We had noticed that morning that we were developing a rash or allergic reaction on our skin, and after playing with the kids and being in the heat, this rash seemed to be spreading and worsening on each of us. We went home, rested and treated it the best that we knew how, but unfortunately, our symptoms got worse before they got better. By the grace of God, we were staying in the Pastor's house, and Eduardo and his wife, Carmine, cared for us as their own children. A family friend as well as a member of the church who are both doctors came to the house quickly to look at our symptoms and try to help us. We discovered that the four of us were suffering from sun poisoning. We began to take medicine, rest and recuperate. Because our symptoms were so bad, we began to worry that we might have to go home, bringing many of us to tears, because we knew there was still work to be done here.
We prayed and cried out to the Lord, to be our healer, our peace, comfort, and I (Michelle) was reminded of Psalm 73:25-28 "Whom have I in heaven but you. And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds."
We took comfort in knowing that the Lord was in control, and no matter what we were suffering as earthly afflictions, He was working it out for our good.
As the week continued on, two other members of our team, Jake and Ashlyn, began to suffer from illness and spent the next two days in bed. We cried out once again in the name of the Lord, asking for healing. Praise the Lord that He answered those prayers showed himself to us.
Today, Monday of week three, our entire team is healthy and back on the field. We praise God for the growth we had in our time of sickness and the way He used our time of need to bring us closer to him. Last weeks trials helped us to grow in our relationships with one another, as well as our parents here in the Dominican, Eduardo and Carmine. Further more, it allowed us to grow with our church family here that cared for us in numerous ways including the greatest gift of coming to the house to pray.