On June 28 my girlfriend Laura and I returned from our 2-week long mission trip to Monte Plata, Dominican Republic. We worked with a school there and helped to prepare for the upcoming summer camps. Below are some highlights from our trip.
HIGHLIGHTS:
COWS --- As we were walking back to the school with Laura's host brother from 6 years ago, we came across 2 cows walking in the opposite direction. They both had leashes, but were without a care giver. I couldn't believe my eyes - 2 random cows just walking down the street. We asked Arian what the deal was, and he responded, "they do that from time to time." That's awesome! And yes, this is my number 1 high from the trip. Well, it's at least in the top 5.
MUTE --- After eating lunch at a restaurant, we stopped at a store to buy some hair extensions for some of the female interns. I decided to wait outside, because hair extensions are not really my thing. I had a box of left-over food in my hand, and a boy approached me with his hand extended as a request for some food. I first said no because of the twins we were going to give the food to back at the school. After God tugged on my heart a little, I decided to give him the food. I tried to start a conversation with him in Spanish, but to no avail. After seeing him a second time the day before leaving, a boy named Wilton informed us that he was mute. It breaks my heart. I complain sometimes about stuttering, but at least I can talk. This kid is a creation of God, and God knew what He was doing when he made him w/out the ability to talk. Although it remains a mystery to me, I know that God has good plans for this kid.
KIDS WORSHIPING --- Laura and I helped the orphans move into their new home. 6 kids in total are now in the orphanage. After a long day of painting the doorway to the new house, and moving their stuff, we had a dinner celebration for the family. After dinner, with the electricity out, the kids were singing praise songs around the kitchen. They ran around the house and outside singing together from their hearts in sincere joy. I can only imagine how big of a smile God had when receiving praise from these kids. It made everything worthwhile.
WATERFALLS --- On the first Saturday, a few of us went to some waterfalls about an hour away from Monte Plata. I didn't know what to expect, but perhaps a small little waterfall that's maybe worth a camera shot. However, we walk down this path to the water, and 3 giant waterfalls are thundering down. It took my breath away. The water was refreshing, so we swam up to the waterfalls and tried our best to remain underneath them. There was an area to the side of the falls for some mud therapy. The natives would cover themselves with mud and bask in the sun. God was creative in how he made the earth, straight up.
LEADERTREKS --- 2 groups from Leadertreks came to the DR. They were both a group of high school students there for short term mission trips. It was nice to have some English speaking people there with us. They worked extremely hard during the day, and had fun together and with the kids in the evening. Their drive to serve God was inspiring.
ARISLEIDI --- I met an orphan named Arisleidi who was living in the new orphanage home. Her story left my heart breaking for similar stories that I'm sure are a part of many lives in the DR. She grew up with an alcoholic father, and a mother who had left town. She lived in a small hut with a single bed for 6 people to share. When her father left during the day, she was forced to act as the caregiver for all her younger siblings. When the school and orphanage took her in, she did not behave well for the first year. She wasn't used to any authority in the house. However, after some getting used to, she started to obey her orphan parents and behave better in school. She has since decided to follow Jesus, and her father has too. She is fortunate to see her father once a week at church.
last thursday i stayed up until 4am. normally i would not be pumped about this. so many thoughts ran through my head that got me fired up. what if i was a high school teacher? what if i can make an impact on a teenager that will last a lifetime? as i write this several teachers automatically come to mind: Momma Chern, Dileo, Mr. Sue-Jeens-Ski, Giles.
Giles is a licensed lawyer. he decided to teach business law, a job with a LOT less income. i went to visit him during his office hours, and he lit up. i could touch his passion it was so evident.
Momma Chern! during fourth period one day, she looked down and said, "these aren't my pants!" FOURTH PERIOD! i loved AP English, and writing for me is pulling teeth!
Dileo - a man with a stutter. enough said.
Mr. S greeted me as I walked into his classroom. he cried on the last day. that caught me off guard. i want to be that passionate.
it's a matter of me getting the balls to follow through with this. i'm signed on for two years at Genworth Financial. after that, MBA? masters of Education? or maybe consulting.
uncertainty... i hate it and i love it. i want to know what i'm doing in the future, but i love it how God has some sweet plans up his sleeve.
and i'm back at VT for my last semester. i felt out of whack for a few days before school started. i suppose it was the break in my routine of school. winter break was nice to chill at home, but I missed being at school. i'm used to school. i'm used to waking up every morning to go lift weights with 3 awesome Godly men. routine. it has been routine for me to be surrounded by such an awesome community. God has brought me through quite a bit since sophomore year.
i feel like this is going to be one of those "reflective" semesters. Jason told me the other day that I should not be surprised at seeing miracles. God's provision for me last summer was a miracle. I had no place to live. God provided. i didn't know which church to go to. God provided. i was beginning to wonder about whether or not I would ever meet someone. God provided. i do not know what the future holds, but i do know that God does. my future is in the hands of God. and He has a good future for me. He wants me to be happy. He wants me to feel joy. He does no rejoice in my sadness. He does not rejoice in my emptiness. He does not rejoice in my guilt.
I too often forget God's grace. i completely disregard it at times. Jesus' blood has washed away my sins. my sins yesterday, my sins today, my sins tomorrow. washed away. for me to feel guilt is to walk away from the cross. for me to obsess over the past is to walk away from the cross. i must not walk away from the cross. i must not walk away from the gift of salvation. i must embrace God's grace. i must embrace the cross.
k i'm butt-tired. i am pretty pumped about sleeping in tomorrow. big fan :)
hello all. so here i am chillin' at the home front in NOVA (burke, va). before i came here i first stopped by lynchburg to visit a pretty gal named Laura. and, to see some friends of mine i made last summer. we had an awesome time. she even suggested that we watch The Three Amigos. i like this girl ;-) it was good times. she liked the movie :)
it's nice to not do school work for a little bit. i've been pretty good at being a bum around the house. so i've got that going for me, which is nice. i'm wicked psyched to see people this wednesday. laura, definitely. and, my bro, future sis-in-law, cousins, aunt/uncles. and, my grand parents. i look forward to catching up with my grandfather in particular. we've recently established a correspondence via letters, and i'm curious to see what his thoughts are on my last letter. he sent me a frank letter with pretty blunt remarks, so i returned the tone. it's nice to stand up for who i am. i'm no longer a fan of backing down. turn the other cheek, definitely, but also let people know who you are. "let people feel the weight of who you are, and let them deal with it" (quoted in John Eldredge's book, Wild at Heart).
okay it is time for bed. and, i just might sleep in again. i did this morning, and it was nice :)
my question to leave you with: where does God fit in your life?
well hello everyone. i'm not really sure who is ever going to read this, but it's all good. i'm not really sure what kind of stuff to write about in these blogs, quite frankly. but, i'm going to roll with it. yup... so... i guess that's it for now. i'm now going to head to the ol' car dealership and be all "yo, can you hook a brother up and fix my car for me? for free?" we'll see how that works out ;-)
