Adventure in the DR

Howdy! So I have arrived at my apartment in the Dominican Republic after a short 5 hour flight, a 2 hour drive through some very beautiful scenery, and a "gourmet" dinner at a genuine DR restaurant. It has been a long day with my only food source being the delicious pizza at the "Italiano Restaurant Pizzeria" along with chicken wings and fried plantains which I have to say is not bad at all. Some pretty neat events included conversing with our flight attendant from Argentina named Pablo,

driving around the country side and seeing the beautiful landscape that I was unable to capture well on camera,

and eating at a non-american restaurant.

I don't feel like it has hit me yet that I am here in the DR. There's something in me that cannot believe that I am here on an internship with a company that really loves Jesus and desires to see His purposes fulfilled on the Earth. I hardly believe that I merit such an opportunity to be apart of setting the foundation in this plant and helping make business decisions from the work I have been assigned. Is it really that hard to believe that my God is so good that He would provide me with an internship I don't deserve after a year of wondering if I made the right decisions? How little faith it seems that I have that I can't even believe the things that are happening in front of my eyes. Thank you Lord for grace and mercy! Not only is it hard to believe that I'm here, but its hard to think that I'm actually doing work where a company is entrusting me to perform my duties well and take responsibilities for specific tasks. This change of scenery has been so different. Not only does my performance affect me in the form of grades and financial aid, but it affects my company as a whole. My company now has brought in another gear in its intricate clockwork that is part of the process of being successful.

Oh how this relates to the body of Christ where success is measured by the depth of our relationship with Christ and loving the people around us, and where our performance is the measure of faith, gifts, etc. that the Lord has given to us to advance His kingdom. In order for the body of Christ to do the job she was charged with is if every part loves God with all their soul, heart, mind, and strength, works together in building each other up, and loving the people around them. Through working with this company, I've learned that I don't know everything there is to know about business, engineering, or even science. However, they do want and need what I do have to offer in order to be successful. In the same way, I don't know everything there is to know about the Spirit, about evangelism, about prophesy, or even love. Although I may strive to learn more about it, I don't need to know everything to do the things I was created to do: love, walk in the Spirit, rejoice, honor, encourage, worship, etc. What I do need to know is that God has given me a specific set of "skills" in the kingdom and He is asking me, "Are you willing to risk everything to see My kingdom established?".

 Am I really willing to risk everything I have to see His kingdom established not only in College Station, Houston, the DR, and Uganda, but everywhere He will take me? Is it worth throwing my life away in exchange for His life? Am I willing to trade in comfort for discomfort, to leave the safety of my bubble and go up against the walls of the enemy and declare that My God is bigger? After counting the costs, there is only one conclusion that I have: I don't understand His ways, I don't understand trials and tribulations at times, but when I see His face, it will be worth it all!

I do have one request from all the readers out there: that you pray for me. I deeply need the Lord to pour into me these next couple of months as I travel, work, advance the kingdom, and experience Him. Please pray for rest in the Lord and that I may find it in the shadow of His wings! Thank you all for the love and support and I hope you find these blogs encouraging!

Peace, Pablo