Semana Santa

With only two and a half months left in the Dominican Republic, life seems to be whizzing by on hyper-speed. The end of March and the first week of April saw 3 of the universities that have Vida Estudiantil close for three weeks of vacation before the start of their summer semester. I have seen the power of God work through prayer and petition in the lives of several students and listened with tears to the heartbreaking reality of others. 

I have had days where I stumbled through the language and days where words came out of my mouth that I didn't even know I understood. I have moments when all I could dream about was sitting at home surrounded by my family and moments when I thought I could never live anywhere else. 

Through all the emotional roller-coasters of making decisions, one thing God has been reminding me of is His sovereignty over my circumstantial feelings.

"You hem me in behind and before,

    and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

    too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." Psalm 139:5-8

Over and over and over again. 

Jesus' words to me through this particular Psalm this morning were very clear-- 

"I have called you by faith and called you to trust me. I have called you out of darkness and into marvelous light. This is why. You are not a whim to me. I will not lead you to a place where I am not. This will be content to your faith. For you will walk with confident and certain trust in me, not by sight."

I cannot be where He is not. Period.

That simple thought alone gave me hope today :)

In other news, 

last week my team and I celebrated my birthday early and had our last week of vacations during Holy Week. My team (plus Ashlee's friend Jessica aka mi media naranja) returned to the cute little mountain town of Jarabacoa (go there!) and enjoyed a few days of rest, cooler weather and the natural beauty of the Dominican Republic. 

Beach time!

In Jarabacoa- the view from the house we rented.

The ladies at the waterfall we visited.

Team picture

Green everywhere! 

How could I not be at peace with a view like that one?

We had a blast, and reflecting on this year has made me even more excited about what is to come in these next two and half months here in Santo Domingo.

xoxo,

kme