Transformation

Reflections from the Dominican Republic - Part 5

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. II Corinthians 5:17
It was our theme for the week in the Dominican working with the kids. Our stories talked about people who had lived a questionable life before they met Jesus and once they understood his love, everything about them changed.

It was my prayer for everyone in the community whose lives we touched, and each one of our team that when we came home, our life would be transformed! When I talk about transformation, I don't say it in a sense, that we would come away wanting to do more community service. There are so many organizations, even companies, schools and websites asking for people to "do good". What I am talking about is not "doing more." When I ponder transformation, I think of one family in our village. 

Last year, this family lived in what seemed an impossible situation, unloving for everyone who lived in this house. To them, it seemed that there was no hope. If you looked from the outside in, they lived in darkness. Food for the Hungry, family and friends surrounded them and the family was redeemed and rescued from a family member. After this, Food for the Hungry built this family a new home.

I had the honor of visiting this family with a very dear friend. I didn't see this family last summer, but my friend has a standing relationship with the daughters. The house was beautiful, bright and airy. It was spotless with the most beautiful flower garden in front. Seven varieties of butterflies were flying from one plant to the next. Her yard was also filled with beautiful fruit and plants, which is uncommon in this village. What I witnessed was the fruit of a complete transformation. This family was a perfect picture of what happens when one comes to Christ. They are redeemed from their darkness and they were filled with peace and joy. I felt God's presence in this house and saw the light in each member of the family!

God began a great work in our team. Some saw God and His love through mankind like they have never seen before. Sometimes God has to strip everything away, bringing us back to the basics, for us to hear His voice and see Him. Only God can draw us to Himself. We cannot bring change in the life of another human being. All He asks of us is to show up when He calls us, have a heart full of love and available hands to do whatever He asks to be Jesus in the flesh. While we felt called to go, God taught us more through the beautiful people of Sierra Prieta than we gave to them. Indeed, our lives will never be the same.