Catalina de Bani

We went back to Catalina de bani today, I really do enjoy it there.

I was feeling really dehydrated this morning, so I slept on the bus and continued to a small village that afternoon. There were these two little boys, one of which named Wilson, I was playing with through the bus window. During the service at the church, I noticed three year old Wilson falling asleep standing up. He came over and sat on my lap and slept for a good 30 minutes if not more until we left.

I just adore this country, this gospel and these kids.

Obedience.

The last few days have been so bittersweet.

Yesterday at Catalina de Bani I met a girl EXACTLY like me. To the tee. Were even reading the same book at the same time. She feels exactly the same about missions, people, the US and Spanish. It was so awesome to hear the same desires coming from someone else. So I guess I'm not crazy!

Last night, on the other hand, hurt a little bit. I'm really praying about direction in the area of missions, I'm becoming so attached to people and this life, to the point i've had nightmares every night about somehow leaving early, being trapped in the US, etc. I wake up in a panic all the time. I don't know how i can go back 'home'.

I'm broken over a few things, to be honest. I need direction and clarity, please please pray that I seek God first and everyone else second. My heart is fickle and changes constantly. I need the Lord, period. All I want is to know Him more, live for Him now. I've spent too much for my life confused, lost, hurt, and ultimately unhappy. There is NOTHING good in this world that lasts or satisfies. Yeah, fun for a bit, but Absolutely nothing compares.

I want Him and only Him. Show me your glory.

I will be still and know You are God.

I just had a dream that I left the DR before my time was done, like I was just gone and didn't realize I left.

I was crying like a baby. I was so upset, missing it so much it physically hurt - and this was just a dream.

I want to savor ever moment, I don't know how I'm going to be able to leave.

Nothing is wasted. Nothing is wasted.

Nothing. Is. Wasted In God's plan.

I'm praying for eyes to see good in everything that comes my way. Spiritual warfare is strong, and a life of missions is not easy. But man, it's worth it. Two kids accepted Christ yesterday, I had an incredible talk with a girl named Antonia today. God is working.

His glory, Always and forever.

Patience.

The lord is teaching me patience, without a shadow of a doubt. My week has been a tad frustrating. But he will work.

In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly. (Nehemiah 9:33 NIV)

Giddy

I feel giddy, I feel like I'm in love. And you know what? It's so much more than an emotional thing. I'm so genuinely happy. I'm so content. God is so good. And the people here are just incredible.

I love the lord. I never quite knew you could love someone this much, He is so good. AHHH. I'm almost frustrated that I can't put It accurately into words. But I love my savior, and I so desperately long that others can experience this too. :)

Emanuel house

Today has been one of the longest days I've had thus far in life. Almost 24 hours later, oh boy.

This morning I woke up and took my lovely group to the airport, at 3:30am. By the time we got back to score, it was around 5:15 and I had to meet with a pastor named Aby at 6, so I figured if I went to sleep for 45 minutes, likelihood would be that I wouldn't wake up, period. Haha. Turne out Aby's apartment gate was locked, I didn't meet with him, but I spent some incredible time with the Lord.

It was incredible, complete solitude (with is unheard of here) in the dark, reading the truth. My heart just thirsted for the gospel and it was well worth the lack of sleep.

At 7, we were off to san pedro. Today at the daycare, they were doing the last day of a class for the teachers and staff to learn how to better encourage the kids, love them, and let them be kids. It was an INCREDIBLE class, I learned so much. I have the Manuel and can't wait to read it in more detail.

My day, other than that, was playing with beautiful children. A little girl was playing with my hair, rain inside, come back out with perfume on her hands and put it in my hair. It reminded me of the parable of the woman washing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume. (which I read this morning, mind you.) it almost brought me to tears, seeing her humbleness and love, it blew me away.

I played with my coco-loco aka wilmore, my little boy who I absolutely adore. He's attached to my hip, it's going to make leaving in august SO hard. And my beautiful Ellie who I've known the last three years. It's been such a great experience to see them grow and learn. They just make me so happy.

God is good, when there's NOTHING good in me. I was reminded of that today: He's worthy.

Keep me in your prayers, I need them!

Strep Throat and secret Peanut allergy

Over the course of the last few days, I've been ridiculously sick with no wifi. So I apologize for being MIA.

Today's post is short and sweet. This is my Wilmore. I love him, he's been such a little light to me. The other day, I told him he couldn't leave unless he gave me 100 kisses to-go to last me until the next time I saw him. He just giggled and giggled and proceeded to say "This crazy american hahahaha" in spanish. Kid cracks me up. 

It breaks my heart to know incredible kids like this live in the conditions that they do. Never knowing when the next meal is, their sheet medal houses that really don't do much to protect them. They're sick, a lot of them with extreme malnutrition. I just hate seeing them in that environment. But spiritually they're being poured into every day by incredible people like the daycare workers who just love the lord. Then and only then, they're happy.

Incredible.

Sigueme.

Woke up bright and early today, and headed over to Villa Espana, a Church Pastor Abby leads. Such an incredible man and family with beautiful hearts.

The service was talking about the passage when Jesus looked at the man, simply said follow me, and the man dropped everything to follow Christ, Family, clothes, money, whatever he had. He simply got up, obeyed, and looked forward.

 We, as Christians, are going to feel uncomfortable. If we don't, we're not doing something right. We are going to lose friends, family even. But following and looking back bitterly at what we're leaving, well you might as well never have followed in the first place.

This message hit me today. I've forgotten that God is so much more than the people in my life. He is worth it. We will be judged, we will have critics, we could even be hated for the message we share.But what is more important, that friend, or the Creator, the King.

After church, we went to a place next door called Josiah's house. Its a home for boys without parents, where they can live with a family there until they turn 18 years old. They're a very new, small group of people from the US with incredible loving hearts for these kids. I got the opportunity to be the translator with a new candidate to act as the parents. We all talked for about 2 hours, then went back home, the family cooked us an Argentinian BBQ. :) There's a missionary family from Argentina here that I've been getting close to. They have such sincere hearts. I just adore them,

This is my Lucy, mi hermanita :)

Pure Joy.

This morning we woke up, ate breakfast, spent a little time with the other interns, then by 7:30am we were off! We went to Villa Espana - a church about 20 minutes from Juan Dolio. (Where we live.)

Today was the graduation ceremony for the bible students at the church! The classes go anywhere from 1 year to 4. The first year graduates were so small, even 6 years old. They commit every Saturday to coming and studying the word of God. Pretty devoted, if you ask me.

 This is what real men look like. Such incredible influences, awesome hearts, and they just adore the Lord.

                                                            This is the lovely little church.

They had an incredible message by Pastor Abby. He made a point that really pierced my heart.

       "God didn't save you so you could be Happy. God saved you so you could be HOLY. Different. Set apart."

 Afterwards, we had a children's program where we had juice, cookies, clowns, balloons, games, all that Jazz. Its so encouraging to see people like this. I met a wonderful family from Argentina today. Their daughter is teaching me the Argentinian accent so she can call me her sister with no shame :) I'm spending the day with them tomorrow as well, I can't wait.

                                       

                                                 I love these kids more than I can describe.

                                                   My beautiful "hermanita" de Argentina :)

I realized a ton of things the last two days - First; I'm so grateful for my Spanish. I'm in heaven. Second; to forgive. I really struggle with forgiving myself, the things that have happened. Even recently. If you were to ask most of my coworkers, most, if not all, would have no idea I am a Christian. That breaks my heart. I've been all over the place the last two years and I've destroyed my witness in my own mind. But with God, nothing is wasted. I am on this earth to share Christ. Period. Show His love, His salvation, and Himself to others. Period. Its not about being happy, having fun. My life is gladly His. There is no completion outside of Him, no joy, no peace. But man, when you're walking with Him, there is nothing like it.


I never want to leave this place. I feel so at peace here, this is what I'm supposed to do. I've never been happier. God is so good.

My new home

I was welcomed at the airport by three of the sweetest people. Ryan, Miss Margaret and one of the interns. The first thing that happened was the female intern running up to me and giving me this biggest hug. I felt so welcomed.

I have wifi! Wooohoo. Hopefully I'll be writing a blog post every day. Today has been a very relaxing, get to know people kind of day. Its so much to take in, but everyone has been nothing but friendly. I'm the longest intern here, everyone I'm living with now leaves in a week, which makes me kind of sad especially because I've met two people I adore.

                                                               Bienvenidos a mi casita :)

I've been hearing a lot about taranchula's over the last few hours.. not sure if I'm too excited about that one. Let alone the fact I'll be living alone for a little while. But its a precious little apartment with a little kitchen and bathroom. I do have the top bunk-bed with no rails.. I've got a gaping fear that I will roll off in my sleep and die.

Its finally hitting me that I'm going to be gone for quite some time. I have internet, which I'm thankful for, so I can keep in contact a little bit. I'm nervous, but I can't wait to see what the Lord has for this trip. The people are incredible so far, tomorrow we're going out and traveling with a High school ministry then hanging out with the kids. I cant wait.