We Can't Take It Back

We recently had an opportunity to follow a whisper that has been in our ears for a little while. We returned from a trip to the Dominican Republic and we were able to see and experience things that we never could in our own culture. Although it's considered to be a third world country, we so needed to step out of our lives to see how God is working in other parts of the world. (Btw, you should look up the history on how countries earn their first/second/third world ranking.)

God laid a path for us to visit and I felt that our hearts just needed to be open to what He needed to show us. Before our trip, I just prayed that He would allow me to see and feel what He needed us to. Such a beautiful country and such beautiful people. Thank you, God for such variety in people! The other side of that is that there is so much need, it's overwhelming. It's hard to believe that poverty like we saw is allowed to exist in a world where others consume so much. There's so much to say and we will have more posts, but we'll just drop a few pictures because they usually say more...

This was the orphanage on the property where we stayed. So many amazing kids here!

One of the best/hardest parts was visiting the Haitian immigrant bateys. These people live with nothing, yet are filled with joy. Although you can't see it, these kids are standing on broken glass with no shoes on.

These kids were such a blessing to be around. So much need here for love.

This was the local store in the settlement. There was not much to offer in here.

I had a chance to teach these kids how to play freeze tag for the first time. They wore me out!!

We had a chance to visit the town hospital. The conditions were rougher than we expected...invasive surgeries in rooms that were not air conditioned!

Goat anyone?

So many great places hidden beyond the litter and empty bottles...

So, the question becomes: Who will help them and share the blessing that's been entrusted to us? After returning to the U.S., this was part of the first passage that we were led to:

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,

with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday.

Isaiah 58:10-11

And you know what's strange? Immediately after returning, we were bombarded by our regular lives. Lives that are so distracting that it's easy to put a trip like this in a box and on a shelf. I mean, we should just consider ourselves lucky lottery winners that were born and raised in the U.S., right? But we cannot forget what we've seen and heard. We cannot continue to read passages like this one and continue to live a self-serving, all-about-us kind of life. Even though the DR was missing so many material things that we have and appreciate here, we saw how they were rich in other ways. Things that have been untouched by the busyness and the race to get what we think we (and our kids) deserve...   There will be more about this trip and more pictures soon, so "follow us" to stay tuned!

Now In Stereo Sound!

Last night, Heather and I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Howard Straus, the radio host of "The Power of Natural Healing". We had plenty of time to dive into Sy's story and how his health has made a complete turnaround on the Gerson Therapy. If you get a chance, please check it out on his website here Monday at 11am Pacific Time. It will also be available in the archives later that week! This was our first opportunity to be on the radio and we had tons of fun. Thanks Howard!