July 24th

(Wow, writing about my trip will be quite the task...that's why I've put it off this long. ;) There's so much to say. I'll go a day at a time.]

Around 2am..GASP!..my dad and I drove over to Metro, where my team was meeting up. We all packed our luggage into the bus and headed off for our long drive to the Miami International Airport. There we joined with those coming with us from the Miami & Ft. Laud churches. I stuck together with Mario Stemberger & his daughter, the hilarious & wonderful Khrysten, in the airport...they sure got some laughs at my expense...I was so exhausted I could hardly think. haha. (Btw, the little Cuban cafe in the airport is amaaazing!) At 10am, after making it through the customs and all that jazz, we boarded American Airlines for our flight to Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana! I sat between Eve Krot and Kristian Keicher and sucked my Minute Maid hard candies (didn't want no ears popping!). At 12-somethin', we started descending & could see the beautiful land coming closer and closer. After landing, we met up with a group from the Dominican church who came to welcome us. They are so friendly in a bold way...ya know...like coming up chattering in Spanish and kissing you on your cheek. I quickly got accustomed to that, haha. [Totally bringing that back to Metro now! ;)] We all packed into two vehicles to drive to a local pizzeria for lunch. There, the waitresses brought us the biggest pizzas I have ever seen. With like corn on them (& other ingredients as well). Weird, right? also pretty much amazing. After eating, our team split into two so that the Santiago team could leave for the city they'd be serving in for most of the trip. The rest of us drove to the church building for the meeting that night. Worship was phenomenal. There's something about singing familiar worship songs (like Mighty to Save) in Spanish with believers from a different country that just gives you goosebumps. Our leader Adam Greenfield gave the message that night with the help of a translator. After that, we went with our host families to their homes. Hannah Berry (from Niceville) and I both stayed at the apartment of two single girls, Rossy and Chelsea. They are both so sweet. After talking with them, I went to bed...it was the longest day of my life. I kid you not. It was a good day though...launching off the rest of our trip. :)