Notes from the Dominican....

Hello all.  I couldn't figure out what to write, so as you can see I have neglected my blog for a while now.  I came back from the Dominican Republic on February 20.  This was my second medical missions trip and I {loved} it!

I am extremely torn with emotion right now.  My heart breaks for the people, yet I admire them.  They are the most joyful people!  I admire their faith and their love for each other and for God.  They are happy with the simple things, because unlike us {in America}, they haven't been spoiled with the abundant life.  You may say "I don't have an abundant, glamorous lifesteyle."  Do you have running water for a hot shower every day?  Can you drink that water without getting sick from parasites?  Do you have air conditioning and heat when you need it?  Do you have food on your table daily?  If you're ever out of sugar cane or plantains, just take a trip to the DR... they have plenty.

One incident in particular that sticks out to me was with a lady I met doing blood pressure.  She was so joyful and spunky!  She had extremely high blood pressure and had to be walked over to the doctors to make sure she was ok.  Do you know she had been waiting for hours to be seen at the clinic?  Hours.  Not 15 -20 minutes.  Hours.  In America, we get upset when they don't have our order out immediately at the drive-thru.  I know when my doctor had me waiting for an hour, I was pretty peeved about it.   This did not faze her.  She was just the sweetest old lady ever!

I had another lady ask me for diapers.  That was all she wanted.  She wanted diapers for her little boy who was walking around with none {i don't think there was anything under there} but his little jersey was so big on on him, I couldn't tell.  He had a gash on his eye that looked like it was getting infected and he was carrying around medicine, so I knew they had already been seen.  I went in to give her diapers and when I handed them to her, she was smiling so big!  I hugged her and said Jesus te amo.  {Jesus love you}. They were precious {even if he wouldn't let me take a picture of him}.

I worked in the dental clinic some too.  The crowds swarmed at the gate!  It was a mad-house for a couple days.  They got as much toothpaste and toothbrushes as we could give.  {thank you to all who donated}  I tried to walk around the waiting area outside and talk with the little ones, I checked to see who I could send in to get their teeth cleaned.  Of course they were scared but I think I got a few of them.  My friend JP talked to a couple of them for me. {the man is awesome - he speaks 8 languages}  Seriously!

How has this experience impacted me?  {that is a loaded question}  I feel I'm still processing everything.  I will say that my heart is burdened more and more for that country.  I love the people very much and cherish those friendships {I do mean friendships - not just meet them and never see them again}.  I know the whole time I was there, I literally felt like I had to walk with God with every step.  I would become tired and worn out, plus my heart had it's own struggles... I had to continually pray for peace and that God would be with me.  This is not easy for someone as stubborn as I am.  My flesh gets the best of me many times.   This is a season of learning who God is and how he desires to have a relationship with me, to listen to him closer than ever before.  I have been disobedient SO much these past couple of years, I can see that now, but there's nothing I can do to change it.  I live with that regret.  In the Dominican, I was able to see God daily guide my heart and give me peace, as I continually listen for Him... learning what it means to be completely dependent on him.  There are things I cannot control, things will happen that I cannot make work or make it better.... but my hope is in the One who can, the One that I rely on for my every need.