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!!