snapshots

Here are a few of our students’ comments from our meeting last night:

“A boy was holding my hand, his smaller hand in my larger, stronger grip. And I thought about how God has been holding my hand all my life; my small hand in His larger, stronger grip.”

“This is my second trip, and it’s actually been a little harder. Harder to see, to realize that this is where these people live; this is their reality every day—dirt floors, scrap wood, garbage. I guess I’m still processing all of that.”

“I feel the same way. I’m seeing more of the hard things this time, not just the happy faces because we’re visiting.”

“At Vacation Bible School I looked around at all the Dominicans and Americans sitting on the floor together, and I thought, we all look so different, but we go so well together.”

Here are a few memories from today (so far):

Many of our students and families visited the children they sponsor.

More than 20 of us painting inside and out at Marcos’ and Luis’ houses.

The joy on Marcos’ and Luis’ faces as they worked alongside us, knowing they will move into their homes with their families in two days.

Trenches backfilled (with backbreaking work) around Pura’s home, and three more courses of cinderblock laid.

Pura giving the workers at her home some homemade beans to bring to lunch.

Children on the street helping to clean our brushes and rollers.

After a long day (and ten long months of waiting), the look of overwhelming amazement on Luis’ face when he took a moment to stand back and look at the two homes built on the hill.

And now we’re showering and heading back to Cielo for burgers, brats, and another awesome church service with the Dominicans we love. Your students have once again shown a willingness to love indiscriminately and serve tirelessly.