reception, I found some pictures of my dear friends Amanda and Laura.  They came down for an Outreach several years ago when they were at James Madison University (in Harrisonburg - Go Dukes!!)

This was before I knew them.  As you many know, Laura is the one who invited me to come along on the 2008 outreach when I started on this journey.  I asked Taryn to take this picture of me with their picture.  I may have teared up a little!!

Just enough room for one car to squeeze on through!

There have been attempts to do some road repairs in our neighborhood.  The roads are dirt and rocks.  They trucked in more dirt and rocks and left it in big piles.  For half a week, we had to squeeze around a couple of them.  I'm learning to go through and over and around spaces I never would have dreamed of negotiating in the US! 

The day after this pile finally was spread into the biggest potholes, we had an entire night of heavy rain.  Oh, well!

The brown horse is standing right
 where I need to turn onto my road!

Driving home the other day, here’s what stood in the road, munching away on the weeds lining the fences.  They didn’t seem too impressed by my car, and took their time moving when I honked my horn.

Down below is what the day looked like yesterday.  I went for a run (dodging muddy puddles all the way) and felt rather warm in shorts and a t-shirt!  It doesn’t seem like December with palm trees, huge flowering hibiscus and temps in the high 70s and 80s. 

View from my apt front door (on 2nd floor).
(Dona Gloria & my cars lined up for their weekly wash!)

This week will be our final week of the year at the Site.  Daisy and I hope to spend a lot of time together planning for next year, as well as cleaning and organizing things at the site. 

I praise God for all the ways He has been meeting me.  I can’t wait to see what He has planned next!  I pray I will be faithful to His call, to His leading.

Run, Run, Run... Freeze!

I’m getting used to the fact that I’m always going to have at least one or two geckos in my home.  At present, there are three. 

One teeny one lives in my kitchen, and only comes out a night.  One lives in the curtains by my bed.  A third one seems to have wanderlust, showing up on other walls, in my closet, or by my back door.  (Yes, I am choosing to ignore the possibility that he’s actually three, increasing the gecko to human ratio to 5:1!)

There are also lots of geckos and lizards in El Callejon, so I’ve had ample opportunity to observe them.  Their defense mechanism seems to be standing very still until the perceived threat goes away. 

In a world filled with green leaves, brown bark, mud, and rocks, this strategy is pretty effective.  I often don’t notice the little guys crawling in our Site until I catch them walking across a beam from the corner of my eye.

But, in my place, it is, frankly, a pretty useless strategy.  My walls are painted white, and my tile floor is also white.  When I walk in the door, the gecko by my bed does the same standing-still trick.  Sometimes he is halfway behind the curtain, but most of the time, he’s just sitting there, brownish green against the white. 

When I’m sitting on my couch, from way across the room, I can see when my kitchen friend comes out for the night.  Even though he’s only a few inches long, and he likes to hang out way up near the ceiling, there’s no hiding.

I love moving a couple of steps toward them and watching them run, run, run, along the wall, and then freeze.  It cracks me up, because they are still completely exposed and in the open.  What works in the world outside these walls, is ineffective here inside.  Luckily for them, I have absolutely no interest in turning them into a snack!

I’ve left my known environment and entered into a new one.   At times I wonder if I look just as silly to people here as my geckos do to me.  Getting annoyed and frustrated when the Claro store ‘runs out’ of phone minutes two days in a row, or when it takes searching two stores to find all the ingredients to make a boxed cake mix, does as much good as ‘hiding’ by standing still against a bright white wall!

I don’t think I’ll ever find a way to convince the geckos they don’t need to keep trying to hide from me.  But, unlike my little roommates, God has created me with the ability to learn and change how I cope.  No, not everything here ‘works’ from my perspective.  It does seem to work for the people who live here.   Can I soften my heart and be willing to learn from them? 

We are heading toward Christmas, when we celebrate God-with-us.  Jesus, who was God, emptied Himself, and became a baby, needing others to supply His basic needs.  The Creator of the world entered it, not in power, but in poverty. 

It’s frankly humiliating to be treated like a helpless, hapless little kid. Having an eight year old girl correct my pronunciation, or a teen mock me when I accidentally say novia (girlfriend) instead of novio (boyfriend), or store clerk sighing when I have to ask three times how much I owe, doesn’t feel good. But, our Savior endured far, far, far worse!! 

In order to share Jesus with others, I need to be willing to be like Him.  That means entering into their world humbly, and not in a posture of superiority, full of opinions about how things ‘should be’.   

I continue to pray for His strength, and His humility and obedience, as I continue to learn to be His hands and feet here in Jarabacoa.  And, for a sense of humor for those times when I am tempted to run, run, run, and freeze, pretending I’m fooling anyone!