Today started off exciting for me. You see we had our last clinic in La Romana today, but something more exciting happened. I had my first solo flight as a nurse today. No one looking over my shoulder, no professor asking why I choose what I choose, no second guessing my decisions. In four years of school today was a very special day for me. I felt like I was a nurse, not a student nurse, a real nurse. Okay granted it was at a mission clinic were it is mostly parasite and fungal infections but hey we all have to start somewhere. With my amazing translator Rebeca, we saw about 35 people at my station alone. All together, that clinic was expected to see 50 people......we ended up seeing 98! And they weren't just Dominicans. There were many Haitians there as well. Which proved to be interesting as Haitians and Dominicans do not speak the same language so at one point there would be 4 people talking....me to Rebeca, Rebeca to someone who spoke Haitian and then that Translator to the patient. It was really interesting to watch (It reminded me of playing telephone).
(Where the clinic was held at)
(MY SOLO FLIGHT!!!!)
(My amazing translator)
After the busy clinic morning we met up with the rest of the group at a pizza palor with boys from the orphanage and enjoyed a nice meal all together. It was actually really good pizza too and the afternoon was full of laughter and fun.
The rest of the afternoon was full of the last VBS that the other group put together. It was fun to watch the kids sing and learn about the story of Christmas. The story was so fun to listen to as it was acted out and then all the kids got a bracelet with the colors red, green, blue, white, black, and yellow. They were then taught about how the entire bible can be summed up in these six colors. And while it was a story I had grew up hearing, it was so interesting to hear it in the middle of this adventure, in a time where I needed the reminder if anything else.
Red- For the Blood Christ Shed for us and for his love
Black- for our sin
White- For God's Forgiveness
Yellow- for Heaven and the Streets of Gold
Blue- For Baptism
Green- for growing in Christ and for Christ
The kids understood it, and now I have a greater appreciation for the story and the story of Christ in general. It is amazing what a VBS for children can teach adults as well.
After the VBS, all the boys from the orphanage left as well as the other kids, and we got the opportunity to sit down and listen to the story of how the orphanage got started. It was started by a pastor and his wife who had been praying about it for quite some time. Well, the wife worked in CPS, and when one baby was brought to her because the women knew she couldn't care for him after getting the child from a single mother, the orphanage began. 10 years later, 70 boys have been through the orphanage, about 15 are there now. And there are some from the Dominican as well as some from Haiti.
What got me about the story the most, is the hope and prayers for the future. This couple wants the best for all the boys that walk through the door of the orphanage. And because of that there are currently hopes of building a place that is bigger then what they are currently in and soon. Due to having to soon move out of the place they are renting now, they would love to be able to build now but simply can't due to money issues so for now they are stuck looking for another place to rent at this time.
(Learning the story)
But something else happened in this time. Looking around, you could see the wheels turning in everyone's heads. As the pastor was giving costs to build (in pesos) you could see calculators out and trying to figure out cost, in US currency. One week, well less then that, two days at this orphanage and we are already all on board to help them out and continue supporting them anyway we can. "Going to the Dominican to help build will lower the cost? Okay so when do you need us to head back?" At least that was what kept going through my head.
It is hard to believe that this trip is pretty much over. I am sitting on a bus thinking about all the things that have changed not only for the community here but for me as well. In a week I have changed. I know it is hard to explain that in words but I know it has taken place.
This song has taken new meaning for me in these past 6-7 days.
"I don't live I don't care, I don't want to say another empty prayer, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else to do what God has called me to do myself, I could choose not to move, But I refuse!"
This song is my theme for the week. I refuse to sit back and watch as others need help. And I mean that in more then one way. I refuse to sit back and not help others in the Dominican and at home. Mission work isn't just about helping others in a different country, it is about helping those in your backyard. It is serving God in every way possible. I refuse to turn my back on someone that needs help. I refuse to think I am not good enough. I refuse to look away. I refuse to doubt God's plans for me. I refuse to think I am not strong enough to serve God's people in anyway possible! I REFUSE!
"I can do all things, through Christ that strengthens me"
Thank you for walking on this journey with me but I doubt this is the end.
God Bless!
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This was only the start......wait to see what tomorrow brings!
Thank you everyone for the prayers throughout my journey and please continue to pray as I continue on a path that God has put before me.
I love you all so very much, those I know and those I may not know. I started this blog for me, but through the things others have told me I am slowly seeing that there is more to it then just what I want and need and desire.
Until tomorrow!
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