Last day :(

It's a good thing I'm a swim teacher because I am drowning in an ocean of my own tears (along with everyone else on our team). We made relationships that will last a lifetime in the span of a week filled with card games, basketball games (with lots of Dominican arguing), and fellowships lead by God. We had delicious bowls of cereal with goat milk of course! Momma, I got to milk a goat!!!!! We all had tearful goodbyes, and long hugs but are thankful for the time that we did get and the experience of a lifetime. On the way to the airport, we made a tiny pitstop to the beach and had the honor of getting prayed over by Argenis and Richard along with a certificate and a little present for all of us. We got to the airport, all still in tears, but of course Krispy Kreme dried those tears up jiffy fast. Our first flight took off late, due to a seat that was missing a part of the buckle...a seat that wasn't occupied...all the while, all of us feeling so bad for Kelsey who happened to be sitting next to the most extra guy I've ever met (Jacie, who was also sitting in the row wants me to mention that he made her want to die lol). I'm now sitting in the Atlanta airport, just wanting to go back to the place that made me happy. I quickly realized that I don't need hot showers or my own bed, or even a phone or Internet, I just need the relationships and the people who made me truly happy. We ate at the airport, all tearing up when we saw a food place called Willys, the name of a Dominican who was near and dear to all of our hearts. We are all exhausted and just want to be home...home is where the heart is and my heart is in the Dominican Republic.

Love, Meredith 

KFC Day!!!

I have arisen from my internet slumber to write this blog post, so here you go. We went to pray over the houses we worked on earlier this week. Upon arriving at these houses we sang songs (mostly Spanish) and prayed over the owners of the house. Coach insisted that we all kiss the floor because of the hard work we put into flooring these houses, by hard work I mean hard work. Seeing the finished floor made me appreciate people who lay cement. Arriving back at the compound after a hours walk we got ready to hit the big city, yes I have become a city man after all these days! Bargaining with vendors was the best aspect about city life, cheeper is better, believe me! However the mall was a major key to success here in the DR. Four stories and the greatest food court I have ever laid my ambitious eyes upon. Me being the hungry youngster I am I had to attend Kentucky Fried Chicken! The mall in it of itself was beautiful with many stores and store owners brimming with positive energy! All in all today was a successful day with happy emotions and positive energy! 

-your boy Psmoove 

Aka Ian

Day 8

This morning our cabin leader Joel woke us up at exactly 7:00 this morning (the time devotions start) so me, Noah, and Cole were late for devotions, which Jacie lead this morning. After pouring concrete all week we're all beginning to feel exhausted. Today we were supposed to pour a concrete floor in the new chapel they had built a few months ago. The plan was to use the concrete mixer instead of mixing the concrete by hand (which we had been doing because we didn't have enough space to take it to the individual houses), so we were all expecting a relativity easy work day. I want to emphasize "expecting" because it didn't turn out easy at all. When we pulled the concrete mixer out from the shed into the road (you can literally do whatever in the roads here) we tried to start it up multiple times but with no success. So we had to mix the concrete by hand until they could fix it. About lunch time one of the Dominican leaders came back from the city with the parts we needed for the engine on the concrete mixer. We did a couple loads of concrete before it stopped working again and we stopped for lunch. After lunch Grace and I lead the VBS for the younger students along with the rest of the team. It went smoothly and the kids seemed to enjoy it. After lunch the Dominicans were back at pouring concrete while we did VBS (come to find out it stopped working the second time because it had no gas in it). After dinner both our team and the Dominicans working with us played card games (I narrated mafia) and Cole, Noah, and I helped Brooke find star formations. (If you haven't figured it out yet "I" is Brandon). 

It's crazy to think that it's almost time to leave. It's been such an amazing trip and such a true blessing to be apart of the team. Mom and Dad what I want for Christmas is to build a house on the beach down here so we can stay here in the winter (it's 80 and sunny during the day and yes it's winter down here too). 

I'm getting used to hearing mostly Spanish and even picking on a few Spanish words and phrases(for those of you that don't know I knew 0 Spanish before this trip). It's cool to be able to talk with some of the Dominicans that speak English and I've had them attempt to teach me Spanish things so I can talk with more people.

I really do miss American food. The food down here is good but it's nothing like some of the good American classics.  

I've been mad at myself since day one since I forgot all my baseball stuff at home and I was really looking forward to playing baseball down here all week. (They absolutely love baseball) The team has played a lot of basketball with the Dominicans  this week and it gets pretty rough. (There's more arguing that playing lol) so we essentially make two baskets and laugh while they argue about who fouled who. It's been a great week and I can say that I have made friends for a lifetime. 

Buenos Noches,

Brandon

Day 7

As you might know, in the morning we have devotions. It starts at seven, which means I wake up at 6:59. (Mom, you probably figured out this is Kristin.) This morning Brandon led us in devotions. It was really nice hearing from one of our own about this experience. It really made getting up worth it. 

We had a field day in the morning instead of working. I think we were all pretty stressed out but still really enjoyed. I especially enjoyed it because I was able to see Sebastian, a kindergartener from the school who I sponsor, and his brother Nigel. 

    In the afternoon Meredith and Cole 

led our vbs. The kids seemed to really enjoy it, especially the craft. 

    We can't believe it's already Friday tomorrow. We have two more days of hard work left and one more vbs. We are all persevering through the cold showers and constant Spanish. If something in this blog doesn't make sense, it's probably because all I hear is Spanish now. It messes with you. 

    Personally I'm having a perfect trip and I'm thanking God every second for giving me this opportunity to hang out with old friends and make new ones while working hard to help people and teach the gospel. 

(PS- Meredith and I miss you Mrs. Collins!! Also Mom I love you but I know you've been on my Facebook, not cool.) 

This is miss isaacs. I apologize no pictures are being able to be viewed. I will be making a Facebook page to post pictures as soon as possible.

    

Day...idk... Ask Wilson

Hello, just your average gringo speaking.

After waking up late because the Dominicans love to mess with the clocks and having only 40 seconds to get ready because that's all Coach would give us, the boys finally showed up to devotions this morning. We were still 10 minutes late. Last night was fun. It was quite eventful but filled with prayer. The coolest thing about it was that the Dominicans who aren't Christians, were still open to praying with all of us and it was one of the powerful ways God has been working in not only our lives, but their's also. Today, we went to the public school to teach VBS to the students. We each had a translator so the language barrier wasn't as bad, but it does teach a high schooler some patience to overcome this barrier, not matter how small it can be sometimes. All in all, I would say that today was the day that the team really came together and became family. We have all grown so much in our faith and our friendships with each other and the Dominicans are growing deeper every day. Keep us in your prayers! I get to teach soccer tomorrow!

This message is approved by the junior class president.

Paint wars, concrete floors, and...ganso?

Day 5, consider yourself conquered. With the halfway point here, our team is feeling bittersweet. While we are excited to be here, people are getting tired. Probably, because they were working so hard. :) Our team returned to their adventures of work projects, from concrete floors to painting a cafeteria. Noah, Kelsey, and Grace let loose a little bit with a paint war, turning into "paint warriors" in the process. The rest of our team headed out to pour concrete floors. One house is complete, with another about halfway done! One of the most exciting things was a visit from an old friend for Jacie. Jacie's friend, Luigi, came by, prompting about an hour and a half to two hour conversation. While it was special for her, all the team was encouraged by this sight. And yes, some tears were shed, both by Jacie and Kristin. Brandon, Ian, and Coach became concrete floor machines, as they stayed an extra hour or two to finish part of the house. VBS was a big success, ending in large games of volleyball, intense UNO, which Mariah won most of the time, l and "Pato, Pato, Ganso." (Which is the Spanish name for duck, duck, goose.) Bringing a conclusion to the night, after many hours of play, was a hearty dinner of hot dogs and cabbage; surprisingly a good combination. The team went around listing highs and lows, which included playing with kids, Meredith, and Cole; listening to Ian's stories; and having fun with Kelsey and Mariah. Brianne's highlight was making lots of new friends, and communicating as best as she can with them. Brooke loved the part of the day where she could go work on a site outside of the compound. Well now the stars are out, the air is cool, and the bed is calling. With a contented yawn, this blogger is signing off.

This update was brought to you by Grace. ;)

Day Cuatro... Whoot!!!!

Hello from the other side... Of the continent
Day 4 was a success! We had our first day of VBS and it went amazing. We also went to our work sites for the first time and it was so neat to see the culture as a whole. We broke up rocks in the house we were working with. This was to prepare for the rest of the week where we are going to begin to pour concrete. It wasn't easy work especially with the Dominican heat. It's neat to see your progress in the house and I'm excited to see the finished product at the end of the week. (Hey mom, I used a sledge hammer look at me). We also had time to bond with the other Dominicans and the children as well as our own team. Brandon let me pluck his eye brows as a form of team bonding and now his eyebrows are on fleek. Getting to know people that you've gone to school with for years is actually really cool. The people on the team are amazing and I enjoy their company. The Dominican children are so adorable and they all have this unexplainable joy in their eyes. Until we meet again!


PS: This is Jacie :-))