More Dominican Moments

It's so hard to believe it is Thursday already. Today is our last full day at Grace School doing dentist stuff. Tomorrow we will be here in the morning and then clean up and pack in the afternoon. We will also visit a market tomorrow similar to flea markets in America when we are done packing. Last night was a little different than it has been the rest of the week. We finished our work around 4 and then headed back to the hotel (30 minutes away from Herrera). We usually go straight to dinner after leaving Hererra. We got cleaned up and then left again for dinner at 6:00. We drove alond the coast where the University is on the island. The water is really bumpy right now. There were again some very interesting things along the drive (a naked man sitting on the rocks, a man going to the bathroom on the sidewalk, and many crazy drivers along the way). The restarunt we ate at reminded me of somewhere in Florida. It was American type food - hamburgers and french fries which was a little nice. Then we took the night off to rest and did not meet for worship. I was able to speed walk with Ashley for an hour which was very relaxing. We shared testimonies and loved the high 70s weather as we circled the tennis court over and over. Today we were able to clean the rest of 4th grade, all of 3rd and most of 2nd. The school is set up to be an elementary school in the morning and then a high school in the afternoon (2-6 pm). That helps with their space problem here and give the older children time to work in the morning. So this afternoon we will finish seeing 11th graders and start 10th graders. Because we will only be here in the moring tomorrow, we hope most of the the really bad dental cases will come in the morning, including the older children. We'll see who actually shows up though in the morning.

God has really been using this trip in the area of contentment for me. I am studying that word in the bible already this year and it is exciting to see it everywhere here. These children are so happy and content with what they have. By American standards, they have nothing. The all live in a shed and they have only a few outfits that they re-wear. But today when I was talking to them and watching them play paper, rock, scissors with our translators, they couldn't stop laughing and smiling. It is so precious to see. I really do hope and pray to have the rest of my family all go on a mission trip together. It is fascinating to experience a third world country and to see a completly different culture than America. We are so wealthy and still so uncontent and greedy. I pray that God will suround these people and this island with his protection and mercy. And I pray that through our team, many will come to know Christ and his everlasting love for them. Please continue to pray, it is working!