I prayed for God to break my heart for what breaks His and He has done exactly that. This past week I have been full of every emotion. I have been sad, frustrated, excited, joyful, happy, overwhelmed, etc. This week Amy, Madi, Patti, and I have been a part of the woman’s sport ministry team. We had the chance to go to many different schools both private and public. In these schools we have led PE and we have been a part of their volleyball practices after school. The difference between the public and private schools is very evident. In one of the public schools we went to this week there were many kids who were disrespectful to their teachers and us. As our site leader Mabelis talked about the community she explained that many of the people in that community are alcoholics, drug users, and many kids come from a single parent home. It broke my heart realizing why the kids act the way they do. As I observed kids getting in fistfights and disrespecting their teachers my heart broke realizing that this is the life style they have grown up with. However, in the midst of this God is using Students International and the leaders a part of this ministry to show Christ’s love in schools, hospitals, homes, and in many other areas of Jarabacoa.
Today, we have been able to relax and process through what God has been teaching us this past week. This morning we had the opportunity to attend La Vid Church. Being apart of the service I was able to see how God is moving amongst the city. To begin the service a few members from the congregation recited verses that they had memorized that week. Following this we were able to be a part of their worship service. They had a complete band with a violin, saxophone, electric guitar, piano, vocals, and acoustic guitar. Here worship is a big part of their church service. It was amazing singing in a different language praising our Heavenly Father as a congregation. After worship the pastor came up and gave a sermon. One of the other pastors translated the service for us. The sermon was about the book of John chapter 10. Which talks about how Jesus is our shepherd. The verse that stood out to me was John 10: 27-28 which states, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” After everything that has been pressing on my heart this week it was so comforting to hear those words “No one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” God is at work in this community and nothing I do can change the outcome of these kid’s lives, however He holds them in his hands and is going to work in their lives.
– Jessica McLarty
DR – Sunday Church & Rest from Joshua Wilderness Institute on Vimeo.