Front and Center

Last week was an amazing experience.  Since I work more within our programs than with the short-term groups that come to San Juan, it's a rare experience to get to plan out group activities and spend the week with them- but that's just what I got to do with the Physical Therapy group from Bradley University.  It was the kick-off to the Developmental Screening Program that Bradley is joining to SRI's Child Nutrition Program. Lots of learning. Lots of hands-on practice. Lots of fun. and God was front and center.

The group of trainers, translators, and CNP staff

Getting down to the skills

The week before Angel (CNP health promoter in El Cercado) and I planned out the families to invite to the clinic for the Bradley group and then went about getting in touch with them. In the states, I definitely took for granted the ability to call and email folks fairly simply to set things up for events. Not so here. The majority of the families are not reachable by phone, so each afternoon Angel and I would set out to visit homes in the various mountain communities- some more than 30 minutes away. Given that not everyone was home when we arrived, messages were left with neighbors, or other families were sought out and given their day to arrive.  Knowing that if plans changed for any of the families, we would not know until they failed to show up.  Plans B, C, and D were held loosely in our minds :)

scenery on the way to visit families 

A family's home

The week did not go as planned. Not all families showed up. But guess what... it was better than we could have ever planned.  The skills were still taught. and learned. Meaningful connections were made. Families were covered with prayer (Thank you Hector- rockstar translator!). I got to share about life in the Dominican Republic, about my health, about pouring into the strengths of individuals rather than focusing on their disabilities. I got to interact with our program families and learn about them in new ways. The Bradley group- led by Mandy Wright- came ready with an attitude to serve. Mandy had planned and developed and most importantly kept God at the center of planning this program. There was no mistaking the power and love of that.

Mandy explains a concept to Angel

Yairis practices the skills learned.

Angel in action checking a child's physical development

And I'll admit something too.  I was afraid going in.  Scared.  Because my body isn't what it was before. I don't have the strength and endurance that I used to. I didn't know if I could do it, and I had had 2 busy weeks before this 3rd busy week. I knew there were back-up plans for people to cover me, but I also wanted this. I felt like I needed it.

Loving on 3-week-old new life in the clinic

I'm a big fan of the devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (it's my 3rd year using it- did I say big fan?!) The week before the group arrived, I read "When the path before you is dotted with difficulties, beware of measuring your strength against those challenges. That calculation is certain to riddle you with anxiety. Without Me, you wouldn't make it past the first hurdle! The way to walk through demanding days is to grip My hand tightly and stay in close communication with Me." (Okay, Lord, I thought. Here we go...)

Each morning of last week I was reminded with the first line of each devotional:

Monday- "Rest in Me, My Child"
Tuesday- "Trust Me and Don't be afraid, for I am your Strength and Song."
Wednesday (when I considered staying in bed after a particularly difficult night)- "Let Me help you get through this day."
Thursday- "I am creating something new in you."
Friday- "I have loved you with an everlasting Love."

Are you convinced? I know I am.

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens. Your faithfulness to the skies. -Psalm 36:5