“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23

They have arrived! Today the Compassion bloggers have arrived in the Dominican Republic and as promised I will be posting some of their blog posts.

Though I am not on the trip with them I almost feel as if I am still somehow going to be a part of their adventure.

When I saw their picture this morning it brought tears to my eyes.  I know that sounds crazy and I can’t really place my finger on what it is that makes me want to cry when I see them or why I want to cry as I type this post.

(photo courtesy of Compassion international)

Could it be because I have been in the Dominican Republic several times myself and the people who live there are still close to my heart?

Or could it be that familiar van in the background reminds me of my trip with Compassion to Haiti and I know they are getting ready to embark on a journey of a life time?

Bonnie said in her post, “I’m afraid I’ll cry so hard. And I don’t want to.”  As I read her words I found myself once again holding back tears because I truly know that feeling.

The feeling of trying to hold back tears of heartbreak because what you just saw makes you want to roll yourself up in a ball and just make the world go away.

And then there are the other tears, the ones that spring forth because just when you think all hope is lost, what you see or feel causes your heart to swell so full of joy that it pours out from your eyes.

I am excited to follow along with these bloggers and I just can’t wait to see what God has in store for them!

As I am writing this, my memory goes back to a bus ride I was on in the Dominican Republic four years ago.  I was a fairly new Christian at that time and still struggling with who God wanted me to be.  As I sat on the bus that day I was thinking about God and my thoughts were full of doubt and fear.  As I sat there deep in thought a young Dominican man said hello to me.  I returned his hello back and he reached out his hand to shake mine.  As I placed my hand in his he told me his name was Immanuel… at the same time he said his name the words “God with us” came to my mind and I said them out loud.  Just as the words left my lips I realized that at the exact same time I said them he had said them simultaneously with me.  At that moment I realized that God had set up our meeting.  I also knew at that very moment that God was with me and that he had always been with me.  Today as this Group of bloggers head out on their adventure in the Dominican Republic God is with them too!

Today we begin this adventure along with them, I can’t wait to see what God has planned!

Follow along by clicking this link

What is one thing Compassion Bloggers Have in Common?

Have a wonderful day!

Terri