Wishy Washy

Last week I started a blog.

In fact, a time or two I opened the blogging site to continue only to have no words to express my heart.

To tell you the truth. Sometimes serving on the mission field can be down right discouraging. 

"Oh Sarah! Don't be harsh."

Wait a second.

Missionaries around the world leave their homes (parents, siblings, friends, houses, favorite foods, comfy beds, LANGUAGE, ELECTRICITY, SAFETY, etc.) behind to take the Word of God to those who might otherwise never hear it.

What a tremendous sacrifice! Right?! :)

But what happens when those same people, who you gave up the world for look you right in the eyes and say, "Thanks... but no thanks."

Oh my heart!

Last week there were a few rough nights where I struggled to sleep since I was so disappointed. I wasn't feeling sorry for myself, honestly. I was sincerely disappointed. 

The very same girls that I had come to serve and even given up other ministries in order to serve in a deeper capacity all had a super secret meeting, pricked their fingers and made some blood pact to gang up against me (I'm sure! Just sure of it! lol) and said, "Thanks. But no thanks!"

Of course, this isn't the case... I don't think... but there are just times we face while serving on the field when we look around and say, "What am I doing here?!" 

That was last week.
This week we've not found a moment to breath.

We've had teens over at the house as well as held Bible studies, discipleship, meetings, etc. They can't seem to get enough!

Their inconsistencies make my head spin!



I believe some of our teens may have journeyed out to the wilderness with Moses :)

In my Quiet Time I'm studying though the book of Numbers (as I believe I've mentioned before) and it is quite incredible to say the least.

One week the people of Israel are like, "WOW!!! God you are AWESOME!!!"

Opened the sea! BOOM!
A little fire and cloud action! WOOOOHOOOO!
Sent food from Heaven! KA-CHANG!
Protected us from our enemies! BERMP-BERMP!

"GOD, you are the bomb diggity!!!" they seemed to proclaim!

Then the next day...

"WAA. WAA. WAA. God hates us. He has forgotten us! We're hungry, thirsty, bored, lonely, etc. Should have just let us just die back in Egypt."

I'm not kidding... read it for yourself!!!

It seems inconsistencies are not something new.

SOOO... How do we serve the wishy washy, inconsistent people God has placed in our care?

We remain consistent.
When their parents, and those that ought to be consistent in their lives, aren't.

We love them, even when they don't desire our love.
We are there for them, even when they couldn't care less.

Just as God DID for the people of Israel.
Just as God DOES for us today.

Cuz one day they'll come around and I don't want to miss the opportunity to point them to Jesus.

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As I shared... it's been a busy week!

Lots of teens, lots of needs.

But I want to share some prayer requests so you know specifically how you can be praying for us.

1. Our health. Robersy and I think we may have gotten a parasite from the water. Bleugh! Starting a treatment today and praying we'll be back to feeling better soon. Josiah has been a little off too so we're praying it's not a parasite as well.

2. Our truck. Although it was supposed to be ready at the end of December, we continue to wait. Pray they can get the parts needed and that they get the job done and do it well!

3. New van? We've had a couple of people offer to help us purchase a van so that we have a safer and more efficient way of getting our baseball boys and teens around. If this is what God wants, pray we'll find an affordable, second hand vehicle soon!

Valentine's dinner at our Pastor's home.

PRAISES!

Thank the LORD for our teen team. Those who love and serve our teens well.

Thank the LORD for the opportunity we have to serve here in the Dominican. Although not always easy, we are truly grateful and couldn't do it without the prayers and support of many people back home!





Thank the LORD for those who love us here on the field. From those bringing us goodies from abroad, to those who lend us their vehicles or take us on errands, to those who invite us over, to those who encourage us.

Thank the LORD for the cooks, cleaning ladies, security guards, missionaries, church members, GAP students, teenagers, etc. who have become like family to us while our family is so far away.

#blessed.

Our Favorite Ministry

OUR LITTLE BOY IS ONE!!!

I know this is where we update our friends and supporters about our ministry and what God has been teaching us, so it's with greatest joy that we share our most important area of ministry in the life of our son, Josiah Norman.

We've learned a great deal over the last year and to be honest, it has NOT always been easy. There have been tears and frustration, but much laughter and joy as well.

Our dapper gentleman is now walking and running, eating most things and loves playing with other children.

He talks to himself mostly, in a language we do not speak and carries a baseball bat or glove with him around the house. Daddy is training him early.

He gets his dance moves from his dad... and let's face it, other than his coloring he is purely his father. He also claps and laughs when we say, "YAY, JOSIAH!"

He is still obsessed with outlets and despite outlet covers, he finds a way to them so we praise Jesus for the power outages sometimes :)



Josiah gives the best hugs and has started to kiss (though very slobbery) and blow kisses too.

He chats to his grandparents in Bermuda, Auntie Bex, Auntie Debz and Uncle Kyle weekly and we do our best with family so far away. He's also become very fond of his abuelo and abuela in Bani and they ADORE him too <3




Josiah looooves animals... especially our dog Tonky. They climb all over each other and Josiah likes to pat Tonky right on the head. We're working on being more gentle.

Josiah has 8 teeth and others are coming in, but his hair is taking a while, Not to worry, less to scrub during bath time... which he also loves!

Our little boo boo makes friends with most people and particularly loves being friendly with the people on the bus. He often times puts his hands in ladies purses and is cute enough to get away with it.


Needless to say, we adore our boy with all of our heart and it was a joy to celebrate his first year of life on Sunday. Of course daddy had games up his sleeves and there was plenty of fun and CAKE! (Thanks LILY HOUSE!) for everyone.

We are grateful for those who have poured in to our little one's life. From babysitting, offering vehicles for pediatrician appointments, bringing us diapers/wipes and simply loving our little boy.

THANK YOU! Love from the Laras <3

The bigger the better?

I do not have a green thumb. 

I blame it on my mother.

It's more like a shriveled, shrunken dead thumb. 

It's not like I don't try!!! I love a good bouquet or house plant. I sing to it, give it lots of sunlight and of course water it... well, when I remember. I currently have a little dead Palm on my porch as a constant reminded of my failure as a plant mom. Thankfully I'm better at keeping my kid fed and watered :)

My neighbors, however, have green thumbs, and fingers, and toes!!! I look down upon their fruit trees and garden and fall into an abundance of sin as I lust over their produce.

I wish I had such talent!!! Still, over the last several weeks I have learned a little about plants and trees as I studied for a message I was preparing for a new study group. 

Enjoyed some quiet time (and yummy
empanadas) at Lily House.

We always hear about how "the bigger, the better" and though that may be the case in certain situations the reality is that there are many types of trees that grow big and tall, but the roots are small and weak. People may look and say, "Wow! What a fantastic tree!" But the minute a strong wind comes along that tree that appears so "put together" on the outside falls. Why? The roots were weak.

This week as I sat with women on 3 different occasions, from 3 different areas and 3 different walks of life I found that the principal was the same.

As Christians, our roots ought to be firmly planted in the faith of our Lord Jesus. HOWEVER, if the roots are not given the necessary nutrients and care, they will not grow - and in turn, WE will not grow!

What are the nutrients that urge the roots to grow? Time in the Word, prayer, time with other believers, time under sound preaching, etc.

As we seek after God, our roots (faith) are strengthened and our relationship with the Lord grows. This means when trials and temptations come our way and the winds blow, the roots that have been cared for and strengthened will keep us firm! Those who do not grow in their faith are easily blown over - that may mean that they struggle in their faith when tough things happen, but it also means that they fall in to sin easier than someone who has consciously put work in to growing closer to the Lord.

While the women shared their experiences with weak or strong roots it occurred to me...

How many times have I come across someone who seems big and tall on the outside, but their roots (though pften times unseen until the storms come) are small and weak? 

My heart's desire is to be strong both above and below the surface so that I might stand strong in the face of temptation while pointing others to the source of my strength and salvation <3

I pray the same for you, friend!

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This week, like I mentioned, I've been getting back in to teaching a little while Robersy has gotten back in to his baseball/discipleship routine. Robersy also had the opportunity to preach on Sunday. Thankful for his love for the Word and his desire to share it with others. The Lord used Robersy... even if He just used him to speak to my heart :)

Youth group is up and running as we kicked things off this Friday. Thankful for those who serve the youth alongside of us!

My big boy!

Josiah with the "big kids" in the back of the truck on
our way to Los Fundos. Don't worry it was on the back
roads and very slow!

Josiah is turning 1 this coming Sunday. I'm not sure if my heart can handle it. He must of grown up over night and though I'm so thankful for his sweet personality, I feel as though time is already slipping through my fingers! Parents of adults will surely laugh, but does it get easier as time goes on? How is my baby almost ONE?! Those who live around here, expect some tears from this emotional momma.

Update on the truck is that there is no update! Continue to pray as others begin to pray how they can be a part of getting us back on the road again. 

Until next time, friend!

TRUMP!

This blog has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with politics.

Isn't that refreshing...

My head has been spinning as I scroll down my FB news-feed. Saddened by hateful, bitter comments by those who claim to put their trust in God Almighty. Just puts a damper on things, ya know?!

So friend. Breathe. You are in a political safe-zone :) 

Meeting friends on the beach.

This week became a little busier than expected as we eased in "slowly" to the ministries that God has allowed us to be a part of. Robersy met with his boys and I enjoyed some meetings with my girls as we evaluated how to take on the new year. Where do the kids need to grow, what are they struggling with, what do they want to accomplish, etc.

It's been exciting! 




Then our friend from Puerto Rico came down for a couple of conferences and stayed at our home. It was lovely to show him around and catch up on life. As a former major league player I guess baseball runs in his veins so we had the opportunity to meet his nephew who coaches at one of the major league academies near our home.

Eating underground at Meson de la Cava

It was pretty cool to hear about games and trips and opportunities that have been allotted to this player turned coach. We talked about baseball, obviously, and even asked what things he had experienced during his time coaching here in the DR. Turns out, the majority of the time is spent in the academy.

To be a professional coach or player there is serious sacrifice. Many hours are spent in the gym, on the field, playing, stretching, running, throwing...
the rewards aren't reaped until YEARS of much work and sweat have passed.

New friend at the baseball field.

I don't think it's coincidence that I've been in the book of Numbers during my devotions lately. 

At first we focused on the Levites. The Levites were the tribe of Israel set apart for service in the tabernacle.

I'll tell you the truth. At first I actually wrote in the comment section of my Quiet Time Diary "Poor Levites!" Knowing that they were chosen, set apart and given the responsibility of taking care of God's dwelling place! Only a few days later I found myself writing, "LUCKY LEVITES!" 

To be chosen and set apart with a beautiful purpose! WHAT AN HONOUR!!!



Then I've been looking at the Nazarites. A voluntary (except for 2 examples we find in Scripture) commitment (for a specific period of time) to God to abstain from alcohol/fruit of the vine, touching dead bodies and having a hair cut in order to be used for service.

Set apart. 

I understand that a baseball player or coach is not comparable to the holy promise to God Almighty, but it gave me a visual (I'm a very visual learner) to the call that both the Levites and Nazarites had been given.

Years of service and "missing out" only to reap great reward. For the players and coaches it would be much worldly reward. But for those holy and set-apart for God's service... a part in His inheritance and comparison to the likeness of His Son! What an HONOR!!! What an incredible honor.

We as Christians may not have the particular call of a Nazarite or be part of the tribe of Levi, yet God has called us apart to be called to His holy service, to be a light to the world, to lead the lost to Him. It involves much sacrifice and years of hard work and "missing out" yet the benefits are totally worth it. 

Some of those "benefits" unfold as we see people come to Christ, those gone astray return to the Lord and young people growing in their faith. 

Of course... the benefits do not come without blood, sweat and tears. Many tears. 

And here is where the team/tribe/family comes in. We're all going to face times where the call to be set-apart becomes difficult and work can seem unbearable. Perhaps the tears come often and the "prize" seems too far off. May we come along side one another to encourage and lift up our team mates. Aren't we all in this together?

So, to the 
weak, 
frustrated, 
angry, 
tired, 
discouraged...
take heart.

1 Corinthians 15:58, " Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

Severed Head

I sat in awe as I watched our little one playing with his cousins on the dirt floor in Robersy's village. We had already banished him from the pile of plantains he had gotten into, but playing with the other children seemed to be right up his alley.

Trying to be an awesome mom I brought a couple of super fancy educational toys (#momoftheyear) for him to play with. He was doing great. Sharing. Laughing. Playing. All of the kids were loving it... until...

Our little Dominican loves his plantains.

Along came Robersy's cousin's daughter with a couple of gems. A headless doll, the doll's severed head and a broken toy phone. You would have thought Josiah was holding a hot potato. He threw that Baby Einstein toy across the floor and cuddled that severed head like it was the BEST THING EVER!!! No one could take it from him. 

Of course analyzing the germs that were in it's knotted blonde hair (in fact, I personally saw one of the other little girls spit in the hair while she was trying to get the knots out) and dirty face, I tried to do a little switcharoo. 

"Here Josiah! Take the nice, clean, sanitized, expensive, fancy Baby Einstein toy!" I may have just said "TOY" without the extra descriptions... but I was certainly thinking the rest.

He pushed it away.

Checking out the goats with Abuelo

He cuddled the severed head to his now tarnished onesie even tighter.

There was no telling him.

And sometimes... there's no telling us.

I shudder at the similarity between Josiah with his severed head and us. 

Blessing after blessing placed into our hands by God Almighty.

We toss them to the side and choose the world instead. 



We see this time and time in ministry and the church. I can name a number of times Robersy and I have sat there shaking our heads and saying, "What were they thinking?!" But then I see times I've done it too.

Watching Josiah I wanted to scream... "Josiah!!! Don't you see what you have?! This awesome toy and you chose to throw it away for a head! Literally. A head."

Boys toss aside their education for a chance at the major leagues.
Girls toss aside their future for a cute boy.
Women toss aside their husbands for a fling.
Men toss aside their jobs for addiction.

And God looks down upon us and says, "Don't you see what I gave you? What were you thinking? I gave you this precious gift and you chose to throw it away for the world."

Thank God for those blessings, dear friends. Don't toss them away for the world!

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Adventures with momma

This week has been slow as we've gotten back in to the groove of things. We've visited our teens and had various meetings. We're excited to get things going... but enjoying the slow days while they're here.

So as we start off running here are some things you can be praying for.

1. Our truck. The frame is bent, but insurance will not write it off. We have to wait until it is repaired then we're hoping to sell it (unfortunately, it won't be as much as we'd like) and get something we can use for ministry.

He climbs everything!!!

2. Ministry. Pray for our teens in Guayacanes and Juan Dolio that we will be discipling, teaching and training. Our goal is to grow godly leaders for the future.

3. Family. Pray that we might find a balance between ministry and home. We never want to neglect our first call as husband and wife & our second as parents... but want to honor our call outside the home too.

We look forward to sharing what God is doing in our lives in the days, weeks, and months ahead :)

Drunken Sailor.

HERE WE GO!!!

2017.

It feels as though 2016 left in a blur. Those last few months were a doozy and as soon as we we felt like we could finally unwind over Christmas break, we were on a flight back to the DR. Too quick! Although extremely grateful, of course.

Now we are unpacked and things are in their rightful place... well, they are until my little bulldozer rearranges things. Perhaps we have a future interior designer on our hands?! We can only hope :)

And here we go. Off and running! Much like our 11 month old who walks more like a drunken sailor than a normal human being.

It's incredible to watch and I'm in awe more and more each day as I watch God's design. We help Josiah up and he kind of stops and steadies himself, then he's off! We follow closely ready to help him catch his balance, guide him where he needs to go (or not go) and lift him up when he falls. When he's tired or weak, we simply carry him :)

Aren't we the same? We toddle along, wobbly and unsteady relying completely on our Heavenly Father to take us by the hand and lead us. To steady us. To guide us. To lift us up. And when necessary, to carry us in His strong and protective arms. 

As we start off 2017 like drunken sailors, we trust that - while walking hand in hand with our Savior - we might be strengthened in our walk so that we might come along those we serve and those we serve with to do the same for them!

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We're including a few photos from our time away so you can see what we were up to. Robersy had an opportunity to teach in English and preach in Spanish with a super hot translator :) And of course, we had some fun too!

Visiting the school where my sister teaches. 

Decorating the tree with Grandma

Ice-skating with the family

Finally a date with my crazy man!!!

Putting out cookies for "Santa"

Stealing Santa's cookies!!!

Helping to decorate!

Love this tradition of listening to the Salvation Army band at our friend's home. Magical!

Meanwhile our home in the Dominican was well visited. LOL!

My favorite view in Bermuda!

"Boxing Day" tradition of seeing the Gombeys

Josiah helping me to... umm... pack?!

Robersy got a few friends out to play softball twice!

Home sweet home. Back to the DR.

Truck is... getting there?! They say maybe March or April we'll have it back.
Prayers appreciated.

And we continue to carry on. Strengthened by the hand of the LORD!!!

Happy New Year friends!!!

Deck the halls!

Well friends it has been another BUSY week as we get ready to head home for a couple of weeks. We're excited to spend time with many of you who stand behind us as we serve here on the mission field and we're excited to get some rest. Some serious, much needed REST!

We're grateful to those of you have served with us and given over the course of the year and we look forward to what God has in store for 2017. 

A few have asked how they can be a part of our ministry here in the DR and so we're including a link to our support page if you'd like to be a part! There are ways you can give monthly or a one time gift.

https://www.scoreintl.org/product/missionaries/lara-robersy-sarah/

We'll try and be in touch over the holidays - but if not, please understand :) We're celebrating the birth of our Saviour with our family too! 

Here are some photos of a few activities we had with the kids over the last week. Can you see why we need some rest?! :) Hope you take some time from your busy Christmas schedule for some rest too as we celebrate the GLORIOUS coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Game day with the boys.

Proud of these kids :)

Christmas party at Youth Group

Got the kids, haha! Gave them a "dirty" diaper to eat. (Just a Snickers folks!)

More games!

Bowling with some of our top kids this year!

Most of these kids had never held a bowling bowl
and were bowling over a hundred!

Proud of their growth and testimonies!