Stretching to Increase Spiritual Flexibility

by Cathy Donahoe, a SAMS Missionary serving in the Dominican Republic as a physical therapist in San Pedro de Macorís and Santo Domingo.  More online here: www.cathydonahoe.net                                                                                         

As physical therapists, we often teach our patients stretches to become more flexible in areas that are tight.

For our continued spiritual growth, God allows us to be in situations that stretch us beyond our comfort zones.

Some of my students working in the pediatric area of the clinic.

For our continued spiritual growth, God allows us to be in situations that stretch us beyond our comfort zones.  Living and working in this culture is teaching me to be more flexible with my planning and putting in action of things.  In my last update, I mentioned starting involvement at the local public hospital with orthopedic inpatients, but that fell through.  Last term I had one class and this term my course load changed several times until by week 4 of the term it was fairly fixed - i.e., 3 new classes and perhaps a steady class list for the clinical rotation (20 students in a clinic with 7 therapists).  Being a planner and organizer, this constant state of flux can be challenging for me. 

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Instead of looking at our cross as a burden to carry, it was suggested we look at our cross as living into God’s purpose in our lives.  Isn’t that what we all want to do as we submit our will to God’s will?

a picture from Palm Sunday

At a recent retreat for missionaries that I attended, I heard an explanation of ‘carrying our cross’ that I’d never considered.  Isn’t that what we all want to do as we submit our will to God’s will? 

It feels like God’s purpose in my life now is to be present and ready to help with teaching PT students however needed, be it last minute or with time to prepare.  God equips us to carry our cross through the scriptures, situations and people God puts into our lives.  Please pray that I successfully share God’s love with the students, patients, and members of the Santa Fe community regardless of how unstable or inconsistent situations may be.

May God bless and guide you in all you do!


                                                                                    In Christ,
                                                                                    Cathy

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Donations: SAMS, PO Box 399; Ambridge, PA  15003 with Cathy Donahoe in the memo line of the check or go to the website https://secure-q.net/Donations/SAMS/3311 or http://samsusa.org/givetomissionaries
Cards/letters: Cathy Donahoe, Apartado 587, San Pedro de Macoris 21000, Dominican Republic      
Email: cathyd@turbonet.com