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!

Carried On

After leaving the Cinci Children's Hospital a few weeks ago, we were overwhelmed with disappointment and discouragement after learning Silas had failed his food trials. Although we were choosing to rejoice in God's sovereign plan, there were moments of feeling like the journey was hopeless (as one doctor had told us before), long, expensive, and downright lonely. Many of our questions in regards to Sy's medical care just don't have answers at this point...

1. The docs don't know the long-term effect of the medicinal formula that Sy drinks each day.
2. Sy has failed so many food tests/trials that the hope of him ever being on a "normal" diet seems unlikely at this time (outside of a miracle and/or cure).
3. The option of heavy steroids poses many risks and once off of these meds, the disease comes immediately back.

Needless to say, we were at a loss and sometimes we're hesitant to share the reality of Sy's condition because, quite frankly, we feel like people are probably just plain sick of hearing about it. We KNOW we are blessed beyond measure and we never want to complain. However, the thought of the journey ahead is, at times, quite daunting.

BUT I love how GOD's plan is so much greater than our limited perspective. In the moment of our despair, GOD knew what was to come...

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:29-30

Our community around us has just truly embraced us and carried us. Their love and support of Silas is what keeps him (and us) going. Seriously, I don't think he could handle the cards he's been dealt without the love he feels from everyone around him.

Here are just a few brief stories from the last couple of weeks:

*Silas is homeschooled but attends Classical Conversations on Tuesdays. The director, Jody Scott, shared a story last week about a 10-year old girl who told her mother that she would not be having lunch on Tuesdays because she doesn't want Silas to be the only one not eating at school. Wow!

*We've also learned that a friend of ours (who is a fabulous hairstylist) is doing back-to-school haircuts (this Friday) to raise support for Sy's Trust Fund.

*A 12-year old girl in our neighborhood is selling amazing hair bows, headbands, and stationary and donates a portion of the proceeds to Sy's medical costs.

*Another 12-year old friend is babysitting and is generously giving a percentage of what she earns to Sy.

*A couple of weeks ago, our whole church body spent a day fasting and in prayer for our boy.

Wow! ... Wow! ... Wow! ... Wow!

So I love GOD's timing... Just when things seemed hopeless, HE showed up in an enormous way and is using the body of Christ to walk this journey with us and even at times, carry us.

So thank you all for sharing your words of kindness, your hugs, your love, your finances, and your great ideas and acts of service. Little do you know that you have been the very arms of GOD to us!