Here we are in Azua, Dominican Republic. We have been here for several days. Even though we are only an hour away from San Juan, things are very different. The Spanish dialect is definitely different from what I’m used to. Apparently Dominican Spanish and Mexican Spanish are not necessarily the same. That has been difficult when trying to translate. It was very frustrating the first night but I’m learning to just laugh it off. I have made sure that I tell people that I’m from the United States and the Spanish I speak is more from Mexico. When I tell them this, they understand and are quick to help “correct” me. It’s helpful though. We are currently staying with Pastor Raul and his wife Zazan and their two beautiful children, Samuel and Rebecca. Raul speaks English and Zanzan understands most of it. I translate mostly for Zanzan and the group or if she has questions or needs something. I have my Spanish Bible, not sure if it’s going with me to other countries, but it’s helpful here. I also have my Spanish dictionary which everyone is getting much use from. We taught English today and will be doing that again this afternoon. It’s fun. I’m enjoying it. The kids are adorable and I truly ache for them. The community we are living in is outside of the community we are working in. God is pouring His favor and blessing on us. We have electricity, we have internet access, perhaps not what we’re used to, but still. We have plumbing, even though we “bucket flush”. We have showers and pastor drives us where we need to go. We do occasionally walk in to town, and I know, we will be doing more of that these next couple of weeks. It’s hot here, yes very very hot. I’m pretty sure none of my makeup is the same color as my skin anymore, but that’s ok. We eat really well, so much for losing weight on the first month! We are working very closely with Team Indelible . They are amazing. It’s great getting to know them. We have the privilege of having one of their boys stay at the house with us. Being a woman whose so used to always being around guy friends, it is really a blessing to have a guy at the house! We have a full schedule ahead of us. We will be teaching English almost every day of the week. Three days in the morning and 4 days in the evening. We will be doing a sports ministry where we get to teach the kids how to play volleyball and basketball. We then will be doing what are called “cell groups”.
Saturday and Sunday night we did ministering at the church. Saturday night we did several songs in English with the youth. That was my first experience with translating and that was where I learned that Mexican Spanish and Dominican Spanish are NOT the same! But praise the Lord, it all worked out for His ultimate glory! I’ve worked with the children more than I think I expected to. They are adorable and full of love. They absolutely LOVE having their pictures taken! We have taken tons of pictures and I hope you will enjoy them!
Today we taught English to children this morning and then did a sports ministry this afternoon. After the sports ministry we taught English again to some children and then to some of the older guys in the church. This was probably my favorite. I love the children, they break my heart and mend it together all at the same time. But the older ones, they truly stole my heart. They are more advanced and they are so eager to learn English. Matt and I are teaching them the past tense. They ask us to be more challenging and to use harder words! I love it! We then did our cell group. I really think the one we do on Wednesday will be even better. We did one tonight but we asked one of the other girls to read the parable of the protocol son, but she read the passage above the parable and my team mates and I were not paying close attention, sooooo when we went to explain it, it didn’t make much sense. Thankfully, zanzan was able to catch our mistake and quickly explained what the story was suppose to be! Talk about a woman after God’s own heart! She definitely preached it! It’s those little moments that get me down, but I am really trying to die completely of myself and realize that I need to fail in those times because it’s not me doing anything, it is 100 % God doing everything and if that means that I have to fail so He can receive total glory, then I receive it.
I also had my first, hang on the side and ride, drive home. Basically when a truck is loaded with people, and believe me, it has been, then you stand on the side, hold on the inside and go. It’s actually lots of fun, but I would not recommend doing it back in the states.
