My trip was amazing!
However, there was one thing that bothered me on the trip - the inability for the med team to incorporate prayer or evangelism into the work we did each day. I think in years past, prayer was incorporated into the med team's outreach in that every patient was prayed for after receiving medications. This year because of the way each clinic was set up, this wasn't really feasible because the people were waiting in lines outside for both their medication and clothing. I struggled with this, trying to understand my purpose. I felt that I can medicate and provide relief or healing of pain, infection or other ailment, but I'm not affecting the spiritual, which is what matters most. What benefit did I provide? It wasn't until speaking with some people once returning that I realized that even in providing medical care I was ministering. Jesus said, "if you have done it until the least of these you have done it unto me." Because I know I did all for Christ, I know that he will bless all that was done for His Glory.
Also in coming back, I struggled alot with how much those of us have in the US versus what the people in the DR have. I struggled with how unfair it is that in the same world, people can live so differently. I got mad at seeing others complain about their situations, or at patients at work complaining about how they "didn't like this doctor" or how "this doctor did... or didn't..." I just wanted to tell them they should be thankful they even have a doctor. I got sick to my stomach after I washed my clothes and was putting them away, at how much I had. Its sad that sometimes we aren't content even with how much we do have and are always wanting more. God has showed me that I need to be grateful for all that He has allowed me to have. My mindset has now changed, with the help of others, from the focus on the perceived injustice of it all to one of gratitude and one of giving. God has blessed me, so I need to be thankful and then I need to be free and willing to give to those who have need. This has made being back in the states a bit easier.
Something else that impressed me that week was hearing the stories of how God worked through other teams. Team B which worked on Batey 50 held bible lesson time with the kids everyday. They told stories of how attentive the kids were and how much they loved to listen. This was encouraging. The evangelism team had alot to share about how souls were saved and how God worked through them to heal people and bring hope to the people in the bateys. Having come from a conservative church background, I was skeptical when hearing that people were really healed. But then I thought about it.. Jesus healed the crippled and made the blind see in the Gospels. What makes me think that He doesn't do it today?? He didn't lose the power or ability. But just like in the Bible days, those who were healed had faith. Jesus said. "Your faith has made you whole." I wonder if we don't see healings often because we don't have the faith that God is able to do that. Because of our lack of faith, He doesn't show those miracles to us. We tend to have more faith in doctors and medicine than in the power of God. What a shame! Yet how exciting for the people of the Dominican Republic who by their faith were healed!
I learned alot on this trip. I learned how important it is to share the Gospel. Part of this stemmed from my grandmothers death the week before, where again I was so vividly reminded that there is eternity after death. Knowing where we will spend eternity can make death so much easier to deal with; and knowing that my grandmother is in heaven makes grieving her loss that much easier as well. I know that one day I will see her again. How do I know?? Because I know that she had been saved from eternal death by the grace of God. She trusted in the Lord with her whole heart and she believed that Jesus was God's Son and that He died to pay the penalty for her sins, making her justified before God; and she believed that He rose again to prepare a home for her in heaven. By His grace, and His grace alone, I too have come to this knowledge and have accepted the gift of salvation and know that because of what Jesus Christ has done I can be joined with Him in heaven and be joined with all the saints who have gone on before me. Because of this I don't fear death. It is only the beginning of eternity. An eternity with Jesus Christ :) This gift is something I now want to share with everybody. There is a purpose to this life - it is so important to share the work of Christ with others. I can't wait to see how God uses me in this way, and I can't wait to tell others about Him.
I also learned how important it is to have Christian fellowship. The time we had with one another was incredible. We had worship and prayer time every morning which was awesome. Even on the mornings when I didn't make it downstairs for worship, I could hear everyone singing from my room, and I could only imagine what a sweet sound it was to God's ears. Each evening, I got to speak with others about their experiences during the day and how God was able to use them that day. Some experiences were powerful. The love for God and desire to please Him just radiated through everyone. I could easily sit next to anyone in the group and talk about God and how amazing He is. Every night, some of the young people got together for another time of worship and bible study. It was so encouraging to just be among them. Seeing others discipline and devotion to God and His Word only encouraged me to want to get into the Word more; and the way some prayed as if God was sitting right next to them only made me want to develop my prayer life as well. Iron sharpening iron. Fellowship with other believers is soo important, because it helps us grow in our own relationship with the Lord. It helps guard us from the temptations and influences of the world, and helps us stay on the right path. It was nice to be able to edify and encourage others as they did for me.
So those are just some of my thoughts about the trip. I can't wait to go back and pray that I may have the opportunity to go again. I pray for opportunities to share the Gospel and for the salvation of all those I know who are still lost without a Savior, and I pray that this experience will stay with me always.
Thank you for allowing me to share.. Until next time :)
By the way. Five weeks and counting.. until my next adventure with Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone. Very very excited!!
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