If you had told me 5 years ago that I would be living in the rural country-side of a nation where more than a third of the population lives in severe poverty, I might not have believed you. I probably would have gone into a panic at the thought of it.
But today, I am filled with an overwhelming joy to be right in the middle of it.
My first week back in the Dominican Republic has been more than amazing. I've been settling into my new home in Ingrid’s Village, just a short walk away from Zion. I’m slowly making the house my home and know it will truly feel like home in a matter of no time.
The third day I was here, Mike took me through the village to introduce me as the new missionary to their community. It has been amazing to see how everyone has already embraced me, eagerly welcoming me to visit in their homes as their guest. The children cried “Gringa! Gringa!” when I first walked in… maybe one day I'll hear “Laurena! Laurena!” and not “White girl! White girl!”
I pretty much have hit the ground running, too. Four days after I landed, we picked up a team from Village Baptist Church in Destin, FL. We sure kept everyone busy!
The men started right away with building the roof over our new community center where Shayna and I will be teaching English.
To get an idea about the medical health of the people and how better to serve them, we spent Monday and Tuesday morning recording medical history and performing basic assessments (blood pressure, height and weight measurement) of every adult and child. I even had to step in to help translate for a while. My Spanish is still a huge work in progress but the fact I was able to translate a little gives me hope.
The afternoons were spent ministering to the children and women. Story time, hand-washing and cleanliness demonstrations, door-to-door praying with the women and delivering gift bags, singing, nail painting, and hand stamps.
We also had a movie showing one night in Zion. Unexpectedly, Mike called me up to formally introduce me to Zion and asked me to speak… my eyes opened wide in panic! Not a huge fan of public speaking…nor in Spanish. I could have spoken in English and had it translated, but something inside me said, “no, speak in Spanish.” I said, “Yo estoy muy emocionada a vivir aqui y no puedo esperar a empezar!” Pretty much, “I’m very excited to live here and I can’t wait to start!”
Now, had I known I’d be speaking, I would have prepared something to say that was a little more eloquent, but I was reminded of what Jesus said to His disciples,
Of course, this word was given to encourage the disciples about their impending persecution, but the Holy Spirit brings God’s Word to remembrance at His will.
Our last full day with the team was spent distributing soup and cups of cold water to the people living in the dump. My heart shattered into a million little pieces. I tried holding back tears but at some point they have nowhere else to go.
I hate to admit it, but there comes a point when you can become immune to poverty if you’re around it so much, but the Lord drew me back into His heart and opened my eyes. How can there be such lavish lifestyles in this world while others are living off of the garbage of others? When I thought about how all of my trash goes directly to this dump, it hurts even more. When a new dump truck comes in, people flock to see what treasures they may find. I came home that night and couldn't even find the words to pray. Where does one start? My tears were the only offering I had.
We toured Redemption village after our trip to the Dump and it could not have come a moment sooner. Upon walking up the entry way, I spotted Juliana and her friend sitting on the church steps. Once we caught each other's eyes, they both jumped up and we all started running towards each other.
Familiarity is a good thing some times.
Even in the deep poverty of Redemption village, there was deep joy in being reunited with the children God used to capture my heart for this country and His present calling on my life.
It has been an amazing 10 days back in the Dominican Republic. And it's only begun.
Jesus, thank you for choosing me to be part of this ministry… There is no place I’d rather be than here with You.
But today, I am filled with an overwhelming joy to be right in the middle of it.
My first week back in the Dominican Republic has been more than amazing. I've been settling into my new home in Ingrid’s Village, just a short walk away from Zion. I’m slowly making the house my home and know it will truly feel like home in a matter of no time.
My new home!
My Bedroom
My messy bathroom
My kitchen
My stove/oven, fridge, and freezer... because the power outage tends to spoil food.
The third day I was here, Mike took me through the village to introduce me as the new missionary to their community. It has been amazing to see how everyone has already embraced me, eagerly welcoming me to visit in their homes as their guest. The children cried “Gringa! Gringa!” when I first walked in… maybe one day I'll hear “Laurena! Laurena!” and not “White girl! White girl!”
I pretty much have hit the ground running, too. Four days after I landed, we picked up a team from Village Baptist Church in Destin, FL. We sure kept everyone busy!
The men started right away with building the roof over our new community center where Shayna and I will be teaching English.
Before
Starting out
After!
A blue roof for Ingrid, the primary sponsor of this project
.
The women painted primer outside the first day and then we put them to work in Zion
To get an idea about the medical health of the people and how better to serve them, we spent Monday and Tuesday morning recording medical history and performing basic assessments (blood pressure, height and weight measurement) of every adult and child. I even had to step in to help translate for a while. My Spanish is still a huge work in progress but the fact I was able to translate a little gives me hope.
In one of the medical assessment rooms... Rosalba snuck in to sit on my lap
The afternoons were spent ministering to the children and women. Story time, hand-washing and cleanliness demonstrations, door-to-door praying with the women and delivering gift bags, singing, nail painting, and hand stamps.
We also had a movie showing one night in Zion. Unexpectedly, Mike called me up to formally introduce me to Zion and asked me to speak… my eyes opened wide in panic! Not a huge fan of public speaking…nor in Spanish. I could have spoken in English and had it translated, but something inside me said, “no, speak in Spanish.” I said, “Yo estoy muy emocionada a vivir aqui y no puedo esperar a empezar!” Pretty much, “I’m very excited to live here and I can’t wait to start!”
Now, had I known I’d be speaking, I would have prepared something to say that was a little more eloquent, but I was reminded of what Jesus said to His disciples,
“Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” (Luke 21:14)
Of course, this word was given to encourage the disciples about their impending persecution, but the Holy Spirit brings God’s Word to remembrance at His will.
Our last full day with the team was spent distributing soup and cups of cold water to the people living in the dump. My heart shattered into a million little pieces. I tried holding back tears but at some point they have nowhere else to go.
I hate to admit it, but there comes a point when you can become immune to poverty if you’re around it so much, but the Lord drew me back into His heart and opened my eyes. How can there be such lavish lifestyles in this world while others are living off of the garbage of others? When I thought about how all of my trash goes directly to this dump, it hurts even more. When a new dump truck comes in, people flock to see what treasures they may find. I came home that night and couldn't even find the words to pray. Where does one start? My tears were the only offering I had.
We toured Redemption village after our trip to the Dump and it could not have come a moment sooner. Upon walking up the entry way, I spotted Juliana and her friend sitting on the church steps. Once we caught each other's eyes, they both jumped up and we all started running towards each other.
Familiarity is a good thing some times.
Even in the deep poverty of Redemption village, there was deep joy in being reunited with the children God used to capture my heart for this country and His present calling on my life.
It has been an amazing 10 days back in the Dominican Republic. And it's only begun.
Jesus, thank you for choosing me to be part of this ministry… There is no place I’d rather be than here with You.
