“Savor every drop. Every drop of shampoo. Every drop of toothpaste.
Every drop of soup. Every drop of water. There are no extra’s here. There are
no, please sir may I have some more. Be thankful always. Thankful for the sun.
Even more thankful for the shade. Thankful for the starry nights. Thankful for
being able to dance and sing. Thankful for the moments when you feel like you
are alone. Thankful for the moments when you’re not alone. Thankful for the
moments when you can communicate with a child. Thankful for the moments when
you can make them smile. Thankful for the days that are breezy. Thankful for
being able to praise God… freely.”
~A Journal Entry from July 18th~
Blessings,
Every week is a little different here. I can hardly
believe that we have been here five weeks already! It feels as if it was just
yesterday that I was writing you the last update letter. I am in disbelief how
quickly time is flying. The Maryland team will finally be joining us in only seven
days!
This past week, for our girls Bible Study we did a
discussion on Mark 12:28-34 à how to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul
and how to love your neighbor as yourself. We were also able to have an amazing
discussion on similarities and differences between our churches in America and
MIVA. After the girls Bible Study, the
girls showed me their classroom – it was very small and the wooden desks were
all broken up. It was so interesting to be in one of the rooms, especially
after student teaching within a school that has many resources available. I
kept imagining myself teaching within a classroom like this one and thinking
“how would I do this?” What if I was not able to make as many copies as I
needed or had fewer books than I had students? And yet, MIVA continually
receives top testing scores from schools within Pimentel. What an incredible
experience that would be… to be able to teach at their school! (I guess I
better start learning more Spanish!)
Wednesday afternoon Cierra and I went with one of
MIVA’s dance groups to a City Prayer Meeting about an hour away. What an
amazing time of worship, dance, and prayer! I felt like I was at a Youth for
Christ Conference, with hundreds of people from all over the Dominican filling
the arena. I was brought to tears when they began playing “God of this City” in
Spanish. My desire to have God be known in my local home of Baltimore City and
my desire to have God be known in my international home of the city of Pimentel
are one in the same. Where God has allowed me to feel what the people feel and
want to make a change to further His Kingdom.
His Kingdom Come His Will Be Done in Baltimore and Pimentel as it is
in Heaven. I have attached a few pictures of me with the dance
group from the conference. (For more pictures and some videos, check out my
blog at
www.theresainthedr.blogspot.com)
Saturday night, a Christian Dance group (from America)
of 45 people came to MIVA performing dramas and dancing jazz, ballet, and
hip-hop. Afterwards they did an alter call and several people came to Christ!
We spent about another hour in prayer and worship! The testimony of how the
Dance Group even ended up at MIVA is pretty remarkable. (Just another story I
can tell when I return home).
Every day this week, the three of us have concentrated
on finalizing the pre-field Bible Studies that we will be sending to the
National Youth for Christ office. We are working on topics that are very
specific to the Dominican Republic mission’s trip. We have also been able to
get pictures of several students that will be on the Child Sponsorship Website.
Today, our focus is finishing gathering information that is needed for the
website.
I wish I was able to write about all of the many
things that filled this past week in full detail (such as dance practices, yard
sales to make money for the anniversary, The March, cows on the basketball
court, ant/ frog invasions, and making gigantic Oreo milkshakes in a blender as
big as an eight year old child) The rest of our time here is packed to the brim
with work and activities. We thank and praise God for the ability to work and
play!
Thanks again to those of you who have sent in another
financial gift. Currently I have $3,511.49 raised of $5,350.00 (Meaning I still
need to raise $1,838.39 – completely possible!) Please prayerfully consider sending in another
financial gift to help make this goal a possibility. I also want to thank you
for keeping me in your prayers (they are definitely being heard).
Prayer Requests:
1. Direction
and discernment in terms of a job, housing, and finances in preparation to
returning home.
2. Health:
I have had multiple nose bleeds accompanied by a sore throat especially within
this past week.
3. Maryland
team / missionaries coming within the next week! (safety in traveling)
4. Continued
focus within the next week to complete our work! J
Praises:
1. The
transformation I have seen in the three of us (Lindsey, Cierra, and me)
2. Continued
financial support for me.
3. That
the American Dance Group was able to come and those who were brought to Christ
4. Money
that was raised for the anniversary.
5. Safety!
J
We have not had any issues or problems since our stay here.
Te Amo,
Theresa
(If you are able to give
financially please send a check with my name in the memo line to: Youth for
Christ 8900
Belair Rd Baltimore MD 21236)
“Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how
pleasant and fitting to praise him! The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers
the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He
determines the number of stars and calls them by name. Great is our Lord and
mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” ~Psalm 147:1-5~
Pastors praying at the City Prayer Meeting
Cierra and I with the dance group from MIVA after the City Prayer Meeting.
Me, Cierra, Diana, and Nicole after the City Prayer Meeting.
My boyfriend Louy Vaun eating some ice cream!
Sun setting <3
One of the most exciting encouragement letters from my friend Jenni.
I thought the envelope was empty, but the Power of the Resurrection was inside.
Thanks Jenni, you are amazing!! <3
