FINAL NOTICE: 30 days past due

Where did the time go??? The 1st VBS (Vacation Bible School) team came on June 16th…and its now July 11th! I think I crashed on my bed every night since then exhausted…but satisfied. That is probably the best word to describe my summer…SATISFIED. I feel as if my heart has finally found a home. I ache thinking of leaving here but still looking forward to seeing my friends and family and continuing my process of coming back here as a missionary.



The first VBS team was lead by some dear friends, Steve and Suzanne Puett and their children Taylor and Casey. It was their first time leading a trip and they covered every aspect like champions! We spent our first day together at the beach, riding in the back of a truck…what a wonderful way to start a trip, by enjoying natures best!



Monday…as a group we served at the Buenas Nuevas Biblical Church in the morning to put on ¨Dar Una Mano Amiga¨(Give a Helping Hand), the theme of this years VBS. We had around 150 children show up ready to get into action! In the afternoon we split up into two groups, one going to Rendención Biblical Church at El Cerro and the other to La Malena Biblical Church. (All of these churches, 7 in total, are a part of the 1st Biblical Community of Higüey) We had a smaller group, about 90 by the end of the week, at El Cerro and were able to connect with just about every child…so for that reason it was really nice! At La Malena about 250 children showed up…WOW! Kidstuf (our closing drama and service) on Thursday night was packed and everyone was asking for water…so guess who took her first drive in the DR…ME!!! Raquel (one of the leaders) lent me her car and I ¨robbed¨ (took all their inventory…paid for, of course!) about 5 little colmados (convenient stores) along the way…but everyone got their H2O!



Wednesday we each joined a DR family for dinner. I went with Deb and Ally to Miguel and Carmen’s house. Their three girls (picture in last blog) have become like nieces! We spent the night making ¨comets¨ as they’re calling them now…God’s Eye as we call them in English. Deb and I also found out we both lived in MN and I went to high school with her nephew…small world!!!



Friday we spent the day exploring Higuey: the basilica, the marketplace, the tobacco factory…pretty neat!

Saturday we headed out early to Hotel Carabela to enjoy a final day on the beach at a ★★★★ resort! We spent the day relaxing on the beach, swimming out to the buoys, playing volleyball, a delicious dinner at the gourmet restaurant, a original rendition of Gilligan’s Island…did anyone save a copy of it? Lol Ending the night with a walk on the beach, lighting our newly purchased cigars, watching the fish breaking the water…



Memories shared with this wonderful group of people will never leave my heart….Andy thank you for reaching out to me, listening and sharing. Kayla, Casey, Kaileigh and Cristin…our adventures in the back of Juan Carlos’s truck…what can I say…NO MORE RED BULL for Kayla and Rob! Shara, Aaron and Lauren, it was awesome to serve with you at El Cerro and to see your family serve and grow together…your story is a testimony and a blessing! Leslye, you have a beautiful heart, it was great serving with you and watching you with all the children at El Cerro. Cristin…keep your head up, God has great plans for you! Oh and I just found your note in the book you gave me..Im enjoying it so far!!! Michelle, my love, thank you for confiding in me…Ill never forget our walk in the park. Steve and Suzanne, thank you for all your encouragement and allowing me to become a part of your team! YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB!!!! Taylor…I finally got to see the pictures of your baptism here…what incredible memories. Ekman family…your smiles and encouragement will never be forgotten. Becky…thank you so much for the white tea! Mark you have a wonderful and very intelligent family…I hope to serve with you all again next year! Rob and Jake…thank you for all your hard work, it is really appreciated here! Deb and Ally…I’m so glad I got to know you, discovering we have walked the same streets! I hope your entire family can come next year. Thank you all for my bag of goodies! See you soon.

Love,
Eliana