Face to Face With Jesus

My husband shared an email with me.  He leads Disciple 4 Bible Study this year at our church and I am blessed to once again partake of his great skills as a group facilitator and his knowledge of the Bible.  I thought about it a great deal today…in the email he talked about Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman at the well.  The theme of Wednesday night’s lesson was being New Birth, or being Born Again. How we automatically associate Nicodemus with the Born Again story, since Jesus told him that’s what he had to do. He thought of the Third Day song “Born Again”, and how it applies so much more to the Samaritan woman. She was ostracized and alone, probably with no friends or family, and I imagine not much self esteem. But then she met Jesus, and what a change it made in her life…..and the words to this song just ring true. I can picture her before she met him and then afterwards, and what a difference it made in her life……truly she must have felt like she was Born Again.

When I hear the words “born again,” I think about the night when I walked the isle at a youth revival as a middle schooler.  The song playing was “Just As I Am” and the emotion was so raw and real.  One of those times where I had to go to the altar or bust.  But as I sat today in the sunshine of the Dominican…I’m reminded of all the times in my life since then that I have been “born again”….all over again!  I believe it’s called Sanctifying Grace.  The Grace of God sustaining us over and over and over.  Because I’m Methodists, I’ll quote John Wesley’s theological thinking of this. Wesley believed that, “after we have accepted God's grace, we are to move on in God's sustaining grace toward perfection. Wesley believed the people could ‘fall from grace’ or ‘backslide.’ We cannot just sit on our laurels, so to speak, and claim God's salvation and then do nothing. We are to participate in what he called "the means of grace" and to continue to grow in Christian life.”

At Santo Domingo airport with Rolando, who will be taking us to Barahona

This trip is so much of that for me.  Susan, Kim, and I started last year coming 2 days early.  Just to relax before the week starts.  It’s a hard week…I won’t lie.  Each evening, you’re tired, hot, and missing your loved ones.  Today, we did sit in the sun a little…talked about the new members coming, our friends that were returning and wondering if the new folks would ‘love it’ as much as we do.  We talked about the gifts of everybody and while we’re here, we’re all collectively members of Dream Ministries and a visitor in this country.  Our roles in the states don’t totally define who we are and what we do here.  I say that and mean it from the doctors on down….Yes, they are the only ones who can perform the surgeries…but there’s not one of the three that will be here that won’t stop and help me pull someone up in the bed, or start an IV if I can’t find a vein.  We’re all here to serve these sweet patients that God has put on the list this week.  That is represented best, I think when our “docs” become “us” on first name basis.  Two young nurses were new last year and both work with Mike & Doug at Shelby Regional.  We were unpacking boxes on Saturday and separately I heard each of them call both of them Dr. Barringer and Dr. Hobson…and both docs replied, “I’m Mike here” and “I’m Doug here.”  To me, that speaks.    By the end of the trip, I’ll be able to share with you better…the hands, feet, eyes, ears of the team…the body of Christ each person plays.  But, if you come here more than once…you’ve got the heart.  Every time I come, I hopefully leave a part of me here…and absolutely take these people back with me.  It changes you…it reminds me of that “working toward perfection” that John Wesley speaks of…that’s why I have said that “here, I am the person God wants me to be.”  Unselfishly and without hesitation giving…

Today, Susan, Kim, and I are going into town.  Jorge (Good Samaritan Clinic doctor of Batey7) has arranged to have someone from Pedro’s church to come take us and help interpret.  We’ll begin to buy lunch groceries for the week.  So, while Thursday was rest and to a large degree, and so will today…but we are beginning to shift our focus to why we’re here.  The remaining 33 members of the team will arrive this evening, hopefully around 6:30 or 7:00 pm…the meeting of new people begins and the “picking up where we left off” of old friends begin. 

chips, drinks, cookies for both teams for the week

Saturday morning will begin our work…as part of us go to the hospital to unload a ton of boxes, set up the OR’s, Pre-op, and Post-op work areas, and the clinic group will go to Batey 7’s Good Samaritan Clinic to get the the boxes of drugs unboxed, and begin counting pills & putting in ziploc baggies.  With a devotion each morning before we leave the hotel…it keeps us mindful, especially as the week goes and we become tired…it keeps us mindful about why we’re here.  For some of these people, we may be the only Jesus in their life…and for many of them…at least to me…they are Jesus in mine. 

If you look to the right of my blog on the page…there’s a picture of a little boy…close up picture.  Everytime I look at this child in this picture, I see the face of Jesus through his beautiful brown eyes.

There were be many opportunities I pray this week for God to show me and sustain me with signs of His existence in our week ahead.  I think I’ve said before…we always have a plan, a list of patients…but inevitably it changes.  I’ll be real…it’s frustrating at times, when the time schedules don’t go together…when the transporter we pay for the week can’t find the patient’s or brings the wrong ones…but at weeks end...who is suppose to be seen…is seen.   My prayer each morning is hopefully through my eyes, my smile, my bad attempt at speaking their language…they can see a little of Jesus.  I pray through my…our love and care this week…we will sustain these sweet people in Jesus…show Him to them for the first time, or just to reaffirm…that He’s realizing their needs by having them be seen by the doctor at the clinic or undergoing a surgery.

I know this has been long…and I hope it all relates & ties together.  Sometimes I have so much on my heart and mind it mingles…but I close with a favorite quote of mine.

“Live your life each day so that those who know you but don’t know God, will come to know God because they know you.” –Unknown



Blessings!!

"In My Own Little World" Matthew West

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvSwcMp9vU4

In my own little world it hardly ever rains
I’ve never gone hungry, always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet
In my own little world
Population: me

I try to stay awake during Sunday morning church
I throw a twenty in the plate, but I never give ’til it hurts
I turn off the news when I don’t like what I see
Yeah,it’s easy to do when it’s
Population: me
What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now
Outside my own little world oooh

Well, I stopped at a red light, looked out my window
I saw a cardboard sign, said “Help this homeless widow”
Above that sign was the face of a human
and I thought to myself, “God, what have I been doing?”
So I rolled down the window and I looked her in the eye
I thought how many times have I just passed her by?
So I gave her some money then I drove on through
And my own little world reached
Population: two
What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
I should be living right now
Outside my own little world yeah, yeah
My own little world oooh

Father break my heart for what breaks Yours
Give me open hands and open doors
and put Your Light in my eyes and let me see
That my own little world is not about me

What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
That I could be living right now
Well I dont wanna miss what matters
i wanna be reaching out
showing the greater purpose
so I could be living right now

Outside my own little world oooh

My own little world yeah

My own little world oooh

Suitcases packed with love....and just a few clothes!

Matthew 6:3-4
But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.

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Last year when we came home from the DR...the emotion level was so high because of what we what we had emotionally seen...we shared our stories, our heart...and the result is every one we talked to wanted to do...to send...to share a part.  Everything from money from individuals in our lives, a Sunday School class from Beth Page, just to take over and use 'wherever it's needed' and there's always needs that come up...to Beanie Babies for the kids, homemade hair bows for little girls...little footies for the pre-op patients, soaps, lotions, stickers, little cars, little boy undies, clothes, heart necklaces, silly banz, prayer blankets from our childrens program at church...and did I mention beanies...LOL!!  However insignificant others may think these things are to these people...the hearts that donated them...well, the hearts of these people aren't doing it or didn't do it for any reason other than to share the love of Christ.  I am so proud to have almost 2 suitcases full of love.  I have had to remove clothes 4 times to make more room...and it's so worth it.

Most of all...the emails, texts, and phone calls today have been overwhelming.  Susan and I never feel apprehension about traveling to the DR...like I've said in previous blogs...it's home.  But, things can and do happen...so prayers are always welcomed and coveted if you feel inclined.

Depending on how well we can connect to the hotel WiFi as to how often I can blog here and Facebook...but I'm optimistic.

Those who are following the blog...thank you!  It has really helped me to prepare my heart, and keep my mind focused on the reason we're going and keep my anxiety about all the 'stuff' to do before we leave in check....

In His Grip!!

The Stand

You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all

So I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

Hear the song here:

http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?p=hillsong+the+stand

Today's early service at Jackson Park UMC...well, seemed just perfect...and fitting for a loving send off for Susan and I.  Our pastor, Neal preached on John 1: 29-42....where John The Baptist introduces the 2 Disciples to Jesus...these were followers of John.  They then started to follow Jesus...but followed at a distance.  Jesus stopped, met them halfway and asked "who do you seek?"  They replied "Where are you staying?"  They wanted to get to know Him.   Neal talked about how you don't really know someone until you really spend time with them.  He gave an example of how well he knew his neighbor....How well do you know Jesus?  He meets us half way...but do we meet Him?  A profound statement also was "We could not have found God unless God had already seeked for us."    We attend church, we bow our heads when there are prayers, we put our monies in the plate as it passes...we serve on committees or ministries...but how well do you know Jesus?  Saying the prayers, responsive readings, creeds in church will not give us a life changing relationship with Christ...getting to know Him, seeking Him, being with Him in the garden, at the cross, and at the tomb.  Jesus doesn't want us to walk at a distance from Him...he wants us beside Him.  He wants to experience what we experience...He wants us to be in the presence of Christ!! 

The words to "The Stand" started today's blog....that was the closing song.  Little Madison, Susan's beautiful granddaughter sang a solo of "Thank You Lord."  A little girl who has grown up in that church....who has been taught to walk beside Jesus...stood up there today, nervous...but you would have never known it.  She stepped right out of her boat again...walked up to be in the presence of Christ.  We were so proud...and fitting to say 'Thank you Lord.'


The sermon I've already described...the music...it all just fit....it was what God had in mind for this day and special people listened to His nudge and His call for it all to happen just perfect.   After Neal's sermon, Susan and I were called to the front and anyone could come up, lay hands on us and there was a prayer by Neal...a send off, if you will....an empowerment to not fall behind and follow Jesus...to run ahead...meet him not half way, but all the way...to see where He takes us on this trip.  Every year there is 'something' or 'someone' that becomes the 'it' of the trip...the poster picture of that year....you can't pick it...it just happens.  It's normally something that totally takes us out of our 'planned mode or planned agenda'...that look back upon moment that grabs you and makes you realize He is in control...not us.

While Adoration (our praise band/singers) sang "The Stand"...there were several of us up front still...and the rest of the congregation joined hands...and together, united....we took "The Stand"...."
So what can I say,
What can I do.
But offer this heart O God,
Completely to You

So I'll stand,
With arms high and heart abandoned,
In awe of the One who gave it all

So I'll stand, My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours"


We're equipped, we're walking side by side with Jesus.  I feel His very presence and know He's there waiting on us in Barahona.  I also know satan usually does his best attacking on me in these next few days....to throw in a little doubt about leaving my family...frantic rush to make sure everything is done 'just right' before I leave....both at home and work.  But...I Stand....prepared to tell satan to stay beneath my feet.  I ask for your prayers for that for Susan and I as we prepare to leave Wednesday.  We have no fears of leaving.....but would covet a prayer of protection from satan distracting our journey ahead.

I know I will be missed...but I really know when my Gracie came up to me after the service with tears streaming down her face....her tight hug and her whisper "I'm going to miss you Mom"....well, there's emotion there that only a mom can explain....so I ask for prayers also for our families left behind.  While Susan and I are very comfortable with where we are going and what we are doing....it's familiar surroundings and people.  While our families love and respect what we do...they've not been and it's still a third world country with poverty and they have fear sometimes...it's a trusting fear if you will....all the while knowing we are in God's capable hands, they don't have the same comfort level as we do...so if you will say a prayer for them as well.  We love you & thank you for allowing us to follow our calling from God.


Blessings and lots of love!!
 

Missions-Foreign or Home?

Home vs. Foreign Missions – a human term that can’t be supported in Scripture.  The Scriptures teach one and only one approach to missions.  When our Savior gave the “Great Commission” to evangelize the world He said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.’ Matthew 28: 19-20.  The commission was, and is, to go and evangelize the entire world, not just the U.S. and not just foreign lands.  Biblically and looking through the eyes of God.  ALL missions are foreign missions. 

For a child of God, Heaven is our home and there is no need for missionary workers there.  So what are we to do with the trap of “home and foreign’ missions that we get caught up in…and turn our minds away from those in our own community and all over the world that need our prayers, gifts, and talents.  We should stop using it, step away from U.S. vs. the world…All missionary work is foreign.  Do you really think Jesus would be pleased if we focused only on a small portion of our world…His world because we are too single minded to think outside of His Harvest field?  Yes, we have people of all ages, color, gender, nationality living here in the U.S…doing without food, meds, life’s necessities…but that doesn’t negate it happening all over the world, nor does it diminish my responsibility to do all that I can everywhere I can be, even foreign missions. 


It’s a blessing to travel to a land where the ‘haves’ far differ from the ‘have-nots’…yet, the have nots are the most humble & thankful people I’ve ever seen and don’t expect a hand out just because they live in a certain country.  They live in poverty, simple lives, but what they teach me every year is more than I can learn about how Jesus must have felt traveling, healing, loving the people in those foreign land.  Individually, we have to pray and share our gifts & talents whether it’s down the street, to the other side of town, or to another continent or you do all…No matter where it is, it’s the Lord’s entire harvest field, and it’s ALL foreign mission…and it’s called humanity!  I’m just glad Jesus Christ didn’t decide “I” wasn’t good enough…or “I” was less worthy of His forgiveness than somebody else just because of where I lived.  I am blessed; I take it seriously when I hear of someone at my church or community being without food, heat, necessities of life.   He has bestowed on me a heart for mission work & do take it personally when people ‘attack’ those that help with foreign missions when we have hungry people in this country.  I help here too.  I’m not looking for a pat on the back or a thank you...my blessing arrives each January when I travel to the Dominican Republic.  To get to look into the faces of a woman who is 30 years of age, never had children yet has a uterus the size of an 8 month pregnant woman.  I see what an impact it will make on her life when she gets to have a hysterectomy…life changing, pain reducing, increased quality of life surgery…a surgery that would have long been done in this country.   Or a child of 8-12 years of age with a hernia that causes discomfort…that in this country would have been long fixed, a removal of a gall bladder due to chronic gall bladder disease, pain, and stomach issues.  To have been in that country last year during the Haiti earthquake & witness how poorly their emergency response was but was so blessed to have been put in the path of a few of those earthquake survivors…those survivors that share a picture frame in my home on my mantle on my walls to give me a daily reminder of how their simple, and “less than mine” lifestyle…doesn’t mean they are poor…it reminds me that I am.  To watch people stand in line for hours with their sick children, just to see the American doctor’s because there is NO doctor to see them without medical teams coming to their small village…these are the ‘have-nots’…these are the ‘real’ faces of foreign missions…but more than that to me…these are the real faces of Christ.  About 5 yeas ago the clinic team brought in a dying man with AIDS into the hospital…he was on a piece of board in the village, they passed him into the bus through the window because he was too sick to walk.  That sweet man, who didn’t look like me, speak my language, or shared my nationality…died a couple days later in the hospital after being hydrated with IV fluids, fed, and prayed for…he didn’t die alone, he died with people who weren’t afraid to talk to him, pray with him and “love him like Jesus.”  I look into their eyes, and see honesty, not judgments…you see thankfulness, not expectations.  You see Jesus Christ.  I only pray they see half as much in my eyes, my smile, and my touch that I am blessed to be a part of in just 10 short days a year.   


I’m not saying we don’t have people "without" here…I know we do…my church reaches out to them all the time & I have been a home health nurse for over 21 years, but we also have programs in place that most can at least get some help. But, I also witness and participate with a church who is providing Christmas meal and gifts for 12-15 families from a local elementary school, coat drives to keep our homeless warm, food drives to keep them fed...people reaching out HERE in the name of Christ. 

Is the systems without their flaws…nope, but it’s better than the ‘have-nots’ in the other countries.  Until you’ve seen it and truly realize how blessed WE ALL are in this country in ANY socio-economic class & until you’ve truly looked in the mirror and analyzed “what do I do to make a difference?”  None of us can do it all but we all can do something.  Use caution in criticizing anyone willing to be the Hands & Feet of Christ both home and foreign until you truly know what’s real…as we never know when WE WILL BE THE LEAST OF THESE.



Casting Crowns "Love Them Like Jesus"
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=GKY7NNNX

Christmas note from Dr. Jorge

Dr. Jorge Volquez is the doctor over the Good Samaritan Clinic in Batey 7.  Part of his salary is paid for the the Western North Carolina  Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Below is a Christmas note he sent out followed by some information I shared about your gifts.
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ON CHRISTMAS EVE, I DECIDED TO VISIT BATEY 7, AND WITHOUT LETTING KNOW ANYBODY TOLD SANTA TO TAKE A WALK AND FIND A FAMILY THAT HAS NOTHING TO EAT FOR CHRISTMAS EVE, FOR MY OWN SURPRISE WE FOUND TWO FAMILIES, ONE OF THEM ´´ MENSULIA´´ WAS FOUND AS YOU SEE, CUTTING SOME HERBS THAT SHE LOOKED FOR NEAR THE SUGAR FIELD, WITH NO HOPE OF HAVING A CHRISTMAS DINNER, FOR HER 3 CHILDREN AND HAVING NO HUSBAND.

SHE WAS PLANING TO EAT THESE HEBRS WITH JUST RICE FOR DINNER WE TOLD HER THAT GOD HAD PLAN FOR HER AND HER FAMILY TO HAVE A SPECIAL DINNER AND SHE ALMOST CRIED AND TOLD US THAT WAS SAD AS DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO GIVE TO HER CHILDREN . 

WE GAVE THIS ON BEHALF OF THE CHURCH, AND THE CLINIC



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note from Paula:If anyone would like to know how you can Adopt-a-Clinic Day at Batey 7 or even sponsor a child in a Batey in Barahona I have information I can send you.  Just inbox me your mailing address.  I know some people don't do 'foreign' missions...but God calls us to spread the Great Commission and all His territory is foreign soil as Heaven is our ultimate home.
Happy New Year!!!

Where is it on the map?

We will be traveling to Barahona, Dominican Republic on Wednesday 01/19/11 for a medical mission trip. Barahona is on the SW side of the island. It is a very poor but beautiful part of the island. This area was hit hard by Hurricane Noel in 2007, then in 2010 had an influx of many injured survivors from the January 12th earthquake in Haiti.  There are hundreds of Batey's (small villages) in and surronding Barahona, where both Dominicans and Haitians live and work the sugarcane/other crops.

We covet your prayers while we're away.

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Barahona city isn't an especially pleasant place. Founded in 1802, the city has fallen on hard times due to the local sugar mill closing. Still, the locals are friendly and they are real!  The undeveloped coastline that stretches to the west of the city is some of the prettiest scenery I've ever seen.  Barahona is a port situated at the end of a magnificent horseshoe-shaped bay that is framed by rugged mountains.

- Barahona-Enriquillo Coastal Highway. This is perhaps the most splendidly scenic highway in the Caribbean, exceptional in its views of a multi-colored sea, untamed stretches of dense forest, sparkling rivers and towering green mountains. Visitors to this area are few and the simple ways of traditional village life may be glimpsed along the route. Wave to the residents and they will smilingly wave back. It's a lush landscape of brilliant greens, complemented by millions of graceful yellow butterflies and the melodies of innumerable birds.

Barahona is tucked under the SW side of the island



The beautiful Barahona shoreline



look out at San Rafael

A Year Ago....

You know we all have those dates...those, that you'll never forget.  As important as an anniversary or a birthday.  Last year...January 12, 2010 will be one of those for me.  Probably all of us that were on the Dream Ministries team.  At 4:53 pm a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti...it is estimated that over 300,000 people were injured, 1.3 million were displaced and over 97,000 houses were destroyed and over 188,000 damaged in Port-au-Prince and Southern Haiti.

Our hospital team, which I was a part of, were riding in the back of the red truck on 10 minute journey back from the hospital at the end of a long hot day...it's not an easy ride...kinda bumpy, so we would have never known any different.  We pulled into the gravel drive leading to Playazul, our hotel, when some of the clinic team came out to meet our truck.  They began telling us about the earthquake.  One of our docs, who was reading in his room had felt 'a little disoriented and dizzy' but didn't realize what was happening.  Needless to say, it was a little un-nerving to realize that yes, we were across the border, but only about 90 miles from Port-au-Prince.  Then the topic of the tsunami came up and the alert that was showing on the Spanish CNN station.  We were all very calm realizing we were together and knew whatever came God would take care of us...and if anything should happen...what better way to go than to be in a country doing God's work.  Once I kinda rationalized where we were in proportion to Port-au-Prince and yes the body of water that connected us were the same...we were tucked under the SW side of the island of Hispaniola and our little hotel was up on about a 60 foot cliff.

However...we knew, our families back home were probably worried to death...so a few of us climbed back into the trucks and made a journey back down the road toward Barahona to where we had phone signal to reassure our families to spread the word, we were all safe.

I won't lie to you and say it wasn't un-nerving a bit to see the pictures they were showing on TV, to see the structures of block, crumbled like a sandcastle...the picture of the hospital totally destroyed and how it very much resembled the one we work in each year, each day.  There was a lot of prayers for those who were in a living hell in Haiti watching their loved ones die or worse..were trapped, scared, and alone.   It wasn't us, but watching those pictures...realizing it could have easily have been...that same fault line runs just few miles out of Barahona...it could have been us.  But, you can't dwell on it...you have to be thankful and prepare for tomorrow.

We knew we would see some of these faces...it was very obvious the next morning when we pulled into the hospital and there were multiple ambulances from other areas...knowing they were transporting patients from hospitals in Haiti, or the triage locations just over the border.  They would begin dispersing these sweet people and God would bless us with a few to cross our paths.  If you know me, you've heard all about these sweet people...if you don't I won't go into it, but will tell you that these faces will forever have a part of our heart and their faces and stories of survival taught me more about the things I take for granted.  Modeline...was trapped under debris for several days...she could hear people saying there was no more survivors, there was no one there...all the while she's trying to scream out...and finally she was heard.  Modeline, would learn when she arrives to us in Barahona and then later confirmed in  Santo  Domingo that she was paralyzed from just above the waist down...she is a beautiful young woman who spoke fluent English....she would never walk again but thanked her God that someone finally heard her.  A sweet girl from Haiti who spoke Creole, so it was difficult to communicate with her...she had lost her right arm due to a crushing injury.  It had been amputated like so many other people at another hospital over the border.  She was in pain, all alone...it hurt my heart that she was there all alone.  We bathed her, applied powder, changed her gown which had been donated by someone and changed her bandages on her open wound to her leg....all she could do was smile.  A small 18 day old baby who had been brought in by a man bringing his daughter...no one related to the child was with him, so we feared the worse...that he had been orphaned.  He had a major laceration just above his mouth below his nose...approximately 3 inches long.  He had lost his little pinky finger and almost the top part of his hand.  Dr. Mike was able to patch him up and we found out a few days later...his dad had been brought to the hospital a little later, so we were relieved to know he was not orphaned.

Then there was Thalia...a little 6 1/2 year old little girl in the E.R....her little sister had been killed in the earthquake.  Her grandmother was killed, her mother is somewhere in Haiti at another hospital with injuries unknown...her dad was the man that brought the baby in as well as Thalia.  His name is Jacque....Thalia has an open laceration approximately 5-6 inches from her forehead through her hairline...she has a open fracture of her leg, is in great pain...had blood hanging and brought up to us on a piece of cardboard.  My heart is breaking...this is when it really all hit me...'the least of these'...the pictures of what had been on TV in the last couple of days...this could have been us...this is real, this is real!!!!!  Jacque came up and just as we were about to have one of our Creole translators begin to pray before they would take her back for Dr. Mike to try and sew her head together....the translator began to pray and before he could finish his first sentence...this little girls daddy, Jacque...in his brokenness....started praying and his first words were "Mercy Papa"....it was the sweetest prayer I think  I've ever or will ever witness.  In his grief from loss of a child, his mother...he praised our God for getting them there and for Thalia to now receive treatment.  This man had been trying for 3 days since the earthquake on Tuesday to get someone to take care of her and said all anybody would do is 'look at her head' and run away....

Thalia was taken to surgery...Jacque was exhausted, hungry, and just Praising God verbally to anyone who would listen and thanked the Dominicans for opening their borders allowing the Haitians to cross....this is a huge thing knowing the history of these two countries.  We all had already went through our bags...had given money to Modeline and her sister as they were there without anything.  We wanted to make sure they had money to go get food, to make phone calls if they could get through to anyone to let them know they were safe.  Now we were doing the same with Jacque...we began feeding him, cereal bars, crackers...anything we could find.  We found him some clothes...and finally put him in a pre-op bed in our room there at the hospital...covered him with a prayer blanket with Psalm 23 on it and put him to bed.  He slept for hours...finally to awake and see Thalia had done beautifully in surgery.  Dr. Mike had done a great job with the stitching up of her scalp but we couldn't do anything other than clean her open fracture of her leg due to not having an orthopedic surgeon with us....but she was resting and pain free. 

I know....I've rambled...but I wanted to give you enough history to know...that when Mike looked at me on the bus Saturday back to Santo Dominigo, as we were all sitting around talking about our week...when he said 'we never know when we will be the least of these...'  it hit me like a ton of bricks.  We get so comfortable in our little lives...our cozy homes, our great jobs, our freedoms here in the states...and we are not immune to this kinda of tragedy.  I had seen so much of God's Grace over the past several days...maybe not in all the people who had died...but in the ones who had lived and their stories...their faith, their level of belief...and though they 'walked through the valley of the shadow of death"...they feared 'no evil' and their faith taught me so much of how meager mine was at times.  How would I have responded?  How would I have reacted?  Would I have praised God like Jacque did while praying over Thalia...or would I have been so heavy into my mourning of my child and mother ...that i never would have been able to pray?  I don't know...I can't answer it because I'm not in their shoes...I do know that taught me so much. 

Modeline has a framed picture on my desk at work...Jacque & Thalia share a frame on my mantle in my home.  They are a part of my family and though they don't share my skin color...they are my family and their stories will be passed along to my grandchildren. 

Matthew 25 - since I started doing mission work about 8-9 years ago...this parable between the sheep & goats has been one of my favorites...but with last years trip it became more personal....I've thought of it often during the year when things come up in my life.  It makes me look at people who are grieving...or who are going through hard times and see God among them...to give them encouragement telling them there is the presence of our Lord in their midst....He wants us to know He is there, especially among the least of these...so reach out, help where you can....take a special notice...seek them out....for we never know when we will be the least of these and you will need someone to reach to you. 

Connie DiLeo, a Methodist Missionary, and I am blessed to call her my friend...she is a delightful child of God and was so calmly following where God led her in the weeks, months following the earthquake.  She worked hard to make sure Modeline was returned to Barahona for her rehab after it was determined in the capital, Santo Domingo, that nothing could be done and Modeline's paralysis was permanent.  She put a plea out for a wheelchair that was accomplished here in N.C...which is a God thing and another story...she helped to support Modeline's emotional needs, made sure Modeline's birthday was  celebrated and deeply missed her once the decision was made for Modeline to return to Haiti.  I wished I could tell you how Connie impacts the people of Barahona...heck, I wished I could tell you how she makes me want to be a better person just by being around her.  She is one of these 'real' people...doesn't sugar coat things, but the love of God pumps through her veins and her dedication to the people of Barahona, especially the batey's of LaHoya & Bombita benefit great from her gifts.  I love you Connie and am blessed God put you in my life so sweetly.

So...a year ago tomorrow...1-12-11...say a prayer....a prayer for Modeline & her sister...for Jacque, Thalia, and their family...for the creole Haitian young girl who lost her right arm...for the baby with the facial laceration.  Say a prayer for the hundreds of thousands who are still homeless...those that received countless amputations, which in a way has disabled this country beyond anything we can comprehend.  Find a good cause and continue to help those people...there are multiple ones out there...do your research, make sure they're reputable and donate.  If you need suggestions, let me know...I'll be happy to make suggestions. 

The media isn't always giving correct information...there are many good things happening over there...is it still bad...yes, it is....but there are lots of stories of hope, and God's grace. 

I close with this....at the end of our week last year, someone on our team made the statement, "I wished we were coming a week later that way we could have cared for more of the Haitians."  My reply was "I'm not...then those Dominican's who also needed those surgeries that were planned and the clinics who went to different Batey's...wouldn't have been able to provide the care we did to them...and that work was very important." 

In the midst of all the chaos each year...as we do have to deal with Dominican's who live on 'island time' motto's...what happened last year was just what God had in mind...it never fails....as much as we try to plan for the week.  Changes have to be made but at the end of those 10 days...you look back in retrospect and see how God had His hands in it all alone...and if we are obedient...it turns out like He wants it to be.  We can't fix it all...and in some cases...the things we do are life changing and in some, well...it's just a band aid.  But, we make a difference in someones life.  We all can't do everything...but each of us can do something!!!

The Starfish Story adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren Eiseley
1907 - 1977
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"

The Love Suitcase....

2 Cor. 9:6-7     Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

On American Airlines-International flights to the D.R...we have  2 bag limit...no more than 50 lbs each...NO MORE.  These are not flights where they'll allow you to pay extra for the overage...they mean 50 lbs!  The first couple of years much of those suitcases were devoted to my clothes, flip flops, things I 'might' need....etc.  As the years have gone by, they have becomes less about my needs and more about what I can take to make our work there easier, more effecient, and of course the little 'love' gifts you take for the patients and children.  It's different to do candy as we learned in the early years...it tends to cause a small riot within the villages as it's a rare comodity and is best given out in a controlled setting.

For some year, I've thought about my suitcase full of 'fun or practical' stuff...my love suitcase.  It takes much thought and preparation as not to fill it with things that aren't practical and too much of one thing.  We are constantly having people donate beanie babies, sheets, socks, underwear, ball caps, hair brushes/combs, pretty hair bows for the girls, and un-inflated balls for the boys.  No...these things don't provide a lot of practical use for the medical portion of our purpose there but they do give a tangible something to show they are loved and thought of....as this coming week arrives/ends...my love suitcase which is quickly filling to capacity will be gone through and decisions made as to what to remove and put in a box for next years trip and what makes it.   As the years have gone by this suitcase has become more important to me to stock than the one with my clothes in it...it has always been more important to me to give than to receive and this is no different...much of these things are given to me to take from people who can't go or don't wish to go...but yet, this is their way to vigariously live through me and my journey to belong to something bigger than ourselves.  I take it with great honor and offer it with their blessings. 

A few of the things this year in the love suitcase are 4 fleece prayer blankets...you know the ones, that have had the knots tied to keep them together.  2 were done at VBS this summer with Susan and I leading this...we explained a little about the children of the DR and asked them to help us with this and as they tied their knots they said a prayer for the child who would receive that blanket.  The other 2 are also being made by the children in Children's Church and they are so exited to have been a part of this project.  There are vitamins, and some over the counter meds for the patients. There are beanie babies from my sister, B.J. and a sweet friend in Washington State who mailed a box of them to me...they will be given to the surgical patients as they wait for their turn to go back...then something to remind them hopefully of the American's who made them feel better...a token, a sign, something tangible.  I have little boy clothes, and undies to hopefully give to someone who needs them and there is no doubt, God will sweetly place someone in my path to do so...there are silly banz, which are all the craze here in the states...ball caps, which the boys will love, and VBS t-shirts left over from the summer that were donated from Cokesbury.  Whether it all goes in or just a small  portion of each...the love, thoughtfulness, and prayers that these things were given will travel to the Domincian. 

Dream Ministries has already made a big shipment of medical supplies, some donated...some purchased and they will be there ready for us to unpack on Saturday after we arrive.  Every year it becomes a little more and more chaotically organized....LOL!!  There are seasoned members of the team, like myself...and then there are always new faces...who at first feel a little out of the loop, but quickly fit & jump right in to do what's needed.  Each of those other team members....normally has a 'love suitcase' just as I do...and it's amazing as the week goes on to see what people have brought and amazingly watch as God uses those things as if pre-planned to touch someone's life.  It is truly...what's needed for the people of Barahona in the Batey's vs. what we need....that's why that 2nd suitcase....well, it just has my clothes in it and any leftovers from the 'love suitcase'...it seems less and less important each year...as we all realize 'it's not about me.' 

Matthew 25: 31-46 (NIV)

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
   ³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ 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, ³⁶ 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.’
   ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
   ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
   ⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
   ⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
   ⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
   ⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

This past Sunday, fitting with God doing what God does...my pastor, Neal preached on this parable.  In the past 4-5 weeks my head has been with my family in S.C.  My step-dad has been..., is seriously ill and the week prior to Thanksgiving, it was felt he wouldn't be with us at Christmas.  So the weeks that followed were filled with emotions, words, planning, getting his affairs in order.  As of 1/7/11...he is still with us, and although he's still a terminally sick man, God has revealed many things through this experience.  While I thought I wasn't focusing on 'my trip,' I now realize...that no, I wasn't...but God was and is. 

My pastor, in his sermon, posed a question that I'm sure was pondered back in Jesus' day...what will determine if we've done enough?  Who has the most toys?  Our possessions?  What standards were used by Jesus when he stated this parable? 

This parable was the final message/parable that was proclaimed to the Disciples from our Savior Jesus Christ before he died.  The sheep illustrate the good and the goats...the bad.
Reading above you see that the 'bad' responses are pretty much saying-if we had known it was you, we would have.....  Well of course you would!  Who wouldn't?  We've all been there, done that.  The 20/20, hindsight of the bible.  It's mind boggling to think about how God will judge our response or reaction to human need...to what we see and witness every day.  That person on the street with a sign that says 'help me' or 'will work for food.'  Do you judge?  I can't say that I haven't...and you're not going to believe this, but ever since I watched Bruce Almighty...I've tried to see that person standing there as if it were Jesus Christ himself. 

I love being in the Barahona!  It's like home to me, and it's so easy to be the person Christ wants me to be...I laugh, as I type this...but it's true.  You see, we're so over-exposed to materialism and 'stuff' that distracts us from truly being who God wants us to be.  It is natural for our hearts to be loving and 'stuff' gets in the way sometimes...often times, distracting us from doing what our hearts know is right.  Our behavior towards other people reflects our behavior toward God.  Over there, my heart, is unselfishly His to do what He directs me to do...it's so easy & beautiful. 

Every year, emotionally...it takes several weeks to really 'come home.'  Last year, after the earthquake and all the emotions that went with it....even upon arriving home, Susan and I collected crutches & money to send to Connie for the Haitians there in Barahona.  I had the privilege of helping get a wheelchair for a young woman who became paralyzed as a result of the earthquake and God worked it out for another team to take it to her.  Because of all of this, I carried those emotions a little longer than I 'normally' do and it bothers me when I begin slipping back into the materialism of my world.  I say every year it's not going to happen...but it does.  I do feel that I am learning a little more every year of things that aren't 'so' necessary in my life and I am more conscious of waste within my life.  But, I am still human and still a work in progress.

I say all this to say, we, you...me.  We never know when "we will be the least of these" and should always look at that someone God puts in your path as if it were Christ himself standing there.  Don't allow that situation to occur that you look back and say, "God if I had known it was you, I would have..." 

In Barahona, teams of volunteers, who pay their own way to get there & stay to do the work of Christ in simple or uncalculating ways...happens many times a year.  The sweetest memories of how God works through the individuals on each team to do things that no one can calculate but God Himself. 

A pink stocking cap showing up in supplies one year...seriously?  Stocking cap?  In the Dominican where there's humidity & heat year round...later in the week, I picked that cap out of a box of 'not needed stuff' to put it on a little baby boy after he had surgery because he was so cold...God knew.  One year, the clinic team was asked to check on an aids patient in the Batey...they passed him through the windows of the bus on a board, and brought him into the hospital.  He was given IV fluids, food, a place to lay his head, but more importantly he was prayed for...and died knowing he was a child of God.  Team members, themselves finding out & discovering things about themselves that they never would have known had they not gone to offer themselves hot, sweaty, nasty....raw, to their Lord.

I for one, learned on my first trip...to not pity those sweet people.  Yes, they lack in health care & food.  But, they are rich in things that I can never portray or explain.  Children play baseball and soccer outside in the dirt...not on video games.  They play....outside!  People sit outside and talk, visit with each other...not on the phone or computers.  Their lives are simple...so simple, to a certain degree...it looks poor.  But, look again...parts of the simplicity are as beautiful as the scenery they live in itself...their lives are real!!  They are living more in reality than we are I think.

The sermon Sunday, reminded me of many things...I am still human, so I'm still selfish & materialistic...and many, many times...I still miss the mark.  But, I do love my Savior, Jesus Christ...and I love going home to Barahona, Dominican Republic.  I have family there...Jorge, Raisa, Maria, Connie, Amy, Chaggy, Pedro, Leo, and others.  Over there I can be a nasty, sweaty, child of God who just wants to offer a simple smile, hug, or anything I can to someone who needs it.  Yeah...here, I can do the same...but as the months pass...it becomes complicated again. 

Yes, over the past 4-6 weeks, my mind has been pre-occupied with my step-dad...but through it, I now realize God has used this time for me to talk to Him a lot!!  To devote my quite time to talking to Him, being specific about my prayers and relying on the prayers of others to sustain me and my family through some difficult days and weeks. During nights of sitting up watching our Papa sleep & struggle to breathe...talking to him, listening to him talk, cry, work his way through dealing with his sickness and impending death....I'm tired from traveling back and forth from N.C. to S.C....trying to work both down there and at home when I'm here...emotionally & physically exhausted. Trying to be ready for the holidays...because like it or not...they were here. Yep...He has been using this time to remind me that 'it's not about me!!'