6-24-11: Just wanted to give a quick update on how our trip is going. First of all we made it here safe. It was a long travel day, getting up at 3:30AM to catch the shuttle to BWI. We arrived here in the DR around 1:30PM and met Neil. It took an hour to get visas, get through customs and immigration, and get out luggage. Then we had a four hour ride to our town, San Juan De La Manguana. Our team was tired and slept for a good part of the 4 hour ride. We had some dinner, met the missionary we are working with named Miguel and got a good nights rest.
6-25-11: Today we had some cultural training in the morning with Miguel. The highlight of the training was we split up into 2 groups and did a scavenger hunt to find various locations around the city. In order to do that we had to interact with the locals and ask for directions. We also had things we needed to observe about the culture to discuss. Dana and I split up with the 2 teams and I am sad to say that my team couldn’t find of one of the places and of course Dana with her spanish was able to help her group find all the places. We meet our translators today and they are cool teenagers. Miguel is discipling them and they have been a huge help. This afternoon we went and met the pastor of the church that we will be doing the VBS for and then walked the neighborhood inviting the kids to come and talking to anyone we could telling them why we were in the DR. Tonight we need to prep for VBS as we will start that ministry tomorrow.
The students are doing great. They are excited for the ministry that we will be doing this week. The Dominican culture is very friendly and relational and we have been challenged to be extroverted and be friendly to develop relationships and build conncetions that will lead to good conversations about what Christ means to us and how they can know Him. I am looking forward to all of us being stretched and see what God does this week. Internet access will be limited so I am not sure how often I will be able to update the blog but I will try to at least update it toward the end of our trip. We appreciate your prayers and continue to covet them. Parents, all your kids are healthy and doing well. We are doing our best to take care of them.
