Day Two in the Field

Our enthusiastic sophomores

 Today, students returned to their sites for day two.  Some of the experiences included Women's Sports running workouts and tie-dying shirts with the two groups of girls they're working with this week, and the Young Men's Social Work site preparing and painting a brand new facility they plan to open soon.  Our kids continue to have some awesome experiences serving, while also being challenged and blessed by not only their site leaders, but also the Dominican people they're interacting with. 

Very wet juniors

After a very full, but rewarding day, the team was able to go into town to walk around, do some shopping and exploring, then have dinner in a local restaurant, followed by ice cream.  

Over the next couple days, we will collect some testimonies and pictures from our students at each of the sites to give you a better idea of what they've been doing and experiencing!  Stay tuned :)

First Day in the Sites!

Today, students were able to have their first day in their sites!  They met their team leaders, heard about what their week is going to look like, and began meeting the people and seeing the places where they are going to be working and serving!  The kids all just finished coming back for the day, and they are having so much fun sharing their stories and filling each other in on the events of the day.  Tonight, we will be able to have team time with just our Heritage team, where we will have the kids share even more of what they've experienced and how they've already seen God at work!  

Since the kids were just starting in at their sites, they weren't supposed to take any pictures yet (so that they may instead focus on meeting people and getting used to how their sites work).  So, we don't have any site pictures for you yet, but we will soon!  In the meantime, Students International has a media team that has already started traveling around to the different sites and will be updating the SI - Dominican Republic Facebook page.  Here is the link, in case you want to check it out:  https://www.facebook.com/stintdr?fref=ts.

Sunday's Events

Team just returned from church

Today has been fairly relaxed for the kids, as we weren't going to church until this afternoon.  This morning, there was time to hike and hang out around the base.  Then, after lunch this afternoon, some staff gave the students a cultural orientation.

Our proud HCS seniors :)

Just recently, the team returned from going to a church in town where many of the North American and national SI staff attend, and the service was a blessing to all!  Many of the kids also enjoyed being able to ride in the open air trucks for the first time!

Tonight, the kids will take part in a culture night, where they will get to experience more of the local flavor and customs from others of the SI staff, then they will get some rest before getting into their sites tomorrow!

We made it safe and sound!

Getting ready to head out from LAX

We apologize for the late notification!  The wi-fi in the Panama City was not cooperating with our devices, and then we were settling into the base here in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic.  But, the team made it safe and sound and are so excited to (a) be off the airplanes and (b) finally be in the DR!  

Heading to the base

Tonight is really relaxed, eating dinner at the base, followed by a quick team activity, and then hanging out / exploring the base, followed by hopefully a really, really good night's rest to recuperate from our travels today!  Thank you again for all of your prayers and support, and we will update you as we can with how we're doing this week!

Team DR is getting ready to leave!

2015 HCS Team Dominican Republic

There are only 2 days left until our team leaves for Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic for their spring break mission trip!  The kids are finishing the craziness of their last couple days at school, while also packing and preparing to fly out Friday night.  The team has worked so hard throughout the school year, and they are all getting excited to be heading to DR!  

Please keep us in your prayers!  We will be posting from time to time during our trip, so check back in to see how we're doing and how the Lord is working in and through us.  We are so thankful for you all!