Time, where have you gone?

It is 11:20 am on Tuesday, July 20th and this means one thing. I only have 4 more weeks left here in the DR. This place has become home. The people have become family. The staff have become kindred spirits. The culture has gently nudged it's way in my heart permanently. I have a feeling that this means I should get some Kleenex's pronto!

It was a lil over a year ago when I began to serisously consider coming here on the internship, followed by many months of not being sure, to jumping on a plane just 2 short months ago, to now only having 4 weeks left. I was reminded the other day of just how faithful the Lord has been in EVERYTHING leading me up to this day. From showing me how faithful He is in the little things and the BIG things to providing in ways that still make my jaw drop to the floor!

No matter the end result of my time here, I know that this journey was for a purpose. That He will use the things that I have learned here to continue to shape and mold me into who He desires me to be and will use my time here and the relationships that I have built for His purposes and His glory. I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to be a small part of His HUGE plan.

Going Home - Trip to the Batey's

This past week I had the joy of going back to the Batey's. This is the place that I have been on my first two trips here, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. I have come to know people there and feel like they are my family. I have been anxiously waiting for the chance to go back since I first arrived in Santiago, but I knew that it would be awhile before I would have the opportunity to go. Welp....I finally got to go! It was a great week. There was a group from KY that came to do a medical clinic in 2 of the Batey's so it was a very busy but fruitful week. We sorted meds one day, then hosted 2 days of medical clinics, then had a day of evangelism and VBS. I had the priviledge of seeing 2 people come to know the Lord, hundreds of people received medical care that they wouldn't have otherwise gotten, children laughed and played with the Americans, and many hearts were changed as a result of the week.

It was a week full of joy and sadness. The sad part for me was going to Batey Cuchilla and seeing the feeding center that my church has committed to build. The building is the same way we left it after our last trip in November. It brought tears to my eyes to see that nothin has changed in 8 months. It also breaks my heart to see a place that is in so much need not get help. Out of all thr groups that have come this summer to serve with G.O. only 3 are going to the Batey's. And only one of those groups is doing construction. That means that children will still be going without food....hearts will still be broken....and lives will be lost. If we don't go, then who will? If we don't give, the who will? If we don't pray, then who will? Will you?

Feeding center in Batey Cuchilla

Humility is hard but OH so worth it!

About a week ago I hit my breaking point. This is a very good thing.

I realized a BIG sin issue I had in my life was controlling me and affecting those around me. It was pretty ugly. What's interesting is that it took being wronged for me to realize it. I have always been the type of person that is caring towards others. It kills me to know that I have the power to hurt and tear down. I can deal with being the one that is hurt, but I can't deal with the fact that I hurt others. I was consistently being hurtful and not really aware of it until the Lord revealed that to me through a misunderstanding where I was wronged...

I am sooooo incredibly thankful for how the Lord is in the business of changing and transforming...I don't want to be me, I want to be who He desires me to be. I am blessed to have a Father that isn't satisfied but that wants me to be like His Son and lovingly guides me towards that. I know I will never fully arrive, but I am thankful that I atleast get to be on the journey because that means He receives ALL the glory, honor, and praise as I continue to be molded into the likeness of His Son. It's not a pretty process or a fun process, but oh the joy that is found along the way, wouldn't change it for ANYTHING!

I am also thankful that He gives me and others the ability to forgive lovingly and graciously. Boy oh boy, what would I do if that wasn't true!?!?!?!

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient; bearing with one another in love" - Ephesians 4:2

B-ball in the DR

This past week I had the privilege of helping out with a basketball camp. I coached 12 boys on the Verde team. I helped lead a rebounding station in the mornings and then coached my team in games in the afternoon. Not only did we try to teach the boys basketball skills but we also taught them about the Lord. I was able to share verses in the Bible that relate to playing sports but more importantly are applicable to life as well. My main focus for the boys wasn't to win, but to glorify God in all they did. I had soooooo much fun coaching these guys...I pray that the things I taught them from the Word will leave an indelible mark on their hearts.

Team Verde - Go GREEN team!!!!!!!

Coach Witcho in action with team Blanco

I love this lil guy!

My team looks tough don't they?!?!?!

I was super nervous to coach at the beginning of the week. I was the only female coach so I wasn't sure if I would be received well...girls in sports is becoming more accepted in the DR but still not many girls play sports. I am also a lil rusty. I haven't coached for several years so I wasn't too sure if I would have much to offer these kids. I am in awe of the verse in Philippians, which I have had memorized since I was in high school: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength". I have known the verse but saw it lived out this week. Even with the language barrier, the fact that I am a girl and rusty at coaching, He gave me everything I needed in order for Him to be glorified through me this week!