my heart...

I just miss this place so much...

"Awake, my soul! I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of You among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth."

Psalm 57:8-11

When I read these verses I just see the Dominican. In an unexplainable way, I feel as though God made my heart for that country. It's crazy really. To be born in one place, but feel so at home in a country where they don't speak the same native language and their culture looks drastically different than the one I grew up in. I never even thought I would leave the U.S. and here I am preparing to move back down to the Dominican Republic. God's plans are so crazy and beautiful :)

This time has been so good for my heart and soul. I miss the Dominican more than my words can express, but I understand more each day why I am supposed to be here. I have been falling in love with the Lord all over again. I can't get enough of His Word and I am so blessed to have this time where I can simply seek Him. I can't stay away from Paul's letters and the truth that is flowing out of them. I'm learning to ask for open ears to hear the Spirit's direction. I'm overwhelmed by the Father's relentless and gracious love for me and all of His children. He's breaking down walls in my heart that I didn't know existed and restoring me to my identity as His daughter. I'm learning the importance of praying boldly and praying things that require me to make changes in the way I live. I'm learning to find joy in the precious little moments of life. I'm seeing the reality of the spiritual battle we are fighting. I'm seeing the Kingdom of God coming to earth through a group of fire-breathers who are a part of the Human Trafficking trip I'm going on this spring. Mostly, I'm being transformed by a God who knows me better than I know myself and planned long ago that I would fall in love with the Dominican Republic and spend my years there being a part of His vision for Esperanza. Thankful doesn't even do justice to describe my heart.

This article gives one of the most detailed descriptions of human trafficking in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. You should read it. Really, you should! And watch the video too. It hits so close to home when you walked over that same bridge every week. But the thing is... human trafficking (sex-trafficking included) is happening in Dajabon, in Thailand, in Boca Chica, in Cambodia, in Atlanta, and all across America in our own backyards and in places we don't even expect. We must educate ourselves and we must do something about it. We can no longer be silent. Human trafficking doesn't have to steal anymore lives. There are so many ways to become involved! So many! I urge you to pray about ways to fight trafficking... and if you are looking for something specific, just let me know.

FREEDOM is coming!

...and this is my heart :)

You should also read the update I just posted on my world race blog here!

tie-dye, jaibon, and esperanza...

If you know me well, you know that I love tie-dye and I LOVE Jaibon. So what better way to end the summer than a day full of both?!?! Right before I left Jaibon, we made shirts with the boys and they absolutely loved it. Somehow I even managed to make it through the day without getting dye on my hands OR clothes!

LOTS of tie-dye!

Jose pointing out his shirt!

My brothers :) I cannot wait to see them in December! solo faltan seis semanas :)

I believe that my life in Christ is a continual process of surrender, rebirth, and new life. Today was another painful and beautiful one of those times. In August, God asked me to give up life in the Dominican until next summer. Getting on that airplane to come back to the States was probably one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. I went kicking and screaming (ok, maybe it was more like crying like a baby) to the U.S. and God has brought so much beauty from that process of surrendering my heart to Him.

Recently I've been feeling like I have too tight of a hold on the Dominican once again. While I am sure that Esperanza Vision is God's dream and not mine, I also know that the Dominican sometimes becomes too much of my focus. Today I was sitting outside and the Lord asked me if I was willing to give up all of my hopes and dreams for the D.R. After more tears, I finally placed Esperanza Vision and my heart for that island at the feet of Jesus. It was something that needed to happen in my heart. I still firmly believe that God has called me to this vision in the Dominican, but I also know that it must remain at His feet. And the more I chase after God's heart, the more peace I know about the Dominican and Esperanza.

*side note* blueberry green tea = wonderful! pumpkin spice coffee = even MORE wonderful!

Fall is the best time of year to live in America :) Hands down.

"Look at the nations and watch--and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."

Habakkuk 1:5

And that, my friends, sums up my thoughts on Esperanza... I am utterly amazed at what God is doing!

Oh and click here to read my update on my world race blog.

bring YOUR Kingdom...

This was my prayer for the Dominican at the beginning of this summer..

And it still is today. After I took this picture I walked down the beach for a while. When I came back only the faint remains of "bring" and "Kingdom" were there. But "Your" remained deeply etched in the sand. I kept thinking that it was fitting. It's not my Kingdom that I want to see. It's not the Kingdom of social justice that I want to see. It's His Kingdom that I want to see on this earth.

I've been thinking about this concept a lot recently during this whole Esperanza journey. Sometimes I think it can be easy for missions organizations or ministries to get wrapped up in whatever "change" they are trying to make or whatever wrong they are trying to right. But in the end, it's not really about that. While loving our neighbor, showing them Jesus, and working towards social justice are all good things, our focus has to be on God and His Kingdom first. I want to worship the Lord, not the work that I am doing for Him. And so while we are still in the beginning processes, it has been good reminder to place my focus and our ministry's focus on bringing the Lord glory.

"As much as we want to change the world, our goal cannot be a particular change. Our ambition is the will of God. We need to meditate upon God as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ and in His Word. As we meditate day and night, He then gives us the wisdom and understanding to do what He has called us to do."

-John Perkins

My prayer is that my life points towards Jesus and out of the overflow of His love in my heart comes new life and the Kingdom of God in the Dominican Republic. I pray that people are changed and restored by the powerful love of our Father. I pray that people find hope... not in our home, but in Christ alone. I pray that Esperanza is a place where people feel the presence of God and find freedom. I pray that He makes beautiful things out of us... "bestow[ing] on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes" Isaiah 61:3. I'm so thankful for the lessons that God has been teaching me during my time here. A month ago I would have given anything not to get on that plane back to America, but God is so gracious in showing me purpose here.

Panera is my new best friend. Unlimited coffee, my bag full of books, and sweet, little booths make for some great days :)

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."

1 John 4:16

time is a flyin' by...

I've been able to share with many of you about the world race and I know that others have read the updated tabs on my blog, but if you have missed those, I wanted to give a quick world race update. Things have flown by incredibly fast since I have been back in the States. It's hard to believe that I have been here almost 4 weeks. This past month has been full of fun visits with friends and family, lots of coffee and tea, researching, reading, planning, praying, learning, support raising, and anything pumpkin flavored that I find :) I have loved being able to experience fall again and see the leaves changing colors. I miss the D.R. with all of my heart, but the Lord is encouraging me and providing new blessings each day here. I leave for training camp for the world race in a week. It is a five day training session of sorts where we meet everyone we will be going with and prepare more for what we will be doing. I am so excited to find out more and get to know the people I will be spending 4 months doing ministry with! AND, I get to drive to Georgia for it... I love road trips- and spending 7 hours in a car with loud music and windows down (hopefully!) and some good coffee is sounding wonderful right now :) And hopefully I'll be able to see some good friends in Atlanta and Knoxville along the way :)

This is my support letter that I recently mailed out... it contains the more concise version of the update on my life :)

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope that this letter finds you well and enjoying the first taste of fall! As you may know, I have recently returned to the United States after serving at an orphanage in the Dominican Republic for the past year and a half. During my time there, the Lord gave me an immense love for Dominicans, and I’d like to take a moment to share with you the dream He has placed on my heart.

In December of 2009, God began opening my eyes to the issues of sex-trafficking, prostitution, and abusive home situations in the Dominican Republic. I feel called to spend my life bringing hope and restoration in Christ by opening a safe-home in the D.R. for the women and children affected by these issues (To read more visit heathercolbert.blogspot.com).

After discovering many ministries in Thailand and Cambodia that are already working to fight against sex-trafficking, it became a desire of mine to go and gain wisdom from their experiences. In late August, I found out about The World Race Human Trafficking Edition, a mission trip in which participants not only spend a month in both Thailand and Cambodia but also India and the States. This trip is specifically designed for those interested in long-term ministry involving human trafficking. Upon praying, applying, and being accepted within a couple of weeks, I knew that the Lord was opening a door for me to learn from and serve alongside individuals and organizations with whom I share a passion. I know this will be an amazing training experience in ministry that will prepare me to eventually open a home for women in the Dominican Republic.

I wish to request your involvement in several ways. Spiritually, I ask that you pray for me. I covet your prayers. As internet connections are available, I plan to blog updates of specific prayer requests (heathercolbert.theworldrace.org). Should there be a time when I cannot provide exact direction on how to pray, I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit for the intercession He promises in Romans 8:26.

Financially, I invite you to consider becoming a one time or monthly sponsor as the overall cost of my expenses for January through May is $7,300.00. The Lord has given me peace in His provision as I seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33), so I am trusting and waiting expectantly to see how and from where the resources will come.

I am excited beyond belief for this upcoming journey and I ask that you prayerfully consider becoming a part of it. Thank you so much for all of your love, support, and prayers along the way! They mean more than you know!

In Him,

Heather

This is my prayer card that we sent out with the letters :)

Throughout the next couple of months and when I'm on the world race in the spring, I'll also be updating my world race blog... so check that one out as well! On that blog, you can click "update alerts" on the left-hand column to receive an email when I have posted on the blog. This is the link: www.heathercolbert.theworldrace.org

On a side note... this is my third post in October and it's only the 7th... Elizabeth, I know you must be proud :)

beautiful things

All around, hope is springing up from this old ground.

Out of chaos life is being found in You.

You make beautiful things. You make beautiful things out of the dust.

You make beautiful things. You make beautiful things out of us.

I can't get these lyrics out of my head... or stop playing the song on repeat for that matter :) It reminds me so much of the Dominican and everything we want Esperanza to be about. Our prayer is that Esperanza brings hope to people and that they find new life in Christ. And we know and trust that God is going to make beautiful things through this ministry.

The Dominican (as always!) has been on my heart a lot recently. I am so thankful for everything about my time spent there. One thing I never expected to gain there were new American AND Canadian family members. The people in these pictures have blessed my life more than I ever thought possible... and the greatest part about it is that they continue to do so! I worked with, ate with, and shared a room with these people. I was with them almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We hung out together, laughed together, and cried together. And after spending a year and a half with them, I most certainly consider them a part of my family. You would think that we would have gotten sick of each other, but really, it just feels weird not having them around every day. Right now we are all in different places, but they continue to encourage me and support me and remain such a special part of my life. You all are HUGE blessings :)

Elizabeth, Julie, me, Christine, and Bryson

Bryson, Elizabeth, Christine, Coco, and me

I love and miss you guys!

I'm also missing those MC kids, limoncillos, cafe con leche y canela, the Jaibon boys, warm days, the twins' laughs, Chipa's smile, las cocineras, adventura, rice and beans, starry nights, mi hermanito, culto, Jonel's confused language, baking whatever we could find in the kitchen, mod-podging anything in site, watching basketball with 10 kids piled on a bench, playa popa, getting rolos, and hanging out with some amazing kids...

welcome fall :)

It's fall! I am now back in Louisville and loving this fall weather! Today was a perfect combination of resting, going to the St. James Art Fair in a sweater and scarf, lots of coffee, my Bible, my journal, pumpkin chocolate chip bread, talking to some dear friends, and getting to cross lots of things off my checklist :)

Last week was incredible and better than I could have imagined. Being at Johnson and spending time with my sisters there was so encouraging. I spoke in some Missions classes about OO and Esperanza and people that I didn't even know were very supportive. At the end of one of the classes, everyone stood up and prayed over me and the ministry... it was humbling for sure. Knoxville now has a worship night in the Square Room one Wednesday a month. It just so happened (thank You, God!) that this month's worship night was last week when I was in Knoxville. Emilee was singing at it with Bill Wolf and United Pursuit Band was playing! United Pursuit Band is my favorite... insane lyrics! And I think anytime I get to hear Emilee sing I cry :) So needless to say, Wednesday night was amazing and such a blessing being able to worship with them.

I was supposed to leave Knoxville Thursday afternoon, but through some cool God-things, I ended up staying until Friday afternoon. Thursday night there was a human trafficking forum in Knoxville so Emilee and I knew we had to go since I was able to stay until Friday. One of the speakers was from International Justice Mission, an organization that works to fight sex-trafficking. The forum was soooo good! It gave us a lot to think about and we were jotting things down all night so we would remember what the Lord was showing us. One of my favorite things that he said was that genuine love has a way of casting out fear. I kept thinking how true that is and how genuine love is the whole reason we are pursuing this dream. We fell in love with the Dominican people and it changed everything about our lives. Any fear or hesitation we ever had fell away in the presence of the genuine love of Christ and our genuine love for Him and His people. I just pray that we always remain rooted in the never-ending love of Christ.

Thursday night, Emilee and I made pumpkin cookies which we had been talking about doing since the beginning of the summer. Check! They were awesome. Friday, I rode back to Louisville (or Luhvul as I'm trying to teach Emilee how to say:) ) with Sara and James and it was wonderful to be able to catch up with them... I miss you guys! Yesterday we had an open house at my home in Louisville and it was such a blessing to see people that I hadn't seen for over a year and catch up on life. I was able to share a lot about Esperanza and what the Lord is doing. Thank you so much to everyone who came by... you ALL were so encouraging and I appreciate your support more than you know! God is good and I am blessed with very uplifting family and friends!

This is my sister, Emilee :) We are really bad at remembering to take pictures, but this is the one that we managed to take!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

1 Peter 1:3

I read this verse last week and LOVE everything about it. It's so fitting for Esperanza and I think we are going to put it on our prayer cards. It's our whole goal and dream... to praise our Father and bring Him glory... and to share His promises of new birth and new life into a living hope (esperanza!)... and all of that because of the resurrection of Christ! Amen.