This week has been pretty eventful as well; it was both fun and folly. But anyways, it was Loryn’s birthday this week. She turned 28 and down here the people act as if she’s an “old maid”. I always remind them that in the states that it is not as unusual as here to not have a spouse, boyfriend or children at that age. And occasionally I jokingly remind them that she is too busy doing God’s work to mingle with Dominicanos. So on her birthday we decorated the preschool with balloons (which is always a chaotic and special treat for the kids) and had a big pink cake, which read “Felicidades Prof Lorin”…pretty cute. And then we all went to Sandra’s house in El Canal that night for Birthday dinner and played cards. Slightly sad I won’t be celebrating my birthday down here because I will already be in the states Oh well.
So now that it’s the home stretch of my trip I’m filled with mixed emotions. When I think of going home it is the same feeling you get when you are anticipating a trip to Disney World. However, I keep thinking about everything I’m going to miss here and how two months is a long time to be gone from here. What about the kids English? What about my Spanish?..eek! But, knowing the Dominicans as I do, they will welcome me right back as if I never left. When groups of Americans come down for a week to build houses the families here talk about them and brag about them as if they had known them for years! Relationships are very important down here. And it is important, while you are here, to maintain them or they get fussy about it. “Why haven’t you visited?” etc etc. Unlike most of them I have a job that I am busy with so its difficult for them to understand that there just aren’t enough hours in the day.
However! I did visit Roseanna’s baby boy (the one I first met while he was still attached to his mother) and he looks big and healthy. I’m thrilled, although, they haven’t named him yet. Not positive, but in some cultures they wait to name the baby until they know it will survive. This may be her mindset because she had previously lost a baby shortly after birth however some people, when I’ve asked, just say she’s weird. Ha. Everyone has their reasons for the things we do.
Yesterday I went horseback riding with Chris and he showed me the most beautiful view that I’ve seen since I’ve been here. We were on top of a small hill/mountain on a farm overlooking the Luperon harbor. Ah! So pretty at that time of day too! Lovely. Also that day, in the morning, Bill, Chris, Loryn and I walked the property that we are buying for the Project. Finally after 10 years Bill’s mission project will have its own land to stand on. The problem is, however, that it eliminates most of our budget and everyone is on pins and needles right now. We. Need. Money. You wanna help? That’s how, write a check. Tithe 10% of your paycheck as the Bible says to and give it to us! ……Okay okay, yes that’s a little extreme for most. We are only a humble organization and need any and all help we can get. Only three people live in the Dominican right now, before me only two. That’s how small the organization in country is, but the work we do is substantial. If my blog followers ever get the chance they should check out the Village Mountain Mission website to get a better idea of what it is I’m doing here.
I’d like to dedicate this blog to the Northland HS Band Family of my generation, Andrew Brennen and the late Aaron Miller. You have been in my thoughts consistently within these last two weeks and you are in my prayers.
No comments:
Post a Comment