Day 21: Halfway Point Brings a Change of Heart

     My heart is literally changing.  I can feel it throughout every aspect of my life right now.  I remember telling a friend the other day, I am not doing this for my own sake anymore bc that wouldn't be enough to keep me here, I am doing this bc this is where God has called me and that has to be enough.  Well let me tell you, He is more than just enough, He is like a bottle of water that never runs dry and is always full, ready to quench your thirst.  God.  Just God.  All by himself, without my family, without my friends, without my boyfriend, without much comfort, he is more than enough.

     I would rather be playing on the dusty streets of La Otra Banda than anything these days.  Right there, in front of the little colmado, where the wind blows fast and the sun shines hot.  Where a radio is more important than a kitchen table and laughter is always being shared.  I think about how much it has blessed me when I came intending to bless it.  Why is it that I would rather be in a place that doesn't offer AC, wifi, or physical comfort than a place that does offer those things?  I will tell you why.  La Otra Banda offers me something that AC and one more text home doesn't.  Life.  Almost like I'm catching a glimpse of heaven.  Where God is, you will find so much happiness alongside it.  Christians have so much joy because they know they don't need to worry about the life that someday comes to an end because they have a beautiful eternal life waiting for them with God.

     Trust me when I tell you this happiness is different than any comfort we may provide ourselves with.  Trust me when I say you need to get in on this.  And most importantly trust me when I say my life is different because Jesus has set me free from the things of this world that I cling on to so tightly.  I have to make a choice everyday to let those things go for the sake of bringing salvation to others.  I am working for a God who saves, whether that be on the streets of Santiago or in your own home. It is hard, but look at the beauty that is coming from it.

Day 18: Mission Team Brings Encouragement

     Just thought I would share a few pictures from the camp today.  So glad I got to catch even a glimpse of the cool things these kids got to do this week.  They are learning so much and have such wonderful people pouring into them.

     There was a missionary team here from Illinois and it was a new feeling not being the one upfront doing all the coordinating and talking, but I enjoyed it because I got to see the real impact that missionaries can make on communities.  The people of this community are doing good things here, but sometimes they need others to step in and bring encouragement to them and fresh ideas.  It makes such an impact and most of all strengthens relationships between those that already live here.  This time I will get to see what happens when a team leaves and I can already tell the Dominicans are very encouraged by them and I am too!

     Also, I want to send out prayer cards to whoever wants to be a part of this.  My idea is that I will send you a picture of one of my sweet friends here and then some information about them so that you can pray for them.  No money needed, just prayer.  There are a lot of cool kids and young adults here and I want a way for people back home to be a part of my mission here.  If you would like to partake just send me an email with your address at emilymotley95@gmail.com.

Don Pedro kids

Can't leave out my little pavo!

The Lord's Supper

Passing the bread and wine

Day 16: The Biggest Need

Emily, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Greetings!

     The past week I have spent meeting all the people from the different communities I will have the chance to work with.  I have met many adults and children varying in their relationship with God.  I came here knowing my love for children and seeking out opportunities to do that.  As I spoke more with the communities, I realized that that was not the need right now, the biggest need the people have here in Santiago is a lack of role models for young men and women.  

     As citizens of this earth we are obsessed with relationships.  Most of us love to love.  And if that is your parents, your friends, or your significant other, we love to be loved by other people as well.  As in much of America, the people of Santiago don't know how to go about this thing called relationships.  How do I go about it?  How do I learn to sacrifice?  How do I show them I love them? How do I know if they love me?  These are all universal questions that we all face.  For young women, if we are not molded by good role models, these questions can do much damage to our character.

     In every single community I visited, there was a need for a girls bible study.  There is a need for young girls to know that they are loved by someone who will fulfill their longing heart fully.  There is a need for them to know that they can stop searching for a man that will tell them that they matter bc there is already a man who has been saying that since creation.  God will fulfill our longing hearts together.  

     I ask that those of you back home will be praying for the young girls that I get to meet with and share with.  This is a stretch for me but also something that is of high importance in God's eyes.  I am already falling in love with these young women and can see how God is moving here.  God is real and God has not left us, believe that.

Until next time from the beautiful beaches of Isla Saona,

Emily

La Otra Banda Community

Day 10: Consider Him Who Endured Much

Puerto Plata, Republica Domincana

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run win perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on JESUS, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider HIM who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Hebrews 12:1-3

     Last week, my first week here, was hard and I felt like each day was just a scratch off on the calendar telling me I was one day closer to home.  I didn't like that I was doing that but I couldn't find any sense of comfort.  There are a lot of things in the Dominican Republic that are similar to the United States, but a lot of things that are very different.. The food for one is very different, the language, the way men treat women when walking places, and the lack of air conditioner!  I realized that my prayers sounded more like "God give me strength to get through this" rather than "God give me strength to pour into this."  

     I came across this verse yesterday and was amazed at the words it spoke.  Jesus endured everything that we previously, presently, and in the future will endure.  He knows our pain that we feel because he endured it all himself, and ultimately paid the price for our sins.  I think of how he never gave up on his purpose even when so many people turned their backs on him, all for my sin, not even for his own gain.  That is someone I look up to; that is someone I am okay with being in love with.

     As I go through the rest of this week, I will remember this verse. And as I meet with young girls tonight who come from a place where having a man is seen as the only successful life, what a great thing for them to know that our father in heaven endured so much for us so that we can live our lives in freedom from the things of this world and not grow weary or lose heart. 

At the ISA office

Day 4

"As for God his way is perfect;

The Lord's word is flawless;

He shields all who take refuge in Him.

For who is God besides The Lord?

And who is the rock besides our God?

It is God who arms me with strength

And keeps my ways secure."

Psalm 18:30-32

     I truly believe that there is no way to live apart from God.  He is in everything and extends his hands to everything.  The things of this world are too interconnected and too many things came from a one in a million chance to not believe that.  Some might look at me and say, oh all this talk about God giving her strength is just a religious way of saying she is growing up and is learning how to make it on her own.  I will tell you why they are wrong.  

     There is a human characteristic in all of us that wants to satisfy ourselves and to stay comfortable.  We enjoy living our life in the places we want, with the people we want, and in the manner we want.  That is all okay, unless there is an outside force that you were specifically designed to work for, not 9-5 work, but life giving, eternal work.  I explained earlier in a condensed way that I believe in this outside force; therefore I cannot live in a way that only satisfies myself but in a way that honors my maker (the same way we long to honor our parents).  

     What I want readers to understand is that this trip is against my will and against my human characteristics of wanting to be comfortable.  No that is not something I enjoy saying but I want people to see that this is how far I would go for something that is true; you need to see the truth in this.  God is real, and yes God is the one giving me the strength to do this so that I can do good work here.  He is a good God who, yes, might make one person feel uncomfortable in order to make dozens more experience the freedom and goodness of living in Him.  I guess that is why I risk my comfort, that's why I cut all securities.  I want everyone to know this Truth, because it is true, the truth will set you free...

Day 2: Old Feelings

     Today was my second day in La Republica Dominicana.  Lets just say my body has a lot of adjusting to do.  There probably wasn't one minute in the day where I wasn't sweating or fighting off the millions of Mosquitos!  There is something about this island though that draws me in.
     To be honest, I am pushing through those old feelings again.  The feelings of wanting the ones I love and not being able to have them.  I am holding it together though, I am trusting in God's plans.  I just have to believe that He wants me right here where I am.
     So God, please continue to provide me with strength to do this.  I am so scared of failing you again.  Help me to remember the love and courage you poured into me these previous weeks so that I might fulfill this call. I need you God and cannot do this on my own.  This is not about what comforts me, this is about obeying you and that is what I am going to do.  Amen.

Day 1: New faces, New Places

I arrived and I am safe.  Besides that my tired body will be resigning for the night.

Mi nueva familia.

La ciudad Santiago.