Do Not Be Anxious

Do not be anxious

But, here’s the thing.  I’ve got the second week with our Joshua team, Bible lessons and activities to prepare for our seven groups, each so different, each needing to learn more of You…

Do not be anxious

Daisy won’t be with me, and the Spanish I thought I had seems to have gone away in all the switching back and forth with English…

Do not be anxious

I’m way behind on responding to emails, sending cards, posting to my blog, my January newsletter isn’t done…

Do not be anxious

And at home Dona Gloria is having health problems, I can never really relax without getting interrupted, I haven’t figured out a good way to exercise consistently…

Do not be anxious

How does the rest of that verse go?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

In every situation.  In all the stuff of my life.  In all that’s expected of me, in all that I expect of myself. 

Pray how?  Pray with thanksgiving.  I truly do have so much to be thankful for! 

Thank you, Father, that there are young people here ministering with me.  Thank you for their hearts for You. 

Thank you, Father, for the women, teens and girls of El Callejon.  They don’t have to come, yet they choose to show up each week. 

Thank you, Father, for Dona Gloria and Maria.  Thank you for providing new friends and family here to draw me out of my comfortable little shell.  Thank you for those back home who are so faithful in lifting me up to You.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (4:7)

Guard my heart, I pray.  The worries of the day overwhelm me.  The needs of El Callejon, the brokenness, the lack of hope, tempt me to shut it all out, to shut down and harden my heart against the pain.  Open my heart to Your children.  And, in that opening, in that vulnerability, teach me to trust that You are with me.  

Guard my mind, I pray.  As I wake, my brain begins spinning all the things that need to be done.  I fret and worry and become preoccupied with how I’m going to accomplish it all.  Me, Me, Me, I, I, I.  Refocus my thoughts on You.  On Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.  Oh, how quickly I forget!!

You have promised Your peace.  Your peace which transcends my understanding.  Teach me to seek Your peace.  Not the world’s peace, but Your peace.  Not peace in a safe, secure, impenetrable shell, but peace in the midst of this time of shaking ground, of fear and anxiety. 

Thank you, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, that You are here with me.  You will not leave me or forsake me.  Though I forget, You will not.  I am carved on the palm of Your hand.  Please give me Your strength to step out, knowing that at all times You are with me.        

Do not be anxious

Alone, that’s not going to be possible, but You have promised that in You all things are possible.  Thank you, Father.  Increase my faith and trust and hope in You today, and as I step out into the coming week.

Temblores

Less than two hours ago, I felt a tremor.  That’s the third the country has experienced in as many weeks, but the first one I’ve felt.  This one registered 5.1. 

When I was in Guatemala, there were also some ‘temblores’ (tremors).  I was told I shouldn’t worry about them.  A terremoto (earthquake), yes, but just a few temblores, no big deal.  Umm…  okay. 

I remember Dona Cristi calmly telling us that if there was a big earthquake, we needed to come and stand under ‘this beam’ (pointing to one by the dining area).  It survived the 1976 earthquake, so we would be safe.  Don’t go outside, go under the beam. 

Thankfully, we didn’t have to test whether the beam would hold again!  And, I learned that I really, really don’t like the feel of the ground moving.

Last week, after the second tremor, there was an evangelist in Santiago saying God was going to destroy most of the Dominican Republic due to all the sinful people in it.  He quoted Matthew 24 liberally, of course. 

(I’m always a bit amused at how every country and generation thinks these words are specific to them.  It seems a bit arrogant to assume that Matthew only recorded Jesus’ words for a small island nation in 2012. 

Even more when you go onto a website like the US geological society http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/ and see that there are earthquakes and tremors occurring pretty much every day!)

The young woman who told us about the ‘prophet’ has only been following Christ for a couple of years.  Prior to that, she lived a life very far from Him.  Through His love, He has brought her to a place of peace, now married and with only one man, spending time helping in a local church. 

All of that is terrific, and so her attitude rather shocked me.  She talked with Daisy about how much sin there was in the D.R.  As she talked, her voice got louder and more angry.  I keep telling people how all of the prostitution and drugs are wrong, but no one will listen.  They won’t listen, and now God is going to punish them. 

I couldn’t understand all of her words, but those I could made me sad.  Because this young lady, rescued, through Jesus Christ's sacrifice and love, from of the same types of sins, expressed no sorrow for the lost.  Her words, posture, gestures, were filled with anger, vindication and retribution.

It made me think about my own response to those in sin.  Yes, they are living in a way which condemns them to destruction.  But, where is my compassion?  Does my heart break thinking of those living apart from Jesus? 

Or, am I more like this believer, quick to forget my own past, eager for God to come in power to destroy ‘those people’?

I’m certainly not saying God should turn a blind eye to sin.  But, when I recognize this ‘Jonah’ attitude in myself, I have to stop and ask, Am I looking for a good vantage point to watch the coming destruction, or am I doing everything I can do to share Jesus and His power to liberate those in slavery to sin?

Oh, come on.  I don’t actually want to sit and watch like grumpy old Johan did!  I’m not like him! 

No, my response is not typically one of grim satisfaction, but of indifference.  Oh, well.  I mean, hey, they should know better.  And, I’m busy, you know, doing important stuff.

Father, forgive my sin of indifference.  You loved us so much that while we were still Your enemies, You sent Your only Son.  Thank you, Jesus, that You didn’t shrug and turn away, but instead gave everything for our sake and Your Father’s glory.  Holy Spirit, renew me, shake me up, break my uncaring heart. 

Keep me restless Holy, Almighty God, until I have done all I can to tell others about the only true rest, in You. 

Knowing Nothing

At our weekly Staff Bible Study, as we always do, we spent time together singing praise to God in both English and Spanish.  I had one of those moments when it suddenly hit me, Whoa, I’m sitting here in the Chapel… at the SI Base… in the Dominican Republic!  Don’t worry, it didn’t just finally dawn on me!  But, it really is a bit unreal!

After worshiping and praying together, we were given time to spend alone with God, asking Him to lead us to a verse for the new year.  I’ve been reading a compilation of articles on Discipling. 

One of the authors pointed to the apostle Paul, and how he was transparent about not having it all together.  “When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom.” (I Corinthians 2:1) 

I’ve read those words plenty of times, but, oh, how they resonate right now!  In English, I know I am able to speak well, even eloquently on occasion!  But, in Spanish, it’s an entirely different story!  I’m getting better and better, but still feel like I sound like a Dick and Jane book most days.  (Hopefully some of you remember them!  “See Jane run.  Run, Jane, run.”)

One of my Spiritual Gifts is teaching, and so I believe I am being obedient by working hard to learn more Spanish so that I can do a better job of sharing.  I really love finding ways to connect God’s Word in simple, practical ways.  I find great satisfaction in painting ‘mental pictures’ for others to help them see a deeper truth. 

But, I get all turned around when I am more interested in using just the ‘right’ word, or coming up with the ‘perfect’ example than in depending on the Holy Spirit to move through me.  That makes this endeavor about my strengths and abilities, and that is a risky, risky place to go! 

Paul says he preached not with wise and persuasive words but with a demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power (I Corinthians 2:4).  What would that exactly look like?  I’m not sure.  Signs and wonders?  Miracles? 

Immediately I want to say – No, that’s just too crazy!  But, is it?  The fact of the matter is, the only thing that can transform brokenness, sin, death, into life, - abundant life!, is Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.  Perhaps the reason I’ve felt led to read about Spiritual warfare is that the Holy Spirit is inviting me to be a vessel of His power.  Wow, that’s a bit scary!

Paul says he resolved to know nothing.  This is hard for me.  I like knowing stuff.  If I’m honest, I like that others know that I know stuff, too!  I have been blessed with a lot of opportunity to learn a lot about the Bible.  In and of itself, that’s not a bad thing, I know. 

But, I think about how much Paul knew.  After all, he was a very well-educated Pharisee able to quote scripture and debate the Torah with anyone.  And yet, he resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Why?  So that those he preached to would put their faith not in humans, but in God, and His power. 

My prayer for 2012 is that I will learn to embrace my lack of human wisdom and eloquence.  That I will have the courage to confess my weakness, fear and trembling (verse 3), first to Jesus, and then to the women of El Callejon.  That I won’t try to be wiser and more persuasive, but instead cry out to the Holy Spirit, for His power to be demonstrated. 

I pray that every day I will leave any so-called knowledge I have, and instead step into El Callejon remembering what I resolved this week, sitting in the Chapel, on the SI Base, here in the Dominican Republic:

“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

(I Corinthians 2:2)

Mañana

Last Tuesday Daisy and I walked to my car and found my front driver’s side tire flat.  Given the shape of the roads between my house and El Callejon, it’s really not that surprising! 

Getting my spare on took a few hours.  Some nice hombres in El Callejon tried to help, but the tire had put been on with incorrect lug nuts, and so it was impossible to use manual socket wrenches (we tried mine, plus three others!).  At last William, who works at the SI Base, was able to get it off. 

On Friday morning I swung by the mechanic’s place and explained I needed an Oil Change, my ‘Service Engine Soon’ light checked out, and my tire fixed.  I can’t do it today, but be here first thing on Monday.  What time?  8am.  Okay. 

At 8am I arrived and was met with a closed shop.  At 8:30 one of the helpers drove up.  I told him what I had discussed the week before.  He drove me up to the Base.  I asked if I could possibly get my car back Today because I really needed it.  He smile reassuringly and said it was possible.

I caught rides to and from with other SI staff.  That afternoon Brian (our SI Director) called the shop.  Not quite yet, but just a couple more hours.  I got a ride home with Brian, and he told me he’d let me know when the mechanic called back. 

At 7pm my phone rang.  I’ve got good news and bad news.  The good news?  My car didn’t need an oil change and the Check Engine light was just a hose with a leak.  Fixed that.  They’d also changed out the lug nuts. 

The bad news?  They hadn’t done the tire, because they needed to find additional lug nuts to secure the spare tire on the back of my Tracker.  So, could I drive on the spare (nearly tread-less and quite flat) until the next day?  

Tuesday I did just that, which was less than ideal.  We’ve had lots of rain and a smooth tire doesn’t have much traction on the wet roads and muddy track in El Callejon.  That morning we were told later that day.  Later that day we were told mañana. 

By yesterday afternoon I was getting really concerned about driving on the spare.  A call to the shop assured us it would be just a couple more hours. 

I had laundry and other work to do, so I figured I could stay at the Base until it was ready.  About 30 minutes later, my phone rang.  It was Brian.  Could you swing by the mechanic’s shop, pick up your tire and meet me at the place near the Shell station? 

I went to the shop, and there was my tire, looking just as muddy and pitiful as when it had gone flat more than a week before.  I sighed and smiled and tried to accept the helper’s apology as graciously as I could.

Why did I describe this to you in such detail?  My purpose wasn’t to sit here and whine – well, not exclusively! :O)  To me, this is a good example of the kind of cultural differences we encounter when we minister cross-culturally. 

In “Hot Climate” cultures like the DR, maintaining relationships is the most important thing.  Instead of telling me the truth, that there was no way my car was going to be ready that first day, I was told, it’s possible.  Later I was told, a couple more hours, or mañana.

For a Cold Climate gal like me, those seemed like flat out lies.  (Notice how I said, ‘telling me the truth’!)  From their perspective, however, maintaining good relationships has higher value than precise facts.  They didn’t want to damage the relationship by telling me something that would make me unhappy with them, and so they ‘softened’ it. 

Since I expect to be able to take what others say at face-value I didn’t ‘get’ that he was telling me what he thought I wanted to hear. 

The mechanic has been repairing SI cars for a long time, and so has dealt with Americans for a while.  He knows we expect the best and generally take much better care of our vehicles than Dominicans.  (No need to pay for preventive maintenance, just wait until it’s completely un-drivable before fixing!)

The lug nut to secure the spare tire was far less important to me than getting the actual tire fixed.  I would have been perfectly happy to throw the spare in the back in order to get driving safely again. 

The mechanic probably didn’t even think about suggesting this, knowing Americans like things done properly.  He was trying to work within my culture, but didn’t quite ‘get it’, either!

It’s been a frustrating week, but also a concrete example of differences between cultures.  Next time, I’ll know that when I hear It’s possible, Mañana, Just a couple more hours, what it really means is, I don’t want to upset you, and so I’m telling you what I think you want to hear. 

Oh, by the way, I brought my tire to the new place where it was patched and I was on my way – with the parts the mechanic hadn’t been able to find! – in less than 30 minutes.  Life here is definitely never boring!!

What's Fair

You wake up early, before the sun begins to rise.  The air is cold, and you’d like nothing better than to stay in bed.  But, there are small ones depending on you to bring home food.  Yesterday, nothing.  Perhaps today will go better. 

You reach out to touch your wife’s arm.  I'm leaving. She turns and looks at you, hope and concern clearly visible on her worn face.  What will today bring?

You head off to the marketplace where landowners from the farms and vineyards in the area come to seek help.  Some men have already gathered, more join you as the sun creeps up.  There is little talking as you try to keep warm, ignoring the gnawing hunger, and fear.

At last someone comes.  You recognize him.  He owns a vineyard close by.  Eyes glance at you, keep going.  You.  And you, you, and you.  I’ll pay you each a denarius.

You know you can do the work, but you are not chosen.  Perhaps others will come needing help.  So you stay, along with many others.  Many hours later, the landowner returns.  All of you waiting jump up.  Perhaps this time you will be chosen.  But no.  Once again others are selected.  Come with me, and I’ll pay you what’s fair.

Once more, twice more, the man returns.  Once more, twice more, hope flames briefly, burning out again.

Nearly the end of the day.  Who’s that over there?  The landowner has come back, even though there are few hours left.  Why have you been standing around here all day? 

The question hangs in the air.  Why?  What else is there to do?  Going home before the sun sets means admitting failure.  Time enough for that when you step through your door and watch your wife’s face fall.  Worse is when she takes a quick breath and puts on a bright smile.

Why?  The man asks again.  You shrug.  No one’s hired us. 

Better come on then and work in my vineyard.  You know it won’t be much, but at least you won’t go home with empty hands.  You follow, grateful to finally be doing something more than standing. 

The day ends quickly.  The landowner and his foreman approach.  Pay the men, beginning with those hired last.   When it’s your turn, you step forward, wondering how small the pay will be for such a brief time.  The foreman presses payment into your hand. 

But… there must be a mistake.  You look up, the question on your face.  A slight nod, and you are dismissed.  No explanation, but no mistake, either.  The full day’s pay is yours.

The others notice what you were paid.  An excited murmuring starts.  If a few hours earned a denarius, what will their pay be?  But, something is wrong.  The next group, hired hours before you, receives the same pay.  And the next, and the next, and the next, all the way to those hired at the beginning of the day.

It’s not fair, they shout.  Anger contorts their faces.  It’s not fair.  The voices around you grow louder.  We were out sweating in the heat of the day.  We deserve more.  You made us equal to them.  The last is spit out with contempt. 

You are part of ‘them’.  Part of the ones who were passed over again and again.  Surely there must be something lacking, something lesser about you that no one chose to employ you. 

Equal pay says you are valued equally and this is intolerable to those who were more easily employed.  Equal means they don’t deserve any more than you do.  Unthinkable.

Friends.  The landowner speaks.  Friends, I’m not being unfair to you.  I paid you what I said I would.  Take your pay and go.  I can pay however I choose.  Or, are you envious because I am generous? 

The question stops the shouting but goes unanswered.  Still angry, the workers begin to leave, small clusters muttering and shaking their heads. 

You are left standing there, clutching your pay.  If you had been in their place, how would you have felt?  It’s not fair, they had shouted. No, it’s not. 

It’s not fair that there was not enough work.  It’s not fair that the time and place in which you were born meant little chance of finding work sufficient to feed yourself and your family.  What is the fair price for a day of standing, hopes lifted and dashed over and over again? 

"Six days you shall labor but the seventh day shall be a day of rest."  How does that work for someone who stands day after day waiting for even an hour of work?  The work cannot always be found.  Does the lack of daily work lessen the need for daily bread for one’s family?

The landowner gave you a full day’s pay.  The landowner treated you as if your work mattered.  As if you mattered.  A whole day’s pay means that for another day, your family will survive.  You treated us as equals, the men had shouted. 

The men were right.  The landowner had treated you as an equal.  As if your family’s need for food was as important as those hired earlier.  For a moment, you feel something new.  A sense of worth you’ve not had before. 

How long will it last?  You don’t know.  Tomorrow is another day.  Today, though, today you will feed your family.  You turn, and head for home.

(Based on Jesus' Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard in Matthew 20)

Catching Up

This morning I walked to worship at La Vid in the bright sunshine and blue skies of this country that’s now home.  Oh, how I love singing praise to God with my Dominican brothers and sisters in Christ!  Two of the songs we sang were Spanish versions of English ones I sang at First Pres in Harrisonburg.  It was such an awesome reminder of how God is the same, regardless of the tongue, tribe, nation or language.

One of my goals for the new year is to find a small group of women to meet with.  Today at La Vid I met a new couple who has moved here from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and another gal from Raleigh, NC.  They live in the same neighborhood, as me, as do several others working with different mission organizations.  Hmmm…. I’m not sure if they are even interested in a group, but I praise God for new possibilities – and new friends!

So… to try and catch you all up on some of what’s going on with my work:

Planning and Dreaming – I absolutely love being able to do this with Daisy!  As we talked this week, it was obvious that the Holy Spirit was with us, as our vague ideas began to take shape with His presence.  We know that all the things we would like to see happen in the women, teens and girls, will only be possible in His power. 

We’ve planned out the first few weeks, and outlined far past that.  Of course, it’s all ‘si Dios quiere’ (the Lord willing) and we want to always be open to His changing our plans!

Daisy – Daisy has been struggling with some medical issues for a very long time.  Nothing life-threatening, but definitely impacting her quality of life due to pain and discomfort.  I’m thankful that she has been able to schedule surgery for February.  Having experienced a few years back some of what she’s going through, I’m excited to think of how much better she’ll feel once it’s all done. 

Deep breath – with Daisy needing surgery, I’ll be by myself for several week, including the second week of the outreach team.  On the one hand, I’m pretty nervous about this, as it’s going to be a huge challenge.  The team will be four students aged 19-21, and then there are all the women, teens and girls of El Callejon.  My Spanish is passable one-on-one, but in group settings, I still have a really hard time understanding what’s being said.  Breathing getting fast and shallow... 

En la otra – on the other hand, this is going to mean really stretching out past myself.  It’s going to be an opportunity to go visiting on my own, not depending on Daisy to do the talking.  It’s going to mean depending on the Holy Spirit even more.  It’s going to mean lots of time in prayer.  It will give me a chance to try out new things, and see what works – and, what doesn’t!

Documentary – in February a Regent senior and her small film crew is planning to come for a week to film a documentary about El Callejon.  Thankfully, one of her crew is bilingual.  We are excited by this opportunity to tell more of the story of the people living in El Callejon.

Teams, teams, teams – in March we’re going to have four teams back-to-back.  It’s going to be challenging, especially since Daisy may not be back to full strength then.  One of the teams is from JMU and includes a sweet ‘little sister’ in Christ, and another team has one of the wonderful women from my first outreach in October.  I'm excited to be able to minister with them again!!

New Site – a present, we’re still looking at our new building being completed in March/April, with our moving in planned for April.  We’re excited about it, but know that there is still plenty of ministry through the Holy Spirit in our current little building. 

As you can see, my next weeks are on the full side.  Please pray for me and with me, that I will continue to take time to be refreshed in Christ.  That I will remember to stay firmly attached to the True Vine – and not attached to all my notions of how everything needs to go!  May all I am, and all I do, be for God’s glory alone!!

Hi, everyone!  I'm a bit behind on my posts but hope you'll jump over to our Social Work site blog to read about our day in El Callejon.  I'll write more soon (si Dios quiere) about some of the new challenges and stretching coming this year!! 

http://meetingjesusinelcallejon.blogspot.com/2012/01/meet-alexandra-yuly.html

Bests (With Pictures!)

As promised, here are some of the Bests about my trip to Visalia:

Best way to keep awake after 22 straight hours of travel:  Find a station playing songs from the 80’s, throw dignity out the window, and sing along as loudly as you can!   

The trip each way was close to 24 hours.  Thank you for your prayers for safe and smooth travel.  We had no troubles making connections or finding our way around.  All praise to God!

Megan (Fiji), Rachel (DR, me, Tara (Costa Rica)
in Sequoia National Park

Quince:  There were 15 new missionaries, in various stages of the process, heading to four different countries.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, it was incredible to hear their stories.  God has surely been at work, redeeming the years the locusts ate (Joel 2). 

Rachel & me in front of General Grant
(and yes, I'm wearing a scarf & gloves -
thanks Rachel!!)

New/Old Sister in Christ:  A mutual friend put Rachel and me in touch when she was praying about coming on staff.  We’ve talked on the phone and emailed, but now we got to meet!  We stayed in the same house, which meant even more time to hang out and chat. 

I’m so excited that we’re going to serve together!  And, she loves hiking and Indian food, so it’ll be fun to have a friend to explore and cook with, too.

We call her ‘Jane’:  I always knew that Pam (who works in the SI office) was super sweet, patient and efficient with all my many questions and emails.  But, how fun to find out she loves Jane, too!  (That’s Jane Austen for those of you not obsessed!)  She’s even seen Bride & Prejudice (the Bollywood version of P&P). 

We had the opportunity for a good, long chat one day, and it was so encouraging to hear her story of brokenness and healing.  I praise God for another ‘new’ sister in Christ!

the house we stayed in didn't have
lizards or geckos, but did have a
rather demanding cat, Storm!

Believe it or not… I only spent 45 minutes in Target.  And that was mostly just to buy some BubbleWrap shipping envelopes.  In fact, I didn’t get much shopping done at all.  The rows and rows of stuff at Target (and also at Walmart where I managed an hour before giving up) really did overwhelm me.  Our schedule was also quite full, so there wasn’t much time to spare. 

Oops, I lied:  I spent 45 minutes in the actual Target, but nearly two lovely hours in the Starbucks in Target where I met Kris.  Kris and I connected through my blog more than a year ago.  She blogs, too, and writes honestly about how she’s doing, and her faith in Jesus in some un-fun circumstances. 

Since she lives in Visalia, we got to meet!  It was fantastic to chat with her, and it felt like I’d found still another sister in Christ.  She also gifted me with some awesome supplies for the Site, and herb seeds for me!  Can’t wait to try and grow some basil, thyme and others!

Karen & Mike, Kenny & Karen, Brian, Eric, me, Rachel
(All heading to the DR)
Sharing a laugh - and joy in knowing that God is so good!!

General Grant:  On Friday we drove up, up, up to Sequoia National Park.  The redwoods are incredible!  General Grant is the third oldest, and 40 people holding hands could circle its circumference.  Trying to look up at the top made me feel dizzy. 

267 feet tall, 107 feet around... the One who
created this amazing tree has carved us
on the palm of His hands!

Without moving, without speaking, without any flashing lights or bells and whistles, this giant tree shouted out the power and majesty of our Creator.  Walking in the beauty of the mountains, in the cool (okay, cold!) crisp air, talking with all of the wonderful SI folks… what a day!

Nuts-and-Bolts:  Oh, yeah, we actually did have some Orientation, too!  When I worked for Perdue, I had to spend 2 ½ days going over policies and procedures with the new hires.  So, I empathize with anyone having to go over this stuff.  Also, since it was my profession for many years, I actually enjoy talking about it!  (I know, I know, I’m a bit sick!)  It was good for those not on the field yet to hear about our retirement, payroll system, reimbursement procedure, etc.  

Alex, Socorro & Brian outside In-N-Out
Now I've been to California!!

In-N-Out:  Socorro and her husband Alex treated Brian and I to the In-N-Out experience.  (Soc was an Intern when Brian and Sissy were in the DR their first time.)  In the crazy-small world we live in, she knew the family whose house we’d been staying at, a friend of mine from Calvin College, AND good friends of mine from Harrisonburg!

The Main Thing:  The best thing was hearing over and over again, from SI leadership and Board members, the commitment to ‘keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing’.  We were encouraged to keep our relationship with Jesus the ‘Main Thing’ in all we are, in all we do. 

The needs of those we minister to (both in our communities and outreach participants) can pull our attention away from Christ if we’re not continually abiding in Him.  Each of us struggles with that at times – I sure do! – but knowing the commitment SI has to keeping Jesus our Main Thing means when my focus starts to drift, I know I’ll have others to lovingly help point me back.  

I’m leaving out all kinds of stuff, but hopefully that gives you a bit of an idea of what all happened.  It was a good time, and I returned home feeling even more blessed to have been called to work with SI.  And now… time to get ready to head back to El Callejon for the start of this new year of ministry!  Woo-hoo!!

A Bit More

I love the Kingdom work God has called me to here in the DR. I am humbled and grateful for His faithfulness, meeting me in so many ways. But, I have to admit, the past six months have been draining.

As I’ve shared before, I’m not an adventurous person. I never feel more relaxed than in the comfort of my little home. I like routine. I hate surprises and the unexpected.

Gracias a Dios, He is stretching me past myself, but going back to my home culture meant that for the first time in half a year, I didn’t have to put energy into the little things, like driving, communicating, even thinking.

Even though I’d never been to Visalia before, I knew what to do. With the long days of travel (a solid 24 hours each way), jam-packed meeting days (we were busy from 9am until 9 or 10pm each night), and the four hour time difference, I should have been super tired, but I really wasn’t. Instead, I was... refreshed.

Visalia (and the surrounding area) has a lot of farmland filled with orange groves and other crops. It’s an orderly place; the trees are planted in perfectly straight, neat rows, the streets laid out in a grid pattern. I’d never been there before, but it felt ‘right’, it felt like ‘home’.

Driving, meeting other SI staff, making small talk with checkout clerks and others in line, knowing what to do, how to act, what was expected…it all felt so natural and comfortable. The unspoken rules of life that none of us have to think about in our home culture.

The house we stayed in was huge and lovely, in a neighborhood full of manicured lawns and two- and three-car garages, asphalt roads and sidewalks. At 4-way stops, everyone waited their turn. And, I don’t remember seeing a single motorcycle! Some of you reading this may think this sounds dull and unexciting. To me, it was a dream (the good kind!).

But, I am not called to live that dream. I am called to a dream which includes the roosters, goats, dogs, and Maria’s cow – with her new calf, that woke me up this morning. The dream here can be frustrating and overwhelming, but it is one of the ‘good kind’. It’s good because it is where God has called me to serve Him.

Today is a holiday (they love holidays here!) so I’m getting a chance to rest up from 24 hours without sleep before heading back to El Callejon to start our year. Oh, my! How different from the grid of wide streets (with hardly any potholes!) and the orderly homes, crops, and buildings of Visalia!

If I'm going to be really honest with you, right now it seems impossible that the Dominican Republic will ever truly be home. It doesn't seem possible that the way of life here will ever refresh me. Yeah, I have to confess I feel kind of homesick today.

But, you know what? It's okay. Feeling homesick reminds me that my true Home waits. It reminds me that true refreshment comes only from the Living Water. Sharing His love with others who are thirsting for something - Someone! - they may not yet know, is why I am in this place.

I praise God for my time in the US. I praise Him for what He is doing in the DR.  I praise Him because He meets me, inviting me to find my hope, my strength, my rest in Him.  And, I praise Him that on the other side of my life here, I will go Home, and there I will never again be weary or thirsty or out of place.  Until then, may I be faithful!

Tomorrow I’ll blog about the “Bests” of my trip. And… like pretty much everything else in this season of my life, they weren’t what I expected! Oh, and there’ll be pictures, too! :O)

Much More Later!!

Hello from California!  I've been here at New Staff Orientation, and Wow! my head (and heart!) are full. 

I think the theme for the week has been "God is so good!"  Hearing the stories of how God has led broken, messy people to this place and time has been a little taste of Heaven. 

I can't do it all justice now (probably won't ever be able to!) but wanted to let you know I'll give it my very best try when I get back to the D.R.  Si Dios quiere, we'll fly home at midnight tonight, and arrive in Santo Domingo around 3pm tomorrow.  Prayers for smooth flights home would be most welcome. 

For me, some of the sweetest times of the week were meeting 'new' sisters and brothers in Christ.  I've known some of them through email for a year or more, and knew they were pretty awesome.  But, getting to know them, hearing parts of their stories... like I said, simply Heavenly! 

The first day we all met, everyone looked nice and pulled together, and it was good.  That afternoon we were invited to share a bit of how we got to this place in our lives.  Some of the stories brought tears to our eyes.  What wasn't visible when we first met were the scars and wounds we carried.  The wounds that Jesus has been redeeming.

Last night, our last night together, one of the new girls in her 20's (whose story has some elements of mine), said she had been a little nervous about meeting all the 'missionaries' because they would be so spiritual and holy.  But, she shared with us all last night, you're broken, regular people.  And, you all have baggage, too! 

I hope it's an encouragement to you to know that God invites the messy, the broken, the baggage-carrying regular people, to serve Him.  And friends, your call might be different, but is no less vital to His kingdom.  Truly, truly, it is vital!!

Sitting last night surrounded by other 'weaklings', there was excitement and power - in the Holy Spirit.  Looking around the room, having heard those stories, what I saw was the beauty of Christ.  Not in the perfection of these followers of His, but in the ugliness He has redeemed and is still redeeming.  The glow of Jesus was shining from faces. 

What a privilege to serve the One who takes the stinkiest, ugliest, most shame-filled parts of us, and transforms them into a sweet, sweet offering.  Only He can do that, and He's doing it in big ways!! 

I pray that as you go into this new year, you, too, will have the blessing of seeing your brokenness as the best thing about you. Because in those places, the light of Jesus shines out.  So, celebrate and share what God has done in you, and through you.  In our weakness, He truly is strong.

Okay, gotta dash.  Much more later!

Going Home

In 12 hours, si Dios quiere, (the Lord willing) I will be on my way to the Santiago airport to catch a flight back to the U.S.  To Visalia, California, (by way of Miami and Las Vegas) for New Staff Orientation at the stateside SI office. 

To be honest, I was kind of dreading this.  At MTI we learned that, if possible, one should stay in their new culture for the initial 18 months.  It takes about that long for someone to go through the various stages of transition (for more on that, check out my previous Transition Bridge posts). 

I left my home in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on June 25 but since I spent the summer in Guatemala, I’ve only been in the DR since September 25.  Three months.  So, I’m only 16.67% of the way through my transition.  I’ve barely started to make sense of things here, putting down the smallest of roots. 

And, it’s right after the holidays, a time when differences in cultures and feelings of loneliness can be amplified.  What happens if I get knocked all the way back to the first days, and forget all my Spanish in the process?! 

Umm, yeah, my imagination tends to go a bit overboard!  After fretting for far too long, I finally swallowed my pride and asked my prayer supporters to pray about this.    

Wow, has our gracious and loving God been answering!  Sometime over this past weekend, my fears about this trip started to lessen.  As I was walking back from church yesterday, I realized I’m going to miss seeing Dona Gloria, Maria and her kids, and Lisa (although, I hope she gets another bath before I get back!!). 

I’m going to miss my little apartment, fresh pina, reading out on my little porch.  I’m going to miss the sunshine and blue skies and mountains.  Very simply, I’m going to miss… home. 

And you know what?  The fact that I’m going to miss it is awesome!  Despite the fact that for the past three months (actually the past six!), even casual conversation and simple decisions have taken a great deal of thought and energy, this is where I want to be. 

Yes, there is plenty that I still need to learn.  Plenty of challenges just up ahead.  I’m still an outsider, and probably always will be.  I’m still struggling to catch all that is said to me, and that will probably continue well into this new year.  I’m still learning how things work in El Callejon, and will be stretched even more as teams come down and we begin new projects.

Today I saw Alexandra, one of our young moms from El Callejon, in Jarabacoa.  She was with her sweet son, Andreas, and gave me a shy smile when I kissed her cheek hello.  I was so excited to see them.  While I’ve enjoyed this time of rest, I’m eager to get back and see everyone. 

For me, going back will be a kind of going home, too.  Home, not because I feel like I fit in perfectly, not because it’s comfortable or easy, but because it’s where God has called me.  He has given me a heart for El Callejon and the people there, and after all, “home is where the heart is”!

And so, in the Holy Spirit’s power, I’m going to California, not in fear, but in anticipation.  I get to meet the wonderful SI staff there, members of our Board, and other field staff (including my awesome sister-in-Christ I’ve never met in person, Rachel!!).   

I’m going to learn more about SI, I’m going to do some shopping (for the Site, and yes, for me, too.  I checked, and there’s a Target there!), I’m going to enjoy drinking tap water and flushing my toilet paper down the toilet (too much information?  Seriously, though, it’s gonna be great!!) 

And then, in the same Holy Spirit power, I’m going to come home.

Happy New Year!

Yesterday I went for a run. I’m getting used to having to zigzag and sometimes hop over and around puddles and other stuff on the ground. It’s challenging, but definitely worth it to get out there and exercise –and see the beauty of the mountains, lush and green on all sides.

I thought back to the other mountains of the past year. The Blue Ridge near Harrisonburg, the Rockies in Colorado (where I went to mission training), the mountains and volcanoes near Antigua, Guatemala, and now here.

And then there were all those figurative mountains – saying my goodbyes, getting rid of my stuff, leaving my home, learning Spanish, beginning to adjust to a new country and culture… It’s been a pretty crazy year!

Yesterday I also finished the last chapters of Revelation (19-22). I love them! The crescendo as the beast and Satan are defeated, the Hallelujahs which break forth, the new heavens and new earth, the new Jerusalem, the restored Eden, where every tear will be wiped away. What a way to end the year!

This morning, I started again in Genesis. For two glorious chapters, everything is perfect. The Creator speaks life, and all is made. All is good. Eden is created and Adam and Eve live unashamed, able to enjoy perfect fellowship with each other and with God Almighty Himself.

And then, the Fall. Sin enters the world when humans decide that God is trying to keep them from the ‘good’stuff. When they decide they want to be gods themselves.

In that decision, not only are their two lives ruined, but all those who come after, even the perfect earth itself, become cursed. Having read the whole story, we know the terrible cost.

We see the fallout around us. This past year loved ones died way too soon, the earth shook and roiled, anger and hatred were everywhere, shalom shattered again and again.

After reading the end of the story yesterday, I almost didn’t want to start again. Or at least, go past Genesis 2! But, as a follower of Christ, I cannot live in the last chapters of Revelation and the first chapters of Genesis. I am called to live in the in-between. I am called to live like Jesus.

Jesus did not stay aloof in the perfection of Heaven, but chose to come and live in the brokenness. In His living and dying and living again He secured not just my life, but began the restoration of His Father’s Kingdom.

When Jesus taught us to pray, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven, He wasn’t just talking about the last few chapters of Revelation.

Instead of staying in those first and last chapters, we are called to move into the Fall. Not in our power, but in the power of the One who will restore perfect shalom, when nothing will be missing, nothing will be broken.

As so, we await the return of our Savior, but in His way. In the full armor of God, in the knowledge that the victory has been won, we stride out, refusing to accept the brokenness.

Here in the Valley, there are struggles and tears and strife. Satan has lost, but continues to fight, dangerous in His defeat. He has nothing to lose, and so is ruthless.

But, we’re not giving up! Instead, we gaze up at the vision of the new heavens and new earth, allowing that hope and assurance to sustain us. We are weak, but we cling to the One who is strong, and in the Holy Spirit’s power we go out past Genesis 2.

To all of you who have walked with me in the past year, I say thank you. Thank you for your willingness to enter the fray, through prayer, through encouraging me, through living your lives in ways which shout to the world that Satan does not have the victory. Thank you for having the courage to live in Genesis 3 and beyond. Thank you for continuing to point me to the Lamb.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and in Your coming, may You find us faithful!