Worshiping with others!

We got in Saturday, and in true Dominican style, we waited for the van to pick us up at the airport.  We took in the sights and smells as we were waiting for our ride. And let me tell you, if you’ve ever been in a South American country, they all smell the same. It isn’t a pleasant smell, but it’s definitely one that sparks memories.  As we drove to the mission house, comments from throughout the van rang out-“Woah! Look-they have Snickers here! How do you say beach in Spanish? Oh my goodness, is he…oh he is…he’s driving the wrong way down the road to make it through the intersection! Umphf, my head. Rough roads! Don’t repeat any words you might see in graffiti….they are probably bad ones…”

We got settled Sat night and explored the house. Sarah, Natalya and I made our way up to the roof and just took everything. We walked out onto the roof and pretended we were Spiderman. Pretended is the key word. All the meals are great and are authentic Dominican food. Sometimes we aren’t sure what the meat is J and there is always rice and beans.  Fresh fruit and juices are always available and sooo good!

We went to youth group last night and it was amazing! I don’t know if I can really put into words how the service was last night. It all started with a dark room-the power had gone out and they had the generator out across the street at the school, and ran the extension cord across the street to get us some power. It flickered on and off during the night but God was good and we had a great time. Fidel, the pastor and the one who runs OCC here in DR, asked Alan to introduce us. He told everyone that I was a Spanish teacher!!! Which is TRUE....but it's NOT something that you tell people who live in Dominican! They all ooooo-ed and came running up to me to talk....and I had to re-explain that I wasn't fluent....just teacher of words like banana, milk, juice, nose, hair.... etc. But I've been brave here and there and getting more comfortable.  The youth here REALLY love Christ. It's amazing to see their love for our Savior. They did dramas, lead music and prayed with all their heart. It was great. I wish the youth in the US had this love for Christ and proclaimed it more.

Church was this morning, and we were greeted by the friends we made the night before, and made new friends. In about 5 mins, Sarah, Natalya and I were surrounded by about 5 10-yr old girls. We wrote down their names, and just enjoyed each other. I love talking to kids in Spanish because they are so forgiving AND they speak so much slower! The were telling me allll the English words they knew. The group grew to about 12 girls, all smushed around us, trying to get close to us. It was so hard for me to understand church because I was writing notes back and forth with the girls :-) shhhh...don't tell mommy!  We sang Mighty to Save/Solo Puedes Salvar today! He almost made us do it last night but we were NOT ready! Today went well, kinda rough, but God was praised. I played guitar and Sarah played keyboard. Then we sang in Spanish which was.......AHmazing. Just makes my heart giddy!

We enjoyed the beach today and then this evening Fidel gave us his testimony and explained all that we were doing this week. He was thanking us for giving up so much to come down and help. It seems like it's a blessing to us that we GET to do this, and he's just so humble and honored that we'd give up things to come. I just cannot wait to see what's going to happen tomorrow....

Well, sleep is calling and I need to get the girls to bed. I can't wait to show pictures to you tomorrow! Video too, I hope. Skype won't work from the sites, but I'll take video so you can see it. 

Thank you all for your prayers!!