¡Hola! Today marked our last full day in the beautiful Dominican Republic. We spent the day on Catalina Island, right off the coast of the DR. After a relaxing boat ride, we got to snorkel in the Caribbean Sea right off the coast of Catalina- it was the first time for many of us! While we swallowed a lot of the salt water, there were no worries as we also learned how to snorkel and explore the 4000 square feet of coral reef! Afterwards, we made our way to the white sandy beaches of Catalina Island where we were treated to a buffet lunch with grilled chicken, pork, and even fresh shrimp and fish (thanks for sharing Christina and Dr. Friday).
After lunch, some of us read on the beach, lounged in the shade of the palm trees, or got massages on the beach. Others haggled in the gift shop for the best prices, strolled down the beach collecting shells and coral, and took a whole lot of pictures! An intense round of frisbee in the water also entertained us for a lot of the afternoon. We are not sure who ended up winning that game, as most of us ended up a just a little bit red and very worn out! There was also a close call with a little sea urchin, but no worries, it was caught and released into a different part of the beach to save our feet! Our afternoon was very well spent. With snorkeling, four boat rides in total, and playing on the beach, we were able to enjoy more of the beauty of God’s creation here in the DR. We also learned more of the value spent in resting as God has commanded us and living in close fellowship with other Christians. By the end of the day, we climbed into the boat exhausted, happy, and with just enough sun for a healthy glow (though some could have used more sunscreen ;)! The ride back to the main land was extremely choppy, but very exciting as it felt like a rollercoaster at times. We have been extremely blessed today and all of this week. For our dinner, we had the opportunity to enjoy a grilled dinner hosted by some of the members of Iglesia Bautista Misionario. They inspired and uplifted us as they shared their own personal testimonies with the group. We enjoyed hearing how the Lord saved a man from living for wealth to now live for the Lord and pastor two churches in the DR. It brought us full circle as we reflected on the week we’ve had. It’s been full of sharing our own personal testimonies, learning from each other, building fellowship, and bringing healing of all kinds to some of the villages we’ve had the opportunity to visit. I cannot speak for all of us, but I know this week has been humbling and inspiring. I know I will carry this week with me as I return to graduate school. Tomorrow, we ALL get to fly home as we passed our COVID tests this morning! The easiest test I’ve ever taken… ish. Some are a little more disappointed than others – I know I wouldn’t have argued with a few extra days on the beach! Our flight arrives at 6:30 PM in ATL. We cannot wait to share all of the ways we have seen God work this week and all of the amazing things we have done with our friends, families, and supporters!
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