Practicing pure and faultless religion in Jaibon, Dominican Republic

Well, I've officially made it to my half way point, the end of my first month and the longest period of time ever of staying away from home. This weekend is sad because all of the interns that came with me left today, and the ones that were here to greet me mostly left too. We went from 25 interns to like 6. We have 5 new ones coming in today, but we will only have a total of 20 people here the next week. My time here is getting more and more precious. Here's what the week looked like:

*We had a total of 102 people here this week. 3 church groups, and several families and individuals plus the 25 interns. It was happening and full, and challenging at times. However, it was a good week and now it seems really quiet.

*I was one of three interns that worked with a church group from Arizona at camps this week. What I had to do in leadership last week was pushed even farther. I helped to lead song and make the camp run smoothly. We also were there to answer questions and help with Spanish and leading the team.

*On Monday afternoon I went to Batey Libertad. A batey is like a slum where Haitians live. Haitians here are basically forced to live in a batey because they are hired by Dominicans to work for less than 50 cents a day(almost as slaves). We went to the batey to play with the kids. It was intense. I felt like I was back in Africa, but worse than anything I saw there. I saw kids running around naked, with sores all over their bodies, with rounded bellies from worms and hunger, and a 6 mo. old that looked like a premie newborn with only half a head of hair. Malnourishment was rampant. The adults were busy working and none of them had a sparkle in their eye. The "park" we held the games in was muddy, with cement benches and a tiny gazebo. It was in the middle of people's houses....or shacks. But, in the midst of all that, the kids were so excited that we were there to show them love and to care for them. Some just wanted to be held, others ran away with one crayon and thought they had just gained the world. It was a hard thing to see, but an amazing experience and opportunity to shine God's love.

*We taught one camp in the morning that we held at the wrong church and started with no kids. After inviting, we had many kids trickle in. By the last day, we had over 120 They were crazy and it was chaotic, but full of energy and excitement for sure! In the afternoon on Wed. and Thurs, we went back to a camp in Laguna Salada at the tiny church, the kids were great and they were so excited to have us come back. The pastor invited us to her sister's house again for soft drinks and I got to hold the most precious newborns ever!

*On Monday night I got to go to a nearby city called Mao to eat ice cream and hang out in a park with some of the interns. It was beautiful and a fun experience.

*I started tutoring some boys in English this week. The boys are 13 and 11. It is so fun to be teaching them. They are so eager to learn and study hard to improve.

*One boy, who is 11, can't read, as we found out this week. The education system here is awful. Most older boys don't even know the letters of the alphabet, but most can read. This particular child is so precious and awesome and I get to start teaching him how to read. He is so excited that I am willing to help him in that way. I can't imagine not knowing how to read at such an old age.

*On Thursday night we invited the boys to our worship night. We sang 2 songs in English and 2 of their songs in Spanish. They sang out so clearly and passionately, it was so amazing.

*I have realized this week that I now have 25 Dominican little brothers. That is how much I love them. I am comfortable with them, play with them, laugh with them, tease them and just hang out. It is wonderful.

* On Friday we went to Moca and Sacedo to see a museum of a house where 3 very important women lived before they were murdered by the government of Dictator Trujillo in 1959. They led to the freedom of the country. We also saw a cathedral and went back to the monument in Santiago. One of our interns had to go to the emergency room so we sat in the bus for 2 hrs while we waited. She is going to be ok and is already back in the states.

You know you are in the DR if...

Men come and tap on the window of the bus to sell you things. And if men driving by in trucks start flirting with the pretty American women.

You show up the wrong church for camp and no one cares. Camp turns out great.

Election posters are posted everywhere...3 months after the election

Red lights mean nothing. You stop at a red light and get passed by every car going straight through the intersection.


Thanks for all your support and prayers! I would not be able to be doing any of this without all of you!!!