Jezi se la vim

"God reminded me how beautiful we all are to Him, after all, we were created in His own image, and He looks at me, at you, in all our sweat and dirt and brokenness, and says, "I choose you. You are beautiful.” Katie Davis, kisses from Katie 

Hola from Jimani!

Over the last three days I've done a lot of thinking about how defiant we can be towards such an awesomely wonderful God. We are all such broken people no matter how much we want to deny it.  On the plane ride down to Miami Tuesday morning before reaching the DR, it hit me how loving God really is. I feel like I'm constantly running from Him at times and it's so awesome how He is constantly pursuing us no matter how far or how much we run. He's always one step ahead (or multiple :))I feel like every time before I leave for a mission trip I start to run in the other direction of God totally against my own full desire. Coming to a place like Jimani just reminds me of how loving and gracious He is. I've been so blessed by so much, but the biggest blessing I have found is to be able to walk alongside these people here. My heart is so full being here and I wish everyone could experience the pure joy that can be found amongst such a broken country. 

It's only day two here and God is helping me pick the languages back up so quickly. I want so badly to be able to communicate with these children, and I know it will only take lots of time, patience, and prayer. 

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the flood in Jimani that happened a few years which has affected the lives of many in this community especially one of the boys at the home who lost his mother along with a few other family members. Prayer for peace and comfort with such an emotional memory would be greatly appreciated. 

Another prayer request is that I just want this kids to see so much more of God's love in us. Mostly all of the children here come from some abusive background and don't really fully know what love is so I pray that they will soon fully understand how deep their true Father's love for them is. 

Pictures and more to come soon hopefully :)

Adios for now!

18 days and counting..

So, since I am a terrible journaler, I thought blogging might be a better idea! We will see how this goes..

At this moment I should be studying for my two huge tests and then my three finals coming up in the next two weeks, but I cannot stop thinking about those beautiful, coffee colored, bright eyed kids whose smiles radiate from ear to ear calling my name from 1600 miles away. Those are some loud voices :)

This is Lones. He sneakily stole my heart. 

I pray that these kids see so much more of God than they do of me.

God keeps bringing me back to this beautiful island and His beautiful people here. I've always known I wanted to do some type of mission work, and for years I'd been trying to go. Several trips fell through to Africa and Canada. Haiti and the Dominican were definitely not on my radar one bit. I always felt that was where everybody went and I never saw myself venturing to this island, let alone being brought back 3 times within 5 months. God's plans are way bigger than my own, and I'm humbled by the fact that God has allowed me to go every other month since January. We are His hands and feet and He wants nothing more than for us to love Him and glorify His name by sharing His love and the perfect gift of life that has been freely given to us. We are not our own.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations

 baptizing them in the name of the Father 

and of the Son 

and of the Holy Spirit, 

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you;

 and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

We have such a precious, vital gift that as believers we're called to share. I love how David Platt says that the ultimate picture of hate is not telling others about what Christ has done and keeping it to ourselves. This didn't hit me until just a few months ago. It's a daily struggle dying to myself and living for Him, but I want nothing more than to serve Him with everything I do. Ever since my first trip in January, I have felt like I was Isaiah saying "Here am I, send me!" (Isaiah 6:8) except it's been much more of a begging response coming from me. 

I am still in shock that in a little over 2 weeks I will be back with these beautiful people for a whole 2 months. It's going to be very trying at times, and I'm sure I'm going to miss my family and friends at times, but nothing can make me more joyful or happy than basking and walking in the Lord's will for my life. Lots of prayers are going to be needed for safety and the preparation of my heart and the people's heart there. God is so beautiful and good, who wouldn't want to call Him Father :)

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news.

Who proclaims peace,

Who brings glad tidings of good things,

Who proclaims salvation,

Who says to Zion,

"Your God reigns!""

Isaiah 52:7

Back to studying I go.. Have a beautiful day knowing God is in control :)