Holidays in the DR

Merry Christmas from the DR!
Heidi, Ruth Anne, Holly, and Me

I'm sitting in my living room, typing this on New Year's Eve, and I find myself feeling contemplative, and perhaps more than a little wistful. If you would have asked me last year where I saw myself at this moment, the Dominican Republic would have been perhaps the very last answer I would have given you (in reality, it wouldn't have even been an answer since I wouldn't have thought of it.)

We are nearing the end of the holiday season and it has been quite the roller coaster of emotions--excited for the adventures ahead, love for new friends, and the sadness that comes with missing family and friends back in the States. Here are some of the highlights of the holiday season:

Thanksgiving Feast with all of our Dominican staff and their families for Thanksgiving. The feast included Turkey and traditional American dishes, as well as some Dominican dishes (rice and beans). 

We went shopping for Christmas trees as a campus on the first weekend of December--they are far from what I am used to, however it was still fun to figure out how to decorate the tree and our apartment. We also had a progressive dinner for the students where we went to the different staff houses as well as student houses for different parts of the meal. We ended in the chapel with hot chocolate and a movie. 

The Therapy Suite at the Christmas Banquet
Holly, Me, Jon, Kaitlyn (and Elana too!)

One of my highlights for Christmas was the last-minute Christmas choir that several other staff and I formed. We sang Carol of the Bells, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, What Child is This, and Silent Night all acapella. We held a Christmas Eve candlelight service that provided some laughter and allowed a special time to focus on the birth of Jesus. Christmas Day started with my roommates and I opening presents (most of which were our own package orders that we had saved), making breakfast (although it ended up being more like lunch), and then having students over to create gingerbread houses and spend some time with us. 

Another highlight for me was finally obtaining un moto (a motorcycle)! I need a little more practice before braving the driving in town, however it feels nice to not feel tied to campus anymore. 

I'm very grateful for the community that we have here at CMA--I'm not sure the holidays would have been as positive and exciting without it. Don't get me wrong, I have definitely struggled with feeling homesick--usually over the silly little things like Christmas lights not being the same as in the States, or the Christmas tree being different, or not even sure how to get Christmas presents home to family, but overall, this has been a great first holiday season away from "home."

We rang in the new year with a giant bonfire and s'mores while watching fireworks go off over the town of Jarabacoa. 

Prayer Requests:

Wisdom for the staff as we work with the students and their families

That God would continue to work on the students' hearts and that they would turn to Him

Safety while on the roads 

For myself as I continue to cycle through feelings of homesickness

¡Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo!