Loving this Community!

     If someone asked me to describe in one word the people that live in the Dominican I would say........Community.  So far everywhere we have gone we have noticed that people work and share as a community.....together as a family.  I absolutely love seeing it in action and it reminds me of what God has shown me during this whole missions journey. 

    I always knew community was important but you don't always understand until you have been the recipient of a communities help....so many people surrounded our family and embraced what God placed in our hearts to set out and do.   Friends and complete strangers partnered with us but praying, donating, sharing, encouraging and inspiring us to give our lives to showing other's God's love.  That to me is the definition of community.  To come along side and use the gifts that God blessed you with to help others.  I still have the pleasure of witnessing (even if it's on facebook) and hearing about my community of friends back home working together to give each other strength and show God's love.

   Here is a few examples that I am able to share.....I get to witness first hand families coming to the clinic where I work and how the employees treat them as family and help them as they do their own.  I also have the HUGE pleasure of having a teacher from one of our schools that is helping interpret at the clinic for now AND he is teaching me Spanish in between patients.  He also teaches English to his friends, usually for no pay, because he explains, "Without knowing English they can't get a job here because most jobs are in tourism."  What an amazing HEART my friend Melvin has!!!!  So blessed to have him in my life!!

   God keeps pointing out these examples to me.  He is reminding me that we are the flesh to do His will while we are on this Earth.

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV

 

     There’s no doubt about it.  God placed us in community together, whether we are living in the same town, state or country.  Now, it’s up to us to BE community to each other.  The cool thing is, we don’t have to do it alone or in our own strength.  God knows how difficult life can be.  He gives us His spirit, to rule and triumph over the ugliness in our lives…if we only let Him.

     And here's the cool part...you don't have to do this all by yourself, tap into His unlimited supply of resources every day to be His community to those around you.

  
Romans 12:9-10
Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
   

Life in the DR - Week 2

  We found out this week that we can pack all of our belongings and move in a half an hour!  We all brought 2 suitcases each after we sold most of our belongings.....and guess what?  We have really only unpacked and needed the items out of one!  This just proves again to me that we don't need possessions to be happy.  Now having said that!  haha....There are so many things that I wish I could have brought with me for the clinic.  I would LOVE to have a file cabinet.  (I know I couldn't have packed it anyway but still....haha)  When I began as the school nurse I got rid of like 3 of them in my office.  I don't like clutter and old information just stored in drawers.  But just one for our patient records could make life more organized.  I have learned it is super hard to find organizational items here on the island and if you do, they are expensive.  I would also love to get Internet and a laptop for the clinic so we could modernize it just a little.  It's the simple things!  ;)


   Things that are just becoming a daily routine are:

• Washing fruits and veggies in bleach water to kill bacteria.

• Not flushing toilet paper.

• Not running air conditioning.

• Using electricity as little as possible because it's so expensive.

• Jumping in the shower several times a day to cool down.

• DEFENSIVE DRIVING...HAHA!

• Money conversions.....$1 dollar is 41 pesos.

• Metric.

Hard things we are dealing with:

• Missing our families and friends!

• Wanting to help everyone we see.

• McDonald's....just kidding. (sort of)

• Not getting ripped off because we are gringos. 

• Not knowing the language!!!!  That is super hard for me at the clinic.

So....looking over the list of what we NEED....what we have LEARNED and what is HARD....I would say we have been blessed and covered by God's provision. 

I would love to hear how God is blessing you like only He can!

2 Corinthians 9:8

 

⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Life in the DR....Week 1

  


 How would I describe week 1 on the mission field.....SUCCESS!

Here's is what I have learned so far:

•     Even on island time we accomplished so much in one week...phones, insurance, house hunting, adapting to the driving, money and learning our way around the towns and the grocery store.  You should have seen Brian and I starring at the spices.....no clue what they were! 

•   I NEED TO LEARN SPANISH!!! 

•     My children are ROCK STARS!!!   They have adjusted so well!  They have stepped out of their normal comfort zones.  They seriously have not complained about anything!!

•     Sticky frogs and those gecko lizard things are your friends because they will eat the bugs so don't kill them.  (I am still trying to embrace that one.) 

•    Don't worry about putting on make-up for straightening your hair because your make up will melt off and your hair will curl like you just had the best perm ever!    LOL  ;)

•      The police will give the driver a ticket for not wearing a seat belt because it is "unsafe" but a family of 5 can ride on one motorcycle with no helmets. 

•     I thought that when I sold everything to move here I had given up all I could....HA....then I learned that I can also give up hot water for showers and air conditioning!    It is an awesome reminder for me that when I begin to feel sorry for myself to remember how most of the Dominican's live here with NO clean water ...no HOT water....NO running water!  So I sit embarrassed and humbled and thankful for God's lessons.

•    Safety for our family is our top concern.  While we are out running around, we feel entirely safe....it's your home that has the valuables.  So we prayed and prayed for God to point us in the right direction for a safe place to live.  The top area to live for security is of course around triple what most places are a month.....OUCH!  But we found the 2nd safest place that has "mission impossible" type security...it has 3 bedrooms but we couldn't afford all 3 so they lock one and we rent it as a 2 bedroom and guess what????  We got it for the EXACT amount that we had budgeted!!  Isn't God FAITHFUL!!  My kids said they don't mind all 3 sharing a bedroom....WHAT????   (That's not what I'm used to seeing with the families on House Hunter International!  haha!)  Gotta brag that I have the best teenagers EVER!  Our landlord is so cool that when our 2 adult children come at Christmas to visit he will open the 3rd bedroom up for 2 weeks free!!!!  Don't you just LOVE it when God shows off like that????

    So for week 2 our goal is to get a reliable car that doesn't break the bank and get to work!   Can't wait to see what God has in store for us to learn this week!

Only God

      
 I have been praying for God to give me the words to write this post.  I want so badly for it to be a testament and encouragement for whatever you need in your life.

     This whole journey of stepping out on this mission field has been one of EXTREME growing of our faith.  It's so funny to hear people say, "What you are doing is so admirable.  You will be helping so many."  because we feel like WE have been the one's blessed more than you can imagine.  And I can not wait to share with the people in the Dominican  the love, knowledge and sacrifices that we have received from so many of you. 

     If you have read any of my previous posts you know that I have struggled with staying strong 100% of the time.  I have my moments of weakness because of my flesh.  I relied on what I could see and not what I couldn't.  But I just want to share with you all that it's what we can't see that is MOST important.  I have come to understand that I have NO CONTROL over anything.....it's all in God's hands.  I know you have heard this a million times but when you let go of that "control" you think you have and give it all to God....that is when life gets sweeter than you could ever imagine.  You grow to TRUST Him to lead your life, you finances, your day to day decisions. 

     Here's my recent story that reaffirmed that God will provide for your every need when you listen and obey His will.  Since Brian and I have said "Yes God" we have just taken one step at a time.  Each time God said,  "Ok...now do this." we did it....whether it was hard or uncomfortable.  The hardest part was keeping our patience as we waited.  But that is when we would literally drop to our knees and pray harder and strengthen our relationship with our Savior.  A few weeks ago I was talking to Brian and I said, "You know we talk about that we have faith that God will provide for us to go but we are hesitant to buy our plane tickets because of all the what ifs."  So we decided to pray for an answer on this huge leap of faith because we were pretty far away from our monthly support.   So this last Saturday morning we took the next step and bought our plane tickets to leave 8 days later.  That very same day we received a phone call from some dear friends of ours.  She had so much excitement in her voice and said she wanted to talk to us both on speaker phone.  As she was crying she began explaining to us that she and her husband had been praying for months about how they could support us.   She said she felt embarrassed and confused because God wasn't answering them....but they kept asking and waiting.  Well the same day that we bought our plane tickets God placed it on their hearts BIG TIME that they should pay for our rent for two years and not only at the low rent house we were budgeting for,  but for a home with more security for our families safety!   The coolest part was neither of us knew what each others prayers had been! 

     I had been praying for God to provide in a way that there was no mistaking it was ALL HIM!

     So the greatest part of this story is that we never know what is going on "behind God's scenes".  He is orchestrating ways for you to be taken care of that you could never have imagined.

     Please don't get me wrong....money is not the only way we have been blessed with, although it is a necessity to survive while we are serving. 

     Other ways we have been blessed:

• Sold our house quickly 
• We got to rent our house back for 3 months until closer to time to go!
• Walking Taco Fundraiser with great hosts and volunteers and friends that put it all together.
• Old friends and New friends asking us to share our missions journey at their churches.
• Garage Sale at a friends house with TONS of donations to sell and many generous shoppers.
• Encouragement!
• Beautiful hearts sharing stories of how God healed them from exploitation.
• Birthday Party from a 9 year old friend and a bunch of other friends that opted no gifts for herself and donations to go to our ministry!  $770!!!!!!!!!!!
• Free place to stay for the last week before we left. 
• Many monthly and one time sponsors!
• Luggage! 
• New friends
• And of course an amazing ministry with a team that we cannot wait to serve along side.

      So we continue on to this next chapter in our life without being 100% funded but knowing 100% of that this is God's plan and we will always be provided for.  And with all of these blessing my excitement is that much greater to see how God will use us to give hope and encouragement to everyone that will cross my path.

Jeremiah 29:11

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Encouragement

      I can't help but giggle when people ask how IT works exactly.  You know...this missionary thing!  Is Brian going to be working?  Yes....as a missionary.  No...I mean like having a real job?  Yes...we both will be working.   No I mean like having a paid job?  Yes.... a missionary does live by the support of other's.  (Insert confused stare here.)  

     I was just confiding in a friend (who's son is also on the mission field) and telling her how sometimes I feel like people think we are just asking for handouts.  She sweetly gave me these words to hold on to during those awkward times.  "Jenny....you have a ministry....just like a pastor.  You are just looking for your congregation.   Pastors are supported by their congregation as they serve." 

    I know I used the "B" word a lot but we are truly BLESSED with the people that are on this journey with us.  God is using us all to Go Make A Difference.

    

   

A quote from my favorite author/pastor Francis Chan, “The crazy part about God’s heart is that He doesn’t just ask us to give:  He desires that we love those in need as much as we loves ourselves.  That is the core of the second greatest command, to “love your neighbor as yourself.’  (Matt. 22:39).

Keeping Calm!

 

God keeps reminding me to not get so caught up in the stress or busyness of life that I miss out on the most amazing stories.  The reason I have been blogging so much it is almost like a journal for me, except that I'm putting it out there for the world to see....haha!  I have always said I'm an open book!  :) 

Each of us make plans for our lives.  No matter how much we achieve....it's easy for us to look at how much further we are from our ultimate goal, how much we have left to do and we are always looking for that light at the end of the tunnel.  But if we don't stop and TRULY pay attention to the awesomeness that God puts right in front of us.... because we are so ridden with anxiety, stress and control....then we've missed the whole point of what God wants us to learn, see and celebrate.   

The reasons that Brian and I know that God has THIS plan in our lives is because we have prayed, fasted, LISTENED and obeyed.  God stirred in us a desire to show people what we found.  A true relationship with our Heavenly Father.  He just kept pushing us to trust, to have faith and to follow.  We said "Yes" and then took the first step in obedience.....then the next....then the next.  My prayer is to tell and show everybody how God has changed me to love unconditionally like He does us.  I can think of nothing greater than if I helped someone take what I did and that was having RELIGION in their life.... to having that become a deep trusting RELATIONSHIP with my Father. 

So what God is showing me is if I only looked for that light at the end of the tunnel,  I would be missing out on the miracles of His works in every single day.  By recognizing them,  I have a reminder that we are not doing this alone...that HE is equipping us...He shows me that through what looks like an awkward journey to most of the world....giving up finances when we are taught to hold on to them tight......trusting Him is what will give other's the desire to take their first step too.

  Here is a note that a sweet friend sent me.



You are helping ME grow in my faith. I am a type "A" control freak!  I control nearly everything in my life! This is our chance to trust in God. I am not a deeply religious person. I believe in God, but do not attend church on a regular basis. I need to be able to let go, as well. Please pray for our family as I feel God is asking us to sponsor you, but it scares the day lights out of me! This will be my first step and we will see where it leads! You are a truly wonderful person! We have been planning this for a while, I just felt like maybe you needed to hear some good news! Thanks for being you!

Now...please don't think I'm sitting here thinking, "Oh,  look at me!  I'm leading people to Christ."  Because what I'm really thinking is, "Thank you God for pulling me closer to YOU in this journey and at the same time using my clumsiness through it all to give other's the desire to say "Yes" to what you are asking of them."

TOP 10 LIST - David Letterman Style! (ok...maybe not!)

 

 

    My version of David Letterman's Top 10 List!  Only these aren't  funny (although they can be fun!) because I'm not that witty....I wish I was....but in my humble opinion, they are vital to living a life of happiness!

 

TOP TEN LIST TO THE TRUE WAY TO FIND HAPPINESS!

 

#10 - As hard as it is.....FORGIVE people who have hurt you.  It's not for them...but for you!  Free the anger in your heart. 

     Matthew 5:43-44  ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

       #9  SERVE OTHER'S - Don't just sit back and wait for people to help you, even in hard times.  Get out and help those in need.  It will bring you more joy than you can imagine and you will forget about your troubles for a while.

Mark 10:45  ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

     #8 TALK TO GOD, pray and ask Him to guide you in your life.....EVERY....SINGLE....DAY.

Matthew 7:7-8  ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

 

     #7  STOP TRYING TO BUY HAPPINESS!  Be faithful with God has blessed you with and use it to bless others.  Give until it hurts.  That is when you draw closer to God.  When is the last time you said, "God....I need you!  I have everything I want!" ?  Just sayin!  :)

Matthew 6:19-20

19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

 

 

     #6  Don't worry - Be happy!

Matthew 6:25-27

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
 

#5  Know you are worthy of God's love, no matter what you have done in your life.

Luke 5:31, 32 ³¹ Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

#4  HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND YOU WILL LIVE IN ETERNITY WITH HIM.

John 4:13, 14  ¹³ Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 3:16  ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

    #3  Give all you worries to God.  Then rest, and know He will take care of you.  It may look way differently than you had planned....but he is faithful.   Don't you dare take those worries back either!  (That's the hard part.)

Matthew 11:28-29 ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

     #2  TRUST!  Make your plans according to God's Will.  His plans are greater than ANYTHING you would've come up with anyway!


Jeremiah 29:11
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


#1 I've got nothing to add except that I think this one is the most important!
 
Romans 12

Place Your Life Before God

 ^1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.