This year we took a much smaller group to the Dominican Republic. It was just Jeff's dad, grandparents, and us. My so gracious parents came up to watch our children at our house, and Jeff's mom took our dog. I really felt that I needed this trip to prepare my self spiritually and mental for when we eventually move down. One of our goals this trip was also to look for a house to buy for when we move down. Jeff and I feel that it would be much better to own a home then to rent. It would give us more freedom in coming and going between the DR and the states.
I have to say that when we first got down there, the reality of moving there hit me and thoughts of doubt began to flood my mind. I prayed and prayed and began to break through those thoughts. I am always reminded of this saying "God does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called". God was able to give me a peace and help me to realize that He will give me the strength that I need when the time comes.
There were so many experience on this trip that showed me a tiny bit of what God has in store for when we move down to do missions. The first experience that stuck out in my mind is when we first arrived in the DR. We stopped at our favorite chicken place to eat. As usual there was a boy sitting in the door way watching us eat. After a bit I went over and asked if he could read. He said yes so I gave him a tract. He sat right up and began to read every single word on the tract. He was so intense in his reading. We gave him some of our food and he was so into his reading he did not eat a single bit for a while. We left the restaurant with boy still sitting and reading. All I could think of was where that tract might end up. Something so small can hold words that could change a persons life forever.
Another time we were visiting one of the churches and one of the members had surgery recently. We all gathered around to simple pray for her quick recovery. It was the middle of the afternoon and nothing particular spectacular happening . As we prayed for her the power of God began to fall and before I new it there were tears falling down many of our faces. We were crying for no particular reason other than just feeling the presence of God. What I got out of the whole experience is that we, as americans, are too busy for God. In the DR the people do not have a lot. They are can spend unlimited time with God. If the church doors are open they are there. So when we prayed it didn't take a whole worship service and sermon to get us to the point where we were open to the move of the spirit. It only took a few minutes of prayer. I don't want to loose that coming back to the states. I want to stay open to the move of the spirit and ready at all times!
There are so many other memories from this trip and it would take a while to share. I will say I came back from this trip with a renewed zeal for spreading God's word!
Dios Te Bendiga! Gloria a Dios!
