and the journey continues...

Today marks exactly 2 months since my last post. The time has flown by as I was surrounded by such a great community of family and friends during my trip home.  The first two weeks of July were pure relaxation as I spent time with family and got reacquainted with 3 of my favorite little people in the world.... my 3 nieces.  We spent a week together, having fun in the water, zoo trips and a day at the amusement park. The only movie that I saw during my trip home was Monsters University. Guess who picked the movie??!! It wasn't me :).

We also did a day fishing trip.  I haven't been fishing in over 30 years, but I can definitely report that my fishing skills have not improved in the least. I left our fishing trip having caught a whopping ONE fish. However, I did help bait many lines for these little ones using squid and shrimp. It was way too gross, but these cute faces can get me to do almost anything! 

Next, I spent 4 weeks in Chicagoland reconnecting with friends and earning a few dollar bills while working as a NP again. It was wonderful to reconnect with my Lawndale family and to provide direct patient care. Again that theme of community resurfaced as I saw how God provided for me during those 4 weeks. I paid $0 dollars for housing thanks to the generosity of a few kind folks. I was treated to numerous good meals and those of you who know me, know I enjoy dining on an eclectic mix of foods. So, during those 4 weeks I stuffed myself on American, Mexican, Afghan, Korean, Italian, Japanese and Thai cuisines along with some Chicago favorites like deep dish pizza and Portillos.  I even cooked up a Dominican meal or two to share with friends and family.  On the weekends I made a couple of quick trips to visit friends in nearby states, but there is just never enough time. 

Those 2 months went by like a whirlwind of the best kind. Now, I'm back in the DR, but this time I'm in the rural area outside of Santiago. Yes, I'm becoming a campesina (country girl).  Rural (campo) way of life is way different that city life, but I guess that's no big surprise.  (I'm sure there will be a future post on that topic.) For now, let me update you on how I am spending my days. I am serving with a local non-profit organization, Project Hearts, to continue the launch of a community health project.  Project Hearts is supported by several US organizations,  primarily Grace Cares and Christian Medical Mission (CMM). CMM is sponsoring my time here in the DR by providing housing and a stipend which allows me to fully focus on the work in the community. CMM has really been an answer to prayer. When I first began praying about the idea to extend my time here in the DR, the idea of raising support was one of the barriers that I anticipated. There just was not enough time and I was running low on energy to make it all happen. This awesome group, were indeed a godsend. Thank you CMM. 

The community health program started in June identifying leaders in the community to train as lay health promoters.  These women meet weekly for training and then are asked to complete so many home visits a week sharing this pertinent health information with their community.  The lay community health model has been used in many countries to drastically improve the health of the people.  My predecessor, Meghan, did an amazing job with leadership training with the women and discussing water safety and purification. My assignment is to carry the torch forward by building in accountability and structure into the program, along with creating new modules on topics such as women's health, basic first aid, and nutrition.  We are actively recruiting for a director for the program who can commit to spend at least  a year focusing on developing the community health leader program. 

If you have made it this far in this long post... THANK YOU! I would like to share with you a few ways that you can support the work here in prayer. 

• Pray for me that I will be Christ's ambassador and able to share his love with those I encounter. 

• Pray for unity amongst the organizations that are collaborating on this project - Grace Cares, Project Hearts and CMM.

• Pray for further growth in language acquisition so I may communicate effectively with the people. Rural accents are a LOT harder to understand, so please pray that my ears and brain will be able to decipher the rural, Caribbean Spanish. 

• Pray for the search for a Director for the community health program. 

• Pray for strong work relationships with Ruben and Anel, the executive director and project manager for Project Hearts. Also pray for relationships and a social community in this area that I will not feel isolated and alone. 

• Pray for Mark and Ruth, two of the leaders from CMM who will be attending the Community Health Evangelism (CHE) training. Pray that we may be able to incorporate that model into our work here in Baitoa. 

• Pray for safe travel. The rural roads are very bad in some areas and a lot of the travel is by  motorcycle. 

Ok, I leave you with one last picture. The view from my house every morning. Aren't you jealous??!

Me voy pero llevo conmigo.... Lessons in love

First, let me apologize for being out of touch the last 30 days. I’ve thought of you, the readers of my blog, often. I just could not summon the energy/mojo/wit to write. So, here comes my last blog post for a little while. Why? Well, I’m in the airport returning to the US today. It’s been a super emotional 30 days, and an even more emotional week. 

If you would have asked me on Monday or Tuesday if I was ready to go, you would have heard a YES, most definitely. This week had a rough start. Monday night I woke up to a movie style explosion, white lights, am I alive or dead, kind of craziness. It was scary. I think I was more afraid than I’ve ever been before. At that moment, I just wanted to see my family, my mom, dad, siblings, nieces. Yes, I was scared. Thankfully we found out it was ‘just’ a power line transformer that blew and caught on fire. Thankfully it only burned for 90 minutes before the power company got their act together to shut off the current so the firemen could put out the fire. Thankfully the post that was burning and aiming for our backyard, actually slipped backwards and propped itself up on another pole instead of setting our yard on fire. That’s alot to be thankful for. 

The next night brought it’s own adventure as I woke up 2:59am with a GINORMOUS cockroach crawling on my forehead. I.am.not.exxagerating. Yo brinque, gire, grite, llore, baile y mas por el asusto. Yes, I jumped, shouted, screamed, danced, cried and more with fright. You know a bug is big if you can see it moving in the dark. Then it flew. It FLEW ya’ll!!! Then I jumped, shouted, screamed, danced and cried some more. The next 45 minutes were war between me, the cockroach, and the bathroom cleaner spray bottle. By 4:30 I was ready to fall asleep, but who can sleep when every time your eyes close you either see bright explosion lights or feel creepy crawly legs. 

So, yes, by Wednesday I was so ready to go home. I’m done Lord. I can’t do, go, say anymore. I’m done. DONE!! So, If I’m so done, why am I fighting tears now. Why are these poor people stuck on this flight beside me giving me the side eye for crying non-stop. What changed between explosion craziness and cockroach wars. Ok, here goes.

Those things are minor compared to the love, friendship, grace and mercy I have experienced, shared and received this year. These light and present afflictions are nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed.  If God has received any Glory this year, if one little life has been touched this year, it’s so worth it. I can’t believe I say that now because IF I could have summoned an airplane to Calle 2, Casa #23 on Wednesday, I would have been gone!  The mission would have been aborted, but I’m glad I held on.  God’s love is amazing. He doesn’t let go of us and he is calling us to love as he loves. To hold on when it’s not easy. To trust that his Glory will be revealed the more that we learn to love as He does. I learned alot about love this year from 18 five year olds and 4 flawed but beautiful Dominicans. I miss them. I love them. Aren’t we all flawed yet beautiful in God’s eyes. I’m done writing now..... I gotta stop crying eventually....  

Restless

It’s late. I’m restless. Honestly, I’ve been restless for the last 24 hours or so. It took me a while to pinpoint the issue. I fell asleep last night praying and crying out to God as this uneasiness in my soul is uncomfortable. Then it hit me... tomorrow will mark the beginning of my last 30 days here with Futuro Lleno de Esperanza. 

I’m thankful for this 9months. I can’t believe how swiftly it has flown by. It’s been amazing, rewarding, strengthening and purifying. It’s also been hard. Lonely at times. Challenging.   That’s what happens when you step out on faith. The road is not always smooth, but you always finish the journey having grown in ways that you didn’t sign up for. Seriously. 

I leave tomorrow for a couple of days in Santo Domingo.  I’m excited to see the capital city and the southern part of the country.  I’m excited to meet some folks who I most likely will be spending alot of time with in August. Yep, it seems that the Lord has me on this island for a little while longer.  And that’s a good thing. I’m excited to be able to continue to serve here.  I don’t know about you, but for me, anytime when I think about launching out into a new direction, a new assignment, DOUBT, creeps in. big time. 

Like the disciples in Matthew 8, I'm so prone to forget that I'm not on the ship by myself.  I'm not journeying alone.   I have a heavenly father, who is Super-Capable, can not fail, who is with me. I have no need to be afraid or worried.  I was looking for devotionals on this topic and ran across Renee Swope’s 7 day doubt diet/devotional. It’s free on itunes/ilibrary, nook, kindle, etc. Maybe doubt is keeping you from making that tough leap, from starting a new job, getting involved in a new area of ministry, etc, etc. As Renee says, maybe it’s fear or worry that you have blamed all these years, when at the core, it’s self-doubt.  ........ I double dare you to join me in this 7 days of digging into the Word of God to see what He says about having a confident heart in Him.  

Prayer Excerpt from day 1 of  Renee Swope’s devotional 7-Day Doubt Diet

{Lord, I want to become a woman with a confident heart in Christ.  Show me how to recognize when I’m tempted to throw away my confidence, and help me throw away my insecurity instead. ... ... When doubt or insecurity tells me I can’t do something, I will remember that all things are possible to her (him) who believes. In Jesus name, Amen. } 

Meet Robert

Meet Robert.

Robert Luis is one of the l8 five year olds that I have had the privilege of teaching over this last year.  Robert has worn glasses for most of his five year old life. However, they are usually hand me down glasses, that often don't fit well. Mom, has a hard time getting Robert back for follow-up visits so I really don't know how old the prescription is on these glasses. What I do know is that Robert still can't see with the glasses on.






So, Robert passes most of his days getting himself into trouble. Because, what is a kid to do when you can't see the board, nor the paper that is right in front of you, or the book that is 3 fingers away from your nose.  If you are Robert, you climb under the table, you run out into the hallway, you try fighting with the other boys. If you are Robert, that usually doesn't go so well, because he can't really see the other boys to hit them, so he throws a lot of air punches. The other boys, can always see Robert and their punches hurt.









Guess what?? Robert got new glasses 3 days ago. His mom took out a pretty significant loan to take Robert to a local eye doctor and a special pediatric optics place to get glasses that actually fit, are child friendly (Green - Robert's favorite color and plastic), and are the correct prescription!! Woo-Hoo! I must tell you as his teacher I was hoping for a Robert that would sit still and get some work done instead of wandering all over the place. Did. Not. Happen. I'm still hoping, but I imagine it's a process. But at recess, I was looking out at the playground and guess what. Robert can play now! Robert can socialize with other kids. Is that Robert in the line for the slide??

Notice that there is no gap in the line. Robert can keep up now!

That never would have happened before. Robert would barely make it to step #1 or  2 before the other kids would pass him up as he tried to find his way back down.  C'mon now, this is the slide. The most popular thing on the playground so you can't be holding up the line. It really was a safety hazard as the kid could not see the step! If you could see Robert now. Robert went up the slide over and over again. Then down the slide backwards. Then up the slide side instead of the steps.  He had so much fun. Check him out!

Well, I must admit that I had some ulterior motives in introducing you to Robert. He is one really cute kid... and pretty smart too.  Those glasses and the consult cost a nice chunk of money and the loan is fairly significant for this family of five.  I'm not sure of mom's plan for paying it off, but as you mother's out there know, that a true mom will find a way to move mountains for her baby! Mom took a big leap of faith with this loan.  Melanie and I were chatting and trying to figure out how to best help this family.  Melanie got to talking to some friends via social media and before we knew it some $$$ started rolling in. I was working on this blogpost all weekend but blogger was being really crazy and erased my post. Then last night I got a surprise donation on my Pay it Square fundraising page!  What an unexpected and surprise blessing!!  Thank you LORD!!! We now have enough to pay for the consult, the glasses and are well on the way to being able to purchase a spare pair!!

I'm praising God for these wonderful blessings!

Missing You

It's been an incredibly hard week. It's nurse's week.... and I realized how much I miss this wonderful group of nurses that I worked with at LCHC.  They are just a great group of professionals living out their call to Love God and Love People. I miss them. I really do.

It's teacher appreciation week... but I'm not really a teacher, but in obedience I'm teaching kindergartners for 9 months.  Did you know that as the school year winds down to an end that the kids are more hmmm.....  energetic than ever! Which also means more defiant and disobedient as they test limits over and over again.  That can be exhausting. 

Robert, this is NOT OK!!

My uncle died on Monday and I found out on Facebook. Nothing makes you feel more out of touch. Homesick. Grieving the loss of an uncle. Grieving that I'm not physically close to my mom as she buries another sibling.  Top that off with the rainy season and cloudy, gray humid days and I was in the pits. 

Some days it's a choice. You choose to be joyful, when you would rather cry. You hold on to the promises in God's word knowing that he is faithful. My promise for this week comes from Psalms 16:11. 

You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.  NKJV

Today, those five year olds must have sensed the heaviness in my spirit. As they went back to their seats after story time, one of them noticed that the teacher was still sitting in the reading corner. Before I knew it I was embraced by two little tiny arms. Those little arms disappeared and there was a new set of arms squeezing tight. The next little one gave me a slight kiss on the cheek. and this parade of hugs and kisses continued. and continued. and continued.  As these little ones ministered to me I was reminded again that in God's presence and in HIS will there is fullness of JOY, even on the tough days.

Trust the past to God's mercy, 

the present to God's love 

and the future to God's providence. 

St. Augustine

Let's move it... walking

It's Saturday morning... and I just returned from my morning walk. I woke up excited to go for a walk today. Usually I'm dragging myself out of bed on Saturdays to maybe do a brief exercise circuit.  I'm off the regular weekday walking schedule because my walking buddy and next door neighbor, Chiquita,  has family visiting from the US. After a week of being lazy I decided that I was more than ready to move it, move it. We have walked the same route enough that I felt safe to venture out by myself.

Shortly into the walk I realized that I was sort of making a mental note of all of the 'not normal', but normal for here stuff that I was seeing. Wow, I probably looked really cheesy walking with a stupid grin as I took it all in. It was pretty funny. So, here goes the list. No pictures though, because who goes walking with a camera :).

1.  Are those carcasses? Yes, they are... oh no, I just saw that one get beheaded. Oh, and there is the next goat waiting his turn. Note to self... no goat meat please.

2.  Sidewalk food stands... so this is where it's happening on Saturday mornings. All of the stands that are always parked and empty are busy on Saturday frying salami, serving up yucca and onions or spaghetti to hungry folks. Strangers sit down at a table together and enjoy a quick meal on the go.  Chicago may have some competition for the food truck scene.

3.  Street salesmen who carry all sorts of wares on their head. He was calling out that he had beans for sale, but what's on his head are flowers. I thought I misunderstood (which is completely likely) until the old lady came to her gate asking for beans. I couldn't stick around for his explanation. I gotta keep moving.

Well, there was other stuff too on my list, I promise, BUT I came home and showered and dressed, etc, etc, and I can't remember the rest of my list anymore. I promise you it was really amusing. Is this a sign of old age??

Anyway, about 1/2 way into the walk I was reminded of something that I have not done in quite some time, prayer walking.  Are you familiar with prayer walking? It's a great way to be mindful to pray without ceasing. As I passed businesses, I prayed for economic growth for the DR. I also prayed about the distribution of wealth that has created such disparities between the upper and lower class. When I passed a group of concho drivers (public shared cars) I prayed for safety on the highways. Accidents are the number one cause of death here. I passed a church and prayed that God would continue to raise up Biblically grounded leaders and bring a spiritual revival to the people. I prayed for everything and anything that I passed. I prayed intently and fervently and before I knew it I was almost home.  I may have a new Saturday morning routine!

1Timothy 2:1-3 (The Message)   The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

March Update .... Pictures!

It's April already... wow time flies!  This post will be less writing and more pictures. Here goes, March in review. Lots of love to you all!

Two teachers from school who went with us. Adrys and Monica

The beginning of March our foundation was invited to be on a local News Program.... Lo Buena is Noticia. The Good is News. Basically the host was sick of hearing so much bad news and started a news program to share the good things that are being done in the city. Awesome idea, huh.

Shhh... don't tell. While we were waiting I decided to practice for my future cooking show!

Take #777, I gave up on trying to get a good group shot.

 Our kids enjoyed 2 field trips this month... one to the Monument. Well, ok the official name is the The Monumento a los Héroes a la Restauración, but that is way too long so folks just call it The Monument. There is actually a lot of neat history about the Monument as it was originally built in 1944 by the dictator Trujillo. After his death rather than tear down the monument, as he really was a dictator whose rule is still felt in certain aspects of Dominican culture (read more here), the decision was made to rename the monument. 








Inside is a history museum that provided a good lesson for our little ones.  You will also note the Carnaval costumes in the background as our visit was right after Carnaval ended.  While there we also took advantage of kite flying season y subimos chichewas aka cometas aka kites!

Now, here are pictures of our other field trip... a walking trip to the local fire station and the water plant.   Francisco tried on the fireman's gear .... maybe it's a tad too big! The fireman did a little demo with the pole that the kids really enjoyed!

. 

Pre-Primario (kindergarten) lining up for the walk to the fire station and water plant. They were so eager to go that they made a straight line in no time at all. Major accomplishment for us!  This picture is minus 3-4 who missed out on the fun :(.  It's hard but they have to learn consequences right??. I still remember the first day when I thought I would never learn all 20 names. Wow, now I can tell who is still talking even with my eyes closed, I can tell you who is crying when I'm a couple of classrooms away and most times I can tell when they are being truthful and when they are not.  Don't let their cuteness fool you....  but I heart these little ones!




We take for granted clean drinking water. Drinking water comes in the large blue bottles for about 35 pesos each. This place, Proyecto Bernabe, was started by a mission group from Indiana. They provide clean, filtered water for 15 pesos each! We are glad to support their work to provide clean water to the Cienfuegos community. (read more here)






I really like doing this overview. It's amazing all the things that happen in a month that you forget about. I was scrolling through and ran across this picture of me and the pregnancy class. Unfortunately do to a schedule conflict I missed most of their classes... BUT I did make it to the last one and we played Newborn Jeopardy (thank you J. Oh and the Centering curriculum at LCHC). The ladies had a good time and I did too! Maternal child health has always been a love of mine.... I think I forgot how much!

There were lots of joyful fun in March, but there were some hard times too. Our community, Villa Rosa II, suffered a large house fire. The kids ran to greet us that morning, out of breath they began to tell the story. Fire.... big fire... bomberos came (firemen).... died.... hospital....crying.... sad.... The words tumbled out of their mouths.

After hearing the version from several little ones it began to make sense. An infant died in the fire and another child was in critical condition. The funeral was to be held the next day and of course the family was devastated. In a community like Villa Rosa most of the kids gathered with their families outside the house as it smoldered. You see, folks, don't have much to give, but what they do have is time. So, they gather and spend time with the family, lingering around, talking, sharing, reminiscing, crying. In some societies we try and shelter kids from this hurt, but I've learned over the last months that pain is a sad reality of their lives. They often will tell me of someone being shot, or 'tigeres' (gangsters/bad guys/i don't know the translation) who beat someone up, shot or cut someone, motorcycle accidents, death, sadness and pain is something they accept as normal. So, I try to let them process it, talk about it, hear them out as they try to make sense of life. And I pray for them, that God would heal their community, their land, their hearts. That God would shine his light over their lives and protect them from the dangers that are so prevalent and surround them with loving arms to embrace and reassure them along their journey.

Lastly, I will wrap up with a few pictures from Holy Week aka Semana Santa. I enjoyed a sunrise service outside the city with a lovely group of folks from Santiago. We sang hymns and shared in communion to celebrate that Christ has risen! Cristo ha resucitado!  Amen!

Gazing at the beautiful sunrise!

Good Friday

It's Good Friday! I like the way it's phrased in Spanish much better, Viernes Santo. Good has never been the right word to describe today. Santo, Holy, yes, that fits the day. Even the nightly merengue blasting from the speakers are absent today. Viernes Santo, yes it is a holy day.  I spent half of the day taking a bus trip back from the northern border of the country, allowing for a lot of time to think. Good Friday, Christ died, punished, crucified, paying a debt that he did not owe, allowing himself to be uncomfortable, enduring pain to bring change, love, and HOPE to the world.

I've felt really easily overwhelmed lately. You know, simple, small decisions... or maybe not so small ... what to do with my life next? Should I go here? or there?  Should I hang out with this group?  Will they like me? What to wear today? Should I relax my hair or keep it kinky?? Little stuff and big stuff has felt really stressful and it all led to a big old pow-wow, a couple of days ago. Not pretty, I tell you.

You see, it's hard stepping out into the unfamiliar. We crave comfort. The comfort of people we know. Surroundings that are familiar. Routines that are known. Habits and customs that are understood. I sort of  feel like I'm getting my bearings on some of those things, BUT I can feel the ground beneath me shaking. What!! More unfamiliar territory. What!!  New people. What!! More change.

Just when I'm at the point of wanting to resist. Wanting to cave and go for the comfort zone, I'm reminded of Calvary. My Savior didn't cave, he agonized, he pleaded, yet he surrendered his will completely, totally to the will of the Father. His Love for me, kept him on the cross. Change, it's coming, but I'm figuring out how to be ok with it. I know it will be for My joy and for HIS glory!


"For nails would not have held God-and-Man fast to the Cross, had Love not held him there"  St. Catherine of Sienna



ps: artwork courtesy of my kindergarten babies!

Prayers answered

Yesterday marked exactly 30 days since I returned from Christmas holiday. It's been a fairly busy 30 days with getting readjusted, welcoming my first guest to the island, and figuring out my revised schedule since the changes in the mobile clinic.   As I thought about this last month, I am extremely grateful for the many prayers answered.  Hopefully, many of you received my Christmas update letter that provided updates on my Praises and Prayer Needs. In case you don't remember, here it is below. 

So, let me testify about some of the prayers that have been answered already! Forming friendships when you are living outside of your home country is challenging for many reasons that are varied and complex. About 3 weeks ago, a lady stopped by the house and introduced herself. She was looking for someone to practice English with and I guess the word on the street was that the ladies who live in the corner house speak English. Small community, word travels I guess. Well, Melanie who is the superb English teacher extraordinaire is extremely busy, so this nice lady was introduced to me. Maybe Jewel can help. We chatted and exchanged some basic information and made a plan to meet. We have met together just 2 times so far, but our times of conversation have really been a blessing. My new friend is named Carola. She is a sweet Christian woman who happens to live just down the street. Our 2nd meeting/English lesson was really more of a devotion time. We read the Our Daily Bread devotion (www.odb.com) in English and discussed how it applied to our lives. Carola is also helping me with my Spanish so we are spending about half the time chatting in English and the other half chatting in Spanish. I count that as 2 prayers answered with one stone.

Another prayer need was the suspension of the medical clinic. Unfortunately the clinic has not yet been restarted, so please continue to pray. However, I'm thankful that one of the 3 staff members has found another employment, which means he and his family can stay in the country a while longer! He is super thankful to be working again in the medical field. This is temporary work, so please pray that a permanent opening will become available. For me, it's been really difficult not having a health focus as part of my ministry here. This week there has been a short term medical trip less than a quarter mile up the street from the school. The team is mostly Nurse Practitioners, Physicians and Dentist from Indiana Purdue University. I had the pleasure of working with them for 2 days this week. Oh the joy of doing patient care again! They were so surprised to find a FNP here and I was so grateful to God for sending them my way!

Thank you for partnering with me in prayer! I read once that we should make more of a habit of writing our prayer requests down so we can clearly see how God is answering our prayers. Try keeping a journal record of your prayer requests, like a prayer log, and start crossing off the many prayers that God is answering.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 NIV

Give Thanks...

OK, so I had so many intentions of getting a Thanksgiving post up by Thanksgiving week and obviously it did not happen. So, I started to just let it go... didn't make that goal. Shucks. Yet the idea of a post giving Thanks has remained with me and I've felt this gentle nudging to do it anyway even though Nov 22nd has come and gone. Honestly, I haven't been in much of a give thanks mood just recently. That's really not like me so I'm pretty upset with myself. Ha. Imagine that ... me upset with me.

Anyway, forcing yourself to make a list of things that you are thankful for is guaranteed to elevate the Spirit, bring a smile to your face and often, tears of joy to your eyes. So, here goes my list... even if it is almost exactly one week late, I'm glad that Giving Thanks is always in season!

1. Family and friends -  The last 6 months have been an awesome season of faith and stretching and I'm grateful for my family and friends who journeyed with me through this season of transition.  I have a new appreciation for my family and if it’s possible, I realize that I love them more and more every day. We’ve had some tough mountains, but boy we stick together and are stronger and closer because of it! 

2.  My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - This Advent season is a time to re-focus on the true source of the Hope and Love we have.

3. Group hugs - the last 3 months I've gotten over 18 hugs a day, unsolicited, knock you down, trample on you bear hugs!  That’s what happens when almost twenty 5 year olds decide that a group hug is in order! My hug jar is full :)

4.  Make new friends, make new friends, but keep the old ones, one is silver and the other is gold. That line is from a song I learned as a child and I'm so thankful for my friends... both silver and gold. My newest friends are the Alcequiez family. They have taken me in under their wings (quite literally since the chickens now outnumber the humans) and under their roof and I'm so thankful for them. 

5.  Hot showers-- you don’t realize what you miss until it’s gone!

6.  Food -- I love trying new foods, most ethnic cuisines, and even dabbling in the kitchen. I’m thankful for this immersion into Dominican cuisine and the joys of fresh, unprocessed food!

7.  Internet -- oh boy, I don’t need cable or a TV, but internet, oh Lord, yes I’m thankful. It’s been a lifesaver to stay in touch with family and friends over email, Skype and FB!

8.  Lawndale Christian Health Center -- I spent the last 6 years in Chicago, IL, serving with this wonderful group of Christian medical professionals. The people who serve at this health center are phenomenal and I will forever cherish that faith and professional community. 

9.  Sunshine and Rain - There is a reason and season for every thing. I”m thankful for the sun that shines but also the rain in life that waters my growth. 

10.  Chocolate - I know this counts as food, but still it's different. You understand, right? I can't wait to bite into a piece of Dove dark chocolate. In the meantime, I'm having fun trying out each chocolate bar at the grocery check out :)! I'm sure there is at least a drop of antioxidants in there somewhere. 

11. I'm thankful to be an American -- Chocolate was supposed to be the last one, but I forgot this one that has come to mind so often in the last year.  The blessing of being born in a country that has a great educational system, financial resources, and opportunities galore is often taken for granted. Of course, it's not a perfect country, but having traveled a bit to other countries, we as Americans, are blessed and I am thankful. 

Stuck

Today marks 8 weeks since I arrived here in Santiago. I think it has all crashed down today and my shoulders feel heavy with the weight of it all. It's that moment when you are totally and utterly overwhelmed and you are at a loss of what to do next. That's exactly the point where I don't want to be, but yet here I am.  stuck. You know, unable to move, shut down, stagnant, at a dead end, helpless and just plain stuck.

Our mobile clinic has grown, yet you reach that point where you have to look at quantity and quality. We want to be able to serve people well. When Jesus fed the multitude they were well taken care of. He attended to not only their spiritual needs but their physical hunger as well. We want to care for our patients well...  there are those days that you meet patients who need specialty care, lab tests, imaging, etc, you don't have the right medicines or enough of the medicine and you just feel helpless.  How I wish for the IRIS system in Chicago to refer patients to the County Hospital. Yep, there was a LONG wait, but at least they were on the list, and at some point you knew their name would be called. Here, there is no list, there is no computerized referral system, no comprehensive referral network, there's NOTHING. So, what do you do with the patient who whispers that she is HIV positive, or the 18 year old with the history of thalassemia with a grade 4 systolic murmur that she says was never heard previously, or the 10 year old little girl who has a "ganglion cyst" with atypical symptoms like edema, decreased range of motion and pain. Let me not forget the many, many pregnant moms, who have no prenatal care, many of whom will deliver at home by themselves. You just feel stuck. What to do?

You pray. And pray. And pray. I'm starting to work on a resource list. Easier said than done, but I know there has to be other health ministries on the island. It's time to start looking for connections, people who will help and partner with us in providing care to our patients. It gets a little complicated by race relations on this lovely island. A large percentage of our patients are Haitian, and sometimes that feels like a bad word. I have a student who hides out in the other classrooms because the neighborhood kids pick on her that she has a Haitian teacher.  So, she doesn't want to be in my room anymore. yes, I know I'm not Haitian, but the bullies don't know that and that's all that matters to this 5 yr old. Besides, it shouldn't even matter!!!  Yes, Haitian can feel like a bad word to a kid and to many adults. .. There's also the kid who has a Haitian mom and a Dominican father. He decided last week that he was going to be Korean because he is tired of the teasing, and at least he would know "what" he is and can help people like our Korean pastors help people. This teasing at the school yard level has its root in the prevailing attitude towards the Haitian immigrant here. So, even though I'm looking for connections, you know, people who are on the ground already doing health ministry, yet, we have to make sure they are willing to see our patients, regardless of race.

At this moment, it feels like a big task, but I serve an even bigger God, who can give direction, vision, insight and provide what we need. Ministry here in the DR has been a blessing, but I have to be honest that today is one of those tough days. That's when I come to you, my friends, so, you can unite with me in prayer. The persistent prayer of the righteous will be effective. Here are some specific requests:

1. Pray for referral specialists who will collaborate with us and love our patients regardless of race.
2. Pray for laboratory services-- We desperately need access to some basic point of care testing and some simple hematology and chemistry panels, urinalysis, rapid HIV testing and follow-up. I'm praying for a Christian lab owner who will give our patients a discounted pricing and for increased financial resources to cover the costs of some in clinic testing.
3. Pray for strategic planning and vision for the mobile clinic.
4. Pray for race relations on the island.
5. Pray for financial resources. Pray about how God may use you to support one of these projects.
6. Pray that we will demonstrate Christ's love to all patients who trust us with their health needs.

Dropping by...

Sometimes my brain is overloaded by all of the cultural nuances and differences that I observe on any given day. I imagine at some point these things will become more common place and my overworked brain will not be on overdrive. Until then... every day there is something new that makes me say, hmmm.

Most recently, it was the way people just 'drop by' to say hi. It's actually kind of cool, but coming from the States, where you call or email, or even make multiple calls and emails with all of the phone tag just to arrange a day and time to meet, place to meet, etc, etc it's quite a bit of culture shock. At any random moment, someone will walk up to the gate and just holler to get your attention that they are stopping by. The ones who are really good friends don't even stop at the gate, but just come on in. 

Last night, it was the nuns who run the school and church a couple of houses down. "Vecina" they hollered out.... we went to the door to be greeted by two sweet older ladies who were wrapping up their evening at 8:45pm by making housecalls on their neighbors. Being good Christian folks, we invited them in and had a really lovely chat. The sister shared a scripture with us before leaving. It was actually exactly what we were planning for our kids chapel this week, from Ephesians 6 about honoring your parents. Last week we started the conversation using the verse in Exodus 20:12 but we felt the need to continue the dialogue for another week. The sisters confirmed the plan when she opened up the discussion with the Ephesians 6:1 verse. Plus it was a great discussion to have with the 2 little ones who were excited to be up a little later than usual!

This weekend, around the same time, maybe 9pm, a couple stops by. No call ahead, just the gate sliding open as they came in with their 2 kids in tow. I'm always sort of startled by these surprise visits, while everyone around me seems completely chill.  They come in and take a seat as if it's 3pm in the afternoon. Hmmm, my western sensibilities are obviously annoyed, which I later feel very convicted about. The 'wife' is 17yrs old and just had baby #2 six weeks ago. Her 29 yr old 'husband' can't understand why she is so sad all the time and crying even though she spends all day at home with 2 little ones under age 2. They came over because she finally told him that she had to get out of the house or she was going to lose her mind. Postpartum depression is definitely real, but not very understood here at all. The husband takes it all as a personal assault and meanwhile she just looks completely sad and blank. It's hard to believe that she is the same, smiling happy young adult I met when I first arrived.   I had fun playing with baby, while Melanie stepped into role of counselor, but even more so of friend. 

These random, or not so random, visits are pretty much the norm here. More and more I'm appreciating the way that people build community and always make time for one another. It's a lesson I'm learning for sure as I am learning how to re-focus and re-prioritize my life.  In the meantime, if I can drop in to your busy schedule and ask that you would maybe whisper a prayer for our friend, Lila, as she adjusts to being a mom of 2 little ones, I know she would really appreciate it. 

Effectual, Fervent Prayers!

You know, if you have ‘grown up’ in the church you probably have heard such church language as I can feel people praying for me. Or I know it was the prayers of the righteous that carried me through. Or folks commenting that I felt your prayers, thanks for praying, etc.  Have you ever thought about what does that feel like to know people are praying for you? How do you know? Is that some spooky deep spiritual talk or is it possible that there are moments, seconds, hours and days that you are only moving forward because of the prayers of the Body of Christ?

I have to say that over the last 4 weeks, it has been an amazing feeling to know that people were and are praying for me. I have no doubt in my mind that it was the prayers of many Believers that have carried me through the last four weeks of wrapping up time in Chicago and preparing to journey to the Dominican Republic. It dawned on me one day while driving to work that I felt a supernatural lift carrying me that morning. My energy was gone. My drive to get stuff done was way past “E”. I just didn’t think I could go one day more. Late nights and early mornings were taking their toll on me. But on that day, driving that familiar route to work, I felt that something had shifted. I was still fatigued, but there was a palpable power source infusing strength and power into my energy tank and it definitely was not of my own doing. It hit me... the prayers of other Believers were joining with mine to reach heaven on my behalf! 

This may sound like crazy talk to some of you, but there are others out there that get it! The persistent, fervent prayer of the righteous will accomplish mighty things! I am blessed, beyond blessed to have been on the receiving end of so many prayers!  I have felt your prayers..... Thank You!