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2010 Planned Tours

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LA Romana Dreamin

Wallingford DR Team

Circle of 12

HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY

Tammy Cadet  "

 So much to be thankful for. . ." is the best way to sum up my experience in La Romana. The luxury of taking a hot shower for as long as I like or even flushing the toilet after each use. Better yet, having electricity all the time and drinking water from the faucet are luxuries we take for granted here in the United States. Despite what eventually became minor inconveniences for me, it was amazing to watch people in a country with so little be so happy, so grateful and so much to be thankful for despite their needs. 

I found myself constantly reflecting back on many things in the Dominican Republic. Many of my reflections were not necessarily about the things that we did or saw, but it was an internal process. I did a lot of thinking and comparing of my life and my family and my relationships. I know that it was meant for me to go on this trip and during the whole trip I struggled with the question of "why was I here?" I had left my daughter and her father. I felt guilty and worried quite a bit especially after I found out they both had been sick and Carlo had exams to take that week. I was supposed to be home, not gallivanting in another country while my family needed me. But the Lord had arranged it so that Carlo and Dominique were taken care of. It was a leap of faith that I even considered this trip. I have been and will probably continue to remain caught up in rearing our daughter and supporting Carlo while he is in school, that I do not even thinking about helping others in a way as significant as in La Romana. Perhaps, that is why He sent me. Perhaps, that is why my relationships developed even more with everyone on trip particularly the women. I did walk away knowing that I may not have had a particular role in La Romana other than to just help where help was need and to serve. It was okay to just serve. I did not have to play wife or mother. I could just play Tammy. To just play Tammy was to just be helpful in whatever way was needed.

I was able to spend good, quality time with ten of my brothers and sisters on this trip and got to know them in a way that would have never happened. I am honored to have spent that kind of time with them. I think about the bateyes and how on one hand, people seemed so desperate that they would take anything but yet on the other hand, they were so proud, they wanted a choice of clothing to be given. One extreme to the next. I remember those feelings all to well as I was growing up. These are feelings I have not had in years and frankly would have like to have forgotten them. 

I constantly think about how it was truly through God's work that those of us representing New Beginnings were able to do for La Romana in two and a half days what it has taken us over a year to complete. I would be crazy not to say there is not a lot of jealousy on my part because we left La Romana in a better place than we were with New Beginnings. I do pray and hope that all goes well with their school, but it is difficult to imagine them moving on ahead of us. Not that we are not going to get there, but we could have been there sooner. I guess this is what the Lord had planned and maybe we are supposed to use our year-long experience on New Beginnings to do work just like in La Romana. Besides all of this, everyday I thought about how we see the poverty and happenings that are occurring in La Romana right in our backyards in the United States, yet we walk by, ignore or do nothing. It is wonderful to have been part of this missionary trip yet I wonder about the number of missionary trips to Boston. I know they exist, but am I going to do anything about it. 

There is tons more I could say, but I will say that I know that a smile or a hello or giving a hand was a way to serve and it was okay to do that. To just play Tammy was to just be helpful in whatever way was needed. I have so much to be thankful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for and need to always keep reminding myself of this. Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)... So should I as woman of God must be willing to serve. I who seek his love, and understanding, and believe in his Word, should care enough to pray for others a nd be humble enough to serve others.