I've been living in San Pedro for almost a month and that hardly seems possible. Things have been busy and full in the best possible way and for that reason I've neglected this little blog. But things are settling into more of a rhythm (as much as a rhythm is possible in this country...) and I can't wait to start blogging more often... because I really do find so much joy in the process of recording life in words and photos.
I arrived in San Pedro and immediately the overwhelmingly reality that depth takes time smacked me in the face. It was as if I had forgotten that friendships that are like family don't happen over night and that deep trust happens as life is lived in community with others. But all of a sudden I found myself in a setting where most of my relationships were very, very new ones. The people I have met here are absolutely incredible and I already love them, but I'm reminded of what a treasure it is to dig roots down in a place and truly know people. Six years ago I was setting foot on this island for the first time and falling in love with the people of Monte Cristi. Six years of laughs and tears and prayers and people who became my family. Depth is a beautiful thing. And it doesn't happen overnight. And honestly, I love that it isn't seen everywhere and that it takes time, because it makes it all the more special.
So while my heart aches and misses those people on the other side of the island, I'm also growing to love San Pedro. A lot. These past few weeks have flown by...
Full of learning my way around a "big" city, getting lost in the rain, asking thousands of questions, and seeing the grace of God through people going out of their way to help.
Full of baking lots of cookies and trying new food that I never saw up north and my neighbor yelling my name in the morning to give me a mug of coffee.
Full of getting to know the incredible staff at Las Palmas and teaching English to some amazing 1st-8th graders and parent meetings in Spanish (that run a lot smoother than they did two years ago!).
Full of Bible studies and a church community who loves the Lord and the beauty of being a part of a team working towards the same vision.
Full of new opportunities to serve and early morning lesson planning and figuring out how to drill holes in the wall because my Dad isn't here to do it for me.
Full of long afternoons on the porch with Galan and his family and late morning pancakes with Carolina and a trip to Monte Cristi/Jaibon that my heart so desperately needed.
So while depth does indeed take time, I'm so incredibly thankful for all that the Lord has done and all He has taught me these past few weeks. He knows my heart and has blessed me with more than I could have imagined. So here's to a new city and an incredible ministry and new friendships that will one day become ones that are laced with depth as well.
I arrived in San Pedro and immediately the overwhelmingly reality that depth takes time smacked me in the face. It was as if I had forgotten that friendships that are like family don't happen over night and that deep trust happens as life is lived in community with others. But all of a sudden I found myself in a setting where most of my relationships were very, very new ones. The people I have met here are absolutely incredible and I already love them, but I'm reminded of what a treasure it is to dig roots down in a place and truly know people. Six years ago I was setting foot on this island for the first time and falling in love with the people of Monte Cristi. Six years of laughs and tears and prayers and people who became my family. Depth is a beautiful thing. And it doesn't happen overnight. And honestly, I love that it isn't seen everywhere and that it takes time, because it makes it all the more special.
So while my heart aches and misses those people on the other side of the island, I'm also growing to love San Pedro. A lot. These past few weeks have flown by...
Full of learning my way around a "big" city, getting lost in the rain, asking thousands of questions, and seeing the grace of God through people going out of their way to help.
Full of baking lots of cookies and trying new food that I never saw up north and my neighbor yelling my name in the morning to give me a mug of coffee.
Full of getting to know the incredible staff at Las Palmas and teaching English to some amazing 1st-8th graders and parent meetings in Spanish (that run a lot smoother than they did two years ago!).
Full of Bible studies and a church community who loves the Lord and the beauty of being a part of a team working towards the same vision.
Full of new opportunities to serve and early morning lesson planning and figuring out how to drill holes in the wall because my Dad isn't here to do it for me.
Full of long afternoons on the porch with Galan and his family and late morning pancakes with Carolina and a trip to Monte Cristi/Jaibon that my heart so desperately needed.
So while depth does indeed take time, I'm so incredibly thankful for all that the Lord has done and all He has taught me these past few weeks. He knows my heart and has blessed me with more than I could have imagined. So here's to a new city and an incredible ministry and new friendships that will one day become ones that are laced with depth as well.
...
{Carolina}
{Galan}
