Medical Team-The medical team went to the sugar cane fields in a rural area where many make their living working on the farms. Then, they got to work in a little hut where 1 group did patient intake, 1 group seated the patients and prepared the medicines, and then 1 group worked with the Dominican doctor and Dr Winfrey to assess their needs. A majority of the patients were women and children, and it gave the medical team such perspective, because we take for granted the care we can so easily get in the United States, and these people are just as deserving. Many of the kids were dealing with ring worm and infections that had gone untreated, so it was hard to see such simple fixes be unavailable to them. Most of them hadn’t seen a doctor previously. The Dominican people were kind, patient and so grateful for anything the medical team could do to help their conditions. After all the patients in line were treated, the team went for ice cream in San Pedro and got their first taste of the Dominican treat. -Ava Lammers-
Red Team-The Red team first visited an elementary school and introduced songs, skits and crafts, and the students loved the frog masks the group made with them. Then they spent a long time playing parachute, basketball, and football, jumping rope, painting nails, and giving piggy back rides. Chalk and coloring were also a big hit. Next stop was lunch at the beach, with a picturesque spot to eat sandwiches and take a little nap under the trees. After that, they drove to a village, encountered some rain, and found a church to keep cover, waiting for people come. Eventually 10-15 kids showed up for an afternoon of fun and they didn’t want the group to ever leave! -Lily Stanley-
Green Team-The Green team was excited and anxious to do their program for the first time, but upon arriving at Emmanuel School, we learned they had a day with activities filled, so it was more about learning their system and supporting their planned activities for Pi Day! As a result, we had some solid time to bond as a group, ask deep and goofy questions, and grow the group chemistry. After lunch, we were lead by a respected local to homes in some of the poorest areas with residents who shared heartbreaking stories and situations. God opened incredible opportunities for students on the team to pray for others, sing over them, encourage them and motivate them with their own faith stories. The depth of seeing God’s goodness brought many tears and motivated us to see how “God can use the faith of a mustard seed to move mountains.”
-Avery Oakley-
Blue Team-The Blue team went to the Ensanche Altagracia and in order to make room for all the children to participate, they split into groups for crafts and skits and songs. Everyone on the team stepped up excitedly to help, and the children at the school loved the interaction and hanging out with the team. Adriano shared a powerful testimony, and the kids listened attentively to everything shared. At lunch, some of the team went down the road to hold some babies and hang with little ones at a day care. By the time the afternoon session was over, the team had run through their program 4 times! The team bonded singing on the bus and snapping pictures to share with one another. -Brooke Stone & Alecia Yoder-
Tonight: We met in our small groups for the first time before heading to the upper room for a time of worship and hearing a convicting message from Mr. Ferrier about not just choosing Jesus but choosing to STAY with Jesus for the long haul. After that, there were lots of euchre rounds, excessive snacking, laughing, and reflecting on the day!