Highlights from the week!

I'm sorry it's been so long between posts. Things have been more than crazy around here!

Instead of trying to fill you in on EVERY little detail (which I so LOVE to do), let me give you a highlight list of what's happened over the past few days. (With more thought-provoking things to come...)

1. We lost power. Um...several times....over a period of several days. But, hey, it happens here. AND, I have a flash light. :) You know, it's amazing how much I really don't need electricity.... (unless it interferes with the functioning of my ceiling fan, of course!)

2. We ran out of water. Not the kind of water we drink, but the kind of water we shower with, flush toilets with, do laundry with, cook with, etc. The city shut off the water for everyone in Monte Cristi. Again, it happens here.

3. We welcomed over 70 volunteers for this week...bringing our total from about 20 to 90...overnight! (They came right about the time we lost power and ran out of water. Welcome to the Dominican Republic. Ha, ha!)

4. I got my hair cut. Nothing drastic. Just a trim from one of the volunteers. But it was really fun, as she doesn't normally cut hair. In fact, it ended up being the "entertainment" for the night. While she cut, I had about 10 other women watch and tell her what to do. She did a good job. It was quite the community event. :)

5. We hosted a VBS here at the orphanage for over 400 kids in the community. 200 in the morning and 200 in the afternoon. Tomorrow night, ALL of the kids (plus families) will come for our closing ceremony! We're estimating somewhere around 1,000 people. We'll show a slide show from the week and then the Jesus film (in Spanish). If you pray, please do so tomorrow for this really cool opportunity to share the gospel!

6. About half of our volunteers got sick. But not me!!! Praise God! (It didn't help, though, that we couldn't flush toilets...) :(

7. I learned a lot of Spanish. Granted, this happens a little each day, but since the last time we talked, it has really added up! I'm not completely comfortable with it yet, but I'm getting better!! (Of course, I mostly know commands. Don't hit, share, sit down, etc.)

8. We had a really scary incident yesterday when some of the boys at the orphanage decided to "play" with one of our volunteers. Let's just say that our type of "play" and their type of "play" is different. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

9. I got to talk to my mom on the phone. Ahh... Love you, mom.

10. I decided to become a dentist. Just kidding. But, I think I would be good at it, considering all the "teeth" I end up pulling around here!! This group of volunteers has been frustrating to work with, and it's really hard to get some of them moving! "Yes, I know it's hot and I know you're tired and I know this isn't what you expected....but, um, you're here now and 200 kids are standing at the gate waiting for camp to start! Besides, you've been here, what, 2 days? Get over yourself!" (Of course I don't really say all of this...I'm much more diplomatic. It's hard not to be annoyed, though.)

Well, that should satisfy your craving for news from the Dominican...at least for now. As most of you know, I could write volumes. I want to tell you so much. About how I'm feeling - not just what I'm doing. But, it will have to wait. Maybe until I figure out just how to explain it...

Just know that I'm doing well, learning much, and becoming increasingly thankful for what I have and who I have. I love you all. Thanks for loving me, too.