And then...

...there was a woman sitting at our front door with an IV in her arm and Mamá looking very pleased with herself.
...I realized ballena means whale, not candle.
...Mamá started cracking up and I had no idea why (a frequent occurrence actually).
...everyone was staring at me (this happens any time "americanos" are mentioned).
...I realized we were out of toilet paper in the outhouse.
...she told us there is a hurricane headed for the island.
...it didn't ever stop raining.
...she loved my Spanish (Castillian) accent.
...she hated my Spanish (Castillian) accent.
...she told me my eyes are green...like a cat's (not a good thing).
...the power went out...again.
...the clouds rolled away and the stars were AMAZING.
...she remembered my name.
...she threw mud at me and I felt accepted.
...she grabbed my hand and said "mejor amigas" (best friends).
...I finished my first book in Spanish.
...they taught us Dominican card games.
...we taught them Dutch Blitz.
...we went running with "wild" (not tied-up) horses.
...God opened the doors for me to return for next summer.

To clarify, this was not written in chronological order, but based on what seemed to flow the best.  Life was not just crazy and rough at the beginning with everything being roses now.  Everyday is crazy, rough, and beautiful all at the same time.  There are ups and downs, but overall things are great and I spend more time up than down.

Praises:
- God is good.
- His creation is amazingly beautiful and I've been able to see much of that splendor.
- I'm making friends and connections with people in the community.
- God has prepared a way for me to return in a really exciting position.

Prayer Requests:
- That I have the energy and self-discipline to continue to try to get to know people and practice my Spanish when I'm tempted to just curl up in bed and read.
- That I can continue learning Spanish so that I might better understand what people are saying.

Sickness

“Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death.  No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’”  - John 11:4

On Thursday I got food poisoning.  At first, when my only two activities in life were either profuse vomiting or lying helplessly in bed, it seemed that my body was failing me.  However, upon further consideration, I have come to see how well and effectively my body was working.

Shortly after the bacteria (or virus or toxin or whatever) entered my body, it was identified as problematic to my health and my stomach began working to get it out of my system.  All other activities were to stop for me that day until this situation was dealt with.  In fact, my body didn’t even want me to eat or drink other things that might cause distractions.  The number one focus was getting this bacteria out, even if the process was at times harsh and painful.  After this affair, I’m a little tired, but overall I feel much better and I know that my body is healthier.

This got me thinking, what if we approached the sin and brokenness in our lives in a similar manner?  Step one: be on the lookout for the things in my life that are unhealthy for me and will only bring me destruction.  Step two: upon finding it, stop whatever else is going on to remove (through the prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit) the sin in my life.  The process may be harsh and painful at times, but it is the number one priority.  In the end however, I know that I am in better shape.

This analogy can even be focused in further.  By the fifth time I was throwing up, I was so exhausted and my body was so sore that I desperately did not want to go through it again.  I could feel my stomach becoming increasingly agitated and I would plead with God, “Please no!  Please not again!  Don’t let me throw up again!”  However as soon as the contents of my stomach had been relieved, I found myself in a new condition.  I would sit there, sweaty and with puke all over my face, relieved and slowly being filled with new vigor and vim.

When we come to trials in our lives, our first reaction can often be a plea of avoidance.  “No God, please don’t let that happen to me!”  Perhaps though, there is a sickness rising up within us that God is trying to expel from our lives.  When we get to the other side, we may very likely still be a little messy, but we have been given new life to carry on with.

“Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” – Mark 2:17

May you not fear your sickness, but rejoice in the potential for healing and new life.