Community in the Mission

Two interns, Chris and Meaghan left yesterday morning along with two really great teams of students and leaders from California and Washington.  It was really difficult saying goodbye to such amazing and wonderful people – fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, not knowing if our paths with cross again on this side of heaven.

It makes me thankful for such sweet (even though seemingly short) times of community.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer talks about this in his book, “Life Together” as he remind us that the Christian life can often be a lonely one.  Before being martyred for his faith and duty, he talked about how fortunate that those of us who belong to a faith family are to be so closely tied into that body.  Our family, like the early church in the book of Acts, provides for one another, making sure no one is in need along with reaching out into our towns and communities to meet the needs of others.  Bonhoeffer was repeatedly thrown into prison were he, with the power given to him by the Lord, ministered to guards and prisoners alike.

How blessed are we as free Christian/disciples of Christ to be able to worship freely, encourage others shamelessly, and share our blessed lives with the rest of the body of Christ.

I greatly cherish friends like Chris and Meaghan (or any of the teams that have come down here this past summer for that matter) and even when we can work beside one another physically for only a short while to advance the gospel, saying farewell to another disciple is never the end but only another open door to continue to serve our Heavenly Father.

Avocados

 

This little girl is a student in the Students International education site in Mata Gorda.  I had to reshoot a few shots in Mata Gorda and when I got up there, Alberto and I were cracking up when this little girl started filling my moto helmet with avocados.  She loved the camera, kissy-faced/pressed her face against my lens and played astronaut with my helmet.  She was a little ball of energy that really brightened my day! 

Twenty_Seven Waterfalls.

Twenty-Seven Waterfalls is a place that we went to two weekends ago.  There are lagoons, waterfalls, caverns and all kinds of thinks to climb on, jump off and swim through.  Here is a video of our experience shot through my little Pentax W90 camera which I had strapped onto my wrist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jJh5BBgqYs.

 

 

June 27, 2011

 

So this is about halfway through our time of service for those of us volunteering with Students International DR for the summer.

 

While filming in Mata Gorda today, all of the events that I needed to shoot were occurring at the same time which led to a quick assessment and me realizing that I would be unable to get all of the footage that I needed.  If I had 15 more minutes I wouldn’t have to be heading back out to that town (which takes a bit of navigating around  holes and washouts in the road on a motorcycle that has street tires).  Also, at the end of the day  a strong tropical storm swept through the valley, downing trees, poorly supported power lines and debris across the road from Mata Gorda back to the base.  After my motorcycle accident a few weeks ago, ‘the Galaxy’ has a number of unsettling squeaks and every time the back wheel walks around on the soft dirt/mud and gravel roads, my heart just drops.  Needless to say, today has been a long day.

 

However, as I write this, I’m listening to a song by Will Reagan (United Pursuit Band) and taking joy in the lyrics that proclaim, “I lean not on my own understanding. My life is in the hands of the maker of heaven.”  Even on days that we’re not on our best, it’s so great to just lean in and fully trust the Lord.

Stronger

Recently, I have been sick and even more recently, I have been nursing my arm back to a healthy state after laying down my moto on a dirt/gravel road near Los Higos, which left most of the right side of my body covered in scrapes, gashes and road burns. I feel like I’m about 70% better but the hole in my forearm still looks pretty gnarly.
This post was my journal entry today after having the Hillsong United song “Stronger” stuck in my head all morning:

“You are stronger, you are stronger. Sin is broken, You have saved me. It is written, Christ is risen. Jesus, You are Lord of all. “
What sweet words to sing to my beautiful Lord and Savior. “You are stronger.” Your power is perfected in my weakness. Thank You for this injury – this “thorn in my side” and literal hole in my arm.
The cry of my heat is “not by my will or power but by You strength, I can and will serve You all the days of my life.

More of you and less of me.

Agape Flights

Yesterday, one of the SI missionaries, Ron and I drove down to a small airport that is just outside of the capital, Santo Domingo.  An organization named Agape Flights sorts and then flys mail from Florida to Haiti, Dominican Republic, among other developing nations for missionaries.  Missionaries from around the Santiago area take turns driving down to the capital to pick up mail from Agape and then drive it to a church in Santiago.  Yesterday was SI’s turn (aka Ron and myself).  After being in the van for six or seven hours, spending an hour in the airport sorting out mail, driving up to Santiago and then back up to the mountains of Jarabacoa, it felt good to finally climb into bed at the end of the day.

As for now, it’s been pouring all afternoon and we have our first banquet of the summer for this team which means I have officially finished outreach DVD project #1.  Success.

Twelve and Counting

Say a prayer for everyone who is sick right now, most likely (and a few already confirmed from the clinic) sick with bacteria.  At least seven students, an intern or two along with a few staff members have been sick all day.  I had to run a student back to base today who couldn’t function because of her stomach pains when she was working at the education site in El Callejon.

I had an amoeba last summer when I was an intern and if it’s anything like that, I don’t wish it on my worst enemy.  Dysentery and vomiting/dry-heaving are two of the symtoms of bacteria and or a parasite.  To say the least, I’m thanking the Lord right now that I’m fine and able to help the sick.

 

ADDITION:  So I have to edit this post as I am now number 13 or 14 of people who are sick.  Ay yi yi.  I’m not doing as badly as a few others.  We had to take one student to the clinic late last night after she passed out – most likely from dehydration.  The clinic they took her to is where I spent my time recovering from an amoeba last summer.  Fernando is a fantastic doctor.  

Día Uno

Last night, our first group of American students came down and went through orientation today.  This means that today was the first (official) day of shooting for the summer and as can be expected during the rainy season here in the Dominican, it poured.  I filmed the Women’s Sports ministry site and just before Jessica, the site leader/missionary could rap up practice, down came the rain.  Throwing a cover over my bag, I followed the girls to Jessica’s SUV and after giving a few of the Dominican girls a ride to their homes, we headed back to the base.  I’m currently editing all the footage.

It’s going to be a fantastic summer.

Don’t just do something, sit there!

With only days before this grand 12 week adventure begins, I have been given an over-abundance of blessings, prayerfully and financially.  There have been so many, ask you you will receive, seek and you will find moments in the past weeks.  I wanted to say thank you to all of my brothers and sisters who have partnered with me, through Christ, for the good work that God is and has already arranged to be done this summer.  I had just enough funds come in at just the right moments and the trip is now, officially, fully covered.  The prayer from Five Forks Church this morning was an enormous blessing.

May 19th is only four days away and with all of my ducks purchased and in a row, I feel that I could leave tomorrow.  However, preparation for doing the Lord’s work is way beyond skin-deep.

I have been at a point where God has been allowing some minor-catastrophes to happen in the recent weeks that have only served to drive my dependance so much deeper into Him and His grace.  Yet, in the pit of a recent freak accident with the company Volvo (which is very likely in totaled condition according to the insurance company), disappointing very close friends by slowing down/stopping plans that were rushed forward at Mach 5, possibly giving me the appearance of an insecure, nervous boy-that-shaves instead and feeling (much like a lot of new-graduates) like my degree in international business isn’t being used much at all (yet), blessings have come from every incident.  Knowing that God allows suffering to produce patient endurance and that He allows our names to be dragged through the mud, teaching us full submission and humility has brought out of these darker times, moments of joy and happiness.  Life isn’t about me.  It’s more important for me to ask God what brings Him the most glory instead of only asking Him what is His will for my life.  My life is a non-issue.  What matters most is that I use my life to serve our amazing Creator.

As for the remaining four days until I board American Airlines, flight 1761 and serve in the mountains of the Dominican Republic, I feel the need to stop doing so much and wait on the Lord.  I feel Him in the quiet and intimate moments, working and preparing me to be a vessel for His use.

For now.

For the rest of my days.

Waiting on His move.

April Lightning Storm

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Shot with 60d. Lens: Canon 20mm f/2.8.

I shot this two nights ago while getting familiarized with the 60d in low light. God has been so good in entrusting me with nice equipment to serve Him all summer.