One whole year. 

I can’t believe it has been one year since moving to the Dominican. I also don’t think I could ever put into words or describe what this last year has been like. There are always mountain-top highs but also valley lows. I’m not one to reflect much. Usually, I have a mindset that keeps moving forward, and I can’t change the past. So, it’s not surprising that I find it difficult to reflect on and find the words to describe the last year. I could try to list everything I’m grateful for, but I would forget something or someone. So when I say I’m thankful for it all, I mean it. 

At the beginning of the year, I took a break from social media. This is something I have done for the last few years, as my church usually participates in a fast for the first month of the year. While I found it a little harder to take this break because social media is usually my primary source of communication with friends and family at home, it has proven very good. 

January has started very quickly. We had a team from Ohio and another from all over the United States here to serve for double barrios. It was so fun to get back to working with teams. Last week, we had two teams: one from Wisconsin and another from Indiana. The team from Indiana is very close to my hometown. It’s been fun making connections to local places with people!

Speaking of hometowns, the team I served with before moving to San Juan is here this week! My youngest sister and her husband are part of the team, and some of my dearest friends! I picked them up from the airport on Saturday and spent the week working with them in barrio clinics and construction. While it is nice to have them all here, there isn’t enough time in the week to catch up with everyone. I’m looking forward to traveling to the capitol with the team this weekend and to spending time with them poolside. 

Since Pinehills partners with Mennonite Central in El Cacheo, we held a clinic there this week. It was great to have our church and Mennonite Central together in the community, serving the people and sharing the Gospel. I even got a chicken as a gift, I wasn’t so sure what to do with it, so I gave it to Monchy to take home. We also took a trip to La Florida, which is always an adventure to get to but always beautiful! 

I shared in my previous post that I will be taking over as medical coordinator from Sarah when she moves back to the States in March. I am excited to be trusted in this position and look forward to coordinating with teams. One thing I am pleased about and looking forward to this year is allowing teams to share education here in San Juan. A team is coming soon to complete CPR training with the student nurses at CCED. Another in May is planning to go and complete OB training with nurses. In July, we will hopefully be able to complete EMT training with 911 here in San Juan. I have been passionate about education since moving here last year. I wasn’t sure how that passion was supposed to fit into our mission. Still, I am excited to have the opportunity to grow our outreach through education. I pray that God would use the people willing to come to continue to impact healthcare in the San Juan Valley! 

I took some time off from Spanish classes during the holidays but have restarted them. It continues to be a slow process, but I have seen improvement since starting last year. 

I’m looking forward to whatever the Lord has for me this year. I’m trying to continue to trust him and remember that all he asks me to do is love the people he puts in front of me.

Prayer Requests: 

• Continued growth in Spanish
• Transition to Medical Coordinator
• Continued Education Opportunities