I don’t think I can do this ten more times.
I love this place.
I love the people, the land, the community, the church.
I love the way language isn’t a barrier. A smile, a handshake, a hug says it all.
I love the way they live. They don’t have much at all. No running water, no air conditioning, no technology, no stores. You wouldn’t guess that upon meeting them. They are the richest, happiest people I’ve ever known.
I love the family I’ve formed here.
Am I going to feel this every month? Am I going to fall in love with every town in every country? Am I going to return to America with eleven other families, with eleven other places I call home?
My month in the DR was amazing. It was life changing. I learned to live with less. I learned to embrace the one bucket of water our team got each day to do laundry with, “shower” with, flush the toilet with, wash the dishes with, and cook with. I learned that internet isn’t really that important. I learned that I no matter how dirty I am, how many times I’ve worn the same outfit, no matter how many gross, oozing bug bites cover my body I am a beautiful daughter of my Father. I learned that community really does create a life of zeal. I learned that no matter where in the world my mom, dad, and sister are I have family all over this world. My family just keeps getting bigger and I praise the Lord for that.
So as I process all the hard goodbyes I’ve done today I thank God for sending me here. I thank Him for Arroyo. I thank Him for the wonderful people I’ve met.
I pray God leads me back here. I pray I dance with little Ricardo again, play hand clap songs with the children, laugh with Noky and soak up his wisdom, hang with Fernandi, and sit with sweet Jennifer again.
My trust is in my Father. I thank Him for the people, the opportunities, and the memories. I’m confident He has a great plan for my life. And I know His plan for me now is to continue on with this crazy process of the World Race. He will give me strength through these hard goodbyes.
I am so lucky.
Family back home, if I could give you one piece of knowledge I’ve soaked up this month it’s this: live in the moment. Be present in conversations. Don’t get your phone out when you’re talking to someone. Simply listen and love on them. If you get invited somewhere, go. Put your needs last. Rest in the fact that God will give you strength when you’re tired and He will fill your stomach when you’re hungry. So go out, live in the moment, don’t ever choose bed over the possible moment you could have that could be cherished for a lifetime. Life flies by. I say this because my month has, and I get the feeling my whole year will. I encourage you to be selfless. Live, love, and give all you have to the things God’s doing in your life whether it be a friendship, a career, a marriage, you name it. Dive in and don’t go up for a breath, God will fill your lungs with air.
“If you are incapable of dreaming you will die exactly where you are.” –Noky, my contact and dear brother.
