I've found my Prince!

You should have seen the crowd today.  We didn't have our normal set-up for gathering, but I was given a plastic chair and told to sit.  I invited the girls and their younger brothers among them to find a spot on the front porch and to gather around.  It was cramped, but we made it work.

The girls begged that I read the story from the beginning as many of them had missed weeks here and there.

To hear the girls reading along with me was so precious and I even stopped to let them finish my sentences...

"On an elegant table in the center of the room was the same gift given to the princess long ago..."

               "... THE KISS!!!!!" the girls all shouted.

With each suitor that came, the girls would exclaim his name in disapproval.  It is amazing how this book comes to life each Saturday.

When we reached the wedding day, the girls were once again moved with excitement.

The final page shows the royal newlyweds with their baby and the gift God had given her... her very own kiss.

The scripture we talked about today was from 1 Timothy 1:5,

"Love... comes from a pure heart and a good conscious and a sincere faith."

We discussed what this means, how the princess and prince couldn't truly love one another without a pure heart, good conscious, and sincere faith, and how we can obtain this kind of love, too.  I find it easier for kids to remember things when they attach pictures or actions to words, so I had the girls write down the scripture and make drawings.

"El amor brota de un corazon limpio, de una buena conciencia y de una fe sincera." Timoteo 1:5

The kids love to draw and there is such a hunger for the Word of God.  It could be because I give them a princess sticker for every memory verse they can remember... but, hey... whatever gets the Word planted in these girls works for me!

Once everyone had finished this task, the girls began leaving one by one, until I was left with only a few.  Madelin, Julenny, Mariana, Rosaura, and Maria Isabel hung around, reciting memory verses and writing them all down to practice at home.

It was then that I decided to proceed with the word I was going to share earlier...

"You know, I was going to share something exciting with everyone but I forgot once we all started drawing... maybe I should wait till next week."

            "No! Tell us now!"

"Ok... Well... I have found my Prince!"

Once again, I wish I had taken a video of the girls' reactions.  They all stopped what they were doing, including Marie Ester, who was moping the floor inside, and dropped their jaws in excitement and squealed.

"Yes! I have my found Prince, and do you want to know His name?"

            "YES!"

"His name is Jesus... He truly is the most important Prince in my life."

I admit, the girls were slightly disappointed, including Marie Ester, but they were all still laughing and taking joy in the moment.

"Is He not the Prince of Peace? No man is like Him and I have everything I need in Him.  You all can find your Prince Jesus today, He's actually waiting for us!"

The girls all agreed.  Then Julenny added, "And when you get married, your two princes will fight over you!"

I laughed.  "No, I don't think they will fight, because my husband will love Jesus just as much as I do.  They'll get along."

I love these small, intimate moments with the girls.  I told them to keep it a secret that I've "found my Prince" because I want to tell the rest of the girls next weekend.  They were all so excited that we share a secret.

I can't believe it's already December and I've been visiting the village for nearly half a year now.   I can hardly imagine my life without knowing these precious girls.

Lord only knows what next year holds.  All I know is that it just keeps getting better!

Eternal things

"It's your turn!"

I put down a Winnie the Pooh card to win the hand.  I didn't quite catch on to the game the girls had going until watching a couple hands.  If there was a Disney princess card on the cushion we were all sitting around and you laid down any card with a Disney princess, you got that deck.  Likewise, the same went for a match of Mickey or Minnie and Winnie the Pooh.

This game went on for a good while as girls transitioned in and out.  Since only 4 people could play this made-up game at a time, Madelin and I sat out during one of the rounds and began reviewing for her exam tomorrow.  We're entering into "finals" week in the Dominican Republic, too.

From a distance, I could see Marisol walking on her way to her house.  She stopped when she saw me and asked across the way,

"Are you coming to my house today?"

              "Do you want me to come to your house today?" I yelled back.

"Yes!"

It was settled.  I was going to Marisol's house today.

Marisol has been wanting me to come visit her family in her house for so long.  I've only made brief visits before, so today was special.  When I arrived, I was greeted by her mother and two younger brothers.  I was accompanied by three other girls and we all took a seat on the couch in the dimly-lit wooden house.  We began talking about our plans for Christmas and traditions we all have.  I shared how I will be attending yet another wedding while I'm back, but this time it will be in the frozen tundra of Iowa... and I haven't a warm dress to wear! The girls jumped in to give me advice on what I can do to alleviate this problem.

Marisol and her two brothers were beckoned by their father in the back room, so she asked to be pardoned for a moment, making sure I knew that she would be returning.  A few minutes later, they came in bearing treats from the local colmado.  They were so excited to give me the chocolate racecar they purchased just for me.  The other girls were given lollipops that had jokes written on the wrappers, so we, of course, had a good laugh with those.

I shared with some of the girls on Saturday the exciting news I received just the week before.  Realizing that neither Madelin nor Marisol were there to hear the news, I decided to share it once more.

"Guess who I talked to last week... The author of the book The Princess and the Kiss!  If it works out, we are going to meet up while I'm back!"

The girls were so excited!  They love this book and its message so dearly.  I told them that maybe they could make something for me to give to her.

"You mean, we can write her a letter and she'll get it!?"  They could hardly believe it.

Then the girls just exploded into retelling the story.  They began recounting  every page to Marisol's mother of how the princess encountered Principe Pavo Real and how he only thought in himself....  Principe Roman Romantico and how he came with roses and chocolates, telling the princess how everyday would be like a honeymoon... and then Principe Tobias del Tesoro who had enough money to buy whatever she desired in life.

They know this story front and back.

"And the princess was given a kiss by God that her parents protected until she was ready and she only had that one kiss to give so she was saving it.  And then she met the farmer and he had a kiss that God gave him when he was little... I know they're going to marry because I saw the page where they have a wedding!"

Marisol couldn't get the words out of her mouth fast enough!

Her mother then shared with the girls that there's a very important message to this story.  She went on to say how many girls here go around and give kisses to whatever man they see, but God wants them to guard their hearts and wait until they're old enough and find the person He has chosen for them.

YES!!!

Then Marisol shared how the kids at school often invite her to play some game similar to "spin the bottle" without the bottle.  Mind you, she's only 9 years-old.

"But I tell them, 'I'm a Christian, and I don't do that,' because I'm saving my kiss,"  Marisol said proudly.

WOW!  Go Marisol!

I am telling you... God is doing something new here.  The girls are beginning to see themselves through the eyes of our Father.

You should just see their faces when I take roll every Saturday... "Princesa Mariana"... "presente!"... "Princesa Madelin"... "presente!"... "Princesa Marisol"... "presente!"  The girls' countenances lift and they sit a little taller in their seats as I call their names in the truth of who they were made to be...


Daughters of the King of kings, absolutely beautiful in every way.


I needed today with the girls.  For the past month I have felt as though I've been slammed with one trial after another.  Yet God has faithfully encouraged me through His Word to hold fast.  I was particularly empowered through 2 Corinthians 4...

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed... For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 

2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 17-18

 
That's just it.  We are charged to look not to the things that are seen, but the unseen.  I can become so distracted by ridiculously absurd cares of this world and fail to realize what God is working behind the scenes.  I know the enemy does his best to trip us up in every way possible and to get our minds off the goal, but I have to cling to my faith in my Father and trust He is moving despite the language barrier, despite my shortcomings, despite the roadblocks, and despite myself.

I'm not saying that it's been Satan who has thrown all these various trials into my path, but I certainly wouldn't put it past him... especially not after today and witnessing what God is doing in the lives of these girls.  Peter even tells us to "think it not strange" concerning the fiery trials which are to try us (1 Peter 4:12-13).

The things of this world are transient, but this- the girls standing up for what they believe in, setting their hearts on Jesus, and receiving this message of God's love and purity- these are the things that are eternal.

Media Naranja

"The farmer bowed humbly, and addressed the king and queen. 'May I speak with your daughter?' he asked.   

The princess' mother and father were surprised.  Who was this man? He seemed common- yet kindness was in his manner.   

Nodding slowly, the king and queen moved aside and stood close by.   

The man looked into the princess' eyes. 

'I have worked in your father's fields for many years.  I prayed and watched and waited for one who could be my wife, yet found no one.  Then one day I saw you walking on the palace lawn.  Your beauty was marvelous, and your purity sparkled like diamonds.'

The princess blushed, and her heart began to beat wildly.   

 'I have little to offer you, Princess,' the man said softly.  'I have no gold.  I have no means to travel the earth.  I am not as strong as many...'

The farmer stopped, and the princess was afraid he would not continue.  Then he whispered, '... but I do have one very special gift I can give to you.' "

As I turned the page, all the girls gasped and held their breath before breaking into full on squeals.

"What do you think the man has to give the princess?" I asked.

          "Gold!"

          "Money!"

          "Eternal love."

          "Kindness and gentleness."


The girls were just so excited that FINALLY a man who isn't dressed like a woman or has an ugly mustache was coming for the princess.  Trying to get the girls to look past the illustrations has been an amusing task in itself.

I flipped the pages to the beginning where the king and queen first revealed to the princess her first kiss- her gift of purity- God had given her when she was born.

"Remember what the princess' gift from God looked like?" I hinted for the girls.

               "Oh! He has her kiss!" one of the girls shouted.

 "Well, remember, her kiss is being kept safe in the palace tower.  It can't be her kiss, but whose could it be?"

The girls seemed confused.

We read on...

" 'This is my first kiss, Princess,' said the man.  'God gave this gift to me on the day I was born.  My parents kept it for me until I became a man.  I have saved it all my life for you.  Would you be my wife?' 

The king, the queen, and the princess rejoiced and embraced the humble farmer.  Was there any doubt that he was the one the princess had been waiting for? The princess thought her heart would burst with joy!   

'Yes!' she cried.  'Oh, yes, with all my heart!' " 

The girls screamed such high-pitched squeals as they grabbed hold of the person next to them while others climbed on their chairs to see the picture better.

Who knew that one book could cause such an atmosphere in a normally quiet village?

Marie Ester joined in the joy of the moment, "La princesa encontro su media naranja!"

Huh? The princess found her half an orange? What does that even mean?

She went on to explain that this is an expression they use in Spanish which means a "soul mate."  The princess has found her other half.

How beautiful!

Just as the princess waited and waited, guarding God's gift of her first kiss, her purity, for the man God had for her, there was a man who had waited and waited, guarding God's gift of his first kiss, his purity, for the woman God had for him.

His half an orange.

Marie Ester asked the girls, "Who wants to wait for their half an orange?"

All the girls shot their arms in the air and exclaimed "ME!" with the sweetest laughter.

Marie Ester added, "Just as the princess found her half an orange, Lauren will find her's, too.  God already has the man set aside for her, but she's waiting on the Lord, too."

One of the girls shouted, "Applause for Lauren!"

Ay, ay, ay... Quickly, I said, "no, no, no... applause for God!"

"Applause for God!... and now for Lauren!" the same girl repeated.

Silliness! I couldn't hold back my laughter.  It is incredibly humbling to me how loved I am by the girls and how intrigued they are about the man God has chosen for me. Sometimes I think they're more excited to find out who he is than me!

These girls are so precious to me.  They truly are princesses for whom God has extraordinary plans if they will only trust and obey Him.

I've said it before, but this teaching of purity and waiting on the Lord truly goes against the grains of the culture here.  The more time I spend with the girls and their families in the community, the more I realize I, myself, am powerless to bring change to these girls' lives.

I've recently come to terms with the fact that I may never see the fruit of my labor, but that's not why I'm here.  I am only called to be obedient to God.  He tells me to go, so I go.  He tells me to speak, so I speak.  He tells me to love and live in relationship with the women and girls, and so I love and live in relationship.

My prayer is that the Lord guards and keeps these young girls safe in His arms.  That though temptation will come, He delivers them from evil.  That the Lord brings revelation through His Spirit, enlightening the eyes of their hearts to the knowledge of Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:17-18).

Without this, without the revelation of Jesus, I am only reading a sweet storybook of love found.

He alone has the power to bring the light of revelation to those living in darkness (Isaiah 9:2) and the power to transform lives through the indwelling of His Spirit (Ezekiel 36:27).  I expectantly wait for Him in this promise to His children.

If the Lord has chosen to use my waiting upon Him for my "media naranja" as a means of ministering to the lives of these girls,  I will wait as long as it takes to fulfill His plans and purposes.  I have no other choice but to wait on the Lord.  Nothing else in this life matters more.  

Just as Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians, it is my desire for the girls to be imitators of me in this, as I imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 4: 16, 11:1).  The girls have begun wearing rings on their right hand and pulling their hair into side ponytails like I often wear mine, but I pray they see my love for Jesus and, above all things, imitate this.

This brings deeper meaning to James' words, "not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness" (James 3:1).

But really, as followers of Christ, aren't we all teachers in some way?  We are being observed and watched.  Jesus even said that by our fruits, we will be known (Matthew 7:20).  Are we bearing fruit in Jesus? Are we allowing ourselves to be reflections of our Father?

All I can say is I am grateful for the blood of Jesus that washes me clean daily and allows me to bear fruit and reflect the Father.  Lord knows, left to myself, that's impossible.

This Saturday we'll read the last page of the book.  Spoiler alert: there's going to be a wedding!  The girls have been patiently waiting for this moment.

I do hope and pray that every single one of these princesses find their media naranja someday, too.






excerpts from The Princess and the Kiss by Jennie Bishop (1999)

Thy will be done

I'd love nothing more than to tell you that everyday life on the mission field is thrilling and exciting with one victory after another.

The truth is, we have our normal day-in, day-out routines like anyone else.  There are days where you come back from serving completely exhilarated and pumped for the next one and days where you wonder if you made a difference at all.

Though I wouldn't trade my time on the mission field for anything in the world, it hasn't been particularly easy.

I've found in my 3 years here that I've been tested in ways I never imagined.  The majority of my days I have had no choice but to lean on my Beloved and trust Him at His words that He is faithful to the end.

Jesus wasn't kidding when He said, "In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

We go through trials and seasons of testing that stretch our faith to boundaries we have not previously known.  There is not a single missionary or missionary family here that is not experiencing some trial or testing, whether it be believing God for financial provision, miraculous healing, transformation of lives, or a fulfillment of His promises, plans, and purposes.

Specifically, the past 10 days alone have seemingly been one hardship after another here.

Last week, our church family received shocking news that our pastor, his son, and two others from the church were in a serious car accident just outside of Cabarete.  It was an alarming two days as both the pastor and another needed urgent surgeries and blood transfusions.  Praise the Lord, the church community and many of Sosua rallied together to find blood donors as blood supply is not typically stored here due to the inconsistent electricity to keep it fresh.  It was truly a miracle that everyone survived and I know God has received much glory through this.

Personally, I had been having more car troubles myself, so after the accident and upon the urging of several friends, I decided to bite the bullet, make the investment, and take my car in for some much needed maintenance.  After 4 days in the shop and several thousand pesos later, my car is in much better shape... though it still has the annoying sound that made me bring it in the first place.  That's a headache for next week.

To add to this stress, I spent one night this week hugging the porcelain throne as I tried desperately to sleep on my bathroom floor.  I can't say if it was a 24 hour bug, food I ate, or something in the water, but I'm slowly returning to my normal state.

One does become accustomed to the normal inconsistencies of life in the DR- erratic electricity, keys breaking in locks, invertors running a muck, no water, electrical wiring problems in the house... however, this week, I started buckling under the emotional and physical stress of everything.

The past few months God had been speaking to me concerning His promises and plans for the future.  It had been one powerful word after another as both my hope and faith had arisen to new heights.  Yet, God began speaking to me months ago and I'm still waiting for a fulfillment of what He declared.

So, what do you do in the waiting?  In the trials?  In the hardships? In the testings of your faith?

If you're anything like me... your flesh might prevail and you might complain a little to God.

"This isn't fair.  Why have You allowed all this to happen? Why would You speak these words to me and nothing?"

Now, I certainly haven't reached full maturity with those types of questions.

And just like that, the Lord reminded me of how I've literally asked for, prayed, and sung the lyrics of the song Fling Wide, "take me through the fire, take me through the rain, take me through the testing, I'll do anything.  Test me, try me, prove me, refine me like the gold."  

Should I expect anything less, then?

I'm reading the gospels simultaneously and have reached the last chapters where Jesus is found in the garden before He was led to be tried and crucified.  Jesus' words jumped out of the page and convicted my heart immediately.

"Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?" (John 18:11)

Jesus spoke these words to Peter as he cut off the right ear of the high priest's servant.  And He spoke these words to me as I aimlessly flung around my own sword of "why me's".

Like Peter, sometimes we fight against God's very plans that grow and stretch our faith and accomplish His purposes.

Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?

Though it be beyond my understanding, everything that happens must first go through God.  Even Satan must first report to our Lord before he is allowed to touch any of God's children.  Yet God has promised to work all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28).

Despite what the enemy sought to do in last week's accident, the Lord displayed His miraculous saving hand and has received abundant glory.

As relates to my car, perhaps the Lord is continuing His lessons on being a good steward of the things He's given me and to learn to trust Him more with my finances... and to show me not all mechanics are out to rob me blind, but do care about my well-being.

My cozy night on the bathroom tiles? Well, my body clearly needed to get rid of that which it did not approve.

And this word the Lord spoke to me? I do recall Abraham waiting 25 years before he and Sarah conceived Isaac, which was God's promise to Abraham in making him the father of a multitude of nations... Oh, boy.

His ways are not my ways and His timing is not my timing.  God must want to refine me through this season of waiting, so I say to Him, "I trust in you, O LORD... You are my God. My times are in Your hands." (Psalm 31:14-15).

After one of our princess gatherings in the village, one of the girls prayed the Lord's prayer to close.  Another girl refused to pray, saying that it was a "Catholic" prayer and it doesn't count.  I shared how the Lord's prayer is not Catholic, but rather, Jesus taught His disciples how to pray with this prayer and when we pray it from our hearts, God hears us.

Well, what is the first petition of the Lord's prayer?

"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

Your will be done, Lord.

Not my way, not my will, but Yours.

It's not about me and what I want.  It's all about Jesus and what He wants.

The moment we begin throwing ourselves pity parties is the moment our enemy has succeeded in distracting us from God's purposes.  We are to die to ourselves and live for Him, and when we truly do, those heartaches, trials, and testings make us hunger and thirst for more of Jesus.

This is where I want to be found. So thirsty that I gladly drink of whatever cup He places before me because it is from Him and I know He makes beautiful things.

I don't know where this finds you.  Maybe you're waiting on the fulfillment of God's promises to you or maybe your faith is being challenged by hard-pressing trials.  Perhaps you've also just had one of those weeks where you don't know whether to scream into a pillow or cry.

Just don't give up, don't settle for lies, but cling to the Truth and His promises for you.  You never know what's right around the corner.  Our God is faithful.

Lord, bring Your kingdom to earth and have Your way in our lives.  I surrender again.

Doing a New Thing

Yesterday was my last morning in the Old Testament.  This year I decided to read through the bible chronologically and it has been an incredible journey.

I found myself in the very last book of the Old Testament, Malachi.  At this point in history, the Israelites have since returned to Jerusalem for over 100 years and the rebuilding of the temple has been completed.  

You would think that after being delivered once more from captivity and having restored the temple, that the Israelites would have repented and placed their full devotion in the one true God.

Not so.

The Lord sent Malachi, who's name means "Messenger", to prophesy to God's people.  A spirit of apathy had come over the people of Judah as they were still waiting for the blessings of God to be restored.

God's response came through Malachi as He rebuked His children concerning the corruption in the priesthood, apathetic worship, widespread divorce, lack of tithing, and the absence of social justice in the land.  The Lord, in turn, reminded His children of His love towards them and how He is ready and eager to bestow blessings on them if they would turn to Him.

In fact, one of the only places in scripture where God actually challenges His people to put Him to the test is found in chapter 3 verse 10.  As regards tithing, Our Lord said, "bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  And thereby put me to the test... if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."  Who wouldn't take Him on that offer?

In reading Malachi again, The Lord reminded me how easy it is to become relaxed and apathetic in our covenant with Him.  However, what stirred in me the most was the very last two verses of the book.  

These two verses have captivated my heart and filled my prayers for well over a year now.

"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.  And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction."                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                   Malachi 4:5-6 

As promised by the Lord, I have been praying for the same spirit of Elijah to be released in the communities I'm in and for the hearts of the fathers to be turned to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers.

Even though I'm spending time with the girls and teaching God's truth, the majority of their time is spent with their family and among their friends and neighbors in the community.

No matter how much I share the Truth of God's love and empower them with the importance of their value, self-worth, and purity, I know their family units will ultimately shape who they become.

Just yesterday I was talking with one of the girls and she shared how her grandfather has had 6 women and that her 19 year-old brother, who is still in their parents' house, has a new woman in his bed every night.

This is the type of opposition I'm up against... but I'm not alone. That's a promise.

Come on, spirit of Elijah!!!

Somewhere between July and August, God began stirring something new within my heart.  One night at the prayer house in Sosua, God had me return to our familiar meeting place in Isaiah 54.

This scripture, at times, feels like a life passage of sorts.  In 2012, The Lord calmed my weary and distraught soul when He proclaimed His role as my Husband in verses 4-5.  In 2013, He then again promised me more children than she who is married and instructed me to hold nothing back in verses 1-2... (mind you, God gave me well over 100 girls last year).

So, when He prompted me to return to this familiar passage, I knew God was about to reveal something new to me.  This time He led me to verses 6-8.

" 'For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God.  For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you.  In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,' says the Lord, your Redeemer."

As I read these verses, God spoke to me, "I'm calling you to the wives deserted and grieved in spirit and to the young girls who have been cast off.  Once more, enlarge the place of your tent and lengthen your cords... I'm doing a new thing."

Believe me, I reread that passage over and over again in that moment, trying to reason with Him... "For real, God? You want me to minister to the mothers? To young women who have given themselves to men? How? I'm not a mother.  I've never known a man. Are you sure you got the right Lauren?"

I knew He had.  His sheep know His voice and He had spoken clearly.

When I returned to the DR mid-September, I felt a change in the atmosphere... and it wasn't just the humidity.  I knew this was the start of a new season as God had previously revealed to me.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared.

Speaking to the girls comes easy to me now.  Before, where teaching in Spanish had pushed my comfort zone, this has now become relatively safe ground.  However, God doesn't let us stay in those terrains for long.

In my moments of fear and asking "how, Lord?", He gently reminded me of all the women He's placed in my life these past 3 years to whom He had me minister, the majority of which I wasn't even aware.

His response? "Just be a friend."

Sometimes we think we have to have a curriculum, a book, or a specific prayer to use in ministry when all God wants is our presence.  Why do I try to make it more complicated than it really is?

Yesterday, I went out to the village as usual, with no expectations other than for God to lead me.  I have been praying that the Lord would show me with which women He would have me develop deeper relationships, fully anticipating He would place them before me.

I showed up and Marie Ester had visitors so I decided to enlist one of the girls to come around with me to visit all the other girls in their homes.  We started out just the two of us and rapidly added to our numbers as we made our rounds.  When I thought we had visited all the houses, the girls cried, "Rosaura! Let's go see Rosaura!"

Silly me, I forgot about Rosaura because she rarely comes to our front porch hang-outs.  We're walking down the side pathway to her house and we were greeted by her mother, Rosa, who invited me to sit and stay awhile.  I had visited with Rosa before at Marie Ester's but never had the opportunity to sit alone with her.

We pulled up some chairs and the rest is history.  She was so eager to have us sit with her as her daughter and the other girls went inside to get all her baby dolls.  We talked about her 5 children, their ages (10, 8, 6, 5, and 10 months), the girls, English, and medical history.  I found out Rosa is only 29 years-old... that's just one year older than me.

2 hours later, the only reason I decided to leave was because the sun was setting and I didn't want any of the other mothers to worry about where their daughters were.  I thanked Rosa for having me and reminded her that this Saturday would be the start of our princess meetings for the girls and that I hoped to see her and her daughter there.

I am telling you, there was a reason God had me read Malachi 4:5-6 that morning, reminding me of my prayers and how He has heard me.  I believe His call for me to come alongside the mothers is the beginning of Him working out this prayer for the hearts of the fathers to be turned to their children and the children to their fathers.

I cannot even describe what this is doing to my faith.  My God is moving before me and He is preparing hearts to receive His Son and the promise of His eternal love.  I am but one person, but with God nothing is impossible.

Please join me in praying Malachi 4:5-6 and Isaiah 50:4, that the Lord God would give me "the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word [she] who is weary."  The girls are SO excited to start reading The Princess and the Kiss this weekend... keep us all in your prayers! 

A handful of the girls with Marie Ester outside her home.

Happily Ever After

The last weekend in August, I joined friends and family in Maryland to celebrate the marriage of my brother and his wife.  It was one of the most joyous weddings and we seriously couldn't have asked for better weather!

The happy couple exchanged their vows, walked down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Ferguson, and danced the night away.  I was immensely blessed to be able to share in this momentous day.

Isn't it crazy how you can wait with anticipation for a day to come and before you know it, it's over?  However, we did get to enjoy some Maryland blue crabs with our new extended family, I was able to visit with a friend from college, and we even saw the Orioles play in Camden Yards (AL Eastern Division Champs... what what!)... It was an overall awesome weekend.

As we no longer reside in the state of Maryland, my parents, sister, and I found ourselves making the long 12-hour journey down I-95 back to Orlando, Florida.  

TWELVE HOURS.

Car rides are never boring with the Ferguson family, yet there's still a few hours of  "now what?" so I decided to check out what podcasts were stored on my iPod.  I wasn't able to attend church that weekend so I definitely wanted to hear the Word.  I went to a favorite podcast of mine and scanned through the messages over the past year.  Low and behold I found a 4-week sermon series titled "The New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating." * 

Now, if you've kept up with any of my recent blogs, you'll know that the Lord has had me in an intensive study about His design for marriage and purity.  For the past several years, He has been growing and establishing a conviction within me in this area and it has been so strong lately.  And, well, seeing how I just came from a wedding, I thought, "why not take a listen?"

This summer, after spending time with the girls in the village and being likened to a princess waiting for her prince, I sensed God was leading me to focus on teaching His daughters what it truly means to be princesses.  For a few months now, I had been holding onto a children's book that a close friend had given me that unfolds a beautiful story of God's gift of purity for young girls.  It's titled The Princess and the Kiss and it follows a young princess who has come of age and is preparing for marriage.  Her parents decide she is finally ready to receive the gift God gave her the day she was born... her first kiss.  It would now be hers to give to whomever she chooses, but she must choose wisely for she only has this one first kiss. 

The suitors come left and right... rich ones, romantic ones, handsome and strong ones, but the princess doubts that they will ever truly value the gift God has given her.  She is tempted to despair and as she confides with her mother on the palace rooftop, the queen encourages her that she can choose to keep her kiss and cherish it for always, or she can wait until the day a man worthy of her comes along.  

The next day, a young man who works in the palace garden came to the gates and asked to speak with the princess.  He shares how he has prayed and watched and waited for one who could be his wife, but never found her. Then one day he saw the princess walking and her beauty captivated him and her "purity sparkled like diamonds." 

He had little to offer her.  He wasn't rich nor strong nor had the means to travel the earth, but he did have one very special gift to give her... his first kiss which God gave to him on the day he was born. 

It is an incredibly beautiful story and I can't wait to share it with the girls.  I had been in the process of translating it this summer, but I happened upon it IN SPANISH when I was back in the states!  (The sales clerk at the bookstore made me the happiest person alive that day.)

I can't even tell you how many times the girls have pleaded with me, "can we read the princess story, yet?!"   But still, something in me was not at peace with this story.  I couldn't figure out why because it's an amazing message of cherishing and saving one's purity for the man God has chosen. 

And then, sitting in the back seat of my parents' van, somewhere in the middle of North Carolina on that long drive to Florida, listening to part one of the sermon series, God revealed to me why... in 3 little words.  

Happily. Ever. After.

So many fairy tales end with "...and they lived happily ever after," as the prince carries his princess off into the sunset.  And that's it.

But that's NOT it.  

I'd be lying to the girls if I said they just needed to wait for the "right" guy to come along.  

I'd be lying to myself.

Finding the "right" person to marry is not going to solve any of life's problems.  Shoot, I've heard it just adds to them! 

Yes, we will experience love on a deeper level as we're known fully and intimately by only one other person in our lives, and yes, we will share in joys with our spouse that we never knew before... but still, that person can never complete us.  They will undoubtedly fail us and hurt us, even if it be unintentional.

Why? Because we're human and we're not perfect.

However, there is One who is.  

His name is Jesus. 

It is He who has come in and saves us from our sins, who gives us beauty for ashes, who purifies and makes us whole.  And it is He who has sent His Holy Spirit to come dwell within us.    

Jesus is our Prince and I believe this is what God wants me to teach the girls.  

Jesus came and saved me... and for all intents and purposes, He has asked for my hand in marriage and I am His bride. I have already found the one whom my soul loves, the lover of my soul, and I am fully satisfied in Him.

If the Lord never gave me a husband here on earth, I would still be satisfied in Him.  This is what I want the girls to receive from me. 

It is perfectly acceptable to entertain thoughts about whom we will marry and to share stories about princes and princesses... I would never take that away from a young girl's heart.  I fully intend on playing up the princess theme as I know some of the girls have already even made crowns to wear when we read the story! 

My heart simply longs for these girls to know how beautiful and precious and loved they are as daughters of the Most High King.  

Although no man or woman can give us a "happily ever after," The Lord has promised eternal life to all who come to Him.  

To me, that's abundantly more than "happily ever after."

*If you are interested in listening to the sermon series that I mentioned above, you can check it out at Your Move with Andy Stanley. (sermons from 8/3/13-8/24/13) Get ready... they are some pretty awesome messages!

Here We Go Again...

Sometimes I want to slap myself.  Like, really slap myself upside the head and ask, "what were you thinking?"

What have I done this time?

Pray.  That's what I did.

There's a whole slew of things I've prayed for and God has answered far more abundantly than I could have ever asked or imagined.

This goes both ways.

For example, when I replied to the Lord's prompting with "send me, I'll go (for 6 months to a year)," I wound up with 2 years, 8 months, and still counting.  Lesson number one... don't put God in a box.

God also answered my prayers in where I'm living and serving now, so far more abundantly than I ever thought possible.  Pretty awesome.

Then, you all know how my fervent prayer for protection last year turned out.  I got one ferocious canine that wants to tear you limb from limb, but also enjoys affection and a playful game of fetch.

As you may recall from my last post, I jokingly inserted a prayer to God that He not bring me another dog now that I'm praying for protection once more...

Well, here we go again!

A couple months back, when Lucas had just discovered how easy it is to jump the walls to scout the land and socialize with other dogs, I prayed, "Lord, if you want me to get another dog to keep Lucas company, I'll do it... but You have to bring it to me, I'm not going looking for it."

You'd really think I'd have learned by now to be careful with my prayer requests... but truly, I haven't regretted a single one.

I know what you're thinking... "Lauren, are you serious? You can't even control the crazy dog you already have, how are you going to take on another?"

To be fair, I only share about his crazy antics.  Let me write some positive things about Lucas for a change.

• He responds to the commands sit, shake, down, and stay... about 90% of the time

• He knows that he is NOT to touch his food until I give him the signal to start eating

• His incessant barking through the night has decreased significantly (I strongly believe that's because I started praying that he only barks when necessary); and

• He plays fetch (though we're still working on release)

When I return in September, I have plans to start training Lucas with a good lead.  I know this requires consistency, and to be honest, I think that's a big reason why I hadn't started with him yet.

A friend of mine at bible study put it ever-so-kindly that if I put the same discipline into training Lucas as I do in spending time with the Lord and reading the bible, then Lucas would submit in complete obedience.  

Ouch... that stung a bit.

Here I am discussing how the majority of problems in this country stem from a lack of good stewardship, when I, myself, am being a poor steward over the animal God has given me. 

Feeding him, loving him, and providing shelter for him is not enough.  I'm called to practice authority over this creature and discipline him.  

My friends tease me about the tone I use when I tell him "come" (you'd think I'm saying "run away!") and I often feel hopeless as to whether he will ever see me as pack leader.  They even encouraged me that I should start a morning ritual of looking at myself in the mirror and saying, "I'm a Pitbull leader... hear me growl!"  Thing is, I have to believe it myself.

Once we work a little with a lead, I'm going to start taking Lucas running with me to burn some energy.  I have to fight my fear of being dragged like the last time we went running.  I guess that was payback for the first time where I was dragging him as a puppy!  Literally, passersby were laughing at his stubbornness... or maybe at my lack of authority over a puppy?

Still think I'm crazy?  

It's ok... my neighbors will think so, too.   They probably already think I'm a little strange.  Just the other day, I was playing tug-of-war with my yard.  You read that correctly.  I was pulling up weeds and, by golly, I lost!  I'm sure it was a sight to see... there's that crazy white girl pulling at the grass again.

Anyways, are you ready for me to finish the story? 

While lifting up a prayer request at bible study for Lucas' obedience and the healing of his back leg,  it was suggested that I get him a friend. I shared how I've spoken with the Lord concerning this before.  If that was His will, I'd do it, but I was a bit reluctant because my hands are already full with the one I have. 

      Lucas' separation anxiety over me leaving him led him to chase my car into another dog's territory. 

This was when one of the ladies shared how she's still looking for a home for a 12 week-old puppy that she's been nursing back to health.  She told me that the dog is a female and wont get much bigger than a chihuahua, but that she holds her own among the 10 other full-grown dogs on the property... that is saying a lot when 2 of the dogs are a Rottweiler and a Great Dane.  

Oh, and are you ready for this?  Her name just so happens to be "Princesita"... Little Princess.    

Yea, I had another one of those "Ok, God... what are you up to?!" moments.  I can't even begin to tell you how many of those I've had in the last few months... no, make that years. 

God has told me to be a Lady-in-waiting in raising up His princesses here and it would be just like Him to give me a little princess of my own.

I agreed to go check her out.  The three of us ladies went to meet Princesita after bible study on Wednesday... and it was love a first sight. 

How precious is that face? 

I kept saying out loud, "Darnit... ugh....really?...ugh.... darnit..." as I knew in my heart God wanted me to adopt her.

Now that Rottweiler is one ferocious pooch.  

My friend has agreed to keep her until I return in September which is a tremendous blessing.  I can't say I didn't see this coming, especially since I had prayed, "...not my will, but Your's be done."

I'm excited for Lucas.  I believe the majority of his problems stem from a lack of exercise and loneliness, and I don't believe The Lord would bring us another dog if she wouldn't play with him.  Princesita won't be much of a guard dog, but she will hopefully provide Lucas with the companionship he craves. 

Princesita's rescue has left her in a stint to help her leg set properly

Our little family is growing.  Please rebuke me if I ever think about getting a cat.  THAT will be the day I've gone too far... go ahead and sign me up for a psychiatric evaluation while you're at it.

Looks like I'm adding one more princess to the training list!

She's a feisty one!

Maybe Lucas wont be so eager to jump in my car whenever I leave now!

Given Up to Lust

Do you remember that blog post a while back about it being a "man's world"?  

Well, to give you an update, I didn't end up going back out to Puerto Plata to get my car looked at.  I had this gut feeling that I shouldn't allow that gentleman to help me at the other shop, no matter how good his intentions seemed to be.

I don't know what is going on in the spiritual atmosphere lately, but my righteous indignation is kicking up again and my tolerance is growing thin.  I haven't been this worked up over something since last year when the dogs were in heat outside my house (you can read more about that here).

So, what am I getting all angry about this time?

The men here.

(Get ready for some full out ranting)

Waiting at the stoplight, I get kisses blown my way by men twice my age.  Disgusting.

At the beach, which is the ONLY place close enough to home where I feel safe to run alone, men have started to follow me with their eyes before their feet join behind me... at least my speed is improving now.

In the village, macho adolescents think it's funny to enlighten me with the little English they know that "you want to f*** me." ... Really? This is news to me.

And I cannot even drive down the street outside my house without getting suggestive looks and smiles from motoconcho drivers waiting at given stops along the way.  I feel like I have a personal fan club waiting for me every time I drive by...

Being a gringa makes me stick out, especially since every Dominican man is raised and encouraged to find their "rich" white girl.  Dude, I'm living on faith that God will provide my next paycheck! But it's not just me.  Every woman here has received these cat calls, stares, and the all-too-familiar hisses at some point in their life.

You know, around this time last year, I began praying fervently for protection.  I had men visiting my windows and offering to "buy" my smile... whatever that means.  One man even told me he had a dream that he gave me roses and then asked if I liked roses.  This man also would linger in his car outside my classes while I was teaching and just stare at me... I'd move from one side of the room to escape his looks and he would pull his car forward to follow me.  I kept praying he would get a hint, but he followed through in bringing me flowers and candy before the year was over.  I still get the heebie-jeebies thinking about that guy. 

If you haven't forgotten, God answered my tearful cries with a dog.  I was thinking more along the lines of a husband when I was praying...  God sure does have a sense of humor!

Well, I've found myself praying once more for protection (Lord, please don't send me another dog... the one You gave me is more than enough!).  Lucas has become quite the aggressive guard dog and has gotten mighty close to attacking men who have come on the property without permission.  Good boy!

Before I turn in each night, I pray over Lucas and over the property- for a hedge of protection and for angels to stand guard.  In the past month, God has even lovingly asked for me to keep my front door gate locked at all times.  I chose not to lock it one morning as I was hanging laundry, going in and out of the house, and immediately God said, "Don't become relaxed on this one.  Please honor me in my request."

I strongly believe, though he drives me bonkers, that Lucas is so aggressively protective for a reason, and I have to thank God for that.  I was discussing with my friend recently Lucas' desire to shred to pieces a neighbor that came to my front door.  I have an unsettled feeling about this neighbor in particular and my friend suggested that something else might have been going on.  

"Like what?" I asked.  

"Like lust or other intentions." she replied. 

"You think Lucas can pick up on that?"

"I don't know, but something is heightening his resolve to protect you and his property." 

Funny she should mention lust.

I'm reading a book right now by Bob Sorge titled A Covenant with My Eyes.  The title is based off of a covenant Job made with the Lord that he would not look upon any woman with lust (Job 31:1).  The book discusses covenants, the importance of and battle for sexual purity, and what making such a vow means in this day and age.  Any Christian man, single or married, who has been to Sosua should consider reading this book... Lord knows the temptation to look is at every corner.

I was running on Sosua beach this week with a friend and, once more, that anger began to rise in me.  Women, wearing next to nothing, posing for a photo shoot while rolling in the sand and water, about drove me insane.  For the full 40 minutes of running back and forth, these girls were taking photos of themselves.  There were also prostitutes scouting out their next job, and other women who have no shame letting it all hang out.  I was getting angry for my running buddy's sake!

And, of course, I received "encouragement" from the male peanut gallery, as well.  "Corre! 1, 2, 3, 4!... 1, 2, 3, 4!"  That's greeeaaat... you can count in English! ... Like I've never heard that one before.

But I digress... 

Lust.

It is an emotion or feeling of intense desire in the body.  In this case, I'm talking about strong sexual desires for another person. 

Jesus was very direct when it came to lust.... 

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'  But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.  For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.  For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell." Matthew 5:27-30

If people truly heeded Jesus' words, there'd be a lot more people walking around with one eye and one hand.  Yet I feel that this country is lost in a sea of lust. Sex is ev-er-y-where.  It walks down the street.  It smiles at you from a billboard. It dances with you in a bachata song.  

Just spending time with the girls in the village has proven to me how deeply rooted sex is in this culture as the girls move their 11-year old hips seductively in dance and beckon the attention of grown men nearby.  

There is a difference between a friendly gaze and a lustful gaze, and unfortunately, I don't come across too many friendly gazes from men here.  

As I was spending time with the Lord last night, my bible fell open to Romans so I began reading the first chapter.  In it, I felt God was answering my question as to why this culture is so saturated in sexual lusts.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.  So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.  Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen." Romans 1:18-25 

Truth is being suppressed in this country and it's not for a lack of knowledge.  It would be extremely hard for you to find someone in this area who has not heard of Jesus.  People have been given the invitation to accept Him, but, more often than not, they are not willing to give up their sinful lifestyles yet.  They are without excuse.

In turn, God, in His loving kindness, has given Sosua up in the lusts of its heart to impurity, to the dishonoring of its bodies among themselves, because it has chosen to exchange the truth about God for a lie.  The people here are worshiping and serving sex rather than the Creator of sex.

The eyes of my heart were enlightened when I read this scripture.  God is not going to force people to repent or turn from their unrighteous ways, because He wants them to choose Him.  He knows what He wants for His children and has declared this over them, but if they don't want to walk in the freedom and joy and love that is waiting in abundance for them in Christ, He will give them over to their lusts.

This grieves my spirit.  Not that God would do this, but because of the disobedience of man.

Please, don't get me wrong. I, too, have battled with lust.  As fallen creatures, I believe sex is an area where everyone will have some sort of battle, because it is an essential part to fulfilling God's purposes of filling the earth with His righteousness.

What I'm experiencing right now among the male population is deeper than just flirtatious and longing looks.  There is a generational curse and a cultural stronghold at work here. I really have to bridle my tongue and check my heart.  I have to remind myself  daily to hate the sin and love the sinner when everything inside me is cringing and crying for God to make all things new.

Another thing that gets my goat is why men here aren't working to provide for their families.  There are all these men just sitting and waiting on the side of the road with their motos because that's their occupation in life.  Other men sit outside their own homes all day.  Now you tell me... if you have nothing to do but sit around, what is your mind going to think about?   Proverbs 16:27 (TLB) even says that "idle hands are the devil's workshop." 

What has happened to this country? I know the government has much to do with the current state of the Dominican Republic, and education (or lack there of) is a huge contributing factor, as well.  But what happened to the desire God has placed in every man to provide for his family?  Lord, restore this desire in the men here in a pleasing way!

There are so many ministry and mission programs here on the north coast, but what fruit is being produced? What good are we doing if there is no lasting change and transformation? My heart's cry is for God to raise up godly men and women to disciple His lost sheep.  That is what this country needs.

You know... maybe it's time for a little furlough.  Don't you love God's timing?  I head out August 26th for my little brother's wedding in Baltimore and I cannot wait to see family and friends back home in Orlando for a while, too.  I think it may be good to step away for a few weeks and remove myself from the constant bombardment of this over-sexualized culture.

I do love the Dominican Republic, but I love God more.   Things, as they are, are not ok.   

I'm ticked off.

"How will you know?"

I didn't want to go out to the village yesterday.

Really, to be 100% honest, I get this way at about 3:00 pm on the days I plan to go out there.  

I fight with my flesh, my fears, my insecurities.  I think, "what are we going to talk about?"... "should I have prepared something?"... "what if the girls are busy?"

I can relate so well to Elijah, who upon witnessing the miraculous fiery-engulfment of a thrice soaked altar of God and after single-handedly slaughtering 450 prophets of Baal, hides and barricades himself in a cave because one psychotic woman wants him dead. 

Do you know what God said to him in that cave? "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Likewise, God didn't bring me to the DR to be anxiously pent up in my apartment.  "What are you doing here, Lauren?"

So, an hour before I planned to head out, I grabbed my bible, turned on worship music, and laid down on my bed.  Be still, my soul.  

I've been praying through scripture recently, and yesterday I prayed from Ephesians 3:16-19 that "God would grant [me] to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in [my] inner being, so that Christ may dwell in [my] heart through faith- that [I], being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that [I] may be filled with all the fullness of God."

I feel so weak and so unequipped for this task at times.  My Spanish, though I pray is improving with each passing day, is still mediocre, and honestly, I have nothing to give to this community but Jesus.  I continued to cry out to God to strengthen me through His Spirit in my inner man and to be filled with the fullness of God.  I know I cannot do this alone... nor do I want to.

I think of how wonderful it would be if Jesus, Himself, would be physically manifested and join the girls in our makeshift circle on that front patio every week.  How much easier it would be!

But, you know what? He is... through me.  That transaction was made years ago.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me (Galatians 2:20). 

Sometimes, you've just got to sing your way... read your way... pray your way into the Truth.  What a difference spending time with the Maker of the universe can do in renewing our hearts and minds. 

The Lord gave me strength and courage to get in my car and drive out to the village.  As always, before I could even take the keys out of the ignition, little hands found their place on the driver's side window.  Taking their hands in mine, we made our way to our meeting place outside of Marie Ester's house.  

It started out like any other day.  I asked the girls how their day had been and listened as they all got a chance to share. Some of the girls put on a "drama" for me and everyone was just content to be there.  Then one of the girls asked if I ever had a "manzana de oro", or a gold apple (not to be confused with a Golden Delicious apple). I actually have never eaten one, so all the kids, but one, got up and ran to the tree 3 houses away... they were on a mission!

The one who stayed behind was Madelin.  This precious, gentle 11 year-old is the girl who, when we first met, likened me to a princess waiting for her prince.  She is truly hungry for the things of God's Kingdom and is so very curious of my convictions.  It's quite beautiful. 

"I have a question.  You're waiting for your prince, yes? How will you know when you meet him?"

                "You know, Madelin, that's a very good question."

"I mean, what if you meet a guy and you like him and he likes you but he's not the one you're supposed to be with?  How will you know?"

                "You're right.  That's why it's so important to talk to God.  I know God will tell                   me, because I've asked Him to."

Marie Ester then joined in and shared a folk story about a man who was most handsome, a son of a pastor, and had all the money he could want.  Every girl wanted to be with him but he had no interest in them because he was waiting for the woman God had for him.  It wasn't until he met one woman, beautiful beyond compare, that he fell head-over-heals and was certain God was telling him she was the one.  Thing is, the devil also knows God's word and speaks lies to us all day to distract us from God's will.  Well, long story short, he married this woman against his church's concerns and, after they consummated their marriage, his new wife emerged from bathing and came out with blood-red eyes... she was actually a demon!  The man then became crazy and ended up with nothing in life.

Seriously... these are the types of stories the kids grow up with!

Anyways...

Madelin then asked me, "What if you meet a man and you think he's the one God has for you, but then he bathes and comes out with blood-red eyes?"

              "I'd run as far away as I could!"  We both had a good laugh on that one!

I told her how she should come this Sunday to children's church because I'm going to be sharing a story about a man after God's heart.

"You mean King David?"

            "Yes, King David.  I pray that my husband is a man after God's heart like David.             God will tell me who that is.  He will give me peace about it."

Last week we learned about how God had Samuel anoint Saul to be the first king of Israel and how Saul allowed the sin of pride to choke out his calling, leading him into disobedience.  I gave the kids a teaser last week that the next king wasn't someone the Israelites would have thought would be a worthy king compared to the physical appearance of Saul, but that there was something very special about him.

At that point, the kids on a mission came back with a bucket full of manzanas de oro and passed around 3 knives as we peeled off the tough skin.  The girls were asking me if I knew how to peel an apple and studied me to make sure I was doing it right.  It was darn cute how they wanted to take care of me.

As we were doing this, another one of the girls came to sit by me.  I noticed on her right hand she had made a ring out of a silver pipe cleaner and had placed it on her ring finger - the exact same hand and finger that I wear my ring on.  She smiled up at me when I suggested that we're like twins.

And she is not the only one that I've noticed who has started to wear a ring on her right hand now.  Something beautiful is taking place, however slowly it may be.

I've gone out every week this summer with nothing more than Christ in me, and look at what He's doing.  I haven't brought any give-aways, crafts, games, or candy... nothing.  I'm just giving them Jesus, who is more than enough.

We forget sometimes that "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).  I shouldn't be surprised, then, when I feel defeated or hear voices of doubt.  Satan is fully aware of the work God is doing and he wants nothing more than for me to stay home and hide the Light within me.

We must stand firm in God's Word, take up the whole armor of God, and know that He who is in us is greater than he who is in this world (1 John 4:4).  We are called to shine God's Light and to be a vessel for His glory.

That conversation with Madelin may have never happened had I given in to fear, nor would the girls have started making rings to signify their desire to wait on the Lord and be pursued by a man after God's heart.

What other things does God have for us to do that we're missing out on because of fear?


"Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13

It's a Man's World

I had to make a trip to Puerto Plata yesterday to check the brakes on my Jeep.  Puerto Plata is a good 24 km from Sosua and my tank was on empty, so I pulled over for gas at the Shell Station in Montellano.

The scene was quite humorous... as soon as the attendants saw me pulling up, the sea of motoconchos were parted as they made way for the gringa... because... you know... we gringas all have money...

I rolled down my window and told the attendant how much I wanted.  As I turned forward again in my seat, I noticed two motoconcho drivers within arm's length from my window watching me, one sitting on his bike and the other leaning up against the railing.

"Haven't you always wanted a white girl?" one of the men said to the other.

      The other replied, "Yea, especially a blonde one with a Jeep..."

Alright, here we go, Lauren...  How are you going to respond?  I decided to play along.

                                              "Have you asked God for one?"

The two men, surprised by my response, laughed before answering my question.

"God won't answer us... He's punishing us with the women we already have!" 

They joked in agreement at their response.  I let them quiet down before I pushed forward.

                                              "Why do you think you're being punished?"

I had to repeat myself over the noise.

"Because of how we live.  You're a Christian?" 

     "Wow, a blonde with a Jeep AND she's christian... that's even better!" the other man chimed in,            quite pleased with himself.

                                              "Yes, I am," I said, "Are you christian?"

"Me? No."

                                              "Why not?"

The man smiled, "Some day, but not today."

Unfortunately, I get this answer way too often.  By this point, the attendant closed my gas cap and was writing up a receipt.  I knew I needed to end the conversation soon. 

                             "You know, Jesus is waiting for you.  He loves you... but there will come a time                         when Jesus will return and then it will be too late.  We don't know when that will be."

There was no real reply.  I placed my keys in the ignition and began rolling up my window.

                             "Don't wait too long," I said as I pulled away.

Now, I don't know if the two men loitering at the Shell gas pump had ears to hear these words or not.  Had this interaction come even a year ago, I doubt I would have been able to speak to them without getting riled up.  I probably would have ignored them altogether, but something inside told me to challenge them.

I got back on the road and made my way to the brake clinic in Puerto Plata.  As soon as I pulled in, more men came up to me.  Pardon my language, I don't mean to be crude, but in college when we'd go to parties and there were only men present, we called those "sausage fests"... I felt like yesterday was one big one. 

I prayed for God's favor before arriving because I know how easily I can be taken advantage of as a white woman.  Fortunately, I had been to this shop before and was just getting a check-up.  

The first two men were giving me a hard time when I was explaining the sounds my car has been making...  Crazy gringa.  I've grown accustomed to this by now and I've learned to keep pushing through until someone hears me... like the persistent widow who kept knocking until she drove the judge insane! (Luke 18:1-7)  Believe me, The Lord keeps me trained in this area through prayer.

The owner drove out with me to listen for himself, and, THANK YOU, JESUS, my car made the noises.  We drove back to the shop for the mechanics to take a look.  After the third time of taking the car out for a drive, the owner began asking me personal questions.  

Where do you live? 

How long have you been here?  

Did you move here by yourself? 

What do you do? 

Are you living alone? 

I can be a bit forthcoming with information some times, but I knew this man was an older brother in Christ and I felt comfortable answering his questions honestly... besides, he had a wedding ring on his left hand, too.  I really have a hard time with lying, which is a good thing, but I can be a bit too trusting at times.

When he finally got to the question I knew he originally wanted to ask, I was honest then, too.

"Are you single?"

                            "Yes."

"You don't have a boyfriend?"

                            "No."

"There's no one you're interested in right now?"

Ok, I thought I was safe... where is he going with this?  

I cut in and explained how I'm waiting for the man God has set aside to be my husband and how this is actually part of my ministry to the girls. That I'm teaching the girls to seek God first and to know that they're beautiful, important, and precious, and that God has a purpose for each one of their lives... that they don't have to seek the streets of Sosua in search of a man or settle for anyone less than what they're deserving as daughters of God.  

Silence.

We had pulled back into the shop at this point and he explained how he can take me next week to another shop because the problem isn't with the brakes.  I appreciated his offer to go with me because as he even suggested, "you're a foreigner and well, you know..." Yes, I do know.  

Now I'm just going to have to pray and be prepared for whatever questions are coming next week. I deeeeeefinitely didn't see that conversation coming when I left my house yesterday morning.  I really hope our little talk doesn't come back and bite me in the butt.

If you know me at all, you know the introvert in me needs alone time to recharge.  I was SO ready to retreat to my car and crank some worship music as I made the trek back to Sosua.  I had had my fill of testosterone for the day.  

The song "It's a man's world" came to mind as I reflected on the interactions I had experienced in the expanse of a few short hours.  It really is.  I'm doing just fine here by myself, really... God has been teaching me to stand on my own two feet and speak up for myself.  He has given me a voice and has been strengthening me as I lean upon Him.  But it's still not easy being a woman in the DR.  I have to find a balance of being guarded but not too guarded.  I'm still learning the culture and discerning people's intentions and motives here.  

The scripture from 1 Peter 3:15 comes to my heart now...

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

Shouldn't we all be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks us for a reason for the hope that is in us? Though I don't know what God is doing in the lives of all the men I spoke with yesterday, I am called to be prepared to answer in gentleness and respect.  This isn't always easy.

As I am being challenged by this word, I challenge you also to lean into the Holy Spirit this week and prepare yourself for whatever questions or encounters unexpectedly come your way.

Trust me.  It's pretty exciting when God leads.