Pulling Up Roots

Written Sunday, 22 July The weekends here have been a blessing, being loaded with downtime in which to rest, read, do laundry, and other such activities. It is really a nice idea, a three day weekend. Friday (our day off during summer program) was a gorgeous rainy day. The rain cooled off the hot earth and was so refreshing. We experienced our first Dominican thunderstorm with lightning, enjoying it from our enclosed front porch. After our last week of teaching, that was exactly what the three of us needed, and we are still thanking God for it.  Saturday was the same, staying in and taking a rest. We've been getting pretty creative with our cooking lately as our food supply dwindles towards the end. But even when it is spaghetti for dinner AGAIN (seriously, I don't think I could eat another noodle!)  we have learned to be thankful for what God has provided.  I have learned much about gratitude this trip. I used to think that gratitude was cultivated by comparison- you know, when I look around me and see the children's worn shoes and ill-fitting clothing and I realize how good I have it. To some extent that is true, and I am most definitely grateful. But God has also taught me that gratitude comes moment by moment. It is taking nothing for granted and recognizing what God has placed in front of you, whether it is a juicy hamburger and fries or a plate of rice and beans, as His provision and receiving it from His hand. We have so much to be grateful for, and not just because others do not have what we do.  There is a delightful kind of settling in and adjusting that has happened during my time here. It has been hitting me slowly. I realized last week that the driving here has become normal to me. Then, I realized that I don't notice the constant background noise of chickens, roosters who caw at all hours of the night, motos whizzing by, the beat of merengue blaring out of our neighbor's stereo, and neighbors hollering for children down the street. I expect to hear Spanish, not English. I am even used to the smells. Life's dust has settled around me in Dominican fashion.  We have one week left in Caraballo, two days of debriefing as a team of 21 interns at a resort, and then next week we fly home. It has been hitting me slowly these past few weeks, and I have been digesting it bit by bit that I will be home soon. It feels like pulling up roots, even six week ones, to leave. God has molded me in unique ways on this trip, and it is always a little jarring when He moves us to the next place He has for us. I am fully excited to be home and yet fully saddened to leave. It makes it easier to leave knowing that God was here before I was, He was here with me, and He will remain here long after I leave. Christ loves these kids in ways I cannot, and He is their ultimate hope. I feel blessed and privileged to have been a part of scattering seed, helping to water some, and maybe even pruning others. But I can leave in full peace even as I wipe tears of sadness from my face because these precious kids and my wonderful co-workers have always been in His hands. And I can rest assured that He will also sustain my own roots as they are pulled from the rocky Dominican topsoil to the next plot of sod He has prepared for me.  As we countdown the days to hugging our families, please lift up the following prayer requests. It is so encouraging to know that others are interceding for us in prayer!  * I am praising God for good health on this trip and sustaining me physically so far! Pray that myself and the other interns are not drained as we return home.  * Pray for the kids. They need Jesus, and He is the One who can restore them fully.  * Praise God for Vida Para Niños (Kids Alive's Dominican Republic ministry) and all He has done here! Pray for the national staff, that they would not grow weary of doing good and would preach the Word in season and out. Pray for His blessing and provision for their families and that they would each individually be satisfied in Him. Thank God for those who are committed to this ministry in their own country!  * Pray for healing and reconciliation between the large Haitian population and the Dominicans in Caraballo and Villa Ascención, where we have been serving. Pray that violence would end and that systemic oppression would cease.  * Pray that the Dominican and Haitian staff of Park Care Center, the Vida Para Niños ministry in Caraballo where we have been serving this summer, would continue to be a witnessing community to the power of the Gospel as they minister alongside each other.  * Pray for this last week of summer program: for our field day and our fiesta. Pray that it would be a fun and refreshing time for the kids and staff and that we would be able to celebrate what God has done this summer!  * Pray for good goodbyes with the kids and our co-workers and friends. Wednesday will be hard for us as we begin our leaving.  * In case I do not have another chance to update this before I am stateside once again, please pray for traveling mercies as we head home next week! We will be departing the island on Tuesday, and I have a long 17 hour day.  ¡Mucho amor de Caraballo! Nos vemos pronto.