We have
risen up people in American who are consumed with being the best. If I’m a
teacher, I want my students to have the highest test grades. If I’m a musician,
I want my band to have the most sold out shows. If I’m a Politician, I will say
and do all that I need to, to get the most votes. Even churches are consumed
with having the largest congregation.
Some of our dreams for excellence are not bad; they are not all evil or
formed with bad intentions, but answer me this… have we lost something in the
midst of being consumed with results? Have we looked at certain jobs, tasks,
and even people, and laughed simply because they seemed worthless, or below us?
I came
to the Dominican Republic with the hopes of making a visibly large impact. I
wanted to leave this program thinking, “Yeah, I rocked that.” I have quickly come to realization that this
is not the case. I have been knocked down and humbled in huge ways, and I’ve
never felt… so alive. I’m not alive because I realized that I am unable to save
the Dominican, but I’m alive because I have been reminded of two very important
things: 1.Every person matters. 2. My strength alone is not enough. I need
God’s help in every season.
I am
currently working with 5 students at Emanuel House; 4 boys with their letters,
and 1 girl with numbers. All of these children would be in 2nd grade
in the states. They are extremely behind grade level due to poverty conditions
and possible undiagnosed disabilities.
I’ve
shed a lot of tears in the Dominican. To many of you this isn’t a surprise,
when I’m moved by something I cry. I cry mainly for the reason that I am unable
to express in words what my heart is feeling.
These can be tears of happiness, as well as tears of sadness. My tears,
these past few months, have been for many different reasons, but a few weeks
ago I was crying pretty consistently because I felt like there were so many
needs around me, and I was unable to meet them.
I came to the Dominican with the American mentality that I knew what was
best, and I would fix any problems that came my way. I not only thought in this
way, but I was allowing it to define me and my effectiveness here. The tears I
cried were of failure. Why did I feel like a failure? Because I lost sight of
the importance of life.
My time
here in the Dominican is not defined by numbers. It is not defined by me being
“The Best” at what I’m doing. I’m throwing that junk out the window. Just one.
If I can help just one child, if I can love just one child, if I can make a
difference in just one child’s life, it will all be worth it. The smile I see
on Arlenis face when she finally recognized the number 6, the hugs I receive on
the playground that last for what seems like hours, because they just don’t
want to let go, this just make it’s all worth it. We have no idea how far our
actions today will move through the generations. I have no idea how the impact
I have on even one child’s life will affect the people, the neighborhoods, and
the future of that child’s life. I don’t need a result today. In fact I don’t
ever need to see the result. I can trust
and believe that even the smallest bit of light invades the darkness in a
fierce way.
I’m
learning another important lesson, and that is that God’s strength is made
perfect in my weaknesses. When I get tired, and crabby, He is enough. When I
can’t remember how to say something in Espanol, He is enough. Just as one is
enough, He is enough to get me through every trial and situation.
2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is
sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will
boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest
on me.”
Update On the Following Weeks:
-
This weekend I will be staying in a village.
Pray that God will work through me and the other three girls who will be
staying there!
-
I will be beginning consistent ministry at
Josiah’s House (An all boy’s orphanage) Pray that God will give me wisdom as I
will be working with a few boys with some behavioral issues.
-
I want to begin teaching English to some of the
women who have been rescued from sex trafficking. Pray that I will find time to
do this, and do it well.
-
Continue to pray for me at the Emanuel House as
I do my best to help my students succeed.
-
Pray for the Dominican as a whole and our team!
-
Thank you all for all of your support! Love ya
all!!!
**** Take some time to love and pour into the people in your
life. Make a change. Remember every person counts, every person matters.
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