The Ascent July 3-11

Happy day after 4th of July.




Good day today! We woke up and had a great breakfast and then headed off to VBS. Today was a good first day of VBS. It was the most relaxed day I can remember over the years. We definitely gathered more kids as the morning went on. We soon learned that the 10+ age group was HUGE, so we have to change that for tomorrow. But overall I was very impressed with how things went. After VBS we hung arond to play with the kids around the school. They love to play "caballo" which means horse in Spanish. They just climb on your back and you give them a piggy back ride until some other small child tackles them off of you. This year we invented "caballo carreras". Carrera is race in spanish so we would line up in the street with the kids on our backs and just sprint to the end of the street. They really loved that. The americanos got very very very sweaty with the non stop caballo games. But it was so much fun.

One of the things that I especially loved about today was talking to some kids during snack time. I finally see that my five years of spanish have begun to pay off to the point where I can actually talk to some of the kids in a regular conversation. Of course it's still difficult when they talk really fast but overall it is great being able to talk to them for real.

After VBS we came back for some yummy lunch before heading out to our work project. We had to clean out a lot that Solid Rock owns. There is a half constructed building on the lot that really is just cinderblock walls with openings that are kinda like windows. The lot was so over grown with plants and trees and weeds it was crazy. When we got there we all were kinda shocked at how overgrown this place was. The weeds were most definitely taller than me and I was a little nervous going inside to start clearing it out. I had no idea what was living in there. It turns out there were tarantulas and snakes and maybe a mouse or two. There was also an avacado tree nearby with some rotten avacados that made the place smell oh so pleasant. But we busted it out really fast. A lot of us were using machetes to cut down the weeds and then we would rake them up and then weed whack the rest of the lot. We had to cut down a couple of little trees too, but now it looks so nice. It looks like some one could actually want to buy it now. No more giant weeds that are taller than the walls! Its nice and clean. I'm pretty sure that I have never sweated that much in my life. It was only 85 degrees but the humidity was pretty killer so we were all soaking wet the entire time.

We finished pretty early and then came back to the guest house to just hang out. I'm not sure what everybody else did, but I took a shower and then passed out on my bed for two hours and woke up just in time for dinner. And now all we are all just hanging out. The tailor is here so everybody is busy ordering different stuff like pants, shirts, backpacks, hoodies, and bags.





Anyways, now I think I am gonna go order my stuff from the tailor and then have some toast...



Kelly



Greetings from the DR!,



Today was the first day of working and VBS. I was very open minded about it all and didn't know what to expect. VBS was awesome and chaotic. The kids took over and attacked the guy with all the water noodles and started hitting everyone with them. That was a sight to see. After VBS we came back to the guest house and had ANOTHER wonderful meal by shannon. Then off to work we went. We had to use machettes to whack four feet tall shrubs and grass down, it was a good way to relieve anger haha. After four hours of picking up shrubs, trash, and stones our work was done for the day. OH YA... I almost forgot the lizards, mice, and tarantula the size of my hand (I normally exagerate but I am being completely serious) we also had an encounter with at the work site! After working we played some games and had dinner. During dinner a tailor, painter, and a lady who weaves baskets came if we wanted to purchase any items. All of their work is amazing. I can't wait to see my dress on thursday from the tailor! Well I will write again. I can't wait to see what tomorrow and the rest of the week brings.



Love you mom (hopefully you are reading these)



Sincerely ,



Aubrey

The Ascent July 3-11

July 4th - Happy Independence Day


so today was our first full day in the DR. it was pretty sweet! we went to a local church in santo domingo this morning. it was cool but soooooooooo hot. then we had a 4 hour ride to the guesthouse...long and hot but wasnt too bad i guess. when we got to the guesthouse a bunch of us walked over to a local little village to meet some of our potential VBS kids. it was fun :) we played football (our football, not theirs) haha. it was good times but the best part of the day was right before dinner. theres a little basketball court here and a couple of us went to play, but right after we started playing it started to rain. now most people wouldnt play ball outside in the rain but we sure did! after about 15 minutes it was literally monsooning on us. hardcore, downpour!!! but we didnt stop! it was truely epic. by far the best way to start off the week. we enjoyed the rain because it probabley wont happen again. so thats it for the first day. i know that this year will be just as amazing as last year.



TJ