A Powerful Love

One month.  Time sure does fly by fast when you are doing something that you love.  As I sit down to write this I struggle to put the experiences I have had these last few weeks into words.  To say the very least, it has been a very eventful month.  Filled with highs, but also with some lows.

About a week ago, the Dominican Republic said good-bye to an amazing woman.  Martha (a member of the church I go to and a cook at the compound where mission groups stay) lost her life to an illness.  Her death affected everyone around here, including many people all over the United States.  If I could describe her in just one word, I would say that she was a woman of faith.  A faith so strong, that it's hard for most of us to understand.  I attended her funeral, and I have never experienced anything like it before.  People passing out because they were crying so much, people screaming at their top of their lungs with emotional pain.  Hundreds of people came, which just goes to show how much of an impact Martha had on the lives around her.  It was a difficult time watching my friends in so much pain, but it is such a good feeling to know that she is now at peace in heaven.

Despite these difficult times, I have been having a wonderful time teaching.  I am beginning to feel comfortable with the children and they seem to love learning English.  I am still amazed by how fast they are catching on.  Every child that attends this school is truly a blessing.  Every morning I receive little gifts from the children.  Whether it be a flower they picked on the way to school or a little note, these kids are always trying to give back with the little that they have and show their appreciation the people around them.   Every day the children have a break time when they can play and buy food at a little snack bar that a local neighbor sets up.  Usually children just have 5 or 10 pesos, which is enough to buy a small package of crackers, nothing more.  Just the other a day, one of my students came up to me and gave me a big hug before going out to buy food.  I have noticed that this little boy rarely ever has money to buy food and sometimes goes the day without eating.  But on this particular day he had 5 pesos.  He bought a piece of candy, but as he was heading back to his classroom he stopped by  me and gave it to me and said "Para ti."  This boy chose to give the only thing he had to eat to me.  If that's not love then I don't know what is is. It's moments like these that make me realize how amazing God is and how powerful love can be.  And I am so blessed to be a witness of this love everyday.  
Love is here. Love is now. Love is all around.
I am so excited as I continue to grow in faith and love as I work along side my brothers and sisters here in the Dominican.