Mi Dios es poderoso para salvar!

I can’t believe how fast time seems to go in the Caribbean.

This weekend has absolutely flown- however it has been fantastic. On Saturday, after saying goodbye to the HOPE team, I had the opportunity to do nothing. Absolutely nothing. While this might seem like a misallocation of my time in the Caribbean, I am beginning to understand the need for a balanced life. Things here have been non-stop and a day spent cleaning, organizing (and thanks to Becca and Claire’s helpful tip) 2 ½ episodes of Glee! (They kick you off after a certain amount of stream time). After a relaxing day, I accompanied the roomies and some of their Dominican friends to a local joint to learn how to dance the bachata, meringue, and salsa. We had a BLAST!

Today, we left for church at 10:15 a.m. only to return to our humble abode in Gazcue at around 6:00 p.m. It was a LONG but fantastic afternoon. One thing that I should mention is that today, it hit me. It really really hit me. 9 months- 1 year is a LONG time. My closest friends from Messiah will be reuniting in Philly in 3 weeks and I have already found myself wishing that I could be THERE. But my heart (and I am pretty sure a few laws of physics) tells me that I cannot be here and there. I need to choose one. And, right now, I choose to be here. I was so blessed yesterday to stumble across a friend’s FB status that quotes Jim Elliot- “Wherever you are, be all there.” It’s harder than it sounds.

Church in el barrio was incredible. A large group of people sitting in an open-to-the-elements second-story porch with a lead singer and a few musicians. I immediately started to sweat (which could have been a result of the heat and immobile fans) when I noticed that the outdoor church was not equipped with display screens to help me feel less like a foreigner. I have always disliked not knowing the words to songs and add on top of that the different language/ dialect component and things get worse. But, to my surprise, the worship leader opened up with Hillsong’s Mighty to Save- “Mi Dios es poderoso para salvar.” Wow. I was immediately back in London at the Dominion theatre, feeling completely overwhelmed by the sense that God is present. Everywhere.

Last spring, after a few days in London, Vanessa and I felt burdened, broken, and somewhat lost. We saw physical and spiritual poverty all around us and we were told multiple times that only 10% of the people in Great Britain considered themselves Christians. “This is a lost place,” muttered our cultural instructor. However, to our surprise, this statement was far from true. Within seconds of stepping into Hillsong church, we both broke into tears, recognizing that God was in control, even across the pond. Again, I identify this truth.

I fought to hold back tears this morning. One, because I knew that each and every one of my Dominican friends would be concerned, but also because I have convinced myself that maintain one’s state of mind is half the battle. Needless to say I ended up turning through my journal before service began and reading over several entries leading up to my decision to come here in the first place. Some marked times of sorrow, others, times of complete joy. But more than anything I saw how God has been preparing me. How I committed over and over to go wherever He would lead, to speak the words He gave me, and to seek His will for my life. Ack! If only I had known how difficult keeping that promise would be! 

I spent the afternoon with Becca and Claire at Becca’s former host family’s house. Claire decided to teach everyone to make Sushi (Dominican sushi that is!) and we had a great day in fellowship. I want to be present. I want to have energy to learn and to form lasting relationships. Right now, I am spent. I am exhausted and concerned for the weeks ahead. But I know God is so good. He is faithful and just. And above all else, Él puede mover las montañas . Mi Dios es poderoso para salvar!