Traveling with Merv
For those who aren’t aware, I’m presently in Santiago, Dominican Republic doing a conference & event management school with YWAM. I must say I’ve learnt so much in 2 weeks. I arrived in Santo Domingo on the 8th of October & I was really nervous about immigration process because it wasn’t so clear whether or not Belizeans needed a visa to enter the country. WELL it so happen that everyone had to buy a tourist visa so yea I made it in. The first things I noticed was the heat. Imagine that... Coming from Belize you wouldn’t think something like that would be obvious but for some reason it was to me. My fellow classmate, Josiah Landis, who I met up with in Miami and I got a taxi and headed to a YWAMer’s home in Santo Domingo for the night.
On the 9th, I got on the bus to Santiago for my final leg of the trip. Those who know me knows I don’t really like bus ride that much but this one was good. I had time to reflect over the week in Tampa with the Debours as well as process some of what I felt God was showing me while traveling. For instance while traveling from Cancun to Tampa, God spoke to me through a movie and the punch line was “It’s Ok, you don’t have to fear that your foot will give way on you.” If you want the full story click on the link ( http://mervupdate.blogspot.com/2010/10/your-foot-will-give-way-on-you.html Another example of what stood out from my time in Tampa was from one of the many conversations I had with Scott & Kristin, my host... “Do I believe God is bigger and stronger than the hooks of this world & the devil?”
Finally made it to Santiago
YEAH!!! Made it safely to Santiago and got settled and jumped into class Monday. OK I need to pause here and say that after a few weeks of class, I have a new found respect for all my friends that’s still in school. I use to tell students, “Come on school is easy, wait until you start working...” but I take those words back. School is NOT easy but it is very much rewarding. Let me introduce the class. Front row: Phil, Ben, Bekah, Josiah, Merv, Next row: Glenn & Rhoda Martin, Melanie. Last Row: Matt, Lizzy & Kathy.
We spent our first week establishing foundations and how basically that all we do flows from our heart and how important it is to take care of our heart. Also we spoke a lot about boundaries and how we set boundaries to protect what is valuable. I’m not sure if its because of the season I’m in, BUT those lessons came alive to me. HEART & BOUNDARIES... So the question came up in my life, What’s valuable and how have I guarded those things. Also how REST is very much valuable and even a command from God and how I’ve not deliberately guarded that. The first week it was as if God had his surgical knife and was going into the debts of why I was sick. I renewed joy was filling my life, a joy to work with people again, a joy to serve again, a joy to get up and keep going. Off course we spent a lot of time in the two week going over practical things that needs to be in place for event planning BUT it all goes back to the foundations and making sure those are strong and in place.
Scooter, the main mode of transport
I was feeling a bit insecure back home with my little scooter that is falling apart because one it’s old (time for an upgrade) and two I’m way bigger than it. BUT here in DR, that seems to be one of the main mode of transportation. People do everything on it. I’ve seen 3 people on one small scooter, guys taking a girl on a date on a small scooter. Someone carrying a tv on it. ALSO butane tanks... But what tops all was when I saw two scooters pushing a car to jump start the car... WOW I guess if you can imagine it you can do it.
Music is cross cultural
Ok so I definitely need to learn Spanish. I’m like umm, SI, Si, No, Como estas, and people rattle off then I’m like Ummm Mi no understand Espanol LOL... Pocito pocito LOL!!!! But I’m soo glad that music doesn’t need translations. It’s cross cultural barriers and connect people. The worship team at the church needed a bass player and asked me to fill in for the weeks while I’m hear. I’m so glad that God made me to hear music and play by ear because it makes it soo easy to flow. I’ve learn a few Spanish song as well. I’m really growing to love the Latin culture. There’s soo much I never noticed before and God is just simply amazing how he makes different culture and how each expresses his heart in some way. Worshiping with the church here has been soo much fun.
Prayer Points:
- God’s continual revelation to my heart in this season. We have a lot to get done in a short time and needs wisdom and stretching of time.
- Belize & Hurricane Richard – God’s protection for the people of Belize as hurricane Richard pass through.
- The CMS Team – unity and God’s heart
- Glenn & Rhoda – They are heading up school as well as all the detail for the upcoming YWAM 50th Anniversary Conference. LOTS of work
- YWAM Conference – Upcoming conference and all the details that need to come together for that.
- Abortion issue in Belize & World – Believing God for break through in seeing abortion and de-valuing of life clearly and completely outlawed in Belize and throughout the world.
- Financial provision – have some unforeseen expenses to cover but believing God.
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