One Month Anniversary
So, this post is a week overdue. As of last Saturday (November 11), I will have been in the DR for one whole month! It is a little crazy for me to think about that I have been here this long, as in some respects it feels like it has been much longer. I have not gone on many adventures lately, although I did get to see my good friend Bonnie, who came down on a missions trip.
The most exciting thing that has happened is my roommate and I have painted the living room and kitchen of our apartment. It was quite the endeavor as we have VERY tall ceilings and had to abscond with an extension ladder in order to complete the task. Other than that, the most exciting things have been continuing to try new Dominican food (my current favorite is mofongo de res con salsa blanca, although tostones takes a close second).
I have had the opportunity to serve on the worship team twice now, which brings a variety of feelings. I am having to learn new ways of doing songs, and struggled with the feelings of missing my worship team back home. Most of the songs I am familiar with, which helps. Also, I have enjoyed the privilege of being in the congregation and experiencing a constant variety of music styles that comes with a different worship team every week.
Since my last blog post, most of my time has been spent building relationships with the teens, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I've had silly discussions as well as deep discussions with many of them. Through these discussions, I have developed this love and passion for them, and I wish there was a way that I could put that into words and share with you all. My heart breaks for the brokenness that I know they feel and experience and in many ways I wish that I could just wave a magic wand and make it all better, but I know that I can't. One of the songs that we sang today states "All these pieces broken and scattered, in mercy gathered mended and whole." That is what I wish and pray for each of the teens--that they would let God mend their hearts.
Personally I have many ups and downs--I am making new friends and becoming more comfortable with the town of Jarabacoa. I am getting to work out with the girls, which is fun (although I think they think I'm crazy!), and more familiar with how things work here at the campus. Honestly, I do still struggle with feeling out of place occasionally (mostly the weekends), and simply feeling down.) I'm told it takes time and I'm in transition and to give myself grace--and anyone who knows me knows that these are NOT my strong points.
PRAYER--for all of the teens as many of them are challenging Christianity and trying to figure out what they believe. Also, pray for wisdom for me and patience to trust in God's timing for the change to happen. For me personally, pray as we head into the holiday season as that is typically exceptionally relation-driven and I am struggling the most in that area.
May the peace of God be with you!
Cristin
~*~
The most exciting thing that has happened is my roommate and I have painted the living room and kitchen of our apartment. It was quite the endeavor as we have VERY tall ceilings and had to abscond with an extension ladder in order to complete the task. Other than that, the most exciting things have been continuing to try new Dominican food (my current favorite is mofongo de res con salsa blanca, although tostones takes a close second).
I have had the opportunity to serve on the worship team twice now, which brings a variety of feelings. I am having to learn new ways of doing songs, and struggled with the feelings of missing my worship team back home. Most of the songs I am familiar with, which helps. Also, I have enjoyed the privilege of being in the congregation and experiencing a constant variety of music styles that comes with a different worship team every week.
Since my last blog post, most of my time has been spent building relationships with the teens, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I've had silly discussions as well as deep discussions with many of them. Through these discussions, I have developed this love and passion for them, and I wish there was a way that I could put that into words and share with you all. My heart breaks for the brokenness that I know they feel and experience and in many ways I wish that I could just wave a magic wand and make it all better, but I know that I can't. One of the songs that we sang today states "All these pieces broken and scattered, in mercy gathered mended and whole." That is what I wish and pray for each of the teens--that they would let God mend their hearts.
Personally I have many ups and downs--I am making new friends and becoming more comfortable with the town of Jarabacoa. I am getting to work out with the girls, which is fun (although I think they think I'm crazy!), and more familiar with how things work here at the campus. Honestly, I do still struggle with feeling out of place occasionally (mostly the weekends), and simply feeling down.) I'm told it takes time and I'm in transition and to give myself grace--and anyone who knows me knows that these are NOT my strong points.
PRAYER--for all of the teens as many of them are challenging Christianity and trying to figure out what they believe. Also, pray for wisdom for me and patience to trust in God's timing for the change to happen. For me personally, pray as we head into the holiday season as that is typically exceptionally relation-driven and I am struggling the most in that area.
May the peace of God be with you!
Cristin
~*~
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