"You are Only Dominican Once!"

First....sorry for not blogging this weekend. I got super busy and then sick and just didn't get to it but here we go......Day 5

Today was interesting for me on a medical level. You see we had run out of some medications (flu meds, anti-parasite, benadryl, etc.) So this morning as the others went off with the boys from the orphanage for a morning of fun, me and a couple others went off in search of a pharmacy. Once we got there I was surprised to see a still box of a building, and in front a line of people. You see pharmacies, or at the least the government ran ones, people had to wait in line to go to a window where they gave their prescription to the worker and then their money. Then the medication and change was passed back.....or if no change could be made the pharmacist would ask if there was anything else they wanted.

But that wasn't the most shocking. We went in looking for a lot, so the women working allowed us to come in to the little building and look to see if they had what we wanted. After about 20 minutes we got part of what we need.....
20 antifungal creams
10 bottles of flu medication
30 doses of anti-parasitic
20 sulfa drugs
Now are you ready for it.....all of that came to 840 pesos, 21 american dollars. For all of that!!! The other surprising thing that happened was the women wouldn't take bills bigger then 200 pasos. Because of the fact that the pharmacy was run by the government, and it was there for the poor, they would question why she had such large bills in her till.

Now, we didn't get everything we needed, so I also got to see the difference between a government owned and a privately owned pharmacy. The privately owned one was about the size of a small convenient store and the prizes were different as well. At that pharmacy we got about the same amount of meds for 6547 pesos or 167 american dollars.

(Government owned)

(Privately Owned)

After the pharmacy we went back to the orphanage where the ladies were cooking lunch while some from the other group worked on sanding furniture. And after using my nursing skills and then being kicked out of the kitchen after I cut myself, I decided to sand a little bit. It was fun being able to work with the others for a little while and it was really fun to be able to do something for the boys at the orphanage.

Once lunch was ready we all piled into the van and drove towards to park where everyone else was. The rest of the afternoon was full of playing baseball, swimming (yes in January), taking pictures, and laughter. It is amazing how much energy little boys could have....but I think at the end of the day we were all worn out while all the boys could have kept going.

Once we left we headed back to Bayahibe, well with a quick stop at the grocery store for a few of us (you have no idea how addicting that coffee is). That night I sat on the beach watching the sunset and enjoying my time with my new friends from Plano. And it got me thinking.

God really does put people in your life for a reason. If that be for a week, or a couple days, there is a reason for it all. There are so many people that I am honored to have spent a week with. There are a couple little boys that will never know how much they touched my heart and how they have changed my views and goals in life. There is a 90 year old women who just shines with Christ's love, and she taught me that I can be that way as well.

God has the ultimate plan. If you had asked me 4 years ago if going to TAMUCC would get me to the Dominican Republic, I would have laughed at you. Yes I had a heart for mission work but never did I think nursing school could be the gate to international mission work for me. And I am beyond grateful it has though. School, especially college, is about more then learning a trade or general knowledge. It is about learning about yourself and who you are as an individual, and it has taken me four years to realize that but I guess in a sense I am having my own epiphany. I am more then who I was four years ago. I have grown in faith and love of Christ. I have seen heartache and pain. I have seen my family grow so strong after being so hurt. I have learned that with God ALL things are possible. I have learned that I am a nurse, a daughter, a friend, a sister, a follower of Christ, and a child of God. I will go to the ends of the world to serve Christ. And most of all, I have learned......I am just starting.

This is only one sunset in a million in my life, but this sunset with those that surround me will be one I will always remember. This feeling is one I want to hold on too.

Well tomorrow is the last day of the mission trip. It is our last clinic and the last day at the orphanage, it is sad in a way because that means for now I have to leave this place.....but I am beginning to get the feeling that this will not be the last time.

God Bless!

Traveling....and a day at the orphanage.....Day 4

Today was so much fun. While we didn't do a lot in terms of helping others, we did get to completely take in the Dominican Culture and see some sites that I will treasure forever.

Today we left Santo Domingo to head towards Bayahibe and La Romana. Here is a map....Let's see if I can help.



Santo Domingo is in purple and La Romana is in the yellow.....Bayahibe is 20 minutes to the east of La Romana. And from Santo Domingo to La Romana is about 2 hours of travel time if I remember right. La Romana is home to the orphanage that we were to see during this trip.

But the trip to La Romana was full of some fun and relaxation for us. We traveled to downtown Santo Domingo to go to the Market Place for some shopping. Which can I say was quite an experience. From the outside the market doesn't look so bad but when you walk in you are ambushed by everyone wanting to sell you something, and when you have very limited Spanish it gets a little confusing. Of course, like most girls I was having fun shopping and I was super excited to get stuff for my mom and dad. In fact I was able to learn while shopping. For mom I got a pair of earrings with a blue stone in it called Larimar, a stone that is only found in the Dominican Republic and is actually quite beautiful.

(The outside of the market)

(In the market)

But anyway on to the cooler stuff. In Santo Domingo stands a church that is the first church build in the new world. Wow, how awesome is that!? I was able to see the first church ever in this world. The feeling looking at this church was simply breathtaking. I will post pictures in a minute; but, pictures will never do this church justice. It was amazing that this place that was finished in 1511 still stood so majestically. Don't believe me....Look

Upon leaving the church we stopped to have lunch by the sea and enjoy some time out of the van....that was very cramped. But after lunch we continued on our way to La Romana and to the orphanage. I would say the van ride was full of fun and joking but in all honesty is was full of snoring and naps. I think we are all exhausted and will take any chance we get to sleep at this point. 

But the exhaustion all changed once we reached the orphanage.....we all become energetic and excited. I think it had something to do with the fact that when we pulled up there was kids waving at us and smiling and just full of their own excitement. 

This kids were full of joy and excitement upon our arrival. We quickly introduced everyone and then ventured outside to play some volleyball in the streets......or try to anyway, it didn't really work out as we were dodging cars and trying not to lose the ball. 

(just a video of the volleyball playing, I hope it is okay I have never tried putting a video from my phone on here) 

What amazed me most about these boys is how quickly they came to love everyone that was with us. I even had a couple kids that attached to me and stayed with me for most of the afternoon. They were filled with joy and loved taking pictures with the various cameras that were around. They also loved looking at the pictures and pointing out who was in the pictures. They wanted to show us toys and games and anything else they could. They loved jumping and running around just like most boys do. Looking at these boys just filled my heart with joy and love, and it is only day 1 with them. 

                                         

Acts 20:35 

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give then to receive." 

Well I thought I was there to give to these boys and the community but I am learning more and more that they are giving to me more then I could ever give to them. They were showing me joy that I have never seen before. They were showing excitement that I could only hope to possess one day.  

We were even excited when a visitor came by. A baseball player from the Detroit Tigers lived a couple houses down came to visit and take pictures with the boys. I honestly don't know who was more excited us or them. It was so cool seeing the interaction this man had with these boys and how we was so excited to meet with them and us. He even started asking us about why we were there and we were beyond excited to tell him.

(The tallest one is the baseball player) 

Today we also put in the bunk beds that they had built in Santo Domingo. That was exciting to watch because we went from just building them to seeing who will be sleeping in them and how excited they were to get new beds. And I can safely say it was a huge improvement for them as well. 

(Putting in the new beds)

(carrying in the new beds)

(Taking apart the old ones)

So today was full of travel and meeting the boys. Tomorrow I am sure will be a lot busier and more interesting.....but hey we all need one day to relax, even God did. And after a trip to Bayahibe in a van full of exhausted people singing N*Sync, Backstreet Boys, Disney, and any other songs we could think of all the way back because we were tired and hungry......well we all figured we were going to sleep soundly tonight. 

Oh and on a side note. Dinner tonight was amazing!!! Whole fish with tostadas and a coke. Man I could eat Dominican food all the time if given the chance. 

Til Tomorrow! 

God Bless 

Day 3- The Value of an Apple

Day three in the Dominican and day 2 of the clinic.

Today is slightly different though, today we are still in Santo Domingo but we are going to be heading outside of the church and head towards the country and help people out there. What I have learned about this area is that it isn't just Dominicans out here, there are also many Haitians here as well. Driving to the chapel where the clinic was being held, we drove by a corner where a little girl was sitting, and upon seeing us she started yelling something. Rebeca our translator then told us she was excited and saying, "look the Americans are here." This girl was excited because we were there to help, not only her but everyone that lived around her in this little community outside of the city of Santo Domingo.

(Out in the Dominican country) 

(The Chapel where the clinic was held) 

The clinic was nothing like the one yesterday. It was much more moving to me not only seeing the patients but also looking around at all the mothers and children that were waiting just hoping that we would see them and help them get the medication they so desperately need. Today on numerous occasions a mother would hand us a piece of paper with a prescription on it saying that she saw the doctor but can't afford to get the medication at a farmacia (pharmacy). They were giving us these papers hoping we had something that was equivalent to what the doctor ordered. Now how many of us do that. Think about it, we get a prescription here and it is nothing to go to HEB and wait a couple hours and then pick it up. But for these people that is not an option.

The faces I was able to see at the clinic were also something to cherish forever. These faces were the face of Christ, and love, and ultimately Hope! These people live simply, but they have faith that could move Everest. They have hope that I have never seen before.....don't believe me? Look at these images.

This hope spreads across the generations And all of them, showed so much gratitude to us that it warmed my heart. Every mother saying gracias, well let's just say the love behind that word was noticeable. The pastor of the chapel we were at, his wife gave back to us by running out and making coffee and getting Coke for all us that were there. Others just kept hugging us, because not only were we giving their children and family desperately needed medications, but we were also giving the children love and affection. And while I am not a mother, I do know loving anothers child is loving them as well. The clinic itself was also amazing. We saw so many people that day, Dominican and Haitian alike.

Later in the day, we were asked to split up into groups and deliver food and other much need items to families around the community where we were staying, kind of as a Merry Christmas gift since they celebrate til Kings Day. It was so much fun walking through the streets of the community laughing and singing and delivering gifts to those that needed it. In both homes that I delivered to, we were asked to stay and talk for awhile. And the hospitality they showed was amazing. They would clear any place to sit they could, and they would ensure everyone was seated before they sat down. It was so much fun to sit and talk to these families, and listen to their stories about faith and the love of Christ. We even sang Feliz Navidad which was fun for all involved. By walking the streets we also learned so much from our translators. For example, the guy that was with us would point to a random object and teach us what it was in spanish. However all I remember is that duck is pato.....so I am not a great student. He also made me laugh because when we were talking about where everyone was from I said I was from Austin. His response was "The music capital, you must love music." It is amazing to me what some people know about Texas and the United States. 

Later that night, we split up in to groups again and went to the homes of some of the people in the community for dinner. I was blessed to go to the home of Carlos, who was the pastor of the chapel that we had the clinic in. His wife Laura and children Annabel, Emanuel, and Aniesel (okay might not be spelled right but with phonics that is how I figured their names would be or the closest English translation I could come up with) were all there. It was a night full of community and fellowship. Carlos and Laura gave their testimonies, followed by testimonies from  me, the two others I was with, and our translator. But I learned two things that I will cherish forever. 

That night I learned the value of an apple. You see in the dominican apples are a rare treat. They are the best of the best in terms of fruit. So when there was apples with dinner that night, that was a big treat to us and a way for the family to thank us for what we were doing there. But even more then that, the mother gave our translator a whole uncut apple. Upon asking out translator why that was so important, she explained that eating apple was rare but getting a whole apple was a great symbol of thanks and gratitude. Let's just say I can't look at an apple in the same way now. 

(Carlos and his family)

(The giving of an apple)

(The Chapel at night) 

The other thing I was amazed with was that Carlos asked us at the end of the night if we had anything we needed prayers for. So we all went around and stated what we needed prayers for. He then got up and got a journal and wrote down our names and prayers and told us that every guest he has had in that house was in that journal along with their prayers and he and his family pray for all of those people. I was honored and touched by this action. But after the ride back to the church and where we were staying, I got out of the car and Carlos walked up to me hugged me and then looked at me and said I will pray and bless you morning and night. A man that I had only met a few hours before has now become a great symbol of what it means to be a Christian to me now. 

Tonight is our last night in Santo Domingo, tomorrow we head to Bayahibe and La Romana. I am excited and sad to leave this place. I am excited in that I can see other areas on the Dominican, I am excited to go to the orphanage. I am sad to leave these people. I am sad to leave this church. And I am sad to leave these kids.

But God has a plan so I will trust him.

I am leaving this night with another song from the Music Inspired by the Story album....today though is brought to you by David.

"When the world looks at me, let them agree That my heart looks like your heart." 

I know me and the others on this trip could agree. We didn't come here to get glory and praise from others, we came here to love and serve the Lord through helping and loving others that need it. We want the hearts that the Lord has and this mission is all for Him that loves us. 

David didn't defeat Goliath for the praise and adoration from the people, he didn't become King to say he was King. He did everything for the Name of the Lord and to show God's love through his actions. I know my actions are rewarded when I hear people say that the Light of Christ shines through me. I want to show the love of Christ and it shouldn't matter about everything else, in fact it everything else doesn't matter. I want to me made in the image of Christ; mind, body, soul, and heart. I want to be the complete image of what He is all about. 

This trip is teaching me so much about who I am and who I am in Christ and I am beyond grateful to God for that. 

Until Tomorrow

God Bless!! 

New Years Eve....Day Two in the DR

Nothing like having the opportunity to spend the last day of 2012 in another country.

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.

The clinic truly helped me see that, yes, The US has an complicated health system but at least we have to means to get simple vitamins, or flu medication when we need it. We don't have to wait for a group of people to come and help us. In fact, I know for me HEB is my go to place, and I have always taken that for granted. Now not so much.

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! 

The Republica Dominicana

So many people are asking about my trip and I have decided to break down the week into a series of blogs.

So let's rock this! Everything written here is what I wrote in the Dominican Republic.

Day 1

I was finally able to get into the Dominican Republic around midnight last night, after travelling since 5 that morning I was so ready to crawl into a bed and just sleep. Well that was not even close to happening last night. The church we are staying at in Santo Domingo is fairly close to what I would risk to call the Dominicans equal to 6th street......so there was no sleep for me last night. This morning we were able to go to church with the people in the area, thank goodness for translators because I would be lost. But something amazing has happened, I know I already started on this journey but I have learned two things already. One, I am totally called to be a peds nurse, a mother, and a mentor to children. I have barely met these children and they have already won my heart more then anyone could imagine. For instance one of the men from the area has a one year old that I love to watch and chase after, and his 3 and 5 year old are the same. Two, I have a special place in my heart for mission work. I enjoy the time with God, and I crave it. I love serving Christ and helping others. To all my Cursillo friends reading this....I crave my call to action that God has set before me. In fact as I sit here writing this I am already thinking about how to keep this drive going. I love helping others. For example...

I currently smell like childrens multivitamins, but I love it. Why? Because that means I just spent hours counting vitamins for men, women, and children that they only get because of this ministry and the aid that we are giving. You know they say that God gives you opportunities to help you find your calling....well it has only been 24 hours but he is currently yelling at me.

After church this morning, we were out playing with the kids in the little church play area. We were playing basketball when something happened. One of the younger kids wanted to make a slam dunk in the hoop....well is was maybe 3 feet tall. So one of the guys from the Plano Mission Group, picked the boy up and help him high so he could make the "dunk." And it got me thinking, are we not the little boy and is God not the tall guy that comes and picks us up? Think about it. We have dreams and hopes, we want to make the slam dunk that we see others do. This dreams are then lifted up by God and his glory so that it is much easier and actually possible for us to make the point and the goal that we set before ourselves in life. God makes all things possible in life, we as his children just have to be patient.

Later in the day was even better. I wasn't able to go off of the site and work with the kids today (but I did learn that while they were prepared for 75 children to go to the Christmas program....about 200 showed up, they had to keep some outside). I had the amazing opportunity to sit down with the family that runs South Texas Childrens Home Ministries (STCHM) here as well as another missionary. I was able to listen to their stories and I really got to see the amazing works that God performs in people's lives. Tomorrow is the first day of actual clinical work and I am so excited to start. Tomorrow is the start to why I am here, but hopefully I receive more then I am expecting.

God Bless!

Just a side note from me now....If I knew that day what I know now I would barely believe. This trip, these people, this opportunity has completely changed who I am and what I believe. As you will see in later blogs there will be a huge learning while on this trip.