Church in the Dominican Republic

 

            Last Friday night I had my first real Dominican church experience. It was new and different in many ways. First of all we went to a small church that is led by a close friend of Miguel and Kristen’s. This pastora has a tendency to ask visitor to speak, so Miguel asked me to prepare something ahead of time.

            God walked me through the process of putting a message together and I loved the process and time spent with Him. Going to the church I didn’t really know what to expect, but I assumed it was something like church in Mexico. Wrong! The church was so much louder with people shouting Gloria! I loved worship! I am a rhythm based person and the ‘music’ consisted solely of percussion instruments and singing. The clapping was so loud that you could barely hear the voices! And for once I was not the only one dancing! I was actually out-danced by a number of people.

            When the time came for me to share what was on my heart, I had a sense that I was doing what God had asked me to do. He prepared the way for me more than I even know. He filled me with strength and took away all of my doubt. It was awesome because all of this is also what I happened to be talking about! I had a translator which I hope to someday no longer need! I would love to be able to speak freely without the language holding me back.

            Due to the language barrier and other things, I don’t really know how all of the message was received. But in some ways I think that’s the way that it is meant to be. I believe that God gave me the words for a reason, but He also just asked me to be obedient and to do something that I did not think I could. For once in my life I listened to His voice, blocked out the Devil, and allowed God to use me in a way I would have never thought possible. The message and the process were for me just as much as it was for anyone else. Gloria a Dios!