God put a rainbow in my window...

I'm listening to rain patter on the tin roof and window coverings and thinking about just how quickly this storm came out of nowhere. Just a few minutes ago it was sunny and bright. I looked out the window and noticed that I could see a clear line separating where it was pouring to where it was still sunny and bright. Wow! I stepped outside and saw the most gorgeous rainbow! I absolutely love rainbows. Its a fairly new love for me that started about 2 yrs ago, after I had just resigned from my job and made it official that I was making the move to the DR. I walked out those doors feeling light and heavy at the same time and was greeted by this most amazing rainbow! It felt so personal, as if the God of heaven was speaking just to me.

It's been a busy month here on the ground, and a part of me know that these 4 months are going to fly by. One is gone already. I also have had some other thoughts and worries in mind. As I looked out the window and saw how quickly it went from sunny to cloudy and sunny again I was reminded just how quickly seasons in our life can change.

I have been so blessed by this season in my life. Part of me wonders how will I ever go back to 'life as usual'. Just yesterday I was reunited with some beautiful faces from last year.  I don't know who was more excited, them or me!! My life has been forever changed from my time serving here. I'm so grateful  and I know that God has a plan to weave it all together. The rainbow today reassured me of that... my heavenly Father knows exactly what he is doing and he put a rainbow in my window to remind me! Does anyone remember that song from 198x?? I'm dating myself,  I know!  (click God put a rainbow in my window! )

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??!

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. } 

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

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!

December Reflection

A Christmas tree in the barrio.

I'm sitting in the airport, preparing for a journey back home-home;  to borrow a system used by a friend to designate home in the states from home where God has placed her for a season. Last night, I let out a yelp of anticipation as I thought about my next shower would be a hot shower! Woo-Hoo!!  I wish you could have seen the big cheesy grin at the thought of a hot shower. Oh, and how I'm looking forward to seeing my family and friends. 

As I think about the last 3 months, I'm amazed and so grateful for the warm welcome that I have received in Santiago.  I was invited to a Christmas service last night at a house church in Santiago and it was absolutely the best way to wrap up this first trimester of my journey.  We clapped, sang, danced, played and basted in the warmth of that humble place and in the joy of Christ. How awesome!  Today, I can't stop thinking about the warmth that lit the room, the laughter in the kitchen as we all chipped in to get dinner prepared,  the children who sang with reckless abandon, and the little faces that ran to greet me. 

The anticipation of going home to 'home comforts' has been building the last 3 weeks, but in that moment I experienced a sweet peace. Christmas is often such a hurried, worried, busy time and I'm delighted to have been able to enjoy a slower pace this year.   From  the mananita -  drumming and Christmas carols at 5am, to learning new Christmas songs, and new vocabulary in Spanish to share the story of our  Savior's birth, this Christmas season has been unlike any other.  So, as I return to the states and re-immerse myself into old Christmas traditions,  I pray that the true and most meaningful parts of Christmas will be what shines brightest in my life. The value of family and friends and time spent together, the birth of a Savior, who is the Great Hope, and the importance of serving others and not aborting the vision that God has for each of us here on Earth are all at the heart of Christmas. 

The kindergarten class.... I love these children! 

I imagine that at the end of this vacation, it will be tough to say good bye once again to family and friends. I have this picture of myself and the 18 kindergartners (2 were absent this day) to remind me of why I'm here, in Santiago. God has blessed me to be able to plant seeds in the lives of these little ones but they have taught me so much more, in the sweet innocent way that only kids can do.  They really are an amazing group of little ones.  As we go into the second half of the school year, perhaps, you would want to contribute to some of our classroom needs??!! I brought an extra empty suitcase home in the hopes that we can fill it with classroom supplies. If you can help, please check out our needs on the wishlist tab by clicking here.   

Merry Christmas and God Bless You!

Jewel

La misionera nueva

I would like to introduce you to la misionera nueva.... I here that phrase quite a bit as I am still meeting the pastors and team members at our 4 churches and 2 education centers and other random folks thrown in here and there. I have to admit that every time, it really does catch me off guard. Excuse me, are you referring to me, I want to ask, or sometimes there is that awkward pause before I realize, oops, they are talking about me. I am the new missionary. Wow, really, Lord when did this happen. A missionary... yes, I guess that is what I am. I wish I could say that I'm one of the ones who was mission minded since age 3 or 4, but that's not my testimony.

I really think it came down to availability. Sometimes we reach a point in life, where we decide to let go of our plans for the future, how we thought our life should unfold, the things we held important, and to completely surrender to the Heavenly Father.  Basically, we decide to make ourselves fully available to God, no strings or conditions attached. At that point of surrender, God, can set you on the path that he has planned for each of us. I have to admit, that can be a scary place to be, because it forces us to really trust God. Not to just give lip service about trusting God, but to 100% trust his promises. After much tripping and stumbling and sometimes just falling flat on my face, I would like to think that I have this trust thing down packed 100% of the time. That's not the case, but I'm so grateful that yesterday when I needed to be reminded of how trustworthy God is, he encouraged me through someone else's testimony and reminded me to "concentrate on what God wants me to do now, and to leave the future in hands that are more capable than mine: God's hands."

Psalm 16:11  "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Lights, Camera, Action!

Praise God for safe arrivals to Santiago, Dominican Republic! The last 5-6 months of prayer and planning has culminated in my hitting the ground last week and now it's 'showtime'!! The last 9 days have been filled with getting acclimated to a new language and a new culture. There are so many praise reports that I can't list them all, but I would like to share a handful with you!

1. Safe travels and passage of luggage - all 3 suitcases arrived with no problems, including the school supplies and $250 worth of medications and supplies that I was bringing with me for the mobile clinic.  Today I met Dr. Tony and passed on some things to him. He was exceptionally happy about the otoscope! It's a very basic one that I found on amazon.com, but will at least allow him to do a better assessment of the many ear complaints and prevent unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics! The mobile clinic was started in the last 6 months and has grown from visiting 6-10 sites monthly to over 35 locations. We are praising God that Worldvision has come on as a partner with us in the mobile clinic expanding the number of communities that we are able to serve. Today we started strategizing about how to incorporate community education into the current mobile clinic services, as we really believe an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

2. La profe nueva habla Chino??? - I spend the mornings teaching English to 4/5 yr olds and then to 6-8yr olds. The kids are adorable even though I hear PROFEEEEEE (short for profesora) yelled 50 times a day. On day 2, one of the kids asked the director if I was speaking Chinese?? I'm not sure if he was referring to my English that was foreign to him or to my Spanish that was so mixed up that he thought it was Chinese!! I confirmed that NO, la profe nueva is NOT speaking Chinese!! We still laugh at this comment and I'm thankful that the kids are so welcoming and are good at making me laugh! This week the focus was on colors red and blue.  Next week we add the color green and begin work on introductions in English..... hello, my name is Jewel y no hablo Chino!

3. Weekly Chapel started this week. What a blessing to sing and worship with 70 children and to watch them listen attentively as the word of God was shared. Our kids come from homes and families of all make up an design. Some are 2 parent homes, others are being raised by grandparents, some leave school to go 'work' in the landfill with their parents, others have felt loss that is beyond their years.  Juan arrived to school this week 2 weeks after school started because the family had been grieving the sudden death of the 14 month old brother and the family was too distraught to bring him and the other brother to school. Every day Juan asks me at least 10 times in the day can he go to the preschool class to check on his 3yr old brother. How can I deny him, knowing the unexplainable loss that he is feeling for his 14 month old brother. So we worked out an arrangement so that his desk is by the door.... and when he feels the need he can look down the hall into the preschool classroom to assure himself that the 3yr old brother is ok. Our kids have tough stories, but it brings joy to the soul to hear them proclaim the Word of God at the top of their lungs....Their memory verse for this week comes from Psalms 139:14... Te alabo porque soy una creaccion admirable!

Just a few highlights and praises from this first week and a half. Please keep the work and ministry in CienFuegos, Santiago, in prayer. A few prayer needs are listed below.

• Lights -- our power lines have been stolen twice in the last 9 days
• Behavior issues - many of the students have never been in class before!! There are lots of learning challenges that turn into behavior problems out of the student's frustration. 
• Adjustment -- Language acquisition is a challenge, plus understanding "Kid Spanish" is tough! Also some of the words are different than Mexican Spanish, for example the word for bag is fundo instead of bolsa. 
• Internet - Internet is expensive... but would help with the adjustment such as Skype access, etc. Pray for a less costly internet option. 
• Mobile Clinic - many medications are needed as well as educational opportunities. Pray for wisdom as the clinic has grown rapidly, but there are many needs to keep up with the growth. 

Labor of LOVE

Christart.com

Today was my last quarterly meeting at  LCHC.  The quarterly meeting has come to be one of my favorite things about LCHC.   Honestly, I have many favorite things, but I love the energy of gathering all 300+ employees together for worship, encouragement, staff recognition, etc. It reminds me of what drew me to Chicago and the work at Lawndale to begin with... the love of Christ. Today Coach shared from 1 Thessalonians 1:3 about the labor of love that serving at Lawndale requires. It's beyond work, as he explained, but it is LABOR. There are days that it is extremely hard, systems seem to fall apart, patients are late, you as the healthcare provider are running behind, all of your patients are extremely sick, noncompliant, depressed, or all of the above and you can't help but feel the frailty of your humanness. Yet, in those moments you are supported and carried by the love of God to press on and endure in this labor of love.

There are not many health care settings around the country that would permit the staff to take an afternoon "off" to be recharged. As Coach said... we are just being paid to do what God commands.... Love God, Love People.  Well, as you may guess, I was holding back tears for the entire 2 hour meeting. Again, for the umpteenth time, I searched my heart, to see if there was a hint that God had changed the plan. Not at all.... in the midst of this ball of emotion, I still have peace. So, 8 hours after the meeting I just clicked the purchase flight button for my soon departure to the next adventure that God has outlined in my Future Filled with Hope!

Thanks for following along with me on this journey.  I need your prayers desperately as I step out on faith. I am raising support for the first year  and you can give by clicking on the give tab above or the link below.

Give to support my work in the Dominican Republic

Countdown!

Thanks for visiting my blog! Today is July 2nd and I have just 65 days to go before............. I depart for the Dominican Republic! I'm such a ball of emotion right now ...happy, joyful, sad, nervous, peaceful all at once. Is it possible to have peace and all of those crazy emotions too?? Good question. I definitely have peace that God is ordering my steps. I did not expect to get that crazy stirring in my Spirit after the mission trip in February. The last four months were crazy as I researched the Dominican Republic, mission opportunities, sent tons of emails and prayed like never before! God has answered and I am stepping out on FAITH and will be partnering with Futuro Lleno De Esperanza (like them on Facebook!) for a year of service!

I need your prayers desperately! Also, please considering giving financially if you are able. Click on the Give tab above. Lots of love to you all. I'm living my best life and it is a Crazy Fun Faith Filled Adventure.....beyond all I could Hope or Think!

Facebook us.... Futuro Lleno De Esperanza

Sow a financial seed....