My Last Month in the Dominican Republic

The past month has gone too quickly. 

Even as I write this from my home in the States, my mind is flooded with many memories and many good-byes to students & staff who have become like family to me.  A few really big moments from this past month are all the Despedidas (good-bye parties), the Vida Estudiantil Campamento, and the last few days together as a STINT team. 

The transition from tropical to temperate climate has definitely felt more than weird, but I think the shift  in my pace of life has felt the strangest of all. 

Before we left, our team took some time to go around and say what has been the theme of this year, and immediately, three small words came to my mind: Look to Me.

Look to Jesus- to His perfect example of humility and His desire for unity. Look to Jesus, trusting in Him and keeping my gaze fixed upon Him. Look to Jesus and experience His infinite love for me. 

Funny faces with two girls I discipled.

Last team dinner in the girls' apartment. 

My favorite tree in the DR.

Mango Season!

Spending time with Shannon. 

A Thank-You dinner for some girls I discipled. 

They are hilarious!

At the Vida Estudiantil Campamento with Shannon.

With my sweet sister Nicole. 

With Raysa and Yonson. 

Logan and I with Leyla!

With Star and Christina.

With Estefania!

And with Albelina!

Group picture with students at Camp. 

With Yara...you can't tell, but I'm on my tip toes! 

The celebration ended in a dance party of course!

Everyone sharing meals together.

A quick pic with Prospero and Leyla!

The whole team! 

At our team's debrief retreat. 

Selfie with students. 

With a sweet student whose testimony brought me to tears.

A good-bye dinner prepared by Ruth.

With Ruth :)

At the good-bye party hosted by the students for our team. 

At our final team dinner together.

The fellas- David, Ben, Matt & Omar.

The ladies- Me, Logan and Ashlee. 

Crazy faces and one last good-bye.

My last Plato del Dia with Passion Fruit Juice. Hello.

Wearing the dresses and shirts that Prospero and Leyla gave us.

My last taste of my most favorite ice cream flava!

My time in the Dominican Republic went by too fast. August seems like it was forever ago. August seems like it was just yesterday. It's hard to believe that it was just one week ago today that I arrived back in the States. Although the transition between cultures has been difficult, I know that the lesson remains the same-look to Jesus.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, 

Look full in His wonderful face, 

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, 

In the light of His glory and grace." 

-hymn written by Helen H. Lemmel

xoxo,

kme