La Republica Dominicana, Te Quiero

Too much love in one picture!  Griseli and I.

     Friday, July 11th, was my last day in the beautiful country of the Dominican Republic.  I don't think words do justice to how hard saying goodbye actually was, but I'm going to try.

     I arrived in La Otra Banda to spend a few hours there playing with the kids and to say goodbye in the afternoon.  I spent time walking with the ones I had become particularly close with.  We sat on the mountain overlooking the city just making small talk while watching Griseli and her siblings climb trees and eat Chinola right off the branch.  It was so ordinary and resembled my everyday life during my time there.  No phones, no watches, and nothing to do but spend time talking.

     I went to Griseli's house to say bye to her mom, and what happened in the next few minutes was not what I was expecting.  Her mother Ingrid, 24 years old trying to provide for 6 children, made hard by the world and it's difficulties, began to weep.  She told me how much she appreciated my care for her and her family.  She said that she loved me and that I meant a lot to her.  I, holding onto every bit of strength I could summon, unclasped the "Te Amo" (I Love You) necklace from around my neck and placed it around hers.  I told her that I love her so so much and her family as well.  But more than I love her, Jesus loves her and that it is so important that she knows that.  We hugged and cried together knowing that we had found each other for a reason.  I let go of her and before I could recover my strength Griseli threw her arms around me, burying her face in my shirt, and began to sob.  This is an image that I will never forget.  I can still look down and picture her there with her arms wrapped tightly around me, my hands lightly brushing her hair from her face, and trying tell her it's okay through my shaking sobs.  What an image of how much God worked in all of us.  The beauty of his presence was there in the midst of our tears and I realized all he had given me.

     Isn't it interesting that the place that was such a struggle to leave home for, is a place that was so incredibly hard to leave.  God will change hearts.   Everyday since returning home Saturday I have  felt incredible homesickness towards the Dominican Republic.  It was such a struggle to make myself write this post to tell of the end of this trip because I didn't want to have to put into words how sad I actually was.  But I have to tell you, because you need to see the beauty of this.  God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.  He has truly changed my life and writing all the ways I am changed would be very hard.  I hope that those of you who have followed me in this journey will see the change in me and even be kind enough to hear my story in person because writing doesn't do it justice.  I pray that you let my story of God's sufficient love change you.  I give all the glory to Him, the writer of my story and the provider of my strength; I am just a mere messenger who was put here so that you would experience Him.  This isn't the end, it's only a small mark in what I will do with these kids, after all, I will be returning to the Dominican Republic as soon as God allows.  Thanks for the support and prayers through this.. What an amazing journey..

Ingrid, her family, and I saying goodbye.

Day 37: Hope for Ingrid

Griseli and I might be getting a little attached to each other!

     Yesterday, I got the chance to speak with Ingrid, Griseli's mom, about Jesus.  I got to tell her that before I accepted Christ in my heart, I was dead.  I wasn't living for anything and I was living this life in the circles it brought me to.  I didn't know who I belonged to and didn't know where I was headed. 

     But Jesus.. who is so mighty to save, who didn't have to leave his comfy chair in heaven, who chose to love me even when I denied his existence.. He came and redeemed me.  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8.

     When I accepted Christ, the only thing I knew about him was that he did good things for people.  I figured if he really was my creator like he said he was, then he probably knew how to run my life better than I did.  The reason this life is so hard for most of us is because we are trying to carry the weight of it all on our shoulders.  Why do you think there are so many self help books out there?  Our world cannot take on everything life brings us on our own.  But that's the thing we don't realize before knowing Christ.  It was never meant to be that way.  When I accepted Christ, He came in beside me and took all the weight and said "Look at what I have done for you on the cross, stop living like I didn't give my life for you, I have redeemed you from the things of this world.  Go now and let others experience my love as you have."

     I don't know why someone would do that for me.  He knows me, he knows my inner thoughts, and all my sinful habits, but he choses to love me.  Why?  I will never understand, but I will forever be grateful.  Life is hard, that is that.  But why not look to the face who has open arms and is waiting for you to embrace him and just say "I really can't do this by myself anymore."

    Ingrid eventually stopped cleaning the pot she was working on and was fully in tune to what we were saying.  She seemed very emotional about what we told her, and I could tell that she is struggling with this.  We hugged her and prayed for her afterwards and left with a hopeful heart.  I know some seeds were planted and that all I can do is pray.  What a wonderful way to start out my last week here.

One of Ingrid's sons, Reimy, who calls me Tia Emely

Day 31: Fun with the Crazies

Charly, Reimy, and Griseli happy as can be!

     I woke up today knowing that I needed to go see them.  Today isn't my usual day to go to La Otra Banda, but I woke up with a heavy heart knowing that I wanted every chance I could get with them.  You know how you will do crazy things for the people you love?  Well that happened...

     I am going to give you a little cultural fun fact real quick: Let me explain to you what a concho is.  It is a form of public transportation in the Dominican Republic where you cram 7 or more random people into a 5 person car.  4 in the back, 3 in the front and yes there is a center consol.  Each concho has a route it drives and you wave one down, squeeze into the car with sweaty random people, and pay your 20 pesos.  If you're wondering why that's not illegal, we are on the same page.  Oh and did I mention there's motoconchos (motorcycle versions) as well?  Mom don't hate me.

     Anyways, each day I usually take around 3 conchos to get to the community I'm working with.  Let's just say I took 9 conchos in all and was determined to see my sweet/insane/giggly children.  When I got there, without a moment to spare the laughing and loving began.  Climbing trees, climbing hills, climbing piles of trash, and having a good ole time.  Luckily I had a few Dominican friends from the community with me, and they were able to cook for the kids who wouldn't have eaten until dinner.  I was able to tell Griseli why I do things like this and why I came here.  I kept it simple and short just saying that whenever I accepted Christ in my heart I was filled with so much joy and love and I want so bad for others to know that as well.

     I realize that God might have put my entire life back home on hold and called me to this trip and made it possible solely for this family.  I am doing good things with the others but this is where my heart pulls me.  They are the only thing I think about all day and I want so bad for them to know that they are loved.  How am I going to leave them?  I don't know yet, but until then I want to plan something special for these kids.  I don't know what that looks like yet, but I ask for prayers on how to go about it and that God will just use me to bring his light into these children.  T-minus 10 days until home, lots of work to do, so little time!

Day 30: Our God Isn't A God of Good Deeds Alone, He Sets Out to Redeem

     Through my past weeks working with La Otra Banda, it has given me such a wonderful opportunity to be one with the culture.  Every Sunday, I join them to eat lunch, play with the kids, and then attend Pastor Ortiz's service.  I want to make clear that my purpose when I go to La Otra Banda is not just to bring goodness to the people.  Unfortunately just spreading goodness and helping others make better decisions with their lives is not going to satisfy the world.  There will always be hurt and there will always be sin among us.  When I visit La Otra Banda, I try to go farther than just bringing goodness.  I try to bring the living water that will satisfy their hearts and help them to understand that this life that is hard for them is just a temporary home.

     This past Thursday while inviting girls to bible study, we came across 6 young children in their house with no one watching them.  They were very hungry and didn't have food to eat.  We were able to provide them with a little food and play with them for the rest of the day to get them out of their house and to love on them.  In this situation, it isn't enough just to buy them food.  It isn't even enough that I'm going to spend time with them and love on them because there will come a time when I have to leave them too.  These children desperately need to know that they were created with love and that there is a God who loves them more than they can even fathom.  He is real and if they look to Him, they will find him I'm sure of it.  It is so hard here for children who come from such darkness to find God in the midst of it.  But that's the crazy thing about how God works.  Just like he sent Jesus to redeem us out of sin so long ago, he is waiting for Gríselí and her siblings to find him so he can redeem them.  He sent me to find them!  He is waiting for them to accept him so that he can take them in under his wings of refuge and comfort and say "I have come for you, don't worry sweet children, you are mine now and I will protect you."  The God who would send 100 to reach 1.  That is who our God is and that kind of redemption doesn't happen by spreading goodness alone.

Charly-6, Celina-4, Reimy-9, Carly-2, Gríselí-10, Cristal-3

     This is only one example of what I get to do here.  It's a blessing to be able to bring love to these kids and teenagers everyday.  This community, this city, it is teaching me to be a more faithful servant of Jesus.  Their hearts are open and ready for Him.  It's difficult for me to always know what to say and how to say things, but if my actions are a reflection of my heart they will see Jesus and all his love has done for me and believe that it is possible for them too.  Gríselí is the first person here that I said "I love you" to.  I was able to tell her that more than I love her, there is a God who has been in love with her since she was born.  It was a sweet moment sitting on the mountain looking over the entire city with her and all the while knowing that we were both exactly in the midst of our Father.

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