Summer Days Drifting Away...

Well, I think that this is going to be my last blog posting on this site, at least for a while.
I arrived in Austin a week ago on Thursday the 12th. Having a time to reflect about all the things that happened this summer and time to relax with my family has been really nice. Although, I definitely miss the friends I made in the Dominican Republic that feel like family now.

Here are some praises about my last week and a half:
1. I enjoyed getting to know the group from Cape Cod, we played an excellent card game called Capitalism during our free time.
2. God gave me strength on foundation day. I was able to mix cement and we finished the entire foundation by 4pm. The weather was hot, but there was no rain, which was perfect for building the foundation of the chapel. I got to meet some sweet children that day, including a little girl named Marjorie.
3. God enabled us to complete the chapel on Saturday with no problems. The people in the neighborhood La Luz were very grateful.
4. God allowed the interns to have some special times together, we had a final dinner with all the staff and it was a wonderful to celebrate all that God did this summer.
5. All the interns went to a resort to have our summer debriefing. We had some excellent discussions and we got to have worship on the beach. It was lovely!

Me and the little girl Marjorie on Foundation Day

Me, Noe and Anyoly the last night at the resort

The last chapel that we built with the Cape Cod group

I am going to miss a lot of things about being in the Dominican Republic, but the thing I am going to miss the most is the people. Luckily, I know that I will see the friends I made in Heaven. It's a blessing to know that! Hopefully, someday I will get to return, but it's all in God's hands.

Circadillo

This past week was excellent! I enjoyed getting to know the group from Pennsylvania and working along side them in ministry.  We successfully built a chapel in record time. :) Also, a highlight of this week was going to Circadillo to work with Ina's ministry there. Circadillo is a village nearby where many people live. Unfortunately a lot of the people there do not have birth certificates so it is challenging for them to get jobs.  The group from PA, brought a lot of school supplies to give to the kids. On Saturday, we distributed bags with the supplies in them. It was a blessing for me to see the gratitude and excitement on their faces. I know that God is doing an excellent work in Circadillo.
Praises:
1. We had a lot of good times of prayer and worship with the group from PA
2. God is helping the interns to have endurance and to get along.

Prayers:
1. I only have 10 more days here, that God would help me finish strong
2. For the family of Rafelina, one of the interns, her cousin is in the ICU right now. Please pray for peace and healing.
3. For the group coming today from Cape Cod, that God would use them and us this week to glorify Him.

Below are some of the women from Circadillo that use these sewing machines to make bags so that they can earn an income. :)