Over Spring Break I traveled, along with 50 other Young Life leaders, to Jarabacoa. Jarabacoa in located in the center of the Dominican Republic. Vida Joven was founded in the Dominican Republic in 1986 and has since then spread to six different locations within the Dominican.
On Saturday, March 6th, we boarded flight 409 to fly from Atlanta to Puerto Plata. At the start of the week I could already tell that the Lord had many blessings in store for me and my fellow leaders. Upon arrival, we were dismissed from the bus to haul our luggage up a dark, muddy hill, to our then invisible destination, Pico Escondido. I laughed thinking of how the Lord delivered us safety to the foot of the hill but yet still required us to walk up the road to camp. Many of us giggled because we were all unaware of how long the road would be and just how muddy would be upon arrival.
I loved how rain-drenched and mud-covered we arrived. We were in perfect condition for the tasks set ahead of us. The next morning, we journeyed by what I would call, an original hummer-styled motor transporter, to church. A tarp was draped across the bars encompassing the back end of the truck. Spanish church was such a delight to experience. Worshipping the same God in an unknown language, or in my case- one I am attempting to learn- is thrilling. It just awakens a deep knowledge of God's infinite power. God is never limited by language barriers and neither should our love for Him. Love for the Lord cannot be defined by a certain culture or by certain customs. "Santo, Santo, Santo" translates into "Holy, Holy, Holy". There, 50 something Young Life leaders from Athens, Ga lifted up songs of praise in a tongue unbeknownst to them while knowing that worship transcends all barriers. The Lord hears our hearts. Not our words.
I used to think that our choice of words meant so much. I would search for the perfect prayer, the ideal way to express my heart. Singing in Spanish made me realize how little the correct choice of words matters...there, in a small outdoors church, the different between singing with my heart and singing with my mouth became apparent.
I used to think that our choice of words meant so much. I would search for the perfect prayer, the ideal way to express my heart. Singing in Spanish made me realize how little the correct choice of words matters...there, in a small outdoors church, the different between singing with my heart and singing with my mouth became apparent.
Monday through Thursday we all awoke at 6am- literally to roosters crowing- for devotional and hot chocolate or coffee. I was on the landscaping (flower planting) committee which I thoroughly enjoyed and felt extremely blessed to have. I was able to learn about gardening. My mother is an avid gardener and I wholeheartedly regret never taking the time to learn more from her while growing up. I usually simply picked, pulled, or planted what I was told- no questions asked. The quicker I completed my task the quicker I was free from garden work for the day.
One of my favorite memories from the week was the Vida Joven club performed for us by the Dominican leaders. It was absolutely hilarious.
Many girls showered in the river daily. For three days in a row they described the breath-taking beauty that accompanied the river. They spoke of the trip up the mountain with excitement that they could hardly contain. Finally, on the fourth day, I tried it out. I wish that I could say I developed a deep and newly founded love for "river showering" but I'm still extremely partial to hot, steamy showers. Plus, rocks got all inside my bathing suit. That was just unpleasant. I will remain a enthusiast for swimming in new waters....but strictly swimming...not bathing.
I also developed such a passion for learning Spanish. Speaking with natives is so drastically different than repeating after a professor inside the class room. The excitement of overcoming language barriers is thrilling.
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