we wait for You...

Yesterday, I spent the day in Jaibon. I love those boys so much. They are so genuine and have such big hearts. They all had new clothes, shoes, and socks and were very excited to tell me all about them. Their smiles light up their faces and I would be content just sitting, talking, and hanging out with them for hours. They are great! I also got to spend time with my sweet sister, Jacqueline. Jesus continues to teach me so much about life through her.

By the time we got back to Monte Cristi last night, I was so ready to spend time with the kids here. I had only been gone a day, but it seemed like I hadn't seen them in forever. I hung out with them the last couple hours of the day, thanking Jesus for these kids and in awe of His love for me and His children. I am blessed.

I told Christine this morning that I feel like my heart is a mess right now. I've prayed over and over that people would see Jesus in me and that His love would be what is flowing out of me... that my heart would be broken for what breaks His and that I would have an unconditional love for His people. As thoses prayers are answered, I sometimes feel like I become an emotional mess. I love the people here with a love I can't explain... one that only comes from Christ. I care about them more than I ever thought possible. I'm living life right next to them... sharing in their joys, their hopes, their dreams, their pain, their struggles. I love it. And when I leave one orphanage to go live at the other, I feel like a leave a piece of my heart in the other town. And if I can barely leave these places to go live an hour away when I know I will see them again soon, I don't know how I am ever going to be able to leave this country. So I pray for just an ounce of God's wisdom and that He would continue to open my eyes to His vision for the Kingdom in the Dominican. He is so good.



Hosana is the granddaughter of Tia, the orphanage administrator in Jaibon. She might just be the smartest 1-year-old I know. And she's pretty stinking cute :)



Learning how to cook sweet plantains with Jacqueline.

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Isaiah 43:19

...You are making all things new.

si Dios quiere...

The last week of our spring program officially ended yesterday. It has been a whirlwind of craziness, fun, and lots of energy! We had some amazing groups and it was incredible to see the different ways the communities surrounding Jaibon and Monte Cristi were impacted. My lack of blogging is hopefully ending now that I have a bit more time on my hands :)

I moved back to Monte Cristi three weeks ago. It was pretty rough. I am in love with both orphanages and I can truly say that I don't like one more than the other... however, Jaibon has this special place in my heart... and I just wasn't ready to leave. God taught me a lot in Jaibon, opening my heart to His dreams and plans for my life. And although it sometimes scares me, I know my life is nothing without Him and I will continue to lay my life at His feet, forever humbled by His grace in my life.

The 21 boys in Jaibon became like my kids. I have an unexplainable motherly and unconditional love for them. I want to see them grow into men of God... they already have such a pure love for their Father. I'm amazed by their childlike faith. Their smiles melt my heart. My family just keeps on growing here... :)

One of the hardest parts of leaving Jaibon had to do with saying goodbye to my sisters that cook and clean there. They became part of my family just like those boys did. I learned more from them about life and love and selflessness than I ever thought possible. They loved me like they knew me my whole life and their thoughtfulness amazed me. Their genuine hearts and sure faith gave me glimpses of Jesus. I spent my free time listening to their stories, laughing about the differences between Spanish and English names for food, hearing the joys and struggles of life in the dominican, learning how to light dominican stoves and make coffee, and simply sharing life together. They're family now. Leaving was no other word but hard.

I will see them again though, and I think God used my time this spring in Jaibon to quietly whisper to stay. To stay? To stay. I can't imagine leaving the Dominican. I am in love with these people and I feel like God created my heart to be here. I want to invest myself in them... in bringing change and restoration in Christ... in sharing the truth of the Gospel with them... in breaking the chains of promiscuity and prostitution that are everywhere. And while I'm not sure exactly what the future looks like, I do know that I have a crazy passion to invest myself in this country... si Dios quiere :) So for now, I'm in constant prayer for wisdom on what that looks like, and I would appreciate yours as well :)

This is my sister, Jacqueline. She knows how to cook better than anyone I know and her pure faith and wisdom taught me a lot about the heart of God.

Jacqueline and Betsaida. Betsaida's selflessness and genuine heart showed me what it meant to truly put others above yourself.

And Jacqueline and Dominga! Dominga's spunk, openness, and solid faith taught me a lot about true love. She constantly offered me a place in her house and truly meant it.

I love the Dominican so much!

Si Dios quiere...