Got it

Living in another culture is not without its challenges. And today's challenge before breakfast was a jumping spider.
Who never saw that shoe coming...the second time anyways.:)

Busy busy busy

Over the past few days the community development students (whom I am one of three) have been getting to do what they have learnt, been taught and read about. I have been enjoying spending time in the community, meeting with individuals and groups. I do have to say the meeting where we met with community leaders was more my thing. Enjoying public speaking and leading groups, I found myself very much in my element. Besides the intense heat. I wouldn't object that being turned down a few notches ;) tonight we have supper with various student leaders in the community. Our goals is to discover their dreams, assets, and passions. We want to be a pair of outside eyes that perhaps gives fresh perspective on how this community can move keep moving forward!
We have been busy and this afternoon we are off to the Free Zones. Which to my understanding is an area of factories where many people are employed.

Looking forward to sharing more in depth on the Ambrose blog tonight! :)

Climbed it.

Today my friends and I descended a mountain that we climbed yesterday. Some may think, 'oh, cool she climbed a mountain.' And I just want to express that this was not just any mountain. After about half an hour into the climb I started to feel like

THIS WAS MY EVEREST.

After a brief stop at a creek I cooled down that internal body temperature and pushed on. Reenergized and feeling optomistic we did hill after uphill. With about a quarter of the way to go, I popped a squat and drank some water like a hockey player. My blood, in the 35 degree heat, pulsating through every vein. By now, that optimism has wained. Somehow, with God given strength, my legs pick myself up and finally, after two hours I reached the mountain village which was our final destination for the night.

To those that are climbing your own personal Everest today..trust me. 
You are stronger than you think.
You are even stronger with God.

No matter the disadvantage the world tells you you have, or YOU think you have...your mind is a powerful thing when determined. You can do more than you think you can. Sometimes you just have to do things in your own timing.

Paso a paso.   (step by step)

I cannot express to you with words how proud I am of myself and thankful that God gave friends to plod and trudge on with. He is good. He gave creeks, a breeze, shade, and flat ground when he knew I really needed. I would of preferred those good things much earlier ;) but he knew the relief to be felt and gratefulness I would express and in the end the victorious pride of feeling accomplished from persevering. 

There is more to this story then my inner victory, more to do with what we did and experienced while visiting this mountain village and for the sake of time you can find that here :
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ambrose-icd/2/1430862988/tpod.html

But know friends,  the journey in whatever form it takes may be hard,  but the reward is sweet.

Sunday

Turns out writing blogs posts on your phone isn't the most easy thing to do.
I just wrote a nice eloquent update...and alas, between the choppy wifi and my small screen I managed to lose it all. So thats disappointing. Perhaps I there is something better I need to share when we return tonight from church or a cultural activity  :)

Happy Sunday!!!

First day

Busy first official day out here in the DR. Got a first hand walk through of the neighborhood we'll be working in and had the task of going to the market and spending what would be a 2.50 CAD for one meal. For many families around here...that is what they spend per meal. Some families that is the only meal they get a day. Our group succeeded but upon entrance to the supermarket (superstore) a few blocks away we were restruck with the differences in incomes, opportunities and attitudes that can exist within one community.

Please pray for our team as we try to adjust to the sweltering heat. There are headaches, early nights, and restless nights all around. It was a whopping 36 degrees today :)

Be sure to check out the Ambrose blog where I will be posting every few days ::

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/ambrose-icd/2/tpod.html

Perspective

   I was on the plane when I thought some thoughts, possibly negative in nature, about the next two weeks, no window seat and stiff airline staff.                                                       
  A lot of 'why this' and 'why that?'  When all sudden it hits me.
''Why not?"                             
To sit here and glean wisdom and insight from those around me, to discuss topics like community development and asset-mapping...this is a huge opportunity!  Why say,    why this,  when you have the opportunity to say why not?

A degree of optimism.
A touch of perspective.

And all sudden that which seemed a burden or inconvenient appears to be an opportunity!

Fresh.      
                         
Like the darkness has passed and the sun has been revealed. Like the clouds, storm clouds uncovered the sun. I look out the window and see clouds, and breaks where I can see land. I think that is sort of what life is like. Sometimes the clouds are thick, life is fuzzy. But sometimes, there is a break. A ray of sunshine that you catch. And I felt like my brain had been illuminated to a new way of looking at situations.

And I'm reminded of Isaiah 58. A reoccurring kind of life verse for me.

It talks of loosing the chains of injustice,
to set the oppressed free, sharing food, providing shelter, clothing those in need, and sticking with people. Then...verse 8 ::
 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

The Lord is behind you! Where is your break in the clouds today?

illumination is waiting.

here we go again...

here we go again...

which means :: 

she's doubled checked her vaccine records, 

ensured her passport isn't expired and 

rediscovered her blog...

and is off on another adventure, promising to update at least a few times during her time in the...

 

Dominican Republic!!