Thursday, December 2, 2010

Moving Along

Time has been flying by these past several weeks!  I'm continuing to learn more Spanish daily, and am seeing God work.

I have gotten to see God use me as He has brought some neat relationships into my life.  One example is with a young woman who I randomly connected with at church.  We just started talking (in Spanish!) and somehow it came up that she went walking every morning, and I said that I loved walking in the mornings, so we decided to meet the next day to go for a walk.  We had great conversation about God and she had just recently re-dedicated her life to the Lord.  That was a month ago, and since then we've had several good conversations, she has been coming to youth group weekly and really engaging, and last week she brought her mom and sister to church with her!  I'm excited to see God continue to work in her life as she daily discovers more about God and His love for her.

God has also put a passion in my heart for prayer for the University here (UASD) and the young people.  There are literally thousands of students on campus who are living life daily without purpose and just a sense of hopelessness.  We are praying for God to break through and to do a mighty move in this nation starting with the University students.  I try to go on campus at least a couple times a week to pray, and we've done some prayer walks with Rich and Kirsten and some of the students from our church.  I believe that God is doing a lot that we cannot yet see, and am excited for what is to come.
 
Isaiah 60:1,3
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.  Nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn."
Praying for God to send His glory to this place and break through the darkness!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

3 Weeks

 Its been almost three weeks now, which sounds really short but it feels like I've been here forever!  I'm now finishing my second week of Spanish classes.  The first day I knew it would be hard when the professor walked in and said in Spanish, "Only Spanish in this class" then proceeded to speak very rapidly (at least to my ears) in Spanish.  I am studying a lot and learning new things every day.  One of the girls in my class is from Haiti and is here studying English and Spanish with the hope of going to college in the US.  We have been meeting a few times a week because she wanted help with English, and I also get to practice my Spanish some, so that has been a neat connection. 

  Last week I got to go to the main university here, University of Santo Domingo.  The family I'm living with has vision to do ministry on the campus there, and are praying about opening up a community center or house near the campus where students can come hang out and build relationship.  There are 170,000 students who travel from all over to attend- just walking around the campus there are young people everywhere!  I'm excited to see what God does with all this and how He may use me there.

  This week I also got to go out to one of the villages outside the city where they have a women's ministry.  There was a lot of talking and catching up (mostly observing and having short conversations on my part), and then we did a Bible study.  Though these women have nearly nothing, they were so friendly and kind and have the joy of the Lord.  I could tell how much the women from the village love the ladies who come out every week, and they know they are cared for.

  I am still in the stage of not seeing exactly why God has me here, but am learning patience as I trust in Him and stay close to Him.  God reminded me of this verse: Phillipians 1:6 "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."  All that really matters is staying close to God and trusting Him to continue to work in me the things He wants.  I'm so grateful for such a loving God! 

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

I'm Here!

I arrived safely in Santo Domingo on Saturday after a long flight and an even longer delay (the car breaking down) once getting in to the airport!  I started learning from the moment I landed that flexibility and trying to be laid back is going to be key as I get settled in.

It seems like everything is different here- the way people drive (they love to use their horns all the time), the language, the money, and the way people stare at me because I'm an American.  Even the grocery store is a challenge, trying to figure out the value of things- I did the calculations on a box of Special K cereal and realized it was $8 in U.S. money!  I definitely did not put that in my cart.

Next week I start language classes at the University.  I am excited to study and practice so I can communicate better with those around me.  It will be my first time taking a taxi here, so I'm hoping for a smooth transaction! 

Though its been alot of transition already, God is with me and has been encouraging and refreshing me.  I'm learning to keep perspective and keep my eyes on Him as He leads me through each day.