I'm back from the Dominican Republic!

I made it back last Friday night safe and sound, though I can't say as much for my luggage...that would be too easy. My stuff ended up in Chicago and didn't make it here until Sunday afternoon. I'm glad it happened coming home rather than on the way to the Dominican Republic!

My trip to the D.R. taught me many things. There was times of joy, fun, hard work, fellowship, and yes, even sorrow. Some of the things I saw nearly brought me to tears and I actually shed some every time I thought about leaving. The plane ride home gave me time to grieve.

This trip was an answer to prayers I've been praying since about the age of six. Shortly after Jesus Christ saved me as a child, I had a burning desire to serve Him on the foreign mission field. Where, when, and how, I still have a difficult time answering but I know that this trip was a blessing from God and that every minute I was there I soaked up what I could.

The day I left, I met up with two nurses from AL. Part of the time I was in the D.R. we were all roommates! It was a joy getting to know Cheri and Michelle, learning from them and seeing their smiles each day...God is good.

The first several days I was there, I spent time helping out in the area of medicine. Talk about being stretched :) I don't know a thing but somehow I was used. I helped in the pharmacy part of our operation as we "set up shop" in two different villages. People that come are presented the gospel before SCORE missionaries treat their ailments. After problems are assessed, they make their way to the pharmacy and I helped pull their prescriptions. The team I worked with (from VA) was simply amazing. A great balance of diligence coupled with fun.

The next couple days were spent in the clinic that SCORE International is trying to open right next store to their main base. In order to pass inspection, it needed lots of cleaning up and organizing. We three girls did what we could and we are excited to see what the Lord will do with this new clinic!

Cheri and Michelle headed home after being there for six days and it was time for me to make some new friends. The interns (Jen, Malari and Sarah) graciously opened their arms to me and invited me to move in with them. I shared many great memories with the interns that week. In all, there are four (Matt, the only guy). I also became friends with a group from the Chicago area who were on their senior trip. They let me tag along with whatever they were doing...it was great to have a "family away from home". We bought food and distributed it to a village and visited orphanages and schools. I was given the opportunity to teach a little piano at one of the small orphanages. Mind you, I don't know any Spanish! But by the grace of God, I was able to communicate with my hands what the children had to do. Many of the kids walked away knowing the C Major scale :)

A couple of the most impacting experiences of my trip are as follows:

I was able to attend the very first service of a Church plant in one of the sugar cane villages. What an amazing thing to behold pastors with a passion for God and for the message of salvation. This particular village had no biblical foundation, many had never heard the gospel. The seed was planted and it was precious to behold. Please pray for the work in the Gauzabal Village.

I was also greatly strengthened spiritually by the Bible study time with Dr. Bob. God has given him much wisdom and more than once I was convicted to serve God with more passion. I was blessed to learn from a man who is whole-heartedly dedicated to God and His work.

Another impacting experience was the time spent at a special-needs orphanage. I was struck with how selfish I have become. How much I depend on my "normalcy" in life. How precious to see those little ones who daily depend on others for their existence. We tried to bring a little joy to their lives by physical touch, talking to them and giving them many smiles. I've never had such a hopeless feeling...I was only there briefly and then gone. They stay day in and day out...no change. After a few moments, the barrier that was in my mind between them and me came crashing down. I felt free to love and hold, to touch. I will never forget their responses. One little guy just wanted to be tickled :) They really aren't so different, for they have souls too!

There is so much to write but I will end with naming some of the missionaries I had the privilege of working with. Please pray for them when God brings them to mind.
Dr. Bob and Anna Nilsen, Tim and Ginny Craiger , Nathan and Erica Jude (baby Mali too), Denny, Giovanny and Carolina Valdez (children ~ Giancarlo and Gianssen) and Tim and Evelyn Wolfe. The list of SCORE missionaries is longer but these are the ones I met and worked with during my trip...each of you have impacted my life...the memories made will not soon be forgotten. Oh, I failed to mention the bus drivers! They were great :) We didn't speak the same language but I tried to sit in the front seat as much as possible to get a good view of the crazy streets. It's quite an experience driving down there...pretty close to a "roller coaster ride" :) And boy, were our bus drivers good!

The BIGGEST "THANK YOU" from the bottom of my heart goes to all the folks who supported me through prayer and finances for this trip. I couldn't have been a part of this incredible ministry had it not been for you! Thank you for making it possible.

That's it for now, enjoy the oodles of pictures and leave a comment... especially if you're reading this from the SCORE base in the D.R.

For more information regarding SCORE and their various ministries around the world visit: scoreinternational.org