Day Seven in the Dominican Republic

It really seems like we're getting into a groove here in Santo Domingo. My meeting today started much later than the other meetings, which meant that I was able to sleep in and have a relaxed morning. That was very nice. The meeting was not very exciting (mostly covering budget issues), however it was informative and helped to give me a broader understanding of the administrative aspects of ministry in the Dominican Republic.

I also had another meeting with some teenagers from the school. I was somewhat nervous about how things were going to go today because Steve wasn't going to be there to help translate. I was on my own. The meeting also started pretty late. So, I sat there for almost a half-an-hour waiting, wondering if anyone was going to show up. Yet, a group of teens showed up ready to do the study and it went really well. I told the leader that I didn't have to be the one leading the discussion. So, he took charge a bit more today. I was able to participate a little more today as well because I was understanding more of the conversation. There were some good questions and good insights. There were also a couple of teenagers that were joking around quite a bit, in a good way. So, I walked away from that study feeling really good.

Rachel and the girls also ventured out a bit more today. They spent a good portion of the day playing two-square and monkey-in-the-middle in the yard next to the school. We haven't had power most of the day. So, this was a good place they could hang out in the shade and still enjoy a bit of a breeze.

Then, after we had eaten supper, Erin walked outside to do something. She ran into some of the local kids and started trying to communicate with them. She told them she didn't know Spanish, but did a good job trying to communicate through hand motions, actions, and whatever Spanish she knew. They were having a good time. Then, she brought all of her sisters out and they began teaching the local kids how to play four-square. They did a good job. The local kids didn't quite pick up all of the rules, but picked it up enough to play the game for a while. The kids all came in with big smiles on their face saying, "That was so much fun!" They all decided to meet together tomorrow to play some more.

Here are some prayer requests:

• Many things to be thankful for:

  • Thankful for the teenage Bible study going well

  • Thankful for understanding Dominican Spanish a bit better

  • Thankful for Rachel and the girls being able to hang outside more today

  • Thankful for our kids connecting with the local kids and playing together

  • Thankful for power being on right now. I was praying that we would have power throughout the night, and a few minutes later it came on.

  • Thankful for my mind calming down a bit more

  • Thankful for so many answered prayers!

  • Thankful for a good God

• Continued prayer that the power would stay on through the night. It get's pretty miserable trying to sleep without fans going.

• Continued prayers for healthy bodies and plenty of hydration.

• I will be gone most of the day tomorrow at a meeting an hour-and-a-half away. So, prayers for safe travels for me and prayers for my family as they head into town to spend part of the day.

That's it for now.

Buenos Noches!