Buenos
Dias! This morning started as usual, with an 8am breakfast. We then began
preparing for our community day at the beach, which has kind of become an
annual tradition around these parts. How amazing it is to think that with the
ocean within walking distance, the community here only uses it when we arrive!
(I think I’d try to make it at least once a week, myself!)
We arrived
at the beach ready to spend a few minutes with just the team, since the domino
tournament ran so late. We shared our “High, Low, Wows” for the day, which was
a great way to start the day. We then took time to clean up the beach, so our
Dominican friends would come to a clean beach to hang out at. Our team then
took to the water, which was just cool enough for such a great day. We gave
ourselves “Atlantic Ocean Facials” by using the ocean floor on our faces for
exfoliation, lol. Then, our community began to arrive, and joined us in the
water. We were grateful for the balls we brought with us for water play, as the
children thoroughly enjoyed them. After our fingers had turned “pruney”, we got
out of the water, and what else would break out…but a baseball game. However, our American selves weren’t ready
for what the Dominicans were about to serve up! Not only were we playing in dry
sand, but our tennis shoes were no match for them running bases in flip flops!
At one point, the game was looking pretty bleek, at 14 to 1, but after some
smack talk, Zac hit the ball and made it on base, which not only started his
team’s comeback, but they ended up getting a whole 14 runs in a single inning,
to win the game! (He actually says “that comeback should be written into
Dominican history books!”)
We decided
to leave for lunch at the height of the sun, where some rode back in the van,
and others walked the salt flats. The group that walked the salt flats was
grateful for the change of scenery, and even walked through a Haitian
neighborhood, which was eye opening.
Some of us
came back to the church to find that we were sunburned (but NOT Lydia J), and began treating that,
beginning an afternoon of amazing conversations and growth. Alberto’s children,
Abigail and Jonathan, are here, and we are very grateful to be able to spend
time with them, especially since we know their family so well.
We just
concluded out team time, after a great worship service in church. We were asked
to share in leading worship, and did so by leading “Lay Me Down” and “How Great
Is Our God” in both English and Spanish. Josue, the pastor, made a special
request to have Rayona sing “Hosanna” in Spanish, and she couldn’t tell the
pastor No, so she did that. Then, our wonderful intern Lucy was able to share
her own testimony, and in Spanish for the first time. We are looking forward to
our final Sunday of church here in Monti Cristi, to include sharing in a
worship service at Buenos Aires, a neighboring church that we’ve never been
asked to. Clearly, God is opening doors here in the Dominican Republic!
It’s time
for bed now, but we’d like to wish Sandy a very happy birthday; we are sad that
your daughter is not there to celebrate with you…but trust us, she is happy
here, and is hoping you had a great day (and she loves you!)
See you all
soon….Bendiciones!
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