Sometimes God reminds us of the blessings in our lives in the strangest of ways.

Nearly six weeks ago, the public works department of the city of Santiago began working on the streets in our neighborhood, which at some point many years ago had been paved, but had fallen into such disrepair that only in rare spots could the original pavement be noted. When we moved here in January, our landlady said they were going to be repairing the streets beginning in February, and I had nearly given up on the hope of not having to drive 2 to 3 miles an hour, maneuvering around the many potholes, in order to arrive at our house.

So, when the work actually began in early August, I was optimistic that in just a few short weeks, we would be enjoying driving on newly paved streets. However, not only did that not happen, I was completely unprepared for what did happen, and it reminded me just how much I have taken for granted in my life.

A few days after work began, it became apparent that they were going to do more than just repair the streets – they were also repairing the water and sewer system. This meant that all of the water and sewer pipes in our neighborhood were removed, without warning to the neighborhood residents. The first night we were without water, and before I knew the water had indefinitely been turned off, I was not worried. Being without water happens periodically in the Dominican because there is not a sufficient infrastructure in the country to supply water to the entire country at the same time, so water will be shut off to communities on a rolling basis (some communities more often and for a longer time than others – depending on the income level of those who live there). We were blessed to find a home for rent in a relatively wealthy community, so our water goes out less often than most, but we still try to keep ourselves prepared to be without water for a short time.

However, by the end of the second day, we were out of our “back-up” water, which is stored in a kitchen size trash can with a lid in our guest bathroom, and I had no idea what we were going to do. So, Amaury went to his family’s home in Hoya del Caimito, which is where the G.O. Ministry hub is located and a two to three minute drive from our home, to borrow 5 gallon water bottle for us to use. That night was the first unexpected blessing from God. Instead of coming home with 5 gallons of water, he came home with 15! I felt so loved, by both God and Amaury’s family. We were in need, and that need was abundantly met!

However, I have to admit, that I quickly forgot that blessing as the week progressed and we continued to be without running water in our house. We went and complained at the water company, along with several of our neighbors, and by the middle of the second week (during which time Amaury continued to go to his family’s house every night to fill up our water bottles) we did have “provisional” water hooked up to the cistern that is in front of the house, and I once again felt blessed, but not with quite the same joy I’d had the previous time.

We found that we could hook up our hose to the faucet and fill the water bottles, but since it is only a half inch tube that is hooked up to six houses and two condominium buildings, the water pressure is very low and often is so minimal that the water will not fill the hose, and Amaury has to fill the bottles directly from the faucet. Once again, I quickly forgot that God was meeting our needs and instead began to focus on the inconvenience of having to fill water bottles every day, having to do our laundry at a friend’s house, and counting every day of the six weeks that we have now been without running water. What I did not realize was the God was about to do something in my heart that I did not expect.

This past Sunday I was invited to a prayer retreat with the Dominican leaders for the G.O. Ministries women’s conference that begins tomorrow, and as I was talking to my mother-in-law about our water situation, I was suddenly convicted by my own words and lack of gratefulness for all I had in my life. Here I was complaining to a woman who never complains, despite not having running water in her home for the last 5 years, ever since she and my father-in-law decided to leave the two-story concrete block home (with two bathrooms) they have in Hoya del Caimito to move to wood house with an outdoor kitchen and bathroom in a poor mountain community called Palo Alto to serve the people there and build a church and retreat center, both of which are blessings to that community.

To Ramona’s credit, she listened and let me know she understood my frustration, and she never corrected me for my ungrateful spirit. Ramona is such an amazing example of a Godly woman and I am so thankful to have her in my life. God used this conversation to remind me that I have been richly and abundantly blessed, despite any current (and temporary) circumstances. There I was surrounded by Dominican women who regularly deal with not having the conveniences in their lives to which we as Americans have become so accustomed, and I was instantly humbled.

I cannot say at this point that I am happy to continue to be without running water in my home, but I can say that I have been convicted about my own selfishness and have stopped complaining. God has given me a wonderful husband (who continues to fill those water bottles daily), a loving family here in the Dominican and in the U.S., and great friends who support me and help me deal with the circumstances of life. What more could I truly ask for?

I can also say that I now understand in a way I have not before Paul’s instruction to us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” I will continue to pray that our streets will be finished and our water will be reconnected, but until that time comes, I will choose joy and give thanks for all God has done in my life.

Below are some pictures of recent events in our ministry that we are so thankful to have been a part of – the Drama Camp held Aug 1-2 in Hoya del Caimito and the new computer lab at the school – I hope you enjoy them!

Thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support!

With love in Christ,
Catherine and Amaury

Hoya del Caimito Drama Camp!

New Computer Lab at Colegio Evangelico Isaias Emmanuel!