It has been over a month since I have updated this little blog and for that I apologize! Things here have been wonderful and crazy and joyful and draining. I have been living in Jaibon for the past month and I cannot express how much I have loved it. I fell in love with Monte Cristi three years ago and have fallen in love with Jaibon this past year. God created a special place in my heart for this area and these people and I just can't describe it. The people in this community are so genuine. I haven't met people that are so happy and content with what they have. They love from the bottom of their heart. The boys that live at the orphanage are so full of life and joy. They are extremely respectful and love God and their brothers. I'm beyond blessed to be sharing life with them.
The past weeks have been busy. For two weeks we had over 250 people in Jaibon alone, and 200 more people in Monte Cristi. It was lots of fun and I really enjoyed seeing that many people experience the DR, but it was definitely exhausting. This week, we have 60 volunteers here... which used to seem like a ton, but now it feels like there are barely any people here.
Last week we ran a dental clinic on the property and a medical clinic in some local villages. It was amazing to see the doctors and dentists use their skills here. I am clearly not gifted in any of these areas, so it was neat to see them sharing their talents with the Dominicans. I even had minor surgery! One of the doctors cut a wart off of my finger ;) I did have 250 people asking me if I was ok though... haha.
I also got to celebrate my birthday here! It was the best one yet! Having my Dominican family remember and celebrate with me was priceless. Here they don't really give gifts on birthdays, but instead they throw water on you... ALL day long. Christine, one of the other leaders, announced this tradition at dinner on my birthday, so in addition to all of the Dominicans throwing water on me, I had 250 volunteers dumping any water they could find on me. It was crazy but fun! It happened to be a cool night and it took me about 2 hours to thaw out after having ice cold drinking water dumped on me. I ended the day hanging out with the boys and them singing and counting off the years of my life and a surprise oreo cake that Sharon made. It was wonderful :)
Soy Dominicana ahora. I am now Dominican. :) And I take pride in this fact. Haha! The other night I was at the boys' worship service with them and they were like, "Why aren't any Americans here?" I replied, "I'm American." And they quickly assured me that I am Dominican now and no longer an American. Then last night Jose asked me why I don't have big, red mosquito bites like all the other Americans. So I said, "Remember, I'm not American." :) So to the kids here, I am now either a Dominican or a Heather... but either way I count it as a success :)
I will be here in Jaibon for another week and a half. I've already started to get emotional thinking about leaving so I'm trying to push those thoughts out of my mind. Don't get me wrong, I love Monte Cristi so much, I just have this special attachment to this place. But I am excited to love on all my little girls in MC! I have missed them.
Life is beautiful. God is faithful. Hope you all are doing well!
