I almost left the grocery store without purchasing a single thing. I got past the produce section and into the bread area at my local Kroger, and I suddenly wanted to leave my cart and go back to my car. Why are there so many choices of bread? The only thing I truly knew I needed was mashed potatoes, because my mom told me we needed them. Still, besides that, I felt frozen in the Kroger, like I had no idea what foods I liked. I eventually started collecting some items, remembering that the thing I miss most while I’m in the DR is milk, and made it to the checkout. As I was leaving, I sent a text to Kamanda, “The grocery store isn’t supposed to be this overwhelming.” 

Whenever I’m in San Juan, preparing to return to Indiana, I get this gut feeling that I should stay in the DR. After discussing it with friends, I’ve realized this feeling is actually my way of avoiding feelings of rejection and change. Every time I come home, I feel like there is something new to learn, and I’ll be honest, it is a struggle to keep up without feeling like I have missed out. 

I also love spending time with everyone when I am home, but this time I’ve made a conscious effort to spend more time at home. Kate made an excellent point in a meeting we had this week. In the Dominican Republic, when we are making plans or spending time with people, it’s usually done in our homes or in theirs. That’s not how it feels in the States when you are making plans to be with someone here. Typically, it’s going to dinner, a store, or some kind of activity, where you are busy, moving, and not fully present. There is something to be said for hosting people in your home or being hosted in a place where you’re not rushed to move on to the next thing, but can fully be present with your friends and loved ones.

I wrapped up the summer with the help of everyone on our team and Brayden! We had two and a half weeks without Katelyn as our fearless leader at the guest house, so Brayden and I served in the role together. We had finished VBS and moved into two medical teams. The first team comes from Minnesota and is always willing to do whatever is needed. The plan was for them to do education on 911. Still, that plan had to change (Flexibility), so two people spent two days cleaning the paramedic closet! Now we know exactly what is in this closet and where it is located (I love an organized space). While they cleaned that area, Euclides, Brayden and I cleaned out the “scary room,” if you know what that room is, I just want to assure you, it’s no longer scary! This team was a busy one; they also completed four days of barrio clinics, helped to complete a project at a local church, and helped paint the roof of the lunch area at the guesthouse. One thing about this team is that they always come with the heart to serve in any way they can. This includes tasks such as standing in the rain, bucketing out water from in front of the pharmacy to prevent flooding, cleaning up a fallen limb, or stocking the Coke fridge. 

That weekend I was able to attend a sweet friends wedding in San Juan! It was so beautifully hosted in the camp outside of town. Sadly, I have no good pictures from that night.

We finished our summer teams with a group that completed construction at Pastor Enol’s church in Michigan. Alongside a group of nursing students from Tampa! I had the opportunity to spend two days with this team, not on my usual days, but I still got to serve alongside them and get to know them. The one thing I always hope is that the weeks have an impact on how they approach nursing care in their communities as they return. We had a good discussion on Thursday night about how the experiences and knowledge they’ve gained can help them have a better impact on their patients.

I have actually been stateside for about two weeks. I spent two days at the Dominican Fiesta resting before traveling back to the States. I always tell people the fiesta is like a home away from home. When the staff greet you by name and the concierge gives you a big hug, you see the friends made from being there so frequently, and the hostess at breakfast always greets you with a smile, it feels safe. I know, it seems like it’s the last place I would want to spend free days because it’s a place I also “work”, but I love it. Maybe I’ll start taking the bus to sit poolside more regularly. 

Okay, back to my stateside adventures. I met my family in Florida for three days, which was a nice break from the usual routine. The reality is, uninterrupted time with family is rare when I’m in Indiana. We didn’t make it to the beach to swim due to the seaweed, but we still enjoyed our time by the pool, taking naps, sharing dinners, and playing games together. One night, on our way back home, we stopped at a beach with no lights, and the sky was so beautiful. 

Since I have been back in Indiana, I have been trying to balance rest with spending time with people. I’ve managed to balance dinners with friends in the evenings, morning walks with my dad (whom I’ve forced to join a walking club with me while I’m home), and afternoon naps! I also have to mix in a little work here and there to prepare for our teams coming in September and October, which mainly consists of emails and submitting things for public health. I have had a few meetings and have a few more to hopefully build partnerships with local companies here to help address some of our needs in the DR.

Just because I am stateside doesn’t mean that work stops in the DR. I have to give a HUGE thank you to Bianca, Hilda, and Angel. We continue to work on promoting a surgery team that will be visiting in October. They made a trip into several communities from Azua to San Juan to help promote the team. 

Of course, I made it to PHC my first Sunday back in Indiana! The community of people I’ve have through this church is nothing short of a blessing! I think I say it every time I’m home, about how God has abundantly blessed me with a community that is like no other. August is always Engage My City with PHC, an initiative that engages Fort Wayne in tangible ways. This week, my friends prepped some cookies as a dessert for local families. Then we did a prayer walk around a building that will soon be the new home of a ministry called New Mercies.

Next week I’m meeting Cristian and Madison for dinner! I’m looking forward to meeting them in person and getting to know them a little better. 

I took a break from Spanish classes while I am home. I learned my lesson the hard way last year that I won’t stick with it while I’m here and can visit family. So I will get back into those when I return to the Dominican. 

I head back to the Dominican on the 31st, and I’ll meet Katelyn and our friend Kailey the same day to head back to San Juan. Until then, I’ll continue to soak up the moments of rest and relaxation here in Indiana. 

Prayer Requests:

• Surrender to the Lord for his leading and timing
• Spanish Comprehension
• Rest
• Safe travels home to the DR