Craziness

 So we are now just about half way through our last outreach. That is crazy...that means we literally only have 2 weeks of outreaches left and then our few days of debriefing. The last outreach was just so different than any of the one we have had so far. I am not sure what it was but something was just off. The 2 girls and 1 older lady I had at my site were great but seemed they just didn't want to be there. I can't say they didn't play with all the girls more than any other group has but there was just something, and it wasn't even just my girls. It kind of seemed to be the entire outreach of people. Everything was just a little off. Not as energetic.
 But I will gladly say that this group we have at the moment has been so so great! I actually have 2 mothers (Nancy & Tami) and a young lady (Cristina) who has just graduated college. They are all from Connecticut and are more than here for the right reasons. They have honestly been so great and we have only been at our site and together for maybe 2 1/2 days. Sadly we have only had Nancy and Cristina for these days because there was about 25 people who got sick (stomach issues from both ends =[ ), including mostly students, 5 out of us 7 interns (I happily escaped it) and some staff members. So it has been a crazy first few days with this group but it has been better already. The women at my site seem to just love on us and on everyone there so easily and so quickly. They are very fun to be around and a nice change to not have high schoolers. Not saying that any of the high schoolers I have had have been bad LoL

Me and Jesus

 Anyway since I am ending my amazing time here in la Republica Dominicana, it starts getting harder and harder leaving the site every afternoon. Last night we had our usual dinner in the community and we got to go eat with Laura and baby Jesus. They made this very yummy cheesy pasta with tostones (Dominican French Fries - can't wait to make them at home!), wasn't quite the 'normal' Dominican meal most people eat this night when they're out in the community, so it was a nice change for me from white rice, beans and chicken, though I think I will miss that to when I get home haha. It was so fun to be able to go back to Los Higos and be there when it's dark out, very different atmosphere but it was so amazing to see, even though it was very dark. It was a fun experience to see these people outside of our site and seeing then eating dinner and how the kids literally just kind of walk into everyones houses just to see whats going on then either stays or keeps on going haha
 Jesus has become a special little 5 month old to me. When I first saw him I asked if I could hold him and after a couple minutes he was out cold in my arms. His mom looked surprised and brought him home a little later. Then every since then she either will walk down and come bring him to me or I will go up and play with him and eventually bring him down to the base. Rossy, Heidy and his momma Laura all constantly tell me he is going to miss me so much. "He hears your voice Ariana...he will know when he doesn't hear it anymore." Rossy will tell all the new students we get that one time we were over there and we put him in the room after he fell asleep. We finished painting the kitchen and were leaving and I just happened to say his name and say bye - as if he could hear me right? I knew he was sleeping, it was just to say it. We all take a few more steps and hear him making all kinds of happy noises. Rossy and his mom kind of freaked out so I felt bad that I had woken him up but they reacted like that because they say 'He heard your voice, he wanted you to come in there.' Every time I hear Rossy telling that story it makes me a little sad because I really don't want to leave and him forget who I am. Yes I know he is only 5 months old but I know he knows. It was also great to find out while we were there last night was that Laura's boyfriend Anthony, asked her marry her, and truly marry her, with the church, a dress, a pastor, everything! That was so great to hear! I mean just hearing how they met...she went to the grocery store real quickly saw him on his Moto, they smiled at each other, she turned around and told her friend 'Tell my mom I got married' and jumped on the back of his Moto and off they went to live together. ---- Wait what?? You may be asking...but surprisingly it is very true and they are still together 5 years later. And now getting 'for real' married.
  We had our 2nd to last Intern bible study this past Monday, and Erin was asked to lead it. Since we were making breakfast still she had some time to plan out and then told all of us "I want to talk about characteristic of God today so just think about this summer and what characteristic has been more evident in you life here." So we all sat there and I was just kind of astounded because almost everyday for that past week I had found something in my reading that talked about how much faith we should have in God and how faithful he is to everybody. Funny thing is that when she started she mentioned that as well. I went next and smiled and said the same thing and why, and then the next 3 people all said the same word as well as a few other interns. Erin and I just couldn't help but look at each other and smile seeing how amazing it is that God has worked in each and every one of our lives. She has been such a blessing to my life. I will talk more about her in the next post though =]
More to come in next post.