Back from the Dominican!

Hola!

Como esta? (See, my Spanish has improved already!) 

I hope this finds you all well.  We arrived home Friday night around 11 pm.  Saturday was a Sabbath for us!  My mind was spinning with all the emotion and realities.
I wasn't sure how to filter through my thoughts and felt a bit overwhelmed and anxious.

Let me back up and say that our 5 days in the Dominican were great.  The team we were with accomplished their task of building a MAJOR, from scratch, wood playground for the Makarios School.  The only thing that was left to do, was add the big plastic slides and tunnels...which will be done by staff there once those things arrive.  I wish you all could of watched the children climb on it for the first time! Many of us were fighting tears back.  Something about watching overflowing excitement in little children...it just melts your heart.

I was able to spend much time with Erika Snapp (Chris and Erika are the host couple there now).  I enjoyed watching her communicate with the natives.  They adored her.  She spends lots of her free time in the "neighborhoods" befriending many.  Anywhere we went with her people would wave and yell, "Er-de-ka!".  The relationships she has built over the last year and a half must be priceless.  She was gracious in introducing me with excitement to everyone.  I honestly thought that people would be disappointed that she was leaving and they would get me!  Instead, many hugged me, welcomed me, and offered their help in any way! 
HIGHLIGHTS:

•  I was intimidated with my lack of Spanish, but a little boy, in broken English, said "you teach me English, I teach you Spanish".  Okay! That was a deal!!!
• When the children there were told that we have cinco children... they got really excited.  I felt at ease more when I watch the children in Los Ciruelos (our neighborhood to be) playing.  I could envision our children growing new friendships with them. 
•  The house keeper for Makarios, Lucia, knitted a beautiful hat for Parlyn.. that was her way of welcoming our family.  My heart skipped a beat!
• Juan, the driver for Makarios, was very protective over us all , especially Little P (that is what we call Parlyn).  She was in her carrier on the ground, and he shoe-d away mangy dogs and then got her a chair that was high up.  When it started to rain, he was very concerned about her getting wet.  The Dominicans believe that babies will get the 'flu' if they are in the rain.  So, he was quick to get me in the 'Gwa Gwa' (van) with her :)
• Watching the childrens excitement on their new playground!  As well as watching a team, work intensely to get that thing up by Friday!  I am so proud of them and their desire to serve the people and their Maker.

There was so much more I could share.

As I mentioned earlier, my mind is spinning with many thoughts and my heart with many emotions. Josh reminded me that we cannot trust our heart, which I needed to hear!  As the members of our team come back dealing with leaving the Dominican, I struggle with leaving my comfort zone.  I came home and could brush my teeth and drink the water...what a luxury!  Air conditioning, sidewalks, playgrounds, fast food with 2 minutes, ... luxury.... Honestly, it is a bit of a struggle to leave a safe neighborhood and enter poverty.  But I am thankful that walking with Christ is were the riches lie.  John 15 is clear that He is the Vine, we are the Branches, and if we abide in Him, we will bear fruit and apart from Him we can do nothing.  He is my strength and I must remind myself daily that we can do this through Him because of His strength,grace, and mercy.  It is in Him alone.  There is nothing in me.

This journey has not been easy.  Josh said as he was sanding the wood in the D.R. for the playground (for like 8 hours)  he thought about how in life sometimes we have to have periods of sanding.  It can be tedious.  It is not fun.  It can be painful.  Yet, the end result, in this case, was a beautiful playground for a greater purpose.  May you be encouraged to persevere also if you are going through things right now (read James 1).  Maybe your life is like a piece of wood that has yet to be sanded, or is being sanded.  I see sanding taking place in my heart right now.  I look forward to the result of the sanding.

Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement.  Keep them coming :)