As many followers of this blog may know, I spent the last week in the Republica Dominicana. It was AMAZING, I had such a great time!
First of all, thanks to Steven for not begrudging the trip, to Grandma Joy for helping with the kids for the week, and of course to Teresa for being my friend and telling me about the trip, and to the La Crescenta Presbyterian Church (LCPC) for letting me crash their party.
The trip was a cultural experience in all sense of the word. Not only was it great to get a taste of Dominican life and culture, it was fascinating to spend some intimate time with people from a different faith, mostly protestant (and some catholic). We definitely differ in our lingo and our worship style, but I have to say they are FULL of FAITH! The trip was very much Christ-centered. Every morning we began with Morning Meditation which consisted of some Praise Songs and a discussion about a passage of scripture. We also had informationa; presentations each evening and then separated into small groups to further discuss the highlights of the day and further discuss additional passages of scripture.The themes couldn't have been more relevant to our trip. (I'll quote from the NIV to give full flavor.):
* <SERVICE> Matthew 25- "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." We were really able to loose ourselves in serving the people. And we talked, and I thought, a lot about how we can take the message home, to everyday life. It's easy to provide relief when you are on a mission trip, but not always so easy at home. It's easier to say, But Lord, when did you need relief? We didn't see you hungry or naked!... sometimes we have the blinders on. I hope to have my eyes opened to the needs of others.
*<PRAYER> Ephesians 1- "For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." The members of LCPC and the Domincans that we were privileged to work with gave beautiful prayers. I couldn't understand most of the prayers in Spanish, (or Creole) but I did get the "gracias por" and it was said frequently and with much passion. We had a group of translators with us all week, representatives from Bien Samaritan hospital, Ariel who led the group would say every morning and every meal "LET'S PRAY!" holding his hands up high. There was no question about the mode of operations. How often do you get to go on a mission trip such as that?! Since the trip, I've really been trying to be more fervent, thankful, and sincere in my prayers.
*<CALLINGS> Ephesians 2- "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which Go prepared in advance for us to do." I read this scripture as a vague generalization, but as we discussed the passages, one of the girls on the trip pointed out that God has prepared specific works for each of us to do, such as preparing this opportunity for us to be in the DR at that time. A major theme in talking with new friends and acquaintances was the feeling of being called to some work and seeking that calling and heeding that calling. For some who were in the Domincan Republic full time- they truly felt they were called to THAT work. I felt several impressions during the trip regarding my "life callings".
*<ONE BODY, MANY PARTS> 1 Corinthians 12- "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ". Almost as a continuation of the previous theme, everyone has their own talents and life callings, and we are called to support one another. We had three teams working from our group- a medical team (which I was a part of), a construction team building a school, and a teacher development team, working with the teachers of the new school. We worked separately, but came together for support and encouragement.
*<TOTAL DEDICATION> Romans 12- "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God." It was so easy during the week to let go of everything else and just love the people around me, Americans, Dominicans, and Haitians, to give 100% to serving God. The challenge is to continue to do so.
*<DISCIPLESHIP> Pastor Andy- Friday night, to wrap things up, the leader of our expedition, the Pastor of the LCPC, Andy Wilson, spoke briefly about the fact that no matter what we do in our daily life, we are disciples of Christ. "That is who you are, that's what you've been called to do."
It was really a beautiful week. And I hoped I helped someone along the way. What did I actually do? Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday I went with a group of doctors, nurses, a pharmacist, interpreters, and a few high school kids to visit BATEYs, which are little "villages" on a huge sugar cane plantation. The men who live there work in the sugar cane fields, and the people are very poor. Many of them are Haitian immigrants. They don't have clean water and therefore have difficulties with parasites and worms, along with skin conditions and other infections. They also have a lot of high blood pressure due to their genetic makeup.
I took blood pressure and pulse and then wold intermittently move to the pharmacy where I would hand out medications. Pretty much everyone received tylenol or motrin and vitamins along with any antibiotics or creams/ointments. We had plenty of help to keep things running smoothly, so occasionally I would duck out of the clinic area and play with the kids or visit with the interpreters who are bright young adult Domincans. The cane fields are absolutely beautiful and the sky is so blue it's surreal.
Tuesday we went to the prison in La Romana where were staying which was totally fascinating. The conditions there are very poor and there is great need for help there. The prisoners were very cordial.
Friday was play day and we went snorkeling in the Caribbean and it was beautiful. It was hot and sweltering all week in the Dominican and even though I sweat like crazy it was great to NEVER be cold, even with a little rain.
Saturday was a long day of travel and reflection. It was a beautiful trip with beautiful people! Like I said, I don't know that I did that much good for the people of the Dominican, I think the show definitely could have gone on without me, but it was a great spiritual boot-camp and I'm very grateful to Heavenly Father and everyone who made it possible for me to go!
Look, I even came to like pineapple!
AND if anyone is looking for a service abroad experience, the group that we were working through in the Dominican is a great venue, very organized and there is a lot of need!
*I don't have very many pictures of my own of the trip, my friend Candy was taking a TON of pictures with her nice camera, so when I obtain more I will post some good ones.
