Time is Winding Down

I have less than three days remaining in the place that holds my heart. I'm not quite sure what to call what I am feeling right now. I love this place and I love the people and I love the way of life so to leave after becoming so comfortable and growing so much will be extremely hard. I have left even more of my heart throughout this island than I had left behind previously. I'll probably be left feeling empty and depressed. On the other hand I have been working constantly for the past 5 weeks and am looking forward to sleeping in past 7 o'clock and being able to relax a little bit.
This experience has been incredible and so life changing. It has affirmed the calling God has placed on my life. I am meant to be here in this place working as the hands and feet of Christ that is now undeniable. I thrive when I am in Dominican Republic. One of the most rewarding parts of being here was the interaction I had with the team members. I met older people, people from Texas and Colorado, people I would have never met if it wasn't for this common interest. Listening to testimonies and stories from adults about how God has been faithful to them taught me so much about life. I learned that despite crappy life circumstances keeping hope in God is the best way to get through it. I learned that prayer is truly powerful. I was able to witness the strength and healing power of prayer in so many ways. I was able to be a part of anointing a newly built house with oil and praying for no ill will to fall upon the house or it's inhabitants. I learned that I am actually quite a patient person. I am able to handle anything that kids can dish out with relative ease and grace which I experienced not all people can. This patience extends to adults as well. I worked with many types of people, whether they were type A personalities or childish I was able to communicate effectively and remain merciful.
I played Dominican baseball, explored underground caves, surfed Dominican waves, laid hands on people, watched a wedding, got tickled endlessly, snuggled adorable kids, ate rice and beans, had my fill of chicken and served this country with ALL that I had.
I can't wait to see what next summer has to offer!
Dios te Bendiga

Sports

So, most of you know that sports + Kin = a hot mess. I can't do sports. Sports of any kind are not for me. In Dominican the biggest sport is baseball which all of the boys play from the time they can walk. There's a man in Brisas named Jose Luis who coaches baseball and is involved with the school that VT works with.  A couple of the guys from the team will go watch and play baseball with the kids or Jose's team. Jose has a two year old son named Justin who is the cutest and most ornery little boy. Naturally I gravitate towards him and end up holding or playing with him. This afternoon I was holding Justin and Jose Luis points to Justin and says to me, you and him come to the baseball field. Before I knew it I was walking down the road with a group of Dominican guys towards the baseball diamond. Here is where the sports come in. I figured I would babysit Justin while watching from the dugout to enjoy the game. A mitt was shoved into my hands and next thing I knew I was catching pop ups thrown by Jose Luis. Slightly intimidating considering I was the only girl and I was surrounded by a bunch of experienced and extremely talented boys. Jose Luis began rounding up the boys and splitting them into teams, by this time I was taking a calming deep breath because I thought my ordeal with sports was over, until Jose Luis told me to join his team. Guys, let me tell you, I was stressing out. I have never played baseball before. Let that sink in. I have never played baseball before. I don't even watch baseball. Of course Jose Luis told me to bat first...that went just swimmingly. Actually, it could have been worse. I struck out once but the rest of my times on the plate I hit the ball but they were both caught so I never made a base. When it was our turn to take the field Jose Luis asked me to be catcher. Seriously man, give me a break. Jose Luis was the pitcher and multiple times he decided to throw fancy pitches like curve balls and whatever else you could possible do. Basically, I do not have a career in the MLB to look forward to but I also didn't make a complete fool of myself. After a month in DR I can finally say I've played Dominican baseball!