It's been exactly one month since I returned from the Dominican Republic. These past few weeks have been filled with new adventures as I found myself in the mountains of Colorado, the "hill" country (in comparison) of Georgia, the prairie fields of Illinois, as well as the sea-levels of Florida.
Now, about the princesses and squires of Loma de los Chivos...
I had been seeking the Lord's guidance as goes an exit strategy. God had been abundantly faithful in my coming into Loma and I prayed His blessing in Deuteronomy 28:6 that my going out would be no different.
Leaving is never easy. We often don't understand why God would have us do a certain thing but ultimately we have to trust that if He's leading, it is good. I began slowly pulling out of Loma ever since I returned from Africa, ministering one-on-one through personal goodbyes. In these visits, I was able to express my gratitude for how graciously individuals had accepted me into their homes this past year and answer questions they might have as to why I'm leaving.
I have to believe that God was moving through this testimony, as well, that even when it doesn't make sense, we must still trust and obey.
The most incredible part of the story is how God's hand is truly upon this small village. Just weeks after the Princess and Squire ceremony back in April, my friends Dario and Rebeca approached me about a discipleship curriculum they had used in children's ministry when they lived in Santo Domingo.
Want to take a guess at the name of this curriculum?
King's Castle
Friends, I'm telling you... I couldn't have planned this better myself. ONLY God is sovereign enough to put the pieces together like this.
I realize now that God led me to Loma to till the soil and plant seeds. He set me there to begin speaking the truth of how valued and precious His sons and daughters are to His Kingdom. I believe He used me to instill a royal significance into the lives of His children to prepare them for what lies ahead.
When I asked God if I was to take part in leading King's Castle for His new princesses and squires of Loma, He told me my role had been completed. Someone else was to now take these beautiful princesses and strapping young squires on the next leg of the journey as they begin learning deeper truths of God's word.
My last Saturday with the girls and boys was both a despedida (goodbye) and a celebration. We all gathered to rejoice in all that God had done this past year, retelling stories and lessons learned. As a parting gift to remember this past year together, I complied photo albums for each family with pictures from the very beginning to the royal ceremony and beyond. For many of these children, they don't own tangible photos of themselves, so I knew this would be a cherished memory in recounting all that God did in our time together.
As a culminating activity and an introduction to the surprise that awaits them with King's Castle, we had a competition to see which team could build the best castle out of toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, and cardboard boxes. Before doing so, we discussed what Jesus meant when He said we must build our house on the Rock... and, by George, they got it!
It was to be the last lesson we shared together and the ultimate truth I would desire for them to know.
When we build our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ, nothing can tear us down (Matthew 7:24-27). He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) and if we place our trust in Him alone, we will never be put to shame (Romans 10:11).
Would God be anything other than faithful to the very end?
We know in Philippians 1:6 that "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus."
My friends, what God has begun in your life, He is faithful to see it through. I pray that my journey in the DR has encouraged you to believe in the exceedingly abundant faithfulness of our Father and Savior.
Climbing Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park
The "mountain" views of Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia
During this time, I have had the chance to share and speak with two bible study groups and a few monthly supporters that have prayerfully supported and blessed me with the opportunity to express my gratitude for their participation in this mission.
6:30 am Women's Bible Study of First UMC in Mattoon, IL
And this journey of gratefulness has only just begun!
I head out in a week to Dilley, TX where I've been invited to share with the youth and congregation of Christian Faith Center, another strong supporter of the mission. From there I make my way to Freemont, NC the following weekend, where I will meet with Pastor Doug Johnson (remember: Africa and B2BU Ministries, Inc) and his wife to share with their congregation all that the Lord has done and is doing.
And well... that takes me right up to Thanksgiving. I've quite literally hit the ground running, which I believe is a blessing and gift from the Lord as I've had little time to look back on all I left behind... another reason for my blogging hiatus.
The mere fact that this isn't a normal furlough and I won't be returning to the DR is new to me. It's entirely foreign. I don't think this has fully settled in just yet, but I know the Holy Spirit will be there to comfort me when it does.
So, I'm sure many are wondering...
What became of Lauren's beloved dogs?
Did she sell her Jeep?
What about the princesses and squires and mothers in Loma de los Chivos? Who will lead them in Truth?
When I announced two months ago of God's prompting for me to leave the DR, I mentioned how dreadfully heartbreaking it was in announcing this news to the girls. I also shared how I couldn't leave until I sold my car and had clarity on what to do concerning my dogs.
My God is forever faithful and has yet to put me to shame. I knew that if He was calling me to leave, He was obligated by His own Word to cover all the bases. Besides, He led me to the Jeep, shepherded me to Loma de los Chivos, and gave me Lucas and Princesita without my direct asking in the first place...
As I saw it, He had to pull through for me. Has He ever given me any reason not to trust Him?
The very evening that I posted the blog announcing my plans to leave, I received a Facebook message from a fellow missionary in the area. She mentioned having read my post and expressed her condolences over the possibility of leaving my dogs. In doing so, she shared how a friend of her's in the DR had devastatingly just lost her 2 dogs and that perhaps she might be interested in adopting Lucas and Princesita.
I was grateful for her lead and suggestion, but I'd be amiss if I did not confess how walls went shooting up in my heart as I wanted to hold on even tighter to my dogs.
"I can't let them go to a stranger..." I huffed to myself. Yet, I committed them to the Lord once more, knowing that He had their best interest in mind, just as I did.
For anyone who has never owned pets, just skip this next section... But for those who have, you know how these animals become family. I used to think God just gave me Lucas for protection, but I know that His purposes ran far deeper for this loyal companion.
Living alone for the last two years, it was good for my soul to come home to two living creatures who depended on me for sustenance and affection. Studies even prove that petting animals releases endorphins and Lord knows how seemingly depressing some days had been returning from the village.
Witnessing two dogs flourish and playfully run about in their elements brought such joy to my heart. Thinking back on it, I almost forget the countless soiled diapers retrieved, holes dug, or animal parts recovered from the trash.
Witnessing two dogs flourish and playfully run about in their elements brought such joy to my heart. Thinking back on it, I almost forget the countless soiled diapers retrieved, holes dug, or animal parts recovered from the trash.
Lucas and Princesita had become like children to me, and in becoming so, I ultimately wanted what was best for them... even if this meant saying goodbye.
So, I went to sleep that night in tears as I told God, "if I can't take them with me, You have to find them a good home..."
I awoke the next morning and divinely knew what I had to do. I can't describe it any other way, it was as if God downloaded a file in the software of my mind and I understood His plans. This was something I had to experience for His name's sake and glory.
Understanding that the very best for Lucas and Princesita was to stay in the Dominican where they can have space to run and be allowed to bark relentlessly didn't lessen the blow for me. The initial pain was nearly unbearable, yet necessary for the experience with which God had for me.
Understanding that the very best for Lucas and Princesita was to stay in the Dominican where they can have space to run and be allowed to bark relentlessly didn't lessen the blow for me. The initial pain was nearly unbearable, yet necessary for the experience with which God had for me.
Laying in bed that very morning, God told me that there will come a time in my life when I will be faced with parents and guardians who will choose to leave their children out of the deepest of love in hopes of providing a better future for them. In order to sympathize and understand the gravity of such a sacrifice, I had to walk through this experience of leaving my own "children," my dogs.
I began sobbing in my bed before my feet even hit the ground.
I don't know what this looks like yet, but I am so grateful that God has allowed my heart to experience such emotion that I could never have comprehended without Him.
I contacted the lady my friend had led me to that day and learned that her two dogs had been poisoned after escaping her yard. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon and something I personally prayed against every night with my dogs. I knew right then that it wouldn't be a good match and she agreed, but would keep her ears open for possible homes.
Not even a full week later, I heard back from her that she knew of a gentleman, by the name of Juan, who expressed interest in a dependable guard dog. She told Juan my desire to keep the two dogs together, showing him a picture of both Lucas and Princesita, and he was more than willing to consider adopting them both.
Three weeks before I left, Juan came out for the first time to meet the dogs and continued doing so weekly up until I departed. This transition proved not only beneficial to Juan, Lucas, and Princesita, but to me, as well. The dogs were able to get accustomed to Juan, Juan to the dogs, and I to the idea of entrusting them to another owner. Through these last three weeks, God settled His peace that passes all understanding in my heart in releasing them ultimately into His Hands (Philippians 4:6-7).
Needless to say, I was a blubbering mess the day I finally decided to take Lucas and Princesita to Juan. I tried expressing my gratitude towards him for his kindness and care in taking my two dogs but all that would come out was tears and intense sobs.
Leaving Lucas, my light-bearing guard dog of two years, and Princesita, my "sweet-thing" of nearly one year, was one of the hardest things I've ever done. These two were more than dogs to me. They were God's answers to my cries for protection and friendship in the loneliest of days. Lucas and Princesita affectionately revealed to me levels of God's love and faithfulness that I previously had yet to know.
Yet I exalt God for His faithfulness, once more, for providing them a home where they can continue to bestow protection for my fellow brother and flourish as they were created. I choose to rejoice in the years I had with them and will forever be grateful for the lessons learned and the life abundantly enjoyed.
As goes my Jeep. I had several people express interest, but no real takers. I began to worry that I'd never sell it.
One day, I prayed that God would go before me in all ways as I committed the selling of my Jeep for His glory. I knew I wouldn't be able to receive the amount at which I paid for it, but hoped I wouldn't be ripped off entirely. I was offered a price lower than I had expected and quietly bucked at it until God spoke, "Would you sell it at this price for my Kingdom's sake?"
"YES, LORD! It all belongs to You!"
The person who had originally looked at it for said Kingdom price ultimately chose not to buy it. So I still had possession of my Jeep up to the day I left. However, just two days before my departure, missionary friends who recently returned to the island from furlough reached out to me about test driving ol' sweet "Liberty."
I had a knowing hope in my heart that it would sell before I had to leave and wondered if this could be it. My asking price was above the price God had set, so I was just waiting to see what would happen. Having learned that this missionary family is beginning ministry in a remote village where a four-wheel drive would come in handy, I knew if the right price was offered, it was theirs for God's glory.
The God-ordained offer was made, the papers were signed, and the keys were handed over all within 24 hours of my departure! If you want to get real specific, the final transaction was made just 5 MINUTES before I left for the airport!
Now THAT'S God's faithfulness!
Now, about the princesses and squires of Loma de los Chivos...
I had been seeking the Lord's guidance as goes an exit strategy. God had been abundantly faithful in my coming into Loma and I prayed His blessing in Deuteronomy 28:6 that my going out would be no different.
Leaving is never easy. We often don't understand why God would have us do a certain thing but ultimately we have to trust that if He's leading, it is good. I began slowly pulling out of Loma ever since I returned from Africa, ministering one-on-one through personal goodbyes. In these visits, I was able to express my gratitude for how graciously individuals had accepted me into their homes this past year and answer questions they might have as to why I'm leaving.
I have to believe that God was moving through this testimony, as well, that even when it doesn't make sense, we must still trust and obey.
The most incredible part of the story is how God's hand is truly upon this small village. Just weeks after the Princess and Squire ceremony back in April, my friends Dario and Rebeca approached me about a discipleship curriculum they had used in children's ministry when they lived in Santo Domingo.
Want to take a guess at the name of this curriculum?
King's Castle
Friends, I'm telling you... I couldn't have planned this better myself. ONLY God is sovereign enough to put the pieces together like this.
I realize now that God led me to Loma to till the soil and plant seeds. He set me there to begin speaking the truth of how valued and precious His sons and daughters are to His Kingdom. I believe He used me to instill a royal significance into the lives of His children to prepare them for what lies ahead.
When I asked God if I was to take part in leading King's Castle for His new princesses and squires of Loma, He told me my role had been completed. Someone else was to now take these beautiful princesses and strapping young squires on the next leg of the journey as they begin learning deeper truths of God's word.
My last Saturday with the girls and boys was both a despedida (goodbye) and a celebration. We all gathered to rejoice in all that God had done this past year, retelling stories and lessons learned. As a parting gift to remember this past year together, I complied photo albums for each family with pictures from the very beginning to the royal ceremony and beyond. For many of these children, they don't own tangible photos of themselves, so I knew this would be a cherished memory in recounting all that God did in our time together.
As a culminating activity and an introduction to the surprise that awaits them with King's Castle, we had a competition to see which team could build the best castle out of toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, and cardboard boxes. Before doing so, we discussed what Jesus meant when He said we must build our house on the Rock... and, by George, they got it!
It was to be the last lesson we shared together and the ultimate truth I would desire for them to know.
When we build our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ, nothing can tear us down (Matthew 7:24-27). He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) and if we place our trust in Him alone, we will never be put to shame (Romans 10:11).
Would God be anything other than faithful to the very end?
We know in Philippians 1:6 that "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus."
My friends, what God has begun in your life, He is faithful to see it through. I pray that my journey in the DR has encouraged you to believe in the exceedingly abundant faithfulness of our Father and Savior.
I have the most incredible peace dwelling in my heart knowing that not only has God provided for my missionary friends a Jeep to traverse into the remote villages of the DR for His glory, or found a secure home for my beloved dogs who will forever hold a place in my heart, but is also continuing the good work He started in the lives of His own in Loma through the dedication and obedience of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
The Dominican chapter of my life has been completed, and how beautifully written it was! My God is the author and perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2)... who better to write the story than He?
... and I am confident the best is still yet to come!
The Dominican chapter of my life has been completed, and how beautifully written it was! My God is the author and perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2)... who better to write the story than He?
... and I am confident the best is still yet to come!
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