Basketball 🏀

I love how much basketball is appreciated and enjoyed in the Dominican Republic. Two days ago I was at the supermercado and I overheard a cashier and a customer discussing the Chris Paul trade. And today I had the opportunity to go and play basketball with quite a few Dominicans and two members of the summer service team. We were at the gym for over three hours and there were still people playing when we left. We had quite a few awesome games. We played three on three and then the court opened up and we had a couple of games of five versus five. It is still a very similar style of basketball and it was a great deal of fun. I am definitely still working on my Spanish and I am no expert. But I am getting a fairly good at communicating on the basketball courts and of course trash talking when necessary. And all of this is done in Spanish. I am very proud of myself! Hahaha.

Rob

Painting - does it matter?

We started painting today! We painted a few rooms and a long hallway. We get to finish up the painting job tomorrow morning. Often times when we paint (especially in other countries) we wonder if we are helping. Whether it is needed or because they are just trying to give us a project to complete to make us feel good about ourselves because Americans like to "accomplish" tasks. Well, after we finished eating dinner the Pastor came up to me to thank me for the group painting the school (inside and outside). She explained to me that it would be rather expensive to hire a group of men to come and paint the school. She was so happy that we were able to paint today. Oh, and the whole conversation was in Spanish. Yeah, I surprised myself too.

Rob

History of Samana

Tonight we had a short history lesson on Samana as well as a longer dance lesson. We were taught about the African American immigrants who came to Samana in the 1820s (when Dominican Republic was under the rule of Haiti). This has created a culture that is a bit different in Samana as compared to rest of the country. They have some different traditions, food, cultural norms, and dances.

Tonight we learned three of those dances. It was informative and fun. All of the dances were partner relate and also communal. All of the dances are done with the dancers and audience in a circle. We learned this communal aspect of dancing is extremely important in Samana. The ladies also all wore traditional dresses.

In general it was definitely an experience and not one I will forget anytime soon.


Rob

Going to the island!!!

Samana

So, we have been in Samana for a couple of days now. It is definitely different than Sabaneta, but beautiful and glorious in its own way. If you have not looked at it on a map, it is a peninsula. So we are right on the coast basically everywhere we go. There are so many beaches and sea life is very apparent here.

There are also a lot more tourists and someone. There are a great deal of large hotels and this is due to the fact that whale watching is a really big deal. It is not well watching season right now so everything is not as busy as it would be during whale season. But the tourists are still here. This is a new experience for our team. We have not seen a lot of non-Dominicans before now.

Two days ago we took a boat out to a small island. This is a favorite spot for tourists and Dominicans alike. The boat ride was intense… The waves were choppy and the boat did not slowdown. But once we got to the island the sun was out and it was absolutely gorgeous. We played in the water for quite some time and walked around and just enjoyed having a bit of relaxation. One of our team members had never been on a boat before, so that was definitely an experience for her.

Overall, we are having a wonderful time in Samana. Yesterday we ran a vacation Bible school for about 60 young kids and today there is going to be a festival or party for the schoolchildren that we are helping with. We hear rumors that it might be a water party, so that could get very interesting very quickly.

Rob

Last night in Sabaneta

So, tonight is our last night in Sabaneta. We have been in this location for 10 days and it definitely feels like home. We love them and they love us. Their hospitality is unmatched; they cook for us, play games with us, worship with us, and let us invade their lives and their space. It has been a wonderful and will not soon be forgotten.

At this exact moment we are having a going away service with the community. We are singing songs, sharing our experiences together, and exchanging gifts. We are here with the adults, the teens, and the young kids. It really is a community. I speak for everyone in our group when I say we will greatly miss Sabaneta and we hope to return...

Rob

Alone time

So, we don't get a lot of alone time here in the DR. One doesn't realize how precious alone time is until it is stripped away. We are constantly on the go and usually entertaining and hanging out with the Dominicans. Now, obviously, I love this. I know that I get energy from being surrounded by people and always on the go. But that is not the case for all people. It has been good for me to recognize this and to help the students take time for themselves when they need it. We all need to remember to take care of ourselves so we are more equipped to take care of others.

Today is our 12th day in country. Time is already flying by. This place is amazing. The people are amazing. The culture is amazing. Let's remember to take a deep breath and take it all in as it will definitely pass us by very quickly...


Rob

Correction

Yesterday, we were not stung by jellyfish. That would've been preposterous. Many of us stepped on sea urchin. Which makes way more sense because they left splinter like stingers in our hands and our feet. I am currently soaking my feet in vinegar to try to get the deep stingers to come up to the surface so that I can take them out. It has definitely been an arduous process and a lot of pain. But I am certain that it will be over soon.

The Ocean...

So, we had a wonderful time at a different beach today. It was different than the other beach we went to because there were barely any tourists there. It was literally off of the beaten path and we drove onto a dirt, gravel road that had no markings on it at all. And when we arrived we were opened up to a small beach cove. It was amazing.

The whole team immediately got in the water and swam around and had a wonderful time. The water was clear and beautiful and there were not too many people there. It was an awesome experience. The only downside is that four of us got stung by jellyfish. I got it the worst because I stepped right on top of one and had at least seven stingers in my right foot. So, this evening has definitely been eventful dealing with a jellyfish stingers.

But the ocean is wild and the ocean is dangerous. That is the beauty of the ocean. It was a beautiful, glorious day at the beach. Being from Michigan I am still getting used to the salt water. But the ocean is beautiful. I might argue that freshwater is still better, but the warmth of the ocean and the warmth of the air might challenge the freshwater.

Teenagers and Culture

Talking to teens in the DR has been extremely interesting. I am
Realizing it is very Similar in trying to talk to American teens. I am not saying this as a negative, but instead a reality. My Spanish is definitely not good and trying to make and keep conversations is not easy. But I have noticed that it is the most difficult with the teens in the DR: one word answers, no reciprocal questions, completely disinterested, etc. for any of you with experience with teens in the USA I am sure this sounds familiar.

Moral of the story - some things don't change. Many things transcend culture and location. I guess teenage angst is one of those things.

Rob

Dominican culture

I have been pleasantly surprised and impressed by the culture in the Dominican republic. I was not expecting it to be as influenced by The USA as it is. I spend a lot of time in Latin American countries, specifically Guatemala, and the culture here is intensely different.

One of the big differences is this country's obsession with basketball. It is so fun to be able to play basketball every day as well as talk about and discuss the NBA and basketball in general. The games are intense and real. Referees how up when we start playing. People come to watch pick up games. The atmosphere is perfect.

If I am being completely honest, the other thing that I am really enjoying is the diversity of the culture. People who are Dominican do not all looks the same. Many of them will look like they're from Spain while others will look like they're from Africa and everything in between. It is an awesome sight to behold him and I think I like it because it makes it look like I can walk around and blend right in as a Dominican… If it weren't for my awful Spanish speaking skills.

Overall, we are having a great time in the Dominican republic and the time is flying by. It is a wonderful place with wonderful food wonderful people wonderful weather and wonderful culture.

Rob

Leaving the City

It's been awhile since I blogged. We had a wonderful time in Santo Domingo. We learned about the history of the DR as well as the history of the IED.

We also had the opportunity to work with a local pastor while painting the inside and outside of a new seminary and manse. We worked with Peter and Luis (two Dominicans) both days and Alessandra one of the days. Getting to know them and trying to speak Spanish was a great experience for sure.

FOOD
We have been eating a lot of rice and beans and fresh fruit. All of the food is fantastic. I believe we can learn a lot about a culture by what they eat and we are definitely learning.

We are currently driving out of the city and to Sabaneta for the next 10 days. There we will be staying at a mission house and continue working with the IED. We are not completely sure what we will be doing yet, but we are looking forward to it.

Dominican Republic

Hey hey hey!!!

I am heading out to the Dominican Republic in the morning for six weeks with a group of eight college students being sent by the New Wilmington Mission Conference.


We are excited and have been in New Wilmington for training and and orientation for the past three days. We are ready to get out of here and get to the DR tomorrow. I will do my best to keep you updated with pics and stories and everything else throughout the trip!

Stay posted...