A few things to share...

ok so since Easter week I have been thinking about wether I have been true to my expectations herein the DR and if I have really given of my time and talents to serve here as I intended to do. in many ways I am realizing that I have andstill yet in others I have not. I am also realizing sometimes God will set us ona path towards something that we perceive one way, and when we are there, he willopen the understanding to many other unforseen things.
I thought I could come here and jump right into the community center, not anticipating the need for greater language comprehension, as well as cultural awareness. I thought that being at the school was a hinderance since I came to "help" those less fortunate blah blah blah....I guess wheremy mind has shifted is that there will always be poor people and those who are unsure or uneducated about how to move aheadin life. Thee will always be people who don't have something, but they are not the onley ones who need "help".
I think I am realizing that we somehow fulfill our selfishness by thinking we "helped" the immediate gratification of a weekly meal, or afew childrens games...yes, these things can be good, but sometimes maybe we do it more for us then for them.
My new realization is that ALL people no matter in DR or US, are in some ways poor, and rich. It is the people who don't know the true love and experience of relationship with Christ that may make one poor, and having little but knowing His peace and joy may make one rich!
I am coming to understand that people who are poor economically, are desperate and therefore more willing to understand the need for Christ as a savior, while those who seem to be satisfied by their jobs, "successful"in their wealth and family, that seem to feel they don't need a savior.
Here is wheremy heart currently seeks to serve. I am realizing no matter where you are there is a mission field to serve because so many think that they can do life alone without the power of Christ. If the upperand middle class societies began to realize their power and value in CHrist, it is very realistic to think that the number ofpeoplein tangible poverty could decrease because the peoplein power are acting out of wisdom from above.
So, no matter where you are you can be apart of the great commission because allpeople need Jesus, redemption, salvation, relationship and new life. Having said that, spreading this message if seemingly easier in a group or when affiliated with an organization rather than asalone ranger on amission. There fore i am seeing the need for a bit more training and strategy to teaching others, as well aslearning creative waysto apply God's word to a world that exists beyond those "less fortunate" by material standards. I have been receiving some guidance as to where to go next, but honestly, no matter what your physical location you can be a missionary.
Pray for the eyes and ears of the hearts of your loved onesto be opened to Christ's love. That HIs truth would permeate our soulsand cause change and that rich and poor alike would come to know Himand walk in His light.

CJ's BIG ADVENTURE

Wellnothing like the moviePeewee's big adventure, but Cheryl Jeanne (my mom) sure did experience a rip roaring time in the Dominican Republic! It all started with an airport pick-up that went smoothand a 4 hour drive through a third world country that kinda set the big CJ fora loop. I guess I never realize that peoplewho ren't called to missions see things with different eyes! Anyway, finally we arrived at the apartmentand saw the beautiful beach to find outthat the ocean gets "angry" 2 times a year and gues what...yup you guessed it...this was the week so we were inable to swim Thursday and most of Friday. We did however get to drive through the country and see some great and not so great views. CJ saw pigs and plantains! We saw the area of CAP CANA where DonaldTrump is building ahotel and the school there was beautiful. Saturday was the best day as we drove back to Baya Hibe and went on acatamaran to Isla Saona a desertes Island...the water and weather was finally great and we caught some starfish too....CJ had a mini-nervous breakdown returning to the capital of Santo Domingo as driving here is nuts and especially on Semana Santa (holy week) but she made it and we enjoyed the botanical gardens and walking the city as well as seeing typical dominican dancing (no CJ chickened out she didn't dance!) and last she came to the school to teach and meet the kids....all in all it was a very nice visit and of course....Gotta love my crazy mom.
So now, 3 more months back to the grind and rest so I can forcus on what God has for the end of this journey. more news to come about that! ok pray for peace, rest, and new energy to seek HIM.check out the blog photos

Reverence, te power of prayer, and REST

Bienvenidos all! Today I am jsut back from the pharmacia because I suffering a bit from a sore throat thing so I am home preparing to get some rest so my voice returns. Lucky for you my voice is not a problem in this here blog! So, I will carry on!
This weekI have felt extremely blessed to have begun a new unit where as I previously mentioned, I am allowed to teach about Christ and religion in my class. I am sad to see that so many of my students don't know the basic bible stories and yet I am glad to have the opportunity to explain them. In this, I am also realizing the meaning "all things are permitted but not all things are beneficial!" What I mean is, as I continually try to navigate the waters of personalities and such at my job I am realizing that we are always free to go and do what we please, but it is not always bestto think of self when you can possibly lose theopportunity to bring God the glory. So I will continue to navigate, for the sake of the opportunity to teach these kids about hrist...it is rare and cool to be able to do this. I am however realizing to deal with myself, and counter personalities, the power of prayer is essential. I think when we aer at the height of frustration or aggrevation we tend to lean on self but I am learning that it is as these very moments that christ wants us to lay our burdens on HIm!!! I guess that is where the reverence of te cross comes when we realize what it actually signifies...it is truly unfathomable.
Finally I am happy to be learning about what it means to be at rest that the whole world ca fall apart, but we cn be in perfect peace...amazing still. also natural rest is that I will be going to Punta Cana/Bavaro this week with my mom for Semana Santa (Holy week) o it should be oodles of fun and rest by the crystal blue shores...I will post pictures. Please give thanks for the gift of salvation in CHrist this week as we celebrate Easter.
Prayer requests:
Safe flight for my mom, and safe driving for me(DR driving is crazy!!!) rest, wisdom in the upcoming teaching unit, prayer for my church as things there are shifting, prayer for my friend Jenn to know Christ, for Tracy to find a kidney, or be healed! for 2CHron 7:14 to come to pass.

The Process continues...

Just when you think you get a grasp on things, a slight understanding, I find you get put to the test of this new knowledge. Sometimes to pass and move to the next level challange and other times you fail and go around the mountain again til you get it right! And so it goes at my school as the new unit is beginning and I get to teach and awesome book called "the bronze bow" which talks about jews and christ in a time whererome was taking over. The themes are so in line with the battle here of revenge vs. forgiveness and hate vs ove and especially that of your enemies. Also the idea of power in silence. WOW it is fll of great ministry stuff and I am excited for God to open the door for me to teach about biblical times and about Jesus as he is actually in the book! Also we watched a movie called "Ben-Hur" and the themes wereso in line with hte book and also around CHrist.

Otherwise, I cut my foot and the healing should take a while (pray against infection!) but it seems to be ok if I rest it. My roomie and I are excited about the Easter break bc our boss is givin us a run for our money and also my mom is coming bearing US gifts!

We will be headed to the beach for a vacation and it will be the firsttime we go to the east and I will be driving....this should prove to be an experience!.

prayer requests for my friend Tracy, my two students 1 who may be add or having some focus problems, the other who had a stroke as a child and pray for her family. Pray for my patience and determination to see the good in people and to love people no matter how hardthey ake it....pray that i learn to keep my mouth shut in the process. Pray for safe travels and of coursethat many would come to the saving grace of CHrist duringthis reserection season. peace and love