It is with a joyful heart that I write to you this evening. I have to admit, when the day started today I never thought I would be able to blog. I woke up feeling discouraged and pretty beat down. But, thankfully I have a God who is present in all situations! I went to village 51 to share with them in time of devotion and prayer. Little did I know, that the message I had prepared (which I changed about 4 times this week) was exactly what I needed to be preaching to myself. It's funny how God does that! I want to share a little of that message with you!
Again, I was reading the book that my grandma had sent with me "The Finishing Touch" by Charles Swindoll. The chapter in which I was reading is called New Hope. In this short little chapter it is talking about a little boy who goes floundering with his father. Late at night, wading through the knee deep water with nothing but a lantern. It goes on to say, after questioning his father as to how long they were going to be out, they began to make their way home. The little boy sees a tiny little flicker of a light at their cabin, and all his anxieties fade, he knows his father is leading him home. The next paragraph says "Take from us our wealth and we are hindered. Take our health and we are handicapped. Take our purpose and we are slowed, temporarily confused. But take away our hope and we are plunged into the deepest darkness...stopped dead in our tracks, paralyzed. Wondering, 'why?' Asking, 'How much longer? Will this darkness ever end? Does He know where I am?' Then the Father says, 'That's far enough,' and how sweet it is! Like blossoms in the snow, long-awaited color returns to our life. The stream, once frozen, starts to thaw. Hope revives and washes over us. Inevitably, spring follows winter. Every year. Yes, including this one. Barren days, like naked limbs, will soon be clothed with fresh life. Do you need that reminder today? Are you ready for some sunshine on your shoulders... a few green sprouts poking up through all that white? A light at the end of your tunnel? Look! There in the distance. It may be tiny, but it's there. You made it! Your Father knew exactly where He was going. And why. And for how long."
How many of you have ever felt hopeless? I have been there, walking in the darkeness of hopelessness. But, here's the good news! I have a hope for the future. I have a hope of meeting my Father in paradise when my day has come. When we are tired and weary, ready to give up, if we hope in the Lord he will renew us (Isaiah 40:30,31). Some days I feel hopeless, but we are given the greatest promises of hope from the King of Kings. There is light at the end of darkness when we hope in the Lord.
My friends, I do not have hope for another day on this earth, instead, I hope for the day I finish this race I'm running. I hope for the day I receive my heavenly prize and hear my Father say "well done my good and faithful servant." Jeremiah 29:11 tells us "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future." Where is your hope today? You don't have to walk in darkeness. The creator of the universe is waiting to take you by the hand and lead you to light! Reach out your hand!!
Some days here in the Dominican Republic it feels like all hope is lost. Each day is a new day, with new highs and lows. I'm not sure that the term "emotional rollercoaster" is exactly appropriate, but if it were, it would still be somewhat of an understatement! There is such a revival happening in this place, people in villages who's hearts are being set on fire, people who are thirsting for the word of God. But, at the same time there are lost and broken people, wandering aimlessly through this land with no desire to hear a word out of your mouth. It's amazing to see the Holy Spirit moving in this place, but I mourn for those who I still can't reach..
There are big things happening all around us. We have started a weekly gathering at Village 51! Every Sunday afternoon myself, a translator, and 2 Dominican guys go out to the village to share in a short time of devotion and prayer. We are hoping at some point to get a real church service going there, but resources are limited!! I will be traveling home in a few weeks and Leonel will be taking my place in leading these gatherings!! I can't believe it!! He is so excited and on fire for Christ! If someone had told me the story of Leonel, without me ever meeting him, I would never ever believe it. God is Good!!
As I said, I will be traveling home to spend Christmas with my family and to work for a few weeks. When I return I plan to have a dress business ready to go! Wedding season here is quickly approaching and the goal is to be set up and ready to go by the end of March. I still don't have a location, but am completely trusting that God will provide the location and the money to cover rent of that location! This business is planned to provide jobs for some of the ladies from the local village "Guyabol." When first started it may only provide 3 jobs, but as dresses are used there will be a huge need to hire women who can clean dresses and do seamstress work. God has laid this on my heart and I have already had a countless amount of dresses donated!! The name of the store is going to be "Daughters of a King" and we will rent/sell wedding/formal gowns. Here in the Dominican wedding gowns are a huge desire for most women. Any money made through this will go to fund medical needs as well as specific needs for villages (building projects, food, clean water systems).
It is great to be able to share with you all my experiences here in the Dominican! I pray that God continues to bless you! Thank you all for your continued prayer and support!!!
God Bless,
Jessica