Daddy's keys

Our brains are absolutly amazing.

Smells, sights, sounds that can transport us back in to time, remind us of a loved one or bring on a wave of emotions (laughter, tears, anger, fear).

I found myself in tears the other day as I read on the beach. I'm coming to the end of "Kisses from Katie" and she mentions that despite all the beautiful blessings she has received from obeying her call to Uganda, there are so many things that she misses back home. 

Immediately I heard a sound in my head.

My daddy's keys.

All of Bermuda knows this, but my daddy is a locksmith. It is his passion! He goes to locksmith conventions, conferences and reads locks & safe magazines like they are novels. Every family vacation growing up also included scanning the local phonebook to see where the closest locksmith was located. Golly I love him!

With a profession like this he is called out at absurd times of the night and morning to open cars, safes, drug busts with the police (he loves those ones!) and many other adventures. 

But when we'd hear the kitchen door open at 3 or 4 in the morning (I didn't use to sleep with earplugs!) I'd listen for a distinct sound to make sure it was just my dad. His keys. 

Of course there are all sorts of other sounds that I love from home too. Each month our church would have a fellowship time at a church member's home and when it was my mom's turn you could guarantee to hear the pans banging, the mixer running and the timer beeping. She is a beast in the kitchen. (Those sounds were also common on Sunday mornings as she gets her amazing roast beef, potatoes and yorkshire pudding lunch ready. Yuuuummmmm!)

Bermudians fall asleep to the sound of treefrogs. We grew up with the sound of waves on the gorgeous beaches, we'd run to the road if a siren stopped within earshot of the house to see what was going on and we could hear the sound of the Gombey's on any given holiday.

I used to feel guilty for missing home. Actually... I still do sometimes. I'm thankful for the call God has placed on my life, but it doesn't mean that Bermuda and the people there have become any less special to me. Believe me... I am counting the days until our plane arrives on that little dot in the middle of the ocean :)

But amongst the sounds that transport me back home, I can't help but cherish the sounds that surround me every day here in the Dominican.

Bachata at every colmado (little convenience stores), the honking of speeding guaguas (buses), barking dogs and clucking chickens, the "ssssssss" sound when someone is trying to get your attention, whistles (we don't have a doorbell... They whistle for us to come to the door. Pity for me who can't whistle!!), my neighbor's blender EVERY morning. love it!

But amongst the beautiful sounds we hear day, I think there are a few that make God smile too. Here are a few from this week.

The sound of our youngest Lily reciting all 10 verses required for camp and then sitting with another young Lily (who is unable to read) to help her memorize them too.

The teens at youth group laughing through the games at youth group and singing their hearts out during worship on Sundays.

Laughter from about 30 young boys who voluntarily turned up at church to wash the chairs!

L (who lost her mom a couple weeks ago) cheering and dancing around her house hugging her new Bible in creol (what Haitians speak). She's excited to study in her own language.


I can imagine what a sweet aroma these praises are to our Maker.

Close your eyes. What do you hear?

The stench of death

Soap suds covered the dirty concrete floor. With a broom she scrubbed, then a mop she wiped. Bleach, soap, whatever she could find. She was attempting to wash away the smell.
L's precious mom P fought for her life. From Monday through Friday P lay in a hospital bed until she breathed her last.
In typical Dominican/Haitian fashion, the body was then transported from the hospital to her home, a cheap coffin was purchased and the following morning, P was laid to rest.

It all seemed to happen so fast, but I can't get the image of L out of my head. Scrubbing the floor where her mother's lifeless body once lay. Desperate to eliminate the stench of death.

My heart aches for L and her loss. Please pray for her!

But as we think on death and the filth that it encompasses, GOD pricks my heart...

Hasn't GOD called us to help in this endevour of scrubbing away the stench of death?

We were once DEAD in our trangressions. We were dry bones. Lifeless. Helpless. In need of a Saviour!

Then like a KNIGHT in shining armour, the KING of Kings gave us LIFE. The old has passed away! We are made new.

But sometimes.... We leave the floors the way they are. Thankful for a ticket to Heaven, but pretty sure GOD will accept us as we are. GOD is LOVE, isn't HE?

Yes. Yes HE is!

And in that love... so incredible, incomprehensible, unfathomable... HE has called us to be holy because HE is holy.

This topic has been so prominente in our youth group and church lately as our teens are struggling with this issue. Each year the Dominican has a series of festivals in many towns across the country. They are called "Patronales." A celebration of drunkeness and idol worship. The teens so desperatly want to go!

All their friends are going.
It's not so bad after all.
We're just party poopers.

But they don't see us on our hands and knees, scrubbing the stench. Desperate to show them that playing with darkness brings destruction.

"Sarah, it's GOD's job to change me!!!!"
Yes, HE continues to mold me everyday, but look at this gem of a verse that we studied at church yesterday...

"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of GOD."

I'm not 100% why God led me to share this today. I know my heart breaks for L... But it also breaks for the young people who are so desperatly trying to fit in with the walking dead around them.

We are called to be an example.
May we continue to scrub the stench of death from our own lives.

PRAY:
For camp that is coming up in about a month.

For financial support so we can continue serving here in the Dominican
Click here to see how - https://scoresponsor.org/missionaries-staff/shop/lara-robersy-sarah/

For our teens as many of them struggle in their walk when they are out of school and have more time on their hands.

For our own walk that we might stay faithful in our walk with HIM.

pooped, but encouraged.

Phew!!! Is it Saturday yet?

This last week has been a busy one and I am ready to rest! But if you know anything about ministry... It only gets busier as the summer approaches.
Still, as busy as it has been... God has answered prayers and moved in several different ways that I'm excited to share about.

On Tuesday I had the opportunity to share with the Lily House girls (as I do each week). We have been studying through the life of David. Wow, I have learned so much! This last week we focused in on Saul and his visit to the medium of Endor. So interesting to note that the reason he went was because he had prayed and sought God, but God wasn't answering. Why? It was a challenging time discussing with the ladies how our sin can get in the way of our relationship with the Lord. It was a beautiful time of reflection, confession and forgiveness.

Wednesday and Thursday were great days for Robersy as he continued discipleship, training and baseball practice with his boys. Several of his boys are really growing in their faith and desire more of the Word. As summer approaches and the teens have more time on their hands Robersy plans to switch his schedule around to spend more time with his boys as well as provide other activities to keep their minds occuppied. Pray for this!

Thursday night street ministry was fantastic! God always leads us to the women HE wants us to speak with and we never finish the night disappointed. I shared about the precious lady who sat waiting with her husband as he waited for a prostitute. It broke my heart to hear her struggles, but it reminded me of the dark times in which we live. Still... There is hope.

On Sunday "P" (from last week) came to church!!! 

She came with her 2 beautiful daughters and their friends. As we sang, "This is my desire, to honor YOU." She whispered, "That is what I want!" We chatted more following the service but she confessed that she isn't ready. Usually I would say, "but this is the day of salvation! You don't know what tomorrow holds, etc. etc." But the Holy Spirit urged me to stay quiet. When we left her at her home she thanked me for not forcing her to make a decision right then and there (thank you Lord!). She asked to borrow my Bible and asked where she should start reading to learn more. We have arranged to meet this week! Pray for P!

Saturday we celebrated the marriage of 2 friends and then Sunday we celebrated Mother's day with Robersy's family.

Friend! God is working. Thanks for being a part of our journey here! We know it isn't by our strength since, like I said... We are pooped... But we are thankful for your prayers, your support and your encouragement. We love you!

The eyedropper in my Kipling bag.

"Sometimes working in a Third World country makes me feel like I am emptying the ocean with an eyedropper. And just when I have about half a cup full of water it rains: more orphaned children from the north migrate to where I live, more abandoned and dead babies are found, more people are infected with HIV. It is enough to discourage even the most enthusiastic and passionate person." 

Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis

I had been reading this New York Times Bestseller on my trip to Santiago and this really hit home. I had traveled for hours on public transport to share a message that goes completely against the culture. Hope. 

We, from the Western culture, have got it. We go to the Passion conferences and sing "Mighty to Save" and when someone has a foundation to save something, whether a whale or a starving child, we are SO on that! We love to help and give and basically feel like we are doing something to change the world. 

This mindset is still making it's way here.

Don't get me wrong. Dominicans will give their shirt off their back... Feed you their last meal... Give you a pedicure when you just stopped over to say hello (yes, this has happened more than once) but as we have advertised and publicized and announced the beauty of the Lily House which has a spa, gift shop and pastry shop so that these women can make a living in an "honorable" way... we have seen that the culture is not quite ready for this.

Buy a cupcake from a former prostitute?! Get my nails done by a woman who has lost count of the numerous men from her past?! But she's changed! Yeah... We know that. But the country is not quite here yet.

I actually realized this as I gazed across the classroom and noticed all the Kipling bags. HA-HA! Ok Americans might not find this funny... But Bermudians, don't you remember when those things were in style?! So flipping expensive, but everyone wanted one! Lol. I never had the privelage of owning one, but I remember those little monkeys that each bag has like it were yesterday.

Anyways!!! While I looked around the room I actually thought... They're not here yet. Just like Kipling bags are JUST now in style here, maybe the Passion craze isn't too far behind. 

And so I picked up my eyedropper and shared. 

I shared what God is doing and how HE has changed lives and moved mountains and wow... I was excited! And the students were excited too!!! They asked questions and participated. Then I packed up my eyedropper (I trust you understand the metaphor) and walked out to the rest of the school and it RAINED. Like a billion other students!!! Young, little, happy Dominican faces... What will it take to change the mind-set of the future?! 

Pastor Nate Jude reminded me of this again in his message this morning. He spoke of when he used to work at a plant nursery and how one day his boss told him and his workmates that as soon as they finished planting a certain number of trees they could leave. Well he and his buddies worked their butts off, so excited to get it done and go home early. Once they had finished, long before lunchtime, his boss laughed since he knew it was impossible. Nate insisted until his boss took him to another section of the field to show him several more trees to plant. They wouldn't be done before the end of the day. 

By reaching the lowest of the low, the filthy, the sinners... Prostitutes... We are going against the culture. But to expect that people might recieve a pastry that they made with their hands, even more so. 

Still we will continue to share and educated. We will pray and serve and fight for the women that we have the blessing of being with every single day.

I was reminded of the eyedropper yesterday when a Lily called. Frustrated, angry, ready to give up. We talked and prayed together over the phone... Thankfully the Lord calmed her heart and life went on. All is well in the world...until something else happens and another Lily struggles... And it rains.

One of our "homeless" (he is actually a run-away) boys called yesterday. "Hey, just to let you know. I came home. I'm working with my dad and I'm doing ok." Yay!!! Our little eyedropper drops a pinch of water in to the cup... But how many other other kids are sleeping on the streets tonight.... And it rains.

I'll be meeting with a girl from the streets this week. Woohoo! One sweet soul that is one step closer to knowing her Savior. Then how many more women are out there... And it rains.

One of Robersy's boys got baptized and another recieved Christ. Robersy's cup is almost over flowing I think! God has been so good to the baseball ministry! But within a group of 70+ kids, there are others who still need the Lord... And it rains.

There will ALWAYS be work to do. Dory said it best when she said, "Just keep swimming." :) The cool thing is... Robersy and I aren't in this alone. There are hundreds of men and women all over the Dominican Republic with the same heart.

We want to see people saved! We want to see women off the streets! We want to see children cared for! We want to see men with jobs to provide for their families... And parents in general taking an interest in ther kids! We want to see young people educated! We want to see lives changed.

So don't put down that eyedropper friends! And when it rains... Take a moment, dance with joy for the harvest God has provided... And keep at it!!!

"Cheers" to hope with a honey bottle and a step towards change

"Each week is different. We never know what to expect. We just pray that the Lord will guide us and at the end of the night we expect it will goes as HE sees fit."

This is the warning I give most newbies as we head out to ministry on Thursday nights. Every week is different. Some are quiet and somewhat uneventful. Others are... well... worth writing home about.

Thursday was one of those nights.

Minutes after this warning we got a phone call that changed the course of the night completely. My 2 ministry partners that were on their way with Robersy literally had to jump out of our truck and jump on to a bus to head back to a situation. I contemplated sending the 2 other ladies with them.

As confident as some think I am, I freak out sharing the Gospel! (I know, I know! Sarah you are a missionary!!! That is your job!) lol. I know! but have you ever thought about what a serious message it is... And to add, sharing it in another language! What if I mess it up?! I love having my Dominican and Haitian sidekicks because they always correct me if I say something stupid! Lol.

So along with my Swedish and Dutch partners for the night we stopped on the sidewalk before we reached the first strip club and begged Jesus to take the wheel :)

We had some great conversations with several girls who were "waiting for a friend" in the park. We prayed with a regular who had lost her grandma and praised the Lord for the many clubs and bars that had shut down. "Saul" didn't even budge when we handed a tract to the young lady in front of his club.

As we neared the end of the street we saw a young lady standing at a Banca (where they sell lottery tickets, etc.) speaking with the lady working inside.

"Hola! My name is Sarah and I just wanted to give you a tract to..."

"Hey, i know you!"

"Probably... I'm around Boca Chica a bit."

"No, you invited me to a retreat the other week. How did it go?"

"It didn't"

"Is this is a church thing?"

"Um... Kind of!"

"How come she is wearing pants? If i go to your church may I wear pants?"

"Sure!"

Laughing... "Can I wear a bikini to your church?"

"Suuuuure! And I'll bring you a blanket to wrap you up like a taco!" Lol.

"I like you already... Tell me about Jesus."

Moments later we were sitting on a couch in her home with her 14yr old and 9 year old daughter listening to her heart-breaking story filled with sexual abuse, attempting to leave the country, attempting to end her life, etc. etc. Which began her life of prostitution at age 14.

God opened the door to share Christ which of course led to sharing about the Lily House ministry.

"Through my work... I have every thing I have ever wanted. I don't need your money or fancy things. My girls and I need love."

"Perfect. Because that is exactly who Christ is.

As we turned to leave she handed me a bottle of honey as a token of her thanks. With her own bottle we "cheered" (tapped our bottles together) to hope and a chance to change.

Since this is HER story I don't feel a peace to share more than what she has allowed me to share with others in order to pray. But please be on your knees for P and her daughters. She is desperate to end this lifestyle. She is begging for our help. What she doesn't know is only HE can break those chains!

God is moving in Boca Chica friends!

Thank you Edeeste!

*Edeeste = our local electricty company.

I had already begun walking towards our Thursday night meeting spot before i got the call. My ministry partner couldn't make it again :( Between moving, working and being a single mom... It's been tough getting things together. Poor thing is tired! However, since I was already half-way there (and since I try to find excuses to still find girls on Thursday night) I decided to swing by the store and then stop by one strip club on the way home. It was still early, but I was hoping to speak to a few of the girls that were there early.

As I neared the club I found 4 women sitting in the door way using the last bit of sunlight to put their make-up on. The lights were out! Yay! No lights... No men... No work.

"Thank you, Edeeste!" I whispered before reaching the entrance.

I greeted the girls and shared that they are on my heart and that we are praying for them. I shared their worth in Christ's eyes and then closed by asking if there was anything specific we could pray for.

"Pray that the lights come back on... We need to work to provide for our children."

Oh.

My heart sank. I have heard a familiar story from most girls on the street. Isn't it a mother's joy to provide for her family? Goodness me... My mother would do anything to make sure my sister's and I were well taken care of!

Now, right in front of my eyes, four women fighting to place food on the table... By selling their own bodies.

As we celebrated mother's day yesterday these four faces have been on my mind. They are doing what they believe is best since they....

"Are not good enough"
"Are not educated so I can't get another job."
"Are not worth anything better."
"Have nothing else to give."

Oh Satan is such a LIAR!!!!!

Every Thursday for over a year we have prayed over, cried with and hugged on precious souls that have believed these lies. If only they would understand their worth in Christ. Only HE can break the chains! HE will have the victory!!!

Pray for these mothers on the streets!

I didn't pray that the electricty would return... But I did pray that God might shine a light in the spiritual darkness we find on the streets each week, and that God might provide for their families in a miraculous way. He is able!

Praise God that He has had the victory in many other areas this week too!

Six boys came to Christ as Savior this week through the baseball ministry!

One lady that we met through street ministry turned up at our house to enroll her son in Robersy's team. She wants him to hear about Christ and learn that there is more to life than baseball. Following  her salvation months ago, this young lady quit her job at a bar and is seeking a more "God-honoring" work.

Robersy shared Christ during the preaching at Juan Dolio church and the church in Los Fundos.

A sweet Lily finally understood that her salvation is secure in Christ as we studied HIS promises in our discipleship time.

Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever! HE sought me and bought me with HIS redeeming blood. He loved me eer I knew HIM and all my love is due HIM, HE plunged me to voctory beneath the cleansing flood!

Searching for a quiet place

Drills humming, hammers banging, dogs barking, girls talking, guys shouting, bikes buzzing, buses honking… such are the sounds of the Dominican Republic. I've attempted to slip away to find a quiet place. 

As outgoing as everyone thinks I am, I CRAVE silence. Each day I look for time to be alone with my thoughts, to pray, to meditate, to read… BUT there is little quiet to be found most days.

Each Tuesday morning I've been studying David with the women at Lily House. We think about his call to be King, his fight with Goliath, his friendship with Jonathon. But there is one area that has fascinated me lately.

When Saul was searching for David in order to kill him, David hid within the mountains and caves. But he wasn't alone! 1 Samuel 22:2 tells us that he was travelling with about 400 men who were “distressed… in debt… bitter in soul.” He was their leader! 400 men with a bunch of problems. With so many problems I doubt there was much quiet as they hid within the caves.

Have you ever traveled with your family or some friends?! Golly… I have faded memories of rope and duct tape for how rowdy my sisters and I were as we traveled around the states, Canada and Scotland! LOL. My poor parents!

Now think about David travelling with 400 men with serious issues!!! Phew!

This is why I am in awe…

Can you imagine David sneaking out of the cave before the sun had risen… the sound of men snoring in the background… and David writing the Psalms. Prayers, words of anguish, songs, fears all penned as he sat before the mighty throne of God Almighty.

Makes my struggle to find a quiet place seem petty!

Then I read Psalm 63. 

“O GOD, YOU are my GOD; EARNESTLY I SEEK YOU; my soul THIRSTS for YOU, my flesh FAINTS for YOU.”

“My soul CLINGS to YOU; YOUR right hand UPHOLDS me.”

“Quiet” is the last thing my heart ought to crave in comparison.

It has been an honor to SEE this verse in action this week. Women and men who THIRST for HIM...

Robersy shared with me about one of his boys who couldn’t stay quiet during the devotional at baseball practice. He just had to share what God had been teaching him.

A young lady who attended youth group asked to publicly apologize to another girl that she had offended. She wanted to make things right before God.

Even this morning (Tues) a teary Lily gave thanks for her new Bible. She had been praying for one and understood that it was GOD who had provided.

Oh GOD give us the same desire!!! More than QUIET... may we crave HIM!