There Is a Bird On Your Head!

As Mariflor and I have become accustomed to saying when things go well....

"YAAAAY for English class this week!"

When Omero, Ester, and I walked in the classroom on Monday afternoon, the kids started their greeting song in Creole followed by an exuberant "walcomb!" (welcome).

One day a week, I have a small group of students, either the older group of 10-13 year olds or the younger group of 6-9 year olds, and then Friday I have the whole class.  I never know which group I'll have the first day, so I come prepared with two lessons.

This week, the professor asked for us to teach the older group.  The kids were unaware of which group would learn English that day, so when the older ones learned it was them, you would have thought they won the lottery! Their side of the room exploded into jumping, clapping, and cheering!

Oh, how that warmed my heart!

We opened up with a game of Number Bingo with numbers up to 20.  I had purchased some cool "Super-estrella" stickers from the dollar spot at Target this summer and used these as the prize.  Like gold to these kids.

We played 5 rounds and the winners proudly displayed their stickers.  Then we counted up to 30 as we used our calendar of November, as well as discussed what "today is," "yesterday was," and "tomorrow will be" with the days of the week.  We also talked a little bit about the weather, but we have more work to do there.

Then, I decided to start something new.

One of my greatest passions is reading aloud to children.  To see their faces light up with anticipation with every turn of the page brings me joy.  I brought a few books from the states and flipped through some to see if any words we have learned in English class were used in the books I had.

I found one and it's a favorite of mine! This book is called There Is a Bird on Your Head! by Mo Willems.

Mo Willems' books are witty, surprising, silly, and full of expression.  Some pages only have pictures to tell the story, which helped my students understand even more.  I told them that there were words that they've learned and some that they haven't, but that I thought they'd enjoy it.

I wish I had taken a picture! The preteens all gathered as close as they could to see the pages.  With the first few sentences, I would translate in Spanish, but after awhile the students began translating!  What an encouragement to these kids! They especially chimed in when they saw the words "one," "two," "three," "thank you," "please," and "you are welcome" as these have all been in our recent vocabulary.

The laughter that filled the classroom was contagious.  They could read and understand a book in English! And just guess what they asked at the end of the book?

"Laurena, tu puedes traer un otro libro la proxima clase?!" Laurena, can you bring another book next class?!

"Claro que si!" Of course, yes!

I got to thinking... for some of these kids, this may be the first new, clean book they've ever seen.

For some, it may be the first book that has ever been read to them.

I first learned about Mo Willems' books during my undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland.  I didn't know then that I would be taking these books into a sweltering hot, dirty, dimly lit classroom of a Haitian village four years later...

It is amazing how faithful and how SO good God is.

I don't say this wearing a mask or with a false sense that everything is always hunky-dory.  Quite the opposite.  In fact, the past four years of my life of following the Lord have been four of THE hardest.  I would not chose to relive them, nor would I ever trade them for anything.

But God does not promise happiness or an easy life, He promises Himself and the joy of His Spirit.

I leave Redemption every time wondering if the kids will have food to eat that night, if they have loving parents to return home to,  and if they know and accept they have a Savior who loves them.  I also leave with the joy of the Lord, our strength through every season.

I only have one hour with the kids, twice a week, but that's 120 minutes I get to share the love the Lord has given me for these children.

I'm going to miss this class so much when I leave for the holidays! I told the older kids this week that I'd be leaving soon and that we wouldn't have English class till I return in January... one girl stayed behind to say with a pout, "Eso es demasiado tiempo!" That's too long!

I'll be back, though.  And no need to worry about the time I'll be gone when we still have class ahead of us! I can't wait to read the next book, I'm Invited to a Party!, on Friday.  They're going to love it!

We might just have a little fiesta ourselves!

No Hay Clase Hoy

The theme of this week...

No class.

Sunday I was scheduled to teach children's church at New Life Church, but due to heavy rains, there weren't any kids at the service.

Tuesday my English class in Redemption Village was canceled due to a country-wide strike against legislation, and thus becoming an excuse for the kids to skip school.

Friday I was all set to jump back into teaching English, but upon our arrival we were told their teacher was sick.  No class again.

Yet, do you want to hear something special?

One of my students saw me walking in yesterday with English posters in hand.  She ran home, grabbed her journal, and met me at the school.  She explained that there was no school today, but maybe we could do English.  How sweet that moment was!

Unfortunately, it happened to be raining and we didn't have a key to the building, so I couldn't stay.  But to know that even one little mind is hungry to learn filled my heart with joy.

The Lord has been bringing to mind creative activities and games to help the kids learn English, and this season has brought SO much joy to me.  Seeing a class full of bright smiles, no shoes, ragged clothes, chewed down pencils, and torn notebooks... all sardined on benches, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to display their knowledge of English is truly humbling.

I have lessons just waiting to be taught and I'm itching to get back in the class!

And guess what?

Barb and the girls return on Tuesday! I can hardly believe these two months have come and gone.  I've grown quite accustomed to feeding, bathing, and singing little Mariflor to sleep 5-6 nights a week... what will I do without her?

Not to mention, I'll miss having my own transportation around town, too. Back to motoconchos, caritos, and guaguas... oh my!

The Lord opens and closes doors in His timing, and only He can close the doors He opens and open the doors He closes (Isaiah 22:22, Revelation 3:8).  I'm just grateful this door was opened to me at all.

These two months have been somewhat of a holy grounds for me. To some, the task that I've had of distributing finances, visiting with families, caring for a baby, speaking in Spanish, and teaching English is all in a day's work... but it hadn't been for me.   In the beginning, this was daunting!  I knew the only way I'd get through would be through Jesus.  There have been hard days, sick days, restful days, exciting days, and tiring days... and I've made it through them all.

I just pray at the end of this period of time the Lord can say to me, "Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.  Enter into the joy of your Master." (Matthew 25:23)

T-minus 3 days till Mariflor is reunited with her mommy and sisters!

Gripe

Pronounced Gree-pay

Otherwise known as the common cold... whatever you want to call it, I've had it this week.

It started on Monday with my whole body aching, which turned into sinus pressure Tuesday, a killer throat on Wednesday, sore throat and ears on Thursday, sniffles on Friday, and a chest cough today.

Apparently, gripe has been going around here lately and it's no surprise I caught it.  I'm only around kids every single day.

Believe me when I say Mariflor has been covered in protective prayers head to toe every night!

I've felt like I've floated through this last week in a daze, but I've come out so grateful despite the ickiness.  Ester and Omero have done so much for me in making sure I feel better.  When I lost my voice for English class, Ester stepped in; Mariflor and I had dinner with them one night; Omero ran out to get me Halls and sinus medicine one day; and Ester brewed up the most amazing tea I've ever tasted when we all got stuck in the rain yesterday.  The tea was so famously good that everyone who entered the kitchen all of sudden came down with a cold, too.

I'm really going to miss my Dominican family and friends when I go back to the states for the holidays.  Onelfy (Omero and Ester's son) asked if I'd be spending Christmas with them and I had to break the news to him.  He just couldn't understand why I didn't want to spend it with them... about broke my heart as I contemplated whether I ought to tear my plane ticket!

Good news, though. I've booked my ticket back here the first week in January, so God willing, I'll be back before he knows it.  But I still have a few weeks here and I'm looking forward to completing this year with joy and gratefulness.

Of course, there was yet another reminder this week that we live in a terribly broken world.  We found out that Fa, the young child Erika and Victor took in a year ago after his mother abandoned him, was taken back by the mother, and there was nothing anyone could do about it. It is a heart-breaking story involving prostitution, child neglect/abuse, drugs, and manipulation.

Fa

Fa's sister, Rocio, was taken by her mother while I was in the states this summer so I didn't even have the chance to say bye to her.  Same with Fa now, too.  Two Wednesdays ago Omero, Ester, and I visited with Erika and Victor, and I remember Fa just waking up from his nap and greeting us with a timid smile before we left.  He is just the cutest little boy with the most beautiful eye lashes.  This Wednesday the house was somber without him.  Fa knows Erika and Victor as his mom and dad, and it brings me to tears that he's been torn from them to do God knows what.

 Rocio

 She is quite the character!

We know that the mother is pregnant, due in December, now with two little children under 4 years old to care for.  The scenarios that run through my head scare me for how she is getting the money to take care of them, but that's to say if she's even thinking about feeding and clothing them.  She didn't do that before.

Alexander, Erika and Victor's son, has not been the same since she left.

All we can do is pray.  Pray for Fa and Rocio's protection, for cleansing, for Jesus to reveal Himself to them.  Pray that their mother turns from her ways, truly comes to know the Lord, and live a changed life.  Pray for Victor and Erika to be comforted by the Holy Spirit in new and deeper ways.  And pray for her unborn child to be safe, healthy, and strong in the Lord.

It grieves Jesus far more than it does me, Victor, or Erika, and we know that His Spirit is interceding with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26).

When you start feeling sorry for yourself- you have a cold, you lost your job, money is tight, or you just don't get your way- there are people in far worse situations.  I'm thankful for what I have and for a God who keeps things in perspective and promises never to leave us.

Gozo

Gozo, in Spanish, means joy, and the Lord has been teaching me what it means to have a joyful heart in all circumstances.  There is a difference between joy and happiness, and so often they can be confused.

I really enjoy being happy.  Who doesn't?  I like when things are in order and everything is flowing the way it's suppose to... but that's just not the type of world we live in... yet.

For me, it can be easy to let my foot slip and be swallowed up in despair and sadness when things all around me are not as they should be.  There's hunger nearly every place I turn, disease and infection in the villages, houses being broken into, food sponsorship for children that have run out, kids fist-fighting in the villages, violence and true deep-seeded wickedness in many of the hearts in Sosua as men are encouraging women to sell themselves on the streets, and terrorist cults that are apparently preparing for the "end of the world."

And that's just the start of it.

While I was home this summer, I felt the Lord place in me a desire for my joy to be restored.  I admit that I had run a little dry and been worn out after only seven months on the field.  I longed so much for the joy of the Lord to be in my heart as I set forth to do what He's called me to do.

The enemy knows that the joy of the Lord is a precious thing, and he will do anything to get his hands on it and to destroy its existence in our lives.  He knows all too well that "the joy of the Lord is [our] strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).

Over the past few days I read the book of Isaiah, one of my favorites that is full of God's beautiful promises and prophesies.  I have been overwhelmed by God's steadfast love and compassion for His children in times of drought, isolation, darkness, and need as I read passage after passage of His voice speaking... (I know it would be easy to skim through these passages, but if you have time, don't miss a word.  His thoughts are more important than mine).

"Your dead shall live, their bodies shall rise.  You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.  Come, my peoples, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you, hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by" (Isaiah 26:19-20)

"Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you.  For the Lord is a God of justice, blessed are all those who wait for Him.  For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more.  He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry.  As soon as He hears it, He answers you.  And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes will see your teacher.  And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it.'  When you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." (Isaiah 30:18-21)

"The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus, it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing." (Isaiah 35:1-2)

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... because you are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you." (Isaiah 43:1-4)

"Sing for joy, O Heavens and exult O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted His people and will have compassion on His afflicted." (Isaiah 49:13)

"For the Lord comforts Zion; He comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song." (Isaiah 53:3)

"And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 51:11)

If you could only see my bible and the poor underlined pages of Isaiah.  I could write more and more of what the Lord has been speaking to me, but what it boils down to is His joy can be found in every season.  We are His children, He will never forsake us, and He will carry us through the difficult times.  He is a God who freely gives and hears our cries! There is no other god like Him.

The season I'm in now has been very different than before.  With the Suchers gone, my tasks have changed as I've been helping Rick pay ministry bills, visiting with families and making sure needs are being met, caring for Mariflor, and teaching English to the kids in the Redemption and to my Dominican family, Omero and Ester.

In the beginning, I was definitely overwhelmed with the responsibilities that laid before me... and I'd be lying if I said it was no longer overwhelming.  However, the difference between a month ago and today is that God has spoken new words to me and has given me a renewed strength in the hope of His promises.

Where has the Lord's joy manifested itself recently?

Teaching English in Redemption is a real challenge as these kids have no understanding of order and respect is limited, but somehow I return with new joy every class.  THAT is the Lord.  We've been going over common phrases, the numbers 1-12, and the days of the week in English.  Before every class I have the kids repeat a prayer in English, as well, for we can do nothing without Him.

 Kids placing the correct English day of the week next to the Spanish day

 Reviewing the days of the week together with Ester

 Two groups competing to put the days in order the fastest!

Going over their answers

Joy is definitely renewed daily with the sweet curiosity and playfulness of Mariflor.  I am constantly amazed at how bright she is and I know God has extraordinary plans for her future.  I'm certainly getting my training in to be a mother some day and though there have been trying moments (have I mentioned she likes the word "no"?), the Lord continues to place a deeper love and joy in me through her life.

 Little stinker rummaging through my kitchen cabinets

She LOVES reading and moving her mouth along with my words

One of the greatest gifts the Lord has given me in this season is my Dominican family.  Omero and Ester are a tremendous blessing to the ministry here as they've helped me teach English in Redemption and run various other errands.  Ester brings the Word to Playa Laguna each Wednesday to share with Erika and Victor, and Omero communicates with the pastors and helps with paying the bills.  They also were hard at work unpacking and organizing Rick's office that he wont even recognize the space when he returns!

Omero and the many boxes he unpacked

Mariflor with Omero and Ester's sons, Onefi and Homerli

Onefi loves Mariflor!

But beyond their hard work and service to the Lord, they have opened their hearts and home to me.  I cannot even describe the love I've felt from them.  Their three sons have welcomed me like an older sister and never want me to leave! Ester has been showing me how to prepare Dominican dishes and just last night she and I talked for hours about the things of the Lord and what He's done in our lives.  I am amazed at the door the Lord has opened for us to all know one another and grow closer.

Paula has also brought a deep joy to my life in this season.  Every morning I drop Mariflor off into her care and we spend an hour or more sharing our struggles, fears, hopes, and prayers.  Paula is so dear to my heart and I thank the Lord for her friendship in my life.

Paula makes the best oatmeal

At the end of some days, I come home to the realization that I've not spoken a lick of English all day.  I don't even get killer headaches anymore from this! I'd say that's improvement.

Of course, there are difficult and tiring days here, but there is so much more for which to be grateful.  The Lord has promised to restore my joy, but has asked me to guard my heart which hold the springs of life.  If the enemy is successful in stealing my joy, it is I who did not guard the well-springs of my heart to begin with.  I must stay vigilant and be found in the abiding Presence of Jesus.   (Proverbs 4:23)

There will always be struggles in this world, but God has promised that one day His ransomed will return to Zion with the everlasting joy (everlasting... just imagine!) upon their heads as all sorrows and cares of this world will be washed away forever.  What a day that will be!

Laughter

If you would have told me years ago that one day I'd be living in the Dominican Republic on my own, preparing to teach English as a second language for the first time ever, and have temporary guardian rights to care for a sweet, little, Haitian baby... I might have raised a brow and laughed in your face.

Isn't that what Sarah did when God told her she'd have a baby in her old age?  I've always loved the name Isaac for how it literally means "he laughs."

I sometimes hear the words of David from the YouTube video"David after Dentist" in my head...

"Is this real life?"

Yes.  It is.  And, I love it.

I'll be the first to admit that having the Suchers leave for two months and handing some important tasks over to me was overwhelming at first, but in my times with the Lord recently, He's given me such a peace in knowing that His grace is sufficient and He will not give me more than I can handle.

However, He gives me just enough to push me to the edge of knowing that I can't do anything without Him.

I dropped the Suchers off at the airport on Thursday and they've been covered head to toe in prayer by brothers and sisters here.  I know that the Lord will bless them richly in spirit and in funds to be able to return restored and fueled to carry out His Will!

So, how did my first full 24 hours go with Mariflor? Let's just say I found a deeper respect for single moms everywhere.

She slept through the night, with only a few moments of tears, but awoke the next morning at 7:30am with laughter.  Yes, little giggles and callings for me to get up.  What a joyful sound to awaken to!

I had forgotten to pack toys, so she took interest in my cupboards and found entertainment in placing colored clothespins in plastic containers.  We colored, read stories, and watched Sesame Street before she got tired and took another long nap.

She moves too fast!

Coloring a Birthday Card for Barb

She didn't like the mat being on the floor so she found the drawer of dish rags  (she's so smart)

When she woke up, we had lunch and then sat out on my balcony for nearly 30 minutes just taking in all the sights and sounds.  The birds tweeting, the crickets chirping, the wind blowing, the sun shining... it was such a beautiful day to enjoy God's creation.

Before we knew it, it was time to transition and she went to her next location for the weekend.

The most precious moments were when she would randomly stop what she was doing to give me a hug and lay her head on my shoulder.  I had been asking the Lord to put a peace in Mariflor's heart and allow her to feel comfortable, loved, and safe with everyone who would be watching her...  He's definitely heard and answered my prayers!

Now, about that teaching English bit... I still have little idea of how my first lesson will go, but I'm trusting in God that all the pieces will come together.  The kids know me as "Laurena" but in order to receive the respect I need, I might start going as "Profe Laurena."  I'll be sure to check back in and let you all know how that experience goes...

"A joyful heart is good medicine" (Proverbs 17:22), so I'm welcoming laughter in the days ahead.  Mariflor is contagious at that!

Scrapes and Wounds

Yesterday, I walked into Redemption Village expecting it to be like any other day... to play with the kids and come out drenched in sweat.  Well, I played with the kids and still came out drenched in sweat, but also with another's blood stained on my shirt and caked on my arms and feet.

It all happened so fast.  One minute we're smiling and laughing.  The next moment I'm sweeping a little girl off the ground with a busted lip and blood dripping from her mouth.  

After placing too much faith in me to catch her from the swings, this little five year old girl found herself face down on the broken gravel.  A joyful moment turned into painful shock in one miscalculated reach.  My maternal instinct kicked in and I immediately swept her in my arms.  

I ran us straight to the feeding center where the pastor and others were able to pour water in her mouth to clean the wound.  The poor thing had scraped her gums badly and had a mouth full of dirt and blood.  All I knew to do was hold her close, pat her back, and say "esta bien... tu eres muy valiente" over and over again. 

Her little brother, maybe three years old, came to see how his sister was doing after the fall.  He just looked sympathetically upon his big sister, placed his hand on her arm, and asked if she was ok.  She laid her head on my shoulder and rested against me for a few moments as kids began crowding around. 

It hurts me so much.  There was nothing I could do and it wasn't my fault.  This was the little girl who, moments before, was freely moving from one gringa's arms to the next, fully trusting that we all were strong enough to support her.  So much faith in people she hardly knows.  Her faith in my ability to catch her was unfortunately misguided.   

There was no way for me to know what she was doing.  The same sort of thing happens all over the world, because kids will be kids.  They learn what they can and can't do through these experiences and they miraculously bounce back.

And oh, how easily I can relate as a child of God.

How often do I put my trust in the wrong things and turn away my gaze from the Lord?   Even if only for one second.

That's all it takes.

Sunday's sermon at New Life was profoundly impacting for me. It was about the parable of the sower and the condition of our "soil" to receive God's word in our hearts (Mark 4:1-20).  The enemy prowls around to steal, kill, and destroy any truth the Lord breathes in us.  So we must break up the fallow ground (Hosea 10:12) to allow the healing words of God (Proverbs 4:22) to be planted, hidden (Psalm 119:11), and protected (Proverbs 4:23) in our hearts.

It happens so subtly, too.  The moment my eyes turn from God and His Word, failing to remain vigilant and protective of the Truth in my life, Satan jumps at the chance to snatch it.  I was convicted through the message to break up the hardness in my heart, to ask for forgiveness, and to feed upon His Word in a lasting manner, intentionally guarding every word in His abiding presence.

"My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ears to my sayings.  Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart, for they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.  Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.  Put away from you crooked speech and put devious talk far from you.  Let your eyes look directly forward and your gaze be straight before you.  Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.  Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."                      

 Proverbs 4:20-27

Even though we crash and burn, the Lord is there to sweep us up in His arms and speak His word over us.  It is never His fault when we fall, but Jesus gladly bears it.  He does not scold us nor say "I told you so" (though, our scrapes and wounds do a good enough job of that on their own).

He is a God of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness.  His Spirit is life, His word is healing, and His path is sure.

My days are numbered here in the Dominican Republic.  I'll be returning to the states the end of this year and God willing, I'll be back for a length of time in the spring.  But I don't want to miss a single word or experience the Lord has for me while I'm here.

I don't want my soil to be fallow or for the seeds He scatters to be snatched by birds of prey, scorched in the sun, or choked by thorns.  I want to be fruitful for the Lord.

~

On a different note...

The Suchers will be leaving for the states on Thursday for nearly two months on furlough.  As a majority of my time here had been devoted to teaching their daughters, I have now lost my best students!  However, I've picked up some new tasks to keep me busy while they're gone.

In addition to the bible lesson every Tuesday before the feeding program in Redemption, I will be teaching English Tuesday and Friday afternoons at one of the schools there.  Wednesdays I will visit Erika and Victor out at Playa Laguna and run errands to keep the mission going.  Monday nights I will continue helping with youth group at New Life Church, as well as lead Children's Ministry two Sundays a month.  My free time will be spent planning lessons and, more likely than not, on my knees in prayer!  I most definitely cannot do any of these things without God.

Oh, and remember Mariflor? Unfortunately, she will not be able to travel with the Suchers to the states.  We have a friend watching her on the weekends, another amazing woman watching her during the weekdays, and I will be watching her on the weeknights.  The Lord has placed such a joy in our hearts to care for Mariflor and we're all trusting God's ways are perfect.

I'd say I have plenty on my plate to keep me busy for the next two months!  I'm sure I'll have some fun stories to share in the days ahead!

Los Milagros de Dios

Miracles.

We can't explain them and there's no use trying.  We don't get to choose how, why, or even when God performs them.  He decides and His ways are perfect.

Mariflor is a miracle.  That is the name of the beautiful, little girl whom the Suchers have taken in from Redemption Village.  

I haven't shared the full story with you yet because, not knowing God's plan, I've felt the need to be cautious.  I'm not one who likes to get my hopes up, nor others', if there is any level of uncertainty (and believe me when I say there has been a lot of uncertainty here).

Yet there's something about uncertainty that makes leaning upon the Lord a whole lot easier.

I first met Mariflor back in January during my first week in the D.R.  Barb had taken me to visit Redemption Village and we stopped by to check on Mariflor's health.  Barb had been keeping an eye on her health since the previous fall where her heart was first captured by this precious child.

I remember walking down the dirt road and stopping at a little shack with a family-run colmado out front.  The grandmother emerged from the house greeting us and bringing Mariflor out for us to see.  If you know Mariflor now, you wouldn't believe the frailty in her little body.  Her legs and arms were so tiny and her tummy was swollen, a common sign of malnourished children.

She had no diaper on and the grandmother thrusted her into Barb's arms.  Mariflor was so quiet amidst the present chaos of Creole and Spanish translations.  She just stared so intently up at Barb with the biggest brown eyes.

We went back to check on her weekly until one week in February when she was so ill.  At 10 months old, she was easily at a 5-6 month development stage and less than 12 lbs.  Rick and Barb took her to the medical center where the doctors prescribed the appropriate medicines and care.  The Suchers decided, with the grandmother's urging, to keep Mariflor until the medical care was completed.

Even then, I was guarding myself from becoming attached to her, which proved to be a difficult task.  I was living under the same roof as the Suchers, so I saw Mariflor every day and witnessing just how weak she was.  The first day she was with us, she was so subdued and couldn't even muster enough strength to roll over on the bed.

All we wanted to do was hold and love this little baby and hope that maybe, somehow, the love we had would transfer and be absorbed into every fiber in her tiny body.

At the end of her medical care, Rick and Barb went to give her back to the grandparents to be told, "No, ella es tuya," in other words, "She's yours."

You can imagine the surprise, shock, joy, stress, fear, anxiety, love, and confusion that exploded that day.  The Sucher girls were ecstatic that they could have a baby sister, while the adults were filled with concern that brought us to our knees in prayer.

What just happened? And just when Rick and Barb thought they were past the days of baby bottles and pacifiers...  Funny how God works.

If I actually spent the time writing out all the stories, the ups and downs, the tears and the laughter, the prayers and the miracles that these past months have carried with Mariflor, it would take millions upon millions of words.  Mariflor came to us in February so malnourished with sickle cell anemia to the point of lifelessness.  Today, she is now one of the most joyful, intelligent, and rotund little babies I've ever seen.

THAT is a miracle.  I'm no doctor, but looking at her today, I'd say she's been touched by the healing hand of our Savior... and He's still working.  

The Suchers have been teaching Mariflor about the love of her Savior and she has learned to praise our Lord with the words "Amen" and "Hallelujah!"  She is growing everyday, learning how to talk, and using her sturdy legs to walk everywhere.  I thank the Lord for bringing her into the Suchers' lives and mine.

I've decided to reach out to my faithful prayer warriors here and abroad through this entry.  One thing the Lord is planting deep in my spirit is the knowledge of how powerful the prayers of the upright are.  He wants to hear our prayers and for us to be rooted in His peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:4-7).  He gives to those who ask in faith (Matthew 7:7-10) and He withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).

So I'm coming to you to ask for your prayers.  The Suchers have plans to return to the states the end of September through November, and the only way they can bring Mariflor with them is for certain papers to be approved here in the Dominican.  Government processes here are difficult and long, so we are asking for a miracle.  God's hand is clearly upon Mariflor and we are simply praying that God's will be done in this situation.

There is something so beautiful about loving another's child as your own.  So many of the missionaries here are in the process of adopting children they were never searching or asking for... yet God knew all along who He wanted to care for His children.  You can't prevent the Lord from filling you with a love that He's intended for you to share with others.

I don't plan on pulling a Katie Davis and adopting 14 girls, but the Lord has been stirring something deep in me for the abandoned, forgotten, and unloved children of this world.  I know I wont have to go searching, but the Lord will guide my every step.

Thank you for your prayers for the Suchers and Mariflor! We are trusting in God's perfect timing and will.

Our Redeemer Lives

Redemption- (noun) the act of redeeming, being saved, delivered, or rescued.

It's also the name of a village in Los Castillos outside of Sosua.  

From first glance, you wouldn't think this village has been saved, delivered, or rescued.  The village, the people, the children are desperate for clean water, food, clothes, and people to simply care.

This particular village has had a hard time getting on their feet.  There is a spiritual darkness and heaviness that is no match for God, yet is still tangibly present.  We often talk about Redemption as being a forgotten village as it is emotionally and spiritually exhausting for missionaries to continue returning when nothing is changing.

But what this life comes down to, what the people of Redemption truly need, is not the help of people, but the help and ransom of Our Redeemer.

I don't know what it is.  Well, I do.  Every day that I'm here, the urgency becomes greater in my spirit for Redemption.  Each visit out there, God sends a small face, a clenched hand around my finger, up-reaching arms... anything He can to show me how deeply He loves these people.

What really sparked a fire in me was when we had a team from Summit Church visit.  Having finished our work early out in Playa Laguna, the team voted for another fun day with the kids in Redemption Village.  Earlier in the week we had been to Redemption to play ball, blow bubbles, color, sing, dance, and help with the feeding program, so the team was eager to spend more time with the kids before they left.

We entered into the village and not five minutes had passed before Yefrina, one of the young girls, came up to me and said, "Hace tiempo que ya no te veo" (Basically, "long time, no see").  At first I didn't understand what she said, so she repeated it again with a stern face.  Then all of a sudden, she bursted out laughing, saying, "Es una broma!"

That was a pivotal moment for me.  What was meant to be a joke or "una broma," made me ache for the kids.  For Yefrina to make joyful mention that I was there not once but twice that week was hard for me, in a good way.  


Up to this point, I had only been going out to Redemption once a week to play with the kids and help with the feeding program.  The kids have been getting to know me.  They know be my name, they know I wont refuse their hand, they know I'm good for a laugh, and they see that I care for them.  


The kids want and need consistency in such an uncertain, unsteady environment.  What if that's part of the reason God has me here?

So, I've been giving this ache to the Lord.  I certainly can't do anything without Him.  I want so badly to be in His will and to join Him in His work, and He sees this.

Through voicing my prayers and sharing what God has been stirring in my heart with others, I have now stepped into a role of leading a bible lesson before lunch once a week.  It started out right before lunch in the feeding program and has now moved into the church to better accommodate the activities.  And it's only getting better each time.

At the end of a recent lesson, we had to dismiss the children early because of the sudden chaos that erupted with the arrival of late kids.  I know it was an attack of the enemy as the day began so well.  At the moment, I felt myself slipping into despair as the kids filed out; however, a handful of the children from the beginning came up to me and asked with sadness on their faces, "No vamos a terminar?" ("We're not going to finish?").

The Lord began restoring what the enemy tried to steal.  Those kids are hungry for the Truths of the Lord.  Amen!

Last Tuesday was the best yet.  After the previous week's experience, we bought a small microphone for me to use. We opened with three worship songs, reviewed last week's lesson with a part 2 of the 7 days of Creation, and colored a sheet that went with the lesson.  The kids knew I was looking for those who were quietly and peacefully coloring their papers as they would receive a sticker for doing so.  (God bless the man or woman who created stickers!)

I'm teaching all of this in beginning Spanish, but I'm encouraged that the kids know what I'm saying.  I know that's the Lord.  Yes, I make mistakes, but the Lord is teaching me and showing me that this will work through Him and He will bring these children to Himself.

Right now, I'm still only out there once a week, but I'm praying that God would make it clear when and in what manner He wants me out there.  The young girls, ages 10-15, have been on my heart for months now, so I'm still praying about that, and there's also a possibility that I could pick up teaching English in the village when a temporary field missionary leaves in August.

Who knows?

I don't know what God has planned right now and I'm ok with that.  I just know that there are hungry kids out there, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, who need the redeeming love of a Savior.  God wants to use me some how in that.

Call me crazy, but I'm praying that God redeems Redemption village through those kids.  I still believe that children are the future and there's a reason Jesus called the children to Him so long ago.

"So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."                                                                                          - Matthew 18:14

I often think of what it would be like if Jesus were here to walk through the dirt paths of Redemption Village.  I can just picture it... Jesus teaching on the steps of the church, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every affliction.  He would have compassion on the crowds, because they are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  (Matthew 9:35-36)

And what does He say to me?

 "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:37-38)

Our Redeemer lives and is so ready for His children to draw near to Him. 


God has brought a team to us this week from Maryland (go Terps!) who are devoting the majority of their time physically restoring Redemption- rebuilding sidewalks, mowing grass, painting houses, opening up the feeding program, fixing the swings and basketball courts, and picking up trash. 

 But I know the restoration is deeper than the physical appearance of the village.  I'm praying this is just the beginning of the release, relief, restoration, and reconciliation Jesus has for the people of Redemption.

Family

May was an exciting month for me.  After 5 long months of waiting, I finally got to see part of my family! My father, mother, and sister traveled down to see me HERE in the DR!

It was like Christmas morning for me.  I was anxiously waiting outside at the airport, sign in hand.  Of course, my family was the last to come out, so I couldn't wait any longer and went inside looking for them.  What a joyous reunion!

It was a powerful week for everyone.  I was ecstatic that my parents and sister were here and couldn't wait to introduce them to the people in my life.

The 10 days consisted of a fair share of both ministry and relaxation.  We visited Redemption Village and Playa Laguna, attended both church services at Playa Chiquita (Spanish) and New Life (English), and simply took in the beautiful scenery of the north coast with a trip to a few beaches and to the top of Mt Isabella de Torres.

 Feeding Program in Redemption

 Redemption Village

 Playing slap hands with the kids

 Villa Paraiso

 Teleferico to the top of Isabella de Torres

Playa Grande

Oh, and did I mention, not one but two trips for fish tacos at Gorditos?

Yum!

I cried buckets when they left only to have my dad call me an hour later to explain that they missed their flight and were here till the following day... God must have known I needed another night with them.

After they really left, I began reflecting on how amazing it was that my family got to see what God is doing here and how He's using me.  I was reminded of a prayer I wrote, several journals ago, asking that the Lord would bring my parents on the mission field... and that was even before I heard the call to live here.

God hears our prayers and answers them according to His will.

I guess I should go back to 2010, when the Lord first drew me to the DR (you can read more about this in my first blog entry).  God was calling me to something big then and when Barb offered for me to come seek what the Lord might have for me here, it felt right.

I came home SO excited at the possibility of serving full time in the DR, but when I told my parents, they thought I was being irrational and irresponsible.  It tore me apart.  How could my parents not support me in what I felt God was calling me to?

I let the discussion lie, but I prayed.  Ever since I traveled to India in 2009 on a mission trip, a seed had been planted to do long term missions overseas.  I had been praying "send me, I'll go," for awhile when I found myself on that last minute trip to the DR...

It wasn't a coincidence.  It was God.  I couldn't ignore Him and I wasn't about to let my life become a series of "what if's."

So, what do you do in this situation?  I prayed. I fasted.  I closed my door, got on my knees, and cried to the Lord to make His will known, to soften my parents' hearts, to make paths straight, to give me strength, and to have His way.

God heard my cries and He answered me.  Spring of 2011, I decided I would travel to the DR for an expanded exploratory trip that summer.  I was so nervous to bring up the topic again with my parents,  but I found the courage.

I about dropped out of my seat in disbelief.  Both my mom and dad told me I had to go, that if the Lord was calling me, I had to obey.

Who are you and what did you do with my parents? 

My heart was so overwhelmed with love and encouragement.  I would have moved to the DR regardless of whether they approved or not, but to have their support was the greatest blessing.

That was why their trip in May was so special to me.  Getting to see them interact with the people I do life with and to witness the poverty and desperation first hand was powerful.  When my dad could hardly keep it together to ask the blessings at each meal, I knew God was doing something in their hearts.

God is so amazing and powerful.  He is so caring and longs for us to come to Him.  Whether that be for comfort, for guidance, for strength, or to plead for change and restoration.

I just love His faithfulness. And I love the family with whom He gave me to experience this awesome journey.