Two months

It seems crazy to believe that I have been here for almost two months. It's really exciting as I'm seeing relationships grow and different changes in different kids that are clearly a testimony of God's work in their lives.
This past week has been yet another busy one. A friend of Rebekah's came down for a visit which meant increased activities. On Wednesday we took a trip out to a waterfall to do some swimming only it had been raining nearly everyday so the water was pretty high and pretty dirty which caused some of the Dominicans with us to stay out of the water, but those of us that entered had a great time getting cooled off in the water.
On Thursday we decided to go into the colonial part of the Capitol and spend some time learning about history since Rebekah's friend is a history teacher. We ended up getting a late start so by the time we got there things were starting to close but we got to spend some time in an old fortress and weapons museum there.
On Friday the interns and I headed out to the orphanage to make playdoh with the kids. It was the first any of them had done this so we first had to explain that we weren't making food but playdoh and then the kids were amazed at how it all came together and then had fun playing with it.
Saturday was one of my favorite experiences I have had here because we got to take all the kids from the orphanage who were graduating from eighth grade or high school to Jarabacoa to go rafting. This was the first time any of them had done this and everyone of them enjoyed the time rafting and laughing together. I fell out of the boat at one point but was very quickly pulled back in by the guide but even that was fun. It was a day that the kids said they would not forget.
Sunday we went out to the orphanage for our fourth of July celebration and ate hot dogs and had a bonfire and roasted marshmellows. It was a great time of fellowship and playing with the kids. It was especially fun to see some of the kids and the changes in them from the first year like Karin who was very shy and untrusting and seeing her now not afraid of new comers or talking with people and there is definite trust that she has with the others around her now. Also Gabriel who had made some bad decisions and got in with the wrong crowd at school and seeing now how he's left that behind and now has a sense of gentleness about him as well as an innocence. Both of these kids are not Christiains but God is softening their hearts and working there. Please be praying for these two kids to come to Christ.
Today I spent some time talking to one of the students in our summer program. He had hit a girl in his class and had been sent up to the office. We've had a lot of trouble with this kid and we have to send him home at least once a week. We found out last week that his dad had been abusing his mother and sister and then in talking with him today he told me that his mom had abused him. Normally he would be sent home for hitting the girl as hard as he did since he's a danger to the others but he really did not want to be sent home and knowing what is going on in his home life we decided to keep him at school in the office until school was over. It was a harsh realization what these kids are going through but it is very much a reality and there really are not forces in place to come in and investigate and help the kids if needed like we have in the states. Be praying for this little boy and the others in our program that they can be cared for well but also that they can find salvation. I shared the Gospel with this little one today and the Gospel is being shared daily with these kids.
I seem to have gotten an outer ear infection from water being in my ear after rafting this weekend. It was causing me a lot of pain but it felt better today although there were still moments of pain and I still can't hear out of it. Along with that I picked up a cold from one of the kids out at the orphanage on Sunday so my sinuses have been a little overwhelmed. On Friday we are going put to Jarabacoa for the weekend and there are missionaries there that are doctors or nurses so if the problem with my ear persists until Friday I'll have them take a look at it and hopefully get some medicine. It is not too bad all in all. I was able to play a game of soccer out at the orphanage with older boys and my ailments were pretty much forgotten during that time aside from the coughing and sniffling. Things are going well. I leave for camp midweek next week and I am excited for that to start. I will be returning home in less than a month now and I don't think I'll be ready for it.