Friday Fun in La Romana

 Good evening friends.  It has been an incredible last full day here in the DR.  This morning we had a great breakfast again then loaded up for Batey 106 for the final time.  The construction team hustled through many tasks including painting, pouring concrete, and making final preparations for the dedication of the house.  The VBS team had a productive morning that included handing out donated items (Threads of Grace dresses and shirts).

After lunch, the team joined the neighborhood party that included a hot meal for everyone, clowns, music, dancing, and more!  Then the party moved down to the house that we completed for the dedication.  It was an incredible time of the mom who was receiving the house telling how she not longer has to worry about her house flooding when it rains.  Our group received plaques in memory of Dennis Brinley and Ray Kirkland since their memorial gifts helped us to fund the house.  After the dedication, the family entered the house and the kids celebrated their new set of bunk beds.  The mom celebrated the new refrigerator and stove that we donated to them.  The dad of the family was out in the sugar cane field at work.

Leaving Batey 106 was emotional for the team as we waved goodbye to many of the kids that we spent the week getting to know.  We got to go to the beach for a short time of relaxing before coming back to dinner and our group time.  Below are the ways that the team shared that they saw God today and this week:

Lincoln: Adeline stepped in a cement, Steve was gracious in helping her clean her shoes. In general, the Haitians were very kind, even when we did stuff wrong 

Liam: liked how all the kids were excited about us

Jo: today, was in her head for not helping much when she didn't feel well and the party was overwhelming. Girl took her had and took her someplace quieter and pointed out mountains

Sami: dedication made us emotional and her friend was wiping her tears and asking why she was crying 

MHK: remembering Ray and Dennis during the dedication 

Meara: this week, from being old now and being more leader, it was really cool to see the "kids" getting along and bonding and reminded her of really enjoying her youth group days back in the day. At end when about to get on bus, couldn't find her buddy. Asked for help telling another kid to tell Christian she said goodbye and other kid said it ahead of her

Kenzi: everyone's gotten along on the trip

Nora: VBS giving out juice, there was a baby and the older kids were giving the baby juice when she ran out

Adeline: the kids on the bed today. The kids wearing the dresses and the shirts. Overstimulated at the party, sat back and watched the joy of the kids. Having clowns and a meal meant so much to them and seeing their joy

Elyse: making a big connection with one of the kids

Daleen: had no idea what a Batey was and how those people are stuck there. Brought to mind the story of Haggar

Gretchen: attitude of working with the interpreters. They have such passion, they give out food after each meal. They saying they will find a use for all the things we left with them. Spirit of wanting all needs to be met

Kenz: everyone taking care of Jo

While the reported God sightings will stop, know that the processing of our experiences will continue. Feel free to ask the group about their experiences as you see them.

Tomorrow we get to sleep in and not have breakfast until 8! :)  Our flights start late afternoon and we hope to get home in a few minutes after midnight tomorrow.  Your prayers and support have been meaningful to this trip.  Thank you!