The Dominican Republic

Wow! Only 18 days before we fly out for the Dominican Republic. I'm so excited to see what God is going to do there. Anyone that knows me well, knows that I absolutely love Africa and really am not ashamed to admit that I'm a little... okay, a lot biased toward that continent. But the Lord has been working in my heart and has been expanding it beyond just America and Africa. Honestly, in no way have I ever wanted to travel to any other foreign country unless it was on the continent of Africa. When I found out that we were going to the Dominican Republic, I was excited but dismissed the fact that I would actually be going. I thought, "Oh, yah, I'd love to help with the prep work, but going... eh, nah." So before a decision I prayed, "God, if You want me to go, I'll go, but I'm okay if I stay here, too." That same day I got a $300 check in the mail for the trip!!! I hadn't even sent out one support letter and I don't even know how they knew that I was even planning on possibly going on a trip!! WOW!! God, You are amazing. Since then, the Lord has been opening up the flood gates and I've actually had to set up a seperate account with my bank for missions because I have more than enough money coming in from faithful supporters and partners in ministry!! I'm so thankful. This year when I wrote my support letter, I really felt like I should share the gospel in most of it and then briefly share about the trip at the end. Some of my biggest supporters are not Christians and I thought, "Wow, I know that they've heard about Jesus, but I want to share my life in Christ with them." I absolutely LOVE writing support letters. (Okay, MOST of the time I do. In South Africa, I had to write a letter every month and sometimes that got a little old, but I would say most of the time it's very enjoyable =) I love to share what God is doing in my life and I really feel with all of my heart that the people that pray and/or give are REALLY a HUGE part of ministry. I get excited when it's not just a check in the mail, but also an encouraging note. I love that!
Today the phrase..."and these signs will follow them that believe..." kept coming up. I thought, "Hmm... I know that's a bible verse." So I looked it up. It's Mark 16:17-18,20- "And these signs will follow them that believe: in My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover...and they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word through the accompanying signs. Amen." I felt this verse strongly for the Dominican. Wow, this is the great commission. People sometimes get freaked out about the part that says, "casting out demons", but I believe as we draw closer to the second coming of Christ that this will be common as well as laying hands on the sick and seeing many more people recover---I'm believing for 100%!! I love listening to Pastor Bill Johnson (a pastor in California) and hearing of testimonies of God's goodness and healing power on a weekly basis. I'm believing for my friend Grace's healing and I know that God is more than able to do a miracle. Miracles, signs and wonders.
It would be so easy for me to say, "Oh, this isn't Africa" and maybe slough it off as not as important. But God is not interested in our biases (even though He has given me a HUGE heart for Africa and I love that!!!) He loves ALL people.
When Pastor Lee prays for a country usually week, I raise my hands and begin to pray over that country as he is praying. In the beginning, I would raise my hands and sometimes think, "But this isn't Africa and I don't really have a heart for these people like I do Africa." After a while, I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit and now I purpose in my heart to love the nations that aren't in that specific continent as well. The meek shall inherit the earth; not just Africa. =)
So I pray for the Dominican Republic. I pray for the rains of the dew of God's presence to come and saturate the dry and thirsty in that land. God smiles at the Dominican and He loves them so much. God, shine through us the light and the love of Jesus to those beautiful people that feel, taste, hear, smell, touch and see just like us. We are not so much different.