What an amazing last day it has been....kinda wish it didn't have to end. Today started with the first medical clinic on this trip. My professor and I saw about 31 people today, and is was simply amazing. Many of the people here are looking for basic medication that we take for granted in the states. For example....many of the mothers came in saying their entire family had the flu. Well upon looking at the family, it was obvious that no one had the flu. When I asked my professor about it, she said that many of them say they have the flu in order to receive cold and flu medication from us for when they do have the flu. Most of those that we saw were women and their children, and we saw anything from the flu, to ringworm, to parasites. I can say it made for an interesting day. Many of these families even waited in front of the church since around 8 in the morning.....the clinic didn't start til 9. But for many of these people, this is the only time they can receive the medications and help they need. Even vitamins are too expensive for most families to obtain.
Also while at the end of the clinic, I was able to learn about the relationship between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. I learned that when you come to the Dominican you step back in time by about 20 years, you go to Haiti and you step back about 50 years. I also learned that Haiti and the Dominican is kinda like Mexico and Texas, many people come across the border and there is really no stopping them. In fact many come from Haiti for the sake of their children, or for the better living, or just because they can. (Side note: As the week continued, I saw many Haitians in the clinics trying to get help and heard many stories about orphans brought from Haiti because they would have a better life in the Dominican). I also learned about the schools in the Dominican.....and I will no longer complain about college in the US. College in the Dominican is completely based on the fact you pass if you pay the professor enough and you fail if you don't, not based on the grades you get or how you perform in the class. I also learned that alcohol is a sport in terms of drinking. Children are taught to drink at an early age, and alcoholism and fetal alcohol syndrome are everywhere in the country.
But anyway back to the day.
So later in the afternoon, I was able to work with a group from Plano and help with a Christmas Vacation Bible School. I was helping out in the arts and crafts where we made little mangers with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in them. It was awesome listening to the children talk about what they know about the Christmas story....and watching them work on their crafts made my art melt. 57 kids were there that day, and listening to the sing and do crafts and be full of energy was an amazing experience for me.
(an altered story of the birth of Jesus)
So later that night we got to celebrate New Year's Eve. In the Dominican, this night was spent in the church from 9 til midnight. And it was full of singing, testimonies, dancing, skits, and so much more. At midnight the streets were full of dancing, singing, gun shots, firecrackers, and just full of partying. In fact, the ones that run the mission pushed breakfast back because they knew there would be no sleeping for us tonight. And they were right, parties were still going on at 5 in the morning. But it was awesome to see how these people celebrate the new year. The excitement they get is intoxicating and I am grateful that we got to celebrate with them.
Day two has shown me how lucky I am to be living where I am. And how lucky I am to be able to work and serve the lord in this amazing way. Mission work has changed my outlook on life and it is only day 2. For instance, if any american got a parasite, chances are they would freak out, but in the Dominican it is everyday life for them. In the Dominican there is a better understanding of hospitality. For example, in the church services, some of those that understood both Spanish and English would try to help us Americans understand what was going on in the service. The would step out of their comfort soon to help us. And really we are stepping out of our box to help them.....
I makes me think of a story.....
What makes us qualified to do what we are doing in the Dominican? Why was I called to do this? I am just a simple person, not one that was going to became a world leader or anything. But I am a Christian and God has amazing plans for me. Listen to this song that keeps coming to my mind while writing this....
This is one of my new favorites. This whole album is multiple artists that have written songs from the view points of people from the Bible.....This one is Moses. Why did I think about this one today?
Well simple, Moses questioned why he was called to do what he did. Just like Moses, I am unsure of what I am to do, But God knows and God is sending me on a path that he has laid out for me. God is in charge of what is going on. "Why am I qualified to speak for you?" Why am I the one sent to send your message and your love to foreign nations? Don't argue with fire, don't look backwards. "Tomorrow is holding our dreams" We just have to trust in him. "If my words should falter, will you speak instead?" The answer is he will. He gives us strength to walk whatever journey he has set before us......we just got to get up and start walking.
So get up and start walking and see where God leads you!
God Bless!
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