The Power of Prayer

¡Buenos Dias Amigos!

We as a LIFT community are experiencing hands-on what it looks like to reflect the character of Jesus cross-culturally.  For some of us it has been out of our comfort zone but God makes us uncomfortable in order to draw us closer to Him. My dream is to live in a world where there is no pain, suffering, and brokenness and to see it completely transformed by the Gospel.  Unfortunately the reality is that we live in a broken and perverted world shattered by sin; temporarily in the reins of the enemy.  God has called each and every one of us to go! (Matthew 28:19)  What a privilege it is to partner with our Creator; to be His hands and feet - a light shining in a dark world. Part of that calling is recognizing that the world is broken and is in need of a Savior.

Yesterday we had the opportunity to go on a “prayer walk” with our site leaders.  This included walking around the city of Jarabacoa and physically touching buildings, praying against darkness, and if led, praying with the people of the city.  The day was followed by a “poverty meal” where we each had two pieces of fried salami, two pieces of yuka, a piece of bread, and hot chocolate.  Through this we were able to relate with many of the people here because this is a typical meal for them.  The night was followed by worship; and for many of us this was a powerful and rich time, sharing with each other what God had been doing in our hearts. 

The groups from community health and the media site were walking in a Haitian community where two little boys set out chairs for everyone.  Nestor, a visiting pastor, was able to present the Gospel and led them into a salvation prayer. One Haitian translated the Spanish to Creole so everyone could understand and some rededicated their lives to Christ! (CAN I GET AN AMEN?!!)  Later on, as the group was praying for the Haitian community, a handful of Haitians walked up and joined the prayer. A funeral was going on within the community and the group went up to a relative of the person who had passed away and prayed with her.  Joe Girard was able to share with them from the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” 

Sondra Bryan and myself were walking and were invited into a very run-down home.  They offered us water and we didn’t want to be rude so we took it and drank. (Jesus protect our stomachs!)  Even though there was a bit of a language barrier, we were able to pray with this family.  Through this experience my heart was touched.  I was blown away by their compassion and their giving hearts.  They had practically nothing and they shared with us what they had!  The poverty in this city is daunting but a very real scenario.  There are people we see throughout the streets trying to get by; needing Jesus to be true to what the Scriptures say “Give us today our daily Bread.”  This poverty has opened up my eyes to show me how privileged I am to be born and raised in a country with a multitude of opportunities.

I am privileged to be serving with a Students International missionary, Karen, at Genesis, a school for mental and physically challenged children.  It is the only school of its kind in the area… It’s the “happiest place on earth!” It is truly amazing how I could feel such a rush of emotions for the children at the Special Education site.  It has been a roller coaster of passion and immense love.  Through the kicking, the arm flaps, and screams, I see something more than meets the eye.   Behind it all I see a light.  I see Jesus shining through disability. God has been working in my heart, stirring up all kinds of emotions.  Since God radically saved me a couple years ago I struggled with the question why.  “Why do you allow us to go through hard things, why do you allow disabilities?”  Jesus was quick to answer me in that “who am I to question him?”  He is the Creator I am not.  Through my experience so far God has given me the ability to see children with disabilities in a new perspective.  A parent said, “I wonder what my child will look like in heaven as perfect.  I wonder if they’ll look ‘normal’ or if they’ll look exactly the same because Jesus sees no fault in my child.”  This hit me really hard as I began to think how perverse our thinking is in our culture as we allow the world’s definition of ‘beauty’ and ‘normal’ affect the way we see and perceive others.  God is an amazing artist and He says we are His masterpiece!             

Today two other LIFT students, Matt Calcaterra and Becky Boyle came to our Genesis site to work with Silvio in physical therapy with the special education students.  It is so encouraging to see the progress these children have made.  Two years ago a boy could not walk and now he is able to! We went to Vanessa’s house, a former student of Genesis with Cerebral Palsy.  She loves to dance; so we helped come up with a dance to ‘The Nut Cracker’.  It brought Vanessa so much joy! When she would laugh my heart melted and I began to laugh too. 

Words cannot express how thankful we are for your support. May God bless you as you invest in the LIFT community for the Kingdom’s sake.  Please don’t stop praying!!! There is so much power in prayer and through it God is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever think or imagine!!!       

Continue to pray for a shielding from a world of corruption, evil, and temptation.  (Sexual perversion, immorality, alcohol, abuse, gambling).  Pray for the staff here and the LIFT community that we would not fall to any attack of the enemy; but instead be led by the Spirit at all times. 

My heart is literally broken for the people here at Jarabacoa and the lost condition some of them are in.  I am so thankful that I serve a God who hears and answers our prayers! God is doing a special work in the hearts here.  The small things we do have such an impact for the Kingdom of God.  Love shines in the least expected of places and just when we think we’ve seen the best of our God, He takes it to a higher level. 

Remember that there is power in the words we communicate with our Father. Your prayers are so greatly appreciated! 

Your sister in Christ,

Lauren Vroegindewey


For pictures and videos of LIFT in the DR click on either of these Facebook pages:


https://www.facebook.com/liftdiscipleshipprogram?ref=bookmarks


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