adios DR

My last week in the D.R. was really tough but very special. I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to pack everything, sell some things and find people in need for the rest of my stuff. Thanks for all your prayers for that crazy time...here's some pictures of how I spent my last week.

I visited lots of families and friends and like always, ate lots of good food. Here's me with Crismeiry (from my class last year), her dad Cristian who works at the Cafe at school, their son Cristofer and the biggest sweetheart, Mercedes, who cleaned our house all year. They made tacos knowing that they're my favorite...and admitted it was to convince me to stay :).

Here's me up at the monastery with the Monks that I taught English to on Wednesdays the past two years. This past year wasn't as consistent due to my health, but I still love them to pieces and they see me as an adopted daughter in the family :).

Here's me with some of my favorite parents of my students this year and last. We went to eat ice cream and spent a very nice evening together.

And here's Miss Lindsay with the kids :).

Here's Claumery, me and Nina. Nina made me lunch almost every Saturday and her family grew to become like my family down there. I met Nina when she was the cook at Pico Escondido my first summer down there working for Young Life, Claumery goes to Doulos, and I miss them so much already...they are a beautiful family that have gone through so much; they have so little but continue giving (and feeding me not to mention many others in their neighborhood), and just love so largely.

Here's my last day in the D.R...even in my sadness, these girls made me laugh and smile and eased my burden. Though it's hard because they may not remember their "tia" next time I see them, I know that their family loves them so much and that their smiles and laughter won't stop.

And last but not least...the biggest reason it was so hard to leave, here's Natan and I at the beach. Now that I've experienced his life in the DR and made it mine...now it's his turn!!!

More to come on my time in Michigan so far...