Wait Upon the Lord

As it has been nearly 1 ½ months since I’ve written last, several updates are in order!

First, I had the incredible opportunity (as briefly noted in my last entry) to spend a month in the city of San Pedro de Macoris (SPM), a city famous for their poets, crabs, and, above all else, baseball. Having spent a solid month getting grounded in Dominican culture and introduced to Esperanza Internacional as an organization, it was decided that the best teaching instrument was a full-fledged experience working in an Esperanza Branch Office. By traveling to bi-weekly Bank of Hope meetings and shadowing Loan Officers in their daily activities involving associates and their communities, I had the opportunity to see the ins-and-outs of microfinance. Alongside working in the SPM branch office, I was also given the chance to live with a Dominican family, eat Dominican food, and experience Dominican culture in a real and “un-sugar-coated” fashion.

I left for SPM late one afternoon with the wonderful Claire leading the way. The route by guagua took only an hour and Angela (“Angelita”-meaning little angel- as everyone calls her), greeted me with open arms and brought me to my room on the second floor of a house adjacent to her own. For the first time in over a month, I was able to unpack my suitcase (semi-permanently), hang a few photos on the wall, and get situated in my temporary abode. My time in San Pedro was certainly memorable. I ate incredibly! Angela and her sister Miriam were incredible cooks and I was often blown away by the incredible meals they prepared for me. I ate a variety of locally grown products such as eggs, yucca, salchicas (sausages), freshly squeezed juices, salad (with a great oil based dressing mixed with salt and garlic), tostones, beets, chicken, beef, fish- you name, I most likely had it.

Beyond the incredible food (I really love food- hence its prominent placement in my entry), I became more comfortable with walking through the town, more acquainted to the “cat calls” (llamadas de los gatos) from curious Dominican men, and more adventurous as to how far I would walk from Angelita’s home. Beside myself, Angelita housed several ex-pat’s, took care of her elderly mother (an incredible woman nearing the age of 96!), and helped her sister care for her son and grandchildren. Life in the branch office allowed me to be introduced to several incredible individuals. Alejandro was a constant encouragement, teaching me that a successful work day meant that I spent a large amount of time building relationships with the people around me and did not stay in my corner “typing feverishly away at my computer.” (A hard but necessary lesson to learn). Carlos introduced me to the beauty (and risks) of driving a moto-concho, Esmeida to the kindness and faithfulness of a friend who will forever look out for you, Isidro to the importance of praising God-no matter the time of day, Damaris to the joy that comes from welcoming a challenge and charging it head on, Don Eurelio to the intense and powerful impact of showing a stranger-exhausted from a day at the Cemex factory- love, Noberto to the importance of finding friends who can help you when your abilities fall short, Mariam to the joy that comes from simple things like a clean work environment, Romana to the strength God provides to all of His children- even if they are handed major obstacles, and Celida for displaying a faith like no other. To these people I will be forever grateful.

I was also taught (by my old man) that I am the only person that can determine what is healthy and right for me during this time. Being so far removed from family and friends, the ones I love are able to offer spiritual and emotional support- but solely through encouraging messages or phone conversations. The real catalyst to any progress- the role of change agent- falls to myself. I remember this taking me by surprise. I feel that for so long, I have lived under a hierarchy of leadership. While this remains true in many fashions, I am no longer a Messiah College student or a dependent of Gerald and Lucie Poulin (don’t get me wrong, I am still VERY dependent on my wonderful parents- just in a different sense). The month I spent in SPM was in many ways one of the most challenging months of my life- and yet, equally rewarding.

In addition, I also faced the realization that I have very rarely, due to my life’s circumstances, had to rely fully and completely on God. For the majority of my life, I have acknowledged God’s presence in my life and been thankful for the continuous blessings surrounding me. But, now- sick with a bad case of gripe, stressed with the departure of my co-worker and good friend, and overwhelmed by an influx of cockroaches inside my small apartment, I felt discouraged, exhausted, and very much alone. I remember feeling totally and completely broken, explaining to a good friend that I did not know how much I could handle. However, when I needed it most, she reminded me that I would never be alone and that to think these things only fed a lie. She encouraged me to “starve the sentiment” and remember that I have a God that loves me, knows me, and will never abandon me. Amen.

All I can say is, God is so good. So faithful. A source of comfort and peace. Jesus, I praise your name and thank you for walking with me through the valleys and times of drought. Your patience with my slow understanding encourages me. But overall, your faithfulness provides me with the strength to press on. Surely, I will wait upon the Lord.