Update!

After my first few weeks here, I've been surprised on what a semester abroad means. It means living here. It's that simple. As Jesus lived, so making Him present in my life. Incarnational ministry is the big word for this.

How similar the people here are! Different language and culture but the little neighbor boy from upstairs, Darvis, likes to take out his gum to show me the bubble. Different cultural interactions and yet graffi on the walls still says "___ y ___" (sometimes crossed out!). Different books on the library's shelves and yet the same librarian struggling to maintain silencio en la biblietca.

In living with these people, I see Dominicans, people, myself. May they by God's grace see Christ in me.

Abby

P.S. Alisa, the kids here like to fence just like in the states! Hopefully I will have new tricks to show you when I get back.

Bananas, Bananas, Bananas

My team and I have arrived in the beautiful country of the Dominican Republic. We're right in the middle of the mountains, which are beyond beautiful. Some of the interesting things I've learned thus far about the Dominican Republic. Apparently the mountains and the Island itself affects digital watches. None of the clocks in the cars and many of the clocks in the homes aren't accurate as a result. This doesn't completely explain away the "dominican time" of course! :) Driving here is improvised. There are stop lights. These are suggestions. Mostly there are motorcycles and the drivers usually don't wear helmets, although some, as we learned at the base, will wear a pot on their head instead. When Americans are in other countries, they tend to have the reputation for being loud. Here, us Americans are mouses in comparison. People will strap a loudspeaker to their motorcycle, blaring it on high and sharing tunes with the rest of this world. It's such a colorful beautiful place here, and I'm excited to join it via Spanish.

Abby

P.S. Oh yeah! And there are SO many bananas! It's like grass here.