Open The Eyes of My Heart Lord

We sang this song at LaHoya's church today.
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Abre mis ojos, O Cristo

Abre mis ojos, O Cristo
Abre mis ojos, te pido
Yo quiero verte
Yo quireo verte (2 x)

Y contemplar tu majestad
Y el resplandor de tu gloria
Derramame tu amor y poder
Mientras cantamos
Santo, Santo, Santo (3 x)

Yo quireo verte (2 x)

Listen:
Open The Eyes of My Heart - Spanish


Open the Eyes of my Heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart,
I want to see you (2x)

To see you high and lifted up.
Shining in the light of your glory
Pour out your power and love.
As we sing
Holy, holy, holy (2x)

I want to see you (2x)

Day of Prep (Saturday 1/22/11)

This day begins with breakfast & devotions…then we’re off.  Saturday set up day is a big day!  I can’t begin to tell you how many boxes are waiting for us when we get to the hospital but it’s a bunch!!  These are medical supplies that have been shipped ahead and used for our week here.  Anything that we don’t used, is left in a locked room for the next team or we donate it to the hospital here.

The clinic’s day consist of going to the Good Samaritan Clinic and setting up all the meds.  This group travels from Batey to Batey, but always begins on Monday at the clinic there in Batey 7. 

The day is probably best described as ‘organized chaos’…if you’ve been before then you know what needs to be done and just start directing people what to do.  It doesn’t take but a short while until everybody is sweaty, dirty, but moving along in the set up process.

Where we started....

getting creative with crutches, blue pads, and duct tape to make broomes

all organized in pre-op

organized for the door hanger

The process is to go through the boxes, send items to the O.R. rooms, the CRNA’s set up their rooms for the week…we clean up this room and begin putting aside our supplies needed.  This room, as you can see, has the open blinds…sometimes there is air on and sometimes not.

Patient’s come out of the O.R. on the stretcher and we Post-op them from there.  We used to transfer them to beds and it was just too hard and the hospital had this stretchers in here.  

We got a little creative using old crutches, with incontinent chux duct taped around them to sweep the floor.  It’s difficult to get someone to come sweet and mop the floor for us.  We ended up asking Boyd to go to the store and he picked us up a broom and mop.

We got a little creative using old crutches, with incontinent chux duct taped around them to sweep the floor.  It’s difficult to get someone to come sweet and mop the floor for us.  We ended up asking Boyd to go to the store and he picked us up a broom and mop.

I tried to post some pictures...but unsuccessfully, so as soon as I can I will add to this day

At days end…we get it all done.  We’ve bonded with each other.  New folks get to know the seasoned members and the process of forming a bond begins.  It’s amazing that every year, we gain new friends and pick up with old friends like we just saw this yesterday.  I love this group of people!

Blessings!

A Day of Emotion and Listening........

I’m not going to lie to you…today was emotional for me for many reasons.  Susan and I are trying this ‘skype’ thing here at the hotel.  I’ll be honest…It’s impressive and free but doesn’t work good at Playazul.  I could hear enough of my sweet girl Gracie this afternoon saying “hey Mommy,” that it made me a little homesick.  I don’t think she could hear me and I imagined how she must feel to know I was there but she couldn’t get to me...I know, I know…silly.  But it was real to me.  I think it was honestly God’s way of preparing me and showing me that He wanted me to focus on Him and not “worry” about home.  I knew…know she’s in good hands but it was a momma thing…a parent thing. 

I sit here typing this now thinking…how often does God feel the same way…when He’s calling out to us…but we either can’t or don’t answer Him back?  Does He feel as I did when I could hear my child’s voice calling me when we don’t respond to His calling us?

There is relevance to this…I promise.  All this happened after an afternoon of sitting, talking, and catching up with Connie and Olivia.  Connie, as I have mentioned before is a Methodist Missionary and so is Olivia.  They both work for the COPA organization here in the Batey’s of Bombita & LaHoya.  I SO wished I could relay to you the excitement in Connie’s voice as she tells us that the team will be coming to LaHoya for church Sunday morning.  We’ve never been to this church because it’s new…and still in the process of being ‘finished.’  Connie and I stay in communication together throughout the year and she keeps us updated on the happenings and wonderful changes that are being made in the villages.  But to hear her speak of what God is doing in this new church is inspiring…and how she humbly allows God to work through her to do His work…well, it’s selfless.  As you can tell…I love her. 

Every year, I say…”I want to bring Gracie here so bad.”  Every year…it doesn’t happen…but today.  I audibly heard God say…”Do it.” 

Connie began telling us about the youth at the church…how it’s their idea to have a “Mantutina” – early morning service…once a month they come to the church at 5 a.m. and PRAY.  They pray for about a half hour then go home and go back to bed.  Can you imagine?  This wasn’t Connie’s idea…but theirs.  Thursday nights is their Praise & Prayer Night…30 minutes of praise music and then 30 minutes of prayer.  They usually have about 30 youth that come and just last night three 11 year old girls accepted Jesus Christ.  Saturday night is a youth service and then Sunday worship.  It is so evident and real that God is blessing this church and all those that walk through the doors by all that is happening.  She is starting up an Adult Literacy program soon.  This summer they took a group of kids from the Batey up the coast to a week long camp….there’s so much more but I couldn’t make notes fast enough….

I sat there listening and all I could hear was “Do it….”  Gracie is a senior at Wingate University.  She’s a religion major, and is at a point where she’s saying, “ok, what now?”  She admitted a little while back that she’s been praying a lot lately…know others are praying for her, but maybe it’s time for her to listen.  She’s a wise young Christian in her journey…much wiser than I was at almost 22 years of age.  She’s contemplating going into the seminary and is actively pursuing starting this process with visits to some schools soon.  She loves the youth at our church and has actively been a part of our youth group since 5^th grade and now actively helps to lead the group.  Going on trips, planning bible studies, lessons, helping with VBS, teaching skits, and even giving them counsel,  guidance, and not being afraid to be ‘real’ with them with hard questions.  She has become a mentor for many of our young youth in our church and I just sit back and am so amazed at her gift.

I feel so led to bring her here to the Dominican to allow her to share in this newness in the lives of these youth.  To allow her to share HER knowledge and leadership with them…while allowing the experience to broaden her thought process of where God is…and to witness and feel His presence through the eyes, motions, language, and expressions of people that don’t look like her, speak like her…yet are children of the same God.  You truly don’t understand it…until you’re exposed to it…in my opinion.  Until you hear a contemporary worship song that you love and sing….being played with the sweetest sounds of Spanish singers…knowing the hand motions…realizing THEIR Dios, is OUR Jesus.

So, filled with this emotion…I attempt the Skype…I can’t reach her but I could hear her voice.  God allowed me to hear her voice, then hear His…”Do it.”

I don’t know when it’ll be…but my plan is maybe by end of summer…to bring her to the DR for a weeks visit.  To allow this time to meet Connie and let her see how God works through simple means…in large ways.  This is my accountability….putting it out there.  I know what you're thinking...what about what Gracie wants...well, she has to follow where God wants her to go as well, but I can't wait to talk to her and share all that is going

I close with today’s devotion out of Joyce Meyer’s New Day, New You.

How to Live a Holy Life

“Holy living begins with getting rid of selfishness in your life.  The paradox of happiness is that it comes when you forget about yourself and live to help somebody else.  I found out that you can’t be happy if you have yourself on your mind all the time…”

I love you Gracie.  God blessed me with you for so many reasons…but in the past 5 years, you’ve helped me to learn so much about myself…by watching you grow up to be a young woman.  I saw you 4 years ago become a high school graduate, moving to college…realizing you had needed me for 18 years and it was only then that I realized how much I needed you.  You inspire me as I watch you follow God’s path in your life…and to realize for yourself, when you’re doing more talking…than listening.  I have always told you that I can’t wait to see what God will do in your life…all the while, standing on the sidelines watching Him do it right now.  – I love you, I love your heart!! Mom

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