Introduction to Our Sites

Some girls coming back from their first day in the sites

Men's Social Work getting ready to head out

After getting some good sleep last night, the team was excited for their first full day here in the DR!  This morning, we were able to start a study from the book of Daniel for devotions that we are going to continue working through during our time down here.  After individual time in the Word, we were able to have a time together in worship and then heard from one of the Men's Sport Site leaders.  This will be a pattern of how our days are going to begin, digging into the Word and looking to the Lord before getting ready to go out and serve!

Education Mata Gorda getting ready to head out

Then it was time for some of the staff to give the kids an orientation to Students' International, their ministries, as well as historical and cultural introductions to the country and people of the Dominican Republic.

After lunch, the students were able to meet their site leaders for the first time and head out for a half day in the sites.  They were able to hear introductions to the different ministries, the leaders' hearts behind what they do, and the ways we will be able to help out and serve!  Tonight, we will have culture night, where we will have a lot of fun learning from some of the national staff about the tastes, sounds, and games of their beautiful country!

Some of the team sitting down for orientation

Team DR arrives in the Dominican Republic!

At the airport in Santiago, getting ready to load up!

It's official!! We have landed in the Dominican Republic and have already arrived at the base, unpacked some, and even eaten some dinner!  Tonight is going to be a relaxed night, as the kids are just able to hang out and have some fun together before getting some good sleep to be able to hit the ground running tomorrow :)

The plan for tomorrow is orientation with the Students' International staff in the morning, followed by a chance to meet their site leaders for the next two weeks and get an orientation of where and how they're going to be able to serve during their time here!  

The kids are a bit tired but excited to finally be here!  Thank you so much for your prayers as we were traveling - everything went very smoothly!  We'll check back in with you tomorrow.

On our way to the base!

Team DR in Panama City!!

Team DR kids brave enough to pose after a long flight!

After a fairly smooth flight, we are here in Panama City all safe and sound! We have a little bit of a layover before one more flight, a shorter one to Santiago. So, as the kids are headed to go find water (don't worry, it'll be bottled!), coffee, and food, I just wanted to post a quick update :)

And, just for fun, here's a picture of most of the team before we took off last night:

Ready to go!