So, it's been exactly a week since I've written last. I started out so strong with this little blog, writing as often as I could, but lately, life has been, well for lack of better words, quite the whirlwind.
I can officially say that I've been to two opposite sides of the island. This past week we went to Cabarete, which is just a little bit away from the ever so popular Puerto Plata. But more about that later... for now, I need to tell you about CAMPAMENTE!
Campamente was the best experience ever. God totally blew my mind! I went into it expecting to learn little, and to be miserable in all honesty. But, I was far from miserable and learned so much! The "camp" was more like a mansion in the amazing Dominican Rainforest. It was BEAUTIFUL! I had quiet time in a HAMMOCK, daily! I got to fully experience God, and listen to Him too, which is incomparable to any other experience. Me thinking He wasn't going to teach me anything, HAH, ya right. One main thing He taught me how to wait on His timing. I feel like His timing has been the theme of this summer. It started with support raising, and is coming up everywhere. I think sometimes I fear that I have all these dreams and goals, and that God doesn't want that for me. But, that is for sure false. He wants everything to do with them, He wants to be apart of them, holding my hand; He wants to be in control of them. And that's what I did this past week, I gave it up. It was amazing. I surely had no idea that Campamente would have such an impact on me, but I am thankful that it did!
The key verse that stuck with me from this past week is Psalm 16:11
"You make known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
He knows the path of my life, and He has known it for sometime. What an awesome reality!!
This past week we have spent in Cabarete. Cabarete is a small little beach town on the North side of the island. Mainly, touristville. We had our mid-project retreat at a lovely little resort. Mid-project retreats are a time for relaxation. We spend every week day on campus, so the retreat is our chance to relax, and focus on God. It was a bit of a culture shock... but as I am now back in Santo Domingo, I cant decide which is more shocking, being there or here. It was so "Western" there I didn't need to use my poquito knowledge of Spanish at all. Now that I'm back in Santo Domingo, it's weird to not understand people again. I'm sure I'll get back in the swing of things.
I can't believe I only have 9 days left!! 9! That seems like crazy talk to me! In these next 9 days I have much to do, and much to learn. 6 of these 9 days will be spent on campus sharing the gospel. Only 6 days on campus left?! Holy Moly!! I can't believe how fast it went. Everyone keeps saying YOLO (You Only Live Once), or on my team YOCDRO (You Only Come to the Dominican Republic Once), but I am going to have to say that that is false. Well not the first one, but the second one for sure is. This is definitely not my last time here. I love it here! So much!!
Who knows what's in store, I sure don't. And, I'm perfectly alright with that.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
This Past Week!
This past week has been a crazy ride!! Last Saturday we went to Tres Ojos which is this crazy beautiful cave hike!! Then we went Zona Colonial which is beautiful as well!! Saturday was awesome, but its when the mid project blues set in. I didn't get super homesick, but I did start to get annoyed of the culture here. I was tired of being called "Americana," and tired of people pushing everything in my face. It felt like all they wanted was my money, which does not make me happy. Saturday was rough, but along came Sunday, and that's when my attitude started to change. We had church for three hours which was a perfect time to dive into the word, and I found a cappuccino machine which kicked my Starbucks craving! Sunday evening me and two other students got to cook family dinner for our team, and considering we were all craving mexican food, we made TACOS :) Totally was the highlight of my day!!
This week has been just as crazy as this past weekend. Monday I had a hard time on campus, I felt like I had hit a wall. No one was receptive to what I was saying, it was hot, actually ten times hotter because it rained that morning, and I felt useless. But God is faithful, and brought Tuesday along, which brought an atheist to me and two other girls. We got to talk to him about all of his questions, and got in a pretty heated discussion, which left me praying a majority of the time because I got so frustrated. Tuesday night though, it struck. And by it, I mean food poisoning... Dun dun dunnnn. I was the first to start it off, then four other girls followed shortly behind me. We've been in quarantine since Tuesday night, but thankfully today I am feeling much better. I actually ate something today too which is quite impressive!!
This weekend we will be camping with the Vida Estudantil students. I am so excited to see how God is going to move!! There are students going that haven't accepted Christ yet which will be an awesome experience for them! Please be praying for this camping retreat! Pray that God moves and lives are changed.
Mucho Amor,
Colbs
This week has been just as crazy as this past weekend. Monday I had a hard time on campus, I felt like I had hit a wall. No one was receptive to what I was saying, it was hot, actually ten times hotter because it rained that morning, and I felt useless. But God is faithful, and brought Tuesday along, which brought an atheist to me and two other girls. We got to talk to him about all of his questions, and got in a pretty heated discussion, which left me praying a majority of the time because I got so frustrated. Tuesday night though, it struck. And by it, I mean food poisoning... Dun dun dunnnn. I was the first to start it off, then four other girls followed shortly behind me. We've been in quarantine since Tuesday night, but thankfully today I am feeling much better. I actually ate something today too which is quite impressive!!
This weekend we will be camping with the Vida Estudantil students. I am so excited to see how God is going to move!! There are students going that haven't accepted Christ yet which will be an awesome experience for them! Please be praying for this camping retreat! Pray that God moves and lives are changed.
Mucho Amor,
Colbs
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Being a Morning Person Might Be For Me
God has been teaching me so much these past few days!! I've been faced with a lot of difficult conversations with people. Which shock me here, but they are normal in America!
My team is continuing to go hard! We have the day off today because it is Corpus Christy... so there is no school! We're going to some local volleyball courts to hang out with the vida students though :)
These past few days I've been exhausted and emotional, but today God totally blew me away. Last night I was a little bit introverted and just wanted to get away... living with 20 people in one house, and 11 girls in one room can be a bit exhausting and overwhelming at times. It's hard, and it feels a little cramped, but I love it :) Anyways, this morning I went to Zona Colonial... and that was totally God. Maybe being a morning person might be for me... Usually a 6:30 am wake up call is not my favorite thing, but I felt like I had to go. So I did. And it was AMAZING! God totally used the colonial district to revive me and reveal himself to me... It was like He was there whispering, "Colbie, this is why you're here, don't forget you love this country."
And do I ever. This country is a beautiful mess. But among this mess is the presence of God. Everywhere. I'm humbled in His presence and I'm holding fast to the hope and the strength that He provides me.
In Christ,
Colbie
My team is continuing to go hard! We have the day off today because it is Corpus Christy... so there is no school! We're going to some local volleyball courts to hang out with the vida students though :)
These past few days I've been exhausted and emotional, but today God totally blew me away. Last night I was a little bit introverted and just wanted to get away... living with 20 people in one house, and 11 girls in one room can be a bit exhausting and overwhelming at times. It's hard, and it feels a little cramped, but I love it :) Anyways, this morning I went to Zona Colonial... and that was totally God. Maybe being a morning person might be for me... Usually a 6:30 am wake up call is not my favorite thing, but I felt like I had to go. So I did. And it was AMAZING! God totally used the colonial district to revive me and reveal himself to me... It was like He was there whispering, "Colbie, this is why you're here, don't forget you love this country."
And do I ever. This country is a beautiful mess. But among this mess is the presence of God. Everywhere. I'm humbled in His presence and I'm holding fast to the hope and the strength that He provides me.
In Christ,
Colbie
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Weekend Fun!
Sooooo this weekend was awesome!! Besides waking up sick yesterday morning!
Yesterday we got to adventure about an hour away to a private beach just past Boca Chica! It was beautiful!!! Palm trees... teal water... sunshine. But the water had a lot of algae which was a bummer!! I went swimming anyways of course! Then we explored the rocks. Found some blowholes, and an abandoned resort and pool! It was beautiful!! I got a bit burnt though. And I had to wear a one piece... modest is hottest right? SO I have a super cute tan line going on...
Today we had church and free time after church. Today, I woke up sicker than yesterday so sitting through 3 hours of church in Spanish was difficult. But, I made it through... and not without a lesson from the big man of course. I was sooooo tired and exhausted, but talking to my parents via skype livened my day! I took a nap and woke up refreshed and reminded of my purpose.
Week one was a whirlwind. But, God didn't let the pace stop him from teaching me more! Last week we had 7 people commit their lives to Christ!! It was cool!! I even got to be used by God to lead someone... Glory to him of course. But that's what He taught me. I was kind of discouraged that the people I had been witnessing to weren't receptive of what I was saying. But, then I started reading in the bible about why missions even exsists... and that's to glorify Him. No other reason... so after a major heart change I can excitedly say that God totally used me this week to glorify Himself. It was an experience that left me beyond humbled.
Tomorrow begins week two of campus ministry. That means date night with Jesus, women's night, more lessons from God, more conversations, more friendships and more divine encounters. I can't wait to see what God has to teach me this week!
I feel as if I've refallen in love with the Lord. I can't wait for quiet time in the mornings to listen to Him and reflect... I can't wait to see what He teaches me... and let me tell you, He reveals Himself daily!! I am so refreshed and so changed already!
Dear week dos,
bring it on!
Sincerily,
Colbs
Yesterday we got to adventure about an hour away to a private beach just past Boca Chica! It was beautiful!!! Palm trees... teal water... sunshine. But the water had a lot of algae which was a bummer!! I went swimming anyways of course! Then we explored the rocks. Found some blowholes, and an abandoned resort and pool! It was beautiful!! I got a bit burnt though. And I had to wear a one piece... modest is hottest right? SO I have a super cute tan line going on...
Today we had church and free time after church. Today, I woke up sicker than yesterday so sitting through 3 hours of church in Spanish was difficult. But, I made it through... and not without a lesson from the big man of course. I was sooooo tired and exhausted, but talking to my parents via skype livened my day! I took a nap and woke up refreshed and reminded of my purpose.
Week one was a whirlwind. But, God didn't let the pace stop him from teaching me more! Last week we had 7 people commit their lives to Christ!! It was cool!! I even got to be used by God to lead someone... Glory to him of course. But that's what He taught me. I was kind of discouraged that the people I had been witnessing to weren't receptive of what I was saying. But, then I started reading in the bible about why missions even exsists... and that's to glorify Him. No other reason... so after a major heart change I can excitedly say that God totally used me this week to glorify Himself. It was an experience that left me beyond humbled.
Tomorrow begins week two of campus ministry. That means date night with Jesus, women's night, more lessons from God, more conversations, more friendships and more divine encounters. I can't wait to see what God has to teach me this week!
I feel as if I've refallen in love with the Lord. I can't wait for quiet time in the mornings to listen to Him and reflect... I can't wait to see what He teaches me... and let me tell you, He reveals Himself daily!! I am so refreshed and so changed already!
Dear week dos,
bring it on!
Sincerily,
Colbs
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