While we were in the DR, we experienced some first. We ate goat for the first time. That is a common meat down there. It wasn't half bad. Leslie even tried it, but she thought she was going to throw up. I was just proud she tried it. We also got to drive the last couple of days that we were there. Now that was an "Adventure". It is totally different from here. They do not apply the same "rules of the road" as we do. There are motorcycles everywhere, and they will jump right in front of you when you least expect it. And down there, if you hit one of them, it is your fault just because you're American. So you can imagine how nerve racking it was. We stayed in "New Missions" mission house while we were there. We had no air condition, which is common for most homes in the DR unless you are very wealthy. You pretty much have to leave all the windows open so you can have a breeze, which means there are mosquitoes. I just lived with a can of "Off". We also didn't have a clothes dryer, so I washed our clothes and hung them on a clothes line for the first time in my life. It will make you really appreciate the things we have here in America. I know I take them for granted. I saw the biggest spiders and cock roaches that I have ever seen in my life. We rode on public transportation, which is a small van with about 24 people on it. I wished I could have had a picture of that. 3 "green goes" with 21 Dominicans. We looked so out of place. It was hilarious! That was just a little bit of our first time experiences. We also enjoyed visiting with members of the church and praying with those in need. The need there is so great it is overwhelming, but again there is nothing impossible with God. New Missions is changing one life at a time, and we are privileged to be apart of that. Jesus is our only hope and theirs too. While we can't possibly meet all there physical needs, Jesus is the only one who can meet their spiritual needs, and it's our job to share that with them.
As our week came to a close, and we had approval, my mind was on all the things that will have to happen in order for us to move. We need for our house and motorcycle to sell, we need to pay off the majority of our debt, we need to raise not only our monthly financial support, but also the money needed to move to the DR, which includes the purchase of airline tickets for our family to get there, a car and scooter, Language school to learn the language, (I really wished I had paid more attention in Spanish class in high school. Ha! Ha!), and first months expenses. As I was thinking about how all this is going to happen, God was very clear that He is the one that will take care of all the details. The last day that I was there, my devotion was:
"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your ways to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be Still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him..." Psalm 37:3-7a
My devotion is written as though Jesus Himself is speaking and it said on that day: "Trust Me enough to let things happen without striving to predict or control them. Relax, and refresh yourself in the light of My everlasting Love. My Love-Light never dims, yet you are often unaware of My radient Presence. When you project yourself into the future, rehearsing what you will do or say, you are seeking to be self-sufficient: to be adequate without My help. This is a subtle sin-- so common that it usually slips by unnoticed. The alternative is to live fully in the present, depending on Me each moment. Rather than fearing your inadequacy, rejoice in My abundant supply. Train your mind to seek My help continually, even when you feel competent to handle something by yourself. Don't divide your life into things you can do by yourself and things that require My help. Instead, learn to rely on Me in every situation. This discipline will enable you to enjoy life more and to face each day confidently."
What are you trying to control or predict in your future? Let's trust and delight ourselves in the Lord, and let Him meet our needs!
Life Coach, and Missionary to the DR,
Melissa Luther
BRING IT LORD!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you guys ... and so happy this is finally public knowledge!!!
We love you and are praying for you on this awesome adventure. You are an inspiration to us all!!!!
Jason