Being back in America for a short Christmas break and bringing in the New Year with Family and close friends was so nice. I’m so thankful for having been able to quality time with family members that I haven’t seen in months. I enjoyed other things too, like a Chick-Fil-A, spending quality time with my girlfriend, and the South Carolina air. I felt something more than happiness while I was home. It was joy.
Now I’m back on the Mission Field and this time in La Romana, Dominican Republic. I’ve observed that the people here are also more than happy. I’ve been able to experience a very different reality in the Dominican Republic, in a more rural province called La Romana. This province specializes in growing sugar. Many people here do not even have the opportunity of formal education at all. The local elementary school is miles away by foot. Many have lived in a tough environment called a batey or sugar cane plantation for most of there lives. But if you ask them, everything is fine and they are happy.
I am starting to believe that joy is choice. One example I can think of is when we met a mother who lives in a small house with 8 family members and no running water made sure we didn’t leave without coffee. She was so hospitable and was so happy to take care of us in any way she could. It seemed like she was smiling the whole time. Where does that kind of joy and happiness come from when she doesn’t even have running water or the things that I so often overlook and take for granted?
I believe that gratitude is the choice that leads to joy. Rather than meditating on everything one does not have, take every thought captive to obey Christ. We are human beings and to be is far better than to aimlessly wander in doing. As I continue to be here in the D.R. I ask that you continue to pray for our ministry and that the locals will continue to experience the joy of Christ’s presence. It is my hope that they will receive the mystery of the Gospel as the Holy Spirit provides the opportunities to share the story.
May God continue to bring you joy in your life that surpasses all understanding, even happiness.
Isaac
