Wednesday, July 14, 2010

My Last Days in Jarabacoa


Sorry I haven’t blogged in SO long! I got caught up in the hustle and bustle of saying goodbye to people, having some last adventures, and then packing up and leaving. This blog might be a long one considering I have so much to say!

Where did I leave off? I’ll start on Wednesday. The rumor that Josh Hill and I (one of the interns) are dating is still going strong, and everyone gets a big kick out of that joke. You will see why later. Today was the day in which we traveled to La Vega to play volleyball, and then that night was the volleyball outreach night in the community I am normally in, Pinar Quemado. I went into this night with excitement to see my girls, not knowing that after I would have to say my last goodbyes to two of the ones I had gotten really close with because we wouldn’t be able to make it back to this community the rest of the time I was here. The outreach was good, we played around and Raul spoke at the end. When it came time for leaving I said bye to the girls ( Kasey and Lili) and Kasey started sobbing. I was strong up until that point. I don’t think it was the fact that I was going to miss her a lot, which I will! But more of the fact that I was starting my goodbye’s and I hate those. Jess held me on the bus on the way home while I shed some tears as quiet as I could. It’s a weird feeling not knowing if I will ever see these people again.

Thursday was the hike that we do for every outreach! It started out awesome and so fun until we got to the bottom. Being the klutz that I am, I fell and heard my ankle pop and immediately felt immense pain. It swelled up almost immediately and I seriously questioned whether or not it was broken. Then reality hit that I had to to hike the 40 min hike, UPHILL, with this ankle. Luckily, my friends Jess, Joan, and Moreno helped me. Joan and Moreno really are one of a kind friends, they were only concerned about my health, and made the trip actually kinda fun. We took breaks whenever I needed them, but being the stubborn person I am, I just wanted to get to the top without a lot of breaks. We finally made it to the top and I was rushed to the physical therapist, who told me to go get an X-ray b/c he wasn’t sure if it was broken. I went to the doctor, and had to get a shot, in my butt, for the inflammation. For those of you that really know, know that I HATE shots, and I had no idea what a shot in the butt felt like, but I found out real quick! The X-ray results showed that nothing was broken, but I was already bruised and so swollen, he told me it was just a grade 3 or 4 sprain and that I would need crutches for a few days and lots of icing. I think I used the crutches for... 3 days. I was just tired of using them, so I didn’t :) It’s still swollen and bruised but it’s gone down a lot, and i’m walking on it like a champ. That night I even went to watch Jess and Heather play another game in La Vega that I was invited to play in, but obviously couldn’t.

Friday was my last day of outreach duties, and it was weird to see it come to an end. My girls this outreach were absolutely amazing, I couldn’t have asked for more. They were so encouraging even with my hurt ankle and crutches, and made everything seem so much fun. That night was the banquet, my last one. At the end there is a time in which all the site leaders (like Jess) come up and say a little something about the students they had for the week. We conveniently went last, and after Jess said something about our students, she moved onto me. It was a very sweet, touching speech in which she was crying and couldn’t finish her words, and of course that made me cry. Jess was a very special person to me on this trip, and we got as close as sisters. It was awesome. After she was done, all the interns came up and Vicki (my boss) said some nice things about me, and all surrounded me and prayed over me. I got a few parting gifts. Some earrings, and a really cool photo album that Jess made, with letters in it from a lot of the people I had contact with here. It’s so cool to see the impact that you didn’t really think you had!

The next morning we left for the BEACH! All the interns and our bosses (Josh and Vicki that all of us call dad and mom) left for a resort a few hours away that was all inclusive, and absolutely beautiful. I felt so spoiled. The weekend consisted of our days being spent laying out at the beach and the many pools, going to the swim up bar for non-alcoholic drinks, and being in community with each other. Some of my favorite times were at nights when we would all just sit on the beach chairs down by the beach and talk, share testimonies, and worship together. There is one particular night that sticks out to me the most, because it was the night I was completely embarrassed, more embarrassed than I’ve ever been in my whole life. Well, remember the running joke about me and Josh Hill dating? Well he took it to a whole new level. Our last dinner night, he clinked his glass in the middle of the restaurant to get everyone’s attention in the WHOLE restaurant. I knew at that moment that I was going to be embarrassed. He proceeded to go this whole explanation of how we had fallen in love, in a really loud voice. And then got down on one knee and proposed with one of the interns old rings she had dug up. Needless to say, I screamed the entire time out of embarrassment. All I could hear was all the interns laughter, and everyone in the restaurant that we didn’t know saying.. say yes! So all I could do was mutter under my breath, sure. He jumped around like an idiot and screamed “I’m marrying this woman!!” which proceeded to embarrass me even more. We got congratulated several times, and Josh was loving it. When we got back to the base the next day, he told everyone there, all of our staff and our bosses. The director thought it was hilarious, and ended up playing a cruel joke on Josh to get him back yesterday, yess!

Tuesday I was officially signed out of Students International, and that meant that I could ride motorcycles. Jess had put together a motorcycle 4 hour trip for me her, and her visiting sister Heather to go on. It was so scary, and fun, and tiring! My body hurts more than I ever thought it could today, because of all the bumpiness and weird ways my body moved and stayed in one spot for so long. But riding in the Dominican Republic, with not a care in the world around mountains and rivers, was absolutely priceless. That night I went to the base to say bye to all the staff, and then after dinner the interns and some of my Dominican friends all came over to say goodbye. It’s a cool feeling knowing that all those people came for me, and I didn’t even cry saying goodbye because I think I’d already cried enough.

This morning we got up super early to drive Heather and I to the airport. My two closest guy friends, Joan and Moreno came with us just to say goodbye. Joan even made me a shirt with a bunch of spanish song lyrics on the back to signify our friendship, and we found it quite funny that he wrote his name in big letters on the front, instead of mine. I can’t wait to wear it :) Now i’m sitting in the airport with Heather in Miami as we wait for our departing flights to Michigan and me to St. Louis. Now I really know that my trip has come to an end. I never thought God could bless me as much as he has this past six weeks. I was blessed with an even stronger relationship with him, a strong strong love for another country, amazing interns who became my brothers and sisters in Christ and friendships I know I can rely on, and a special sister, Jess, who will always know how to help me and will continually try to get me to come back and be on staff somehow, someway. Who knows what my next step is? All I can concentrate on right now, is taking my state standard test, going home, student teaching, and then seeing where God wants me. I know he will show me in his timing, and I can’t take it for granted. Thanks for an amazing six weeks God, it was more than I could have EVER asked for.


Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Showing me new things...

God is so good! Can i just say that first?
Okay great! So this weekend was a good one and a kinda busy one.
Saturday Katy and I led an excursion to the lower falls, and just sat by the water and read for a few hours which was SO relaxing and much needed even if it was way too hot, and we stayed there for wayyyy too long. oh well! That night we took teams around to shop in the city, and then to dinner as well. My group was pretty easy and simple, so they didn't stress me or Mackalah out at all!
Sunday some of the interns led the prayer walk in the morning while the others went to church and then vice versa in the afternoon. This prayer walk was cool because I for once felt the leader side in me come out, which is something I don't normally experience. Sure, I've been captain on a few teams I've been on in the past, but never really a spiritual leader. I've always looked up to certain role models in my life for that, and haven't really been looked up to or led in that way really before. The prayer walk opened my eyes to that. I had four girls, and we have a sheet where we pray for different things in the community of Jarabacoa that we are serving in. And yes, I've already led too, but this one they were so dependent on me and hung on my every word, it was so cool.
That same afternoon we went to Amor a Quisqueaya (I have NO idea how to spell it), which is the church I am prone to going to b/c Jess goes there and all my volleyball girls and baseball boys. Jess brought my favorite little five year old (Weeme) and she fell asleep on my lap. That night at bible study, we had a really good discussion over the book we are reading, "Crazy Love", and then split into our prayer groups (boys and girls). My prayer this week was a praise for feeling like such a leader with this team, and my request was for all the goodbyes I have to make soon. We all prayed and when it was my turn to be prayed for I bawled like a baby. I have grown so close to this group of interns, and we are just starting to have more and more fun. My heart is here and I'm not ready to leave.
Monday came and went, with lots of volleyball being played and fellowship with my students. We have been sharing our testimonies sparingly throughout this outreach, and on Monday we heard several. It was cool for us girls to just sit around and learn about each others lives for a few hours. Monday night was a free night for us interns, we went and had dinner in town (chicken fingers.. SO good) and then ice cream, and then to watch some of my guy friends play softball. That night when I got back I had a note waiting for me, from a girl from this outreach.
Let me back up, I had a couple awesome notes in my lunch earlier that day.. from two of the interns that were so encouraging and just all around awesome! Then that night when I saw I had a note and read it I realized how much God's hand is in all of this. The note was from a girl named Morgan whom i really BARELY know.. it was so sweet. It said that she has been thinking about me, and God had really laid me on her heart to pray for. So the letter was a prayer, and then she asked for some prayer for herself as well. I teared up and thanked God for all the weird and crazy things he does.
Today.. the men's sports intern Josh and I are pretty close, and we decided to take our day off together and visit the developmental therapy site where Mackalah works with her fun site leader Amy :)
I LOVED it.. I have a whole new appreciation for people who deal with special education kids like that that are so severe. Mackalah and Amy have such strong patience levels and high energy to deal with so many kids all day! Mack took lots of pictures of me with the kids since my camera isn't working, I'll put them on facebook soon! Meanwhile, Andrea (an intern) came to the site, and delivered me two more notes. One from my boss and her husband ( we call them mom and dad), and one from Angie an intern whom I'm so close with! I teared up, then realized that notes from people on staff here whom i've connected with is a reoccurring theme, what a wonderful friend in Mackalah I have. It was partly her idea and some other intern(s) as well. They are so great! They know how hard it is for me to leave, and are making me feel so good about it.
Also, this morning during worship one of the leaders of one of the groups here, whom I've gotten to talk to quite a bit about life and other things handed me a piece of paper with two verses on it, he said that he was praying last night and those came up for him to give to me. Isn't that so crazy? Ahh it's such a reassuring feeling seeing how God thinks about you and cares for you.
Tomorrow we have a game in La Vega again, and I'm excited!

Prayer:

Goodbye's suck.. help me to be at peace with leaving.

My shoulder has been bothering me a LOT lately with all the volleyball and activeness, but I love being able to play!

God to continue to show me great things this last week..



Friday, July 2, 2010

New Beginning, and Almost the end..

I've been wanting to blog for a few days now.. but just haven't been able to find the time. Now as I finally get my much needed two hour break.. i'm ready to blog.
I got a new team this week, six girls. At first, I was so nervous because six girls is a lot! I didn't know if I could handle the hormones of six teenagers. But I was completely wrong. I love these girls. One of the older ones is only two years younger than me and is in her second year of college, and that makes me relate to her so much better! These girls are just so different in their attitudes, the way they carry themselves, and their maturity level. Ahh, it's a relief.
Jess's sister Heather is also here visiting for a few weeks, we actually leave on the same day and the same flight. Which will be nice to have someone there to talk to and hang out with in the airport.
This week Jess and I have talked about really wanting to make sure we are being serious about wanting to practice volleyball a lot, and be able to motivate the girls for our weekly games in La Vega. I think this has been a big turning point for Jess and her site because this really motivates the girls to want to work hard to be able to travel and play. And when they do that, they are able to hear God's word and messages spoken through people from him, which is always so cool.
Wednesday we had a good English class in the morning. One of the new approaches Jess is taking to this class is to use groups which I have been taught is good way of learning, and it has been good interaction for the students, which is what they need! After class we went and played around for a couple hours in the sun on our volleyball court. Here, I had to actually use my spanish skills to ask one of the boys whose house the net was at, and could he go get it for me? Jess was picking up some of the girls from another community and wasn't there, so I felt as if I needed to step up for once! :) It was fun and encouraging for me.
After a couple hours of practice we ate and Jess and I shared testimonies, which was good. After that we went right back to practice. I could honestly say that by the end of that day, I was more exhausted than I've been since I've been here. It was just a long day in the sun, with no shade, but well worth it!
Thursday we started playing volleyball right from the get-go. We played for a couple hours, then Heather , Viansy, and some of the DR girls went to Jess's to just hang out while the rest of the students and Jess made a trip to the store. After lunch and resting we headed to the river to a place called "The Jacuzzi". It's a little tiny waterfall with some rocks to jump off of, and the water below swirls around like crazy, like a jacuzzi :) The water was SO cold but felt good. That night we went to dinner in the community again, and we had it at Viansy's house. Viansy is a 19 year old Dominican girl that is Jess's assistant at the volleyball site. She is just an older example to the girls, and helps Jess out a lot when I'm not here, her and I bond and gel really well together and I like learning Spanish from her, and teaching English to her. Her mom is an amazing cook, so I knew I would be eating good! We ate so fast and had about 2 hours to waste, so we had a team photo shoot, with all my students from this outreach. It was really fun, and there were lots of giggles and craziness shared. We also had some time to love on some of the kids in the community. I would show you pictures.. BUT my camera is broken. The lens is stuck, and I think that some sand got in there and it won't open. Oh well, I'm hoping people can just take plenty of pictures for me :)
Today, we had class this morning but it was test, that the Americans took as well! Then we played some baseball with the men's sport site. We took a break for lunch and hung out for a bit during "siesta" then walked down to the river where we just played and swam and talked. There is a sand pit on shore that some people wrestled in, so we all surrounded the two would compete and watch, it is so funny and also kinda scary!
Tonight is a worship concert which I'm so excited about, who doesn't love a good worship time??
Also, I had to meet with the doctor on staff today because my big toenail is falling off. He said he is going to get some numbing stuff and just PULL it right off. He said if he doesn't so that, it will hurt really bad tomorrow, and possibly get infected. Yikes, not looking forward to that at all.
This weekend is the excursion (i'm going on a little hike), and shopping and dinner in town, church on sunday, and relaxation to start a new and long week! It should be wonderful.
Something you can pray for besides my usual requests that I will post in a second is clarity. I've been struggling with what God wants for me from here, whether to see about coming on staff as a full time missionary, or opening up doors just for summer work, or not even at all. I am trying not to let my emotions of wanting to be here get in the way of what God is calling me to do, so if you could pray for that.. that would be awesome!

Prayer Requests:

My toe! :)
Continue to keep me healthy
Peace- since i'm leaving SO soon and I definitely don't want to.. my heart is here!
Strength to finish my time here strong and with everything I have...

Thanks! :)