Week 8

So I am continuing to get good use out of the new can of bug spray. So much to update you on... it has been a fun-filled week this past week. This past week was rather special because we didn't put on a camp or go off-site for a program specifically this week. We had the unique opportunity to put on a camp for the boys at the orphanage... only we did Olympics for them. We divided them into four teams and had competitions and activities for them 1 hour in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. It all ended with a Festival on Thursday night. Another fun fact is that we got to take the boys to the beach in Monte Cristi on Wednesday... for some of the younger boys, this was their first time to the beach, but they LOVED it. The look on their faces when we told them that we were going to the beach alone was priceless, let alone seeing their faces as we pulled up and then when they got to play in the water. I am so glad that I got to be a part of that adventure. Also, on Tuesday John, Tom and Heather went to Monte Cristi for leadership meetings and so I was the one "left with keys". It didn't mean anything that important but that I had to make sure everything ran on time and that everyone was taken care of. It was a neat experience that makes me appreciate the leadership so much more than I already did. On Thursday, part of the activity was to watch a movie that Stephanie, one of the interns, compiled on the "Summer of the Monkeys" (as we termed it)... the boys really enjoyed seeing pictures and videos of themselves over the past summer.
Now that last week is over, we look forward to next week, which has already proven to be a busy week... A team of 30 is coming in today and we are going to be doing camp in the morning and afternoon all week. This is also my last week in Jaibon. I also found out today that I will be working closely along side Heather to be a co-program leader, because she will have a lot more responsibility than previously. With all this in mind, please bring the following things to our Father:
- Rest, peace and energy for the upcoming week. We have spent the past month with only interns, so pray that God would give me patience to extend grace to everyone around me.
- Half of our team left this morning. These are ladies and John that have been with me since May 30th... so seeing that piece of my family leave was very hard this morning at 4:30 am. Also later this morning more of the team left, most of them that have been here for a month. Pray that God would provide friendships to fill that void and that God would be honored in my attitude this week.
- Pray for Danis. He is a boy that came to the orphanage this past Thursday. I have been able to talk to him a bit, but it is hard to understand him (especially at the beginning) because he was crying so hard missing his family. Pray that this week that he would see that there are a lot of people here that love him and more so that he would understand God's unconditional love for him.

I am so overwhelmed with the blessings that you all have shown me over the course of this summer. From phone calls to letters to emails to prayers, I feel blessed to have you in my life. I am so excited to tell you about the way that God has changed me this summer and to share a snapshot of how God used this summer in the DR. May God richly bless your week.

Only His,
Monica