Who doesn't like road trips? Some good friends and I traveled from Seattle to California this summer to camp in the redwoods! We sang and played drums and guitar by the fire, hiked the sand dunes, played at the beach, listened to great music in the car, and a lot more. Check out some of the photos from our trip!
This last week and a half in Barahona, Dominican Republic has been one of the best experiences of my life. It has been eyeopening, challenging, and amazing at times to say the least. I am so fortunate to be spending this time with my team and the COTN staff.
One of the first church services we went to after arriving to Barahona, Dominican Republic. This service in particular is broadcast live to over 40K people around the DR.
A couple giving their lives to Christ during the service.
Getting ready to board the COTN bus with two other teams to head out to the bateyes.
Marjorie working with a translator to update sponsorship information for a boy in the Los Robles bateye.
Shane filling out a sponsorship form for another boy.
Kylie with one of the young girls as we walk through a bateye.
It is not uncommon for Shane to have at least three children on him at once.
Dana and a couple of young boys in a bateye.
Our always amazing Kirsten!
Marjorie and her new friend.
Kirsten teaching an English class in Los Robles.
Students take notes during an English class.
Dana and Marjorie lead an English class focusing on conjugation.
Marjorie helping students with letter pronunciation in English.
Two guys at the 'I Love Baseball' field during practice.
Marjorie getting some batting pointers from coach!
A pitcher during a pick-up game at the baseball stadium.
Shane at bat during the game; he scored the first run!
Some of the locals get pretty rowdy during the games.
Shadows in the stands at the field.
A young girl learning how to play guitar during the music class.
Kylie helping a girl with finger placement for a chord.
Jose playing guitar at one of the bateyes.
A couple I met while exploring one of the bateyes. COTN has helped them by building a house, providing them with basic living necessities, and sponsorship for their mentally disabled children.
A house in one of the bateyes. It is common for people to hang their laundry on their fences to dry.
A woman stands next to her kitchen in Don Bosco.
It is common for homes to be brightly colored here in Barahona.
A father and sons outside their home in Don Bosco.
A contaminated river that runs through the middle of Algodon. This is just one of the many problems with waste management in these camps.
A portrait of a boy in the bateye of Algodon.
Trash piles up everywhere in the bateyes.
Some women wash clothing in Altagracia in the shade of a tree.
One of the beaches we have visited since arriving in Barahona.
The surf here is beautiful.
Out translator Misayel cringes as spines from a sea urchin are pulled from his foot after swimming in the ocean.
Dana enjoyes laying down on the beach near Barahona.
Los Patos, the shortest river in the world!
One of the beautiful palm branches here on the island.
A woman sorting onions in a Barahona open market.
Some of the beautiful vegetables in the open market.
4th of July in the mountain town of Polo Magnetico.
Kirsten, my team, and another team from SPU pose during a going away party.
The awesome SPU team that we were able to spend a week with! Jack, Cierra, Candice, Sara, and Noami.
A beautiful sunrise from the roof of Casa Betesda where we are staying.
I hope you enjoyed viewing some of my photos as much as I had taking them! We have been having a blast and learning more about the culture, the needs, and some of the beauty here in the Dominican Republic. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else with my summer and I would not have been able to have this experience without the love and support of so many people. Thank you all and God Bless!
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