Inflight Thoughts

I am writing this on the airplane. I am amazed at the number of teams that go to the DR to work with the underprivileged. I just spoke to a teen who is from a Christian school in New Jersey. She came with her entire senior class for a week working with residents and children from a Batey (sugarcane plantations where people live). I probably shouldn't be surprised why people want to come here to help.

The Dominicans (and the few Haitians) that we encountered are such hospitable people. They are extremely warm, friendly and open. The young men who were assisting us really looked out for us when we went out, and they often went out of their way to help us too.

Special mention should also go to the people from Good Samiritan Hospital and Mount Zion Church in Consuelo who have been wonderful to us. Pastor Julio made sure that we and our coworkers from Good Sam were well fed and looked after during lunch.

I was also impressed by what Christ-centered ministry is about. A huge reminder of this is the prayers that are said before we ventured out on the bus in the mornings, before we started seeing patients in the clinic each day, before meals, and each evening. In doing so, our minds are being constantly reminded of the reason why we are doing this work. It is not through our own efforts or strength (we were reminded by Bob of Psalm 127:1 - unless the Lord builds the house, the workers labor in vain) and we are not doing it for our own success or glory. We are here to do the Lord's work and to brig Him glory. My wife Sue shared with me a passage from Matthew 25:23 - each of us are given talents and we have he choice of using them wisely and for furthering the Kingdom. In doing so, we get to reap the benefits of sharing in the Lord's happiness.

I think this trip to the DR has given me a glimpse of what heaven is like. I went with a willing heart and open mind, and God changed my life with a transformed heart and renewed mind. All glory to Him!