Open Arms, Open Lives

The DR was an amazing experience-- better than I ever expected. Down there, I really feel like I saw a picture of what it is like to LOVE, to live like a Christian through actions and not simply words. Because I knew hardly any Spanish, I was forced to reach out to the children without using a single word. I'm still amazed by how God moved through me AND even more so, through the children. Never did I feel so loved, so unique and special. The children I worked with opened their lives to all of us and invited us to share in their community. In the DR, I worked at a site teaching volleyball to little girls. Some of the Spanish words I used numerous times a day were "Corre" (Run!) and "Ven" (Come!). On Sunday, we went to a church service in a nearby village. Naturally, the service was entirely in Spanish so I did not understand it. But the Pastor, quoting Jesus, did say two words: Corre and Ven. The pastor was explaining that Jesus calls us to RUN to Him, that He is waiting with arms open wide to envelope us in His love. The trip really changed my life. I thoroughly enjoyed the Dominican culture, people and atmosphere. Because of this trip, I THINK God is calling me to mission work--- in the DR, we had this AMAZING foot washing service. Each song played in the background as we watched our partner's feet spoke of surrendering COMPLETELY and letting go to Christ so He can work through you.
- Betsy