PHYSICAL HAPPENINGS

Well it’s been three weeks since we stepped foot in the Dominican Republic.  Two weeks were spent with Darnel and Ronnie (Pastor Juan and Mia’s oldest daughter and son in law) and their two beautiful children Amy (2) and Arturo (2 months).  It was a great transition from our home to theirs.

At the end of week 2, last Monday, the eaglets were kicked out of their comfy nest (by our good God) and we moved to our studio apartment. Please hear every word and know that not one of them is a complaint only the facts. We moved in with a bed, that’s it.  We had no stove and no refrig.  In the DR all your appliances you buy.  We have no car so getting to stores, church and other activities involves getting a taxi.  To buy a stove and refrig we went to a second hand store a ways out of Santiago.  We picked the ones we wanted, hoping that they would work, but we didn’t buy it yet.  We were told it would be picked up that night and delivered to us. No, that didn’t happen… day one, without food (a good time to fast).  Then the next day we were told that someone would pick us up and then go get it.  No, that didn’t happen.  So, Sam took things into his own hands and hired a truck and picked it up and got it home.  The gas container didn’t work.  Day two, no cooked food (PBJ’s worked for us!)

We spent all day Saturday with a sweet sister from the church helping us with our errands and hers.  We left at 10:30 am and got home at 9:30 pm. Every errand you run, you have to go in and visit for at least 30 minutes.  We visited more than we ran errands!  Ha! Finally on Saturday night we had our stove and refrig working.  Food!  It’s the little things we take for granted, huh?

As soon as we moved in we discovered we had no water.  Hmm, what do we need water for?  To drink, that’s okay we bought drinking water at the corner market. What else do we need water for, to bathe, to clean the house, to cook, to wash dishes, to flush the toilet, yes we began to see the preciousness of water, something in America we took for granted, because it’s always there.  Mind you, it’s 85~90 degrees with high humidity, so showers are twice sometimes three times a day. So to live without water is frustrating to say the least.

So the first few days we have a plumber coming in, with ancient tools, and looking for the problem.  He installed a pump so the water could reach the third floor, which is where our apartment it.  Great, we took showers, cleaned dishes, flushed toilet, etc… Then we woke up the next day, no water… the pump had broken the plastic pipes.  So they came and fixed it for a moment… and now we have been without water for three days.  When I say the service is slow around here, I mean slow.  “Hello Landlord, there is no water…”  “Ok, Ok, Ok, we fix it…”  Next phone call the next day… “We have no water…”  “Oh there’s a problem with the neighborhood.”  Ok we wait. Then we ask the neighbors if they have water, “Yes” they said. We call again to our landlord, he says, “I called the plumber but he can’t make it till the next night.”  So, Sam and I, like our forefathers before us who did not have water, brought large bottles of water from downstairs and worked sparingly to make whatever water we needed last for our household chores, showers, cooking and toilets.  Instead on focusing on what we didn’t have, we did what we could to make it.  As I write we still have no water flowing out of the faucet.  One day?  Yes.  As well as the water, our electricity is off.  The whole neighborhood has no electricity.  So we do what we can with the natural light.  At night, candles or flashlights. It’s like permanent camping…

So we have been in our little, adorable apartment with no water, and no furniture except a bed and four folding chairs. Then yesterday Jennifer and Adon (Pastor Juan and Mia’s middle daughter) brought us a small plastic table and today someone from our church brought us two rocking chairs for our balcony.  Sweet!

Oh yes, did I mention the bat that almost attacked Sam? Picture it.  Sam with a broom… He’s okay!

SPIRITUAL HAPPENINGS

God has definitely been showing up in our meetings.  We have seen heaven open and the Spirit descending on people.  Lives have been changed and God is receiving His due worship.  Some of the happenings are:

Sam and Pastor Juan were at church on Saturday, when a man came into the church acting desperate.  As he unfolded his story to them he said he had done some pretty bad stuff for the police here in the DR; that he was tired of doing corrupt things and needed help.  Sam and Pastor Juan prayed with him and he seemed relieved.  A week later, Pastor Juan got a call from him.  He asked, who was that missionary who prayed for me, how did he know all about my life?  P Juan said it was the Holy Spirit revealing it to Sam.  He said since he left the church he has had a peace in his heart.  He said he was leaving the country so he could start his life over, this time with God.

Sam preached the second week we were here.  The title to his sermon, “God is the Center of our Storms”.  He did great with an interpreter and there was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit with prophetic words going out to many.

I was asked to teach the ladies on Monday for our church.  Ivette (Pastor Juan and Mia’s youngest girl) interpreted. I choose Dorcus and God gave me some beautiful words to share with them.  Afterwards, I asked if anyone suffered from depression… Yes, many ladies stood up and we were able to pray for them and there were many deliverances!

Everywhere we go we have had divine appointments.  God has been amazing.

EMOTIONAL HAPPENINGS

As much as we know we are meant to be here, in the Dominican Republic, it doesn’t stop the ache in our hearts for our children and especially grandchildren.  We want to do what God wants, but I think… I’ll miss out on all the Tati moments I used to have with her.  I won’t get to share all the things we did together.  I am sad that Josiah doesn’t have his Papa to cuddle him in the morning.  I do feel the ache in that.

Sometimes I wonder, “What am I doing here?”  The language difference is hard. Even though Sam tries hard at interpreting, I still know I miss a lot. I have wanted to get on a plane and go home to where it is safe and comfortable.  Then I realize I wouldn’t be happy at home in the comforts of my family, because we were made to be a voice for Him.  In my devotions each morning He gently reminds me of all the people that need to hear about Him.  Is it hard? “Yes, definitely yes!”  I have had melt downs in the middle of stores, in my room at night and on our balcony just last night, but I am not going to quit and I am not going to give up and run home, I am going to stay and tough it out with my husband and my Jesus.  There is much to be said about leaning on the One you Love (Songs of Solomon 8:5)

He can do all things through us if we only let Him,

Sam and Laurie

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Pray for our emotions to fall in line with Jesus

Pray for our beautiful DR Church.  We want God to move by His Spirit so we work His Agenda

Pray for the injustice here in Santiago.  There are reports of 1-6 murders a day of women being killed by their spouses or domestic partners.  It reminds me of Jesus when he was two and Herod had all the babies 2 years and younger killed.  Please pray for Justice to be revived here.  “In the last days He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh” (Joel and Acts).

Pray that God will supply all our needs according to His promises, which are, “Yes and amen!”