Tropical storm...6-8 inches of rain...no James Spann...no weather reports...pouring rain for a solid 48 hours.
Imagine rain pouring in the holes in your tin roof. Rain blowing in through the holes in your walls and soaking what little you have. Your dirt floor has turned into total mud.
Imagine the water that has filled the village and the kids are playing in is filled with disease and garbage.
Imagine that soggy wet feeling you get sometimes where you just want to get dry and take a hot shower. That's impossible right now. You can’t get dry. You can’t take a hot shower, put on clean clothes, and snuggle up in your warm and cozy bed.
Welcome to a storm in a third world country.
My friends are soaked...they are wet and I can’t help. I offered my bed but that will only sleep 2 or 3 people. The floor will sleep a few more. But what about the tens of thousands that can’t come in out of the rain?
I can’t imagine being so wet. I truly can’t. But this is life for my friends.
My friends are wet. And all I can do is pray for sunshine.
#missionaryatheart
Laughter is the Best Medicine!
Can I just say how much this picture absolutely melts my heart?! This is my girl...and she is SMILING! 1 week ago she could barely breathe...but because of lots of prayers, amazing friends, and Gods unfailing love and healing...she is out of the bed and smiling! I cannot wait to hold my sweet girl and kiss her sweet head in 10 days! #missionaryatheart
Pure Joy!
I graduate from high school on Thursday...happy dance! I truly never thought I would make it to this point and now that it's here it doesn't even seem real!
However, my graduation day has already been made. A few weeks ago when I was on my last trip to the Dominican my sweet friends surprised me and threw me a graduation party! I truly was surprised! When I got to the village that afternoon and realized what was going on I was so happy I started crying...and it takes a lot to make this girl cry! It truly was the best party I have ever had. We sang songs, played games, and just had fun! One of my best friends, Eddy, even dressed up as a clown!!! We had a homemade piñata made out of an old cardboard box filled with lots of paper shreds and a few pieces of candy. There were no presents, no fancy clothes and no expensive decorations involved...it was perfect! And at the end of the day, everyone that came was given a hot meal. I couldn't ask for a better present! I could talk all day about how amazing my surprise graduation party was but I think a picture is worth a thousand words... #missionaryatheart
Melts My Heart!
There are no words to describe this picture! These are a group of girls who I call my best friends. They are holding a sign that says, "Caroline, please come here quick! We love you much!" I cannot wait to be with my friends! 52 more days until I head to the Dominican friends...52 more days! #missionaryatheart
Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
My heart is with the children in the Dominican Republic. It says in Matthew 5:16, I want to “be the light” to show others through action, not words the true meaning of God’s love. I want to be God’s hands and feet, walking amongst the poorest of the poor and the worst of the worst.
In Isaiah 6:8, God says, “Whom shall go for me? And I said here I am. Send me.” He asked who would step up and “be the light” to show the world His love.
I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I want to make a difference that I can look back on and be able to say that little girl’s life was changed because I answered God’s call. I want to serve our amazing God.
Yes, I leave my nice car with leather seats. I leave my nice house with a clean bathroom. I leave my friends and my family, and I travel 2000 miles to stay in a third world country. There is no Target or Chick-fil-A. However, there are children that desperately need to know God’s love. There are children that just need to be held and know someone loves them.
I want to make a difference in this world, and I want to help others, but most of all, I want to serve God. God, help me to continue to be blessed by the lessons I learn every day from those so less fortunate than me. Help me to adjust to all of the lifestyle changes from traveling back and forth. Most importantly, help me to serve you and follow Your plans for my life!
“God, you know the plans you have for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 #missionaryatheart